21 Types Of Lawn Mowers: Which One Should You Choose?

A lawn mower is a tool that consists of a rotating blade to cut grass on a lawn or yard. Its primary function is to make the grass of a lawn even by chopping off its overgrown edges. There are a variety of different lawn mowers available for purchase, such as push mowers, gas-powered mowers, electric mowers, riding mowers, etc.

The reason for such a variety among them is that they are designed for specific grass-cutting tasks. For example, a riding mower would be a worthwhile investment if you have to cut large patches of grass regularly. On the other hand, for maintaining the grass in your front or backyard, a gas-powered or push mower would be more suitable. Every type of mower is designed for separate purposes, such as a lawn tractor allows the user to sit comfortably on the back of the machine while cutting grass, a mulching/bagging combo mower helps to turn the cut grass into fertilizer and safely store it in the mower’s bag, a self-propelled mower drives itself which makes it easy to move around, a cordless electric mower can efficiently trim a yard without requiring any fuel, and so on.

However, before buying a mower, there are a few aspects that you should consider including the size of your lawn, the type of grass you are dealing with, how much storage space you have available, what are the key features you require, and how much effort goes into maintaining it. With that said, let’s see all the different types of lawn mowers that you should consider. 

Riding Mowers:

Riding mowers give the user the privilege of sitting on top of the mower while trimming the grass. These are the perfect machines for cutting grass on large patches of land as the user can operate them like a vehicle. In other words, it does not require to be physically pushed around, saving a lot of time and energy on yard work. Riding mowers can be further classified into five different types. They are:

Riding Lawn Mower

Riding lawn mowers are engine-powered mowers with a cutting deck placed in the middle. These mowers are relatively compact and are designed primarily for small to medium-sized yards. And because of their size, they can be easily maneuvered, allowing for greater control around obstacles and borders. A potential drawback for ride-on mowers is that they only serve to cut grass and nothing more. This can be a turn-off for buyers who are looking for more versatile options with extra features. Simply put, these mowers are the most basic forms of riding mowers that are available. 

Zero-turn Mower

Zero-turn mowers are specialized riding mowers because they come with two lap bars for movement instead of traditional steering. They consist of two large back wheels powered by a dual hydrostatic transmission system, two smaller wheels in the front that can turn independently, a large engine in the rear, and a cutting deck in the middle. Due to their unorthodox design, these mowers can make 360-degree turns on a dime, allowing for unparalleled maneuverability. Moreover, the engine can produce 10 to 25 horsepower, making them very powerful as well. The only downside of these mowers is the premium price point attached to them which can range anywhere from $1000 to $7000. But given how useful they are, the price is definitely worth it. 

Rear-engine Riding Mower

Rear-engine riding mowers are medium-sized mowers that are powered by a single-cylinder engine at the back. These mowers are mainly for cutting grass on yards that are too big for push mowers but too small for lawn tractors. The 30 to 35-inch cutting deck is situated in the middle underneath the mower and is operated using a steering wheel and lever with a continuous transmission system. The engine can generate up to 10 to 15 horsepower on average, making them quite capable for their size. Though they don’t have any significant drawbacks, trying to tackle yards greater than 2.5 acres can lead to early wearout. 

Lawn Tractor

Lawn tractors are massive front engine-powered riding mowers that are primarily made for large backyards and patches of grass. These mowers are powered by high-capacity engines with a horsepower of 15 to 25, featuring one or two cylinders. They are controlled by a traditional steering system with a wide cutting deck in the middle that can range from 40 to 55 inches. These mowers are extremely durable and robust, allowing the user to tackle some of the toughest yard jobs with ease. And depending on the budget, which shouldn’t be more than $1000 to $3000, buyers can opt for either a lever-operated gear transmission or a continuously variable transmission system. However, because of their size, they are not easy to turn or maneuver which can be a con to some people. 

