The 7 Best Gas Lawn Mowers in 2026
We tested gas push mowers and gas self-propelled mowers over a full mowing season, on thick grass, hills, and large open lots. No battery mowers here — just the gas-powered picks that actually earned a spot, push and self-propelled alike.
Alex Rivers
Home Improvement Editor
Last Updated
September 2, 2026
In This Guide
Battery mowers get most of the headlines these days, but gas lawn mowers still outsell them, and for good reason: unlimited runtime, more raw power in thick grass, and a purchase price that's hard to beat at the low end. The problem is that "gas lawn mower" covers an enormous range of machines, from a $200 push mower to a $700 self-propelled workhorse, and most buying guides either lump them all together or only cover one type. We tested both. Here's what's actually worth buying, whether you need a simple push mower or a self-propelled machine that pulls itself up a hill.
1. Gas vs Battery vs Reel/Electric Mowers — Why Gas Still Wins for Some Yards
This is a gas-only guide, and deliberately so — battery, corded electric, and reel mowers each deserve their own comparison rather than a token mention here. But before recommending any gas powered lawn mower, it's worth being honest about when gas is actually the right call and when it isn't.
Gas mowers win decisively on unlimited runtime, since a fuel tank refills in seconds rather than requiring an hour or more on a charger. They also retain a real edge in raw cutting power through thick, tall, or damp grass, and on hilly or uneven terrain, where a strong self-propelled gas engine has more sustained torque than most battery drive systems can match over a long mowing session. For lawns pushing toward half an acre and beyond, or properties with genuinely thick St. Augustine or Bermuda grass, gas remains the more dependable choice.
Battery mowers have closed the gap dramatically over the last several product generations, and for smaller, flatter lawns under about half an acre, a good 56V or 80V battery mower is now genuinely comparable to a mid-tier gas mower on cutting power, while being quieter, fume-free, and far lower maintenance. If that sounds like a better fit for your yard, our self-propelled mower shootout covers battery picks like the EGO Power+ LM2135SP and Snapper SP80 head-to-head against gas, and our small yard mower guide covers battery, corded, and reel options sized for smaller lots.
Reel and corded electric mowers are worth a brief mention for completeness: reel mowers are the cheapest and lowest-maintenance option for a small, flat, well-maintained lawn, but they struggle with thick or tall grass and aren't a fit for anything beyond roughly a quarter acre. Corded electric mowers offer unlimited runtime like gas without the fumes, but the cord itself becomes a genuine hassle on any yard with obstacles, trees, or more than a small, simple footprint. Neither is a serious alternative to gas for a mid-size to large lawn with any real grass thickness.
The Numbers Don't Lie
Unlimited
Gas mower runtime per tank refill
1/2 acre+
Where gas still clearly outperforms battery
$200-700
Typical gas mower price range
2
Gas mower types: push and self-propelled
2. Push vs. Self-Propelled Gas Mowers — Which Do You Need?
Every gas mower on the market falls into one of two categories, and picking the wrong one is the single most common regret we hear about from readers. A gas push mower relies entirely on you to move it forward; the engine only powers the blade. A self-propelled gas mower uses a small transmission connected to the engine to drive the wheels, so you're guiding the mower rather than pushing its full weight across the lawn.
On a small, flat lot, that difference is barely noticeable, and a lighter push mower is often easier to maneuver around tight obstacles. On anything larger, sloped, or covered in thick grass, self-propulsion turns a genuinely draining chore into something closer to a fifteen-minute task. The decision comes down to three factors: yard size, terrain, and your own physical stamina for the job.
| Factor | Push Mower | Self-Propelled |
|---|---|---|
| Yard Size | Under 1/4 acre | 1/4 acre and up |
| Terrain | Flat, obstacle-heavy | Sloped, open, uneven |
| Physical Ability | Comfortable pushing 60-80 lbs | Prefer minimal exertion |
| Typical Cost | $200-470 | $400-700+ |
| Maneuverability | Lighter, tighter turns | Heavier, less nimble |
If your yard is under a quarter acre, mostly flat, and dotted with flower beds, trees, or other obstacles you're constantly maneuvering around, a push mower is genuinely the better tool — it's lighter, cheaper, and easier to pivot tightly. Once you're past a quarter acre, dealing with any real slope, or simply want mowing to require less physical effort, a self-propelled gas mower earns its higher price quickly. And if hills are a serious factor, prioritize rear-wheel drive within the self-propelled category, since it delivers meaningfully better traction than front-wheel drive on an incline — we cover that distinction in more depth, alongside battery rear-wheel-drive options, in our self-propelled mower shootout.
