Which Gas Lawn Mower Is Best

Gas Versus Electric Mowers

Many riding lawn mowers are gas-powered, meaning they require gasoline to operate. Others, meanwhile, are electric and use a battery-powered motor that needs to be charged. Though gas riding mowers are more durable and typically better suited for large lawns, Hill cautioned that theyre usually much louder than their electric counterparts and are less eco-friendly since they emit fumes.

Electric riding mowers can be cheaper and easier to maintain since they dont require purchasing or changing out the engine oil, among other upkeep requirements. However, electric riding mowers do have their downfalls: Their functionality is limited to the amount of time they can be used in a single charge if you have several acres of land , the power may not be enough to cut your entire lawn in one sitting.

Toro 21378 Recycler Lawn Mower: Best Gas Lawn Mower For Cutting Heights

When it comes to a reliable cut and easy-to-handle operation, the Toro 21378 is one of the best mowers for the job. This affordable machine is packed with features too and includes a mulching system that finely shreds grass and puts it back onto your lawn to nourish it. If you wanted to bag the grass instead, then the Toro 21378 also has a quick-connect bagging system that allows you to easily switch from mulching.

The 150cc engine and 22-inch steel deck can take on yards of up to half an acre, with the adjustable handle and lightweight 11-inch rear wheels making it super-easy to control over most lawns. There is also flexibility for precision cutting, and this self-propelling lawn mower has nine positions that will trim between one to four inches.

Overall, when it comes to residential use this self-propelled gas mower is a no-brainer, and at 74lb the Toro 21378 Recycler Lawn Mower can be used by most people with relative ease.

• Read our fullToro 21378 Recycler Lawn Mower review

Yardmax Yg1650 170 Cc 21 3

The YG1650 model from YARDMAX has a lot in common with our top pick. It has a powerful engine, a heavy-duty steel deck, and adjustable cutting height options.

Whats different? This YARDMAX mower has a single-lever adjustable mowing deck with seven height settings ranging from 1.25 to 3.75 inches, so its better for tall grass types than the PowerSmart mower.

What makes this mower special? YARDMAX mowers have a spiraled deck design that improves airflow for a cleaner cut. Plus, this model includes special features to improve user comfort and make the mower easier to use.

Features for user comfort: You can adjust the handle height to three different positions, which means you wont have to stoop and hurt your back every time you mow the lawn. The 7-inch double-ball-bearing wheels make the mow smoother, so you dont have to push the mower quite as hard to get through the grass.

Specifications:

You May Like: How To Clean Lawn Mower

Top 7 Gas Lawn Mowers

Our list of the top 7 gas lawn mowers of the year includes:

Who This Is For

If you want to be able to stand the sight of your yard this summer, youre going to need a lawn mower. Anything larger than a half-acre gets into riding-mower territory, but a self-propelled push mower is perfect for a half-acre or less. Going at a pace of about 3 mph , it will take about an hour to cut this amount of grass.

If you already own a gas mower thats less than a decade old, you will probably not notice a tremendous difference by upgrading to a newer gas mower. Upgrading to a cordless model is a more noticeable change you could immediately appreciate.

The Original Cordless Mower

• After 30 hours researching and testing reel mowers, we think the Scotts 2000-20 20-Inch Classic Push Reel Lawn Mower is the best pick for manual lawncare.

You May Like: How Much To Water My Lawn

Toro Timemaster 21199 Mower: Best Gas Lawn Mower For Quick Cutting

The Toro TimeMaster 21199 has all the features you need to mow larger yards efficiently, while quickly cutting grass with its wide 30-inch deck. As one of the best self-propelled lawn mowers, its also simple to operate with a Personal Pace and Traction Assist feature that ensures the machine operates at a speed that suits you.

Other great features include a Dual-Force Cutting System and Atomic blades, which also slice grass into mulch, plus theres the option to control your mowing height. The Toro TimeMaster 21199 is practical too with a quick-stow storage handle, and a washout port to easily clean under the deck of the mower.

As the name suggests, the Toro TimeMaster can significantly reduce the time you spend mowing the lawn, and the 1.2-quart tank averages 45-60 minutes of runtime that will suit most residential lawns of up to an acre.

With its Torque Briggs and Stratton 223cc OHV engine, this best mower is designed to cope with larger residential lawns, but at over $1,000 in price, it might be a little too pricey for smaller backyards. However, if you want plenty of power to cut your mowing time in half with ease then the Toro TimeMaster 21199 is a reliable choice.

• Read our fullToro TimeMaster 21199 review

Set Vs Variable Speed

When it comes to speed, most self-propelled lawnmowers have either a set or variable speed. A set speed is a single speed that cant be changed. This is the most basic type of speed control and is usually found on less expensive models.

