Are you the type of person who loves mowing their lawn but doesn’t want to put much (or any) effort into it?
Shouldn’t there be some category of lawn mowers that applies to you?
Well, we’ve got good news for you! Self-propelled lawn mowers are mowers that literally mow the lawn themselves. All you have to do is hold on to them, walk behind, and steer them in the direction you want.
“But I don’t know anything about self-propelled lawn mowers! What am I going to do??”
Relax, dear reader – we’ve got your back.
Below is a list of the five best self-propelled lawn mowers on the market right now. If you’ve been aching to discover the best self-propelled mower for you, you’ll definitely find one that fits your needs in the list below.
Top Self-Propelled Lawn Mower - Comparison Table
Image | Product | Editor's Rating | Buy Now |
|---|---|---|---|
 | |||
 | |||
 | |||
 | |||
 |
Best-Rated Self-Propelled Mower Reviews
1. EGO 21" Cordless Self Propelled Lawn Mower
Over the past decade or so, EGO has displayed a penchant for developing the most futuristic looking lawn mowers. Mowers in their Power Plus line are great examples of the futuristic look, and this EGO lawn mower is no different.
Battery Performance
The mower can use any EGO Power+ Arc-Lithium batteries. However, the company doesn’t include any with this mower, so you’ll have to buy the battery and charger separately.
EGO Power+ Arc Lithium batteries usually last up to an hour on a single charge, although they sometimes do drain faster when faced with tougher cutting conditions.
The amazing thing about EGO’s batteries is that they have a higher mowing time than charging time. This comes down, in part, to the rapid chargers they ship with their batteries which allow them to charge as fast as possible.
Cutting Performance
The mower has a 21-inch cutting deck that will have most lawns mown in as few passes as possible. It also has three cutting options: mulching, bagging, and side discharge.
The grass collection bag can hold up to two bushels of grass, ensuring you don’t have to empty the bag every five minutes unless you’re cutting through extremely thick grass.
Self-Propulsion
The mower weighs 67.7 pounds, which is quite a bit heavier than the push model. However, the self-propulsion is remarkably simple and features really easy self-adjustment. Just manipulate a lever on the left of the appliance, and you’ll be able to get the exact speed you want.
Electric Performance
The mower relies on electricity to operate, which means it suffers from none of the drawbacks of gas mowers. You don’t have to worry about leaks or spills, and if it runs out of power, you can always find an outlet nearby.
Features at a Glance
- Push-button start
- Deck height can be adjusted to six different positions
- Weather-resistant construction
- LED headlights for all-weather mowing
Honda’s HRX217HYA lawn mower is an excellent mower. It provides an incredibly huge list of features when compared to most other mowers in its price range, making it one of the best self-propelled lawn mowers.
Engine Performance
The HRX217HYA is the only Honda mower that uses the GCV190 engine (190cc). This engine is incredibly powerful, and you won’t have to worry about your mower getting bogged down when cutting tall or thick grass.
Lawnmower enthusiasts may have heard about the GCV160 which is the GCV190’s predecessor. While the older model is legendary for its reliability and power, the newer version takes all its best parts and turns them up to eleven.
Cutting Performance
If you’ve read any of our other reviews, you probably know that most mowers offer three main cutting options: mulching, bagging, or discharge.
The HRX217HYA offers those options and also adds one more to the list by allowing you to shred your leaves. Shredded leaves and grass clippings provide a nutrient-rich mulch mixture.
Cruise Control
Honda takes a page from the automobile industry by adding cruise control to their mower’s feature list. With this, you can set your speed and simply walk behind the mower as it mows.
Changing the speed is also incredibly easy and requires you to manipulate a shift level that goes up to 4mph.
The mower even allows you to save your most used speed!
Features at a Glance
- 7 mowing heights
- Hydrostatic cruise control
- NeXite deck carries lifetime warranty
- Versamow system prevents clogging of the bag chute
- Adjustable handle
- Manual fuel shut-off valve
- 5-year residential warranty
- Twin-blade microcut technology cuts grass into fine grass clippings
The Husqvarna HU800 is the second mower on our list that uses the 190cc Honda GCV190 engine. It's one of the most reliable self-propelled lawn mowers.
Engine Performance
As we’ve already mentioned, the GCV190 is an absolute beast. With this engine, you don’t have to worry about a power deficit, and you’ll be able to mow even the thickest grass without any trouble. The engine also increases longevity and is very easy to start using the auto-pull choke.
