The best gas mowers for 2022, including self-propelled lawn mowers and walk-behind lawn mowers for construction sites of different sizes.
The best gas mowers make it easy to cut the grass, while offering the best features for a clean finish. Our collection of the best walk-behind and self-propelled lawn mowers for 2022 is simple enough to use, but if you have a large yard, consider a self-propelled lawn mower as it is less labor intensive than push lawn mowers.
Other things to look out for when buying a lawn mower include the width of the deck – if you have a larger area to mow, a machine with a 30-inch deck will reduce the time it takes to mow the grass. However, if you have a smaller yard, you may find a narrower, lighter gas lawn mower that suits your needs better.
Although self-propelled lawn mowers are generally more expensive, they are worth every penny in terms of maneuverability. However, if you are happy with a push lawn mower, you can usually get one for under $ 300. Other features to consider when choosing a gas lawn mower include the ability to mulch the lawn while mowing and also set different cutting heights. . Our best gas push mowers and self propelled models are also available in different weights to suit the user.
As the name suggests, the best gas lawn mowers all use gas, but if you’d rather not use fuel, check out the best electric lawn mowers, or if you have a bigger yard, check out the best lawn mowers too. from horseback riding. For now, let’s take a look at the best gas mowers for 2022, including the best gas push mowers and the best self-propelled gas models that make mowing a breeze.
1. Honda HRX217HZA: the best gas lawn mower ever
We picked the Honda HRX217HZA as our best gas lawn mower ever because it has all the features you’ll ever need in a lawn mower paired with that awesome Honda engine and build quality.
Let’s start with the engine displacement. At 200cc it’s the most powerful engine in our buyer’s guide, paired with the Honda HRX217VKA and just a whisper ahead of the Weibang WB537SCV-3IN1. You get double blades too with the Honda HRX217HZA and a Versamow 4-in-1 system, which means you can easily switch between mulching, bagging, dump and leaf shredding.
The difference between this model and the similarly named Honda HRX217VKA, also in our buying guide, is the addition of Roto Stop technology, which means you can stop the blades without turning off the engine, and hydrostatic cruise control. for simple and precise speed control.
You also have one of our favorite features, which is the electric key start, so there is no cable to pull. Just turn a key and the mower comes to life. In fact, it is difficult to think of a feature of a lawnmower that you would like and cannot find here. The Honda HRX217HZA might be expensive, but if you pay a little more you get a lawn mower that will last you a lifetime.
Specifications:
- Depth: 65.6 inches
- Height: 42.2 inches
- Width: 23.1 inch:
- Blade length: 21 inches
- Displacement: 200cc ** Weight: ** 106 lbs
- Maximum cutting height: 4 inches
- Minimum cutting height: 0.75 inches
- Traction type: rear wheel
- Type of mower: self-propelled
- Type of starting: electric
- Warranty: 5 year residential / lifetime bridge
PROS | CONS |
Double blades for a finer cut | heavy |
Powerful engine | |
Electric key start |
2. Toro 20333: the best gas lawn mower for large construction sites
The Toro 2033 is a great choice if you have a particularly large yard. The 22-inch super wide blade means less time cutting and more grass collected as you do it. It also has a blade stop system, so the blades can be stopped separately from the motor. This means that you can keep the engine running, for example if you need to move a branch out of the path of the cut, without having to pull the cable again to start it.
Unlike the double-bladed Hondas in this group test, there is only one blade on the Toro, which means it cannot cut the grass finely for mulching, but it does offer a mulch function and comes with a bag for mulching. the collection of clippings.
Another nice addition is what Toro calls “personal pace”, to adjust the speed of the mower to a pace that suits you best. Some self-propelled lawn mowers can go too fast to be comfortable to walk with, so it’s a useful feature if you like to walk at your own speed. Alternatively, you can pick up speed and work out a little while mowing the back garden.
Overall, this mower represents great value for money, especially if you have a large area to cover. There are some really high-end features on offer here for a mid-range price.