A variable speed allows you to change the speed of the mower as needed. This can be useful if you have a yard with different types of terrain. Variable speed is typically found on more expensive models.

You May Like: How To Get Rid Of Toadstools In Lawn

Poulan Pro Pr550n21r3 Push Gas Mower

The Poulan Pro PR550N21R3 is easily the cheapest gasoline lawnmower of the bunch and doesnt provide much in the way of bells and whistles. Its a focused version focused on staying cheap, while still offering a great cut for your garden.

The PR550N21R3 is equipped with a 140cc Briggs and Stratton 550E engine that drives a blade. Briggs and Stratton has a reputation for producing robust engines that endure well over time.

Leaving bells and whistles out of this layout means this mower is by far the lightest at 23kg, which makes maneuvering around obstacles or up a mountain considerably less demanding.

This model has the smallest bag at 1.6 bushel, but is still capable of mulching, bagging and unwanted dump tasks with outstanding results. Deck height is individually adjusted on each wheel with five positions ranging from 1 1/10 cm to 3 1/5 cm.

Some have complained that the 140cc engine can sometimes feel underpowered or that it creates a weak vacuum for bagging. Others have questioned the build quality of such a lightweight mower. However, it remains at the top of the list for performance in its price range, offering plenty of mowing options and the ability to fulfill them.

Features We Like

What Type Of Gas For Lawn Mower

In short, it depends on the engine.

Most older 4-stroke petrol lawnmowers use unleaded super gasoline, also known as E5. Other fuels, such as E10 petrol, should only be used if expressly permitted for your machine in the owner’s manual. E10 has a higher proportion of biofuel or bioethanol and is therefore not suitable for all petrol engines.

You May Like: How To Treat Dandelions In Lawn

The Best Gas Lawn Mowers To Buy In 2022

Gas lawn mowers offer big power and unrestricted movement, and they are more affordable than electric mowers. In case you care for the environment, modern gas mowers are quieter, cleaner, and use eco-friendly fuels. However, its not easy to choose the mower that fits you most. Thats why were here to give you some valuable buying advice. Lets check it out and find your best gas lawn mower!

Cordless Riding Zero Turn Mowers

Recently both Ryobi and Ego have released cordless zero turn mowers. These are large ride-on mowers that have the capability of cutting two or more acres. Ryobi has a number of models available and Ego has one, but looking at the largest and most capable, they come with a price tag between $4000 and $7000.

The Ego ZT4204L 42-inch Z6 Zero Turn Riding Mower uses the same style of battery that is in all of their lawn equipment. The mower comes with four 10.0 Ah batteries, but the machine has ports for six, so there is some scalability, especially if you have additional Ego batteries from other tools. The mower also acts as a charger and, according to Ego, once plugged in, can fill all of the batteries in only two hours. Just using the four included batteries, the Ego can cut about 2 acres.

Ego followed the 42-inch zero turn with a larger ZT5207L 52-inch Z6 Zero Turn Riding Mower, which can cut up to 4 acres, according to the company.

The Ryobi RY48140 Zero Turn Electric Riding Mower has a single internal battery, which can power the mower to cut up to 3½-acres. Like the larger Ego, it has a 54-inch cut and amenities like the USB port and cup holders. The downside of this model is that charging is an overnight process, so you would want to make sure it could handle your lawn in a single mow. They have two 42-inch models as well.

Read Also: How To Treat Your Lawn For Bugs

Honda Hrx217hza: Best Gas Lawn Mower Overall

We’ve chosen the Honda HRX217HZA as our best overall gas-powered mower because it’s got all the features you’ll ever need in a mower coupled with that fantastic Honda engine and build quality.

Let’s start with the engine size. At 200cc it’s the most powerful engine in our buying guide, matching the Honda HRX217VKA and just a whisper ahead of the Weibang WB537SCV-3IN1. You get twin blades with the Honda HRX217HZA too, and a 4-in-1 Versamow System, which means you can easily switch between mulching, bagging, discharging and leaf-shredding.

The difference between this model and the similarly named Honda HRX217VKA, also in our buying guide, is the addition of Roto Stop technology, which means you can stop the blades without stopping the engine, and Hydrostatic Cruise control for simple, precise control of the mower’s speed.

You also get one of our favorite features, which is the electric key start, so there’s no cord to pull. Just turn a key and the mower springs into life. In fact, it’s hard to think of a feature of a lawnmower that you’d want and that you can’t find here. The Honda HRX217HZA might be expensive, but if you pay a little more you get a mower that will last you a lifetime.

• Read our Honda HRX217HZA review

Choosing The Best Zero Turn Mower For 3 5 Acres

There is a large range of many zero-turn mowers available on the market so things can get complicated, so I will break down the main considerations when buying a zero-turn.

