10 Lawn Mower Brands to Consider and 10 Brands to Avoid
A lawn mower is one of those investments that you simply cannot avoid if you own a decently-sized yard. However, buying a brand that does the job is insanely difficult, especially with how fierce the competition is. You can easily end up spending hundreds or even thousands of dollars on a model that will break down in a matter of weeks.
Eager to learn which lawn mower brands you ought to consider and which ones to ignore? You’ve come to the right place. Below are the top 10 of the best brands on the market, with the bottom 10 not far behind.
Top 10 Best Lawn Mower Brands
1. Greenworks
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Greenworks has a lot going for it. The brand’s claim to fame is the introduction of the dual-blade cordless mower in 2013. This mower, as well as its successors, is powered entirely by a single 40V battery. When you compare it to other models on the market today, it outclasses them in sheer power and durability.
Cordless mowers are an excellent investment since you don’t risk running over the power cord as you mow. In addition, you get to cover more ground and won’t trip on the cable at any moment. And as far as cordless lawn mower brands go, few can beat Greenworks’ models.
Another key detail that made Greenworks famous is the SmartCut technology. This feature basically lets the mower blades set their own speed based on how thick or tall the grass is. In other words, it saves you the time to adjust the blades yourself.
Each mower comes with brushless blades and works at the same efficiency as a 160cc motor. To put it differently, you will be mowing the lawn without any irritating excess noise. You will not even require any noise-canceling headphones, which is definitely a feature more lawn mowers need today.
2. Ferris
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Another excellent American brand, Ferris, has provided a whole range of spectacular lawn mowers. Whether it’s a ride-on mower, stand-on mower, or walk-behind mower, it follows one simple rule. If it’s Ferris, it’s bound to be of high quality.
Nearly all Ferris models have one thing in common. Each and every accessory is incredibly easy to adjust. Lots of lawn mower brands don’t bother to design their products with versatility in mind. But Ferris mowers are incredibly user-friendly, right down to the blade replacement.
One detail that tends to escape quite a sizable number of lawn mower brands is the warranty. Some provide short-term warranties for their mowers, while others don’t bother to provide ones at all. With Ferris, you can actually customize your warranty, depending on the model and on individual parts (such as suspension or belts).
A typical Ferris model is great on any surface. That’s because it contains wheels with a powerful grip, perfect for both dry or wet grass. The only area where these mowers don’t excel is uneven terrain.
If you want to do some mowing on steep slopes, you’ll run into problems. Luckily, Ferris feels right at home with low, even, suburban lawns, making it the best choice for a typical American family.
3. Black + Decker
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Hundreds of thousands, if not millions, have heard of Black + Decker, and with good reason. This brand has been delivering some of the best electric mowers in history, and it continues to do so even in 2022. As far as lawn mower brands go, this one is a bit of a legend in the business.
Electric mowers weren’t really popular when Black + Decker started, since most people used models with cords. And while Black + Decker did not earn as much as the established brands at the time, it continued its policy of cordless, self-reliant mowers.
That’s why the majority of its products have rechargeable batteries with a decent, albeit modest, run time.
It’s worth pointing out that self-reliance isn’t the only reason behind Black + Decker’s success among the lawn mower brands. If you take a look at a typical mower from this brand, you’ll see that it has an extra set of wheels in the rear.
Combine that with an ergonomic handle and 6 height-adjustable settings, and you have a recipe for success. It’s no wonder that Black + Decker mowers have had a constant flow of customers for over half a century, a flow that doesn’t seem to stop.
4. Toro
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Toro might not be a brand you’ve heard of, at least when you compare them to other brands on this list like Black + Decker. But believe it or not, since the late 1940s, this company has produced some of the best, most durable, and most effective push mowers on the planet. They are so good that they put most push lawn mower brands to shame.
Let’s go over a quick list of what makes Toro an excellent mower manufacturer:
• The brand offers a wide selection of push mowers, riding mowers, and even battery-powered products with a long run time.