Specifications:
- Depth: 59 inches
- Height: 44 inches
- Width: 23 inches:
- Blade length: 22 in: ici
- Displacement: 163 cc
- Weight: 88 lbs
- Maximum cutting height: 4 inches
- Minimum cutting height: 1 inch
- Traction type: rear wheel
- Type of mower: self-propelled
- Start type: pull cord
- Warranty: 2 full years / 3 years to start
PROS | CONS |
Blade stop system | Pull the start of the cable |
Adjustable speed | Single blade |
3. Honda HRX217VKA: Best self-propelled gas lawn mower
Honda lawn mowers are known for their fantastic engines and the HRX217VKA is equipped with a powerful 200cc Honda engine.
The Honda HRX217VKA is also self-propelled, so it is easy to maneuver and moves forward with the push of a finger. There is also an automatic choke, so you can be guaranteed a start on the first try even if you have to pull a string.
The Honda HRX217VKA has dual blades, so you can guarantee a stunning cut and of course it has the Versamow Honda 4-in-1 feature set that allows for bagging, mulching, dumping and leaf cutting. The double blades ensure particularly fine cuts for mulching.
What we really like about these Honda mowers is that you have a generous 5 year warranty. Not that you will need it as user reviews rarely mention mechanical failures.
The HRX217VKA is a great choice for you if you want most of the features of the more expensive Honda HRX21HZA, but want it for over $ 250 less and can live without its blade stop technology, electric start and hydrostatic cruise control.
Specifications:
- Depth: 63.4 inches
- Height: 42.2 inches
- Width: 23.1 inch ::
- Blade length: 21 inches
- Displacement: 200cc
- Weight: 89 lbs
- Maximum cutting height: 4 inches
- Minimum cutting height: 0.75 inches
- Traction type: rear wheel
- Type of mower: self-propelled
- Start type: pull cord
- Warranty: 5 residential years / 3 commercial / lifetime months
PROS | CONS |
4-in-1 grass cutting functions | No electric start |
Self-propelled for easy use | No blade stop technology |
4. Troy-Bilt TB160 – the best mid-range gas lawn mower
If you are looking for an affordable gas lawn mower with all the basic functions, the Troy-Bilt 160 is a great lawn mower to consider. Of course, at a price like this you can’t expect all the high-end features of something like the Honda HRX217HZA, so it’s not self-propelled and certainly doesn’t have an electric start, but you really do get a solid 160cc Honda engine.
In addition to the reliable engine, the Troy-Bilt 160 is equipped with an Auto-Choke system, which means starting won’t be a problem, even if you need to pull a cable.
Troy-Bilt 160 also does more than just mow the lawn. It has a 3-in-1 action, so you get a 1.9 bushel rear bag for normal grass cuts, but also a mulch kit and side discharge options with this mower. A specialized cutting blade ensures that the mulched grass is finely cut and you will get a fantastic freshly cut look for your lawn.
Although not self-propelled, Troy-Bilt has done everything possible to make cutting with this lawnmower easier. For example, the rear wheels are large, at 11 inches, so they will also help you on bumpy spots in grass or hills.
Finally, adjusting the height of the cutting blade is easy, thanks to the duel levers that give you 6 different height positions.
The Troy-Bilt TB160 has a number of really good features for its price and, being one of the cheapest here, it’s great value for money.
Specifications:
- Depth: 60 inches
- Height: 38 inches
- Width: 22 inches:
- Blade length: 21 inches
- Displacement: 160cc
- Weight: 69.5 lbs
- Maximum cutting height: 3.75 inches
- Minimum cutting height: 1.25 inches
- Drive type: push mower
- Mower type: manual push
- Start type: pull cord
- Warranty: 2 years
PROS | CONS |
Affordable price | Manual push |
Lightweight | No blade stop system |
5. Cub Cadet SC100HW – the best gas lawn mower for mulching
Like the Troy-Bilt TB160, the Cub Cadet SC100HW is a classic walk-behind mower, but in the distinctive Cub Cadet yellow color and with some really cute features hidden under the hood.
