Best Mowers for Hills

Mowing your lawn can be a chore, but it turns into an even bigger project if you have hills to deal with. A lawn mower can get very heavy when you have to push it up and down hills, especially larger ones. You can’t very well leave them to grow long while you keep the rest of your yard looking neat and manicured, and this is where the best mowers for hills come into play. 

 These mowers are self-propelled, and this helps take some of the weight and stress off your body when you’re scaling a hill with them. With so many reputable brands and types available, trying to find out which one is the best for your needs can be a time-consuming process. I did the research for you and picked out 10 of the best mowers for hills. Once you look at the reviews, take a look at the short buyer’s guide to get a good feel for what the important buying considerations are. 

The best mower for hills will help you quickly and easily cut your grass while reducing the strain on your body. 

1. Greenworks Cordless Lawn Mower

First up on the list of the best mowers for hills is by Greenworks. It’s available in 16 and 17 inches, and you get the choice of three different styles including two battery options. If you have bird feeders, garden furniture, or other obstacles to go around with hills, this lawn mower can help you finish your yard. You get a 1.4Ah battery with a charger in this order, and you use a single lever to position the blade through five adjustments. It can cut with a height range between 1 ¼ inches and 3 ⅜ inches. This allows you to cut exactly the height you need to prevent your grass from burning off. 

There is a 2-in-1 feature on this best mower for hills that allows up to mulch and bag your grass clippings as you go. This mower will cut 400 square meters on a single charge, and the 16-inch cutting deck lets you maneuver around items and through small or medium yards with ease. The mower comes equipped with six-inch front wheels and seven-inch rear wheels that keep the mower balanced and makes it easy to guide it up and down hills. Since it runs on batteries, you don’t have to worry about adding gas or oil. 

Benefits:

• Available in two sizes 
• Mows up to 400 square meters on one charge 
• Five height adjustment settings

Drawbacks:

• Doesn’t work well in very hot weather
• Battery takes hours to charge 
• Smart battery function can result in missed grass

2. Lawn-Boy Self Propelled Mower 

This self propelled best mower for hills comes in four styles ranging from an electric start to a traditional push mower. It comes equipped with a rear wheel drive system that gives you precision control by increasing your traction when you work around and up or down hilly terrain. You’ll be able to set the blade to two different heights, and you can adjust the heights on the side of the mower. The heights range from 1.25 inches up to 3.75 inches, and you get a slightly larger cutting width of 21 inches that ensures you maximize the area you cut to lower the times you have to go up and down the hills. The tri-cutting system equipped on this mower ensures you get an even and neat finished product. 

This best mower for hills uses an OHV engine that has 149ccs. You get a three year Tru-Start commitment that promises your mower will start in under three pulls or the company will fix it at no added cost to you. The mower also has a full two-year warranty against damage or defects, and this mower is CARB Compliant for California. You can mulch, discharge, or bag your grass clippings as you mow for added versatility. 

Benefits:

• Has a full two-year warranty 
• Can bag, mulch, or discharge 
• Two-point cutting height

Drawbacks:

• Wheels can spin on damp grass
• Back flap has to stay open when you use it
• Needs high performance oil 

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3. Kohler Self-Propelled Gas Mower

If you have a container garden that requires a high level of maneuverability to work around, this is one of the best mowers for hills that is versatile enough to complete the job. This mower comes with a close edge wheel design that ensures you can get up close to your edging and containers without leaving a lot of grass uncut or uneven. It has a 22-inch deck that cuts a large swath through your yard, and the atomic blades are very sharp and will cut through your grass without leaving rough spots. It uses the Recycler cutting system that directs your cuttings into a bag. 

This best mower for hills comes powered by a 6.75 foot-pound torque OHV engine from Kohler. This gives it enough power to cut through thick grass and overgrowth. THere are nine cutting positions you can adjust your blade to, and the cutting height ranges from one to four inches to help you get the perfectly manicured yard you deserve. When you’re ready to clean your mower, there is a convenient washout port located on the side that will help you flush out any stray grass clippings or clumps of debris. 

