These front- and rear-drive machines make lawn mowing a breeze. Check out the best self-propelled mowers from Toro, Craftsman, and more based on our research.
Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. Why Trust Us? Editor's Note - April 11, 2025: We've checked this article to verify that our recommendations are still in stock and competitively priced. Our top pick, the , brings top-notch bagging and excellent mulching. Looking forward, we're reviewing new models from and Stihl as part of a larger series of lawn mower tests for the annual Popular Mechanics Yard and Garden Awards. Look for the results of these tests to come to all of our lawn mower coverage in the coming months. It's mowing season here at Popular Mechanics, and we're making our spring and summer lawn care plans as we wait for our April showers to warm up a little bit. For many homeowners, self-propelled lawn mowers strike a nice compromise—they're reasonably affordable compared to riding lawn mowers and zero turns, but are a bit easier to use on moderate lawns compared to standard push mowers. Unless you have a postage stamp-sized yard or many acres to mow, a self-propelled, walk-behind mower is likely a great tool to maintain your grass. The primary difference between a standard push mower and a self-propelled mower is that the former moves when you push it, and the latter essentially moves itself with only your guidance. Once the engine or motor is running, all you have to do is squeeze a handle or push a lever and the mower will start moving forward with you as you walk. Turning the mower around is your job, but once you have your heading, just keep the drive handle squeezed and escort the mower down the path, no pushing necessary. Self-propelled lawn mowers take power off the engine or electric motor and route it via a belt to a pulley on the transmission and axle. When you move the drive control lever on the mower handle, you tension the belt, causing the pulley to turn, and this drives the transmission, moving the mower forward. Move the drive control lever back and the tension is…