Best Self-Driving Robotic Lawn Mowers for Homes

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A self driving push mower is a walk-behind mower with a drive system that pushes the machine forward once you engage the control, so you guide it rather than muscle it across the lawn. The models in this roundup are self-propelled walk-behind mowers, not robotic mowers that roam on their own. Several use a rear-wheel drive system, which the listings describe as useful on slopes and uneven ground. Others are manual push mowers, included here so you can see where a drive system is worth paying for and where it is not needed. Each product below comes from its Amazon listing, and where a listing does not state a value we say so.

Quick answer

Pick a self-propelled model if you have slopes, thick grass or a large yard, because the listings for the battery and gas models name rear-wheel drive as the feature that handles hills.
Pick a manual push mower if the yard is small and flat, since those listings describe lighter machines and no drive system to maintain.
Check the cutting width and the height range against your lawn before you compare anything else. The listed widths run from 14 inches to about 24 inches.
Compare warranties. The listings state 2-year, 3-year and 4-year coverage on the models below, and the listing does not state the warranty for every product.

How to choose between a drive system and a manual push

The first question is not brand. It is whether you want the mower to move itself. A self-propelled walk-behind mower uses an engine or motor to turn the wheels, so the operator only steers and controls the cutting height. A manual push mower relies entirely on your arms and legs. On a small, flat lawn the difference is modest. On a sloped lot or a yard of a quarter acre or more, the drive system changes how tiring the job is.

The listings give you a few ways to see that difference. Greenworks 60V 25-inch lists “Self-Propelled & Effortless” with rear-wheel drive and variable speed control between 3.5 and 4.5 MPH. Greenworks 60V 21-inch describes “Effortless Self-Propelled Control” with rear-wheel drive traction for slopes and thick grass, and it says you can adjust your pace on the go. The gas models from Smalibal, Rodiuiu and Xisulay each name a rear-wheel drive system, and Smalibal and Xisulay state that the rear-wheel drive gives traction on inclines. A reader who mows steep areas should look for that language first, then check whether the listing says the drive can be adjusted.

A manual push mower is still a reasonable choice. The Greenworks 40V 16-inch model and the PowerSmart 18-inch model both describe themselves as push mowers, and their listings do not mention a drive system. Those machines are lighter than the self-propelled gas models in this list, and they have fewer parts that can wear out. If your lawn is small and mostly flat, a manual push mower can be the simpler answer.

Power source: battery, gas or manual

The eight listings split into three power types. The two Greenworks 60V models and the Greenworks 40V model run on battery packs. The Smalibal, Rodiuiu, Xisulay and PowerSmart models run on gas engines. The American Lawn Mower reel model has no motor at all.

Battery models trade runtime for quiet operation and easy starts. Greenworks 60V 25-inch states about 70 minutes of runtime from two 4.0Ah batteries and an 80-minute fast charger, and says it cuts up to 3/4 acre per charge. Greenworks 60V 21-inch lists up to 3/4 acre per charge with two 4.0Ah batteries, and says the mower runs three times quieter than a gas mower. Greenworks 40V 16-inch includes one 4.0Ah battery and a charger, and the listing states a battery life of 35 minutes and cutting of up to 1/3 acre on a full charge. The listing says performance varies with grass condition and technique, which is worth keeping in mind for every battery figure in this roundup.

Gas models bring their own maintenance. The PowerSmart listing names a 144cc four-cycle engine, a fuel tank of 0.21 gallons, and a recommended oil of 10W-30 that is not included. The Rodiuiu, Smalibal and Xisulay listings describe 131cc engines, and the Rodiuiu listing gives 9.0 ft-lb of torque. Smalibal and Xisulay list a 50-liter grass bag, and the Rodiuiu listing describes a 50L grass tank with a side discharge rail that attaches without tools. The listings do not state fuel tank capacity for those three models, so do not assume it.

Comparison table

The table uses only values the listings state. Where a value is missing, the cell says “not stated.”

Mower (listing title)	Power	Drive	Cutting width	Warranty in listing
Greenworks 60V 21-inch self-propelled, two 4.0Ah batteries	60V battery	Rear-wheel drive	20.28 inches	4-year limited
Greenworks 60V 25-inch self-propelled, two 4.0Ah batteries	60V battery	Rear-wheel drive	23.96 inches	4-year limited
Greenworks 40V 16-inch push, 4.0Ah battery and charger	40V battery	Manual push	15.67 inches	3-year limited
PowerSmart EasyCut 18-inch gas push	144cc gas	Manual push	18 inches	Two years limited
Smalibal 131cc foldable gas self-propelled	131cc gas	Rear-wheel drive	not stated	not stated
Rodiuiu 131cc foldable gas self-propelled	131cc gas, OHV	Self-propelled	18 inches	not stated
Xisulay 3-in-1 131cc gas self-propelled	131cc gas	Rear-wheel drive	not stated	not stated
American Lawn Mower 14-inch 4-blade reel	Manual, no motor	Manual reel	14 inches	not stated

Greenworks 60V 21-inch self-propelled mower

This is the smaller of the two Greenworks 60V self-propelled models, with a listed cutting width of 20.28 inches. The listing describes a 60V brushless motor, two 4.0Ah batteries, and rear-wheel drive. It states that the mower can handle up to 3/4 acre per charge, with the usual note that performance varies by terrain and technique. The listing also names an LED headlight so you can mow at dawn or dusk, and a four-in-one system that covers mulching, bagging, side discharge and turbo leaf pickup. Seven cutting positions appear in the specification table. The item weight is listed at 65 pounds, which matters if you need to lift the mower onto a trailer or a deck.

