Lawn mowers have changed quite a bit over the years. Long gone are the days of taking a simple metal mower to your lawn and rolling it back in forth in the hopes of getting it to look tidy; today, self-propelled mowers make the task far less taxing.

Self-propelled lawn mowers are able to run at a pace that you set. With that said, there is a limit to how fast the mower will actually go -- most range between 3 and 5 mph. Some mowers use a lever to set the pace, whereas others require you only to walk with your hands on handle. Many of these machines provide the similar functions and have similar perks, but the differences lie in the fine details of each.


Lawn-Boy Insight 10685

The driving power behind the Lawn-Boy Insight 10685 lawn mower is its Sens-a-Speed system; this allows you to change the speed simply by placing your hands on the handle while walking. A sensor inside the mower changes the pace of the machine to match your walking speed. It can go as fast as 5 mph.

A 3-in-1 cutting system gives you three options for cleanup of clippings: mulch, side-discharge or rear bag. When using the side-discharge option, simply remove the Hi-Vac Easy Lift Bag and cover the space with the mulch plate. Some of the 10685's features also cater to comfort; the handle and recoil starter are padded, and the height of the deck is adjusted with a twist of an easy-to-reach knob. The handle also folds up by stepping on a lever. All in all, this self-propelled gas mower has a lot of options for a great price.

Lawn-Boy Insight 10685
Lawn-Boy Insight 10685


Toro Recycler 20068

The Toro Recycler 20068 lawn mower features a proprietary propulsion system known as Personal Pace. Like the Lawn-Boy, this machine does not require knobs or levers to set a pace; you need simply to place your hands on the handle and walk to set a pace. The maximum speed of this machine is 4.8 mph.

The Blade Override System highlights the Toro's safety features; the moment you release the handle, the motor blade will stop turning, which is beneficial if you need to stop for a few minutes but do not want to turn off the engine. The Toro Recycler 20068 also offers a 3-in-1 system for grass disposal. When it comes time to clean up the mower, you can rinse it out simply by inserting a hose into one of its washout ports.


Troy-Bilt TB1083 XP

The Troy-Bilt TB1083 XP features a switch-controlled Select Speed variable transmission; this switch is located conveniently near the handle where your hands rest. The recoil starter is easy to reach and gets things running in two pulls or less every time. The cut height can be adjusted from 1.5 to 4 inches and can be changed using a convenient single lever. The TB1083 XP is also a 3-in-1 mower, so you can mulch, rear-bag, or side-discharge.


John Deere JS35

The John Deere JS35 proves that a lawn mower with unique features will stand out in the crowd. It uses the MowMentum Drive System to manage its self-propelled pace and its rear-wheel drive. Not many manufacturers offer both self-propel systems and rear-wheel drive on their lawn mowers, but John Deere does. Additionally, this mower features both an electric start and a backup recoil-rope starting system. What's more, the Fresh Start fuel cap adds a bit of fuel stabilizer with every start.

For the environmentally conscious, John Deere is also producing a California Edition of this model. This model meets emissions standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency and the California Air Resource Board.

Snapper SPV21675

The Snapper SPV21675 has a little bit of everything. It offers a 3-in-1 system for mulching, side-discharge and rear bagging. It also features a fresh-start fuel cap with fuel stabilizer, so your gas remains viable even after months of disuse. You can adjust the height of the SPV21675's deck to one of nine different positions between 1.25 and 4 inches. The adjustable handle makes the task of mowing the lawn comfortable for those of any size; what's more, the handle is foldable, which allows you to more easily store this mower.