Best Self Propelled Lawn Mowers

Last Update: September, 2023

While a crisply cut, green lawn is the pride and joy of any homeowner, if you're taking care of the yard work yourself, it can be the bane of owning a property. An old-fashioned push mower can take significantly longer to get the job done, not to mention the back-breaking work it requires from you.

The unfortunate fact is, you’ll be right back at the labor of caring for your lawn the following week. With a self propelled lawn mower, however, you will have to do only a fraction of the work for even better results.

If you're tired of struggling with your old mower, here's what you need to know about the best self-propelled lawn mowers available today:

More About The Honda HRR216K9VKA 3-in-1 Variable Speed Self-Propelled Gas Mower

This self-propelled lawn mower has an adjustable speed, which is a great addition to an already powerful mower. The control is thumb controlled and does feel a bit awkward, but it adjusts speeds smoothly and is truly appreciated.

Even better, you'll love being able to get the exact cut you want on your lawn. With the twin MicroCut blades, every cut is incredibly precise and provides an even cutting from start to finish.

That's because the super accurate twin blades can be adjusted to any of six preset cutting height adjustments. Whether you're someone that likes to have your grass cut last a couple of weeks or someone that relishes doing it weekly, you know you're getting exactly what you want.

The HRR is not lacking in muscle but remains lightweight and maneuverable. At only 84 pounds, you would expect this machine to struggle at least a little, but it can take quite a beating with ease.

Gas mowers do tend to need more maintenance than modern electric mowers, but the Honda HRR is fairly average in the amount of maintenance it needs. Aside from sharpening the blades twice every season, oil changes, and the occasional spark plug change, you won’t need to do any major maintenance work on this mower. 

More About The Lawn-Boy 17732 21-Inch 6.5 Gross Torque Kohler XTX OHV

If you're sick of struggling to maneuver your old lawn mower, you need to look at this Lawn-Boy lawn mower. It's incredibly easy to move it around in any direction you need while maintaining excellent traction and control.

With a rear wheel driving system, this mower is self propelled and powerful. It uses a Kohler TXT OHV engine that won’t overheat. Despite being a gas mower, it doesn’t require an oil change. Just make sure to check your oil levels before going to work.

This Lawn-Boy is equipped with six cutting height positions from 1.25 inches to 3.75 inches and uses a two point cutting system. This allows you to adjust the cutting height quickly and easily from a single side. This comes in especially handy when moving from your lawn to the outskirts or your property where the grass may be taller.

The 21 inch deep deck is where the steel blade is stored. It easily mulches your clippings and can be attached to a mulching bag for quick and simple clean up. The blade is easy to maintain and will provide clean cuts for years if you take the time to sharpen it at least twice each season.

Something you’ll really love about this quality equipment is its 3-year Tru Start commitment: if for any reason it doesn’t start on the first pull, they’ll fix it for free.

More About The Honda HRX217K5VKA 187cc Gas 21 in. 4-in-1 Versamow System Lawn Mower

This self-propelled mower is extremely versatile. With its 4 in 1 system, you can bag clippings, mulch, discharge, or even have a combination of bagging and mulching. Not only that, you’ll never have to stop mowing because the bag has gotten too full.

Even with an extremely heavy bag, you won’t find any loss of traction. You’ll love the meticulously even cut your lawn gets, which is near unparalleled in quality. This mower can take on grass no matter how wet it is.

Despite the weight of this mower, it is incredibly easy to maneuver and can be used by anyone no matter how strong or athletic they are thanks to the self-propulsion. You’ll find the speed controls easily on the handle bar and allows both manual adjustments and fixed-speed adjustments. When you release the Select Drive control, the selected speed setting won’t change. Instead, they’ll kick back in as they were before as soon as you re-engage the drive.

Unlike some gas mowers, the Honda HRX is easy to start and can be started within two pulls every time. Many users say it even starts on one pull! It also isn’t as loud as some gas mowers can be. 

More About The Honda 21'' Side Discharge Gas Self Propelled Lawn Mower - HRS216VKA

This Honda mower is powerful, reliable, and most importantly, it’s very high quality. It’s got the powerful and efficient motor you expect from equipment from the Honda line.

It’s very sturdy and will certainly get you through many years of mowing. But don’t let that fool you: as durable and sturdy as it is, it’s still highly precise and easy to control. Don’t worry about startup struggles either, this is a reliable first-pull starter.

This self propelled lawn mower has an easy to adjust speed control and can go up to 4 mph. The five speed control can be easily found on the handle and is adjusted via control paddles. The self propulsion makes hills and slopes easier than before and with ball bearing rear wheels, it runs smoothly over even the bumpiest of terrain.

Although it’s called a side discharge mower, it can also be used for mulching. You can switch between the two as you wish or stick to one method that you favor.

Backed by a three year residential warranty, this self propelled lawn mower is well protected in case you discover any manufacturer errors or something happens to it while in use.

More About The Greenworks 21-Inch 40V Brushless Self-Propelled Mower 6AH

This high-powered self propelled lawn mower delivers more torque than almost any mower out there. You can mulch, bag, or discharge clippings easily with its 3-in-1 feature. It’s easy to adjust and switch if you change your mind between each mowing session.

