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best lawn mowers for seniors

5 Best Easy-To-Use Lawn Mowers For Seniors: 2021 Edition

 

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This is a review of the best lawn mowers for seniors. You’ll discover my top 5 picks and the reason why I chose each product.

As we get older, it’s easy to become inactive. However, studies have shown that exercise is just as important for older people. It helps prevent falls and aids in the management of diseases. [1]

The good news? You can get a great workout by mowing the lawn! Because let’s be honest – the gym isn’t always ideal for senior citizens, right?

To help you get started, I’ve compiled a list of the best lawnmowers. The products below have been chosen based on performance, weight, durability, and ease of use. 

Haven’t got time to read the entire article? No problem! My top pick is the Ego Power LM2021 Mower. It’s battery-powered, lightweight, and easy to store.

Why I’m Qualified

I’ve been mowing lawns for many years. So, you can bet I’ve had to overcome some difficult situations! Nowadays, my goal is to inform people about the best lawnmowers through this blog.

5 Best Lawnmowers For Seniors

Title
Best Electric
EGO Power LM2021
Best Corded
ALMC 50514 Mower
Image
EGO Power+ LM2021 20-Inch 56-Volt Lithium-ion Cordless Battery Walk Behind Push Lawn Mower with Steel Deck - 5.0 Ah Battery and Charger Included
American Lawn Mower Company 50514 14" 11-Amp Corded Electric Lawn Mower, Black
Prime
Amazon Prime
Best Feature
Foldable Design
Lightweight Design
Lightweight
Grass Catcher
Electric
Best Electric
Title
EGO Power LM2021
Image
EGO Power+ LM2021 20-Inch 56-Volt Lithium-ion Cordless Battery Walk Behind Push Lawn Mower with Steel Deck - 5.0 Ah Battery and Charger Included
Prime
Best Feature
Foldable Design
Lightweight
Grass Catcher
Electric
Best Corded
Title
ALMC 50514 Mower
Image
American Lawn Mower Company 50514 14" 11-Amp Corded Electric Lawn Mower, Black
Prime
Amazon Prime
Best Feature
Lightweight Design
Lightweight
Grass Catcher
Electric

1. EGO Power LM2021 20-Inch Mower (Best Electric)

Older folks find it more difficult to use gas mowers. Pulling the starter cord and pushing around a heavy mower isn’t ideal. 

The Ego Power LM2021 is powered by 1 battery, lasting about an hour. After you’ve finished mowing, charging the battery takes around 35 minutes. There is also a green light indicating when it’s fully charged.

Set up and storage are also a breeze. Just connect the grass catcher and you’re good to go. In addition, it can be folded after use, making it easy to store in your garage.

The grass bag comes in handy and saves you time. Because who wants to waste time picking up grass? Not me! When the grass catcher is full, the lawnmower will automatically shut off.

Read Also: Best Lawn Mowers For Collecting Grass

All in all, I’d recommend this mower for lawns under 0.5 acres because of the cutting deck. Plus the battery life isn’t the longest.

The problem with this mower is that it doesn’t pick up leaves. That means you’ll have to spend time picking them up beforehand, which isn’t ideal.

What I Like…

  • Electric and lightweight
  • Battery lasts for 1 hour
  • No tools required for setup
  • Comes with a grass catcher
  • 35 minutes charge time

What I Don’t Like…

  • Doesn’t pick up leaves
  • Does not include 2 batteries

Best Feature: Foldable Design

2. TORO 22In FWD Recycler SmartStow (Best Gas Powered)

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As you can imagine, gas-powered mowers are better suited for younger people. They tend to be heavier and more difficult to maneuver. Not to mention the difficult starter cords and bulky design.

However, the Toro SmartStow is a little different. For the most part, it starts on the first pull. This is going to save you the stress of pulling the cord multiple times. After all, we need to take it easy as we get older, right?

Furthermore, the lightweight design makes it easy to maneuver. It’s heavier than the Ego Power LM2021, but what do you expect – it’s gas-powered! Yet, it’s still lighter than most gas mowers on the market.

This mower is also self-propelled. Normally I don’t recommend self-propelled mowers for the elderly. The reason? It normally causes the mower to go too fast. Luckily, the Toro SmartStow comes with personal pace technology built-in. 

Personal pace technology means it will match your walking pace. This means you still have full control but don’t have to waste energy pushing the mower.

After use, it can be easily stored in your garage. You can fold it in an upright position, saving up to 70% floor space.

For downsides, many customers found the wheels to be cheaply made. In fact, there were a few instances where they needed to be replaced.

What I Like…

  • Powerful gas engine
  • Reliable starter cord
  • Easy to maneuver
  • Matches your walking speed
  • Fold upright for easy storage

What I Don’t Like…

  • Wheels can be unreliable
  • Need to refuel

Best Feature: Personal Pace Technology

3. American Lawn Mower Company 50514 14-Inch (Best Corded)

Are you looking for something simple, yet effective? The American Lawn Mower Company has created this mower with a 14” cutting height, which is great for smaller lawns.

You can adjust the cutting height between 1-2.5”. While this is plenty for the average lawn, I’d like to see a longer cutting height in future models. The good news is it’s great for cutting taller grass, even if it’s not as powerful as some of the other mowers in this article.

