Using a lawn mower with the correct specifications is essential to allow you to mow your lawn efficiently. How large your lawn is will determine the type and size of lawn mower you need. So, what is the most suitable lawn mower size for your backyard?
The right lawn mower size depends on your lawn size. If the lawn is 0.25 – 0.5 acres (10,890 – 21,780 sq ft), you’ll need a 14 – 61 inch (35 – 154 cm) mower. If it’s larger, you’ll need a riding mower (such as a garden tractor or zero-turn mower) that’s at least 26 – 72 inches (66 – 182 cm).
This article will explain the different types of lawnmowers, their sizes, and how they can be used for lawns of different sizes and terrains. The measurements discussed in this guide relate to the size of the deck on a lawn mower. The deck contains the blades that actually do the cutting.
Which Lawn Mower Size Best Fits Your Lawn?
Now that we’ve established that the type of lawn mower you choose will highly depend on the size and terrain of your lawn, let’s jump deeper and explore all your available options based on your specific property.
| Lawn Size | Terrain | Mower Type | Mower Size |
| ¼ Acre (10,890 sq ft) | Regular | Reel Mower, Manual Push Mower | 14” – 20” (35 – 50 cm) |
| ¼ Acre | Irregular | Gas or electric push mower | 14” – 20” |
| ½ Acre (21,780 sq ft) | Regular | Electric self-propelled mower | 21”- 22” (53 – 55 cm) |
| ½ Acre | Irregular | Gas self-propelled mower | 21”- 22” |
| ¾ Acre (32,670 sq ft) | Regular | Lawn and garden riding mower | 26”- 32” (66 – 81 cm) |
| ¾ Acre | Irregular | Zero-turn mower | 26”- 32” |
| 1 acre (43,560 sq ft) or more | Regular & irregular | Zero-turn mower | 32”- 72” (81 – 182 cm) |
Mowers for Lawns That Are 1/4 Acre or Less
If you have a lawn that is 0.25 acres (10,890 sq ft) or smaller, a standard push/reel mower will work perfectly. They have been used for years, and due to their cylindrical blades, these mowers offer an excellent cut. Reel mowers come in three variations:
- Manual reel mowers: As the name suggests, these mowers are powered by your muscles. It doesn’t require much maintenance compared to gas and electric mowers and offers clean cuts.
- Electric reel mowers: These mowers take physical exertion out of the equation, but you still have to do a little work.
- Gas reel mowers: They offer the same experience as electric reel mowers. The only difference is that they are powered by a gasoline engine.
If your outdoor space has a regular shape, a reel mower would be ideal. However, suppose your yard is hilly or has obstacles. In that case, consider getting a self-propelled lawn mower, making it easier to navigate through uneven terrain.
A 14-inch (35 cm) mower will suffice for a lawn this size. Anything above this would allow you to get the job done faster. However, if you have uneven terrain or obstacles you need to navigate through, pick a smaller size to accommodate that.
Mowers for Lawns That Are ½ Acre
Pushing through 0.5 acres (21,780 sq ft) of land with a reel/manual mower would be tiring and time-consuming. This is where the self-propelled mowers excel. They practically do all the work with powered wheels, with you only having to nudge it in the right direction.
These mowers come with two power sources and are effective for uneven terrains or hills. The good thing about the self-propelled lawn mower is that you can select from the front, rear, and all-wheel drive models. This makes mowing easier for rougher terrains.
- Electric: the self-propelled mower’s electric version is much quieter than its counterpart, the gasoline model. It may not offer the same power, but it does the job silently and won’t wake up your neighbors.
- Gasoline: this version is convenient when it comes to rough terrain. It offers more power but, on the flipside, also makes more noise.
For a lawn this size, a 21-inch (53 cm) self-propelled mower will be adequate. You can get a wider deck size to mow faster on a flat surface, but you should stick to a smaller size if you have uneven terrain.
Mowers for Lawns That Are ¾ Acre and More
Moving up to bigger yards, we need to consider the mower’s speed and convenience. For properties that are bigger than half an acre, you’d need something more professional grade. This is where the lawn and garden tractors come in. They typically require a little more maintenance than the ones mentioned above but are great for saving time.
These riding mowers are built for ease and convenience. They have a perfect track record for regularly-shaped lawns with mild hills and obstacles. However, if you have a yard that requires you to navigate through numerous obstacles like trees and stones, you might opt for a zero-turn mower instead.
In addition, you should also be mindful of the deck size for riding mowers. While the size of the mower tells you the size of the deck, which actually does the cutting, the deck size does not incorporate the size of the discharge chute. So, if you need to pass your mower through a tight space, ensure that you factor in the size of the discharge chute.
Mowers for Lawns That Are 1 Acre and More
Zero-turn mowers are excellent options for larger lawns that are more than one Acre in size.
They’re effective on any size lawn that is 1 acre or more. They also offer excellent handling, so you can easily mow between and around obstacles. Unlike lawn and garden tractors, a zero-turn mower can turn on the dime with its superior technology.
This commercial-grade machine offers a lot of power and speed to complete the task at hand faster. Its rear-mounted engine makes it easier to have a clear view of the area that needs to be mowed.
Final Thoughts
That’s everything you need to know about selecting the right lawn mower size for your lawn. Keep in mind that the size of the mower depends on the type of terrain. This means that if your backyard is small, but the surface is uneven, you can still use a self-propelled model.