Benefits:

• Has a washout port
• Adjusts through nine settings 
• Larger 22-inch cutting deck

 Drawbacks:

• Bag is difficult to attach
• Slightly heavier design
• Washout port is small

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4. Push Reel Lawn Mower

Next up on the list of the best mowers for hills is a non-motorized option by the American Lawn Mower Company. This manual hand push mower has a 16-inch cutting width with a ball bearing reel with five blades. There are 10-inch composite wheels on this mower that gives you a cutting height that ranges from 0.5-inches up to 2.5-inches for a scissor-like, clean, and neat cut every time. Each blade on this manual mower comes made out of heat-treated alloy steel that resists rust and corrosion, and this quality material also makes the blades stay sharp for much longer. 

You’ll get a cushioned grip on this best mower for hills, and it has a T-handle shape. This will keep you comfortable when you mow larger yards, and you get a tool-less assembly when you get it. Since this is a non-motorized option, you get easy upkeep with very low maintenance that needs no oil or gas to work. It has a slightly more compact silhouette that stores easily in smaller spaces. This mower is easy to guide up and down hills due to the lightweight design. 

Benefits:

• Very lightweight design
• Uses heat-treated alloy steel
• Gives clean and neat cuts

Drawbacks:

• Can take longer to mow large yards
• Won’t cut thick overgrowth well
• Difficult to maneuver in tight areas

5. Snapper Self-Propelled Lawn Mower

Anyone who needs a self-propelled lawn mower to go around their walkway edging should look at this best  mower for hills. It has variable speed controls that you can easily set to your preferred pace. This means you can go faster on flat ground and slow down when it comes to steep hills so you don’t get fatigued as fast. The 82-volt Lithium-ion battery kit that comes with this mower gives you up to 45 minutes of run time on a single charge, and this is enough to cover smaller or medium-sized yards without dying. It also has a rapid charger included in the purchase. 

The 21-inch cutting deck on this best mower for hills allows you to finish your projects faster without leaving any stray grass behind. It has a 3-in-1 design that will allow you to discharge your cuttings to the side, into a bag, or it’ll mulch them. The load sensing technology on this mower will automatically adjust the blades to meet the cutting demands and slice through both thin and thick grass. It has a push button start with seven height adjustment points that allows you to get precision cuts. 

Benefits:

• Available in four styles 
• Smart load sensing technology included
• Batteries will rapidly charge

Drawbacks:

• Battery dies faster in thicker grass
• Can bog down and snag
• Wheels tend to slip

6. American Lawn Mower Company Mower

This slightly larger best mower for hills runs on batteries, and it gives you a powerful 11-amp motor that can cut through all types of grass in different heights and thicknesses without a problem. The high-efficiency motor lends gas-like power to this mower that enables it to work well on both small and large yards. It has a 14-inch cutting deck, and the height adjustment lever allows you to quickly and easily cycle through five points that start at 1 inch and go up to 2.5 inches for the perfect cut. There is a 2-in-1 rear discharge system that will mulch, and you get a 16-gallon bag with a grass level indicator. 

One unique part to this best mower for hills is the handle that will adjust to multiple heights. This makes it comfortable for people of all heights to use it without having to bend over. The slim and compact frame makes it easy to store, and the handle will fold down to keep them out of your way. It’s lightweight, easy to use, and this is an eco-friendly alternative to traditional gas-powered lawn mowers. 

Benefits:

• Has a slender profile
• Handle adjusts to multiple heights
• 11-amp motor

Drawbacks:

• Blade nut rattles loose 
• Front end may raise up on hills
• Grass catcher may slide 

7. PowerSmart DB2322S Lawn Mower

If you’ve put in all of the work to build up landscape edging to improve your privacy around your yard, you need the best mower for hills that will get right up against it without accidentally cutting it. This mower comes powered by a 196cc engine that gives you enough power to cut through several different types of grasses while being lightweight and compact. It has an easy-pull starting mechanism that allows you to quickly and easily get started mowing your lawn with minimal effort or strain on your arms and shoulders. When you purchase this mower, you’ll get a full two-year limited warranty against damage or defects. 

