{TOP 12} Best Lawn Mower for Hills For The Money

Anyone with hills knows how hard it is to mow. If you have been struggling with your old-fashioned push mower. Or, if you’ve never mowed hills before, then you need to read this article. There is much more to mowing hills than you might imagine. And, the most important part is finding one of the best lawn mowers for hills.

In this article, we will give you a list of our top five picks for great lawn mowers for steep banks. Plus, we provide a handy buyer’s guide that will help you narrow down your choices. If you want to stay safe while mowing your hills, read on.  

What Is A Lawn Mower?

Obviously, we assume that you know what a lawn mower is. But it worthwhile to give you a brief overview before we discuss lawn mowers for steep banks more thoroughly.

Lawn mowers have been around since the 1830s when they were invented by Edwin Budding in Gloucestershire, England. The early lawn mowers did use electricity or gas. Instead, you just walked behind them and pushed. The motion of the early lawn mowers turned the blades and cut the grass. 

The non-motorized lawn mowers were easier to use on hills. These walk behind mowers for hills were not heavy and could be easily controlled. If things started to go wrong, they were not as dangerous as modern lawn mowers.

Let’s fast-forward to the 21^st century. Modern lawn mowers come in variety of models (more on this below). But, all lawn mowers are designed to cut your grass. Lawn mowers accomplish their task by using some power source to power revolving blades the cut grass as a particular height. Many modern lawn mowers allow the user to adjust the height of the blades themselves.

Types of Lawn Mowers

You can categorize lawn mowers in a variety of ways. Today there are seemingly endless number of types of lawn mower available for purchase. We will discuss the varieties of lawn mowers best suited for hills in a moment. However, in general, lawn mowers come in just a few main varieties.

Push

Push lawn mowers are the most traditional type. You turn them on and push them around your yard. Because push lawn mowers are so common, they come in a number of varieties. You will see self-propelled, hover, and basic push mowers. Self propelled lawn mowers for hills are particularly helpful for steep yards. All of the lawn mowers for hills discussed below are of the push mower variety.

 

            Riding

People with larger yards swear by riding lawn mowers. You will find lawn tractors and garden tractors for hills in the riding lawn mower category. Riding lawn mowers are the largest type of lawn mower. They have a powerful motor, and often many more blades than push mowers.

You can ride on riding lawn mowers. In essence, you drive these types of mowers like you would a tractor or other piece of equipment. Because of their size, riding lawn mowers are overkill for small yards.   

 

            Robotic

Robotic lawn mowers are a relatively recent invention. They are small machines that cut your grass without any input from you. Essentially, robotic lawn mowers are like Roombas or other robotic vacuums. You can program these lawn mowers to cut your yard at a specific time, and they cut it automatically. All you have to do is sit back and watch.

Lawn mowers power options

Lawn mowers for hills can be categorized by the way they get power just as they can be by the way they are driven. The three main types of power for lawn mowers are gas, battery, and electricity. We discuss each in more detail below.

Gas

In another connection with automobiles, the widespread use of lawn mowers began after the invention of the gas-propelled engine. Therefore, you will most likely find lawn mowers for hills that use gasoline.

Gas may be the most common power fuel source for push mowers for hills, but it has some major drawbacks. First, you have to keep gas on hand and watch the fuel level in your lawn mower, or else you will not be able to cut your grass. Second, gas is smelly. And, as you put more into your lawn mower for hills, you can easily get some on yourself.

 

Battery

There are now cordless electric lawn mowers for steep banks that come with a rechargeable battery. This new invention is great because you don’t have to mess with gas or worry about running over a cord. Also, rechargeable batteries will give you more run time and potentially even more power.

Yet, a major drawback to the cordless electric lawn mowers for hills is that they weigh significantly more than any other type of mower. The rechargeable batteries add a lot of weight to the machine. So, they can be hard to push for some people.

 

            Electricity

By far the most common type of electric mower is the corded variety. These walk behind mowers for hills get their electricity through a cord. You have to plug electric mowers into an outlet for them to turn on.

A major advantage of electric mowers is that they are extremely quiet. They only create about 75 decibels, or just more than a normal conversation. Clearly, the number one drawback of electric lawn mowers for large sloping gardens is the cord. Not only do you need to have an outlet within reach, but you also have to make sure not to mow over the cord.

