Lawn Mower Types, Sizes and Deck Width Explained
Push and reel mowers suit small yards, self-propelled models ease bigger or hilly ones, and riding mowers with wide decks cover large open lawns.
By Damien VolkmanContributing writer.
On this page
The short answer
Pick a mower by the size and shape of your lawn. Wikipedia's overview of mower types sums up the scale: manual push mowers suit small lawns, powered push mowers handle larger residential lawns, and riding mowers are for large lawns. A robotic mower mows on its own within a boundary you set up.
Lawn mower types at a glance
| Type | How it works | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| Reel (cylinder) | Spinning helical blades cut against a fixed bar, like scissors | Small lawns where quiet matters |
| Push (rotary) | One blade spins flat under the deck; you push | Small, simple yards |
| Self-propelled | The mower drives its own wheels | Bigger or uneven yards, less effort |
| Riding | You sit on it; wide deck | Large lawns |
| Zero-turn | Riding mower built for speed | Large areas mowed fast |
| Robotic | Autonomous robot that mows inside a set boundary | Owners who want hands-off upkeep |
Self-propelled vs push mower
Toro puts the difference simply: with a push mower you supply all the forward power, while a self-propelled mower moves forward on its own. Toro suggests a push mower for small, simple yards and self-propelled for easier, faster mowing with less fatigue across varied terrain. It also notes that bigger rear wheels help on bumpy ground, and that bagging takes more effort than mulching, which returns fine clippings to the lawn.
On power, Toro describes battery mowers as quieter than gas, with no fuel or oil to buy. On Wiki Shopping, 120 mowers are cordless electric and 77 run on gas.
What does deck size mean on a mower?
The deck is the housing over the blade, and its size is quoted as the cutting width: how wide a strip the mower cuts in one pass. A wider deck means fewer passes over the same lawn. Wikipedia notes that manual reel mowers typically cut 10 to 16 inches wide, and Husqvarna sells riding mowers with cutting widths from 42 to 54 inches.
Wider is not always better. Husqvarna advises a generous cutting width for large, open lawns, but a smaller mower if the lawn has many trees and bushes to get around, so it fits through tight gaps. Measure your narrowest gate or path too.
| Cutting width | Mowers on Wiki Shopping |
|---|---|
| Up to 16 in | 52 |
| 17 to 20 in | 40 |
| 21 to 25 in | 45 |
| 42 in and up | 32 |
What size lawn mower do I need?
Start from lawn area and obstacles, then pick type and width. Some listings state the lawn size a mower is meant for. On Wiki Shopping, 26 mowers are listed for lawns up to 1/4 acre, 25 for 1/4 to 1/2 acre and 31 for over 1/2 acre. Those ratings are the maker's own.
Of the 348 lawn mowers listed on October 26, 2026, the ones that state a type break down as 99 robotic, 64 push, 36 self-propelled, 24 riding, 21 zero-turn and 18 reel.
How we count
Type, power source, cutting width and lawn size are read from each mower's store listing. Mowers that do not state them are left out of those counts. The counts change as listings are added or removed.
Shop by spec
Lawn Mowers
Robotic, Over 1/4 up to 1/2 acre
- BUILT FOR SMALL TO MEDIUM YARDS: The Sunseeker X3 Plus is designed for lawns up to 0.3 acre / 13,000 sq. ft., making it a smart fit for suburban front yards, backyards, and multi-area residential lawns.
- RIDE-ON-EDGE CUTTING: The offset blade design helps the mower cut closer along fences, walkways, and hardscape borders, reducing the amount of follow-up trimming needed after mowing.
- WIRE-FREE VIRTUAL BOUNDARIES: Skip buried perimeter wires. Use the app to create virtual boundaries, no-go zones, and mowing areas for your front yard, backyard, or side yard.
- RTK + VSLAM SMART NAVIGATION: AONavi combines RTK positioning with visual mapping to help the mower follow planned paths, maintain consistent coverage, and navigate common residential yard layouts.
- VISION AI OBSTACLE AVOIDANCE & APP CONTROL: The X3 Plus uses camera and ultrasonic sensing to detect common lawn objects and adjust its route. Manage schedules, zones, and mowing progress from the Sunseeker app.
- CUSTOMER LOCAL SUPPORT: Real People, Ready to Help. Enjoy peace of mind with US-based customer support. Our local service team is ready to assist you with expert advice, troubleshooting, and guidance whenever you need it.
Push, Cordless electric, 17 to 20 in, 36 to 48 V
- CORDLESS & POWERFUL – Greenworks 48V (24V x 2) battery powered lawn mower delivers gas-like power with up to 45 minutes run-time on (2) fully charged 4.0Ah batteries, perfect for small to medium yards up to 1/4 acre (run-time varies with grass conditions and operator technique)
- LIGHTWEIGHT 17" POLY DECK – The rust-resistant 17-inch poly deck is 40% lighter than steel decks, making it easy to push, maneuver around flower beds and trees, and hang on the wall for compact garage storage, ideal for seniors and anyone who wants an effortless mowing experience.
- VERSATILE 2-IN-1 & 5-POSITION HEIGHT – Single-lever height adjustment offers 5 cutting positions from 1-3/8" to 3-3/4" for a precise cut in any season. Choose mulching to feed your lawn naturally or rear-bagging for a clean finish.
- MAINTENANCE FREE & QUIET – No gas, no oil, no tune-ups, no fumes. Push-button start fires up instantly, and quiet operation lets you mow early morning or evening without disturbing the neighbors.
- 3-Year Warranty – Backed by Greenworks 3-year limited tool and battery warranty for dependable long-term ownership. Works with 200+ Greenworks 24V tools(trimmers, blowers, chainsaws...)-expand your cordless toolkit.
Push, Cordless electric, 21 to 25 in, 80 V and up
- Up to 60 minutes run-time with fully charged 4.0Ah battery. Run-time varies based on grass condition and operator technique.
- Highly efficient brushless motor provides more torque, quiet operation, and longer life.
- Durable 21" cutting deck gets the job done quicker and more efficiently.
- 3-In-1 system: mulch, rear bagging, and side discharge.
- Single lever 7-position height adjustment for the best cut in all grass conditions.
- Easy push button start. No gas, No oil, No emissions.
- Includes: mower, grass collection bag, 80V 4.0Ah battery, rapid charger, operator's manual.
Push, Cordless electric, 17 to 20 in, 36 to 48 V
- Two Greenworks 24 VOLT POWERALL batteries combine for 48 VOLTS of exceptional, better than gas power without leaving the 24 VOLT battery platform
- Up To 45 Minutes Run-Time With 2 Fully Charged 4Ah USB Batteries. Run-Time Varies Based on Grass Condition and Operator Technique. Dual Port Charger Included
- Highly efficient brushless motor provides more torque, quiet operation, and longer life
- Durable steel 20 in. cutting deck gets the job done quicker and more efficiently
- 3-Year Warranty – Backed by Greenworks 3-year limited tool and battery warranty for dependable long-term ownership. Works with 200+ Greenworks 24V tools(trimmers, blowers, chainsaws...)-expand your cordless toolkit.