Lawn Mower & Tractor Buying Guide

Gas-fueled mowers aren’t limited by battery capacity and can cut much larger yards in one go. They come in both push and self-propelled models and usually cost less than their battery-powered counterparts, though you might spend more in the long run on fuel and maintenance. Most gas mowers cut a 21- or 22-inch swath, about an inch more than their battery-powered counterparts.

Best for: Yards of a quarter-acre to a half-acre.

Pros: They can handle long or thick grass and weeds, and can bag, side discharge, and mulch clippings. They also cost less and run much longer than their battery-powered counterparts.

Cons: Gas mowers are noisy (we recommend ear protection), produce emissions, and require more frequent maintenance.

Upkeep: Gas mowers require regular tune-ups, oil changes, and blade sharpening.

These gas-powered tractors and riders can cut two to three times faster than simple push mowers, making them best suited for larger lawns. Most models mow a 42- to 48-inch swath and can bag, mulch, and side discharge clippings. An increasingly popular wide-deck version cuts 54 inches or more in a single pass. A small subset of this category, rear-engine riders, bridges the gap between walk-behind mowers and tractors. They’re typically cheaper than tractors, with smaller cutting decks.

Best for: Yards larger than half an acre.

Pros: Steering them is easy and familiar because they use a wheel, just like a car. The best models have comfy, high-backed seats and make it easy to engage the blades and adjust the cutting height.

Cons: Bagging kits cost extra and tend to be expensive, a major reason a majority of tractor owners mow in the side-discharge mode. And even today’s cleaner machines create exhaust emissions and require lots of storage space. Tractors have a wider turning radius and lower top speed than zero-turn mowers.

Upkeep: Gas mowers require regular tune-ups, oil changes, and blade sharpening.

Zero-turn mowers offer more nimble handling and higher top speeds than tractors. Rather than a steering wheel, you control a zero-turn with a pair of levers; pushing one forward and the other rearward causes the mower to turn in place. They can side discharge, bag, and mulch clippings, and typically mow a 42- to 50-inch swath.  

Best for: Yards larger than a half-acre without too many hills.

Pros: They’re easy to maneuver around obstacles, such as trees and flower beds. Their easy handling and high top speed make it easy to get across your property quickly. Zero-turn mowers are usually gas-powered, but an increasing number of battery-powered zero-turn mowers have entered the marketplace in recent years.

Cons: Zero-turn mowers cost more than most tractors, and not all of them cut as well as tractors. Rear steering wheels can tear up grass during turns. They’re not well suited for hilly properties because they can lose traction and may be hard to control on slopes. Their lever controls also require practice. And though they offer a higher top speed, that won’t necessarily save you time; you’ll still want to go 3.5 to 4 mph to get an even mow. Bagging kits can be pricey.

Upkeep: Gas engines require tune-ups and oil changes. Battery models need at least blade sharpening.

The best battery-powered mowers cut grass just as well as their gas counterparts. Battery mowers use rechargeable lithium-ion battery packs and are available in both push and self-propelled models. They’re much easier to store and maintain than gas mowers, and our testing has shown that the best battery-powered mowers cut grass just as well as their gas counterparts. Most of these mowers cut a 20- or 21-inch swath.

Best for: Yards of one-third of an acre or less.

Pros: Most mower batteries are interchangeable with other outdoor power tools from the same brand. They also start with push-button ease, produce no exhaust emissions, and run more quietly than gas models. And they don’t require oil changes or frequent tune-ups.

Cons: They have a limited run time, usually enough to cut a third of an acre. Battery-powered self-propelled models use up to 20 percent of the battery charge to power the wheels, so you won’t be able to cut as much grass unless you buy a larger or additional battery. And they’re pricier than gas models, though you’ll recoup that cost over time.

Upkeep: Battery mowers require little upkeep beyond blade sharpening.

Battery riding mowers, which encompass zero-turn designs and some traditional riding mower versions, operate the same as their gas cousins but on cordless electric (battery) power. Their decks range from 42 to 54 inches. CR tests have found that the top-rated battery riding mowers perform as well as—or better than—gas riding mowers and tractors. A small subset of this category, rear-engine riders, bridges the gap between walk-behind mowers and riding mowers, with smaller cutting decks. We have found their cutting to be less effective than that of zero-turn and riding mowers.

Best for: Yards larger than half an acre—and for zero-turn versions, yards without too many hills.

Pros: With no gas engine, these mowers require far less maintenance than gas tractors and riding mowers. You’ll get a quieter ride, save money on fuel, and help the environment by reducing carbon emissions.

Cons: Battery riding mowers can be more expensive than traditional gas tractors and riding mowers. Among zero-turn mowers, however, the price difference between battery and gas versions is shrinking.

Upkeep: As with a gas-powered model, you’ll have to keep the blades sharp and your eye on the tire pressure. But you won’t need to change the spark plugs or motor oil. You’ll need to ensure that the battery remains charged in the off-season and isn’t exposed to temperature extremes to prevent deterioration.

Low-profile battery-powered robotic mowers maneuver on their own around your yard. They cut only within the boundaries you select, either by using GPS navigation or sensors attuned to wires installed around your lawn, then automatically return to their charging docks. These units have low decks and aren’t designed to cut high grass.

Best for: Lawns that are mowed frequently.

Pros: Robotic mowers can save you the time and effort of regular mowing. They can even mow in the middle of the night. Because they’re battery-powered, they’re quiet and won’t pollute. You can control them remotely to mow while you’re away from home.

Cons: These units are relatively costly compared with push mowers, with most priced between $500 and $2,500. Deck sizes can be narrow—typically around 9 inches—so it’ll take a while to cut even a small lawn. With models that require you to wire a boundary, setup can take several hours. In earlier CR tests, we found that their random wandering doesn’t create the smooth, even lines of a traditionally mowed lawn. For robotic mowers to avoid getting stuck in a depression or at the bottom of a sharp rise, your lawn must be uniformly flat.

Upkeep: A robotic mower’s underside needs regular cleaning and the blade needs replacement once or twice a season. Check the wiring and charging station periodically to ensure they’re intact and still running properly. A mini storage “garage” can protect the charging station and docked mower from falling branches and the elements, though not necessarily from animals.