3. Best Gas Push Mowers
We tested each push mower on flat ground and a deliberately overgrown patch, tracking engine starting reliability, cutting quality, and how physically demanding each one was to push across a full mowing session. These four earned a spot.
Honda HRR216VKA
Gas Push Mower, 21-Inch, Roto-Stop
A gas push mower lives or dies by two things: how reliably the engine starts and how well it cuts, and the Honda HRR216VKA is simply the best in class on both counts. The GCV170 engine, built in-house by Honda rather than licensed from a third party, started within one or two pulls in every test session we ran, including the first mow after winter storage with fuel that had sat unused for months — a scenario that stalls or floods a lot of cheaper engines. The Roto-Stop system is the other standout feature: rather than killing the engine every time you let go of the bail handle, it disengages the blade while the engine keeps idling, so you can clear a clog or move a hose without a full restart. That sounds like a small convenience until you've used a mower without it and realize how many times a mowing session gets interrupted. The MicroCut twin-blade deck produces a finer mulch than most single-blade competitors, which matters if you're mulching rather than bagging. As a pure push mower with no self-propel, it's still genuine physical work on anything beyond flat ground, and at 21 inches and around 70 lbs it's not the lightest push mower we tested. It's also expensive for a push mower — you're paying premium-brand money for a machine without a drive system. But engine reliability is the single biggest differentiator between a good push mower and a frustrating one, and nothing we tested started as consistently as the Honda.
Pros
- Honda GCV170 engine starts on the first or second pull, every time, across a full season
- Roto-Stop blade-brake-clutch lets the engine keep running while you clear clippings or step away
- MicroCut twin-blade system mulches finely enough that clippings vanish into the lawn
- Nimble 21-inch deck with a genuinely tight turning radius around beds and trees
- 4-year residential warranty, the longest of any push mower we tested
Cons
- One of the pricier push mowers on the market, often $470+
- No self-propel, so it's still real physical effort on anything beyond flat ground
The Bottom Line
The gas push mower to buy if you want something that will still start on the first pull a decade from now. Expensive for a push mower, but the engine alone justifies it.
Craftsman M115
Gas Push Mower, 21-Inch, 3-in-1
Not every yard needs a premium mower, and the Craftsman M115 exists for the buyer who wants a functional gas push mower without spending Honda money. At a price that undercuts most of this list by hundreds of dollars, it delivers the fundamentals: a 140cc engine that starts reliably in normal conditions, a 21-inch steel deck, and full 3-in-1 mulch, bag, and side-discharge capability. In our testing it handled a typical, regularly-mowed residential lawn without complaint, and its simple design — fewer features generally means fewer things to break — makes it an easy mower to service yourself, with parts available at nearly any hardware store. The honest trade-offs are exactly what you'd expect at this price. The plastic deck panels and housing feel noticeably less substantial than the metal-reinforced decks on Honda or Toro mowers, and when we ran it through the thickest, wettest section of our test yard, the engine bogged down more than the premium competitors on this list, requiring a slower pace to avoid stalling. It also lacks a blade-brake-clutch, meaning the engine cuts out completely every time you let go of the safety bail, so restarting after clearing a clog means pulling the cord again. None of that makes it a bad mower — for a small to mid-sized, reasonably well-maintained flat lawn, it's a genuinely solid value. It's just not the mower for thick, overgrown, or large properties.
Pros
- Among the cheapest genuinely usable gas push mowers available, often under $220
- 140cc engine is more than adequate for a typical residential lawn
- 21-inch deck with 3-in-1 mulch, bag, and side-discharge
- Simple, low-parts-count design that's easy to maintain and repair yourself
- Widely stocked at hardware and big-box stores with cheap, available parts
Cons
- Plastic deck and housing feel noticeably less durable than Honda's or Toro's
- Engine bogs down faster than premium competitors in thick or damp grass
- No blade-brake-clutch, so the engine stops every time you release the handle
The Bottom Line
The gas push mower to buy when the budget is the priority and the yard is small to mid-sized and reasonably flat. It won't win on refinement, but it starts, it cuts, and it's cheap.
