Best Lawn Mowers and Tractors of 2024

CR's experts cut 500,000 square feet of grass to compile a list of the best mowers you can buy right now

By Tobie Stanger

Updated March 29, 2024

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low view of lawn with strip of mowed lawn in the middle

The best lawn mowers and tractors cut your lawn well while minimizing the effort. And when you’re ready to shop for a new one, Consumer Reports’ tests reveal good news: Whether you’re seeking a behemoth gas lawn tractor or an easier-on-the-ears battery push mower, you’re likely to find many very capable choices among the 140-plus models in our ratings.

“You’ll get a decent cut from nearly all of our rated lawn mowers and tractors as long as you sharpen the blades every couple of months during mowing season and do other basic maintenance,” says David Trezza, who heads lawn mower testing at Consumer Reports. Where you’ll find differences in our ratings, he adds, is in convenience features that each mower and tractor offer, the level of noise each puts out, and—for electric mowers—the real-world battery run times our engineers measure.

In this article

Best Battery Walk-Behind Mowers
Best Gas Walk-Behind Mowers
Best Gas and Battery Riding Mowers and Tractors
Why Trust CR's Lawn Mower and Tractor Ratings?
How to Shop for a Mower or Tractor

“Mowers and tractors also can vary a lot in their reliability,” Trezza says. As Consumer Reports’ exclusive reliability ratings show, some mower brands are more likely than others to keep on cutting, year after year.

Best Battery Walk-Behind Mowers

See our battery walk-behind mower ratings.

Best Gas Walk-Behind Mowers

See our gas walk-behind mower ratings.

