8 Best Self Propelled Lawn Mower Reviews [Ultimate Guide 2023]
There are perhaps not much home chores more exhausting than mowing your lawn. While it is just a simple act of driving through grass, there are several troublesome factors that goes into it.
For instance, it may be very difficult to mow very tall grass. Another scenario would be, if it has just rained, both the grass and ground would be wet, making mowing even harder.
Not to mention, an uneven terrain, small hills or slopes could make this chore very frustrating indeed. This is why finding yourself the best self propelled lawn mower is really crucial when doing the job.
Quick Answer: The 8 best self propelled lawn mower
So who is our winner? For those of you who wants to jump straight to our verdict, here are our top picks.
8 Top Rated Self Propelled Lawn Mowers [Table of Comparison]
With the power of a self-propelled mower, you can easily guide the grass cutting process without much exertion. However, there is always the trouble of deciding just which mower to get. Since they’re not the cheapest equipment to buy, you want to make sure you’re making the right choice.
The mowers discussed below all have high ratings and glowing reviews on Amazon. Let’s take a look at each lawn mower reviews to see which could best suit you and your lawn.
| Product | Features | Our Rating |
|---|---|---|
 Ego Power+ 20 inch | Type: Electric Dimensions: 20 inch Weight: 60 lbs Battery: 4.0 AH 56V Price: $$$$ | 4.8/5.0 More Details |
 Troy-Bilt TB220 | Type: Gas Dimensions: 21 inch Weight: 80 lbs Engine: OHV engine 159cc Price: $$$ | 4.5/5.0 More Details |
 Yard Machines 159cc | Type: Gas Dimensions: 21 inch Weight: 71.9 lbs Engine: OHV engine 159cc Price: $$ | 4.3/5.0 More Details |
 Honda HRX217K5vKA | Type: Gas Dimensions: 21 inch Weight: 88 lbs Engine: Proprietary GCV190 Price: $$$$$ | 4.7/5.0 More Details |
 Troy-Bilt TB 370 | Type: Gas Dimensions: 21 inch Weight: 90 lbs Engine: OHV 725 Ex Briggs & Straton 163cc engine Price: $$$$ | 4.0/5.0 More Details |
 Snapper XD SXDWM82K 82V | Type: Electric Dimensions: 21 inch Weight: 90 lbs Batteries: 2 Briggs & Stratton 2.0 AH 82V Price: $$$$ | 4.6/5.0 More Details |
 Greenworks 21-Inch 40V | Type: Electric Dimensions: 21 inch Weight: 62 lbs Batteries: 2, 2 AH or 4AH 40V, G-Max Price: $$$ | 4.5/5.0 More Details |
 Earthwise 50518 18-Inch | Type: Corded Dimensions: 18 inch Weight: 44 lbs Batteries: 3600RPM, 120V, 60Hz, 12-amp Price: $$ | 4.1/5.0 More Details |
Self Propelled Lawn Mowers [Top 8 Reviewed]
1. EGO Power+ 20-Inch - Best Gas Lawn Mower
This is a cordless model harnessing the power of the most progressive rechargeable technology. As a result, it performs as a gas-powered mower but without that annoying noise and fumes.
At first glance, your eyes might be tempted to look out for more details of this unit. This is perhaps due to the enriching blend of black, green and gray wrapping the solid build of quality materials. However, its performance and practical usage are the main reasons why it is the best on our list.
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2. Troy-Bilt TB220 Lawn Mower
Troy-Bilt TB220 is a great choice for those who have small or medium yards/lawns to get into shape. This is a powerful piece of equipment and is quite light as compared to similar mowers in the same price range. It’s got a lot of great features going for it which makes it easy to operate.
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3. Yard Machines Mower - Best Self Propelled Mower Under $300
With a high rating from current users, this lawn mower by Yard Machines may just be the best self-propelled lawn mower under $300. It has a nice, sturdy, and durable engine that can tackle medium and small yards with great ease.
Plus, you can adjust the lever, as with the Troy Bilt TB 220, to get the resulting grass shorter or longer.
