A well-manicured lawn is the pride of any homeowner with an average-sized yard. Achieving that perfect cut doesn’t require a commercial-grade machine, but it does demand a mower that’s reliable, efficient, and perfectly suited to your specific needs. The right choice can turn a weekend chore into a quick and satisfying task.
With options ranging from traditional gas-powered workhorses to quiet, eco-friendly electric models, selecting the best lawn mower can feel overwhelming. This roundup simplifies your search by highlighting ten top-performing mowers, each offering a unique set of features to help you maintain a beautiful, healthy lawn with ease.
The Best Lawn Mowers for Your Yard
- Yard Machines Gas Powered Push Lawn Mower
- AMERISUN 21″ 3-in-1 Gas Push Mowers
- WORX 40V 17″ Cordless Lawn Mower
- LawnMaster MEB1114K Electric Corded Lawn Mower
- LawnMaster LMRM1801 Push Reel Lawn Mower
- Greenworks 80V 21″ Brushless Cordless Lawn Mower
- AMERISUN 21-Inch Self Propelled Gas Lawn Mower
- Sun Joe MJ401E 14-Inch Electric Lawn Mower
- American Lawn Mower Company Reel Mower Grass Catcher
- EGO Power+ LM2135SP 21-Inch Cordless Lawn Mower
Yard Machines Gas Powered Push Lawn Mower
For those who prefer the traditional power and freedom of a gas mower, the Yard Machines model is a solid and dependable choice. Its 20-inch steel cutting deck provides a wide cutting path, allowing you to cover ground efficiently on an average-sized property. The side discharge helps manage clippings effectively for a neat finish.
Maneuverability is a key benefit, thanks to its 7-inch front and rear wheels that help maintain balance and control across your lawn. This mower is built to handle standard front and backyard tasks with ease, providing the necessary strength for a lush, green landscape without complicated setup or operation.
AMERISUN 21″ 3-in-1 Gas Push Mowers
The AMERISUN gas mower combines power with versatility, featuring a robust 144cc 4-stroke engine designed for steady, reliable performance. The auto-choke ignition makes starting simple, while the reinforced 21-inch steel deck is built to handle tougher mowing jobs and deliver a smooth, even cut across your yard.
This model stands out with its excellent handling, featuring oversized 10-inch rear wheels and 7-inch front wheels with wide treads. This high-wheel design provides superior traction and makes it easy to push over uneven terrain. The 3-in-1 functionality offers bagging, mulching, and side discharge to suit your lawn care preferences.
WORX 40V 17″ Cordless Lawn Mower
Ideal for smaller, average-sized yards, the WORX cordless mower offers the convenience of battery power without the hassle of cords. It starts instantly with the push of a button and comes with two 20V 4.0Ah batteries and a dual charger, providing ample power to cut up to 1/8 of an acre on a single charge.
A significant advantage is its place in the WORX PowerShare ecosystem, meaning the batteries are compatible with over 140 other tools and outdoor products. The patented Intellicut technology is a smart feature that automatically adjusts the cutting power when it senses dense grass, ensuring a smooth cut while optimizing battery life.
LawnMaster MEB1114K Electric Corded Lawn Mower
If you want consistent power without worrying about battery life or gas, the LawnMaster corded electric mower is a compelling option. Its 11-amp motor delivers strong, reliable performance with a 14-inch cutting path, making it suitable for yards with easy access to an outdoor power outlet.
This mower is an environmentally friendly choice, producing zero emissions during use. It also requires very little maintenance compared to gas models. You can customize the cut height with five different positions, ranging from 1.4 to 3 inches, to achieve the perfect grass length for your lawn.
LawnMaster LMRM1801 Push Reel Lawn Mower
For the ultimate in quiet, eco-friendly mowing, the LawnMaster reel mower is an excellent manual choice. It uses a scissor-like cutting action from its five blades, which cleanly slices grass blades for a healthier lawn compared to the tearing action of some power mowers.
