Quick verdict
The PowerSmart 21-inch Self-Propelled is the best pick for medium to large yards, pairing a 170cc OHV engine and rear-wheel drive with a wide 21-inch steel deck and 3-in-1 cutting.
PowerSmart 21" Self
A 170cc OHV engine, rear-wheel drive, a wide 21-inch steel deck, 3-in-1 cutting and six heights from 1.5 to 3.9 inches make it a capable all-rounder for medium to large yards.
Compare lawn mowers, ranked for 2026 using specs, manuals, warranties and owner feedback. See 5 research-based picks, key trade-offs and buying advice.
The picks at a glance
| Tool | Best for | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|
| PowerSmart 21" Self | Best Overall | 9.3 | Check price |
| 21” Self Propelled Lawn Mower Gas | Best Value | 9 | Check price |
| MZK 20V 13" Electric Lawn Mower | Best Premium | 9.1 | Check price |
| Greenworks 40V 20" Twin Blade Mower | Best Budget | 8.9 | Check price |
| Greenworks 40V 16" | Also Great | 8.6 | Check price |
The picks, reviewed
PowerSmart 21" Self
A 170cc OHV engine, rear-wheel drive, a wide 21-inch steel deck, 3-in-1 cutting and six heights from 1.5 to 3.9 inches make it a capable all-rounder for medium to large yards.
Reasons to buy
- POWERED BY A RELIABLE OHV ENGINE: Equipped with a powerful 170cc OHV engine, known for its
- 21-INCH CUTTING WIDTH FOR HIGH EFFICIENCY: The robust steel deck covers a wide 21-inch pat
- 3-IN-1 FUNCTION: BAGGING, MULCHING & REAR DISCHARGE: Switch easily between modes: collect
- 6-POSITION HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT: Quickly adjust the cutting height from 1.5"" to 3.9"" with a
- SELF-PROPELLED WITH LARGE REAR WHEELS: Rear-wheel drive and 10"" large rear wheels offer e
Reasons to avoid
- Gas engine needs oil changes and fuel care
- No electric start on this model
21” Self Propelled Lawn Mower Gas
The same 170cc OHV power plus a 4-in-1 cutting system, seven heights from 1 to 3 inches, a large 65-liter bag and a foldable handle deliver strong value and flexibility.
Reasons to buy
- 🏘️Fuel-Efficient 170cc OHV Engine: Powered by a 170cc 4-cycle OHV engine, our gas self pro
- 🏘️Self-Propelled & Push Mode: Tackle any lawn your way. Switch seamlessly between self-pro
- 🏘️4-in-1 Cutting System for Total Lawn Control: Unlike standard 3-in-1 mowers, this our 4-
- 🏘️Precision 7-Position Height Adjustment: With 7 adjustable cutting heights from 1" to 3",
- 🏘️Quick Assembly – Ready to Use in Minutes: Our lawn mower gas powered comes pre-assembled
Reasons to avoid
- Lesser-known brand with a thinner support network
- Requires the usual gas engine upkeep
MZK 20V 13" Electric Lawn Mower
A brushless motor, four heights from 1.3 to 2.6 inches, a 30-liter bag and two 20V 4.0Ah batteries for up to 30 minutes make it a quiet, low-maintenance choice for small lawns.
Reasons to buy
- High-Performance Brushless Motor: The cordless lawn mower features a brushless motor that
- 4-Position Cutting Height Adjustment: This battery lawn mower offers 4 cutting height sett
- Wide Cut and Bagging: The 13-inch deck helps you cover more ground with fewer passes, and
- Dual-Battery Runtime: Powered by two 20V 4.0Ah lithium batteries, this electric lawn mower
- Complete Kit Included: Includes 1× 13-inch cordless lawn mower, 2× 20V 4.0Ah batteries, 1×
Reasons to avoid
- 13-inch deck and 30-minute runtime suit small yards only
- Narrow cut means more passes
Greenworks 40V 20" Twin Blade Mower
A 20-inch cordless deck with twin blades for better mulching, dual battery ports that auto-switch for up to 45 minutes and no gas or oil upkeep make it a strong budget pick.
Reasons to buy
- CORDLESS 20” LAWN MOWER – Get more done, faster, with Greenworks electric lawn mowers. Thi
- LIGHTWEIGHT, EASY TO USE – a lightweight 20” cutting deck allows for easy maneuvering thro
- TWIN BLADES
- AUTO SWITCH / SMART CUT TECHNOLOGY – dual battery ports with auto switch allows for uninte
- MAINTENANCE FREE – This walk behind lawn mower is virtually maintenance free, with no gas,
Reasons to avoid
- Battery runtime limits it on larger lawns
- Push-only, no self-propel
Greenworks 40V 16"
An ultra-light 16-inch deck, single-lever height adjust and a 2-in-1 mulch and bag system cover up to a third of an acre with instant, maintenance-free starts.
