A lawn mower is one of those tools you only think about when it lets you down, on the one Saturday you set aside to cut the grass. Some start with a button and run whisper-quiet, others start with a pull-cord and a tank of gas and never run out of steam. That split, gas versus battery, is the real choice, and "just get whatever is on sale" ignores it. We analyzed thousands of verified buyer reviews, recent sales data, and expert evaluations to find seven lawn mowers that match the way real yards actually get mowed.
Every product we compared, in ranked order. Tap through to Amazon to check today's price, or jump to the full review below.
1
WORX Nitro WG752
Best Overall
WORX Nitro WG752 Push Lawn Mower (21 in)
5.0
40V brushless motor · 20 in cutting width · 7 height positions
Our Best Overall pick: Consumer Reports tested the WG752, WORX's 21-inch brushless Nitro mower, and buyers consistently praise its quiet, powerful cutting and easy maneuverability without a self-propelled drivetrain to maintain. At 55.6 lbs it balances power, quiet operation and simplicity.
At just over 35 lbs, the WG743 is the lightest full-size mower in this lineup, purpose-built for small yards under a third of an acre. Testing found it delivered a clean, even cut without bogging down, even through thicker patches, thanks to WORX's IntelliCut power boost.
60V brushless motor · 21 in cutting width · 7 height positions
Our Best for Large Yards pick: a 21-inch deck, the widest here, with a higher 60V platform and a brushless motor rated to hold steady blade speed through thick, wet grass. Up to 65 minutes of runtime, an LED headlight and a rapid charger round out a gas-mower replacement for bigger properties.
144cc gas engine · 21 in cutting width · 6 height positions
This SENIX runs on gas rather than battery power, one of two gas mowers in an otherwise cordless-heavy comparison. Owners describe it as lightweight for a gas mower and noticeably quieter than typical gas engines, with a 2-in-1 mulch-or-discharge deck.
170cc gas engine · 21 in cutting width · 6 height positions
A gas-powered, self-propelled mower whose 170cc 4-cycle engine and front-wheel drive keep running as long as there's fuel in the tank, with no recharge breaks on the biggest lawns in this lineup.
TechGearLab tested the Greenworks 40V 16-inch and found it quiet, lightweight and surprisingly capable for its size, with the motor automatically revving up in thick grass. At 37.5 lbs with a single 4.0Ah battery included, it's the most affordable way into cordless mowing in this lineup.
21V brushless motor · 13 in cutting width · 42-56 in telescopic pole
Not a mower: this is a cordless string trimmer and edger, included here as a companion tool for finishing edges, fence lines and tight spots a mower's deck can't reach. A 21V brushless motor and a telescopic pole handle trimming rather than cutting a full lawn.
Short on time? These three cover most buyers: our Best Overall WORX Nitro WG760, a Consumer Reports-tested, variable-speed self-propelled mower for lawns up to half an acre, the Best Affordable Greenworks 40V 16-inch for small lawns on a budget, and the Best for Large Yards NovorikX 60V, a higher-voltage self-propelled mower with up to 65 minutes of runtime built as a gas-mower replacement for bigger properties.
Understand the category before you buy - what the science actually says, and which specs matter.
This lineup mixes five cordless mowers with two SENIX gas models, because the first real decision is not brand or price, it is which power source fits your yard. Here is how a mower works, the honest gas-versus-battery trade-off, and the specs worth comparing once you have picked a side.
What does a lawn mower actually do?
Underneath the deck, every walk-behind mower does the same simple job: a motor or engine spins a horizontal blade fast enough to slice the tops off your grass, and the deck shapes the airflow that lifts the clippings so the blade cuts them cleanly. From there they differ in a few practical ways:
What spins the blade: an electric motor drawing from a battery, or a gas engine burning fuel.
Whether you push it yourself or a self-propelled drive pulls it forward for you.
Where the clippings go, bagged, mulched back into the lawn, or discharged out the side.
How high it cuts, set by a height-adjustment lever across several positions.
Gas versus battery: the real trade-off
Most guides tell you gas is simply more powerful and leave it there. That is not the honest version. Both types cut grass well, and each wins on different ground.
Battery mowers, the WORX and Greenworks 40V models, start instantly with a button, run quiet enough to mow early without waking the neighbors, and need no gas, no oil changes, and no pull-cord. The catch is run time: when the battery is empty, you stop and charge. These run from around 20 minutes up to about 65 minutes on a charge, plenty for a small to mid-size yard but a real limit on a big one.
