The 7 Best Lawn Mowers of 2022

By Corrie Pelc

If there’s one outdoor chore that universally everyone complains about, it’s mowing the lawn. Usually, the grievances stem from using a lawn mower that is loud, dirty, hard to push, and—especially back-in-the-day—hard to start and unreliable.

The good news is that lawn mowers have come a long way from your summers as a teen. Now lawn mowers are quieter and easier to both use and maintain, helping to make lawn mowing less of a complaint and more of a delight.

With so many lawn mower options available today, how do you know which is the right one for your lawn? We’ve put together what we hope will be a very informative and helpful guide in helping you pick a lawn mower for your needs.

How Do Lawn Mowers Work?

The main mechanism of any lawn mower is the blade—that's what cuts the grass. In today's modern lawn mowers, the blade is housed in a casing called the mower deck, which is normally made of steel or some other super-tough material. As the blade—or blades—spins and cuts the grass, the deck keeps the grass and anything else on the lawn from flying around and hitting the person using the lawn mower or anything else in the general vicinity.

On top of the mower deck and blade is the body of the lawn mower, which will either need to be pushed or guided by using a handle or steered if it's a ride-on lawn mower. Additionally, each lawn mower will have a way to get rid of grass clippings, either by depositing them into an attached bag or by gently dispersing them back onto the lawn, creating a convenient mulch cover.

Generally, lawn mowers are powered in one of two ways—gas or electric. For gas lawn mowers, you'll need to take into account the oil consumption as well as the gas usage. Electric mowers can either be corded or cordless, meaning they're powered by a rechargeable battery.

Test Factors We Considered in Picking the Best Lawn Mowers

To help you figure out the best lawn mower for your particular lawn, each lawn mower on our list has been evaluated and ranked for these main factors:

• Price: Thankfully there are great lawn mowers out there for all budgets. Keep in mind, some of the pricier mowers are known to withstand more usage, so consider that when determining your investment.
• Mower Type: Is the lawn mower a walk-behind—push or self-propelled—or ride-on? If you have a lot of lawn to mow, or you're not as spry as you once were, this factor will be very relevant in your decision-making.
• Power Type: Is the lawn mower powered by gas, corded electric or cordless batteries? This will determine for how long and how far your mower can go.
• Engine Power: The more powerful the engine, the faster and more efficient the lawn mower.
• Mower Start: How the lawn mower starts—is it a pull-start, push button or something else? It may seem like a small factor to consider, but it will play into how convenient it is to start and stop the job, as well as how easy it is to pause or take breaks.
• Weight: How much the lawn mower weighs is important when you’re pushing it around your lawn.
• Mower Deck Size: The size of your lawn will help you determine the size cutting deck you need—generally the larger the lawn you have to mow, the larger the cutting deck you'll want. And the size of the blade inside the lawn mower will normally be the same size as the cutting deck, so a mower with a 48-inch cutting deck will have a 48-inch long blade.
• Lawn Cutting Heights: Most of the lawn mowers on our list offer various heights the mower deck can be set to, allowing for different heights of grass.
• Cutting Dispersal: As mentioned before, almost all of today’s lawn mowers offer at least two options for collecting grass clippings—bagging them or mulching them and dispersing them behind or to the side of the mower.
• Adjustable Handle: Does the lawn mower’s handle adjust for different heights? This will play into how comfortable your mower is to handle.
• Oil Change System: Does the lawn mower require oil changes, and if so, how easy are they to do? Mower upkeep can become more challenging if you have to weigh this factor into your workload.

We're ready to take a look at our top picks for lawn mowers for 2022!

The History of the Lawn Mower

Lawn mowers have come a long way since the very first lawn mower was invented back in 1830 by an English mechanic named Edwin Beard Budding, which was based on the same cross-cutting machinery he worked on and repaired in textile mills at the time. This prototype of a reel lawn mower—which uses blades that spin vertically to cut the grass in a "scissoring action"—was followed by the first US patent for a reel lawn mower in 1868 by Amariah Hills of Connecticut.

In 1919, the world saw the first gas-powered lawn mower thanks to Colonel Edwin George of the United States. And although electric lawn mowers were first developed in the 1930s, consumers did not really take to them until much later.

How to Get the Most Out of Your Lawn Mower

Lawn mowers can be an investment, but the good news is that with a little know-how and some proper maintenance, they can last for many years. Here are a few tips on how to get the most out of your lawn mower:

• Read the Manual. As with any new piece of equipment, first and foremost always take the time to read the instruction manual accompanying your new mower so you can learn about all of its features to get the most out of it.
• Know Your Maintenance. Whether it's making sure the oil is topped off, the batteries are charged, or the mower is gassed up to go, make sure you know the proper maintenance procedures for your particular lawn mower and follow them.
• Stay Sharp. The blades are the most important part of the lawn mower, so keeping them sharp is vital as dull blades will not keep your lawn looking its best. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for sharpening the blades, and when in doubt, go to a professional.
• Keep it Clean. Clean your lawn mower after every use to remove any clippings that may clog the mower, and to keep it from developing any rust on any of its metal parts. The instruction manual should include proper cleaning procedures for your particular model.
• Store it Properly. When you're done with your mower, store it in an area that will protect it from the elements, such as a shed or the garage. You may even want to consider a lawn mower cover if you'll be storing it for a long time during the winter season.

Do you have a lawn mower that you absolutely love? Tell us about it in the comments below!