Lawn mowers & tractors

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What's behind our lawn mower & tractor Ratings?

Experts at our National Testing and Research Center tested 132 models in lawn mowers & tractors to see which ones perform best.

We look for:

Overall score
Based mostly on cutting performance, handling, and ease of use. The displayed score is out of a total of 100 points.
Side discharging
A combination of evenness, which is how close the tractor or rider came to even, carpet-like mowing, and how evenly clippings were dispersed from the side-discharge chute.
Mulching
Reflects a combination of evenness, which is how close the tractor or rider came to even, carpet-like mowing, and how completely the mower distributed its clippings over the lawn's surface.
Bagging
Denotes a combination of evenness, which is how close the tractor or rider came to even, carpet-like mowing, and a measurement of the effective capacity of the grass bag, determined when the bag was full or when the chute clogged and stopped collecting clippings.
Handling
Includes clutching or drive engagement, braking, steering, turn radius, and stability.
Ease of use
A composite score that includes leg room and seat and steering-wheel comfort, along with ease of blade engagement, cut-height adjustment, parking-brake engagement, bag removal, and cutting-mode changes.

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Recommended lawn mowers & tractors

Recommended lawn mowers & tractors are standout choices with high scores. They include CR Best Buys, which offer exceptional value. When narrowing your choices, weigh features, price, and attributes that matter to you.

Recommended lawn mowers & tractors

Lawn mower & tractor buying guide

To find the lawn mower & tractor that is right for you, read our expert advice on which features to consider and how to find the best value.

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A gas or electric push mower is fine for a small lawn. But you'll probably prefer a self-propelled gas model for slopes and a lawn tractor for a lawn one-half acre or larger. An old-fashioned manual reel mower is the greenest choice for small areas. If you're looking for information about lawn mowers and tractors, Consumer Reports is your best resource. Consumer Reports’ lawn mower and tractor reviews will give you honest buying advice that you can trust. Use our lawn mower and tractor buying guide to discover which features are most important to consider. We also provide unbiased Ratings and lawn mower and tractor reviews to help you choose the best lawn mower and tractor for your needs.

Ratings & recommended lawn mowers & tractors

Lawn tractors (43)

Our top picks mulched and bagged impressively and were at least Good at side-discharging. They're also from reliable brands (where data are available). Our CR Best Buys are recommended models that blend value and performance.

Push mowers (38)

Our top picks come from reliable brands (where data are available) and usually mulch, bag, and side-discharge clippings. Before choosing a mower, decide on a type that matches your mowing needs and budget. Then check our recommendations for high-scoring models that blend performance and value.

Self propelled mowers (51)

Recently reviewed lawn mowers & tractors

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Black & Decker CM1836

(Tested)

The Black & Decker CM1836 is an electric-powered push mower. It has a 18-inch deck and electric start. An optional chute is required to side-discharge. The warranty covers 2 years.

Black & Decker CM1836

Husqvarna 37697

Troy-Bilt TB-230 12AVB25U

Snapper NXT22875E

Lawn mower & tractor buying guide

A gas or electric push mower is fine for a small lawn. But you'll probably prefer a self-propelled gas model for slopes and a lawn tractor for a lawn one-half acre or larger. While an old-fashioned manual reel mower without an engine or motor is the greenest choice for small areas, it might require more effort than you bargained for while delivering less-than-stellar mowing. You'll also find a rising number of robotic mowers that rove on their own within an electric perimeter wire. For help with your selection, use this lawn mower and tractor guide.

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