Gas mowers, like the SENIX unit in this lineup (a 170cc self-propelled model), flip the trade. They run as long as you keep fuel in the tank, so a large or thick, overgrown lawn never forces a break to recharge. In exchange you take on maintenance: fuel, oil, and a pull-start, plus more noise and weight. If your grass is big or heavy, gas earns its keep. If it is modest and you value a quiet, low-fuss morning, battery is the easier life.
One thing to understand on the battery side: run time comes from watt-hours, which is volts multiplied by amp-hours, not from voltage alone. A 40V 5.0Ah pack holds more energy than a 40V 4.0Ah pack, so it mows longer, and two packs beat one. A bigger voltage number on the box does not automatically mean a longer cut.
Which specs actually matter?
Once you have chosen gas or battery, a few numbers decide which model fits:
Cutting width: The deck widths here span 9 to 21 inches, with the compact 9-inch V-MODEST mini mower at the extreme low end for edges and small patches rather than a full lawn. A wider 20-21-inch deck like the SENIX or WORX Nitro models clears more grass per pass on open lawns, while the compact 16-inch WORX and Greenworks decks are nimbler for smaller yards and tighter turns.
Drive type: A self-propelled model, like the NovorikX 60V or WORX Nitro WG760 in this lineup, pulls itself forward, which spares your arms on slopes and long runs. A push mower is lighter and simpler for flat, compact yards.
Weight: These mowers run from about 12 to 66 pounds. The compact V-MODEST mini mower is the lightest overall at just 12 pounds, the self-propelled NovorikX 60V is the heaviest full-size mower at 65.9 pounds, and the Greenworks 40V 16-inch is the lightest true full-size mower at 37.5 pounds. Lighter is easier to turn and store; heavier usually means a bigger deck, a larger battery, or a gas engine.
Cutting height range: Most here adjust from roughly 1 to 4 inches across several positions, so you can scalp low in spring or leave it tall in summer heat.
Run time or fuel: On battery, compare stated run time and how many amp-hours the pack holds. On gas, the tank sets your limit, not a charge.
Bagging, mulching, and discharge: Two-in-one and three-in-one decks let you bag clippings, mulch them back as free fertilizer, or side-discharge.
How we grade products
Graded Picks rankings are aggregated from several independent signals: verified buyer ratings and the size of the review base for credibility, recent monthly purchase volume for relevance, assessments from trusted home and outdoor publications, and how each product places in leading category lineups. For lawn mowers we weigh:
Power source fit for typical yard sizes
Cut quality and deck width
Run time or fueling convenience
Ease of starting and pushing or self-propulsion
Build quality, weight, and warranty
Bagging, mulching, and discharge options
Overall value for the price
Safety and maintenance note: A mower blade spins fast enough to throw rocks and debris, so clear the lawn first and keep hands and feet away from the deck while it runs. On gas models, let the engine cool before refueling and change the oil on schedule. On battery models, remove the battery before you tip the mower to clean under the deck.
In-Depth Reviews
Everything we learned from buyer reviews and expert testing, product by product.
WORX Nitro WG752
Best Overall
1. WORX Nitro WG752 Push Lawn Mower (21 in)
5.0
The WG752 pairs Consumer Reports' independent testing with consistently positive owner feedback on real-world cutting performance. WORX's brushless motor and Aerodeck-style IntelliCut power management resist the clogging that heavy, wet grass causes in lesser mowers, and reviewers specifically praise how quiet it runs, quiet enough that several call early-morning mowing genuinely practical. Dropping the self-propelled drivetrain that some WORX Nitro mowers carry keeps this model lighter and easier to maneuver and store, and the same 2x20V Power Share batteries that power it also fit WORX drills, blowers and other tools, adding flexibility for households already invested in the platform. Dual 5.0Ah batteries deliver up to about 50 minutes of runtime, enough for lawns up to roughly half an acre, and 7-position height adjustment spans a 1.5 to 4 inch range. A 5-year limited warranty, among the longest here, backs the Nitro series, and the main tradeoff is that hilly yards and larger lawns take more physical effort without a self-propelled assist.