Cub Cadet makes a range of different lawn mowers up to more expensive models with an electric start button, but this cheaper SC100HW is a recoil starter model that has a Sure Start system that ensures the mower will start on either first or second. attempt every time. So, no priming or choking is required when starting the mower, just a hit and that’s it. All the user reviews we have read show that this is a well supported claim and there is also a valid 3 year warranty to back it up.
The main feature of the Cub Cadet SC100HW is that it has a blade that cuts three times the cut grass, making the perfect mulching mower. Get some really fine cuttings that will fill your lawn. So, if mulching is important to you, consider the Cub Cadet SC100HW as a well-priced option.
The SC100HW is also an easy-to-clean model thanks to a deck washing system that allows you to connect a hose to the mower and operate it to keep the underside clean. It is definitely better to wash the underside manually.
Some customers report that the bag can be a bit messy, dropping about 15% of the cuttings to the floor when you remove it, but this is a small drawback on what would otherwise be a great lawn mower that is a strong contender in the space underneath. $ 300.
Specifications:
- Depth: 60 inches
- Height: 38 inches
- Width: 22 inches:
- Blade length: 21 inches
- Displacement: 159 cc
- Weight: 76 lbs
- Maximum cutting height: 3.75 inches
- Minimum cutting height: 1.25 inches
- Drive type: push mower
- Mower type: manual push
- Start type: pull cord
- Warranty: 3 years
PROS | CONS |
Integrated deck washing system | Manual push |
Triple blade system | No blade stop system |
6. Troy-Bilt TB100 – the best budget gas lawn mower
Mowing the grass can be an important part of your weekly exercise regimen, and if you feel you need exercise, it’s probably best to stay away from self-propelled lawn mowers. Walk-behind mowers are also much cheaper, and if you’re shopping on a budget, the affordable Troy-Bilt TB100 might be all you need.
Visually it looks very similar to the TB160, which is also in this buying guide, but has a less powerful 140cc Briggs & Stratton engine.
Another difference between the TB160 and this model is that there is no bagging option with this mower. You only get mulch and side discharge. Then, your cuttings will stay on your lawn, which may not be good if you want your garden to look clean.
As you’d expect from a lightweight lawn mower like this, most parts are plastic, so durability might be an issue, but that also means it’s easy to transport, which is handy if you need to lift it onto a truck. There are a lot of positive user reviews and people note that assembly is easy and requires no tools.
Also on the plus side, there are 6 cutting positions to choose from, with a lever to help you manually adjust between them. You also have the large rear wheels to help you get through tough spots.
As a rough guide, if you are considering buying a smaller lawn mower like the Troy-Bilt TB100, you are looking at a yard size of less than 1/4 acre.
Specifications:
- Depth: 60 inches
- Height: 38 inches:
- Width: 22 inches:
- Blade length: 21 inches
- Displacement: 140cc
- Weight: 60 lbs
- Maximum cutting height: 3.75 inches
- Minimum cutting height: 1.25 inches
- Drive type: push mower
- Mower type: manual push
- Start type: pull cord
- Warranty: 2 years
PROS | CONS |
Lightweight | Pull the start of the cable |
Different cutting heights | No bagging options |
7. Toro TimeMaster 21199 Lawnmower: The best gas mower for a quick cut
The Toro TimeMaster 21199 has all the features you need to efficiently mow larger yards, quickly cutting grass with its 30-inch wide deck. As one of the best self-propelled mowers, it is also simple to use thanks to the Personal Pace and Traction Assist function which ensures that the machine runs at the speed that suits you.
Other great features include a Dual-Force cutting system and Atomic blades, which also cut grass into mulch, as well as the ability to control the cutting height. The Toro TimeMaster 21199 is also practical with a quick storage handle and a wash port for easy cleaning under the mower deck.
As the name suggests, the Toro TimeMaster can significantly reduce the time spent mowing the lawn, and the 1.2-liter tank has an average duration of 45-60 minutes which will fit most residential lawns up to one acre.