• With Power Reverse tech, your mower actually adjusts its speed and performance based on the pace of your walk.
• Briggs & Stratton engines and construction of thick-gauge steel make mowers of this brand start quickly and last longer than other brands.
• Minimal maintenance is required when you mow the lawn with any Toro item.
• The twin blades cut the grass twice as fast as any conventional mower on the market today.
• The shock-absorbing grip helps you move the mower even on difficult terrain.
• Because of its shape and size, you can literally store the whole mower upright.
• The engine is reliable and doesn’t die on the user too soon like most commercial mower motors tend to.
5. Husqvarna
Image source: husqvarna.com
Husqvarna is by far most famous for its impressive selection of chainsaws. And indeed, its chainsaws are excellent and regularly outperform their competition. But the company also manufactures other items, including tractors, gardening equipment, and even lawn mowers. And with a mower from Husqvarna, you know you’re getting the best quality possible.
More often than not, Husqvarna opts for riding mowers. If you decide on buying one, you can expect a vehicle that has excellent direction control and pedal-operated speed.
In addition, a Husqvarna riding mower has ergonomic seats that keep the spine straight and make you feel absolute comfort. And such absolute comfort would not be complete without controls that are intuitive and easy to understand.
Quite a few Husqvarna mowers have something called the Clear Cut deck. With this addition, your mower can cut grass with incredible precision. But what’s even more fascinating is that this cut will be just as precise on uneven, steep terrain as it would on a flat one. And yes, that applies to both the riding mowers and the walk-behind models.
The only real snag behind a Husqvarna mower is the price; typically, its products will cost more than its competition. However, the mower will definitely be worth every penny. If you can cover any type of terrain and cut grass with precision every single time, then a Husqvarna mower is an investment you simply cannot miss.
6. Craftsman
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Craftsman’s lawn tractors are in the same rank as some of the best lawn mower brands today. The main difference is the price. As some of the heavyweights tend to cost a lot, that’s not the case with Craftsman’s models. They are incredibly affordable to anyone who is willing to buy a decent mower with a wide range of options.
Some of those aforementioned options include auto choke technology, Dust Blocker bags, mulching of shredded grass, a steering wheel with intelligent controls, and lithium-ion batteries. Let’s get over each of them quickly.
With auto choke, your mower will stop once it ‘senses’ that it’s wasting too much power. This option is incredibly environmentally friendly and cost-effective. Dust Blocker bags also help the mower by preventing debris from being scattered all over. Runaway debris can get into the engine and even dull the blades if too much of it accumulates.
Most of the controls of Craftsman mowers have an LED display. The lights are bright enough for you to mow the lawn during the night and see everything perfectly. And you don’t even need to worry about the battery going out too soon.
Lithium-ion is a great combination, since the engine will run a full 60 minutes before eventually draining — more than enough time for you to mow the lawn properly.
7. Troy-Bilt
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Troy-Bilt is a bit controversial when it comes to picking the best lawn mower brands. That’s because more than a few shoppers actually list it as one of the worst.
And in some regards, they do have a point, since Troy-Bilt lawn mowers can produce harmful gasses as they run. If you don’t want to own an item that might harm the environment, then this is one of those lawn mower brands you might want to avoid.
However, there are plenty of valid reasons to have Troy-Bilt mowers among the top 10 brands. For instance, one of the most powerful motors in the industry belongs to a Troy-Bilt model, and its power goes up to 724cc.
As far as the walk-behind models are concerned, they come with a four-wheel drive and the ability to switch controls between the front and back wheels. Moreover, by activating the all-wheel drive, you can let the mower do its work while you steer it with a single hand.
Nearly all Troy-Bilt mowers are easy to operate, durable, long-lasting, and easy to maintain. Such a mower would cost a few thousand dollars at the very least. But Troy-Bilt always offers prices that are lower than its competition. The company’s stated goal is to offer high-quality products at a fraction of the cost, a practice it continues to this day.