The listing names a 4-year limited tool and battery warranty and says the Greenworks 60V line has more than 75 compatible tools. For someone who already owns Greenworks 60V batteries, this is the most direct route to a self-propelled mower that shares them. The listing does not state the cutting height range in a clean way, so measure your current mower before you buy.

Greenworks 60V 25-inch self-propelled mower

The 25-inch model is the wider of the two battery mowers. Its listed cutting width is 23.96 inches, and its item weight is 67.2 pounds. The listing describes variable speed control between 3.5 and 4.5 miles per hour, rear-wheel drive for hills, and a 70-minute runtime with two 4.0Ah batteries and an 80-minute fast charger. It states that the mower cuts up to 3/4 acre per charge. The listing also describes Smartcut technology, which it says gives 30 percent better mulching and no bogging in thick or wet grass compared with single-blade mowers. Treat that comparison as the listing’s own claim, since the listing does not name the single-blade models it compared against.

The cutting height figures for this model are not clean in the listing. The specification table gives a maximum of 3.5 centimeters and a minimum of 4 centimeters, which reverses the expected order, so this post does not quote a height range. Check the height settings on the box or in the owner’s manual before you buy. The warranty is the same 4-year limited tool and battery coverage as the 21-inch model.

Greenworks 40V 16-inch push mower

This is a manual push mower, not a self-propelled one, and the listing says so through its title and its absence of any drive language. The listing describes a 16-inch cutting width, a five-position height adjustment, and a lighter body: the listing says it is 35 percent lighter than steel deck mowers. The machine mulches and bags, and its bullets describe a single lever that adjusts height. The listing includes a 4.0Ah battery, a charger and a grass collection bag. The specification table gives a cutting height range of 1.25 to 3.75 inches and an item weight of 37.5 pounds.

Because the mower has no drive system, the battery figure is about running the blade, not moving the machine. The listing states 35 minutes of battery life and cutting of up to 1/3 acre on a full charge. For a small, flat yard, that is the sort of figure to match against your lawn size. The listing names a 3-year limited tool and battery warranty and says it works with more than 75 Greenworks 40V tools. A push mower like this one is a good fit for a reader who wants battery power and a simple machine without a drive system to maintain.

PowerSmart EasyCut 18-inch gas push mower

The PowerSmart listing is for a gas walk-behind mower that is operated manually. The listing names a 144cc four-cycle overhead valve engine, an automatic choke, and a primer for starting. Its deck is 18-inch steel, with a side discharge chute. The height adjustment has five positions from 1.5 to 3.9 inches, and the listing says the wheels are 8 inches at the rear and 7 inches at the front. The listing gives a recommended terrain of flat ground and a suggested yard size of about 1/4 acre. The item weighs 58.4 pounds, and the listing names a pull cord start and a two-year limited warranty.

This is the model in this roundup to choose if you want gas power and a small yard, and you do not need a drive system. The listing says the fuel tank holds 0.21 gallons, and it says the oil, 10W-30, is not included. The listing does not state a maximum slope, so check the terrain before you buy if your lot is hilly.

Smalibal 131cc foldable gas self-propelled mower

The Smalibal listing describes a foldable gas self-propelled mower with a 131cc engine and a 50-liter grass tank. Its bullets name three cutting modes: rear bagging, mulching and side discharge. The listing says the grass bag has a wide mouth for quick emptying. It describes a push-button start, a lightweight build, and a rear-wheel drive system that it says gives good traction on inclined slopes and uneven ground. The big wheels are listed as convenient for transport.

The listing does not state the cutting width, the weight, the warranty or the height range, so this post does not give those values. If you want to know those specifications before you buy, look for them on the box or in the manual. The bullets include a claim that the blades handle dense thorns and shrubs. Treat that as the listing’s own wording and check the blade type on the machine you receive.

Rodiuiu 131cc foldable gas self-propelled mower

The Rodiuiu listing describes a 131cc four-stroke overhead valve engine that the listing says delivers 9.0 ft-lb of torque. Its deck is 18-inch 3-in-1 steel, and it offers mulching, side discharge and rear bagging. The listing names a no-choke, no-primer start design and a push-button start. A single lever is listed as adjusting the height of all four wheels, from 1 inch to 3 inches. The bag is 50 liters, and the listing says the side discharge rail attaches without tools when needed.

The listing says the mower has rear-wheel drive and calls it self-propelled, so it belongs in this roundup. The listing gives no warranty length and no weight, and it makes several large claims about coverage per tank that this post does not repeat, since those are not something the listing measures in a way a buyer can check. Use the cutting height range and the deck size as the main points of comparison.

