Having a hilly yard can cause all kind of trouble, cutting the yard not the least of them. Today we’re going to take a look at the best lawn mower for hills in your specific situation. We’ve broken down a lot of options and discuss which ones will be best for you.
Read on and we’ll get started with one of our overall favorites
Table of Contents
Overall Best Lawn Mower For Hills
Best Gas-Powered Push Mower
Husqvarna 21-Inch
- Brand New Husqvarna 580258102 21" Blade Fits 7021P McCulloch M53-190AWFEPX M21-190 OEM...
- Genuine Husqvarna Part # 580258102
- Fits Specific Husqvarna Models That Require This Part #
- Also Will Fit Other Husqvarna Produced Brands that Require This Part Number (AYP, Craftsman, Jonsered, McCulloch, Poulan, Poulan Pro, RedMax, Sears, Weed Eater)
- Please Make Sure to Order For Your Model/Spec/Serial Not By Looks or Guessing
Last update on 2024-03-31 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Husqvarna’s option is our overall favorite lawnmower for hills. It’s not so heavy that it can’t go up steep hills but is maneuverable enough that it can conquer short, steep inclines. This mower would be a bit grueling if you have long, steep or long, shallow inclines.
Husqvarna’s mower is one that can check a whole lot of boxes you may have. The cut diameter on this one is 21 inches, which is about as big as cut diameters can get on mowers. It may not be a make or break feature, but bigger cut diameters mean that you won’t have to take as many passes through your yard to get it all cut.
This mower comes with the option to side-discharge, mulch, or bag your grass after you cut it. No worries if you don’t know what that means, we break it down for you in the Frequently Asked Questions section (so you might want to read on). This mower comes with 6 different height adjustments ranging from 1-1/4″ to 3-3/4″ so there are plenty of options to customize how you want your yard to look.
This mower is gas-powered. That’s neither a pro nor a con but is something to be aware of. The initial upfront cost will be less, but the mower will cost you more over time than an electric mower would. Gas-powered mowers are most often a bit stronger than their electric cousins, so you can be sure that this mower will annihilate some thick and tall grass.
Husqvarna’s mower comes with a 2-year warranty.
What We Like:
- Good all-around option for hills
- Options to side-discharge, mulch, or bag your grass
- Six different height adjustment options
- Comes with a 2-year warranty
What We Don’t Like:
- Not best for long, steep inclines
- Not the best for long, shallow inclines
This is the best push lawn mower for anyone who wants a gas mower with lots of customization options. This mower does a good overall job on hills but isn’t great for long inclines since you’ll have to walk behind it and it’s a bit heavy.
Check Price and Reviews on AmazonBest Lawn Mower For Long, Shallow Hills
Snapper XD 21-Inch
- Self propelled transmission with variable speed
- Up to 45 minutes run time with the Briggs & Stratton 82V Lithium ion 2.0Ah battery kit comes with (2) 2Ah Lithium ion batteries and rapid charger
- 21 inches steel mowing deck with 3 in 1 design mulch, bag or side discharge grass clippings easily
- Smart, efficient load sensing technology power adjusts to meet the demands of the cutting blades
- Push button start and a single lever, 7 position height of cut adjustment; Rear wheel size: 10 inch
Last update on 2024-03-31 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Snapper’s mower is a great pick for those who want a powerful electric self-propelled lawnmower that makes it easy to get through hills that are long and have gradual includes.. This mower pushes itself forward, so it’s easy to cut shallow slopes, but isn’t the best option for steep slopes (for that, read on).
Snapper’s XD mower comes with a 21-inch cut diameter and 2 Ah batteries with a rapid charger. Each of these batteries should get you up to about 45 minutes worth of run time depending on your grass thickness and the speed setting of your mower. The rapid charger can get a battery at max power in 30 minutes, so if you have a big yard or very thick grass, you should be able to charge one battery in the time it takes you to use up the other one.
Snapper’s mower comes with smart load-sensing technology that can detect how much power it needs to expend to get your grass cut. This technology goes a long way towards saving your battery life.