8. Cub Cadet
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Like Troy-Bilt, Cub Cadet is not exactly beloved among the lawn mower brands’ enthusiasts. However, it’s unpopular for one specific reason that separates it from Troy-Bilt. Namely, more than a few Cub Cadet models are quite pricey and out of reach for most blue-collar homeowners.
Nevertheless, Cub Cadet definitely deserves a spot among the best lawn mower brands on the market today. The brand has been around for more than 60 years.
In that time, its experts have brought a wide spectrum of innovation into the lawn mower industry. Hundreds of emerging brands tend to pay close attention to what Cub Cadet does, learning from its innovative spirit.
One detail that stands out with Cub Cadet mowers is the construction. The body is so strong and sturdy that it can handle hours of mowing. This durability makes Cub Cadet mowers reliable, and people across the US are flocking to buy them.
Another key feature of this brand is mulching. Some of the Cub Cadet products are extremely effective at spreading mulch, making them perfect for various gardening endeavors. The mowing decks of each individual mower create flawless cuts every single time.
9. American Lawn Mower Company
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The name might sound a bit generic, but as far as lawn mower brands go, you can’t really go wrong with American Lawn Mower Company. This brand has been around for over a century, and its products keep getting better and better with each passing year.
An average ALMC lawn mower, be it a walk-behind, stand-on, or ride-on model, is incredibly quiet and effective. Each and every cut you make will be level, at the exact length you need it.
Furthermore, the mowers themselves are durable and lightweight. The durability comes from the stainless steel alloy that can withstand some of the toughest mowing conditions.
And speaking of hard metals, the ALMC actually owns its own iron foundry. That enables its experts to produce most of its components on the spot. For that reason, nearly all of ALMC’s lawn mowers come at almost impossibly affordable prices.
ALMC also strives to be environmentally friendly. Its mowers don’t make any use of spark plugs or gas, so no harmful fumes will be leaving the mower as you cut the grass. In short, the ALMC mowers have everything they need to deserve a spot on this list.
10. John Deere
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Few brands have the reputation and the quality of John Deere. The company has been around since 1837, and over the course of nearly 185 years, its products have never dipped in quality and power.
Even today, farmers across the US are using the massive, powerful John Deere tractors to work their fields efficiently and with little effort. Aside from the US, John Deere products have been in high demand in both Europe and Asia for decades now.
Like its tractors, John Deere’s lawn mowers are equally powerful and versatile. They are usually manufactured to mow large estates, handling a single massive yard in less time than any other lawn mower brand would.
And despite the mowers’ size, they can maneuver extremely well thanks to their zero-turn capability. In other words, you can get every single narrow corner of your yard with the blade, even if the mower you’re riding is the size of a European economy car.
The only real setback with John Deere mowers is the price. Considering the reputation of the company, it’s no wonder that a typical mower would cost far more than any other lawn mower brand on this list. But with the precision, efficacy, and strength of John Deere, the mowers are worth every single penny.
The Worst-Rated Lawn Mower Brands
1. Sun Joe
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Sun Joe is actually one of those brands that sell really well on major online retailers, since it does provide other types of products that perform fairly decently. Hundreds of people are buying its mowers nearly every day.
The main reason behind this surge in popularity is the low price. Sun Joe is possibly one of the most affordable brands, even when compared to others that follow on this list.
However, unusually low prices should be a red flag for you. For instance, any walk-behind mower below $350 is most likely of poor quality. And Sun Jue is a brand with lots of mowers that fall under that category.
By far, the biggest issue with Sun Joe mowers is performance. Customers constantly report getting uneven cuts due to the poor deck height setting. In addition, the bags that collect the debris rip easily and often require replacement.
