Choose the Best Lawn Mower for Your Yard Size

When homeowners start thinking about replacing their mowers, they usually look for something bigger and more reliable. It’s rare that I encounter a customer who is looking to downsize unless they are moving to a much smaller space.

You may have the correct size mower for your yard now, but maybe you don’t. Let me give you a few tips that will help you make the right decision.

The right lawn mower for your yard size is a push mower with 18″ – 36″ deck width for less than 1 acre, a riding mower or zero turn lawn mower with 36″ – 61″ deck width for 1 to 5 acres and a zero turn lawn mower with 42″ – 61″ deck width for over 5 acres.

YARD SIZE	LAWN MOWER TYPE	DECK SIZE
Less than 1 acre	Push Mower, Self Propelled Walk Behind	18″ – 36″ Deck Width
1 to 3 acres	Riding Mower, Zero Turn	36″ – 42″ Deck Width
3 to 4 acres	Riding Mower, Zero Turn	42″ – 54″ Deck Width
4 acres and more	Zero Turn Mower	60″ – 72″ Deck Width

This post may include affiliate links. Purchases made through these links may provide a commission for us, at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Follow all safety instructions provided in your equipment operator’s manual before diagnosing, repairing, or operating. Consult a professional if you don’t have the skills, or knowledge or are not in the condition to perform the repair safely.

Table of Contents show

Items to Consider When Purchasing a Lawn Mower

Don’t cut yourself short, no pun intended, when it comes to lawn mowers. Look around and ask a lot of questions.

Mower Deck Size

The amount of acreage you mow will affect the deck size you need. Having over an acre to mow in a wide open area with a generally flat terrain leaves you the option to mow with a larger mowing deck.
Landscape beds, pools, and other obstacles need to be considered. Having a mowing deck that will run through tight areas and around obstacles without discharging grass into flower beds and other landscaping will save you time from having to remove grass from the beds.
Mowing time can be reduced when you are mowing larger areas. Getting the largest mowing deck you possibly can to cut down on time won’t necessarily save you over a slightly smaller mower deck because larger format decks can offer less mobility, especially in tighter areas.
Storage should also be considered. People get so caught up in getting a mower with a larger mower deck, that they fail to consider their storage options. If you plan on storing in your garage or in a storage shed make sure you measure the space and the opening so you’re sure you can accommodate the size.

Mower Deck Durability & Options

Determine whether the deck is a stamped deck or a fabricated deck. Stamped decks are lighter weight when compared to a fabricated mower deck.
- Stamped Deck
  This deck is stamped out of a single piece of metal typically using thinner steel than a fabricated deck. Thinner quality steel is more likely to bend than a heavier gauge deck if impacted.
- Fabricated Deck
  This deck is usually made with heavy gauge steel that is welded together. This makes the deck stronger and more durable.
Make sure the additional accessories you choose for your mower will fit your deck size. If you are choosing to add a mulch kit or bagger system to your mower, you’ll want to double-check to make sure the manufacturer of your deck has an option for your selected deck.

Engine Horsepower

Size of the Drive Pumps for Mowing Speed

The preferred mowing speed is about 4.5 miles per hour, but who really has that kind of time to waste especially if you have 5 or more acres to mow.

Accurate Blade Speed for How You Like To Mow

You want a fast blade tip speed for a good cut. 18,500 – 18,700 fpm (foot pounds per minute) is what the best lawn mower manufacturers are achieving on their lawn mowers.

Lawn Mower for 1/2 Acre & 1 Acre

Push Lawn Mower Features

If you have a small city-sized lot a push lawn mower may be a good fit for you. It is very easy to use, lightweight, and easy to maintain. A push mower may make good sense for because of these reasons:

Starting the Mower

Push lawn mowers are easy to start for most people. If you don’t have a lot of arm strength you may have some difficulty or you may want to look at an electric start function offered in a few models of push lawn mowers.

To start a push mower, you will have to set the choke or pump the primer bulb. Slowly pull the handle on the pull cord until you feel resistance and then pull quickly.

Engine Size

Engine Displacement of 125 – 160cc, approximately 3.0 – 4.7 HP

Mower Deck Sizes Available

17″ – 21″ Deck Options

Ease of Handing

The push mower is a small-format mower. It is pretty easy to maneuver as it is lightweight.

Speed Control

Push mowers do not have speed control. You will have to manually push this mower.

Price Range

$150 to $300

Additional Features Available

Front-wheel, rear-wheel, or all-wheel drive
Foldable handlebar for tighter storage spaces
Deck wash ports to add a garden hose to clean the underside of the mower deck
Bagger and mulch kit options for grass clippings
Multiple height adjustments

Recommended Push Lawn Mowers

Self Propelled Walk Behind Lawn Mower Features

If you have a small lot under an acre and you want to splurge a little or you have up to a few acres of property to mow the self-propelled lawn mower may be right for you.

It offers the same simplicity of operation as a push mower with a few more levers to operate. The self-propelled mower will have a bit bigger engine and a belt system or transmission to drive the wheels.