The XD allows you to choose between side-discharge, mulch, and bagging options for your grass. We discuss these options later in the Q&A section so you can decide if you need all these. The mower comes with 7 height adjustment options ranging from 1-3/8″ to 3-3/4″ so you can trust that you’ll be able to customize the yard how you want it. This mower is rear-wheel drive.
This mower comes with adjustable speed options and a one-button push start. It is an electric mower, so you can expect your initial investment to be high (unless you get the no-battery-included option), but you’ll never need to worry about gas, oil changes, spark plugs, or the other possible frustrations of a gas mower.
This mower comes with a long 5-year warranty on the mower and a 2-year warranty on the battery and charger. It’s nice to see a manufacturer support their work for so long.
What We Like:
- Great for hills that rise for a long distance (steep or shallow)
- 2 batteries and a rapid charger are included
- Load-sensing technology
- Options to side-discharge, mulch, or bag
- 7 height adjustment options
- Adjustable speed
- One-push easy start button
- Long 5-year warranty on the mower, 2 years on the batteries and chargers
What We Don’t Like:
- One of the less budget-loving options
- Not the best for short, steep declines since it’s self propelled and may can get away from you.
All-in-all, this is a great mower for those who are wanting all the bells and whistles: self-propulsion, multiple cutting options, different heights, a long warranty. It’s a good pick for if you’re wanting a higher end mower.
Check Price and Reviews on AmazonBest Lawn Mower For Long, Steep Hills
American Lawn Mower Company 18-Inch
- Hand pushed reel lawn mower is solid, sharp, and easy to use;Handle : Cushion Grip
- Cutting heights adjust from 1/2 to 2-3/4 inches
- 18-inch cutting width
- 5 tempered alloy steel blades with ball bearing reel design
- 18-inch cutting width; 2-year limited warranty
Last update on 2024-03-31 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
American Lawn Mower Company has our favorite reel lawn mower if you have long, steep hills that need some cutting. This mower is very lightweight and won’t get away from you. It can be pushed up hills a lot easier than regular mowers while being more maneuverable than self propelled lawn mowers.
This mower comes with an 18-inch cut diameter and 5 separate blades to snip the grass off clean. The 5 blades are important since the more blades your reel mower has, the less often you’ll need to sharpen it.
The American Lawn Mower Company’s reel mower comes with 7 adjustable height options ranging from 1/2″ to 2-1/4″. This should allow for plenty of options to customize how you want your grass to look and the option for 1/2″ is perfect for anyone who really wants to trim down the yard.
This mower is a great pick for long, steep hills since it weighs less than any other mower on this list. The downside is that it has to be pushed, and there are better options if your hills are shallow.
This mower comes with a 2-year warranty.
What We Like:
- Wide-cut diameter
- 5 blades mean less sharpening work and more ability to push through thick grass
- 7 adjustable height options
- 2-year warranty
What We Don’t Like:
- Not great for shallow hills (there are better options – check above or below)
Overall, this is a great mower for those who want a big and powerful machine without breaking the bank. It’s our top overall pick.
Check Price and Reviews on AmazonBest Lawnmower For Short, Steep Hills
Snapper XD 19-Inch
- Up to 90-minutes run time with (2) Briggs & Stratton 82V Lithium ion 2.0 Batteries; Kit comes with (2) 2.0 Lithium ion batteries and rapid charger
- 19 inch steel mowing deck with 3 in 1 design mulch, bag or side discharge grass clippings easily.
- Smart, efficient load sensing technology power adjusts to meet the demands of the cutting blades
- Push button start and a single lever, 7 position height of cut adjustment
- Compact vertical storage capability saves room in a garage or shred
Last update on 2024-03-31 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Snapper’s 19-inch cordless electric lawnmower is our favorite pick if you have short, steep hills that need cutting. It’s lightweight enough that it can be pushed up hill and maneuvered without getting away from you, but you’ll need to push it.
This mower comes with two batteries that should last you about 45 minutes each. A fast charger is included and can charge a battery in about 30 minutes, so you can mow by swapping one battery for the other and putting the spent battery on the charger. By the time you use up one battery, the other should be charged.