Garden Tractor

Garden tractors are a special kind of riding mower that can not only cut grass but are also able to perform other jobs. Appearance-wise, these mowers look very similar to lawn tractors as they are large mowers that can be ridden on. They are run using powerful engines which can produce approximately 20 to 30 horsepower. What makes garden tractors stand out is that they are capable of performing other tasks as well, such as pulling around heavy equipment, clearing away snow and dirt, tilling gardens, grading driveways, etc. as per the attachments used. However, despite being so versatile, these mowers are only recommended for enthusiast gardeners as they require a lot of maintenance and upkeep. 

Manual/Push Mowers:

Push mowers are lawn mowers that need to be manually moved around to cut grass. These mowers can either come with a motor or not, but it is only for operating the cutting blades. They are compact and lightweight, making them an ideal choice for small-sized lawns. And since they don’t have a drive system, they are much cheaper than their motorized counterparts. Push mowers can be categorized into the following types:

Push Reel Mower

Push reel mowers are manual mowers that have a cylindrical blade attached to the front that rotates to cut grass. These mowers are arguably one of the first lawn care tools to be introduced and are very easy to use thanks to their straightforward design. They do not have a motor or engine which can be a disadvantage. But the lack of a motor also makes them very lightweight and cheap, costing around only $50 to $200 at max. 

Motor Reel Mower

Motor reel mowers are push mowers consisting of a cylinder blade that is powered by a motor. They are very efficient at cutting grass as the blades are spun using the motor instead of having to be manually operated by the user. These mowers are excellent for cutting small-sized lawns and are easy to use as they just need to be pushed around while letting the blades do their job. Think of these mowers as an upgraded version of push reel mowers, with the only difference being that they are slightly more expensive, costing around $80 to $200.

Push Mower with Catcher

Push mowers with catchers are a special type of manual mower that comes with a bag to collect all the grass clippings. They usually do not have a motor and need to be physically pushed around. But their best aspect is that they will help clean up the lawn while also giving it a nice trim. And the lack of an engine also makes them very lightweight while being environmentally friendly. Their simple, straightforward design makes them easy to use and maneuver around. Buyers can expect to find them for around $50 to $300, making them quite affordable as well. 

Gasoline-powered Mowers:

Gasoline-powered mowers are run by an engine and require petrol to make the blades rotate. These mowers are very powerful and can make quick work of the toughest patch of vegetation, regardless of how tall or thick the grass is. And despite their large and bulky frame, they are rather easy to steer. Gasoline-powered mowers have three subclasses which are elaborated as follows:

Gasoline-powered Rotary Mower

Gasoline-powered rotary mowers are mowers that cut grass using a motor-operated blade. These mowers come with a 5 to 20-horsepower 2-stroke or 4-stroke internal combustion engine and a manual transmission system, making them capable of handling small to medium-sized lawns easily. Furthermore, they are easy to steer around tough bends and can make quick work of uneven terrains of grass. The primary drawback of these mowers is that they create a lot of unwanted noise and fumes. 

Push Mower With Engine

A push mower with an engine is a compact lawn mower that needs to be pushed around manually to cut grass. The engine powering it usually has 5 to 15 units of horsepower and is perfectly suited to mow small yards. They also have excellent maneuverability which makes them easy to steer around edges. These mowers have a cutting deck size of around 15 to 25 inches and are able to produce clean, uniform patches of grass. However, users should keep an eye on the fuel gauge as these mowers need to be regularly topped up with petrol. 

Self-propelled Mower

Self-propelled mowers are grass-cutting lawn mowers that can drive themselves forward using the power of their engine. Users don’t have to manually push their weight around as they can generate enough driving force to keep moving. All the user has to do is guide them in the correct direction. The speed is controlled using the handlebars and can be adjusted on premium models, which can go up to 5 miles per hour. These mowers can easily take on 0.25 to 0.75 yards of grass and even hilly or inconsistent terrains. With that said potential buyers should note that these mowers require a lot of maintenance and care to operate at their peak performance. 