Including gasoline versus electric, battery run time to deck type through to comfort and safety, so let us dive into how to choose the best zero-turn mower that will meet your needs.

Why not check out Best Riding Mower for 2 Acres or More. or perhaps this article on the Best Zero Turn Mowers for 1-2 Acres.

Also Check: How Do I Aerate My Lawn Myself

What To Look For In A Gas Lawn Mower

Now, well go over the factors we considered when choosing the best gas lawn mowers. These are the specifications you should look at to help you decide which mower will most likely be best for your needs.

Power: More power is the biggest advantage gas lawn mowers have over their electric counterparts. If youre shopping for a gas mower, power is likely important to you.

In a gas push mower, we determine power based on the size of the engine, measured in cubic centimeters . Those with larger engines will have a higher potential power output. Most push lawn mowers have engines ranging from 140 cc to 200 cc.

For riding mowers, we measure the power of the engine with horsepower , as you do for a car. The more HP an engine has, the higher its power output. Most riding lawn mowers have anywhere from 14 to 24 horsepower. Those closer to the high end of that range are best for properties of several acres.

Cutting width: A mowers cutting width is determined by the size of the mowing deck. The wider the deck, the more ground the mower will be able to cover at once, and the fewer passes youll have to make to mow the lawn.

Keep in mind that wider mowing decks also mean worse maneuverability and more difficult storage. Smaller cutting widths may be better for homes with smaller yards and limited storage space.

Fuel capacity: The size of the fuel tank in a push mower doesnt usually vary much, so you dont have to pay that much attention to it.

Best Push Gas Lawn Mowers

• Gas Lawn Mowers

Push mowers, also called reel mowers, are a tried and true option for cutting grass. These mowers are powered by either gas or electricity, and a manual pull-to-start mechanism. Push mowers are lightweight and easy to maneuver, making them perfect for smaller yards, and are often the most affordable option.

While pushing a lawnmower around can be tiring, our lawn pros love these mowers because they leave your lawn looking neat and trim rather than having a bumpy or uneven cut. The last thing you want is for your neighbors to make a comment about your grass!

Push mowers have come a long way over the years, and come equipped with a number of features, including cruise control, which stops the mower once it gets to the desired speed and even mulching blades that chop grass clippings into small pieces that decompose and help your lawn grow. We evaluated the ease of use quality of cut, noise, and engine as well as how easy it is to store the mower away after use. These are the best push gas lawn mowers of 2022:

Why Decide To Drive When You Could Be Self-Propelled?

The most important difference between a self-propelled lawnmower and a walk-behind lawnmower is really simple, a self-propelled lawnmower moves by itself by turning the front or rear wheels when you push a lever of any kind while walking behind it. A push mower means you push it to move it forward. No push, no move.

Mulching Vs Bagging Vs Side Discharge

The Top 10 Push Gas Lawn Mowers

Read Also: What Kills Wild Violets In The Lawn

How Do Gas Lawn Mowers Compare To Electric Lawn Mowers

Trying to find the best lawn mower means comparing the pros and cons of the different types. These are the main gas vs electric lawn mower points of comparison.

Gas powered lawn mowers are noisier than corded electric mowers and cordless mowers, and produce direct carbon emissions.

They require more maintenance and, over their lifetime, are likely to be more costly than electric mowers, especially when fuel and oil costs are factored in.

On the other hand, there is no limitation on where a gas mower can be used. This contrast with the limits place on corded electric models by the length of the extension cord.

Similarly, gas mowers are not constrained by length of battery life as is the case with cordless mowers.

Overall, gas lawn mowers probably provide the most versatile lawn mower option, especially for the larger lawn.

Important Information About This Website

finder.com.au is one of Australia’s leading comparison websites. We compare from a wide set of banks, insurers and product issuers. We value our editorial independence and follow editorial guidelines.

finder.com.au has access to track details from the product issuers listed on our sites. Although we provide information on the products offered by a wide range of issuers, we don’t cover every available product or service.

Please note that the information published on our site should not be construed as personal advice and does not consider your personal needs and circumstances. While our site will provide you with factual information and general advice to help you make better decisions, it isn’t a substitute for professional advice. You should consider whether the products or services featured on our site are appropriate for your needs. If you’re unsure about anything, seek professional advice before you apply for any product or commit to any plan.

Where our site links to particular products or displays ‘Go to site’ buttons, we may receive a commission, referral fee or payment when you click on those buttons or apply for a product. You can learn more about how we make money here.

We try to take an open and transparent approach and provide a broad-based comparison service. However, you should be aware that while we are an independently owned service, our comparison service does not include all providers or all products available in the market.

You May Like: What Is The Best Lawn Fertilizer