The 6 Best Lawn Mowers

Top Picks Summary

1. Honda HRX217VKA
2. Cub Cadet SC100 11A-A92J
3. Black & Decker LM175
4. Black & Decker CM1936
5. Fiskars StaySharp Max 6201
6. John Deere D110

Having the right machine can make mowing the lawn significantly easier. There are a lot of factors to think about when choosing a new lawn mower, so here at Wise Bread, we've narrowed down the selection to our top six. (See also: Shopping Calendar: The Best Time to Buy Anything)

What Is a Lawn Mower?

A lawn mower is a machine that uses rotating blades to cut grass down to an even height. There are many different types of mowers, so make sure to take your specific needs into account when making a decision. Manual-reel mowers are inexpensive, don't pollute, and don't require an external power source aside from your own strength; however, they do tend to cut slightly less evenly than powered mowers. Electric mowers perform well, but not quite as well as gas mowers in tall or thick grass. Gas mowers, while great at cutting lawns evenly, come with the side effects of being noisy and producing exhaust emissions. Finally, lawn tractors are available for those with serious lawn mowing needs.

Best 6 Lawn Mowers

Honda HRX217VKA

Great performance and ease-of-use makes this Honda lawn mower a top recommendation among self-propelled gas mowers by Consumer Reports. Aside from being able to cut through tough grass, the Honda HRX217VKA also performs well in mulching and bagging, which makes maintaining a nice, clean lawn remarkably easy. Quick start, easy handling, and five different drive speeds also make this model extremely simple to use, which is well-appreciated among users. It's also relatively quiet compared to other gas mowers, clocking in at 89 decibels. (Hearing protection is still recommended for anything beyond 85.)

Cub Cadet SC100 11A-A92J

Another Consumer Reports Best Buy, this gas Cub Cadet push mower excellently handles mowing, mulching. and bagging and is perfect for small to medium-sized lawns. Another stand-out feature of this Cub Cadet model is its top-notch engine and easy handling, making pushing, pulling, and turning a breeze. However, like other push mowers, it lacks a blade-brake clutch, which allows you to stop the blade but not the engine if you need to a pause while mowing.

Black & Decker LM175

An extremely well-reviewed electric mower, the Black & Decker LM175 excellently handles smaller yards that come in at under 10,000 square feet. Users agree that its cut quality is superb, and it is capable of side-discharging clippings as well as bagging with an optional catcher. However, this Black & Decker model does not include a mulching feature. Users love how easy it is to use this lightweight, durable, and extremely quiet mower, but its electric cord can be a bother for some. Currently $148.99 on Amazon.

Black & Decker CM1936

The Black & Decker CM1936 is one of Consumer Reports' top choices for those looking for a no-hassle, cordless electric lawn mower that is perfect for small lawns. This battery-powered model does an excellent job of both cutting and mulching and performs admirably in bagging and side discharging. Users like that it is easy to use, with a straightforward process for removing and replacing the battery. Currently $379.99 on Amazon.

Fiskars StaySharp Max 6201

A highly recommended choice for manual reel mowers, this Fiskars StaySharp Max model is known for being well-built, safe, and better at cutting tough grass than other manual mowers. While it fares well against most lawns, it will struggle with some taller, thicker stalks of grass. Nonetheless, users note how easy it is to use this Fiskars lawn mower, which includes adjustable height and a comfortable grip. Finally, folks who prefer manual lawn mowers love that it doesn't require an external power source or produce exhaust emissions, and they appreciate the bit of exercise that pushing the mower provides. Currently $199.00 on Amazon.

John Deere D110

As mentioned before, lawn tractors are for those with serious grass cutting needs. They are significantly more expensive and require much more investment than your typical walk-behind lawn mower. Having said that, for those who need it, the John Deere D110 is a highly recommended choice from Consumer Reports. With even cutting in all three mowing modes and excellent mulching, bagging, and side discharging features, this John Deere is an all-around top-performer. This model also includes other features to make it easy to use, such as a number of different drive speeds that can be changed without shifting and the ability to check fuel levels without leaving your seat.

These are our choices for the top six lawn mowers for you to consider. Be sure to check out the Wise Bread Shopping Calendar to learn when and how to buy just about anything!