The Snapper 19-inch comes with load-sensing technology, detecting how much power it needs to mow your grass and adjust its output. This helps save your battery, but the 45-minute battery life will be drained faster on taller or thicker lawns.
Snapper’s mower comes with options to bag, side-discharge, or mulch your grass. One possible downside here is that the bag isn’t very big, so you may need to empty it quite often if you decide to bag your grass.
This mower comes with 7 levels of height adjustment ranging from 1-3/8″ to 3-3/4″. Height can be adjusted using a lever, but some buyers said that the lever was a little hard to use. This mower isn’t too heavy but is one of the heftier options. It weighs 59.5 pounds and the handles can fold, so storage shouldn’t be difficult.
There is a 5-year warranty on the mower itself and a 2-year warranty for the batteries and charger.
What We Like:
- Great for long, steep hills since it is lightweight
- Powerful enough to cut through tall or thick grass
- Load-sensing technology allows the mower to adjust power output to your grass
- Comes with two batteries that last up to 45 minutes and a fast charger that can charge a battery in 30 minutes
- Allows you to bag, side-discharge, or mulch your grass
- 7 levels of height adjustments
- 5-year warranty on the mower, 2-year warranty on the batteries and charger
- Handles fold for easy storage
What We Don’t Like:
- Still a push mower, so not great for long, steep hills
When all is said and done, this is a powerful mower that has enough customization options where you can get your yard to look just how you want it.
Check Price and Reviews on AmazonBest Lawn Mower For Short, Shallow Hills
POWERWORKS 21-Inch
- Self-propelled 21" steel cutting deck features a 3-in-1 design, allowing you to mulch, rear bag, or side discharge grass clippings
- High-efficiency 60V brushless motor with push-button start provides more power, torque, and longer life without the hassle of gas
- Stores vertically, taking up less space in your garage or shed for added convenience
- 7-position, single-lever height adjustment allows you to achieve the perfect cut on all grass types
- 60V 5Ah Lithium-Ion Battery provides up to 45 minutes run-time
Last update on 2024-03-31 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
POWERWORKS has our favorite mower if you have short, shallow hills. It’s self propelled, so makes cutting uphills easier, but suffers a lot on steep hills.
This mower has a 21-inch cut diameter and comes with a single 5 Ah battery with charger. The charger isn’t a rapid charger, so you may need a few hours to get your battery up to full par, but this battery should be able to last you for about 45 minutes before giving out.
The mower does come with load-sensing technology and due to the higher level battery, can put out quite a bit more force than the Snapper we reviewed above. This mower is rear-wheel drive, so it’s a good option for lawns with a thicker grass or lawns without many natural areas you’ll need to cut around.
This mower has the option to come without a battery if you already have one. Choosing the no-battery-included option will leave a battery and charger on the table, but you will save a significant amount of cash compared to other self-propelled electric lawnmowers.
The POWERWORKS mower comes with the option to side-discharge, mulch, or bag your grass and comes with 7 height adjustment options, so you can get your yard looking how you like it. The speed is adjustable.
This mower allows you to adjust your speed and has an easy one-button push start. The initial cost for this mower will be higher if you’re purchasing a battery with it, but this mower can be even less expensive than a gas mower if you already have a suitable battery and you’ll save money on maintenance in the long run. Since this mower uses a stronger battery, you won’t be sacrificing on power with this one.
POWERWORKS provides a 4-year warranty on the mower and a 2-year warranty on the battery and charger (if you purchase them).
What We Like:
- Great for shallow hills
- Stronger battery allows for cutting tough grass
- Comes with battery and charger
- Has an option to ship without the battery and charger, saving you money
- Options to side-discharge, mulch, or bag your grass
- 7 height adjustment options
- Can adjust speed
- One-push button to start
- 4-year warranty on the mower, 2-year warranty on the battery with charger
What We Don’t Like:
- Purchasing the mower with a battery only includes one battery
- No rapid charger
- Not great on steep hills
This is a good option if your hills aren’t steep. It’s a budget self propelled lawn mower, but still packs all the punch you’ll need for your hills.
Check Price and Reviews on AmazonThings To Know Before You Buy…
What Makes A Good Lawn Mower For Hills?
