The Best Gas Lawn Mowers

Buying a Gas Lawn Mower

For all the advancements with electric mowers in recent years, there’s still nothing quite like the power and range of a gas-powered lawn mower.

A typical gas mower provides as much power as high-end electric mowers, without being tethered to a power cord or needing a recharge halfway through the job. Gas mowers also last a long time. With proper maintenance, many gas-powered mowers can see 10 to 20 years of service.

Like all technologies, they do have downsides — primarily noise, maintenance and fuel storage. But their power range and durability allows gas mowers to remain perennial bestsellers.

Features to consider when shopping for a gas-powered mower include:

• Style: Gas lawn mowers come in push and riding models. Push models are best for yards about one-third to one-half of an acre. Blades can be rotary or reel. Rotary mowers spin flat blades horizontally, cutting the grass like a machete, while cylindrical reel mowers snip it like a scissors. Rotary mowers are better for tall grass and debris like sticks, while reel blades are the choice for short, clean, highly-maintained lawns.
• Engine: All new mowers sold in the U.S. are four-stroke engines, meaning the gas isn’t mixed with oil. (California recently passed a law phasing out the sale of gas-powered lawn equipment.)
• Deck width: The cutting deck holds the mower blades. A wider deck means fewer passes around the yard and less mowing time. But a deck that’s too wide can be problematic for smaller yards, or those with trees, bushes and other obstacles to navigate. Mowers with larger decks also need a bigger engine.
• Maintenance: There’s no way around this. Besides mower blade sharpening and cleaning out grass clippings, you’ll also have to deal with fuel, oil filters and annual tuneups. Luckily, most mowers are relatively DIY friendly, so if you’re comfortable working with small engines you can do most of the work yourself. If not, plenty of small-engine shops offer service.
• Features: Look for things like self-propelled drive on push mowers and vibration reduction on both styles. Self-propelled mowers can also be front-wheel, rear-wheel or all-wheel drive. Other features such as phone clips, cup holders, or easy-start options are nice to have. Whether they’re worth the additional price is up to you.
• Accessories: Most mowers, but not all, come with a bagging system. Many have other options as well. Riding mowers offer a range of accessories. If there’s a must-have for you, be sure that option is available for the mower you intend to buy.
• Price: Push mowers targeted at homeowners run from $200 to $800. Riding mowers range from $1,300 to $6,000. But there are plenty of models that fall outside even those broad ranges. No matter the size of your budget or your yard, there’s a mower out there that’s right for you.