This best mower for hills comes equipped with a 3-in-1 bag. This allows you to discharge your grass clippings out the side to return nutrients to your lawn, mulch the clippings, or collect them in a rear bag to put into your compost bin. The blades can adjust to five different heights to take on thinner grass or thicker weeds, and the rear wheels are 11.5-inches in diameter to give you great traction on hills or wet grass. This is a gas-powered smart mower that can easily get into tight spaces, and around trees or obstacles. 

Benefits:

• Two-year limited warranty 
• 22-inch cutting deck
• Rear wheel drive mode

Drawbacks:

• Engine cover is plastic 
• Oil changes are difficult 
• Self-propelling feature slips

8. Remington Gas Lawn Mower

Remington’s best mower for hills uses a powerful 159cc engine that has an automatic choke that makes it easy for you to slice through thick overgrowth and the toughest weeds along with thinner grass without bogging down. The variable speed all-wheel drive gives you precision cutting power, and it’ll help you adjust your power when you go up and down hills to take the stress off your body and lower your fatigue levels. The 21-inch cutting deck is made out of a durable stainless steel that resists rust and corrosion while allowing you to cut large swaths through your yard. 

This best mower for hills has a surecut blade that circulates and lifts as you cut, and this helps you mulch the grass clippings so they feed your grass without getting clumps left behind. There is a dual-lever handle that allows you to easily adjust between six cutting heights. The adjustable grip helps keep you comfortable as you mow, even for extended periods. You can easily choose between front, rear, or all-wheel drive to help pull the mower up the hill without any slippage. 

Benefits:

• Has front, rear, and all-wheel drive
• Mulchs the clippings 
• Blade is stainless steel

Drawbacks:

• More expensive model 
• Customer service is difficult to contact 
• Handles aren’t very comfortable 

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9. oneinmil Self Propelled Lawn Mower

Rock gardens are very popular in yards throughout the United States, but they can be difficult to mow around unless you have one of the best mowers for hills on-hand like this self-propelled model from oneinmil. It has a powerful rear wheel drive on it, and you can adjust the speed to match your pace and increase your maneuverability when you move around tight spaces. The gas-powered engine gives you a wide 21-inch cutting deck that allows you to cut thicker swaths in one pass. There are eight height adjustments on this mower that allows you to cycle through 0.98-inches to 2.95-inches to give you a neat appearance. It’ll easily cut through grass, weeds, overgrowth, and any stray clumps of grass you have in your yard without snagging, and the larger 10-inch wheels give you great traction. 

This best mower for hills has 4-in-1 technology with a side discharge, mulching capabilities, collection bag, and more that allows you to return nutrients to your grass without leaving clumps. The customer service team is very responsive to questions or concerns, and you can get into touch with them via email or phone. The product has a 12-month warranty from the date of purchase. 

Benefits:

• Variable speed control 
• Kickback recoil start equipped
• Eight height adjustments 

Drawbacks:

• Start button can stick 
• Doesn’t mulch down fine 
• Bulky handle 

10. CRAFTSMAN Self Propelled Lawn Mower

Craftsman’s best mower for hills comes with a powerful 149cc gas engine. This engine has an automatic choke and recoil that means you won’t have a difficult time starting it each time you want to use it. Simply pull and go. It has 3-in-1 capabilities with a rear discharge, side discharge, and the mower can also mulch your grass clippings. There is a dust blocker bag included in each purchase that helps you get rid of any messy dust clouds when you mow. This mower comes equipped with a front wheel drive that allows you to turn, tip-up,and maneuver around your yard and hills without a problem. 

This is a self-propelled best mower for hills that has variable speed controls. You’ll easily cut on even ground before the mower allows you to go up and down hills without a lot of effort. It works well for medium-sized yards, but it runs on gas so you can use it on larger yards too. When it’s time to store this mower, you’ll use the vertical storage capabilities that will reduce the mower’s size by an impressive 70%. 

