If you want to keep your lawn looking neat but find using a push lawn mower challenging or uncomfortable, a self propelled lawn mower is a practical and affordable solution!
These mowers use their engine to move the mower forward under its own power, so you don’t have to strain your back or sweat it out pushing a mower over bumpy ground or sloped lawn.
Here's our best self propelled lawn mower reviews of 2024, as well as sharing buying tips and considerations!
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Product | Our Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
1. Powerblade VS500 Self-Propelled Petrol Steel Deck Lawn Mower |  |  | |
2. Powerblade 225cc Self-Propelled 4in1 Petrol Steel Deck Lawnmower |  | ||
3. Fieldman Self Propelled Lawn Mower |  | ||
4. Baumr-AG 780SX 220cc Self-Propelled Mower |  | ||
5. Snapper XD 82V MAX Electric Cordless 21-Inch Lawn Mower |  | ||
6. Husqvarna LC 419SP Self-Propelled Mower |  | ||
7. Baumr-AG 840SX 20" 220cc Self Propelled Lawn Mower |  |
What are the Benefits of Self Propelled Lawn Mowers?
The main advantage of a self propelled lawn mower is that it’s much easier to use than a normal walk-behind mower. Thanks to the engine moving the wheels at a gentle pace, you simply have to guide the mower rather than pushing it over your lawn.
This is great if you have a large space to mow, if you have a bad back, or even if you just want to make this gardening task a lot faster and easier.
What to Consider When Buying a Self Propelled Lawn Mower
The size of your lawn
These mowers are best-suited to medium to large-size lawns – about 500-700 square meters of grass or more. They are great for sloped and bumpy lawns, where you need to get over more challenging terrain easily.
Fuel type
There are electric corded, cordless and petrol self-propelled mowers on the market, each with their pros and cons. Electric lawn mower models are more eco-friendly and quiet to run, and they need very little maintenance.
However, range and run time can be limited. Petrol lawn mowers tend to offer more power, which is good on tougher terrain, but they are noisy and do require regular maintenance.
Noise
If you don’t want to disturb the neighbours and you want to protect your hearing, then the noise of the engine should factor into your purchasing process. Petrol engines are much noisier than electric motors, so an electric mower may be best.
However, some smaller petrol engines do offer quieter operation if you want the power of petrol engines.
Cutting width
A wide cutting width means you make fewer passes to mow the lawn, but it can be a problem if you have a lot of tighter spaces or obstacles. The mower also tends to be heavier thanks to the larger cutting deck.
As a rule, a 46cm cutting width is recommended for lawns under 1,000 square meters in size, 55cm cutting widths for lawns between 1,000 and 2,500 square meters, and 66cm cutting widths for lawns bigger than 2,500 square meters.
Cutting height
The cutting height should be adjustable to a number of different levels so that you can easily accommodate different grass species, mowing techniques, and climates. A good cutting height will range between 25-75mm and offer at least 6 cutting heights.
Mulching
Mulching is a great way to feed your lawn and avoid the hassle of dumping or composting grass clippings. The mulching function cuts the grass clippings into fine slivers that fall down into the lawn as you mow, keeping your lawn looking neat while fertilising your lawn.
Electric start
If you don’t like the traditional pull start cord, look for mowers with an electric start button for convenience.
Best Self Propelled Lawn Mowers in Australia
1. Powerblade VS500 18" 175cc Self-Propelled Petrol Steel Deck Lawn Mower
This mower makes garden maintenance almost effortless thanks to its class-leading 4-stroke engine that supplies 175cc of power. The design of the mower makes it highly manoeuvrable and the chunky wheels keep it stable as you work.
The steel cutting deck is adjustable to 7 settings between 25 and 75mm, and the 45cm cutting width is ideal for medium-sized lawns or smaller. With 3-in-1 capabilities, you can mow, discharge grass and mulch clippings easily.
The soft-grip ergonomic handle keeps things comfortable as you work, and the air-cooled engine can handle hot summer days and tough grass growth quickly and easily.