Designed for small to average-sized, flat lawns, this mower provides a peaceful mowing experience and requires no fuel or electricity. It offers exceptional maneuverability with its 10-inch front wheels and 18-inch deck, allowing you to navigate around garden beds and obstacles with precision. Nine cutting height positions give you fine control over your lawn’s appearance.
Greenworks 80V 21″ Brushless Cordless Lawn Mower
For those seeking gas-like performance from a battery-powered platform, the Greenworks 80V mower is a top contender. It features a robust brushless motor that provides more torque, longer life, and quiet operation, all while cutting a full 21-inch path. The included 4.0Ah battery can handle up to half an acre on a charge.
The durable steel deck ensures longevity, and the integrated LED headlight is a practical feature for those who need to mow in the early morning or evening. As part of the Greenworks tool family, the 80V battery is compatible with over 75 other products, offering great value for homeowners invested in a cordless ecosystem.
AMERISUN 21-Inch Self Propelled Gas Lawn Mower
If your yard has hills or you simply want to minimize effort, the self-propelled feature of this AMERISUN model is a major advantage. Powered by a strong 170cc 4-stroke engine, it drives itself forward, requiring you only to guide it. This makes mowing large, sloped, or uneven sections much less strenuous.
Like its push-model sibling, it boasts a versatile 3-in-1 design and a high-wheel configuration with 10-inch rear wheels for superior traction and easy movement over rough ground. This combination of self-propelled drive and a wide cutting deck makes it a powerful tool for efficiently maintaining a larger average-sized yard.
Sun Joe MJ401E 14-Inch Electric Lawn Mower
The Sun Joe electric mower is a compact and user-friendly option for smaller yards. Its 12-amp motor provides plenty of power for a clean cut across a 14-inch swath. The collapsible handle is a clever design feature that makes for easy, space-saving storage in a garage or shed.
This mower includes a large 10.6-gallon grass bag to reduce the frequency of stops for emptying. With a durable steel blade and three-position height adjustment, it delivers a precise and customizable cut. It’s a straightforward, effective solution for basic lawn care needs.
American Lawn Mower Company Reel Mower Grass Catcher
This product is an accessory designed specifically for American Lawn Mower Company’s 14-inch and 16-inch reel mowers. It attaches to the mower to collect grass clippings and leaves, preventing them from being left on the lawn and giving you a cleaner finish after mowing.
Constructed with a durable plastic bottom, rot-resistant polyester fabric, and a heavy-duty wire frame, this grass catcher is built to last. It’s an essential add-on for reel mower users who prefer the health benefits of a clean scissor-cut but also want the neat appearance of a bagged lawn.
EGO Power+ LM2135SP 21-Inch Cordless Lawn Mower
The EGO Power+ LM2135SP is a premium cordless mower known for its powerful performance and innovative features. It offers a wide 21-inch cutting deck and is part of the highly-regarded EGO 56V battery platform, known for delivering performance that rivals gas mowers.
This model often includes features like a self-propelled drive system for easy operation on various terrains, multiple cutting modes, and a weather-resistant construction. While specific features for this model may vary, EGO mowers are consistently praised for their quiet operation, zero emissions, and ability to handle demanding mowing conditions without the maintenance of a gas engine.
Buying Guide: How to Pick the Right Lawn Mower for Your Average Sized Yard
So, you have an average sized yard. That usually means something between a quarter and a half an acre—big enough that a push reel mower would be a serious workout, but not so vast that you need a small tractor. I find that this is the sweet spot where you have the most options, which is both great and a little overwhelming. Let me walk you through what I consider when helping a friend pick out their next machine.
First, you need to decide on power. The big three are gas, electric corded, and electric cordless (battery-powered). Gas mowers are the traditional powerhouses. They offer unlimited runtime and tons of power for tougher grasses. The downside is the maintenance; you have to deal with oil changes, spark plugs, and stale gas. They’re also louder and produce emissions. If your yard is on the larger side of “average” or has thick grass, a gas model might be your best bet.
