Best 21-Inch Lawn Mowers
Best 21-inch lawn mowers compared by cutting swath, drive type, battery workflow, weight, and bag capacity so you can match one to your yard.
At a Glance
A 21-inch deck is the most common size for mid-size residential lawns, but the number on the box is the total machine width, not the actual cutting swath, and it says nothing about whether the mower is a push model, a self-propelled unit, or how much battery or fuel workflow comes with it.
We compared current 21-inch class mowers on drive type, included battery capacity where applicable, operating weight, bag size, and the tradeoffs each format brings so you can match a mower to your actual lawn instead of chasing a headline deck size.
5 Criteria to Look For Before Buying a 21-Inch Lawn Mower
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Actual cutting swath vs total machine width
The 21-inch figure is usually the deck's outer width, and the true cutting swath (what actually gets clipped in a single pass) is typically an inch or so narrower once you account for the deck housing and wheel placement. Check the manufacturer's cutting width spec, not just the marketing deck size.
Overlap and pass-count time savings
A wider effective swath needs fewer passes to cover the same lawn, but only if you overlap each pass slightly to avoid missed strips. Estimate total mowing time from swath width and lawn area, not deck size alone.
Turning around tight obstacles
A 21-inch mower still needs clearance to turn around beds, trees, and fence corners. Self-propelled models with rear-wheel drive typically turn tighter than front-wheel-drive units, so check drive type if your yard has many obstacles.
Operating weight and bag size
Battery packs and self-propel motors add weight that matters when lifting the mower over curbs, into a shed, or up stairs. Bag capacity affects how often you stop to empty clippings on a full mow.
When an adjacent deck size fits better
A 21-inch mower is a middle ground. Very small lots may be better served by a 16 to 19-inch push mower for easier storage and lighter weight, while larger open lawns may be better matched to a wider self-propelled or riding mower to reduce total pass count.
Best 21-Inch Lawn Mowers
EGO Power+ LM2114 21-Inch Cordless Mower
About this pick
The EGO Power+ LM2114 pairs a 21-inch deck with the 56V battery platform, and it ships with a battery and charger rather than requiring a separate purchase to get running. It holds a 4.5 rating across roughly 2,160 reviews on Amazon, which is a large enough sample to trust for a battery mower in this class.
It is a push model, not self-propelled, so operator effort scales with lawn size and any slope. Confirm the included battery's watt-hours against your lawn size before buying, since runtime in tall or damp grass will be shorter than the rated figure.
Best for: standard-size lawns where a full-width battery mower with a strong review history matters
Check price on AmazonPros
- +21-inch deck with battery and charger included
- +4.5 rating across roughly 2,160 reviews
- +56V platform shared across other EGO tools
Cons
- −Push drive only, so larger or sloped lawns require more operator effort
- −Included watt-hours should be checked against your lawn size before buying
Greenworks 80V 21-Inch Self-Propelled Mower
About this pick
The Greenworks 80V 21-Inch Self-Propelled Mower combines the 21-inch deck with an 80V 4.0Ah battery and a self-propelled drive, which reduces pushing effort on larger or gently sloped lawns. It carries a 4.5 rating from about 586 reviews.
Self-propel draws from the same battery as the blade, so runtime will run shorter than a push-only model with the same pack. Compare its total weight and turning behavior around beds and obstacles before deciding it fits a smaller or tightly landscaped yard.
Best for: medium to larger lawns where self-propel reduces walking effort
Check price on AmazonPros
- +Self-propelled drive with a 4.5 rating from about 586 reviews
- +Battery and charger included
- +80V pack gives more headroom than a 40V or 56V push mower
Cons
- −Self-propel shares battery energy with the blade, shortening runtime versus push-only use
- −Heavier than push models, which matters for storage and lifting over curbs
Greenworks 60V 21-Inch Push Mower
About this pick
The Greenworks 60V 21-Inch Push Mower pairs the 21-inch deck with a 60V 5.0Ah battery, landing between the 40V and 80V Greenworks mowers in included energy while staying at a push-drive price point. It holds a 4.4 rating from about 494 reviews.
As a push-only model it needs more operator effort than the self-propelled 80V version, but the larger 5.0Ah pack gives it more working time per charge than smaller included batteries. Weigh that against whether your lawn's terrain makes self-propel worth the added cost.
Best for: flat to gently sloped lawns where a larger included battery matters more than self-propel
Check price on AmazonPros
- +Larger 5.0Ah included battery than several push competitors
- +4.4 rating from about 494 reviews
- +Lower price than the self-propelled 80V model
Cons
- −Push drive only, so effort increases on slopes or larger lots
- −No self-propel option at this price point within the same line
Worx WG752 40V 21-Inch 3-in-1 Mower
About this pick
The Worx WG752 combines a 21-inch deck with a 40V battery platform and 3-in-1 capability, letting you switch between mulching, bagging, and side discharge without changing mowers. It carries a 4.4 rating from about 332 reviews, and Worx rates it for lawns up to roughly half an acre.
The 40V platform is lighter-duty than the 60V and 80V options here, so verify the included pack's capacity covers your full lawn before committing to a single charge per session. The flexibility of switching cutting modes is the main draw over single-mode competitors.
Best for: lawns needing flexible mulch, bag, or discharge switching in one machine
Check price on AmazonPros
- +3-in-1 mulch, bag, and discharge switching
- +4.4 rating from about 332 reviews
- +Manufacturer-rated for lawns up to about 1/2 acre
Cons
- −40V platform has less headroom than the 60V or 80V options in this guide
- −Battery capacity should be checked against your actual lawn size, not just the acre rating
Greenworks 80V 21-Inch Push Mower
About this pick
The Greenworks 80V 21-Inch Push Mower uses the same 80V 4.0Ah battery as its self-propelled sibling but skips the drive motor, so all of that energy goes to the blade instead of being shared with propulsion. It has the highest rating of the mowers in this guide at 4.6, though from a smaller sample of about 200 reviews.