Electric Mowers:

Electric mowers are operated using electricity instead of gasoline or petrol. They can come in the form of corded or uncorded variants, where corded mowers require a power cable to operate, and uncorded mowers need to be charged before use. There are two main types of electric mowers:

Electric Rotary Mower

Electric rotary mowers are corded mowers that use electricity from a power supply to operate. Since these mowers use electricity, they do not produce any toxic fumes, making them an environmentally friendly option. They have a compact frame and are very quiet when cutting grass, unlike their gas-powered counterparts. However, due to their smaller stature, they usually have a cutting deck of 10 to 20 inches. The only noteworthy con of an electric rotary mower is that they have a limited range of area they can cover as they are restrained by the power cable.

Cordless Electric Mower

Cordless electric mowers are battery-powered mowers that do not require to be plugged into an electrical outlet while cutting grass. These mowers allow the user to freely use them around their lawn without having to worry about any wires. And with a cutting deck of 10 to 20 inches, they can effortlessly cover the length of a small garden or yard with an area of up to 1.5 acres. Most cordless mowers require 2 battery packs to operate, but the run time is usually limited to only 1 hour of usage. 

Robotic Mowers:

Robotic mowers are the latest innovation in the lawn mower industry as they can cut grass independently. That means all the user has to do is give the mower instructions on what to do and it will take care of the rest. These mowers use state-of-the-art technology to mow lawns and are fully automated. 

Robotic Lawn Mower

Robotic lawn mowers are automatic mowers that trim lawns as per the user’s instructions and requirements. These are the most compact mowers on the market and have advanced features that are not found on any other kind of lawn mower. Similar to robotic vacuums, these mowers can be designated at a time to be dispatched to cut the grass and will return back to their docking bay when it is done or requires charging. Using their advanced navigation and detection system, these mowers are also able to give your yard the perfect trim. Moreover, they also reduce the user’s carbon footprint as they don’t require petrol or gas to operate. Unfortunately, this technology has not fully developed yet and is still in its infancy, making investing in robotic lawn mowers a bit of a hit or miss, especially given that it can cost between $800 to $1500.

Other Specialized Lawn Mowers:

Apart from the aforementioned classification of mowers, there are several other types available that do not fall under any specific category. For instance:

Hover Mower

Hover mowers are special kinds of mowers that are suspended using air over the grass they are about to cut. Due to this unique feature, hover mowers do not need any wheels to move around, making them incredibly convenient to maneuver. Moreover, due to their unique design, they can take on irregularly shaped yards and uneven surfaces with ease. These mowers are normally electric-powered, have rotary blades, and are mostly suited for small to medium-sized lawns. But since they are electric, they are not capable of handling large backyards as they constantly need to be recharged. 

Mulching Mower

Mulching mowers are unique lawn mowers that cut up grass into fine pieces, known as mulch, in order to fertilize the land. They have unorthodox deck designs to retain the clippings inside of them instead of discharging them, allowing the blades to continuously cut the grass until they are turned into mulch. Once the process is finished, the fine grass residue is naturally dispersed into the land, enriching the soil. However, mulching mowers cannot be used on top of surfaces with loose soil as they can suck up the dirt, potentially causing the blade to be damaged. 

Side-discharge Mower

Side-discharge mowers are lawn mowers that cut grass, suck it up, and blow it out of their sides. These mowers can come in the form of riding, gasoline-powered, electric, etc., and are preferred by those who do not want to bag the clippings. They cut the grass and use the air generated by the rotating blades to push the residue out, keeping the internal components free of residue buildup. However, these mowers usually end up making a mess which would later need to be cleaned up.

Bagging Mower

Bagging mowers come with a storage unit for all the grass that has been cut and discharged. Most bagging mowers have a rear-discharge system where the grass clippings are expelled out of the back so that the bag can catch it. Users can then take the bag of clippings and dispose of them properly. They can also use the mower as a regular discharge mower by simply detaching the bag. However, doing so will cause the grass clippings to fly directly towards the user which is why it is not recommended. 

