Best Self-Propelled Lawn Mowers of 2024

Finding the right lawn mower for your yard is all about balancing lawn size and budget. If you have a few acres, you’ll need a big, expensive model like a riding mower or a zero-turn mower. These mowers tend to cost between $3,000 and $4,000.

If you have a smaller yard, though (somewhere between a quarter of an acre to half an acre), a self-propelled lawn mower can get the job done season after season for hundreds of dollars rather than thousands.

Here’s the problem, though: a quick search for self-propelled lawn mowers turns up thousands of results. With hundreds of makes and models from dozens of manufacturers, it can be very difficult to find the right self-propelled mower, even after hours of research.

But don’t worry — we’ve done the work for you.

At HY-C, we manufacture a line of outdoor power equipment upgrades for power equipment of all kinds. Because we design the upgrade parts for the equipment, we’re familiar with some of the best equipment out there. And we want to tell you all about it.

In this guide, we’re going to cover some of the best self-propelled lawn mowers available on the market today. We’ll take a deep dive into the performance specs of each model, their reviews and ratings, how much they cost, proprietary technology included in each mower, and more.

By the time you’re finished here, you’ll be well-informed about four popular self-propelled lawn mowers, and you’ll be able to decide which one is right for you.

Table of contents (click to jump to a self-propelled lawn mower model):

• Honda HRN216VKA
• Toro Recycler®
• Troy-Bilt TB230B XP
• Cub Cadet SC500K

Model comparison:

Self-Propelled Lawn Mower List Criteria

Before we jump in, we want to lay out the criteria we used to select the walk-behind mowers we chose.

For one, this list contains gas-powered lawn mowers only. We left off any battery-powered or electric mower models. Also, we made sure to limit the models to one per brand to offer some variety.

Aside from that, each mower on this list had to meet two strict standards to be included:

1. Every mower needed at least 800 user reviews (from an aggregate of online sources)
2. Every mower needed to average at least a 4 out of 5 rating (from the same aggregate)

Those are some pretty stringent criteria to meet, and it left us with four lawn mowers that we believe to be the best on the market today.

With that out of the way and in no particular order, let’s get started.

Honda HRN216VKA

Overview:

Aside from not having a very pithy name, the Honda HRN216VKA is a very impressive lawn mower. Powered by Honda’s own GCV170 engine, it can mow up to half an acre with its 21-inch cutting deck. The 166 cc motor is powerful and durable, topping out at a brisk 4.12 miles per hour.

Honda was one of the pioneers of choke-free lawn mower engines. Their HRN216VKA features the Honda AutoChoke™ System that allows for easy starting every time.

The mower also comes equipped with Honda’s 3-in-one Clip Director® technology — a simple lever that directs grass where you want it to go. And you have three choices: into the 2.3-cubic-foot bag, into the cutting deck for mulching, or out of the side discharge chute.

On the handle, you’ll find the Smart Drive self-propel system. Unlike other self-propelled lawn mowers, the HRN216VKA doesn’t require you to hold any levers down to keep the mower moving on its own. Instead, you adjust the Smart Drive handle, lock it into place, and enjoy hands-free self-propelled mowing.

Perhaps the most interesting feature of this Honda hardware, though, is its MicroCut® Twin Blade System. The stacked, offset dual blades offer a level of cutting quality that’s in a league of its own, ensuring grass trimmings stay small both for mulching and bagging alike.

With over 5,000 reviews and an average rating of 4.4 out of 5, the HRN216VKA is one of the most well-loved self-propelled mowers you can find. Its $590 price tag isn’t the lowest on our list, but it isn’t the highest, either, meaning you can enjoy premium performance at a reasonable price.

Discover the Honda HRN216VKA

Toro Recycler®

Overview:

The Toro brand has a lot of character, and their Recycler® lawn mower is no exception. This machine relies on a Briggs & Stratton EXi 163 cc engine to get the job done, mowing up to a half-acre at a time. Not content with the standard 21-inch mower deck, the Recycler’s® deck tops out at 22 inches.

This mower comes packed with proprietary features from Toro, one of the industry leaders in walk-behind lawn mowers. It features their Vortex Technology™, an intake system that provides additional airflow to the cutting deck to whirl grass around and chop it into ultra-fine pieces.

This tech fuels the titular Recycler® technology which returns the finely cut clippings back to your lawn to provide it with additional nutrition (Toro cleverly calls these nourishing grass clippings Lawn Vitamins™).

For those thinking about long-term ownership and regular maintenance, Toro ensures hassle-free maintenance with this model, saying that it doesn’t require oil changes throughout the life of the mower. All you have to do is check the oil and top it off.

