Best Self-Propelled Lawn Mowers for 2026: Battery and Gas Picks Compared

A self-propelled mower drives its own wheels, so you steer and walk instead of pushing. The choices that matter most are which wheels are driven, how you control the speed, and, for battery models, how much runtime you get per charge.

The Picks at a Glance

Specs per each maker, and per the listing for PowerSmart. Battery runtimes are the makers' ratings; thick, wet, or tall grass shortens them.

The Picks

EGO LM2135SP - Our Battery Pick

Per EGO, the LM2135SP delivers up to 7.0 ft-lb of cutting torque from a brushless motor and runs up to 60 minutes on the included 56V 7.5Ah battery. Its Select Cut system pairs an upper blade with one of three interchangeable lower blades (mulching, high-lift bagging, and extended-runtime), and all three come in the box. Touch Drive engages the self-propel when you press the handle, with a dial for speeds from 0.9 to 3.1 mph. It mulches, bags (two-bushel bag included), or side-discharges, has 8 cutting heights from 1 to 4 inches, LED headlights, and folds for storage. EGO's warranty is 5 years on the mower and 3 years on the battery, and the battery works in any EGO 56V tool. It is sold by Amazon. For the rest of EGO's walk-behind lineup, see our EGO mower models compared.

Honda HRX-BE - Premium Battery

Honda's site now lists its gas walk-behind mowers as discontinued, and the HRX-BE is its battery replacement. Per Honda, it has a 1.5 kW brushless motor Honda rates as comparable to its GCV170 engine, rear-wheel eSelect Drive adjustable from 0 to 4 mph, and Roto-Stop, which lets you self-propel with the blades off. The 21-inch NeXite deck runs Honda's 4-in-1 Versamow system (mulch, bag, rear discharge, leaf shred) with MicroCut twin blades, 7 cutting heights from 0.75 to 4 inches, and a 2.2-bushel bag. The included 12Ah battery is rated for about 45 minutes, or about 0.37 acre. A second bay takes an optional second battery, and Honda says two batteries give up to 1.5 hours. It weighs 91 pounds without the battery. Honda's warranty is 5 years on the mower and 3 years on the battery for residential use. The Amazon listing is from a third-party seller, so confirm warranty coverage with the seller. More in our Honda lawn mower guide.

YARDMAX YG2860 Select PACE - Our Gas Pick

Per YARDMAX, this 22-inch mower uses a 201cc OHV engine with an automatic choke (no priming), and a continuously variable transmission you set with a 6-speed lever to match your walking pace. It is front-wheel drive, with 8-inch front and 11-inch rear ball-bearing wheels and spiked-tread rubber tires. The 16-gauge stamped steel deck has a washout port, a single lever sets 7 cutting heights from 1.38 to 3.55 inches, and it side-discharges, mulches, or bags. It is sold by Amazon.

PowerSmart 21" 170cc - Rear-Drive Gas

Per the listing, this mower has a 170cc OHV engine, a 21-inch steel deck, and rear-wheel drive. It mulches, bags, or side-discharges, with 6 cutting heights from 1.5 to 3.9 inches.

Also Consider: Ryobi 40V HP (Not on Amazon)

Per Ryobi, its 40V HP Brushless 21-inch self-propelled mower has variable-speed rear-wheel drive and is rated for up to 80 minutes on two 40V 6Ah batteries, for yards of 3/4 acre or less. Ryobi's site labels its tools "Only at The Home Depot." See our Ryobi lawn mower guide for the lineup.

How to Choose

Front-wheel vs. rear-wheel drive

With front-wheel drive, you can press down on the handle to lift the front wheels and pivot, which is handy around beds and trees. Rear-wheel drive keeps the drive on the wheels under the handle and the bag. Our take: if your yard has slopes, start with a rear-wheel-drive model like the Honda HRX-BE or the PowerSmart. The YARDMAX is front-wheel drive, so it suits flatter yards. EGO doesn't list the LM2135SP's drive wheels on its product page.

Speed control

Each pick handles speed differently. EGO's Touch Drive engages when you press the handle, with a dial for speed. Honda's eSelect Drive adjusts 0 to 4 mph with buttons. YARDMAX's CVT uses a 6-speed lever. Try the controls in a store if you can, since comfort here is personal.

Battery runtime

Honda's advice is to measure only the grass area, not your whole lot, once you subtract the house, driveway, and beds. Honda rates its 12Ah battery at about 45 minutes, or about 0.37 acre, and notes that walking speed, grass type, and cutting height all change runtime. EGO rates the LM2135SP at up to 60 minutes with its 7.5Ah battery. For a bigger lawn, plan on a second battery. Our battery vs. gas mower comparison covers the trade-offs.

Common Questions

Is a self-propelled mower worth it?

It depends on your yard. The drive does the pushing, which helps on slopes and bigger lawns. On a small, flat lawn, a push mower may be all you need.

What maintenance does a self-propelled mower need?

Follow the owner's manual. Gas models add oil, air filter, spark plug, and drive belt checks. Everyone should keep the blade sharp: see our mower maintenance schedule and blade sharpening guide.

Bottom Line

For battery, our pick is the EGO LM2135SP, and the Honda HRX-BE is the premium option with rear-wheel drive and a second battery bay. For gas, the YARDMAX Select PACE suits flatter yards, and the PowerSmart 170cc gives you rear-wheel drive. On slopes, mow across with any walk-behind mower.