Honda Power Equipment dealer<\/a> to see if your model is effected and if so schedule an appointment for a free inspection and repair. <\/p>For more information, see our <a href=https://www.consumerreports.org/"https:////www.consumerreports.org//home-garden//home-product-recalls//honda-mowers-pressure-washer-engines-recall-for-injury-risk-a6991372236///">Honda recall coverage<\/a>. <\/p>","recallSubmissionDate":"2023-09-21T22:06:36.000Z"},"reliability":{"predictedReliabilityScore":5,"predictedReliability10PtScore":10,"weightedSortOrder":1,"scoreTypeRemarkId":1,"scoreTypeRemark":"Valid Score","infoText":"Predicted brand reliability ratings are based on estimated problem rates for newly purchased gas self-propelled mowers, by the end of the fifth year of ownership."},"ownerSatisfaction":{"predictedOwnerSatisfactionScore":5,"predictedOwnerSatisfaction10PtScore":9,"weightedSortOrder":7,"scoreTypeRemarkId":1,"scoreTypeRemark":"Valid Score","infoText":"Owner satisfaction ratings are based on the proportion of members who are extremely likely to recommend their gas self-propelled mowers to their friends and family."},"surveys":{"ownerSatisfaction":{"surveyTypeId":2,"surveyTypeLabel":"Owner satisfaction","scoreTypeRemarkId":1,"scoreTypeRemark":"Valid Score","infoText":"Owner satisfaction ratings are based on the proportion of members who are extremely likely to recommend their gas push mowers to their friends and family.","surveyScore":5,"survey10PtScore":9,"weightedSortOrder":7},"reliability":{"surveyTypeId":1,"surveyTypeLabel":"Predicted reliability","scoreTypeRemarkId":1,"scoreTypeRemark":"Valid Score","infoText":"Predicted brand reliability ratings are based on estimated problem rates for newly purchased gas push mowers, by the end of the fifth year of ownership.","surveyScore":5,"survey10PtScore":10,"weightedSortOrder":1}},"recommendationUpdateDate":"2020-03-20T14:46:32.000Z","bestBuyUpdateDate":"2020-03-20T14:40:00.000Z","scoreUpdateDate":"2024-03-25T19:47:13.000Z","overallScoreSortIndex":1,"modelLink":"\/home-garden\/lawn-mowers\/honda-hrn216pka\/m400447\/","criteria":[{"attributeId":1013,"attributeTypeId":1,"attributeTypeName":"TEST_RESULT","sortOrder":2,"name":"Side discharging","displayName":"Side discharging","description":"How far and evenly clippings were dispersed from the discharge chute.","attributeDataTypeId":3,"attributeDataTypeName":"numeric-rating-score","isProductGroupMainAttribute":true,"isAttributeArchived":false,"isFilterSuppressed":false,"weightedSortOrder":6,"value":4,"ratingsBlobScale":"5pt"},{"attributeId":1014,"attributeTypeId":1,"attributeTypeName":"TEST_RESULT","sortOrder":3,"name":"Mulching","displayName":"Mulching","description":"Reflects how fine the clippings are and how completely the mower distributed its clippings over the lawn's surface.\n","attributeDataTypeId":3,"attributeDataTypeName":"numeric-rating-score","isProductGroupMainAttribute":true,"isAttributeArchived":false,"isFilterSuppressed":false,"weightedSortOrder":4,"value":4,"ratingsBlobScale":"5pt"},{"attributeId":1015,"attributeTypeId":1,"attributeTypeName":"TEST_RESULT","sortOrder":4,"name":"Bagging","displayName":"Bagging","description":"Denotes how much clippings the bag held before it filled or the chute clogged.\n","attributeDataTypeId":3,"attributeDataTypeName":"numeric-rating-score","isProductGroupMainAttribute":true,"isAttributeArchived":false,"isFilterSuppressed":false,"weightedSortOrder":2,"value":4,"ratingsBlobScale":"5pt"}],"description":"Best Gas Push Mower<\/strong> The <a href=https://www.consumerreports.org/home-garden/lawn-mowers/best-lawn-mowers-and-tractors-of-the-year-a1178572377/"https:////www.consumerreports.org//products//gas-mowers//honda-hrn216pka-400447//overview//">Honda HRN216PKA<\/a> earns our top rating for evenness of cutting and delivers impressive results in every other performance category: mulching, bagging, side discharging, and handling. It\u2019s also a Green Choice model. Like most gas mowers, it can be noisy, though at ear level it\u2019s better than many; it earns a good rating in that category. According to our survey results, Honda gas push mowers rate tops for reliability and satisfaction. This model also has a three-year engine warranty, longer than most other tested gas push mowers. The drawback? Price. It\u2019s among the most expensive gas push mowers in our ratings. And it lacks a collapsing handle and other premium features, such as an electric start.