Best Lawn Mowers for Big Yards
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These top-performing mowers from CR's tests hit the sweet spot for ½- to 1-acre lawns
Larger yards call for a wide-deck self-propelled mower or a rear-engine rider.
By Tobie Stanger
Updated by Daniel Bortz
Looking for a lawn mower for a yard that’s big but not huge? Your search isn’t so different from that of Goldilocks. You want something just the right size: not too small to tackle the job properly, and not so big that it’s overkill.
For small yards of up to ¼ acre, walk-behind push mowers are a solid choice. For slightly larger yards—from ¼ acre to about ½ acre—self-propelled walk-behinds are ideal; the powered wheels pull the machine forward, freeing you from having to push much yourself.
But if you’re tackling a lawn of around ¾ acre, even powered wheels won’t make the job seem easy if you’re clearing only a 21-inch-wide swath on each pass. That’s the standard width for walk-behind mowers. And yet a regular riding mower or zero-turn-radius model might seem unnecessary for a yard that size—plus, they’re inconvenient to store and can be much more expensive.
Let us direct you to two better options: the wide-deck self-propelled mower and the rear-engine rider.
The former resembles a standard walk-behind mower, but it boasts an extra-wide cutting deck, typically 30 inches. That extra width will shave about a third of the time off each mowing—which adds up to a lot of hours saved over the season.
Rear-engine riders, on the other hand, are scaled-down riding mowers, with engines mounted behind (rather than in front of) the seat. Most have 30-inch-wide cutting decks, compared with the decks on riding mowers, which range from 36 to 54 inches. The narrower profile means they’re about 25 percent smaller than full-sized riders, which means these rear-engine riders require less storage space.
Both types of mowers are typically powered by gas, but we have one electric rear-engine rider in our battery riding mower ratings.
“Wide-deck self-propelled mowers and rear-engine riders make up a small share of all the lawn mowers sold in the U.S.,” says Courtney Pennicooke, the Consumer Reports product analyst who covers lawn mowers. “But they can be an economical choice for people with larger-than-average lawns.”
Each year, Pennicooke makes sure that a number of both mower types are among the dozens of models we evaluate at our dedicated testing facility.
How CR Tests Lawn Mowers and Tractors
To get you ratings and reviews of the latest models by early spring, our testers travel to our mower-testing facility in Fort Myers, Fla., to conduct tests in late winter at grounds we prepare each year. We plant 1,800 pounds of grass seed (predominantly annual rye, prized for its dense growth) and cut 500,000 square feet of grass in three modes—mulching, side-discharging, and bagging a total of 3,000 pounds of clippings. We mow both level turf and slopes to get a feel for each model and review the convenience features.
The Overall Score incorporates all that performance data, along with predicted reliability and owner satisfaction ratings from our latest member surveys. The surveys leverage data on more than 42,300 lawn mowers and tractors that members purchased between 2012 and 2022.
Best Lawn Mowers for Big Yards
Size isn’t the only factor that should dictate your decision. Start with our lawn mower buying guide, which explains how the slope of your yard can change the equation. You’ll also find a thorough overview of electric models, which make up an ever-growing slice of the mower market. Next, check our comprehensive lawn mower ratings.
CR members with digital access can read on for ratings and reviews of the very best mowers for big yards (up to an acre).
Best Gas Wide-Deck Self-Propelled Mowers for Big Yards
Toro Timemaster 21199
CR’s take: The Toro Timemaster 21199 is like a push mower on steroids. The huge 30-inch cutting deck means you’ll be able to cut your grass in about two-thirds of the time it takes with a regular walk-behind mower. It’s best at bagging—earning a stellar rating in that test—but also receives above-average ratings for its mulching and side-discharging performance. It also cuts quite evenly and handles well. This mower is equipped with a washout port, which lets you hook up a garden hose to clean under the cutting deck, and a blade-brake clutch, a nice safety feature that allows you to pause the blades without cutting the engine if you need to move a rock or stick out of your path. Toro gas self-propelled mowers received a middling rating for predicted reliability and a solid rating for owner satisfaction in our member surveys. One drawback: This model is the priciest walk-behind mower—gas or battery—in our ratings.
Troy-Bilt TB WC28T
CR’s take: The top-rated Troy-Bilt TB WC28T trims really well, regardless of how you cut your grass. It’s almost identical to the Toro Timemaster 21199 in terms of features and performance, except it’s quieter at long range—and far less expensive. In our latest survey, Troy-Bilt gas self-propelled mowers received lukewarm ratings for both predicted reliability and owner satisfaction. This model also features a washout port and a blade-brake clutch.
Best Rear-Engine Riding Mower for Big Yards
Cub Cadet CC30 H
CR’s take: The lean little gas-powered Cub Cadet CC30 H offers a lot for the money. Though it occupies about 25 percent less space than Cub Cadet’s full-sized riding mowers, it still cuts quite well. It’s strongest at mulching and cutting in side-discharge mode, with very good ratings for both. And though many models require a dedicated bagging blade, this model saves you the trouble. Plus, it can cut in reverse. The 30-inch cutting deck has a washout port for easy cleaning. (For about $1,000 more, the far quieter electric Cub Cadet CC30 E handles and side-discharges just as well—and mulches better—though it’s not quite as capable at cutting evenness.) Cub Cadet gas rear-engine riders received a strong rating for predicted reliability and an outstanding rating for owner satisfaction in our member surveys. (CR doesn’t have reliability data on electric riding mowers because they’ve only been on the market a short time.)
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