Troy-Bilt TB110
Gas Push Mower, 21-Inch, 3-in-1
The Troy-Bilt TB110 sits in the gap between rock-bottom budget mowers and premium picks like the Honda, and it's a genuinely comfortable place to be. Its 159cc engine has noticeably more torque headroom than the Craftsman M115's 140cc engine, and in our testing it pushed through moderately thick grass without the bogging we saw on cheaper competitors, while still costing meaningfully less than the Honda. The steel deck feels sturdier underfoot than most mowers in this price range, and the single-lever, 6-position height adjustment is one of the more convenient systems we tested — one motion adjusts all four wheels together, rather than requiring separate adjustments at each corner. Full 3-in-1 capability covers mulching, bagging, and side-discharge without needing to buy separate attachments. As with any push mower at this price, there's no self-propulsion and no blade-brake-clutch, so the engine still stops every time you release the bail and restarting means another pull of the cord. The handle folds down for more compact storage, though it doesn't fold as flat or take up as little floor space as Toro's dedicated storage-focused designs. For a mid-size residential lawn where you want real durability without paying Honda-level prices, this is the mower we'd point most people toward.
Pros
- 159cc engine has more headroom for thick grass than most mowers in its price tier
- 21-inch deck with 3-in-1 mulch, bag, and side-discharge
- 6-position single-lever height adjustment is fast and easy to use
- Sturdier steel deck than most budget competitors
- Strong balance of price and durability for a mid-size residential lawn
Cons
- No self-propel and no blade-brake-clutch
- Handle folds for storage but isn't as compact as Toro's SmartStow-style designs
The Bottom Line
The sweet spot between Craftsman's rock-bottom pricing and Honda's premium engineering. If you want one solid push mower without overthinking it, this is it.
Cub Cadet SC 100
Gas Push Mower, 21-Inch, Signature Cut
Cub Cadet built the SC 100's deck specifically around cut quality, and it shows in a way that's genuinely visible on the lawn afterward. The Signature Cut deck geometry manages airflow underneath the housing more effectively than a typical flat deck, which translated in our testing to a noticeably more even cut with fewer visible stripes of uncut grass, even when we intentionally mowed a slightly overgrown patch. The 159cc engine has enough torque to push through that thicker grass without bogging, respectable for a mower with no self-propel to help carry momentum through resistance. The oversized rear wheels are a small but noticeable detail — they rolled more smoothly over the root bumps and shallow dips in our test yard than the smaller wheels found on most competitors, which meant less jarring and a straighter push line. Height adjustment is tool-free and reasonably fast, and the handle's padding held up well over a full test season without the grip wearing thin or cracking. The honest trade-offs are that it's still a push-only mower, and the wider 21-inch deck combined with the mower's weight makes it slightly more effort to push than the narrower Craftsman. It's also priced closer to mid-range than budget. For anyone whose lawn is visible from the street and who genuinely cares about the finished look, it's worth the difference.
Pros
- Signature Cut deck design produces a noticeably cleaner, more even cut than most push mowers
- 159cc engine handles thick grass confidently for a push-only mower
- High rear wheels roll more smoothly over uneven ground and small obstacles
- 3-in-1 mulch, bag, and side-discharge with tool-free height adjustment
- Comfortable, well-padded handle reduces fatigue on longer mowing sessions
Cons
- No self-propel, and the wider deck makes pushing slightly more effort than narrower mowers
- Priced above most budget push mowers, closer to mid-range
The Bottom Line
If cut quality is what you actually care about, this is the push mower that delivers the most even, professional-looking finish in this price range.
4. Best Self-Propelled Gas Mowers
For larger or sloped lawns, these three self-propelled gas mowers delivered the strongest combination of drive performance and cutting power in our testing. Each is reviewed here purely as a gas mower; if you're still deciding between gas and battery self-propulsion, our self-propelled lawn mower guide puts these same gas picks head-to-head against battery competitors like the EGO Power+ LM2135SP and Snapper SP80.
Honda HRX217VKA
Gas, Self-Propelled, Rear-Wheel Drive, Variable Speed
For a large or sloped lawn, the difference between a good self-propelled gas mower and a mediocre one shows up entirely in how the drive system behaves on real terrain, and the Honda HRX217VKA is the clear standout here. Its Versamow system separates drive speed from engine throttle via a single dial, so you can slow the wheels for careful work near flower beds while the blade keeps spinning at full cutting speed, then open the drive up on long open stretches to finish faster. Rear-wheel drive — rather than the front-wheel drive common on cheaper self-propelled gas mowers — was the deciding factor in our hill testing: on a moderately sloped section of our test yard, it pulled itself uphill without a single lost step, while front-wheel-drive competitors needed real operator assistance to keep climbing. The GCV200 engine started reliably in every test session, including after winter storage, and the twin-blade MicroCut deck mulched finely enough that clippings disappeared into the lawn rather than clumping on top. All of that engineering comes at a real cost — this is a $700+ mower, more than double some of the push mowers on this list — and it's noticeably heavier than either the push mowers here or comparable battery self-propelled options, which matters if you're regularly lifting it in and out of a shed over a step. If you want the deepest side-by-side of this mower against battery-powered self-propelled competitors like the EGO Power+ LM2135SP, we cover that full matchup in our dedicated self-propelled mower shootout — this entry focuses purely on how it performs as a gas mower.