<\/p>","ratingsLink":"\/home-garden\/lawn-mowers\/gas-mowers\/c28718\/"},{"_id":388372,"modelName":"Timemaster 21199","slugName":"toro-timemaster-21199-388372","slugModelName":"timemaster-21199","defaultUpc":"021038211992","asin":"B07258BZM3","overallScoreDescription":"Based mostly on cutting performance, handling, and ease of use. The displayed score is out of a total of 100 points.","overallDisplayScore":74,"price":1600,"priceDescription":"An approximate retail price, it includes the cost of the bag and mulch kit, when not included with the mower.","brandId":158239,"brandName":"Toro","brandSlugName":"toro","productGroupTypeId":6,"productGroupTypeName":"SUBCATEGORY","productGroupClassificationId":1,"productGroupClassificationName":"PRODUCTS","productGroupId":34739,"productGroupName":"Gas Wide-Deck Self-Propelled Mowers","testStateId":1,"testStateName":"Tested","modelAvailabilityId":1,"modelAvailabilityName":"Available","productGroupHierarchy":{"franchiseId":28937,"franchiseName":"Home & garden","franchiseSlugName":"home-garden","franchiseCuGroupId":2271,"subFranchiseId":28941,"subFranchiseName":"Tools & power equipment","subFranchiseSlugName":"tools-power-equipment","subFranchiseCuGroupId":2274,"superCategoryId":28940,"superCategoryName":"Lawn Mowers and Tractors","superCategorySlugName":"lawn-mowers","superCategorySingularName":"Lawn Mower & Tractor","superCategoryCuGroupId":2273,"categoryId":28718,"categoryName":"Gas Mowers","categorySlugName":"gas-mowers","categoryCuGroupId":33801,"subCategoryId":34739,"subCategoryName":"Gas Wide-Deck Self-Propelled Mowers","subCategorySlugName":"gas-wide-deck-self-propelled-mowers","subCategoryCuGroupId":33834},"expertReview":{"summary":"This Toro 30-inch yes high wheel mower has rear-wheel drive.","bottomLine":"This mower is the most expensive self-propelled mower CR has tested, but the 30-inch Toro Timemaster is designed for large yards that don't quite warrant a lawn tractor. It has a twin blade deck that provides quality cut performance, and its handle has a quick release that makes it easy to empty the bag. Be aware that the unit can be bulky to move around when the engine isn't running.","highs":"<UL><LI> Mulched impressively, producing fine clippings without leaving clumps.<\/LI><LI> Filled its bag to capacity with clippings.<\/LI><LI> Dispersed clippings smoothly and evenly in side-discharge mode.<\/LI><LI> Easy to push, pull, and turn.<\/LI><LI> Includes a blade-brake clutch, which stops the blade but not the engine when you step away from the handlebar (to clear something from the mower\u2019s path).<\/LI><LI> Has a washout port to help clean buildup under the deck.<\/LI><\/UL>","lows":"This model had no discernible flaws in its performance."},"expertRatings":{"isRecommended":true,"isBestseller":false,"isBestBuy":false,"isDontBuy":false},"isPublishable":true,"availabilityUpdDate":"2016-12-22T17:22:02.000Z","lastPublishedDate":"2024-04-02T17:43:12.630Z","firstPublishedDate":"2017-03-10T18:04:53.000Z","profileImage":{"fileName":"388372-selfpropelledmowers-toro-timemaster21199","relativePath":"\/prod\/products\/cr\/models\/","cloudFrontDomain":"https:\/\/crdms.images.consumerreports.org","fileFormat":"png","imageTypeId":1},"galleryImages":[{"fileName":"388372-selfpropelledmowers-toro-timemaster21199-d-1","relativePath":"\/prod\/products\/cr\/models\/","cloudFrontDomain":"https:\/\/crdms.images.consumerreports.org","fileFormat":"jpg","imageTypeId":2},{"fileName":"388372-selfpropelledmowers-toro-timemaster21199-d-10","relativePath":"\/prod\/products\/cr\/models\/","cloudFrontDomain":"https:\/\/crdms.images.consumerreports.org","fileFormat":"jpg","imageTypeId":2},{"fileName":"388372-selfpropelledmowers-toro-timemaster21199-d-2","relativePath":"\/prod\/products\/cr\/models\/","cloudFrontDomain":"https:\/\/crdms.images.consumerreports.org","fileFormat":"jpg","imageTypeId":2},{"fileName":"388372-selfpropelledmowers-toro-timemaster21199-d-3","relativePath":"\/prod\/products\/cr\/models\/","cloudFrontDomain":"https:\/\/crdms.images.consumerreports.org","fileFormat":"jpg","imageTypeId":2},{"fileName":"388372-selfpropelledmowers-toro-timemaster21199-d-4","relativePath":"\/prod\/products\/cr\/models\/","cloudFrontDomain":"https:\/\/crdms.images.consumerreports.org","fileFormat":"jpg","imageTypeId":2},{"fileName":"388372-selfpropelledmowers-toro-timemaster21199-d-5","relativePath":"\/prod\/products\/cr\/models\/","cloudFrontDomain":"https:\/\/crdms.images.consumerreports.org","fileFormat":"jpg","imageTypeId":2},{"fileName":"388372-selfpropelledmowers-toro-timemaster21199-d-6","relativePath":"\/prod\/products\/cr\/models\/","cloudFrontDomain":"https:\/\/crdms.images.consumerreports.org","fileFormat":"jpg","imageTypeId":2},{"fileName":"388372-selfpropelledmowers-toro-timemaster21199-d-7","relativePath":"\/prod\/products\/cr\/models\/","cloudFrontDomain":"https:\/\/crdms.images.consumerreports.org","fileFormat":"jpg","imageTypeId":2},{"fileName":"388372-selfpropelledmowers-toro-timemaster21199-d-8","relativePath":"\/prod\/products\/cr\/models\/","cloudFrontDomain":"https:\/\/crdms.images.consumerreports.org","fileFormat":"jpg","imageTypeId":2},{"fileName":"388372-selfpropelledmowers-toro-timemaster21199-d-9","relativePath":"\/prod\/products\/cr\/models\/","cloudFrontDomain":"https:\/\/crdms.images.consumerreports.org","fileFormat":"jpg","imageTypeId":2}],"cuModelId":"99058661","cuGroupId":33834,"isModelRatingFromSurveyCategory":false,"isPublishedInPCR":true,"reliability":{"predictedReliabilityScore":3,"predictedReliability10PtScore":5,"weightedSortOrder":1,"scoreTypeRemarkId":1,"scoreTypeRemark":"Valid