And if you count the fact that the mowers themselves break down quickly, you have more than a few reasons to avoid Sun Joe. But that’s not even the end of it; the battery of the cordless mowers has issues turning on after a month or so of use, even if it registers as full.
2. Poulan Pro
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Poulan Pro mowers are also quite common choices among lawn mower brands of 2022. Unlike Sun Joe, however, this brand offers rather pricey products. Some Poulan Pro riding mowers actually have a price that matches those of high-end models listed earlier.
In terms of what Poulan Pro mowers have going for them, their best feature is durability. An average mower from this brand will withstand a lot of mowing, and the blades won’t go dull for a long time. In fact, Poulan Pro mowers tend to be sturdier and more long-lasting than even some of the industry heavyweights.
Unfortunately, the mowers tend to underperform in nearly all other aspects. Firstly, the height setting makes the whole mower vibrate more than necessary, which lowers the blade and leaves an uneven result.
Next, the front wheels of the mowers are made of plastic. They don’t have nearly enough grip to handle different types of terrain, which makes them wear out easily and quickly.
If you were looking for a riding mower from Poulan Pro, you’re headed for disappointment. The riding options from this brand don’t do well in small, tight spaces, and if you can’t reach them, you will have unevenly cut grass as a result. Moreover, you don’t get the grass catcher with your original purchase.
Instead, you have to buy it separately, which is both an additional cost to an already pricy purchase and an inconvenience.
3. Stihl
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In terms of paying too much for an ineffective product, few brands can be as disappointing as Stihl. Nearly all of the options that this brand offers cost as much as some of the best-ranked mowers. However, they don’t offer nearly as much quality as those of Stihl’s competition.
Now, we need to make one thing clear; we’re only talking about Stihl’s lawn mowers. The company itself is famous for its extensive catalog of chainsaws and other woodworking tools.
To this day, Stihl saws are some of the best in the business, and that quality has not dipped for decades now. When it comes to felling trees and processing lumber, anyone would recommend Stihl, and with good reason.
Unfortunately, Stihl’s mowers do not perform nearly as well as its chainsaws. For instance, the construction of the mowers’ bodies is flimsy and weak, so the mowers are prone to breaking down often.
In addition, each of the products is small and compact, which is not going to help you if you have a big lawn to mow. What’s more, the mower will pause often and demand a recharge.
4. Earthwise
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Earthwise is one of the brands that people seem to universally deride. Naturally, it has a few useful and durable products, and from time to time, its line of mowers does show promise. But the vast majority of them have problems that a mower simply must not have.
First off, Earthwise mowers use lead-acid batteries. This option is not only incredibly environmentally unfriendly, but it’s also ineffective. The reason behind most reputable lawn mower brands using lithium-ion batteries is simple enough.
Lithium-ion lasts longer than all other options, it recharges quickly, and it doesn’t leak any dangerous chemicals unless you actually decide to damage it by force.
The height settings of Earthwise mowers are horrible, and no matter what setting you choose, you’ll end up with uneven grass. There are also no convenient blade settings on any of Earthwise products.
And since the battery life is so short and the lead-acid batteries are slow to recharge and retain power, it’s really not the best choice to opt for mowers that come from this brand.
5. Dixie Chopper
Image source: Dixiechopper.com
Dixie Chopper used to be one of the more popular brands on the market. People would often buy its products due to their sharp blades and maneuverability. After all, if a blade becomes dull too quickly, it will require sharpening, and you’ll end up delaying the mowing or not finishing it on time.
In addition, a mower needs to be as maneuverable as possible in order to reach every part of the lawn; like many of the best lawn mower brands out there, Dixie Chopper does have zero-turning capabilities, which is definitely a plus.
But the brand is far from adequate in 2022. Even today, Dixie Chopper mowers can’t work evenly on tilted or hilly terrain. If you happen to have a bit of a steep yard, you will not be able to cut grass at an even height with these mowers.
You can buy special tires that can help the mower adjust to the terrain, but that’s an additional expense to an already pricy investment.