Without self-propel, operator effort still scales with lawn size and slope, but the tradeoff is longer working time per charge than a self-propelled mower pulling from the same pack. It is also the most expensive push model in this comparison.
Compare its price against the self-propelled 80V version if walking effort is a bigger concern than runtime.
Best for: buyers who want the 80V platform's runtime without paying for self-propel
Check price on AmazonPros
- +4.6 rating, the highest in this guide, from about 200 reviews
- +Full 80V 4.0Ah battery energy goes to the blade with no drive motor drawing from it
- +Battery and charger included
Cons
- −Highest price of the push models compared here
- −Review sample is smaller than several other models in this guide
SENIX X6 60V 21-Inch Self-Propelled Mower
About this pick
The SENIX X6 pairs a 21-inch deck with a 60V 8Ah battery, the largest included pack by amp-hours in this guide, along with self-propelled drive, a 7-level cutting height adjustment, and a smart display for monitoring the mower's status.
Its rating and review count are limited (3.8 from about 16 reviews), so treat the feature set as promising but not yet proven at scale the way the higher-review-count models here are. Buyers who want the largest included battery and the most adjustment options should weigh that against the thinner review history.
Best for: buyers prioritizing a large included battery and adjustable features over an established review history
Check price on AmazonPros
- +Largest included battery capacity by amp-hours in this guide
- +Self-propelled with a 7-level height adjustment and smart display
- +3-in-1 cutting modes
Cons
- −Review count is much smaller than every other model in this guide (about 16 reviews)
- −Newer to market, so long-term reliability is less established
How We Evaluated These 21-Inch Lawn Mowers
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
Deck and drive fit
We compared each mower's cutting swath, drive type, and rated lawn size against typical mid-size residential lots before comparing headline specs.
Battery and power workflow
For battery models we compared included pack voltage and amp-hours, whether a charger came in the box, and how self-propel draws down that same energy.
Handling and daily use
Turning room around obstacles, push or drive effort, height adjustment range, and bag handling all affect how manageable a 21-inch mower feels week after week.
Review evidence
We weighed each model's Amazon rating against its review count so a high rating on a very small sample was not treated the same as a high rating backed by hundreds or thousands of reviews.
How to Choose the Right 21-Inch Lawn Mowers
Match the Property Before the Badge
| Buyer situation | Recommended direction |
|---|---|
| Want the most proven, widely reviewed option | EGO Power+ LM2114 21-Inch Cordless Mower |
| Larger lawn where self-propel matters most | Greenworks 80V 21-Inch Self-Propelled Mower |
| Want a bigger included battery at a lower price | Greenworks 60V 21-Inch Push Mower |
| Need to switch between mulch, bag, and discharge often | Worx WG752 40V 21-Inch 3-in-1 Mower |
| Want maximum runtime without paying for self-propel | Greenworks 80V 21-Inch Push Mower |
Choose the Right Drive Type
Push drive
Best for flat, smaller lawns where lower weight, lower cost, and simpler maintenance matter more than reduced walking effort.
Self-propelled
Best for larger or gently sloped lawns where reducing operator effort over a full mowing session outweighs the added weight and cost.
3-in-1 switching
Best for lawns that change condition through the season, letting one mower mulch in spring and bag or discharge later without a second machine.
Real Ownership Checklist
| Cost or task | Verify before buying |
|---|---|
| Power | Battery voltage, amp-hours, and whether a charger is included in the box |
| Wear parts | Blades, and model-specific availability for replacement batteries |
| Logistics | Delivered deck width versus gate and shed clearance |
| Support | Warranty length and nearest authorized service for the brand |
Comfort and Workload Checklist
During mowing
Consider starting steps, handle height adjustment, push or drive effort, turning room around obstacles, and cutting height adjustment range.
After mowing
Check bag removal and capacity, deck cleaning, charging time between uses, folding for storage, and access to replacement parts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 21 inches the actual cutting width or the total machine width?
The 21-inch figure is generally the deck's outer width. The true cutting swath is usually about an inch narrower once the housing and wheel placement are accounted for, so check the manufacturer's cutting width spec for precise pass planning.
Do I need self-propel on a 21-inch mower?
Self-propel mainly helps on larger lawns or gentle slopes where walking effort adds up over a full mowing session. On a small flat lawn, a lighter push model is often easier to store and maintain.
How much does battery voltage matter compared to amp-hours?
Voltage alone does not tell you runtime. Multiply the pack's voltage by its amp-hours for an approximate energy figure, then compare that against your lawn size and whether the mower is push or self-propelled, since self-propel shares that energy with the blade.
Should I trust a mower's rating if it only has a small number of reviews?
A high rating from a small review count, like the SENIX X6's 3.8 rating from about 16 reviews, is less proven than a similar or lower rating backed by hundreds or thousands of reviews. Weigh review count alongside the rating itself.
When should I choose a different deck size instead of 21 inches?
A smaller 16 to 19-inch mower can be easier to store and lift for very small lots, while a wider self-propelled or riding mower can cut total mowing time on large open lawns by reducing the number of passes needed.
Bottom Line
best overall: EGO Power+ LM2114 21-Inch Cordless Mower - best overall pick in this roundup.
See the full rankings above for all picks with pros, cons, and best-for summaries.
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