The Tool Desk
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Why mower brands cannot be ranked in one universal list
A brand that performs well in one category may not lead another. Consumer Reports evaluates battery walk-behind, gas walk-behind, riding, and zero-turn mowers separately. Its brand analysis considers performance, ease of use, predicted reliability, owner satisfaction, and price. A brand needs at least three rated models and at least midrange reliability to qualify for its brand analysis. Consumer Reports explains its mower ratings and brand-ranking approach.
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Those results describe groups of models, not every mower carrying a brand name. A strong brand-level rating does not establish that a particular model suits your lawn, terrain, budget, or maintenance preferences. Nor does the available evidence support naming a single major brand as the worst or best across all mower types.
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Consumer Reports reports a survey of nearly 43,000 walk-behind mowers. Its separate gas-riding-mower dataset covers 18,560 mowers bought new between 2015 and 2025, using surveys fielded in fall 2023, 2024, and 2025. These are category-specific owner data, not a single survey covering every mower brand and type on the market. See Consumer Reports’ reliability coverage.
#1 Best Overall
- [80V 21” SELF-PROPELLED LAWN MOWER] - Get more done, faster, with Greenworks electric lawn mowers. This 80V lawn mower cuts up to 1/2 acre with a fully charged 4.0Ah battery (varies based on grass condition and operator technique)
- [BRUSHLESS MOTOR / DURABLE STEEL DECK] - This electric mower features a durable 21" deck, and a highly efficient brushless motor that provides more torque, quiet operation, and longer life
- [SELF-PROPELLED] – Rear wheel drive and variable speed control for maximum traction, maneuverability, and control
- [LED HEADLIGHT] – High visibility LED lights allow for early morning and late evening mowing. 3x quieter than gas!
- 4-Year Warranty – Backed by Greenworks 4-year limited tool and battery warranty for dependable long-term ownership. Works with 75+ Greenworks 80V tools(trimmers, blowers, chainsaws...)—expand your cordless toolkit.
The available material does not provide complete brand-by-brand scores, so it cannot substantiate an ordered worst-to-best list. Treat any precise ordering as meaningful only when the publisher identifies the mower category, scoring method, survey period, and underlying brand results.
Compare brands within the mower category you need
Battery walk-behind mowers
Compare cutting performance and ease of use alongside battery runtime, charging, replacement availability, and whether the battery platform works with other tools you own. Check that a replacement battery is compatible with the exact mower model; brand name alone does not establish compatibility.
Rank #2
- Exclusive and industry-leading CVT (Continuously variable transmission) offers superior speed variability to adjust the mower pace to your walking speed by simply selecting the 6-speed shift lever
- Exclusive rubber tires with aggressive spiked tread pattern significantly increase overall traction and maneuverability
- Starting made easier with the automatic choke system, no need to prime or choke the engine
- Quickly clean the underside of the cutting deck with the deck cleanout port
- Single-lever deck adjustment for quickly setting your mow height
Gas walk-behind mowers
Consider performance on your grass and terrain, starting and handling, maintenance needs, and access to service and parts. A gas mower’s engine and maintenance requirements differ from those of a battery mower, so cross-category brand comparisons can obscure the practical trade-offs.
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Riding tractors
For a riding mower, prioritize the intended property and workload, then compare model-level performance, owner reliability evidence, ease of operation, price, and local service support. Consumer Reports’ riding-mower reliability dataset described above is specific to gas-powered riding mowers.
Rank #3
- MORE CUTTING POWER: Powerful 170cc 4-stroke OHV engine delivers reliable performance for thick grass and larger yards. Auto choke and recoil start make starting easy.
- LESS PUSHING EFFORT: Self-propelled rear-wheel drive provides better traction on slopes and uneven terrain, reducing pushing effort.
- WIDER CUTS: Wide 22-inch cutting path helps finish mowing faster, while the durable steel deck and heavy-duty blade are built to last season after season.
- VERSATILE 3-IN-1 SYSTEM: Choose between mulching, rear bagging, or rear discharge to match changing lawn conditions.
- EASY HEIGHT CHANGES: Easily adjust cutting height from 1.5" to 3.9" for different mowing needs.
Zero-turn mowers
Compare zero-turn models with other zero-turns rather than assuming a riding-tractor brand result applies. Look at the features and performance relevant to your yard, then verify local dealer, parts, and repair access before deciding.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Ownership issues that can change the best fit
Reliability ratings are only one part of ownership. A UK Which? survey of 3,833 lawn mower owners, conducted in February 2024 and described in its September 2026 article, offers context on reported faults, not a U.S. brand ranking. Among reported cordless-mower fault types, 29% involved a battery that would not hold charge and 16% a battery that failed to charge; those percentages are shares of reported fault types, not shares of all owners. Which? also reports charging, electrical or motor problems, and petrol starting faults among issues respondents encountered. Read Which?’s lawn mower reliability coverage.
Rank #4
- 170CC OHV ENGINE – Powerful 170cc 4-stroke OHV engine delivers reliable performance for thick grass and larger yards. Auto choke and recoil start make starting easy.
- SELF-PROPELLED REAR-WHEEL DRIVE – Rear-wheel drive provides better traction on slopes and uneven terrain, reducing pushing effort.
- 22-INCH STEEL CUTTING DECK – Wide 22-inch cutting path helps finish mowing faster, while the durable steel deck and heavy-duty blade are built to last season after season.
- 3-IN-1 CUTTING OPTIONS – Choose mulching, rear bagging or rear discharge. The large 60L grass bag holds more clippings and reduces emptying.
- 6-POSITION HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT – Easily adjust cutting height from 1.5" to 3.9" for different mowing needs.
Which?’s warranty examples refer to UK domestic terms and should not be applied to U.S. purchases. For your location, confirm warranty coverage and exclusions directly with the manufacturer or seller, and check who handles repairs.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsA practical way to choose a brand
- Choose the category first. Decide whether a battery or gas walk-behind, riding tractor, or zero-turn suits your property and use.
- Compare evidence within that category. Check performance, ease of use, predicted reliability, and owner satisfaction; note the survey period and which models or owners are represented.
- Shortlist specific models. Brand averages do not guarantee that every model will perform equally well or meet your needs.
- Check total ownership fit. Compare price, maintenance, battery replacement or engine service needs, and access to compatible parts.
- Verify local support. Confirm that a dealer or repair provider near you can service the model and obtain parts.
U.S. lineup changes to keep in mind
Consumer Reports says Honda stopped making gas mowers in the U.S. in 2023 and later began manufacturing battery-powered mowers. That distinction matters when comparing current U.S. availability: legacy Honda gas models should not be presented as current U.S. offerings. Check the current lineup and local availability before shopping. Consumer Reports’ mower coverage discusses the U.S. lineup.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