Cutting Performance
The mower’s premium crown-cut blade offers superior cut quality and creates smaller clippings. The mower offers three main cutting options: collection, mulching, or discharge.
All Wheel Drive and Self-Propulsion
The mower comes with All-Wheel Drive technology which provides maximum power to all the wheels and gives the operator fine control over the mower.
The cruise control is controlled by dual triggers on each side of the mower. Adjust them with either hand while mowing to conveniently control the speed.
Maneuverability
The push lawn mower’s 11-inch back wheels and all-wheel-drive ensure that this mower is as maneuverable as possible. With this mower, you’ll easily be able to mow around any landscaping features.
It’s built for small to medium sized lawns and should easily be able to handle hilly terrain or other tough weather conditions.
Features at a Glance
- Deck washout port
- 3-year limited warranty
- Powder-coated cutting deck
How good is the mower that calls itself the ‘predator’? What kind of ‘rough cut’ does it offer?
Let’s find out!
Engine Performance
The Predator has a 344cc Briggs and Stratton engine. A 344cc engine provides nearly double the power of most of them mowers on this list.
For added emphasis, I’ll write that one more time. The Predator has a 344cc Briggs and Stratton engine.
344cc is absolutely insane power for a lawn mower!
The transmission is a four-gear system with a reverse gear included so you can back out of tough spots.
While the mower sells as a rear-wheel drive, all you have to do is hop online and buy a front-wheel drive kit if you wish to convert it. With a little elbow grease and a lot of DIY knowledge, you’ll be able to transform the mower into a front-wheel drive.
This, however, comes with the disadvantage of not being able to change cut height. Make sure you’re aware of what you’re doing before you do it.
Cutting Performance
The WBRC11525’s 24-inch cutting deck quickly cuts down grass or saplings. You won’t have any trouble with any organic growth if you’re using the Predator.
If you’re wondering what the ‘Rough Cut’ designation refers to, it’s to the fact that the Predator is less a lawn mower and more a brush clearer. It’s meant for heavily overgrown areas filled with tough organic materials.
That’s not to say that it can’t mow a lawn – just that it’s vastly overpowered for the task. Ever tried killing a housefly with a thermonuclear warhead? That’s what this is analogous to.
Features at a Glance
- Enclosed cutting blade
- Wire shield protects mower from flying debris
- Pneumatic chevron tread tires
- Adjustable handle
The Troy-Bilt TB370 may be the last mower on our list, but it’s definitely not the least. With several features crammed into an attractive package at a relatively low price point, this mower provides excellent value for your money.
Engine Performance
The TB370 is powered by a 163cc OHV Briggs and Stratton engine. This may not be as powerful as the Honda’s 190cc GCV190 engine or the 344cc engine on the Predator, but it’s easily good enough to mow your lawn.
The OHV engine design reduces noise and fuel consumption while also taking most of the hassle out of maintenance.
The engine comes with the ReadyStart choke system which doesn’t require you to prime it before starting it.
Cutting Performance
The mower comes with the TriAction cutting system which allows you to get a clean and precise cut in a single pass. The rake guard on the mower stands every blade of grass upright to allow each one to be cut as precisely as possible.
The cutting deck can be adjusted by shifting a single lever – no complicated procedures or tools required.
The 21-inch cutting deck is constructed from steel and allows the operator three different cutting options: mulching, bagging, and side discharge. The deck has an integrated washout port which allows you to connect a hose and clean the underside of the deck without any trouble.
Self-Propulsion
The mower comes with InStep technology. This system detects what speed you are moving at and automatically adjusts to it. There’s nothing you have to do yourself. It allows you excellent speed control and also increases traction on steep slopes.
If you’ve never used a mower that adjusts its speed to match yours, it’ll take a long time for the novelty to wear off.
Features at a Glance
- Adjustable handle
- Large eleven-inch back wheels increase maneuverability and provide traction over rough terrain
- 1.9 cubic feet grass bag
- Cutting height can be set to six positions
- 2-year limited warranty
Conclusion to Our Self-Propelled Lawn Mower Reviews
Which is the best self-propelled lawn mower? How do you select the best from this list of top-rated self-propelled lawn mowers?
You find out what you want. Do you need a ridiculously overpowered mower that can cut through virtually anything? The Predator is the right mower for you.
Are you looking for a good mower with an abundance of features that won’t give you much trouble? The Honda HRX217HYA is the right mower for you.
We try to make these articles as specific as possible, but to address all the possible variables in separate articles would take more time and space than even we have.
Which is why you have to jot down what you want, find the mower that’s compatible with your list, and go out there and buy it!