Xisulay 3-in-1 131cc gas self-propelled mower

The Xisulay listing describes a gas self-propelled walk-behind mower with a 131cc engine and a rear-wheel drive system. It names a 50-liter grass tank and a wide-mouth bag. The listing says it can mulch, discharge to the side or bag, and it includes a brush cutter attachment with a heavy-duty blade. The listing names an angled, foam-wrapped handle, a push-button start, and a forced air-cooling system for the engine. The title describes a 2850 RPM figure, which the listing presents as the engine’s speed.

The brush cutter attachment is the feature that sets this listing apart. The listing says it can tackle brambles, shrubs and dense overgrowth, and that the mower converts between rear bagging, mulching and side discharge. The listing does not state the cutting width, the weight or the warranty. If you plan to use the brush cutter for thick growth, check the attachment’s blade and guard on arrival.

American Lawn Mower 14-inch 4-blade reel mower

This is the only reel mower in the list. It has no engine and no battery, and the listing describes it as pollution-free and quiet. The 14-inch cutting width and 8.5-inch polymer wheels are both listed. The listing gives a weight of 19 pounds in its bullets. There is a point of conflict you need to check: the bullets give an adjustable blade height of 0.5 to 1.75 inches, while the specification table lists 1.3 to 4.45 inches. The listing does not explain the difference, so confirm the range on the box before you buy.

The listing says a reel mower works best on short, dry grass, and that it is less effective on grass taller than about 4 inches. It recommends mowing no more than a third of the blade length at a time, and it says a reel mower is not best used on wet grass. A reel mower suits a small lawn with regular mowing, and it is a poor choice for a long, neglected lawn.

Which one should you choose?

For a large lawn with slopes, the two Greenworks 60V self-propelled models are the most direct fit, because the listings give the clearest drive and runtime details and name a 4-year warranty. For a gas model with a drive system, the Smalibal, Rodiuiu and Xisulay listings are the candidates, but check their missing specifications before you buy. For a small, flat yard, the Greenworks 40V 16-inch and the PowerSmart 18-inch push models are simpler machines. For a yard with no power outlet and no interest in gas, the Greenworks 40V model is the battery option that does not drive itself.

Common mistakes to avoid

Buying on the drive system alone. A self-propelled mower on a small, flat lawn adds weight and parts without much benefit.
Trusting one battery figure. Each battery listing says runtime and coverage depend on grass and technique, so plan for a margin.
Skipping the height check. The American reel listing and the Greenworks 60V 25-inch listing each show height figures that do not match, so measure the range you want on the actual machine.
Assuming a warranty applies to everything. The listings state warranty lengths for some models only.

FAQ

Is a self driving push mower the same as a robotic mower?

No. The mowers in this roundup are walk-behind machines that you steer. The drive system moves the wheels once you engage it, but a person still walks behind the mower and controls the direction. A robotic mower runs on its own and returns to a charging station, and none of the eight listings describes that kind of machine. If you want a robotic mower, it is a separate product category and this roundup does not cover it.

Which model has the widest cutting width?

Among the models with a stated width, the Greenworks 60V 25-inch self-propelled mower lists 23.96 inches, which is the widest in this roundup. The Greenworks 60V 21-inch lists 20.28 inches, and the Greenworks 40V 16-inch lists 15.67 inches. The PowerSmart 18-inch lists 18 inches, and the American reel mower lists 14 inches.

Do the battery mowers include batteries?

The two Greenworks 60V models list two 4.0Ah batteries in their titles, and the Greenworks 40V 16-inch listing includes one 4.0Ah battery and a charger. Check the included items on the listing before you order, since kits can change.

Can a push reel mower handle tall grass?

The American reel listing says it is less effective on grass taller than about 4 inches, and it recommends mowing smaller amounts more often. A reel mower is designed for short, regularly mowed grass, so it is a weak choice for an overgrown lawn.

Do gas models need oil before the first use?

The PowerSmart listing says the recommended oil is 10W-30 and that oil is not included. Read the owner’s manual for the fill procedure, since the listings for the other gas models do not describe it in detail.

Where should I check cutting height before buying?

Use the specification table and the bullets together, and confirm the range on the product page or the manual. Two listings in this roundup show a height figure in one place that does not match the figure in another.

Bottom line

Choose a self-propelled model when slopes, thick grass or a large yard make walking the mower the hard part. Choose a push model, gas or battery, when the lawn is small and flat and you want a simpler machine. Whatever you choose, confirm the cutting width, height range and warranty on the listing itself, because several values in this roundup are missing or inconsistent.

Products in this roundup

Greenworks 60V 21-inch self-propelled: View on Amazon

Greenworks 60V 25-inch self-propelled: View on Amazon

Greenworks 40V 16-inch push mower: View on Amazon

PowerSmart EasyCut 18-inch gas push mower: View on Amazon

Smalibal 131cc foldable gas self-propelled mower: View on Amazon

Rodiuiu 131cc foldable gas self-propelled mower: View on Amazon

Xisulay 3-in-1 131cc gas self-propelled mower: View on Amazon

American Lawn Mower 14-inch 4-blade reel mower: View on Amazon