Score","infoText":"Predicted brand reliability ratings are based on estimated problem rates for newly purchased gas self-propelled mowers, by the end of the fifth year of ownership."},"ownerSatisfaction":{"predictedOwnerSatisfactionScore":4,"predictedOwnerSatisfaction10PtScore":8,"weightedSortOrder":7,"scoreTypeRemarkId":1,"scoreTypeRemark":"Valid Score","infoText":"Owner satisfaction ratings are based on the proportion of members who are extremely likely to recommend their gas self-propelled mowers to their friends and family."},"surveys":{"ownerSatisfaction":{"surveyTypeId":2,"surveyTypeLabel":"Owner satisfaction","scoreTypeRemarkId":1,"scoreTypeRemark":"Valid Score","infoText":"Owner satisfaction ratings are based on the proportion of members who are extremely likely to recommend their gas self-propelled mowers to their friends and family.","surveyScore":4,"survey10PtScore":8,"weightedSortOrder":7},"reliability":{"surveyTypeId":1,"surveyTypeLabel":"Predicted reliability","scoreTypeRemarkId":1,"scoreTypeRemark":"Valid Score","infoText":"Predicted brand reliability ratings are based on estimated problem rates for newly purchased gas self-propelled mowers, by the end of the fifth year of ownership.","surveyScore":3,"survey10PtScore":5,"weightedSortOrder":1}},"recommendationUpdateDate":"2017-03-10T18:04:53.000Z","bestBuyUpdateDate":"2017-03-10T18:04:53.000Z","scoreUpdateDate":"2024-03-25T19:47:13.000Z","overallScoreSortIndex":1,"walmartId":558175224,"modelLink":"\/home-garden\/lawn-mowers\/toro-timemaster-21199\/m388372\/","criteria":[{"attributeId":1013,"attributeTypeId":1,"attributeTypeName":"TEST_RESULT","sortOrder":2,"name":"Side discharging","displayName":"Side discharging","description":"How far and evenly clippings were dispersed from the discharge chute.","attributeDataTypeId":3,"attributeDataTypeName":"numeric-rating-score","isProductGroupMainAttribute":true,"isAttributeArchived":false,"isFilterSuppressed":false,"weightedSortOrder":6,"value":4,"ratingsBlobScale":"5pt"},{"attributeId":1014,"attributeTypeId":1,"attributeTypeName":"TEST_RESULT","sortOrder":3,"name":"Mulching","displayName":"Mulching","description":"Reflects how fine the clippings are and how completely the mower distributed its clippings over the lawn's surface.\n","attributeDataTypeId":3,"attributeDataTypeName":"numeric-rating-score","isProductGroupMainAttribute":true,"isAttributeArchived":false,"isFilterSuppressed":false,"weightedSortOrder":4,"value":4,"ratingsBlobScale":"5pt"},{"attributeId":1015,"attributeTypeId":1,"attributeTypeName":"TEST_RESULT","sortOrder":4,"name":"Bagging","displayName":"Bagging","description":"Denotes how much clippings the bag held before it filled or the chute clogged.\n","attributeDataTypeId":3,"attributeDataTypeName":"numeric-rating-score","isProductGroupMainAttribute":true,"isAttributeArchived":false,"isFilterSuppressed":false,"weightedSortOrder":2,"value":5,"ratingsBlobScale":"5pt"}],"description":"Best Gas Wide-Deck Self-Propelled Mower<\/strong> The 30-inch <a href=https://www.consumerreports.org/home-garden/lawn-mowers/best-lawn-mowers-and-tractors-of-the-year-a1178572377/"https:////www.consumerreports.org//products//lawn-mowers-28940//gas-mowers-28718//toro-timemaster-21199-388372//#section:specs">Toro Timemaster 21199<\/a> is very pricey for a mower. In fact, it\u2019s designed for large yards that don\u2019t quite warrant a lawn tractor. It\u2019s particularly impressive at bagging, filling its bag to capacity with clippings. It also mulches capably and side discharges with ease. Handling is satisfying; we found it easy to push, pull, and turn. This model has attractive features, including high wheels for maneuverability, a washout port, and a handle that releases quickly to aid in emptying the bag\u2014and also swings up for easier storage. Be aware, though, that the unit can be bulky to move around when the engine isn\u2019t running. While owner satisfaction is solid, Toro\u2019s predicted reliability for its gas walk-behind mowers is only middling in CR\u2019s surveys.<\/p>","ratingsLink":"\/home-garden\/lawn-mowers\/gas-mowers\/c28718\/"}]" hide-index />