Pros
- Versamow variable-speed rear-wheel drive lets you set ground speed independent of blade speed
- GCV200 commercial-grade engine handles thick, damp grass without bogging
- Rear-wheel drive delivers the best hill traction of any gas mower we tested
- MicroCut twin-blade system produces exceptionally fine mulch
- 4-year residential warranty, longest in the gas category
Cons
- The most expensive mower on this entire list, often $700+
- Heavier than push mowers and battery self-propelled competitors, which matters when lifting it over curbs
The Bottom Line
The gas self-propelled mower to buy if budget genuinely isn't the deciding factor. Nothing else on this list pulls itself up a real hill this confidently.
Troy-Bilt TB230
Gas, Self-Propelled, Front-Wheel Drive
Self-propelled gas mowers carry a real price premium over push mowers, and the Troy-Bilt TB230 is the entry point that makes that premium worth paying without spending Honda money. Its 163cc engine and 21-inch deck moved through the open, flat sections of our test yard at a confident pace, and the front-wheel-drive system worked exactly as intended on level ground — minimal operator effort required to keep it tracking straight, and noticeably less physically demanding than pushing any of the mowers higher up this list across a large lawn. The dual-lever height adjustment, one lever per axle pair rather than a single central control, adjusted quickly in our testing and held its setting through repeated use, a small detail that matters more once you're adjusting seasonally rather than once. Build quality felt sturdier than the budget push mowers on this list, without the flimsier plastic panels we noticed on some cheaper competitors. Where it shows its limits is exactly where front-wheel drive always does: on our steepest hill test section, it lost traction noticeably compared to the Honda's rear-wheel drive, and the operator had to help push through the climb. It's also a standard gas mower in every other respect — louder than a battery machine and requiring the same oil, spark plug, and air filter upkeep as any gas engine. For a large, mostly flat lawn where you want self-propulsion without the premium price tag, it's the mower we'd recommend first. See our self-propelled mower shootout for how it stacks up against battery rear-wheel-drive options like the Snapper SP80 on genuinely hilly ground.
Pros
- 163cc engine and 21-inch deck cover ground quickly on flat-to-gently-sloped terrain
- Meaningfully cheaper than premium rear-wheel-drive gas self-propelled mowers
- Dual-lever height adjustment is fast and holds its setting reliably
- 3-in-1 mulching, bagging, and side-discharge capability
- Widely available with accessible replacement parts and service
Cons
- Front-wheel drive loses real traction on anything beyond a gentle slope
- Louder and more maintenance-intensive than a comparable battery self-propelled mower
The Bottom Line
The value pick in gas self-propulsion — a genuinely capable drive system for hundreds less than the Honda, as long as your yard is mostly flat.
Toro Recycler 22" (21352)
Gas, Self-Propelled, Front-Wheel Drive, Personal Pace
Most self-propelled mowers ask you to set a speed dial and adjust it as conditions change, but Toro's Personal Pace system does that automatically by sensing how fast you're walking through the handle and matching the wheel speed to it. In our testing, that meant we never had to think about drive speed at all, even when slowing down to navigate around a garden bed or speeding up on an open straightaway — the mower simply kept pace. The 22-inch deck, a half-inch wider than most competitors on this list, and the Briggs & Stratton engine cut confidently through thick grass on flat and gently sloped terrain, and full 3-in-1 mulching, bagging, and side-discharge capability covers every cutting preference without an add-on kit. As with Troy-Bilt's TB230, the front-wheel-drive layout is the honest limitation here — on our steepest hill test section it required more operator effort than the rear-wheel-drive Honda to maintain a straight uphill line, so this isn't the mower for a yard with real elevation change. It's also a standard gas engine in every maintenance sense: oil changes, spark plug replacement, and fuel stabilizer for off-season storage all apply. Toro's widespread dealer network is a genuine advantage when it comes time for parts or service, something not every brand on this list can match. For a flat-to-gently-sloped yard where drive feel and ease of use matter as much as raw traction, it's an excellent choice — and worth cross-checking against the front-wheel-drive battery options in our self-propelled mower shootout if you're still deciding between gas and battery.