What are its components?

This brings us to the next important category in our discussion about the top lawn mowers for large sloping gardens: the component parts. Lawn mowers for hills and regular lawn mowers come with a number of component parts that help them cut your lawn.

Case and Wheels

Every lawn mower comes with a case or housing and wheels. The wheels, obviously, allow you to push or drive the lawn mower around. Without the wheels, you wouldn’t be able to mow anything.

Additionally, the case houses the engine and blades. Any lawn mower for steep banks should come with a heavy-duty case. It should be able withstand a lot of use on your hills.

 

Engine

Just as in a car, the engine in your garden tractor for hills runs the machine. In self propelled lawn mowers for hills, the engine even drives the lawn mower. The engine creates power via an internal combustion process. This creates the power needed to run the lawn mower and move the blades.

 

Blades

The blades in your lawn mower for hills are extremely important because they are the part that cuts the grass. Without the blades, you will just be pushing a machine on your grass. It is essential that you keep your lawn mower blades sharpened, especially if you mow a lot. Dull blades will not cut your grass very well at all.

 

Air Filter

 Make sure that the engine on your walk behind mower for hills comes with an air filter. This is the part of the machine that protects the engine. The air filter keeps dirt, leaves, and grass from clogging the lawn mower’s engine and killing the machine.        

Do I Need A Special Lawn Mower For Hills?

Technically, any lawn mower can be used on hills. However, if you use just any lawn mower on hills, you could put yourself in a dangerous situation. Walk behind mowers for hills and garden tractors for hills come with special features that make them safer to use on steep banks.

So, if you have a hilly yard, we highly recommend using a special lawn mower for hills. To find the best product for your life and yard, continue reading. In the next section we will discuss the features that should be included in every lawn mower for steep banks.

What To Look For In A Lawn Mower For Hills

Anyone interested in dedicated lawn mowers for hills need to consider these specific features.

Deck Size

Experts refer to the part of the lawn mower for hills that houses the blades the deck. Deck size in a lawn mower for steep banks is important because it will tell you how many blades are included in the product and how much cutting power you will have.

Most important for yards with hills, a larger deck size means more maneuverability. Essentially, the bigger the deck is the easier it is for you to turn the lawn mower. This feature is important on hills because you never want to make sharp movements on steep banks.

​ Weight

The exact weight you need in your walk behind mower for hills depends on your strength. Heavy push mowers for hills can be hard for many people to move. This is a specific problem on hills because the lawn mower has a greater chance of careening out of control.

The best way to decide on a perfect weight is to try out your lawn mower for hills choices out in person. You should be able to push the mower without struggling. The best deal is a lawn mower for steep banks that is powerful but also light.

 

Height adjustments

You want your walk behind mower for hills to come with an adjustable deck. You should be able to adjust the height of your cut. While the flexibility of height adjustments is convenient on any mower, it is essential on a push mower for hills.

When you have the ability to choose the height of your cut, you can manually make it easier to cut hills. As you come to the hilly part of your yard, just adjust the height of the deck to run over the grass smoothly. This will create evenly cut grass and keep you from getting the push mower for hills stuck.

 

Wheel size

Lawn mowers for hills should come with larger wheels than traditional mowers. Large wheels are especially important in the rear. There are many advantages to having large wheels when you are cutting hills. Most importantly, the lawn mower will be more stable. Stability is important for any lawn mower for hills but especially for garden tractors for hills. You don’t want to turn your lawn tractor over with you in the driver’s seat.

Also, large wheels on your lawn mower for hills provides greater durability. The large wheels will be able to take a great deal of wear and tear. For yards with hills, durability is extremely important.

 

Handles

Finally, your lawn mower for hills should come with comfortable and stable handles. The handle should absorb a large portion of the vibration of the lawn mower. This will save your arms from being jostled as you mow your yard.

Handles in dedicated push mowers for hills should also be extremely sturdy. You need a comfortable, well-padded, and stiff set of handles. If the handles are flimsy, they will not be able to withstand the force of your use on hills. A good handle on your lawn mower for steep banks will keep your from losing control of your walk behind mower for hills.