Benefits:

• Front-wheel drive system 
• Can store it vertically 
• 3-in-1 capabilities 

Drawbacks:

• Handle doesn’t adjust well 
• Takes time to assemble
• Easy to spill oil

Best Mowers for Hills Buyer’s Guide 

What do you have to keep in mind when you start shopping for the best mowers for hills? What sets them apart from traditional mowers? If you’re considering adding one of these mowers or you have a yard with a lot of hills, this guide will outline why having one of these mowers is a good idea.

It’s important that you take your time when you shop for the best mower for hills because this is a long-term investment that you can use season after season.

Defining the Best Mowers for Hills

Almost all of the mowers I reviewed are self-propelled. This means that the mower will pull itself along up hills without a lot of effort from you. You guide the mower, but the mower moves by itself. You can choose the speed on a lot of these self-propelled mowers, and you can adjust it as you transition from flat ground to hilly terrain.

It helps remove a lot of the mower’s weight from your body, and it makes it easier to finish your yard in one go because you don’t get fatigued as fast. This self-propelling feature is also nice if you have things to maneuver around like a hammock stand or shade sail because it gives you a high amount of control. 

Buying Considerations

What features do you want your best mower for hills to have? Are there things that are more important than others? 

Brand

The best mowers for hills can be an expensive investment, so it’s important that you buy from a reputable brand. Not only do they typically take more care with their products, but it’s easier to get into contact with customer service if you have a question, concern, or problem. Craftsman, American Lawn Mower Company, Remington, Greenworks, and Kohler are all well-known brands that are worth looking at when you start to shop for your new mower. 

Make sure you look at company reviews before you settle on a mower so you don’t have problems getting in touch with them in the event of an issue. Ideally, you want US-based customer support.

Cutting Deck 

The cutting deck can range from a small 11 inches up to a larger 21 or 24 inches. This tells you how large of a swath you will cut in your yard when you use your best mower for hills. Ideally, you’ll have a larger cutting deck for a bigger yard. If you have a smaller yard or a lot of backyard games set up tha you have to mow around, you may want a smaller cutting deck. Double-check the size, and make sure that it comes made out of a durable material like stainless steel or aluminum alloy. 

Power Source 

You can get the best mowers for hills that run on gas, electric, or they can be manual models. Gas mowers will naturally run longer than electric models, but they’re not as eco-friendly. Manual models are okay for very small spaces, but they don’t give you as even cutting results as you’d get with the other two. Battery powered mowers can run between 20 and 70 minutes between charges, but then you have to stop and wait for the battery to recharge. Decide which power source will work best for your needs before you start to shop. 

There are several options for the power source on your mower today, and each one has benefits and drawbacks associated with it. 

Budget

Unfortunately, your budget will play a role in the best mower for hills you choose. Some of the best mowers for hills will run several hundred dollars each, and others will come in at around a hundred dollars. It may be a good idea to pay more upfront for a high-quality piece of equipment that will last from season to season instead of buying a cheaper model you find yourself replacing quickly. 

Warranty 

Since the best mowers for hills can be expensive, you want one that is going to have a decent warranty attached. Many companies offer at least a 12-month warranty, but others offer three or five years. Check and see whether your mower has a full or limited warranty, what it covers, what it doesn’t cover, and how you get your mower repaired under the warranty. This ensures you don’t get any unpleasant surprises down the line. 

Ideally, the longer the warranty is on your mower, the better off you are. The last thing you want to do is end up with a dead mower and no warranty to protect your investment. 

Extras 

Do you want a basic best mower for hills, or do you want something that has extras? Things like all-wheel drive or rear wheel drive can make it easier to go up and down hills. A push-button start removes the hassle of pulling multiple times to start the mower, and an adjustable handle is nice if more than one person mows your lawn. Consider which extras you want and narrow down your choice based on your needs. 

Bottom Line 

No matter if you have a highly landscaped yard with a koi pond or a simple yard with a few hills, matching the best mower for hills with your needs is essential to ensuring it’s easy to keep your yard manicured and neat. Take a look at my 10 reviews and the short buying guide, find your new mower, and use it to boost your home’s curb appeal all summer long.