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The best lawn mowers to buy in 2026
The EGO Select Cut XP wins for its clean cut, strong bagging and versatile features; Greenworks and Wild Badger offer cheaper picks.
| Best overall | Best value | Cheapest that's still good | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product | EGO POWER+ 56V 21-Inch Select Cut XP Lawn Mower | Wild Badger Power 40V 18-inch Cordless Lawn Mower | Greenworks 40V 16-Inch Cordless Push Lawn Mower, Model LMF417 |
| Price | about $749 | about $250 | about $240 |
| Why | Popular Mechanics named it best overall after finding excellent cut quality and particularly strong bagging performance. Its 21-inch deck and multiple cutting options make it a versatile choice for many typical lawns. | Bob Vila rated it 4.6 out of 5 after testing and picked it for value. It costs substantially less than the EGO while offering cordless mowing, mulching and rear bagging for smaller yards. | Popular Mechanics recommends it for small yards and listed it at about $240 on Amazon, making it the lowest-priced pick here. Its battery reached the advertised roughly one-third-acre mowing area in their testing. |
| Good to know | The battery is awkward to lift out for charging. | The 18-inch deck and roughly 30-minute runtime limit it to smaller lawns. | It can leave clumps when mulching thicker grass. |
| See on Amazon | See on Amazon | See on Amazon |
picture by AIPopular Mechanics named it best overall after finding excellent cut quality and particularly strong bagging performance. Its 21-inch deck and multiple cutting options make it a versatile choice for many typical lawns.
Good to know: The battery is awkward to lift out for charging.
See on Amazonpicture by AIBob Vila rated it 4.6 out of 5 after testing and picked it for value. It costs substantially less than the EGO while offering cordless mowing, mulching and rear bagging for smaller yards.
Good to know: The 18-inch deck and roughly 30-minute runtime limit it to smaller lawns.
See on Amazonpicture by AIPopular Mechanics recommends it for small yards and listed it at about $240 on Amazon, making it the lowest-priced pick here. Its battery reached the advertised roughly one-third-acre mowing area in their testing.
Good to know: It can leave clumps when mulching thicker grass.
See on AmazonDanilli may earn a small commission from Amazon when you buy through these buttons. The price is the same for you. Product pictures are made by Danilli's AI to show the product; check the real photos on the store page.
What matters
Match the mower’s cutting width and battery runtime to your lawn size, and consider whether self-propel is worth the added cost. Mulching, bagging and discharge options, storage space and battery compatibility also matter.
Who this is for
These picks are cordless electric walk-behind mowers for homeowners who want less routine maintenance than a gas mower. The smaller, cheaper options suit compact yards; larger or hilly lawns may call for a wider or self-propelled mower.
The picks, one by one
Best overall: EGO POWER+ 56V 21-Inch Select Cut XP Lawn Mower
Popular Mechanics named it best overall after finding excellent cut quality and particularly strong bagging performance. Its 21-inch deck and multiple cutting options make it a versatile choice for many typical lawns. Testers reported a smooth cut and no clumps when mulching dry grass, and said it collected more clippings than most mowers they tested. It has a 21-inch cutting width and is listed at about $749 on Amazon. The speed control is a simple dial, and the deck height adjusts with one lever. Its battery is awkward to remove because it lacks a handle, and the bag can fill quickly.
Good to know: The battery is awkward to lift out for charging.
See on AmazonBest value: Wild Badger Power 40V 18-inch Cordless Lawn Mower
Bob Vila rated it 4.6 out of 5 after testing and picked it for value. It costs substantially less than the EGO while offering cordless mowing, mulching and rear bagging for smaller yards. This is a push mower with an 18-inch cutting width and a 4.0Ah battery. Bob Vila reports up to 30 minutes of runtime and about 10,000 square feet per charge in its testing. Testers found it light and easy to maneuver, with a brushless motor and five cutting-height settings. Its narrower deck and limited runtime make it a poor fit for larger lawns. Amazon availability was confirmed through the review’s product listing; its current price was not stated in the sources reviewed.
Good to know: The 18-inch deck and roughly 30-minute runtime limit it to smaller lawns.
See on AmazonCheapest that's still good: Greenworks 40V 16-Inch Cordless Push Lawn Mower, Model LMF417
Popular Mechanics recommends it for small yards and listed it at about $240 on Amazon, making it the lowest-priced pick here. Its battery reached the advertised roughly one-third-acre mowing area in their testing. The 40V mower weighs about 40 pounds and comes with a 4Ah battery, bag and mulching option. Testers liked its light weight, quiet operation and straightforward single-lever height adjustment. It is a push mower, not self-propelled, and the review found that mulching could leave clumps in thicker grass. Its small cutting width makes it best for a compact lawn rather than a large property.
Good to know: It can leave clumps when mulching thicker grass.
See on AmazonHow we chose
Popular Mechanics testers mowed real lawns of different sizes and conditions, trying available bagging, mulching and discharge modes. They also assessed cut quality, battery handling, controls and ease of use; Bob Vila says its team tested over 30 electric mowers for cutting power, maneuverability, Danilli read the reviews and tests listed below and compared current prices; it does not take money from brands to pick a product.
Sources
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Written with Danilli's AI from the sources above and refreshed about once a month; prices change, check Amazon for today's price. Danilli may earn a small commission from Amazon when you buy through these buttons. The price is the same for you. Product pictures are made by Danilli's AI to show the product; check the real photos on the store page.