Battery-powered mowers have become incredibly capable. For an average yard, a modern model with a 40V to 80V battery will likely have enough juice to finish the job on a single charge. I love them for their quiet operation, instant start, and zero emissions. You also avoid the hassle of cords. Just make sure you check the estimated run-time and maybe consider buying a second battery if your yard is pushing that half-acre limit. Corded electric mowers are the most budget-friendly and have consistent power, but that cord is a major limitation. For anything more than a very small average yard, constantly managing and untangling the cord can be a real chore.
Next, think about the mower’s features. Self-propulsion is a game-changer if your yard has any slopes or hills. It drives itself, and you just guide it. This feature saves your back and legs a lot of strain. The deck material matters, too. Steel decks are durable but can rust, while aluminum or polymer decks are rust-proof and lighter. Also, look at the cutting height adjustments. A single lever that adjusts all wheels at once is much more convenient than adjusting each wheel individually.
Finally, consider the cut quality and bagging options. Most mowers offer a 3-in-1 system: mulch, bag, or side-discharge. Mulching returns fine clippings to the lawn as natural fertilizer, which is great for lawn health. Bagging gives you that clean, manicured look, and side-discharge is useful for dealing with very long, wet grass. When you’re looking for the 10 best lawn mowers for average sized yards, you’re really looking for the one that balances power, convenience, and features to match your specific lawn and your personal preferences for maintenance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size lawn mower do I need for a half-acre yard?
For a half-acre yard, which is on the larger end of “average,” I would recommend a mower with a 21-inch deck as a minimum. A wider deck, like 22 inches, will help you finish the job faster. If you’re going with a battery-powered model, you’ll want one with a higher voltage system (like 60V or 80V) and ideally a second battery to ensure you can complete the entire lawn without the power cutting out. A self-propelled model is also a very good idea for a yard of this size to reduce fatigue.
Is a battery-powered mower as powerful as a gas mower?
For most average yards, yes, a modern battery-powered mower is absolutely powerful enough. The technology has improved dramatically. High-voltage battery mowers can easily handle standard grasses and even some thicker growth. You won’t get the same raw, sustained power for the very toughest conditions that you would from a high-end gas mower, but for the vast majority of people, the convenience of no gas, no oil, quiet operation, and instant starting makes a battery mower a fantastic choice.
How important is a self-propelled feature?
This is one of those features that you might not think you need until you try it. If your yard is perfectly flat, you can probably get by without it. But if you have any kind of slope or uneven terrain, a self-propelled mower is a huge quality-of-life improvement. It does the hard work of pushing the mower for you, so you just guide it. This makes mowing less of a chore and saves your energy, especially on a hot day. For an average sized yard, it’s an investment I often suggest.
What type of mower is easiest to maintain?
Hands down, battery-electric mowers are the easiest to maintain. There’s no engine maintenance whatsoever. You don’t have to change the oil, replace the air filter, or deal with spark plugs. Your maintenance routine basically consists of cleaning the underside of the deck after use and occasionally sharpening or replacing the blade. This simplicity is a major reason why so many people are switching from gas.
Can I use a corded electric mower for an average yard?
You can, but I would be cautious. The main challenge is the cord. For a smaller average yard, it might be manageable, but as the area grows, so does the hassle of constantly moving the cord and ensuring you don’t run over it. You’re limited by the length of your extension cord and the location of your outdoor outlet. For most people with a true average yard, the freedom of a cordless battery mower is worth the extra cost compared to a corded model.
What should I do with my grass clippings?
This is a common question, and my preferred method is mulching. When you mulch, the mower cuts the clippings into tiny pieces and returns them to the lawn. These clippings decompose quickly and act as a natural, free fertilizer for your grass. It’s healthy for your lawn and means you don’t have to bag and dispose of the clippings. If the grass gets too long, you might need to bag or side-discharge to avoid clumping. When reviewing the 10 best lawn mowers for average sized yards, I always check how well the mower mulches, as it’s such a useful feature for regular lawn care.