The lawnmower itself is easy to set up and comes with a grass bag attached to the back. This is going to save you time when cutting the lawn. The problem is the bag is a little small, so it needs changing constantly.

Furthermore, it’s super lightweight and easy to maneuver. This means you aren’t going to put a strain on your back when mowing the lawn. It’s also great for moving back to storage once the lawn is finished.

What I Like…

  • Easy to use
  • Pre-assembled
  • Lightweight and easy to maneuver
  • Adjustable height
  • Great for tall grass

What I Don’t Like…

  • Not the most powerful
  • Small grass catcher

Best Feature: Lightweight Design

4. Greenworks 48V 17″ Cordless Lawn Mower (Best For Small Lawns)

The Greenworks 17” Cordless Lawn Mower comes with 2 x 24v batteries that can be used simultaneously, increasing the power output.

Each battery lasts 22 minutes and can be charged at the same time. This comes in handy if you want to charge one battery while the other operates the mower.

The battery charger itself can be transformed into a mini power bank. You can use the USB outlets to charge your phone. Doesn’t get any better than that, right?

In addition, it comes pre-assembled. You’ll only need to attach the handlebars, which is super easy. That means you can spend more time on the important tasks, like mowing the lawn!

Once you get this mower fired up, you’ll be surprised by how quiet it is. Fancy cutting the grass first thing in the morning? No problem! You’re not going to wake the neighbors – that’s for sure!

Furthermore, the 17” cutting deck is great for smaller lawns. However, it doesn’t reach past the wheels, making it difficult to cut into corners. Also, the bag is a little small and needs changing a lot.

What I Like…

  • Comes with 2 batteries
  • The charger can be used as a power bank
  • Comes pre-assembled
  • Quiet and lightweight
  • 45 minutes run time (on both batteries)

What I Don’t Like…

  • Can’t cut into corners
  • The bag is too small

Best Feature: Durability

5. Husqvarna MZ61 61” Mower (Best For Large Lawns)

If your lawn is large, a standard lawnmower is not going to be effective. You need something that’s powerful and fast with a large cutting deck.

The Husqvarna MZ61 is perfect. However, I only recommend this mower if the others on this list are not sufficient. It’s difficult to set up and takes a while to get used to.

After all, it’s zero-turn and designed for commercial use. The good news? It has a seat attached, ensuring optimal comfort. There are also vibration dampeners built-in, helping absorb the shock.

With a machine like this, you can expect it to last a long time. The construction and durability are second to none. But what do you expect from a company like Husqvarna?

For downsides, some customers said the tires leave indents in the grass after heavy rain. Also, going downhill is not recommended as it tends to slide a little. 

What I Like…

  • Has a built-in seat
  • Comfortable
  • Large cutting deck (61”)
  • Absorbs shock
  • Zero-turn

What I Don’t Like…

  • Difficult to assemble
  • Hard to store

Best Feature: Most Powerful

How To Choose The Best Lawnmower For Seniors

Lightweight Design

It’s no surprise that the older we get, the more our strength declines. [2] Therefore, it’s important to choose a lawnmower that’s lightweight. This ensures it’s easy to push and can be stored easily.

Nowadays, you’ll find the lightest lawnmowers are electric. However, I understand some people prefer gas mowers, so I’ve made sure to include some in this article. 

Performance

When choosing a lawnmower for seniors, an equally important characteristic is performance. After all, you can’t use a mower that doesn’t work, right?

Performance is determined by cutting height, attachments, and battery life. But most importantly – power. The more power a lawnmower has, the easier everything is going to be. 

With weaker mowers, you get patches of grass that haven’t been cut correctly. This means you’re going to spend more time correcting mistakes.

Forget About Self Propelled Mowers (Most Of The Time)

You would think self-propelled mowers would be better for the elderly. However, this isn’t always the case.

Most self-propelled mowers dictate the pace at which you cut the lawn. Yet, seniors need to cut the grass at their own pace. Not only to ensure safety, but also preserve energy.

With that being said, some mowers match the walking pace. These types of mowers are ideal for seniors.

Read Also: Best Self Propelled Lawn mowers

Durability

Whether you’re a senior citizen or a teenager, nobody wants to buy a tacky mower. When comparing the products in this article, I made sure to consider their durability. 

Mowers aren’t cheap, so there’s no point in spending your money on something that doesn’t work. Plus, investing in a durable product is going to increase the lifespan, saving you money on repairs in the long term.

Ease Of Use

Technology is advancing at such a fast rate, it’s difficult for elderly people to keep up. That’s why I’ve picked the lawnmowers in this article based on ease of use. The products I’ve chosen are easy to operate and set up. In fact, some of them don’t need setting up!

Final Word

Lawnmowers come in many different shapes and sizes, making it difficult for seniors to choose. To recap, it’s best to choose a mower that’s lightweight, durable, and battery-powered. Battery-powered mowers are best because adding fuel can be a pain, especially as we get older!

If you’re still stuck for choice, I recommend the Ego Power LM2021. It’s reliable, lightweight, and battery-powered. If you have any questions regarding choosing a lawnmower, comment below and I will get back to you.