Pros
Cons
2. Powerblade 225cc Self-Propelled 4in1 Petrol Steel Deck Lawnmower
If you have a larger lawn with tougher grass growth, this more powerful option is a great choice. With a 225cc 4-stroke engine, you have all the performance you need to get any lawn looking neat and tidy.
It has oversized wheels for stability and a steel bumper bar to protect your equipment on slopes and rough terrain. It’s well-priced for the power and performance you get, and it makes mowing any lawn easy.
The convenient cup holder is a simple addition that makes a great difference when you’re out mowing the lawn!
Pros
Cons
3. Fieldman Self Propelled Lawn Mower
If you are looking for budget-friendly performance, it’s hard to go wrong with this Fieldman self propelled lawn mower. It offers quality and great features for a low price, with a 135cc 4-stroke alloy engine and a practical, high-quality 46cm cutting deck that’s adjustable to 5 different levels.
It has an emergency brake and safety levers to prevent accidents, and the 55 litre grass catchment helps you mow for longer periods.
Pros
Cons
4. Baumr-AG 780SX 220cc Self-Propelled Mower
Aussie-made and designed to cope with our climate and gardens, these lawn mowers are ideal for smaller suburban and city lawns. The class-leading 220cc 4-stroke engine offers power and performance, and are a bit quieter during operation than their competitors.
This mower offers 4-in-1 capabilities, so it can mow, mulch, side or rear discharge your clippings, and the 51-inch steel cutting deck gets the job done quickly too.
The cutting deck height is adjustable between 25-75mm, and you get 7 different height levels in that range. The 55 litre grass catchment means fewer trips to empty the catcher, and it weighs a reasonable 35kgs.
Pros
Cons
5. Snapper XD 82V MAX StepSense™ Electric Cordless 21-Inch Lawn Mower
Snapper is the manufacturer who first introduced self-propelled mowers to the market, so they know what they’re doing! This model is top of the range in terms of tech and performance, with intelligent motor speed adjustment to match your steps, a high-quality 54cm steel cutting deck and intelligent load sensing technology to help the battery last.
Run time is around 60 minutes per charge, and the kit comes with two batteries and a rapid charger for convenience. Because it is battery-operated, this mower is quiet, eco-friendly, and very low maintenance.
It offers 3-in-1 cutting, side discharge and mulching capabilities, making it a great all-rounder.
Pros
Cons
6. Husqvarna LC 419SP Self-Propelled Mower
This high-efficiency, comfortable mower from Husqvarna offers a powerful 166 cc Husqvarna Series 4-stroke engine and four cutting blades to make lawn maintenance quick and easy.
This mower uses a 2-in-1 cutting system to make sure every blade is trimmed correctly and that mulching is effective. The 48cm cutting deck is smaller than competitors and better-suited to mowing in tighter corners, is adjustable to 8 settings between 25-75mm, and it comes with a 44-litre grass catchment.
Pros
Cons
7. Baumr-AG 840SX 20" 220cc Self Propelled Lawn Mower
Another great choice from the Aussie Baumr-AG brand is the 840SX. With a powerful 200cc 4-stroke engine, a highly manoeuvrable design for tighter corners, and 4-in-1 capabilities for cutting, catchment, mulching and rear or side discharge, it offers everything a gardener needs.
It has a cutting height of 25-75mm with easy adjustment between 7 settings, a cutting width of 510mm, and a high-grade steel rotary blade for handling all grass species. It also comes with a 65 litre catchment container and weighs 57kgs.
Pros
Cons
Our Pick for Best Self Propelled Lawn Mower for 2024
Our top pick as the best petrol lawn mower for 2024 is the POWERBLADE 18-Inch Self-Propelled Mower. Known for their high-quality components, market-leading engineering and comfort features, this mower is a great combination of power, performance and affordability.
The powerful 175cc 4-stroke engine handles your lawn with ease, coping well with slopes and tougher grass growth, thanks to the practical 45cm cutting width and high-grade steel cutting deck. It has cutting, mulching and rear or side discharge functionality, and comes with a large grass catcher for convenience.
It’s highly manoeuvrable and the oversized wheels keep it stable on slopes and uneven ground, and the self-propulsion means no strain on your back. With this mower, it’s quick and easy to keep your lawn looking great all year round.