With its 223cc Torque Briggs and Stratton OHV engine, this best lawn mower is designed to cope with larger residential lawns, but priced in excess of $ 1,000, it may be a little too expensive for small backyards. However, if you want a lot of power to easily cut your cutting time in half, the Toro TimeMaster 21199 is a reliable choice.
Specifications:
- Weight: 140 lbs
- Dimensions: 65.7 inches (depth) x 32.2 inches (width) x 44.3 inches (height)
- Maximum cutting height: 4.25 inches
- Minimum cutting height: 1.25 inches
- Cutting width: 30 inches
- Type of mower: self-propelled
- Start Type: Lanyard
- Warranty: Three-year full warranty, three-year boot warranty
PROS | CONS |
Powerful engine | Quite expensive |
Wide deck |
8. Weibang WB537SCV- 3IN1: the best gas lawn mower for reliability
You may not be aware of lawn mowers made in other countries, so let us introduce Weibang WB537SCV- 3IN1. As you can see from the pictures, it is a serious professional lawn mower and if sturdiness and durability are at the top of your list when choosing a lawn mower, you might want to consider it.
Let’s start with the engine. The Weibang has a 196cc shaft drive engine, which is serious power under the hood. Belt drives occasionally get stuck in twigs or suffer from other problems such as slippage when wet. In contrast, this shaft motor has a 3-speed gearbox created specifically for this lawn mower. Everything fits perfectly to the engine and forget to look for the gas cap because it is right on top and easy to access.
There are two separate speeds (3 settings) and throttle controls, so you can shut the engine off when you’re not really cutting, or to allow the engine to idle at lower RPS before turning it off.
Build quality is exceptional. The bridge is made of steel, so it is durable and sturdy. The wheels have double ball bearings. There is a lever wheel adjustment, which is really easy to use. Most importantly, the handle feels solid when you use it and you hardly feel any vibration as you mow.
Quick-release handles mean the mower’s main handle folds down completely, making it easy to flip the machine over to clean or store in the garage.
The Weibang WB537SCV- 3IN1 is shipped without oil, so you have to arrange it yourself. Starting up requires a pull cord and you must also use a choke. All in all, the Weibang WB537SCV-3IN1 is best suited for someone who has experience using lawn mowers, is comfortable with different types of fuel, and appreciates the beauty of solid construction and high quality engine. If it sounds like you, then you will love this lawn mower.
Specifications:
- Depth: 60.4 inches
- Height: 39.9 inches
- Width: 22.9 inch:
- Blade length: 21 inches
- Displacement: 196cc
- Weight: 120 lbs
- Maximum cutting height: 4 inches
- Minimum cutting height: 0.5 inch
- Traction type: rear wheel
- Type of mower: self-propelled
- Start type: pull cord
- Warranty: 5 year residential / 1 year commercial
PROS | CONS |
Powerful shaft motor | heavy |
Blade stop technology | Choke and rope start |
9. Toro 21378 Recycler Lawn Mower: The best gas mower for cutting heights
When it comes to reliable cutting and easy-to-manage operation, the Toro 21378 is one of the best mowers for the job. This affordable machine is also packed with features and includes a mulching system that finely chops up the grass and puts it back on the lawn to feed it. If, on the other hand, you want to collect the grass, the Toro 21378 also has a quick coupling bagging system that allows you to easily switch between mulching.
The 150cc engine and 22-inch steel floor can reach yards up to half an acre, with the adjustable handle and lightweight 11-inch rear wheels making it extremely easy to control on most lawns. There’s also flexibility for precision cutting, and this self-propelled lawn mower has nine positions that can cut from one to four inches.
Overall, when it comes to residential use, this self-propelled gas lawn mower is a breeze and with a weight of 74 pounds the Toro 21378 recycler mower can be used by most people with relative ease.