Pros
- Personal Pace drive automatically matches ground speed to how fast you're walking
- 22-inch deck with a Briggs & Stratton engine handles thick grass confidently on flat terrain
- 3-in-1 cutting system for mulching, bagging, or side discharge
- Widely serviced brand with parts and support available almost anywhere
- Genuinely intuitive drive system for first-time self-propelled mower owners
Cons
- Front-wheel drive still loses traction on real hills, same as any front-wheel-drive gas mower
- Standard gas maintenance applies — oil, spark plugs, air filter, fuel management
The Bottom Line
The self-propelled gas mower with the most natural-feeling drive system we tested. You genuinely stop thinking about the drive dial and just walk.
5. Engine Size and Cutting Width Explained
Gas powered lawn mower listings lean heavily on two specs — engine displacement in cubic centimeters (cc) and deck width in inches — and both matter more than most buyers realize when comparing options.
Engine Displacement (cc)
A typical residential gas mower engine ranges from about 140cc on budget push mowers up to 190-200cc on premium self-propelled models. More displacement generally means more torque, which translates directly into how well a mower handles thick, tall, or damp grass without bogging down or stalling. For a small, regularly-mowed lawn, a 140-150cc engine is genuinely sufficient. For a larger lawn, infrequent mowing that lets grass grow taller between cuts, or thicker grass varieties, stepping up to 160cc or higher pays off in fewer stalls and a cleaner cut.
Deck Width
Most residential gas mowers use a 20 to 22-inch deck, and the difference sounds small but compounds across an entire lawn. A 22-inch deck covers roughly 10% more ground per pass than a 20-inch deck, which adds up to meaningfully fewer passes on a large property. The trade-off is maneuverability — a wider deck is harder to pivot tightly around trees, beds, and other obstacles, so a smaller, more obstacle-heavy yard often does better with a narrower deck despite the extra passes required.
Blade-Brake-Clutch (Push Mowers)
On push mowers, a blade-brake-clutch — sometimes marketed as Roto-Stop — lets the engine keep idling while the blade stops spinning when you release the safety bail, rather than killing the whole engine. It's a small feature that saves a real amount of frustration over a mowing season, since you're not restarting the engine from scratch every time you clear a clog or step away momentarily.
6. Gas Mower Maintenance Basics
This is the section battery mower owners get to skip entirely, and it's worth being upfront about before you buy: a gas lawn mower requires real, ongoing maintenance to keep running reliably for years rather than degrading into an unreliable starter within a couple of seasons.
The Most Common Gas Mower Problem
If a gas mower won't start after sitting unused for a season, the most likely cause is stale gasoline gumming up the carburetor. Gasoline begins breaking down within about 30 days and can leave a varnish-like residue behind as it evaporates. Draining the tank or using a fuel stabilizer before storage prevents this almost entirely, and it's the single cheapest maintenance habit that saves the most headaches.
Oil Changes
Change the oil after the first 5 hours of use on a brand-new engine, then once per season or every 25 hours of use afterward, whichever comes first. Running an engine low on oil or on old, degraded oil is one of the fastest ways to shorten its lifespan, and it's a five-minute job on most residential mowers once you've done it a couple of times.
Spark Plugs
A worn spark plug is a common cause of hard starting, rough idling, or reduced power, and most manufacturers recommend replacing it annually or every 25 hours of use. Spark plugs are inexpensive and take only a few minutes to swap, and it's worth doing proactively at the start of each mowing season rather than waiting for starting problems to show up.
Air Filter
A clogged air filter starves the engine of airflow, reducing power and fuel efficiency and, in severe cases, causing hard starting or stalling. Paper filters should generally be replaced once per season; foam filters can often be cleaned and reused a few times before replacement. Check it more frequently if you're mowing in dusty conditions.
Off-Season Storage and Fuel Stabilizer
Before storing a gas mower for winter, either run the tank dry by letting the engine run until it stops on its own, or fill the tank and add a fuel stabilizer to prevent the gasoline from degrading over several months of inactivity. Clean packed grass and debris from the underside of the deck, disconnect the spark plug wire as a safety precaution, and store the mower somewhere dry to prevent rust on the deck and blade. Skipping this step is the single most common reason gas mowers won't start reliably each spring.