How to Maintain Your Self Propelled Lawn Mower
- Remove all dirt, grass and weeds from the mower before you store it
- Change out the spark plugs and oil levels once a year to prevent clogs and leaks
- Regularly oil your mower according to manufacturer instructions.
- Store it in a garage during bad weather and harsh winters
Self Propelled Lawn Mower Frequently Asked Questions
Is it worth getting a self propelled lawn mower?
Self propelled lawn mowers are faster and easier to use than push lawn mowers, whether they’re petrol or electric, and are well worth the money for anyone who values their time. Self propelled lawn mowers can even help you achieve more even cuts.
What is better: a push or self propelled mower?
Self propelled mowers provide more even cutting as they regulate their own speed more evenly across the entire lawn, reducing the risk of tearing up patches of lawn or ruining your lawn edges at corners and turns.
What is the difference between a self propelled lawn mower and a regular lawn mower?
Self propelled lawn mowers work in the same way as any standard lawn mower, but rather than the operator needing to push it forwards it uses the same motor that drives the cutting wheel to propel the machine forward.
Is it ok to push a self propelled mower?
Self propelled mowers are not designed to be pushed, but they won’t do them any harm. For best results, work at the speed the mower sets, and walk behind to make sure it’s safe, and control its turns.
Self propelled lawn mowers are not automatic so you still need to be in control.
How much should you pay for a self propelled lawn mower?
The best self propelled lawn mowers cost upwards of $1500, but you can find good domestic lawn mowers with self propelled motors for around $400-$500 which will be more than good enough for a standard garden lawn.
How long do self propelled mowers last?
Self propelled mowers come with 3-5 year warranties as standard from most manufacturers, but they do last for longer in reality. My grandfather had a self propelled mower when I was born, and
I’ve just inherited it after 32 years. It’s been serviced and now works better than my brand new mower.
Can a self propelled lawn mower go uphill?
Self propelled lawn mowers can tackle an array of different hills. Some will only manage slight inclines, but others are capable of cutting grass on slopes with 30 to 40° slopes.
The majority of modern self propelled lawn mowers can easily cut 20° or less without a struggle.
What is better for a self propelled mower; front or rear drive?
Rear wheel drive provides better traction for self propelled mowers, while improving your lines and helping you maintain neat tracks in the grass – ideal for formally mown lawns. Front wheel drive mowers are cheaper, but harder to control.
How do you control a self propelled mower?
To get to grips with your self propelled mower, it’s important to learn how to control it. First, you’ll need to be familiar with the brake and throttle as the most basic safety measures. Modern self propelled mowers are simple to start, but older mowers still have chokes to start the engine.
How do I increase the traction on my self propelled lawn mower?
If your tires have begun to wear down on your self propelled mower, you can improve the traction at home quite easily. For hard tires, you can try some DIY hacks like screws and nails or chain treads, but the best option is to buy new tyres.
What to do if your self propelled lawn mower won’t start?
The most common reason that self propelled lawn mowers fail to start is a faulty spark plug. In some cases, you can be lucky and it’ll just need reconnecting, in others, it’s often worth cleaning it and blowing any dust away. If that doesn’t work, check the fuel line for leaks or kinks.
How do you stop a self propelled lawn mower?
Self propelled lawn mowers have various gears to set their speed, but braking is straight forward; just let go. As soon as you let go of the handles, self propelled lawn mowers should stop instantly. If your mower has handle locks for comfort, make sure you unclip them first.
Enjoy Having the Best Self Propelled Lawn Mower in Your Garden!
If you want to learn more about lawn mowers, check out our guide on the best robot lawn mowers available today. We hope this article helped you find the right lawn mower for your garden.
Remember, self-propelled lawn mowers push themselves forward, making mowing easy and quick. They can be used in gardens of all sizes, and come in petrol, electric corded, and battery models.
When looking for a good lawn mower, remember to check the quality of the build and cutting deck, the engine capacity, fuel type and safety features. When you know what to look for, you’ll be enjoying the best self propelled lawn mower in no time at all!
Published on January 28, 2023 by Gary Clarke
Last Updated on February 25, 2024
