Lawn mowers fall into nine main categories — reel, gas or electric walk-behind, self-propelled, riding, zero-turn, and robotic — and the right choice depends on yard size, terrain, and your mowing style.
Picking the wrong mower means wasted time, uneven cuts, or a machine that struggles on your lawn. The key is matching the mower’s design to your yard’s actual demands: how much grass you cut, whether the ground slopes, how many trees and flower beds you steer around, and whether you want to push, ride, or let a robot handle it. The sections below break each type down so you can decide with confidence.
Reel Mowers (Manual Cylinder Mowers)
Reel mowers use a spinning cylinder of blades against a fixed cutting bar — no engine, no cord, no battery. They are quiet, lightweight, and produce zero emissions. They work best on small, flat lawns with fine grass varieties. If your yard is under a quarter acre and mostly level, a reel mower can give a clean cut in about the time it takes a gas mower, with no fuel cost. Prices typically run from around $71 to $326.
Rotary Walk-Behind Mowers: Gas, Corded Electric, and Battery
Rotary mowers use a horizontally spinning blade powered by gasoline or electricity. Gas push mowers are the most common choice for general residential lawns, handling thicker grass and slightly uneven ground without losing power. Prices range from about $188 to $431. Corded electric mowers need a nearby outlet and some cord management, but they never run out of fuel mid-lawn — expect prices around $108 to $300. Battery mowers use rechargeable lithium-ion packs; they are quieter than gas models and start instantly, but runtime is limited per charge. Battery mower prices run from $322 to $836. A reader ready to buy should see our tested recommendations on the best kinds of lawn mowers for current top picks.
Self-Propelled and Riding Mowers for Medium to Large Lawns
If your yard has a slope or covers more than a third of an acre, a self-propelled mower cuts the pushing work significantly. Drive options include front-wheel, rear-wheel, or all-wheel drive — rear-wheel drive usually grips better on hills. Gas self-propelled models run from about $260 to $2,072.
For lawns from a quarter acre up to two acres, riding mowers (lawn tractors) and rear-engine riders become practical. Lawn tractors typically mount the engine at the front in the 18–25 horsepower range; rear-engine riders use smaller engines (344–438 cc) with deck widths of 30–33 inches. Riding mower prices range from $1,866 to $6,133.
| Mower Type | Best For | Typical Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Reel mower | Small flat lawns under ¼ acre | $71 – $326 |
| Corded electric push | Small yards with outlet access | $108 – $300 |
| Battery push | Small to medium, quiet operation | $322 – $836 |
| Gas push mower | General residential lawns | $188 – $431 |
| Gas self-propelled | Sloped or medium lawns | $260 – $2,072 |
| Riding mower / lawn tractor | ¼-acre to 2-acre lawns | $1,866 – $6,133 |
| Zero-turn mower (ZTR) | Large obstacle-heavy yards | $2,750 – $9,912 |
| Robotic mower | Automated maintenance | $665 – $17,042 |
Zero-Turn and Robotic Mowers for Specialized Needs
Zero-turn mowers (ZTRs) are built for speed and sharp maneuvering around trees, flower beds, and fence lines. They use two steering levers instead of a steering wheel, allowing the machine to pivot on the spot. Deck sizes commonly range from 32 to 60 inches, with engines from 452 cc to over 700 cc. ZTRs cost between $2,750 and $9,912 — an investment that pays off in time saved on large or complex properties.
Robotic mowers handle the work autonomously. A perimeter wire or GPS defines the boundary, and the mower returns to a charging dock on its own. Prices span from $665 to $17,042 depending on acreage capacity and features. They work best on established lawns with clear, mowable edges.
Briggs & Stratton’s mower selection guide offers more detail on matching engine power to yard conditions.
FAQs
Can I use a reel mower on tall grass?
Not well. Reel mowers are designed for frequent, light trimming of grass that is already short — tall or thick grass will clog the blade cylinder or bend the cutting bar. Use a rotary mower for your first cut of the season.
How do I choose between a battery mower and a gas mower?
Consider lawn size and noise tolerance. Battery mowers suit small to medium yards (under half an acre) and run much quieter than gas models. For larger lawns or thick, damp grass, a gas mower provides consistent power without runtime limits.
Are zero-turn mowers safe on hills?
Zero-turn mowers can be trickier on slopes than lawn tractors because the design shifts weight differently. For sloped yards, a rear-wheel-drive self-propelled or a lawn tractor with a low center of gravity is often the safer choice.
References & Sources
- Briggs & Stratton. “Choosing a Lawn Mower.” Official guidance on matching mower power to yard size and terrain.
- Consumer Reports. “Lawn Mower Buying Guide.” Independent testing and price ranges for current models.
- Wikipedia. “Lawn mower.” Overview of mechanical and historical categories of mower types.