Top 12 Lawn Mower for Hills 2021

Comparison table

Product	Image	​Our Rating	Type of Mower	Specs
American Lawn Mower Company 50514		#1 Editor Choice	Push-Mower	10-inch rear and 7-inch front
Greenworks 20-inch Corded Lawn Mower 25022		#2	Push-Mower	12 AMP / 20 IN Cutting Width
Honda HRR216K9VKA​		#3	Self-Propelled Lawn Mower	160 CC / 22 IN Cutting Width
Troy-Bilt 382cc​		#4	Riding Lawn Mower	15 HP / 382 CC
Snapper XD 82V MAX		#5	Self-Propelled Lawn Mower	82 V / 21 IN Cutting Width
Troy-Bilt TB330 Self-Propelled Lawnmower		#6	Self-Propelled Lawn Mower	163 CC / 21 IN Cutting Width
Black + Decker BEMW482ES Electric Mower		#7	Push-Mower	12 AMP / 17 IN Cutting Width
Snapper 12AVB2A2707 Self Propelled Mower		#8	Self-Propelled Lawn Mower	163 CC / 21 IN Cutting Width
Snapper CP215520HV		#9	Self-Propelled Lawn Mower	163 CC / 21 IN Cutting Width
Husqvarna Automower 430X		#10	Robotic Mower	0.8 acre W.A.C. (Working Area Capacity) / Li-Ion Battery
Troy-Bilt 540cc		#11	Riding Lawn Mower	19 HP / 540 CC
Husqvarna Automower 450X		#12	Robotic Mower	1.25 acre W.A.C. (Working Area Capacity) / Li-Ion Battery

Top 12 Best Lawn Mower for Hills 2021

Reviews

With a brand name like “American Lawn Mower Company,” you can already tell that the 50514 was made to please its countrymen. When you think rural America, you likely imagine woods and hills ranging in all shapes and sizes. Heck, some of us literally live in those woods and struggle mowing all of those hills! Thankfully for us, this nifty push-mower was invented for the sole purpose of tackling those hills with grace and precision.

Most users who have purchased this mower have commented on how perfectly even the American Lawn Mower Company 50514 cuts standard grass and how shocked they were when they realized this little push-mower could also hold its own against hilly terrain. In fact, some have argued that it cuts hills better than rear-wheel drive self-propelled lawn mowers! On the downside, users with tougher grass have complained about the mower’s blades not being strong enough to cut the grass. Thankfully, this issue can be resolved by simply replacing the factory-default blades with higher grade ones.

  2    Greenworks 20-inch Corded Lawn Mower 25022

Greenworks has made a wonderful lawn mower for hills with their 20-inch Corded Lawn Mower 25022. This is an electric model of lawn mower. So, it will be extremely quiet. You will have to manage the electrical cord, but that is worth it for all of the other great features that Greenworks packs into their product.

The 20-inch Corded Lawn Mower for hills comes with a foldable handle, which aids storage. It also has large 10-inch rear wheels and 7-inch front wheels. You will never have to worry about the stability of this push mower for hills. Finally, you get a three-in-one product with the 25022. It will mulch, discharge on the side, or discharge into a rear bag depending on your preference.

  3    Honda HRR216K9VKA

The Honda HRR216K9VKA’s presence on our list of the top twelve best lawn mowers for hills shouldn’t surprise anyone. Honda is known consisting releasing Grade-A(+) products for homeowners all over the world. Not only that, but they always price their mowers in a way where they’re perfectly affordable. This is a major godsend for those of us with very little money to spend on lawn mowers (myself included)!

The Honda HRR216K9VKA also comes with a particularly simple to use height adjuster. Before you cackle over this attention to detail, keep in mind that most customer reviews of lawn mowers treat the height adjuster with a “make it or break it” attitude. If the mower’s height adjustment is too confusing to use, we likely won’t be satisfied with our purchase. I mean, have you ever tried to use a lawn mower that’s way too short for you? How about one that’s almost as tall as you? It’s dangerous! Thanks to Honda taking initiative with this issue, this mower’s height adjuster is a guaranteed win for all who purchase it.

  4    Troy-Bilt 382cc 30-Inch Premium Neighborhood Riding Lawn Mower

The Troy-Bilt 382cc admittedly struggles with rougher lawns with Bermuda grass or excessive amounts of loose rocks. For cleaner yards, however, this rear-engine rider can’t be beat! Whether your hills be high or low, you can count on this grass-cutting machine to get you the clean and even cut your lawn deserves. And despite being a rear-engine rider, the Troy-Bilt 382cc can actually run at a reasonably fast speed.

