The Best Self-Propelled Lawn Mower - 2021
We looked at the top 23 Self Propelled Lawn Mowers and dug through the reviews from 120 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Self Propelled Lawn Mowers.
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Our Picks For The Top Self Propelled Lawn Mowers
- The Best Self Propelled Lawn Mower
- 1. Craftsman M215 High-Wheeled Self-Propelled Lawn Mower, 21-Inch
- 2. Greenworks PRO 80V Self-Propelled Cordless Lawn Mower, 21-Inch
- 3. PowerSmart Gas Powered Self-Propelled Lawn Mower, 21-Inch
- 4. EGO Power+ LM2142SP Electric Cordless Self-Propelled Lawn Mower, 21-Inch
- 5. Lawn-Boy 17732 Rear Wheel Drive Self Propelled Lawn Mower, 21-Inch
- 6. Honda HRN216VKA Self-Propelled Lawn Mower, 21-Inch
- 7. Toro Kohler Variable Speed Self-Propelled Gas Lawn Mower, 22-Inch
- 8. Snapper XD 82V MAX Cordless Electric Self-Propelled Lawn Mower Kit, 21-Inch
- 9. EGO Power+ LM2020SP Electric Self Propelled Lawn Mower, 20-Inch
- 10. Honda Variable Speed Self Propelled Lawn Mower
- 11. Remington Explorer Self Propelled Lawn Mower
- 12. Troy-Bilt RWD Self Propelled Lawn Mower
- 13. Troy-Bilt 159 cc Self Propelled Gas Lawn Mower, 21-Inch
- 14. Husqvarna Self Propelled Lawn Mower
- 15. Yard Machines 140cc OHV Self Propelled Gas Lawn Mower, 21-Inch
- 16. Greenworks 20-Inch 12 Amp Corded Lawn Mower
- 17. Sun Joe iON100V-21LM-CT Cordless Self Propelled Lawn Mower, 21-Inch
- 18. Worx Intellicut Self Propelled Lawn Mower
- 19. Yard Machines FWD Self Propelled Lawn Mower
- 20. Lawn-Boy Gross Torque Kohler Lawn Mower
- 21. Remington RM210 Pathfinder Self Propelled Lawn Mower
- 22. Snapper Rear Wheel Drive Variable Speed Self Propelled Lawn Mower
- 23. oneinmil RV175 Self Propelled Gas Lawn Mower, 21-Inch
Built-In BaggerIn addition to cutting grass, this self-propelled lawn mower also doubles as a mulcher.
Rechargeable Electric OptionThis easy-start push-button self-propelled lawn mower doesn’t produce any emissions.
Economical OptionThis self-propelled lawn mower is more affordable than most, yet doesn't lack on any important features.
Completely CordlessYou'll find this self-propelled lawn mower has six different height settings, as well as a pair of bright LED lights for mowing in the dark.
Why we recommend these self propelled lawn mowers?
Products Considered
Products Analyzed
Expert Reviews Included
User Opinions Analyzed
Our experts reviewed the top 23 Self Propelled Lawn Mowers and also dug through the reviews from 120 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best Self Propelled Lawn Mowers.
DWYM is your trusted roduct review source. Our team reviews thousands of product reviews from the trusted top experts and combines them into one easy-to-understand score. Learn more.
The Best Overall
Craftsman M215 High-Wheeled Self-Propelled Lawn Mower, 21-Inch
Our Take
Make quick work of your summer and fall lawn maintenance with this self-propelled lawn mower. You won't need much muscle to operate it and there's an attached bag to catch all of your grass and leaf clippings. Both the blades and the speed are adjustable, which allows you to personalize your cut while also having more control over the lawnmower.
What other experts liked
What other experts didn't like
The Best Bang For Your Buck
PowerSmart Gas Powered Self-Propelled Lawn Mower, 21-Inch
Our Take
Tall and tough grass are no problem for this self-propelled lawn mower. It's built with a 4-stroke, single cylinder gas engine that's super powerful. As an added bonus, the mower comes with a bag to catch all of your yard waste.