Power sourceBattery (40V, 2x20V Power Share)
Cutting width20 in
Cutting height range1.5-4 in, 7 positions
Weight55.6 lbs
Runtime / fuel useup to 50 min (2x5.0Ah batteries)
Drive typePush (not self-propelled)
Warranty5-year limited (Nitro series)
Pros
Tested by Consumer Reports with consistently positive owner feedback on real-world performance
Brushless motor and Aerodeck-style IntelliCut resist clogging in heavy, wet grass
Quiet enough for genuinely practical early-morning mowing, per multiple reviewers
Power Share batteries cross-compatible with other WORX tools
5-year limited warranty, the longest in this lineup
Cons
No self-propelled assist - hills and larger lawns take more effort
Larger yards may need multiple battery charges to finish in one session
20 in cutting width covers less ground per pass than the widest mowers here
Who is it for?
Buyers who want quiet, powerful, brushless cutting backed by independent testing and a long warranty, without paying for self-propelled drive they may not need.
Who is it not for?
Hilly yards or lawns approaching half an acre where self-propelled assist meaningfully reduces fatigue so the self-propelled NovorikX 60V handles that better.
The WG743 combines a light weight and genuinely easy setup - reviewers clocked assembly at around 10 minutes out of the box - with strong buyer and expert reception. IntelliCut technology automatically boosts power through thicker grass patches and throttles back to save battery in thinner areas, and testers reported it never stalled across a full test lawn on a single charge of its two included 4.0Ah batteries. The mulch plug, side discharge chute and roughly 1.2-bushel bag cover the standard 3-in-1 functionality, and 7-position height adjustment spans a 1.5-4 inch range. The tradeoffs that keep this a small-yard specialist rather than an all-rounder: the collection bag is on the small side and needs more frequent emptying, and WORX itself positions this bundle for yards under a third of an acre - for anything larger, the brand's own Nitro-series mowers in this lineup are the better fit.
Power sourceBattery (40V, 2x20V Power Share)
Cutting width16 in
Cutting height range1.5-4 in, 7 positions
Weight35.3 lbs
Runtime / fuel use~20 min per charge (2x4.0Ah batteries)
Drive typePush (not self-propelled)
Warranty3-year limited (with registration)
Pros
Lightest full-size mower in this lineup at 35.3 lbs, easy to maneuver and store
IntelliCut automatically boosts power through thick patches
About 10-minute assembly out of the box
Quiet operation noted repeatedly by owners
3-year limited warranty with online registration
Cons
Collection bag is on the small side and needs frequent emptying
Not self-propelled - you supply all the push force
Manufacturer recommends it only for yards under 1/3 acre
Who is it for?
Small-yard owners who want the lightest, easiest mower to push, store and maneuver around tight spaces.
Who is it not for?
Larger or hillier yards where self-propelled assist matters more than easy portability - the self-propelled NovorikX 60V handles that better.
Our Best for Large Yards pick. NovorikX is a relatively new entrant compared to the established WORX and Greenworks brands elsewhere in this lineup, and its 60V self-propelled mower is built around a straightforward pitch: gas-level power without the fumes. A single 5.0Ah battery is rated for up to 65 minutes of runtime, enough to cover more than half an acre per the brand's own testing, and the brushless motor is designed to hold steady blade speed through dense, damp grass rather than bogging down. An LED headlight extends usable mowing hours into early morning or dusk, and a rapid charger cuts downtime between sessions. Because the brand is newer, it has not yet accumulated the same volume of independent professional testing as the WORX or Greenworks models here, and the self-propelled drive runs at a single fixed speed rather than variable control, so you are either walking at its pace or pushing manually. For buyers comfortable with a newer brand in exchange for a higher-voltage platform built specifically for bigger properties, it's the pick in this lineup for the largest, toughest lawns.
Power sourceBattery (60V)
Cutting width21 in
Cutting height range1.3-3.8 in, 7 positions
Weight65.9 lbs
Runtime / fuel useup to 65 min (5.0Ah battery)
Drive typeSelf-propelled, fixed speed
Warranty3-year limited
Pros
60V platform and brushless motor hold steady blade speed in thick, wet grass
Up to 65 minutes of runtime from a single 5.0Ah battery
LED headlight extends mowing into early morning or dusk
Rapid charger reduces downtime between sessions
3-year limited warranty
Cons
Newer brand with less accumulated independent testing than WORX or Greenworks
Self-propelled drive runs at a single fixed speed rather than variable control
Heaviest mower in this lineup at 65.9 lbs
Who is it for?