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4. Honda HRX217VKA GCV200 - Best Lawn Mower For Hills
Regarded as an esteemed brand in the world of machines, Honda is known for its powerful engines. This is exactly what this lawn mower demonstrates when put to use.
It comes with some more benefits such as spontaneous self-propulsion and a big discharge bag. It is one of the best 21 inch self propelled lawn mower and ideal for slopes and hills.
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5. Troy-Bilt TB 370 - Best Rear Wheel Drive Lawn Mower
With a decent online rating on Troy Bilt TB 370, there’s a lot to be said for this mower. It’s a bit pricier than most others on this list, but it does have several admirable features. It has a high-tech engine that’s lasting, durable, and supremely powerful. Plus, it starts easily and quickly, cutting down on frustration levels.
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6. Snapper XD SXDWM82K 82V - Great for Tough Terrains
Snapper models are known for their quality build and technically progressive designs. This XD model is perhaps a testimony to the same. It comes with a wide steel deck to reduce the mowing passes, 2 AH batteries and a rapid charger, and 3-in-1 abilities namely, bagging, mulching, and side discharging.
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7. Greenworks 21-Inch 40V
Unlike many other cordless mowers, this one from Greenworks can clean your lawn commendably with its deck measuring 21 inches. It does a satisfactory job, particularly for rear bagging and mulching.
However, it is also an expert inside discharging abilities. To this efficacy, just add the convenience of using a single lever for switching to one of the seven height positions for cutting grass.
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8. Earthwise 50518 18-Inch
This one is the lightest model in this list and is beneficial for big lawns. This is because you need not worry about power supply due to corded design, unlike the cordless models.
With a steel deck of 18 inches, this mower is durable and more efficient than some corded models. You get a 2-in-1 model with mulching and side discharging abilities.
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Buying Guide
You may be in search of the best commercial mower for lawns or just the fastest self-propelled lawn mower. For some of you, having a manual reel mower could do a good job, but others may want a little oomph along with great performance especially for those who have a medium to large-sized yards.
Whatever the case may be, you can probably find what you’re looking for in the discussion above.
When looking for the best self-propelled lawn mower on the market, keep in mind what kind of lawn or yard you have. This includes its size, the state of its terrain, and how frequently it needs mowing.
One also has to think about the person who’d be doing the mowing. For instance, a lightweight self-propelled mower may be required for a young mower or someone with less upper body strength.
There are several other factors one should be aware of when conducting such a search. Of course, the budget of a potential buyer also comes into play.
The amount of storage you have, the frequency with which the grass needs cutting, and the terrain are additional considerations. The features one needs in a mower and the customer service or warranties provided are yet more points to look at.
Or, simply looking for a lawn mower which is battery-powered? Be sure to check out the best electric lawn mowers.
No matter what your needs are, it’s always recommended that you conduct your research beforehand. This is an important decision, so read on our lawn mower reviews to find out just what you should be looking for.
Drive
The main difference between a traditional push mower and a self-propelled mower is that the latter would have a powerful drive. This makes for easier mowing which uses less than half the energy needed with a push mower. This could be a front-wheel, all-wheel, or rear-wheel drive.
When deciding which kind of drive to go for, remember that a front-wheel drive is cheaper than many other options.
This is because it may make turning and mowing uneven areas a bit difficult. If the rear wheels are powered, they can give a lot of valuable traction and control to the user. Hence, if you have some steep slopes or hills to tackle while mowing, a front-wheel drive isn’t recommended.
However, front-wheel drive does give excellent maneuverability, especially if the mower has swivel wheels. If your yard or lawn has a lot of obstacles, this may be the better choice.
Speed
A transmission with variable speeds is highly preferable to just one set speed. You would need to slow down while turning and just before stopping. While a single speed mower may be cheaper, it would also test your upper body strength and agility more. If you don’t feel up to the task, you may need to splurge on a variable speed mower.
Plus, one set speed may result in unevenly cut grass, leftover patches, or badly mulched clippings. It would also make turning a whole lot more difficult.