What other experts liked
What other experts didn't like
Overall Product Rankings
1. Craftsman M215 High-Wheeled Self-Propelled Lawn Mower, 21-Inch
2. Greenworks PRO 80V Self-Propelled Cordless Lawn Mower, 21-Inch
4. EGO Power+ LM2142SP Electric Cordless Self-Propelled Lawn Mower, 21-Inch
5. Lawn-Boy 17732 Rear Wheel Drive Self Propelled Lawn Mower, 21-Inch
7. Toro Kohler Variable Speed Self-Propelled Gas Lawn Mower, 22-Inch
8. Snapper XD 82V MAX Cordless Electric Self-Propelled Lawn Mower Kit, 21-Inch
9. EGO Power+ LM2020SP Electric Self Propelled Lawn Mower, 20-Inch
15. Yard Machines 140cc OHV Self Propelled Gas Lawn Mower, 21-Inch
17. Sun Joe iON100V-21LM-CT Cordless Self Propelled Lawn Mower, 21-Inch
22. Snapper Rear Wheel Drive Variable Speed Self Propelled Lawn Mower
Our Self Propelled Lawn Mower Findings
Craftsman M215 High-Wheeled Self-Propelled Lawn Mower, 21-Inch
What We Liked: Make quick work of your summer and fall lawn maintenance with this self-propelled lawn mower. You won’t need much muscle to operate it and there’s an attached bag to catch all of your grass and leaf clippings. Both the blades and the speed are adjustable, which allows you to personalize your cut while also having more control over the lawnmower.
Greenworks PRO 80V Self-Propelled Cordless Lawn Mower, 21-Inch
What We Liked: If you hate the smell that comes from the exhaust of a gas-powered motor, then this electric choice is best for you. This powerful self-propelled lawn mower delivers the gas equivalent performance to a 160 cubic centimeter gas engine. The innovative 3-In-1 design allows you to mulch, rear-bag or side-discharge grass clippings.
PowerSmart Gas Powered Self-Propelled Lawn Mower, 21-Inch
What We Liked: Tall and tough grass are no problem for this self-propelled lawn mower. It’s built with a 4-stroke, single cylinder gas engine that’s super powerful. As an added bonus, the mower comes with a bag to catch all of your yard waste.
EGO Power+ LM2142SP Electric Cordless Self-Propelled Lawn Mower, 21-Inch
What We Liked: After charging this electric self-propelled lawn mower, you’ll have 80 minutes of run time. The unit is extremely efficient and equipped with an easy-to-use push-button start. It has three functions that include mulching, bagging and discharging clippings off to the side.
Lawn-Boy 17732 Rear Wheel Drive Self Propelled Lawn Mower, 21-Inch
What We Liked: This lightweight self-propelled lawn mower provides expert maneuverability for hilly or curved lawns with its rear-wheel drive. You also have the option to choose six grass-cutting heights. Plus, the 3-in-1 discharge gives you multiple options for what to do with your clippings.
Our Self Propelled Lawn Mower Buying Guide
A well-kept lawn is a thing of beauty. Not only is it nice to look at, having perfectly mowed grass makes it more enjoyable to have fun out in your yard. However, if you have a sizable grassy area or just don’t enjoy sweating while pushing a manual lawn mower along, then a self-propelled lawn mower may be a good choice for you.
Walk-behind push-mowers are powered by your strength, where you move them by pushing them over the grass you want you cut. A self-propelled lawnmower takes most of the manual labor out of mowing your yard because it is powered by a transmission. Typically, this kind of lawnmower runs on gas, though there are some that are cordless electric models as well. You can find self-propelled lawn mowers that come with variable speeds, which the operator controls in order to move the mower forward. For most people, a single-speed mower will do the trick. If different people with unique walking speeds will be using it, then you may need a variable speed mower. Instead of having to push the lawnmower, though, you only have to walk behind the mower and steer it where you want to go.
