A lawn mower is judged on the quality of the cut and whether it keeps running long enough to finish your yard. We scored seven across battery and gas. Our top pick is the Toro 21-inch 60V MAX Super Recycler, with an SR Score of 90, for a crisp cut, reliable self-propel, and a deck sized for most yards. If you want the longest runtime, the Ego Power+ Select Cut (89) is the runner-up.
The ranking
| Rank | Model | Best for | Type / price | SR Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toro 21in 60V Super Recycler | Overall best | Battery / ~$650 | 90 |
| 2 | Ego Power+ Select Cut 22in | Runtime | Battery / ~$600 | 89 |
| 3 | Honda HRX217 | Gas cut quality | Gas / ~$750 | 87 |
| 4 | Ryobi 40V HP Brushless 21in | Battery value | Battery / ~$450 | 85 |
| 5 | Toro Recycler 22in Gas | Gas value | Gas / ~$400 | 84 |
| 6 | Worx Landroid L | Robot mower | Robot / ~$1,100 | 82 |
| 7 | Greenworks 80V 21in | Budget battery | Battery / ~$400 | 81 |
Methodology
The Home Score v2026 rubric weights five criteria that sum to 100:
- Cut quality & mulching (30) — evenness, mulching, bagging, tall-grass handling.
- Value for money (25) — performance per dollar including batteries.
- Runtime / power (20) — area per charge, or sustained power for gas.
- Build & durability (15) — deck material, drivetrain, warranty.
- Reputation & reviews (10) — lab testing and owner ratings.
Cut quality leads because an even cut is the whole point. Re-weight toward Runtime and the Ego climbs; toward Value and the Ryobi and Toro gas mowers rise.
Toro 21in 60V Super Recycler
The all-around winner. A top pick in expert testing for crisp cutting, convenient self-propel, and a 21-inch deck that suits most yards, with a steel deck and strong mulching airflow rated to about half an acre per charge. Around $650.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Cut quality & mulching | 28/30 |
| Value for money | 21/25 |
| Runtime / power | 18/20 |
| Build & durability | 14/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 9/10 |
Trade-off: pricier than budget battery mowers.
Ego Power+ Select Cut 22in
The runtime pick. A 56V system with a 22-inch composite deck and runtime rated up to about 75 minutes, plus adjustable blade speeds. Around $600.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Cut quality & mulching | 27/30 |
| Value for money | 21/25 |
| Runtime / power | 19/20 |
| Build & durability | 13/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 9/10 |
Trade-off: composite deck is lighter-duty than Toro’s steel.
Honda HRX217
The gas cut-quality pick. Honda’s twin-blade system and reliable engine deliver an excellent cut and long service life with easy starting. Around $750.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Cut quality & mulching | 28/30 |
| Value for money | 19/25 |
| Runtime / power | 18/20 |
| Build & durability | 15/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 8/10 |
Trade-off: gas means fuel, oil, and more noise and maintenance.
Ryobi 40V HP Brushless 21in
The battery-value pick. Strong brushless performance and a wide deck at a lower price than the premium battery mowers. Around $450.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Cut quality & mulching | 25/30 |
| Value for money | 22/25 |
| Runtime / power | 17/20 |
| Build & durability | 12/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 8/10 |
Trade-off: cut and build trail the Toro and Ego slightly.
Toro Recycler 22in Gas
The gas-value pick. A long-running, reliable gas mower with excellent mulching at a low price. Around $400.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Cut quality & mulching | 26/30 |
| Value for money | 21/25 |
| Runtime / power | 18/20 |
| Build & durability | 13/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 8/10 |
Trade-off: gas upkeep and noise versus battery convenience.
Worx Landroid L
The robot pick. A leading robotic mower that mows automatically and keeps grass uniformly short on small to mid-size yards. Around $1,100.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Cut quality & mulching | 24/30 |
| Value for money | 17/25 |
| Runtime / power | 18/20 |
| Build & durability | 12/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 7/10 |
Trade-off: high up-front cost; struggles with slopes, obstacles, and large lots.
Greenworks 80V 21in
The budget-battery pick. A capable 80V mower with a decent deck at a low price. Around $400. Best for smaller yards.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Cut quality & mulching | 24/30 |
| Value for money | 21/25 |
| Runtime / power | 16/20 |
| Build & durability | 12/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 7/10 |
Trade-off: shorter runtime and lighter build than the leaders.
Verification
- Toro 21in 60V Super Recycler — top-pick cut and half-acre rating verified on bobvila.com and toro.com.
- Ego Power+ Select Cut 22in — 56V specs and runtime verified on egopowerplus.com and consumerreports.org.
- Honda HRX217 — twin-blade system verified on powerequipment.honda.com.
- Ryobi 40V HP Brushless 21in — brushless specs verified on ryobitools.com.
- Toro Recycler 22in Gas — mulching and value verified on toro.com.
- Worx Landroid L — robotic operation verified on worx.com.
- Greenworks 80V 21in — specs verified on greenworkstools.com.
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the best lawn mower in 2026?
- The Toro 21-inch 60V MAX Super Recycler is the top pick for a crisp cut, reliable self-propel, and a deck sized for most yards. The Ego Power+ Select Cut is the runtime runner-up, and the Honda HRX is the best gas mower.
- Battery or gas lawn mower?
- Battery mowers now match or beat gas on cut quality for most yards, with no fuel, oil, or pull-starts and far less noise. Consumer Reports found more than a dozen battery mowers beating the top-rated gas model. Gas still wins for very large lots or all-day commercial use.
- How big a yard can a battery mower handle?
- A single charge typically covers a quarter to half an acre. The Toro 60V handles up to about half an acre per charge, and the Ego rates up to roughly 75 minutes. For bigger lots, carry a second battery.
- Are robot mowers worth it?
- For small to mid-size flat yards, yes. Worx Landroid models mow automatically and keep grass uniformly short. They cost more up front and struggle with slopes, obstacles, and very large or complex lawns.
- Self-propelled or push mower?
- Self-propelled is worth it for yards over a few thousand square feet, hills, or anyone who finds pushing tiring. Push mowers are cheaper and lighter and fine for small, flat lawns.