The Best Lawn Mowers in Canada

We’ve gone through hundreds of lawn mower reviews to put this guide together, from the top push lawn mowers to the best electric options. Read on to check our list of the best lawn mowers in Canada and see which one is ideal for your needs.

Getting your lawn into tip-top shape while the warm days are around is always a worthwhile venture. Whether you’re looking for a new machine or getting a new top-rated mower from the get-go, our list is sure to help you find your perfect match so that you can spend less time researching and stressing, and more time tidying up the yard for backyard get-togethers and relaxation.

• Push vs self-propelled vs riding – Choosing a lawn mower is not easy. First and foremost comes down to how much work do you want to exert while cutting your grass? Do you have a large yard that would benefit from a riding mower to get it done quicker and more efficiently? A small yard that a simple and basic push mower would work with? Be sure to decide what you want off the bat. According to The Spruce, push lawn mowers are only recommended for those with yards of 1/2 acres or less, whereas riding mowers are ideal for larger yards.
• Yard size and terrain – It might seem obvious but can be an overlooked factor. If you get a smaller mower that requires more gas and oil fills because you have a large yard, it may be best to get a self-propelled or riding mower. If your lawn is smaller, then you might not have to splurge on a big machine. It’s not just size, you also need to consider the terrain of your yard. If you have a flat yard, most types of lawn mowers may work for you. However, if you have hills and other obstacles, a self-propelled lawn mower will make it much easier for you.
• Power supply: Electric start vs Gas vs Battery – A great feature that more lawn mowers are equipped with these days is electric starts. If you’re looking for the easiest way to get your machine running – opt for an electric start option. However, if you really care about the power, gas mowers can do better with tough jobs, even though they can be slightly more complicated to use. There’s also the case for battery-powered lawn mowers, which don’t require cords and make it easier for you to cut the grass in different parts of your yard. Battery-powered mowers can be powerful, lightweight, and practical at the time of use, however, you obviously have to charge them after each use, so they can have enough power the next time you need them.
• Deck size: Like with other features, there isn’t a single ideal deck size for your lawn mower. This will depend on what you need and your lawn type. Deck sizes usually go from 16″ to 70″. Wider decks cover a larger area and reduce the time spent on each task, so they are great for large, flat lawns. On the other hand, smaller decks are great for yards with plenty of hills, litter corners, obstacles, and other types of plants, such as flowers. Smaller decks give you more control to cut the grass without damaging the design of your garden or yard.
• Washout port – It’s important to be able to clean and wash out your mower after you’ve cut the grass and lawn. Some are easier than others when it comes to cleaning after a session – make sure to choose one that you don’t mind dealing with.
• Storage – Storage space is always crucial. Do you need it to be vertically stored during winter up on the wall somewhere? Do you have a space for it by itself that fits just fine? Make sure the mower you choose will fit into where it needs to go.

For this guide, we spent more than 10 hours researching what makes the best lawn mowers and how to find the right one for your needs. We chose the best lawnmowers based on top-rated user reviews and peer sourced reviews so that we can bring you the best options available within Canada. Customer reviews and researched lawn mowers were top of their line and had favourable reviews throughout (we only took into consideration lawn mowers with more than four stars on average on review platforms, such as Amazon and Google Reviews.)

How to sharpen lawn mower blades? 

Lawn mower blade sharpening can be done either manually or using machines such as using an angle grinder. To sharpen your blades by machine, be sure to:

• Wear protective gear, including ear gear for noise.
• Use a vise to clamp the blade securely in place.
• Align the blade of the grinder up with the blade side of your mower blade.
• Move the grinder back and forth across the blade and follow the angle that’s already there and be sure to even out any rough spots.
• Repeat the process.

If you’re sharpening a blade by hand, make sure to use all protections as well. Sharpen the edge of the blade using a 10-inch file or a grindstone. Push the file in one direction and be sure not to saw it back and forth – you don’t want to create a rough, uneven surface. Even out any rough spots. Turn over to the other edge and repeat until smooth and sharpened.

How to start a lawn mower? 

A traditional push mower has some easy steps to get started!

• Make sure that there is both gas and oil in your mower.
• Press the big ‘Primer’ button a few times to get it going.
• Pull the lever or bar near the top of the handle towards yourself when you’re standing behind it / in the position to start mowing.
• Pull the starting cord several times until the motor starts.

For riding mowers, make sure it has gas, adjust the throttle control/’choke’, push the primer button, and pull the starting cord until your mower starts up.

What’s the best kind of oil for a lawn mower? 

10W30 is a common motor oil grade for most lawn mowers. Your owner’s manual will tell you exactly which grade works best for your machine.

How to change lawn mower oil? 

Changing the oil in your lawn mower is relatively simple as a DIY.

• Run your mower for 10 – 15 minutes to warm up the oil inside.
• Turn off the engine and disconnect the spark plug wire.
• Drain the gas from your mower or you can place a plastic bag over the gas tank and screw on the cap to prevent leaks and mixtures.
• Insert an oil extractor tube and begin to pump oil from the engine. Set it aside once finished and you can take it to the nearest dealership that will recycle old oil.
• Finally, add your new oil to your lawn mower. Whichever oil works best for your machine is generally stated within your owner’s manual for the make and model.

How to winterize lawn mower? 

Winterizing your lawn mower is important when you live in a colder climate (hello Canada) and these steps are helpful when doing so:

• Empty it fully of fuel.
• Remove the battery and spark plug.
• Replace or clean your filters and change the oil.
• Scrape down the mowing deck and clear any debris.
• Clean and lube the mower and sharpen your blades if they need it.

How to fix a lawn mower? 

Depending on what’s wrong, such as not starting, there could be several reasons that you need lawn mower repair. Try these few things first:

• A dirty, loose, or disconnected spark plug could be the culprit. Check it, clean it, and re-connect/tighten.
• Air filter may be dirty and in need of replacement
• Fuel might not be reaching your engine. Give the side of the carburetor a tap to get fuel moving again, if not, you may have to replace it.

Why is my lawn mower smoking? 

Blue or white smoke coming from your lawn mower can indicate burning oil. Overfilling the crankcase with oil is a common culprit, or an air leak that’s causing the carburetor to not get enough air.

What is a self-propelled lawn mower? 

A self-propelled lawn mower does most of the work for you, you just have to guide it. Unlike a regular push mower that just simply rotates the blades while you push the mower – a self-propelled model mechanically pushes the mower forward using a gearbox connected to either the front or back wheels.