Another great feature is that it’s electric and it comes with rechargeable batteries and a USB connector. A unique feature is its dual battery port. This allows one battery to fuel the machine while the other battery is stored. This way, you get to keep cutting without being disrupted by a trip back to the garage to recharge it.

Each battery is 40V and runs for about 40 minutes before needing to be recharged. Thanks to the dual battery port, however, you can get through a good sized lawn before both batteries die.

The mower itself has seven adjustable cutting height positions that can be found near the push-to-start button. Once the mower is started, it propels itself forward without any extra force from you, making it a great option for elders or those who can’t push a heavy mower across their lawn. The mower automatically adjusts its cutting power according to the grass, as well.

What is a Self-Propelled Lawn Mower?

Regular mowers need to be pushed to achieve any movement. This is because they don’t use any of their fuel on moving the wheels, and instead, power only the blades of the mower.

A self-propelled mower still powers the blades just like a regular mower. However, it diverts a portion of its energy (aka fuel, whether it’s an electric or gas mower), to the wheels.

As a result, the mowing gets done with less of your energy spent, instead of using the powered wheels to move the mower.

Self-propelled lawn mowers come in different variations of either front wheel drive, rear wheel drive, or all-wheel drive depending on the terrain you plan on covering.

Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Self-Propelled Lawn Mower

Power Source?

What power source are you looking for in your self-propelled lawn mower? Many self-propelled mowers are gas-powered. While this makes for a strong machine with great mulching capabilities, it’s important to be aware that it can also make for quite a noisy machine.

If noise is an issue for you or if you have neighbors close by, we would recommend opting for a lithium-ion rechargeable battery model instead.

Bear in mind that if you have a very large lawn, a battery-powered machine may require you to recharge before you complete the job.

Weight of Mower?

Many self-propelled lawn mowers weigh in at about 60lbs. However, given that the machine propels itself, the weight is probably less of a concern than it would be with some other types of mower, such as a push mower.

You don’t need to physically put your weight behind it. Weight will only need to be considered in terms of moving it in and out of storage.

Adjustable Speed?

Whether or not you need an adjustable speed mower probably comes down to the size of your lawn. If you have a small lawn, a mower with a single speed setting will probably do the job perfectly.

Wheel Size?

If you have a lawn which has a lot of rough patches, we recommend that you invest in a machine with bigger front wheels. This is to avoid the wheels getting entangled and causing tears in your lawn.

Warranty?

Check the warranty on your machine when you are buying it. If the warranty period seems short, we thoroughly recommend taking out an extended warranty for peace of mind.

Remember that this shouldn’t be a frequent buy. It’s something you are investing in for long term use over many many years. In this case, an extended warranty might actually be worth it.

Any Additional features?

There is a vast list of additional features that can be included in your mower. The additional features you might require are completely optional and depend completely on your own needs.

For example, the larger your lawn, you will require a larger mulch bag for grass clippings. Other additional features include handling grips for comfort and an integrated wash deck.

Usage Tips

Use protective equipment

Ensure you use the correct protective equipment every time you use your lawn mower. This includes ensuring you don’t wear any clothing that is too baggy. This lowers the risk of getting caught in the machine.

You should also always wear protective goggles to avoid any grass clipping getting into your eyes.

Remove obstacles

Before you even begin mowing, give the area a once over and remove any rocks or other objects that could be flung about and cause damage.

This is especially important if the grass is particularly long, as you could easily overlook it and cause injury to yourself or others around you.

Inspect the machine before every use

Always give your machine a quick inspection before every use to ensure all the parts are in place and there are no missing pieces. This is especially so if your machine has been sitting in storage for an extended period.

It might seem like an unnecessary step, especially if you are in a rush. But these machines can be extremely dangerous if they’re not working correctly.

Ensure use in appropriate environment

Pay attention to your surroundings whilst you are moving. This includes making sure there are adequate daylight hours left to complete the job. Ensure that the area you are mowing does not include any steep slopes or other landscapes that could risk you losing control.

Make sure that the machine is never used by anyone who is not completely confident in doing so, especially young teenagers. While they are eager to help, they may not be able to control the machine well, especially not without adequate guidance and supervision.

Ensure machine is switched off when cleaning

Never empty the grass clippings while the machine is still running. It is also important to never put your hands near the blades, even if the machine is off. If you need to remove grass clipping from them, use a stick or another suitable instrument.

Use in the correct direction

Self-propelled mowers are intended to be used in one direction only, away from the body. Never pull towards you. If you pull the mover towards you and lose control, the resulting injuries could be catastrophic.

Conclusion

Spend some time to decide what features are important to have in a mower that will suit your needs. This will mean that you are investing in something which you will use for many, many years to come. There is absolutely no one size fits all model. It all depends on your own needs and notably the size of the primary lawn you will be mowing.

Take some time to research all the different models available and read the wide variety of reviews available online. Remember, buying a self-propelled mower is a long-term investment, not something you’ll be buying again in a hurry. So, take the time to do all the necessary research. Go for one with an adequate warranty, should any problems arise.