That lush, green carpet of Bermuda grass is the pride of many lawns, but keeping it looking its best requires a special touch. This resilient, fast-growing turf thrives on regular mowing, and the tool you use makes all the difference. Choosing the right mower isn’t just about keeping the grass short; it’s about promoting a thick, healthy lawn that can withstand heat and foot traffic. To help you make the perfect choice for your yard, we’ve curated a list of the 6 Best Lawn Mowers for Bermuda Grass Lawns that cater to different needs and preferences.
Bermuda grass has a unique growth habit. It spreads by both above-ground stolons and below-ground rhizomes, and it responds best to a lower cutting height. A clean, sharp cut is essential to prevent tearing the blades, which can lead to a brownish, ragged appearance and make the grass more susceptible to disease. The mowers we’ll discuss are selected for their ability to provide that precise, clean cut at the ideal height, ensuring your lawn not only looks manicured but is also growing stronger with every pass.
What Makes a Mower Right for Bermuda Grass?
Before we look at specific models, it’s helpful to know what features to prioritize. The key to a beautiful Bermuda lawn is a mower that can handle a low cutting height. You’ll typically be mowing between 1 and 2.5 inches, depending on your specific variety and the season. A mower with a wide range of height adjustments, especially on the lower end, is crucial.
Another critical factor is the quality of the cut. A sharp, well-maintained blade is non-negotiable. For this reason, many lawn enthusiasts prefer reel mowers for Bermuda grass, as they use a scissor-like action to slice the grass cleanly. However, modern rotary mowers with high-lift blades can also provide an excellent cut if they are kept very sharp. The choice often comes down to the size of your lawn, your personal effort level, and your desired finish.
6 Best Lawn Mowers for Bermuda Grass Lawns
Here is a selection of mowers that excel at maintaining a healthy and attractive Bermuda grass lawn.
1. The Manual Reel Mower: Fiskars StaySharp Max
For smaller lawns (under 1,000 sq ft) where precision is the top priority, a manual reel mower is a fantastic option. The Fiskars StaySharp Max provides an incredibly clean, scissor-like cut that is ideal for Bermuda grass. It’s quiet, emission-free, and provides great exercise. Its innovative design requires no manual blade adjustments, and it easily handles the low mowing heights that Bermuda grass loves.
2. The Battery-Powered Rotary: EGO POWER+ Select Cut
If you prefer a rotary mower but want a pristine, eco-friendly cut, the EGO POWER+ is a top contender. Its Select Cut technology allows you to choose between multiple blade speeds for either maximum runtime or a finer, more manicured cut. It offers a wide range of height adjustments and delivers enough power to handle thicker grass without struggling. The battery life is impressive, making it suitable for medium to large lawns.
3. The Gas-Powered Workhorse: Honda HRN216
A legend in the mowing world, the Honda HRN216 is renowned for its reliability and superior cutting performance. Its MicroCut twin blades chop grass clippings into tiny particles, which is perfect for mulching and feeding your Bermuda grass. The Roto-Stop system allows you to stop the blades without turning off the engine, which is a great safety feature. It’s a powerful, durable choice for any size lawn.
4. The Riding Mower for Large Lawns: John Deere S100
For those with an acre or more of Bermuda grass, a riding mower is a necessity. The John Deere S100 series offers a comfortable, efficient mowing experience with a tight turning radius. It provides a consistent, even cut across large areas, and its deep-deck design creates excellent airflow for a clean discharge or mulching. It takes the labor out of maintaining a large, beautiful lawn.
5. The Advanced Robotic Mower: Husqvarna Automower
For the ultimate in convenience, a robotic mower like the Husqvarna Automower is a game-changer. It keeps your Bermuda grass perfectly trimmed all the time by mowing a little bit every day. This constant, light trimming results in incredibly healthy turf and a carpet-like finish. You simply set the boundary wire, and the mower does the rest, quietly and autonomously.
6. The Commercial-Grade Cut: Scag Liberty Z
For the serious homeowner or someone with a very large property, a zero-turn mower like the Scag Liberty Z offers commercial-grade performance. It delivers a beautiful, striped cut with incredible speed and precision. The high blade tip speed and optimized deck design ensure a clean, even cut for Bermuda grass, making your lawn look like a professional baseball field.
Caring for Your Mower and Your Lawn
No matter which mower you choose, its performance depends on maintenance. Always keep your mower blades sharp. A dull blade will tear the grass blades, leaving them vulnerable to disease and giving your lawn a brownish cast. It’s a good practice to sharpen the blades at least once a season, or more often if you hit debris.
Stick to the one-third rule: never remove more than one-third of the grass blade in a single mowing. For Bermuda grass, this often means mowing every 5-7 days during the peak growing season. Frequent mowing at the proper height encourages the grass to grow thick and spread, creating a dense turf that crowds out weeds.
Finding Your Perfect Mowing Match
Selecting the right mower ultimately depends on the size of your lawn, your budget, and how much time you want to spend on maintenance. Whether you choose the quiet precision of a reel mower, the effortless power of a riding mower, or the futuristic convenience of a robot, the goal is the same: a healthy, vibrant Bermuda grass lawn that you can enjoy all season long. By investing in the right tool for the job, you’re setting yourself up for mowing success.