Large-yard owners who want a strong self-propelled, gas-replacement mower and are comfortable trying a newer brand.
Who is it not for?
Buyers who prioritize a long-established brand's track record over a newer entrant.
This is one of two gas-powered mowers in this comparison, alongside the self-propelled SENIX 170cc, and we want that flagged clearly since most of the lineup runs on battery power. It's a simple machine: a 144cc 4-cycle engine drives a basic push mower with a 14-gauge steel deck, 2-in-1 mulching or side discharge, and 6-position height adjustment across a 1.25-3.75 inch range. Owners consistently describe it as lightweight for a gas mower and easy to push, and several specifically noted it runs quieter than they expected from a gas engine, with enough power to avoid bogging down in tougher grass. The tradeoff versus a self-propelled model like the NovorikX 60V, WORX Nitro WG760, or the SENIX 170cc in this lineup is that you supply all the push force yourself, and cutting height changes require loosening wheel bolts rather than a single lever, which some owners found inconvenient. A 2-year limited warranty matches SENIX's standard gas-mower coverage.
Power sourceGas (144cc 4-cycle)
Cutting width21 in
Cutting height range1.25-3.75 in, 6 positions
Weight50 lbs
Runtime / fuel useStandard 4-cycle gas consumption
Drive typePush (not self-propelled)
Warranty2-year limited
Pros
Lighter than most gas mowers at 50 lbs, easy to push
Noticeably quieter than typical gas engines, per owner feedback
14-gauge steel deck built for long-term durability
2-in-1 mulching or side discharge
Cons
Gas-powered, not battery or cordless electric - requires fuel and engine upkeep
Height adjustment requires loosening wheel bolts rather than a single lever
Not self-propelled, unlike the NovorikX 60V or WORX Nitro WG760 in this lineup
Who is it for?
Buyers who specifically want a simple, lightweight gas push mower and don't need self-propelled drive.
Who is it not for?
Anyone shopping for a battery or cordless electric mower - most of this lineup is cordless, and a self-propelled gas mower is the better pick for larger lawns.
5. SENIX 170cc Self-Propelled Gas Lawn Mower (21 in)
4.7
Built for the biggest lawns in this lineup, with no recharge breaks required. Unlike most of the other mowers in this lineup, the SENIX 170cc is gas-powered rather than battery or cordless electric, and we want that clear upfront since it's easy to assume otherwise from its spot in a lawn mower comparison. For buyers whose lawns are big enough that recharging mid-mow is a dealbreaker, it's a capable machine: a 170cc 4-cycle engine rated at 3.8 HP and 6.4 ft-lb of torque drives the front wheels for self-propelled operation, and pre-filled oil means a fast first startup without a trip to the auto parts store. The 3-in-1 deck handles bagging, mulching or side discharge, and 6-position height adjustment covers a 1.25-3.75 inch range across oversized 8-inch front and 11-inch rear wheels that handle uneven yards well. Feedback on SENIX gas mowers is mixed: some owners report smooth, reliable starts and consistent cutting, while others find the self-propel speed on the slow side for larger properties. A 2-year limited warranty covers the mower, though (as with any gas engine) it excludes damage from improper fuel or lack of maintenance.
Power sourceGas (170cc 4-cycle, 3.8 HP)
Cutting width21 in
Cutting height range1.25-3.75 in, 6 positions
Weight61.7 lbs
Runtime / fuel use~27 oz fuel per hour of mowing
Drive typeSelf-propelled (front-wheel drive)
Warranty2-year limited
Pros
3.8 HP, 170cc engine handles thick and tall grass without bogging down
Self-propelled front-wheel drive reduces pushing effort on larger lawns
3-in-1 deck: bagging, mulching or side discharge
Oversized 8 in front / 11 in rear wheels handle uneven terrain well
Cons
Gas-powered, not battery or cordless electric - requires fuel, oil and engine upkeep
Self-propel speed feels slow to some owners on larger properties
Heavier than every cordless mower in this lineup at 61.7 lbs
Who is it for?
Buyers who specifically want gas power and self-propelled drive for a larger lawn where unlimited runtime matters more than zero emissions.
Who is it not for?