Just like with a car, you have to slow down when turning a lawn mower. Variable speed is also necessary in case you have to speed things up when climbing a hill. The same goes for slowing down when you descend.
Wash-Out Ports
Ports that help you wash the mower are a lifesaver when the machinery’s all muddy and choked with grass. Proper maintenance is essential if you want your mower to run like new for a long, long time.
If there is a wash-out port, all you’d have to do is hose your mower down. This would hopefully be enough to wash all the dirt away and leave the blades shining.
Size of the Lawn
If your lawn is up to three-quarters of an acre, a self-propelled mower is the best way to go. A riding mower for this size would just be a needless expense.
On the other hand, a push mower would soon tire you out. Hence, a self-propelled mower is just the right balance to get you what you need.
Self-propelling systems would enable someone to simply walk behind their lawn mower. There’s no need for grunting and pushing too hard since the mower is cutting grass on its own anyway.
All the user would have to do is guide the mower so that it cuts evenly and doesn’t veer off track. This would also make sure there’s no crashing into any obstacles like trees, posts, sheds, and flower/herb beds. If you want to mow your lawn after raining, read our post on how to mow wet grass safely and correctly.
Easy Assembly
Having one of the best self-propelled lawn mowers on the market is all well and good, but it won’t mean much if you aren’t able to set it up properly or easily. Some mowers may come with a whole lot of tiny parts that somehow need to be put together.
This may result in a lot of frustration while you figure out where everything goes. Any missing or lost parts would also have to be reported or replaced. This would not just waste a lot of time, but it may also cost you extra.
With an easy assembly, no one has to worry about missing, misplaced, or confusing parts. Plus, you won’t have to plug the whole thing to a shed or spot where you can work in peace.
The best option is getting a mower where you just have to unfold a handle and put in some bolts. After that, turning a key or pulling a cord should be enough to get you purring around your lawn.
Features to Look For
There are several features that could make a lawn mower do just what you wish. Keep an eye out for the following:
Automatic Choke Starting Systems
This makes a mower ready to run without any hassle. You shouldn’t have to pull the cord several times in order to get a mower started. This system makes sure that there’s no stalling or choking right from the beginning.
Primer Starting System
This enables you to pump in just the right level of gasoline that would get the mower running. Again, the mower should start with a single pull. You would also be able to save on gasoline with such a system.
Mulching
Some mowers have blades that chop clippings into fine pieces. These would become a fertilizer for your lawn and save you the trouble of raking or sweeping them up. If your mower does not include this feature, you should definitely check out these leaf mulchers.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What's the best self propelled Machine to buy?
The best machine to buy is the Ego Power+ 20 inch. It has a powerful engine, light and compact. Besides, it produces minimal noise during operation. However, users are always advised to put on ear protections to protect your hearing from high decibel.
2. Are self propelled lawn mowers worth it?
These machines are worth it if you have yards that are up to 0.75 acre. These mowers actually pushes itself, hence minimal energy is required to operate the self propelled mowers, unlike the push mowers. All you have to do is simply walk behind the mower to supervise its path.
3. How much does It weigh?
It usually weighs between 80 - 100 pounds. The battery type will weigh lesser, usually around 60 pounds.
4. Which is best, front or rear wheel drive self propelled mower?
Front wheel drive self propelled (FWD) mower is better for level terrain. Since the wheels are in front, this allows you to turn and move the mower around easily. Rear wheel drive self propelled (RWD) mower is better for mowing hilly terrain. This is because RWD mowers have better traction at the center of the mower.
Final Verdict
While the final selection is dependent on the lawn size, preferences, and budget, we believe that the best self propelled lawn mower for us is the EGO Power+ 20-Inch cordless lawn mower.
We feel that this mower has everything that a lawn caretaker would expect for any small to mid-sized lawns.
What we feel can be improved is the short battery lifespan that may not be optimal on larger lawns. However, we strongly feel that this reason alone cannot overcome the benefits it has to offer. So, with a fair review, we give it a rating of 4.8/5.