Not only that, but you can buy this mower for an outrageously low price on Amazon or really any online outdoorsmen store.With these perks in mind, we can’t see anything wrong with taking this mower home and taking it for a spin. So long as you don’t have an unkempt yard, you have absolutely no risk of scalping your ground. Think on it for a moment!

  5    TSnapper XD 82V MAX Electric Cordless 19-Inch Lawnmower Kit with

The Snapper XD 82V MAX is the ideal mower for those of you who have particularly small yards. Most lawn mower experts state that regular push-mowers are the preferred mower to use for smaller lots, but we disagree. Self-propelled mowers work just as well, if not better because you don’t have to bear the burden of pushing the mower yourself. It can still handle hills all over–whether they be shallow or steep–but you’ll need to be careful about purchasing this mower if you’ve got a large lawn needing to be cut.

This self-propelled lawn mower is made out of the finest crafting materials, as the multi-talented workers over at Snapper made it a point to steer clear of using plastic when building this grass-cutter. Plastic parts typically equal cheaper lawn mowers; unfortunately that goes for price AND quality. The Snapper XD 82V MAX is a little pricey as a result of this decision, but it’s totally worth it. You’d rather have a mower that lasts many years than one that only lasts a few months, after all!

  6   Troy-Bilt TB330 Self-Propelled Lawnmower

Troy-Bilt has made a very solid lawn mower for hills with their TB33 Self-Propelled Lawnmower. It has a 163cc Briggs & Stratton engine, which is quite a high-quality addition to this product. Plus, it too is a three-in-one model.

All of the TB330 Self-Propelled Lawnmower’s wheels are the same size—eight inches. But this does not stop the push mower for hills from being stable on slopes. The variable speed drive control with four speed settings specifically aids in the mowing of hills. Finally, the TB330 has an unusual feature, an integrated premium deck wash. This allows you to keep the lawn mower for hills clean no matter how hard you use it.

  7   Black + Decker BEMW482ES Electric Mower

Black + Decker is known for their home appliances. The BEMW482ES Electric Mower shows why the company has remained relevant throughout its long history. This electric lawn mower for hills does have a cord, but it is a very quiet machine. Plus, it comes with a push button start, so now struggling with a pull cord.

In terms of hills, the BEMW482ES Electric Mower has a number of features that make it a great lawn mower for steep banks. It comes with six adjustable deck heights. The blade is also winged, which provides a 30% better clipping collection rate. And, the winged blade makes cutting on hills much easier. Overall, this 12 Amp electric mower is an extremely solid offering by Black + Decker.

  8   Snapper 12AVB2A2707 Self Propelled Mower

Snapper 12AVB2A2707 Self Propelled Mower has been recommended by experts. It has the second largest rear wheels of any product on this list—they are eleven inches. Plus, it comes with variable speed front wheel drive. This means that you have even more control over the 12AVB2A2707 than you would normal lawn mowers for hills.

Another positive of Snappers lawn mower for steep slopes is its adjustable and ergonomic handle. The machine is as comfortable to push as you could possibly want. And Snapper believes in their product so much that they have included a three-year warranty. It doesn’t get much better than that.

  9   Snapper CP215520HV / 7800849 HI VAC 3-N-1 Rear Wheel Drive Variable Speed Commercial Series Lawn Mower

The Snapper CP215520HV’s Honda engine is among one of the quietest on this entire list, bested only by the two Husqvarna robotic lawn mowers. This is actually a surprising feature for a self-propelled lawn mower, as these models have a tendency to be quite loud sometimes. Better than that, however, is the fact that it’s a rear-wheel drive self-propelled lawn mower. Rear-wheel drives are known to be one of the best models to use for hills, as the traction picks up in the back of the mower and much more easily eases itself up slopes without accidently wobbling all over the place.

The only thing you need to watch out for on the Snapper CP215520HV is its height adjuster. Users have complained about theirs breaking if they jerk the mower around too hard. While height adjusters can usually be fixed fairly cheap, it’s still important to remember gentleness when working with these machines. After all, not much is known to work well after beating the crap out of it!