Self-propelled lawn mowers that are front-wheel drive provide more dexterity when it comes to turning and maneuvering. This kind of mower is perfect for those who have flat lawns. On the other hand, if you have a sloped lawn, then a rear-wheel drive lawn mower is a better choice. These offer better traction on curved land.
The biggest benefit of self-propelled lawn mowers is the time and energy you save. You can get the job done much faster without exerting a lot of effort. If you have thick grass, you don’t have to worry about pushing your lawnmower through it because the gadget will power through on its own. If you have a slope, your mower should be able to propel itself along the incline as well.
With a powerful machine like a self-propelled lawnmower, safety is a key concern for many shoppers. Keep in mind that many mowers come with a built-in safety feature where the mower only starts and runs if the operator squeezes a bar on the handle. If they let the bar go, then the mower stops. This way, if you slip and fall on the ground, you won’t be near spinning blades. You also don’t need to fiddle with complicated on/off switches or dials as the blades shut off automatically.
DWYM Fun Fact
Did you know that the average American spends four hours a week working on their lawn? That’s a lot of time spent mowing, weeding and watering, especially when you consider that it adds up to 208 hours over the course of a year. If you want to get some of that time back so you can spend it enjoying your lawn instead of taking care of it, then a self-propelled lawnmower is a good choice because of all the time it saves.
The lawnmower has come a long way since 1830 when it was first invented. Englishman Edwin Beard Budding got the idea for a lawnmower when he was watching a cutting cylinder at a cloth mill. However, it took him 10 years to develop a machine that worked on grass. If you want to learn more about the history of lawnmowers, you can visit the British Lawnmower Museum, located in Merseyside, Great Britain.
The Self Propelled Lawn Mower Tips and Advice
- The first thing to consider when looking for a self-propelled lawnmower is what kind of yard you have. The size and shape of your yard, as well as the kind of grass you have and the amount of slope on your lawn will affect what kind of lawn mower you need. For example, if you have a flat lawn, then you may want to consider a front-wheel drive lawn mower, instead of a rear-wheel drive lawn mower which is better for sloped yards.
- Take a look at how easy it is to start your self-propelled lawnmower. Traditional ones have a recoil start with a pull rope. By tugging on the rope, you pull a cord, which then turns over the engine to start the self-propelled lawnmower. For some people, having to pull the rope with a recoil-start mower can be difficult. In this case, look for an electric-start mower. These are simple to start up with a key or a push button.
- Be sure to consider whether the lawnmower has swivel wheels. This is especially important if you have curved flower beds or gardens within your lawn, or if your lawn is an irregular shape. Turning self-propelled lawn mowers can be difficult, which is why having swivel wheels is an important feature. These provide you with more control and maneuverability when steering your mower.
- What do you want to do with your grass clippings? Many self-propelled mowers give you three key options. You can either discharge the clippings directly onto your lawn off the sides of the mower, you can collect the clippings in a bag at the rear of the mower, or you can turn the clippings into mulch as you cut the grass.
- If you want to select the height you cut your grass, many mowers have adjustable settings where you can choose how short to trim your lawn. This is a useful feature for those who enjoy manicuring their lawns.
- It’s important to keep your self propelled lawn mower clean, especially from the inside. Look for a mower that has a wash-out port on the deck. This way, you can just hook up your garden hose to the mower and rinse out all of the grass clippings from the blades. This helps to increase the life of the mower.
About The Author
Anam Ahmed is a professional copywriter and essayist based in Toronto. She has been writing on technology, travel, parenting and business for over 10 years. As a homeowner and avid gardener, she values finding the best products to make people's lives easier. Anam earned a master's degree from the University of Toronto and a bachelor's degree from Queen's University.