Best Gas and Battery Riding Mowers and Tractors

See our gas and battery riding mower and tractor ratings.

Why Trust CR's Lawn Mower and Tractor Ratings?

Consumer Reports’ ratings combine the results of our unique and comprehensive scientific field tests of dozens of mowers and tractors with predicted reliability ratings derived from our annual member surveys.

To get you ratings and reviews of the latest models by early spring, our testers travel to Florida to conduct tests in late winter at grounds we maintain year-round. We plant 1,800 pounds of grass seed (predominantly annual rye, prized for its dense growth). We cut 500,000 square feet of grass in three modes: mulching, side-discharging, and bagging (collecting 3,000 pounds of clippings in total). We take each mower over level turf, slopes, and ditches to get a feel for how they handle the varied terrain. We also review the convenience features of every model we assess.

The Overall Score for each model in CR’s mower and tractor ratings incorporates all of that performance data, along with predicted reliability and owner satisfaction ratings from our latest member surveys. We collected data on more than 36,500 lawn mowers and tractors that members purchased between 2013 and 2023. That reflects experiences with more than 16,000 gas mowers, more than 10,000 battery mowers, and more than 9,600 riding mowers.

How to Shop for a Mower or Tractor

If you’re in the market for a new mower, the best place to start is Consumer Reports’ lawn mower and tractor buying guide. Then check out our in-depth ratings of dozens of mowers and tractors. Still not sure which kind of lawn mower is right for your yard? Read CR’s advice on how to choose one based on your property’s acreage and topography. Not sure whether an electric mower is for you? Check out our gas vs. electric mower face-off or use our interactive decision tool to see which is the better investment.

For more details on the key factor of reliability, read our reports on the most and least reliable gas riding mower brands and the most and least reliable walk-behind mower brands, which cover both electric mower and gas mower brands.

When you start to shop, keep in mind that some mower brands are sold only at Home Depot or Lowe’s, while others are sold only through independent dealers. And some brands may sell certain models at a big home-improvement chain and others through dealers. If you can’t find a particular model at your favored store or at a price that fits your budget, keep looking. “Shop around, checking a few different stores,” says Courtney Pennicooke, the Consumer Reports product analyst who covers lawn mowers.

@consumerreports
You want an even, carpet-like cut from your lawn mower—not clumps of grass. In this video, our tester inspects the clippings and shows the difference between a top cut and one that could be better. See lawn mower ratings and reviews through the link in our bio. #lawntok #lawntiktok #lawnmower
♬ original sound - Consumer Reports

Tobie Stanger

Tobie Stanger is a senior editor at Consumer Reports, where she has been helping readers shop wisely, save money, and avoid scams for more than 30 years. Most recently, her home- and shopping-related beats have included appliance and grocery stores, generators, homeowners and flood insurance, humidifiers, lawn mowers, and luggage—she also covers home improvement products like flooring, roofing, and siding. During off-hours, she works on her own fixer-upper and gets her hands dirty in the garden.