The added expenses don’t stop there. Dixie Chopper mowers are known for being fast and produce a lot of power for a fine, smooth cut. But that power requires fuel, and these mowers tend to consume huge quantities of it. So, any owner of a Dixie Chopper can expect to buy canisters upon canisters of gasoline to keep it running without interruption.
6. Yard-Man
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In terms of issues, Yard-man mowers don’t necessarily break down as often as other poorly-rated lawn mower brands on the list. In fact, the mowers work more or less as efficiently as those of Husquarna, meaning they are fairly stable and durable. That’s a plus, but it doesn’t take away from Yard-man’s flaws.
To be specific, most homeowners actually had issues with Yard-man lawn tractors. The first major issue they bring up is the wheels and the tires.
Yard-man is not as maneuverable as some of the high-tier brands on this list, and the wheels are a huge part of that. Due to their poor quality and rigidness, the tractors can’t cover all kinds of terrain, and a huge part of your yard will ultimately look unevenly cut if you use a Yard-man.
Another common problem that homeowners brought up with Yard-man mowers involved the handle design. Like the wheels, the handles are rigid and inadequately designed. That only adds further difficulty to steering and keeping control of the mower during the process. And if you can’t control where your mower is going, you’re better off buying a different brand.
7. Snapper
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Snapper is an oddity when it comes to this topic. The brand is quite well-known among landscaping and yard-care experts. In fact, quite a few websites and public online reviewers will recommend Snapper as one of the best lawn mower brands, right there alongside ALMC and John Deere. But the feedback from the users themselves does not agree with the experts’ opinions.
The most common problem with Snapper mowers is that they don’t have a long life and are not as durable as other products. In fact, you can find dozens of user reviews that specify their Snapper breaking down in a matter of months after purchase.
There were even extreme cases where a mower would stop working after merely a few weeks. That’s definitely not a good look for a company that has a lot of space in the limelight.
Aside from not working so soon after the purchase, Snapper mowers exhibit other problems too. For example, more than a few of the models would come with broken handles and broken wheels, which shows how frail the products actually are.
Faulty transmissions are also incredibly common, and a mower without decent transmission is one that you cannot control.
8. Flymo
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Much like Snapper, Flymo is an industry veteran. American families would often buy Flymo mowers and give them glowing reviews. That’s because, back in the day, Flymo products actually were at the very top, both in terms of quality and prices. Unfortunately, the quality of the brand has dipped considerably in the past few years.
Most of Flymo’s issues center around the battery life and the fact that the mowers break often. If you were to go on eBay or any other second-hand items website, you would find dozens, if not hundreds, of Flymo mowers with either faulty or dead batteries. It’s such a common problem that people have stopped buying the mowers altogether.
In addition to the issues listed above, there’s also the fact that Flymo isn’t the most reliable company. Its customer service is abysmal at best, plus the warranty itself doesn’t cover everything with your product.
9. Swisher
Image source: Swisherinc.com
Swisher mowers have more than a few issues. First and foremost, they break after every other mowing and need maintenance just as often. Next, they tend to work for fewer hours than even the worst-rated of the best lawn mower brands. That will require frequent refueling, and that’s a waste of both time and money.
But the biggest issue is the blade itself. It has the tendency to bend during the mowing, so it can end up flying off and cutting your legs. It’s really no surprise that such a dangerous product would be near the bottom of the list.
10. Yazoo/Kees
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Yazoo mowers used to be incredibly popular, though they are not being manufactured as often nowadays. These massive machines come with lots of benefits, such as precision cutting, but they’re far from perfect.
The biggest setback of Yazoo mowers is that they are clunky and don’t work well on uneven terrain. You would have to buy different wheels and modify the existing model, which is already too much work. Moreover, the controls are somewhat clunky, and unless you already owned a Yazoo before, you’ll have difficulty steering a new one.