Anyone shopping specifically for a battery or cordless electric mower - most of this lineup is cordless.
The Greenworks 40V 16-inch earns Best Affordable on the combination of a low price, professional testing from TechGearLab, and a long track record of consistent owner satisfaction. Testers and owners alike noted more power than the compact size suggests, with the motor automatically revving up when it hits thicker or taller grass and settling back down in easier patches to conserve the battery. At 37.5 lbs it's easy to lift into a car trunk or up onto a shelf for storage, and the included 4.0Ah battery, charger and grass collector mean there's nothing extra to buy to get started. The tradeoffs that keep it in budget territory: the lightweight plastic deck can bounce over small bumps and dips rather than tracking the ground closely, leaving occasional uncut patches on uneven lawns, and the roughly hour-long battery life is best suited to mowing on a regular schedule rather than tackling seriously overgrown grass. For a small to medium yard mowed consistently, it remains one of the best values in cordless mowing.
Power sourceBattery (40V)
Cutting width16 in
Cutting height range1.25-3.75 in, 5 positions
Weight37.5 lbs
Runtime / fuel useup to 35 min (4.0Ah battery)
Drive typePush (not self-propelled)
Warranty3-year limited
Pros
Tested by TechGearLab with praise for power relative to its compact size
Motor automatically revs up in thick grass and eases off to save battery
Lightweight at 37.5 lbs - easy to lift, store and load
Battery, charger and grass collector included at an affordable price
Quiet operation with minimal noise, per multiple reviews
Cons
Lightweight plastic deck can bounce over bumps, leaving uneven patches
Best suited to regular mowing schedules rather than overgrown grass
16 in cutting width means more passes on larger lawns
Who is it for?
Small to medium-yard owners who want an affordable, well-reviewed entry into cordless mowing for lawns mowed on a regular schedule.
Who is it not for?
Larger or consistently overgrown lawns - a wider-deck, self-propelled mower like the NovorikX 60V above handles both better.
The Seesii SST01 is a string trimmer and edger, not a lawn mower, and we want that distinction clear since it sits alongside mowers in this comparison. A 21V brushless motor spins a dual-line 2mm cutting head at 6500 rpm, and two included 4.0Ah batteries are rated for up to 40 minutes of combined runtime, enough to edge a full yard's borders or clean up patches a mower's deck can't reach. The telescopic pole extends from about 42 to 56 inches, letting a taller user trim without hunching over, and an auto-feed line system saves you from manually advancing the line mid-job. We found no dedicated professional publication testing of this specific model - Seesii is a budget import brand better known across its wider cordless-tool catalog (pole saws, hedge trimmers, chainsaws) than for this particular trimmer, and the one hands-on video review we found described it as lightweight and effective on grass and light weeds, less so on thick overgrowth. At 4.5 lbs it is far lighter than any mower in this lineup, but it cuts a 13-inch swath at a time and has no bagging or mulching function, so treat it as a companion tool for edges and trim work rather than a mower replacement.
Power sourceBattery (21V brushless, 2x4.0Ah)
Cutting width13 in (dual-line trimmer head)
Line & feed2mm dual-line, auto-feed
Pole lengthTelescopic, 42-56 in
Weight4.5 lbs
Runtime / fuel useUp to 40 min combined (2x4.0Ah batteries)
Warranty3-year limited (Seesii standard)
Pros
21V brushless motor and auto-feed dual-line head cut grass and light weeds without stalling
Telescopic 42-56 in pole adjusts for user height and reaches under fences or shrubs
At 4.5 lbs, dramatically lighter than every mower in this lineup
Two included 4.0Ah batteries and a charger mean nothing extra to buy
Cons
This is a trimmer and edger, not a lawn mower - no bagging, mulching or full-lawn cutting
No dedicated professional publication has tested this specific model
13-inch cutting swath and a light-duty motor struggle on thick, overgrown patches
Who is it for?
Mower owners who want a lightweight companion tool for edges, fence lines and patches a mower's deck can't reach.
Who is it not for?
Anyone shopping for an actual lawn mower - every other product in this comparison cuts a full lawn; this one only trims and edges.
The stars you see are the Graded Picks cumulative score, not a single retailer's average. It blends verified buyer reviews aggregated across major retailers, assessments from professional reviewers and expert testers, and how prominently the product features in leading category lineups.
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