Specifications:
- Weight: 74 lbs
- Dimensions: 40 inches (depth) x 22 inches (width) x 16 inches (height)
- Maximum cutting height: 4 inches
- Minimum cutting height: 1 inch
- Cutting width: 22 inches
- Type of mower: self-propelled
- Start Type: Lanyard
- Warranty: Two-year full warranty, three-year boot warranty
PROS | CONS |
Nine cutting levels | Not suitable for larger areas |
Mulching functions |
10. Makita PLM 5113
This model has several operating modes, is equipped with the latest SERIES 6755EX Briggs & Stratton engine, which is characterized by excellent reliability. The model has three speeds of movement: 3, 3.5 and 4.5 km / h. The cutting height range is from 20 to 75 mm. The volume of the container for the mowed grass is 65 liters, so the product can be used without interruption for a long time, without stopping to empty the bag. There are reliable bearings on the wheels, the wheels themselves are made of durable plastic with a polymer coating that can gently move across the lawn surface without crushing it. The case is made of powder coated steel, it will not rust for a long time.
The engine is started according to the so-called easy start system – ReadyStart. For this, an ordinary starter cable is used, unnecessary movements do not need to be performed.The engine speed is adjusted automatically – for example, their number increases with increasing load, when you have to work with tall, dense or wet grass . Maintenance is simple; you can do it yourself. If necessary, replace the air filter manually, without using special tools. Super Lo-Tone silencer significantly reduces noise.
PROS | CONS |
A fairly powerful device with three speeds. | Plastic clips are fragile and can break quickly if handled carelessly. |
It is relatively quiet and fast. | |
High quality metal case. |
What to look for when buying a gas lawn mower
Engine power: For regular gas lawn mowers the size of the engine determines the cutting power, but for self-propelled lawn mowers, it almost goes without saying that the more powerful the engine, the smoother your lawn mower will be, especially if you have to climb and bumps or hills. You should consider any engine over 160cc to be very powerful for a lawn mower.
Self-propelled: The best gas mowers are equipped with self-propelled technology, which means that the mower’s motor can spin the wheels, taking some of the fatigue out of you. It won’t take the thrust out, but it will make it more tolerable, especially if you have to go uphill.
Mulching: More expensive lawn mowers give you the option to mulch or collect your grass cuts and release them to the side. Sometimes the conditions of your lawn mean it would benefit from mulching, so it’s nice to have the option.
Blade width: The width of the cutting blade determines the number of passes required to mow your garden. A wider blade, say 22 inches, means you spend less time pushing your lawn mower. This is the case with the bigger the better.
Noise Level: All internal combustion engines make a lot of noise, but larger engines tend to be louder, so if this is going to be an issue for you, consider a lawn mower with a smaller engine that produces less noise. For context, a silent model would produce something like 85 decibels of sound.
Height and cutting positions: the best gas mowers allow you to adjust the height of the blade using levers placed on each wheel. Cheaper models tend to require manual adjustment with a screwdriver.
How to maintain a gas lawn mower
With a large purchase like a lawn mower, you want something that will last for a couple of seasons, so it may need some maintenance over the course of its life. If you are in this for a long time, be sure to follow all the maintenance tips in the owner’s manual; things like cleaning the air filter, making sure it contains the right blend of fuels, changing the oil regularly, etc., but you may also be thinking about how accessible the engine is when making your purchase decision. Carburetor problems are the number one cause of a malfunction in a gas lawn mower, or a spark plug may need to be replaced, so engine accessibility can really make a difference.
Starting a gas lawn mower
The standard way to start a gas lawn mower is with a pull cord. More expensive mowers, however, are equipped with automatic choke technology which ensures that they start on the first or second attempt each time. Alternatively, some gas lawn mowers are equipped with an electric start that only requires you to press a button or turn a key to get them to work.
And before you forget, we highly recommend using ethanol-free fuel for a lawn mower if you care about the longevity of your engine. The char that forms from burning ethanol is bad news for a small engine.
How much do gas lawn mowers cost?
The price ranges from around $ 160 up to $ 400 for a budget or mid-range walk-behind lawnmower, but higher-end self-propelled models can go as high as $ 900 and up. At the lower end of the market the models are understandably simple, with very few features, but at the higher end you get all sorts of wonders, like the blade stop technology that will cut the blades, but leave the engine running, so if you do. you need to move a piece of wood out of the way you can do it without having to stop and restart the mower.