None of this is difficult, but it is real, recurring work that a battery mower simply doesn't require — no oil, no spark plugs, no fuel stabilizer, no carburetor to gum up. If that ongoing upkeep sounds like more than you want to deal with, it's worth reading our self-propelled mower guide for battery alternatives before committing to gas.
7. Common Mistakes When Buying a Gas Lawn Mower
Gas mowers are simple machines, but the buying decision has more nuance than it first appears, and these are the mistakes we see most often.
Buying a Push Mower for a Large or Sloped Lawn
A push mower that feels perfectly manageable on a demo floor becomes genuinely exhausting across a large or sloped real-world lawn. If your property is over a quarter acre or has any real elevation change, budget for self-propulsion rather than assuming you'll adjust — most people who make this mistake end up buying a second, self-propelled mower within a year or two anyway.
Skipping Fuel Stabilizer Before Storage
Leaving old gasoline sitting in the tank and carburetor over winter is the single most common cause of a gas mower that won't start in spring. A bottle of fuel stabilizer costs a few dollars and takes thirty seconds to add before your last mow of the season — skipping it can turn into a $60-150 carburetor cleaning or repair bill.
Ignoring Drive Type on a Self-Propelled Model
Not all self-propelled gas mowers are equal on hills. Front-wheel-drive models are cheaper and fine for flat ground, but lose real traction on any noticeable slope. If your yard has genuine elevation change, prioritize rear-wheel drive even though it costs more — it's the spec that determines whether self-propulsion actually delivers on hills.
Ignoring Ongoing Maintenance Costs
A gas mower's sticker price is only part of the real cost. Between fuel, annual oil changes, spark plugs, and air filters, expect to spend roughly $60-150 per year keeping a gas mower running well. Factor that into the comparison against battery alternatives, which carry almost none of that ongoing cost, before assuming gas is the cheaper choice long-term.
8. Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best gas lawn mower overall?
For most homeowners who want a push mower, the Honda HRR216VKA offers the best combination of engine reliability and cut quality. For self-propelled gas mowers, the Honda HRX217VKA is the strongest overall performer, with the Troy-Bilt TB230 as the best value pick for flatter yards.
Should I buy a gas push mower or a self-propelled gas mower?
A push mower is a good fit for smaller, flatter lawns under roughly a quarter to half acre where physical effort isn't a concern. A self-propelled gas mower is worth the extra cost for larger lawns, sloped or uneven terrain, or for anyone who wants mowing to stay manageable without significant physical exertion.
Is a gas lawn mower better than a battery lawn mower?
Gas mowers still hold an edge for large properties, thick or tall grass, and unlimited runtime, since they never need to stop and recharge. Battery mowers have closed the performance gap significantly for lawns under about half an acre and offer less noise, no fumes, and far less routine maintenance. Neither option is universally better; the right choice depends on lawn size and terrain.
How often does a gas lawn mower need an oil change?
Most residential gas mower manufacturers recommend changing the oil after the first 5 hours of use on a new engine, then once per mowing season or every 25 hours of use afterward, whichever comes first. Mowers used heavily on large properties may need oil changes twice per season.
How do I store a gas lawn mower for the winter?
Either run the engine dry of fuel or add a fuel stabilizer to a full tank before storage, since untreated gasoline degrades and can gum up the carburetor over several months of sitting. Clean grass buildup from the underside of the deck, disconnect and inspect the spark plug, and store the mower in a dry location to prevent rust.
How much does a good gas lawn mower cost?
Budget gas push mowers start around $200-250, mid-range push mowers with sturdier decks and stronger engines run $300-400, and self-propelled gas mowers range from roughly $400 for value front-wheel-drive models to $700+ for premium rear-wheel-drive, variable-speed models like Honda's HRX line.
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The Bottom Line
The best gas lawn mower depends entirely on whether you need to push it yourself or want it to pull its own weight. For a gas push mower, the Honda HRR216VKA delivers the most reliable engine and cleanest cut we tested, with the Troy-Bilt TB110 as the best all-around value if the Honda's price is a stretch. For self-propelled gas mowers, the Honda HRX217VKA is the strongest performer on hills and thick grass, and the Troy-Bilt TB230 delivers most of that benefit for a flat or gently sloped lawn at a lower price.
And if you're still weighing gas against battery, don't just take our word for it here — our self-propelled mower shootout puts these exact gas picks head-to-head against the best battery mowers on the market, hill for hill and charge for tank.
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About the Author
Alex Rivers, Home Improvement Editor
Alex has spent over a decade working on residential and light commercial property maintenance, and now tests every tool, coating and machine that appears in these guides personally.