Cutting the grass is a basic home maintenance chore that every homeowner has to face. Unless you plan to hire someone else to do the dirty work, you’ll need a trusty lawn mower that’s up to the task. If you have a property that’s more than an acre, you’ll probably want a riding lawn mower, so you don’t need to worry about batteries dying before you finish the task. But for anything smaller than that, a walk-behind lawn mower should do the trick.
Quick Overview
Aside from choosing between gas and electric, the main consideration when deciding which type of mower is right for you is self-propelled vs. push. As their name suggests, self-propelled mowers move themselves, whereas push mowers rely on your strength. To help you make the right decision for your yard, we weighed the pros and cons of each.
Self-propelled vs. push mowers: Main differences
Traditional push lawn mowers work exactly as they sound: You push them along all by yourself. How far the mower goes depends entirely on the effort you put in. “A self-propelled mower drives itself forward while a push mower relies entirely on the user’s effort,” says Gene Caballero, cofounder of the lawn-care booking service GreenPal. Self-propelled mowers have a built-in transmission that pushes the mower along for you. All you have to do is hold on to the handlebar and steer. Many self-propelled mowers come with numerous speed settings, ranging from about 0.5 to 3.5 miles per hour.
Self-propelled vs. push mowers: Ease of use
When it comes to buying a push lawn mower, hills are the make-or-break factor. Even though traditional push mowers are lighter, they still require a fair amount of human effort to keep things chugging along. “It can be exhausting to push a mower across a large and hilly lawn,” says Senior Home Editor and lawn mower testing lead, Jessica Dodell-Feder. “If you have hills, self-propel will make a world of difference.”
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She adds that self-propelled mowers are a game-changer for those who dread lawn work (or struggle to push a mower around their property). “It truly does a lot of the work for you, so you’re simply guiding the mower rather than trying to lug it over tricky terrain,” she says.
Caballero agrees that self-propelled lawn mowers are typically easier to use and can help get the chore done faster, especially for those with more ground to cover. “I recommend using a self-propelled mower for any lawns over a quarter of an acre or properties with hills or slopes,” he says.
Self-propelled vs. push mowers: Maintenance
Caballero explains that push mowers are often easier to maintain. Self-propelled mowers require more power/fuel, so you may need to recharge or gas them up more frequently than their push counterparts.
Self-propelled vs. push mowers: Price
Honestly, the only thing that prevents self-propelled mowers from being a no-brainer purchase is the price tag, as regular push lawn mowers are usually the cheaper option, says Caballero. However, Dodell-Feder says she’s found that the price difference is often minimal. It also depends on the brand and fuel type of the mower you’re interested in, she explains. “A gas-powered mower will cost less than a comparable electric model.”
Self-propelled vs. push mowers: Comparison chart
|
Push lawn mowers |
Self-propelled lawn mowers |
|
|---|---|---|
|
Effort required |
High |
Low |
|
Weight |
Low to medium |
Medium to high |
|
Type of yard |
Small (one-quarter acre or less), flat |
Large (one-quarter to one acre), hilly or otherwise tough terrain |
|
Maintenance |
Lower |
Higher |
|
Cost |
Lower |
Higher (but depends on other factors too, like brand and fuel type) |
Are self-propelled mowers worth the extra cost?
In short, yes. Rarely is there a scenario in which a push mower will serve you better than a self-propelled mower. “In my opinion, a self-propelled mower is worth the extra cost for anyone who has a larger property and doesn’t want to be exhausted after every mow,” Caballero says.
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But that doesn’t mean you should completely rule out push mowers, as they are still a perfectly viable option for those with smaller properties. Dodell Feder says the only time she would recommend a traditional push mower over a self-propelled one is “if you have a very small, flat lawn that’s easy to mow. In that case, self-propel is a nice-to-have, but not necessarily worth spending extra on.”
Shop expert-recommended lawn mowers
Self-propelled
The Home Depot
“This Ryobi was the best electric lawn mower, hands down,” says Daryl Beyers, Yahoo’s resident lawn care expert and mower tester. “It has a lot going for it: helpful self-propel, smart-sensing power modes, a long run time and a quality cut at every mowing height, whether you’re mulching, bagging or discharging the clippings. The machine is sturdy on its feet with a wide wheelbase providing confidence along slopes, while its lightweight construction makes it easy to maneuver in tight spots.”
Lowe’s
“It was no surprise that Toro came out on top for best self-propelled mower,” Beyers says. “The brand has been making some of the best self-propelled gas mowers for years. This model is a cinch to use. The self-propel bar kicks in when you push it forward and senses the pressure, adjusting the speed to your personal pace. No buttons, dials or levers. Just push and go.”
Ace Hardware
“What we like most about this lawn mower is its simplicity,” Beyers says. “A button and a push of the lever start it up. A pull of the propel bar moves it forward. There aren’t any fancy warning lights or meters on the control handle, just a simple dial to pick up the pace of the self-propel. The power adjusts as needed, kicking in when the grass gets tough or when you’re moving up steep slopes. The 19-inch deck is perfect for smaller yards, providing easy maneuverability.”
Push
Ace Hardware
“After testing many convenient self-propelled lawn mowers, I was skeptical of models without that feature,” Beyers says. “However, the other attributes of this Ego machine more than made up the difference. It was easy to use and had the most comfortable handle of all the mowers tested. With no fancy power or propel modes to worry over, I found myself forgetting it was electric and believing I was pushing an ordinary, but very quiet, lawn mower.”
Greenworks
Beyers calls this “a fun little machine.” Though it couldn’t compete with the stronger, more adaptable lawn mowers he tested, “anyone with a very small lawn and a limited budget might find it the perfect fit,” he says. “It’s ultra-light, super simple to use and gets the job done.”