The answer to this question will depend on what kind of hills you have in your yard.
If your hills are long and have a shallow incline, you’ll want something that can help you get through the grind of pushing a lawn mower up hill. For long, shallow hills, we like self propelled mowers. These mowers push themselves forward and make it a lot easier to go up hill. Going down hill is a bit more problematic, since self propelled mowers can get away from you a bit if your hills are steep.
For long, steep hills that would be right at home in the Appalachians, we like mowers that are lightweight and very maneuverable. Reel mowers are a great pick here since they often weigh a third or a fourth of other mowers. Pushing uphill doesn’t become a problem and there’s a lot less risk of a mishap while going downhill.
Short, steep hills are much the same as long, steep hills. You want something that’s light enough to be maneuvered, but the short hills means you won’t have to push it as far. Electric mowers are often a good pick here since they weigh less than gas mowers.
Short, shallow hills bring us back to self propelled mowers. Since the incline won’t be too steep with these hills, you won’t need to worry about the self propelled mower pulling too far ahead of you. Risk of injury is less and a self propelled mower makes it easier to climb those hills.
Changes For Tough Hills: Thick Grass Or Rocks
If your hill is tough and packed with this grasses, small trees, or rocks, then your mileage may vary just a bit. If your hills has lots of brush, branches, or rocks, we recommend that you pass on the reel mower and go with an electric one instead. Reel mowers tend to get caught up and snagged on anything that isn’t grass.
No need to worry if your hill has thick grass and you’re wondering if an electric or reel mower can handle it. All of the mowers we discuss on this list can handle very thick grass (it’s one of the reasons that they’re the best).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change the speed on my self propelled mower?
Both of the self propelled mowers that we reviewed allow you to change your speed. If you do decide to get a self propelled mower to make hills easier, then lowering the speed when you’re going downhill can be a great idea.
Less speed makes it less likely that the mower will get ahead of you and makes the whole cutting process safer for you.
Can I deactivate the self propel feature on my mower?
If you go with a self propelled mower, it’s best not to push it without the self propulsion turned on. It can hurt the propelling mechanism.
Best Brands
Husqvarna
Husqvarna is one of the world’s leading providers in a variety of equipment ranging from snowblowers to chainsaws to our very own self-propelled lawnmowers. They’ve been at the game long enough to have built a reputation as a solid company for all of your landscaping needs.
Snapper
Snapper was founded in 1951 when they made the first self-propelled rotary lawnmower. Since then, they have become obsessed with making your yard look how you want it. They have a wide range of yard tools, mowers, and tractors to help you achieve your goals to own your yard.
American Lawn Mower Company
American Lawn Mower Company wants to make the world’s best mower for smaller yards. American Lawn Mowers strive to be the best in the business and responsible towards the environment – a mission they’ve been pursuing for over 120 years.
POWERWORKS
Powerworks was founded just in 2016, but they have already become well known for their high-quality tools and powerful electric solutions. They want a future of no fume and no fuss so your yard can be how you’ve always dreamed it to be.
Conclusion
Thanks for reading our post on the best lawn mower for hills! When it comes down to it, the best option for you will be the one that suits your unique needs best.
Take a look at what kind of hills you’re going to be cutting. Are they short or long? Steep or shallow? In general, you’ll want something light weight for steep hills so that you can maneuver your mower and it won’t get away from you. For shallow hills, self propelled mowers make the job easier. If those aren’t available, go with a lighter mower like an electric or reel.
Consider what your hills look like. If your hills seem to manufacture rocks, then you may want to take a pass on the reel mower. If rocks, branches, or thick brush isn’t a problem, reel mowers are awesome for hills since they are so light weight. It’s kind of like being in a team project and everyone else volunteering to do all the work.
No need to worry about thick grasses with any of the mowers we’ve recommended. All of the mowers (reel, electric, gas, and self propelled) do a fine job of chomping through thick grass.
If we could only recommend one mower for all hills, we like the Husqvarna 21 inch. It’s gas powered, not too heavy, has a big cut diameter, and you’ll never need to worry about rocks (but you will have to push it).