Undoubtedly, though, the star of the show is the Personal Pace® self-propelled system. Unlike other self-propelled lawn mowers, it doesn’t forcefully pull you along with it, nor does it require any knobs or levers.

Rather, the Personal Pace® Auto-Drive system moves at your speed. All you have to do is lean on the handle to increase speed and ease up to slow the mower down. The mower and handle respond to pressure, adjusting to your walking cadence. It’s a one-of-a-kind feature that is arguably the perfection of the self-propelled mower.

So, all of these integrated goodies must cost a pretty penny, right? Actually, the Toro Recycler® is the second-least expensive mower on this list at just $479. With close to 2,400 reviews, this self-propelled mower is a proven commodity that won’t break the bank.

Discover the Toro Recycler®

Troy-Bilt TB230B XP

Overview:

It may be the third black and red mower on the list, but don’t worry — the Troy-Bilt TB230B XP manages to stand out in plenty of ways. As it turns out, the XP stands for “extra power”, and you’ll find plenty of it with the 163 cc Briggs & Stratton EXi Series™ motor that powers this lawn mower.

The engine features ReadyStart® technology which is similar to Honda’s AutoChoke™ System. It requires no priming or choke, allowing for an easy and effortless startup every time.

The TB230B XP also comes with Troy-Bilt’s TriAction Cutting System that combines three features to deliver a clean, even cut:

1. A rake guard on the front of the mower which stands the grass up straight
2. An S-shaped blade which helps to create better circulation and lift
3. A symmetrical deck with a smooth surface that creates a strong vacuum under the mower for superior mulching and simpler discharging

The mulching system is made even better by an integrated mulching kit that has a plug built into the back of the mower — no need for any tools or attachments.

With front-wheel drive for self-propelled efficiency and a 3-year limited warranty, the TB230B XP is made right here in the USA. With a price tag of just $459, it’s a great choice if you’re on a budget but still in need of premium-quality performance.

Discover the Troy-Bilt TB230B XP

Cub Cadet SC500K

Overview:

Finally, let’s finish up with a company known for making some of the best zero-turn mowers in the world: Cub Cadet. In the world of walk-behind, self-propelled lawn mowers, it’s their SC500K we’re interested in.

It’s the only lawn mower on this list to be powered by a Kohler® engine — in this case, the Command PRO. Topping out at 173 cubic centimeters, it’s the highest on the list in terms of pure power. It also features the largest fuel capacity at 0.35 gallons.

A part of Cub Cadet’s Signature Cut™ Series, the SC500K comes with a V-point handle that houses the dual-lever drive controls. Just squeeze the controls to speed up and lessen the pressure to slow down — a tried-and-true self-propelled mower formula.

Unlike its Troy-Bilt cousin, the SC500K features rear-wheel drive to power it over tough, uneven terrain. At 11 inches in diameter, this mower’s large back wheels help with control and stability, maintaining mobility while shrinking its turning radius for tight, precise mowing.

From there, it’s the bells and whistles that help the SC500K stand out. It comes equipped with 6 cutting heights to allow you to control your lawn’s length, a 2.86-cubic-foot bag to collect loads of grass clippings, and a Jet Wash hose port that allows you to clean your mower deck with ease.

This ruggedly powerful mower has a high asking price — at $679, it’s the most expensive mower on our list. But with an average review score of 4.4 out of 5 and over 1,800 ratings, those who own this lawn mower tend to agree that it’s absolutely worth the cost.

Discover the Cub Cadet SC500K

Which Self-Propelled Lawn Mower Should You Buy?

This has been a close look at four of the top self-propelled lawn mowers on the market today. At this point, you probably have a good idea as to which one is a good fit for you. If you’re still having trouble, though, here are some factors to consider.

If you’re buying on price, that’s easy: the Troy-Bilt TB230B XP and the Toro Recycler® both come in below $500. They’re about the best value-for-price you can expect from a self-propelled walk-behind lawn mower.

If you’re looking for a mower that’s well-reviewed by other homeowners, the Honda HRN216VKA and the Cub Cadet SC500K are your best bets. They both maintain a 4.4 out of 5 rating after thousands of reviews, meaning they’re tested, tried-and-true models.

Finally, if you’re interested in features, any of the mowers here are great choices. They all have relatively comparable engine power, they all mow up to half an acre, they all have similar cutting widths, and they all have similar cutting heights.

You’ll be hard-pressed to find four finer lawn mowers anywhere.

And if you’re looking to enhance any of your outdoor power equipment, be sure to check out our Good Vibrations line. It consists of pull cord handles, mower deck scrapers, hitch pins, and more gear that can help elevate a good lawn mowing experience to a great one.