  10   Husqvarna 967622505 Automower 430X Robotic Lawn Mower

The Husqvarna Automower 430X is a reminder to us–and all the other lawn mowing brands out there–that Husqvarna is second to absolutely nobody. Whether it be push-mowers, self-propelled mowers, riding lawn mowers, and even robotic lawn mowers! This little guy is the perfect example of Husqvarna’s innovative technology bringing us only the best in grass-cutting ingenuity. And for hills, you can do no better!

 Not only does owning one of these devices make your life much easier in terms of yard work, you’ll find that you can mulch better than ever before. Dare we say, you’d mulch better than you would with any riding lawn mower! And if you don’t believe us, just remember that the AI’s body is close enough to the ground to collect grass, but light enough to not mess up your lawn’s perfect image. With this in mind, you can do no wrong with the Husqvarna Automower 430X!
  11   Troy-Bilt 540cc Briggs & Stratton Intek Automatic 46-Inch Riding Lawnmower

The Troy-Bilt 540cc is unique in the sense that it’s a standard lawn tractor that can handle hills. While riding lawn mowers can certainly handle rough slopes, it is admittedly tougher for them to keep traction than, say, push-mowers or self-propelled lawn mowers (especially rear-wheel drives!). Some homeowners have expressed concern with using standard lawn tractors on hills because of the risk of scalping. Thankfully, Troy-Bilt heard about those concerns and created a failsafe with this mower.

The failsafe can be found at the bottom of the mower. There’s a large black disc that serves partially as a blade control center and partially as a proximity detector. Once the mechanism senses that the blades are too close to the ground, it immediately retreats the blades to prevent scalping from happening. This makes hill mowing much easier than ever before!

  12   Husqvarna Automower 450X

The Automower 450X is another lovely addition to the robotic lawn mower family by Husqvarna. Much like the Automower 430X, this little fellow can rock and roll on hills like even the greatest riding lawn mowers or self-propelled grass-cutters. Despite its small size, it’s super tough to crack its casing. A branch could fall on this AI-controlled grass-cutter and it wouldn’t dent it at all!

Husqvarna also provides buyers with a code for the robot’s personal app. Through this app, you can tell the AI what to do from the comfort of your bedroom. You’ll also receive text updates from the app, which inform you of any number of different scenarios. These scenarios include, but aren’t limited to: incoming inclement weather, theft attempts, error warnings, and completed cut jobs.

How To Mow Hills

If you choose one of the walk behind mowers for hills described above, you will need to follow some steps to mow your hills efficiently.

  1   Check the hill before you begin mowing. You should remove any sticks, toys, or other impediments to the lawn mower.

   2   Begin mowing before you tackle the hill. You never want to start your lawn mower for hills on a slope.

  3   Always mow side to side. If you try, you will discover how hard it is to use a push mower for hills up and down a slope.

   4   Start at the bottom of the hill and work your way up. This procedure will make it much less likely that you will lose control of your push mower for hills. Plus, gravity will be on your side for as long a time as possible.

Safety Precautions

Even with a lawn mower for hills, accidents can happen when you mow steep areas. In order to stay safe, follow these important safety precautions.

  1   Mow slowly. Do not mow your hills if you are pressed for time. You need to go as slowly as possible to keep control of your mower.

   2   Mow the slop sideways. Don’t just run your walk behind mower for hills up and down in a vertical motion. This is a great way to have your lawn mower for hills flip over or slide back towards you.

   3    Do not mow your steep slop if the grass is wet or even damp. The wetter the surface, the less traction your lawn mower for hills will have.

  4  Do not start or stop your lawn mower for steep banks on the hill. You will also not want to turn on the slop. These actions can cause the mower to slide and potentially hurt you.

  5  Always be aware of your surroundings. Don’t mow near an extremely sheer drop-off. Also, be aware of safety routes in case you need to escape a dangerous situation.

Final Words

Just because you have hills in your yard doesn’t mean that mowing has to be a dangerous undertaking. Following some basic safety precautions and purchasing one of the best lawn mowers for hills will make mowing your hilly yard safe and easy.

If you are new to lawn mowers for steep banks, then pay special attention to our buyer’s guide. In it you will find all of the information you need to locate a great lawn mower for hills. Try one today, and never be scared of those steep areas in your yard again.