Mulching/Bagging Combo Mower

Mulching/bagging combo mowers come with the ability to mow the grass into fine pieces and then keep it safely stored. These mowers are excellent for lawn care as the mulch they produce can be used as fertilizer. That way the grass clippings don’t go to waste and is an extremely efficient way to recycle it. And for those who want to simply release the mulch onto the soil, just removing the bag would be the solution. Overall, a mulching/bagging combo mower offers the best lawn care service. 

Articulated Mower

Articulated mowers are engine-powered riding mowers with a blade deck in the front and two front wheels that can move independently. The standout feature of these mowers is that they have excellent maneuverability which means users are able to easily navigate them around objects and sharp corners. Additionally, these mowers can be used with a number of attachments, making them very versatile as well. Lastly, due to their design, they are great for mowing hilly or uneven terrains. 

Remote-controlled Mower

Remote-controlled mowers are small lawn mowers that are operated using their dedicated control units. This allows users to manually control their mower without having to get up and push it around. Users can also set specific paths for the mower to follow which include slopes, hills, uneven terrains, etc. Due to their compact form factor, these mowers can travel almost anywhere, allowing users to cut grass even in those hard-to-reach places. However, these mowers can be quite expensive and you can expect to pay around $1000 to $2000. 

Solar-powered Mower

Solar-powered mowers are another innovative type of lawn mower that uses the energy from the sun to replenish their batteries. Since they use sunlight to power them instead of electricity or petrol, these mowers are the most environmentally friendly option in the market. These mowers come in the form of self-propelled mowers and more advanced models are robotic. Users can recharge the mower by either using photovoltaic panels or traditional wall outlets. But the drawback of charging these mowers using solar energy is that it takes about 1 to 2 days to fully recharge their batteries in ideal conditions.  

How Can You Choose Your Lawn Mower?

To choose your lawn mower, you will first need to consider some key factors:

• Size of the lawn: The size of your lawn plays a huge role as certain mowers are more suited to large yards while others are meant for short patches of grass. Check the area of the land you want to mow and then decide which type of mower would be suitable for you.

• Type of grass: Not all mowers can cut through every type of grass. Grass can be stiff, soft, damp, dry, long, tall, etc. depending on their species and the soil they are growing on. Different mowers are suited for different types of grass, hence, make sure to know the kind of foliage you are dealing with. 

• Storage space: Storage space is another factor that needs to be considered as you may end up getting a mower that you just can’t safely keep anywhere.
  Compact push mower is the correct choice for you if you have limited space. Otherwise, you can even opt for large riding mowers. 

• Features and functionality: Mowers are capable of doing more than just cutting grass as per their features. They are able to bag, mulch, and discharge the cut grass in a variety of ways. Some mowers can be ridden on, some need to be manually pushed around, some are self-propelled, and some are completely autonomous. Choose a mower after deciding which of these aspects matters the most. 
• Maintenance: Mowers require proper care and maintenance to keep performing at their best. For instance, no matter what type of mower you get, you will need to change out their blades from time to time. However, some mowers require a lot of maintenance, whereas others don’t need as much. You can decide which mower to get depending on how much time and effort you are willing to invest in it. 

What Type of Lawn Mower is Best for You?

The type of lawn mower that will be best for you depends on your requirements. Riding mowers would be the best choice if you need a type of mower that is able to tackle large patches of grass easily without requiring much effort. Reel mowers can be an excellent option if you want a type of mower that is suitable for a small garden and is easy to maintain. The best type of mower comes down to the outcome you want to achieve. 

Which Are the Best Types of Lawn Mowers for Small Yards?

Push mowers, electric mowers, and gasoline-powered mowers are the best to deal with small yards. You need to decide whether you want to manually mow the lawn or want the help of a motor to make quick work of the grass. All three of these types are very well suited for small to medium-sized yards.