Every lawn mower gets a score from 0 to 100% built from five factors, which maps onto the 5-point rating shown on the site (a 0% score would be 1.5 stars; a perfect score, 5). Each factor is scored against fixed reference points, not against the other products in the list, so adding a new model never moves another model’s rating. Mowers are grouped by drive, push and self-propelled, and some factors have their own scales for each group.
| Factor | Measures | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Value | price per inch of deck | 30% |
| Deck | cutting width | 20% |
| Power | engine size; battery mowers, battery energy; corded, motor amps | 15% |
| Cutting modes | bag, mulch and side discharge | 15% |
| Warranty | warranty length | 20% |
Where the numbers come from
Deck width, engine, battery, cutting height, cutting modes, weight, warranty and the rest come from the maker’s product page, spec sheet or manual, or the maker’s own copy on its Amazon listing. Prices are checked at Amazon and the maker’s own store, and the lowest is used. Battery mowers are priced as kits with batteries and charger.
The factors
Value is the current price divided by the deck width in inches, on a log scale for each group, so going from $30 to $15 per inch counts as much as going from $60 to $30.
| Group | Scores 0 | Full marks |
|---|---|---|
| Push | $25 per inch | $10 per inch |
| Self-propelled | $40 per inch | $18 per inch |
Deck is the cutting width: for push mowers 16 in scores zero and 21 in full marks; for self-propelled mowers 20 in scores zero and 28 in full marks.
Power depends on the power source. For gas mowers it is engine size: 120 cc scores zero and 200 cc full marks. For battery mowers it is the energy of the batteries in the kit: 150 Wh scores zero and 500 Wh full marks, since that sets how much lawn you can cut on a charge. For corded mowers it is the motor rating: 10 A scores zero and 15 A full marks.
Cutting modes counts the ways the mower can cut as sold: bagging, mulching and side discharge. One way scores zero and all three full marks. A chute or kit sold separately doesn’t count.
Warranty is the length of the consumer warranty on the mower: 1 year scores zero and 5 years full marks. Battery warranties are listed separately.
What isn’t scored
Cutting height range, runtime, weight, bag size, deck material and drive wheels are listed but not scored. Runtime depends on grass and the battery you buy, and makers state weight on different bases. Independent tests are listed where they exist, but there are too few to score.
Missing data
If a figure isn’t published, that factor gets the neutral middle score (50) and the product page marks it as estimated.
Ties and discontinued models
Products are ranked by score within each group. Discontinued models stay listed but rank below every current model and can be hidden with the “Hide discontinued” filter.