Reasons to buy
- [16" LAWN MOWER]
- [ULTRA LIGHTWEIGHT]
- [SINGLE LEVER HEIGHT ADJUST]
- [2-IN-1 SYSTEM]
- [MAINTENANCE FREE]
Reasons to avoid
- 16-inch deck is slow on bigger yards
- Push-only operation
Choosing a lawn mower comes down to yard size and how much maintenance you want to do. Gas self-propelled mowers cover more ground with wider decks and no runtime limit, while cordless electric mowers start instantly, run quietly and skip oil changes and fuel, at the cost of battery time. Deck width, cutting-height range and drive type are the specs that shape how fast and comfortable mowing feels.
For medium to large lawns, the PowerSmart 21-inch leads. Its 170cc OHV engine drives a wide 21-inch steel deck with rear-wheel-drive self-propulsion, 3-in-1 bagging, mulching and rear discharge, plus six cutting heights from 1.5 to 3.9 inches and 10-inch rear wheels for traction on slopes. A close value alternative, the 21-inch Self Propelled Gas mower matches the 170cc engine and adds a 4-in-1 cutting system with side discharge, seven heights from 1 to 3 inches, a large 65-liter bag and a foldable handle for storage.
On the cordless side, the MZK 20V 13-inch is the premium small-yard pick, with a brushless motor, four heights from 1.3 to 2.6 inches, a 30-liter bag and two 20V 4.0Ah batteries giving up to 30 minutes of runtime. For a wider battery deck on a budget, the Greenworks 40V 20-inch Twin Blade uses dual battery ports with auto-switch for up to 45 minutes on a 4.0Ah and 2.0Ah pack and twin blades for better mulching, all maintenance free. The lighter Greenworks 40V 16-inch rounds out the group for up to a third of an acre, with single-lever height adjust and a 2-in-1 mulch and bag system.
When matching a mower to your yard, remember that wider gas decks finish big lawns faster but need fuel and oil upkeep, while battery mowers suit small to medium lawns and value quiet, low-maintenance starts. Self-propulsion is worth it on slopes or larger areas, and a wide height range lets you adjust the cut to the season.
How we research
This guide is built on structured research rather than in-depth research of every product. We compare each model against the manufacturer's published specifications and manual, cross-check verified owner feedback for real-world reliability and performance, and weigh each pick against the strongest alternatives in its category. Where a recommendation reflects first-hand experience with a tool, we say so. See our full research method.
What to look for
Yard size and deck width
Wider decks finish faster. The 21-inch gas mowers suit medium to large lawns, while the 13 to 16-inch battery decks are better matched to small yards up to about a third of an acre.
Gas versus battery
Gas offers unlimited runtime and power but needs oil and fuel care. Cordless mowers start instantly, run quiet and skip maintenance, but battery time caps how much you cut per charge.
Self-propelled or push
Rear-wheel-drive self-propulsion, as on the PowerSmart, eases mowing on slopes and larger areas. Push mowers like the Greenworks pair are lighter and simpler for flat, smaller lawns.
Cutting height and discharge
A wide height range and 3-in-1 or 4-in-1 options (bag, mulch, side or rear discharge) let you tailor the cut to grass type and season across these picks.
Battery runtime and swapping
Look at runtime and dual-battery support. The Greenworks 20-inch auto-switches between two packs for up to 45 minutes, while the MZK gives about 30 minutes on two batteries.
Our verdict
The PowerSmart 21-inch Self-Propelled is the best pick for medium to large yards, pairing a 170cc OHV engine and rear-wheel drive with a wide 21-inch steel deck and 3-in-1 cutting.
FAQs
For medium to large lawns or slopes, a gas self-propelled mower like the PowerSmart covers ground faster with no runtime limit. For small to medium flat yards, a cordless mower is quieter, cleaner and needs almost no maintenance.
It depends on runtime and deck width. The MZK 20V gives about 30 minutes and suits small lawns, while the Greenworks 40V 20-inch reaches up to 45 minutes and around half an acre with dual batteries.
It refers to how the mower handles clippings: bagging collects them, mulching returns them to feed the lawn, and side or rear discharge spreads them. The 4-in-1 value mower adds side discharge to the usual three.
On slopes, uneven ground or larger lawns, self-propulsion saves real effort. On small, flat yards a lighter push mower like the Greenworks 16-inch is easier to maneuver and store.
