Buying guide for best toro lawn mowers

Keeping your lawn neat and trim all starts with having the right tools and equipment – and finding the right lawn mower is usually the first step to creating the manicured yard of your dreams. When it comes to trusted mower brands, it’s hard to top Toro, a company with an excellent reputation in the field for over a hundred years.

But Toro offers a wide range of mowers, so choosing the best option for your landscape can be a challenge. In addition to settling on the best type of mower for your yard, you have to consider details such as fuel type, engine horsepower, drive type, cutting width, and other features. With so many mowers to sort through, finding the right one can be a real challenge.

At BestReviews, we’re committed to making shopping as easy as possible. If you’re shopping for a Toro lawn mower, take a look at the product list above for our top choices. For general advice on how to choose a Toro model, keep reading our shopping guide.

Maintenance schedules for Toro mowers vary by model. Consult your owner’s manual to determine how to properly maintain your particular mower.

Types of Toro lawn mowers

Push mowers

A Toro push mower is the most traditional option for trimming a lawn. It’s powered by an engine or motor that uses either gas or electricity, but the user pushes the mower forward from behind. Toro push mowers usually have a fairly generous cutting width, can cut through thick and long grass with ease, and are often able to turn clippings into mulch. Gas models can be fairly noisy, though, and electric models typically can’t run very long.

Self-propelled mowers

A Toro self-propelled mower is similar to a push mower in design, but the engine or motor powers the wheels as well. That means you don’t have to push; you simply guide the mower over the grass. Self-propelled mowers usually have a wide cutting swatch, can take care of long, thick grass, and can mulch clippings.

Zero turn mowers

A Toro zero turn mower is a riding-style mower that uses a pair of levers for steering, rather than a wheel. It can move fairly quickly, and can easily maneuver around obstacles. Zero turn mowers have an extremely generous cutting width, and can mulch clippings if desired.

How big is your lawn?

The size of your lawn is usually the most important factor to consider when you’re trying to decide what type of Toro lawn mower will be your best choice.

• Small lawn: If you have a small yard that’s half an acre or less, a Toro push mower is usually an effective option.

• Medium lawn: If you have a medium-size yard, half an acre to an acre in size, a Toro self-propelled mower is often the best bet.

• Large lawn: If you have a large yard that’s one to ten acres in size, a Toro zero turn mower can help you trim it quickly and easily.

Toro lawn mower feature considerations

Gas vs. electric

If you are considering a Toro push or self-propelled mower, your first decision is whether you want a gas or electric model. Gas mowers are the most common option, though electric models are gaining in popularity.

Toro gas mowers:

• Offer a more powerful motor

• Single tank usually powers the more for an entire mowing job

• Usually start with a pull starter, though some models have an electric starter

• Require more maintenance than electric mowers

• Must use the right fuel, according to the manufacturer's guidelines
   

Toro electric mowers:

• Available in both cordless and corded models

• Offer cleaner, quieter operation than gas mowers

• Easy to start, but cordless models must be fully charged for operation

• Cordless models don’t always have enough power to finish an entire mowing job in one shot

• Corded models require no charging, but the cord can limit mobility

Voltage, amps, and battery system

When you’re looking at electric Toro mowers, it’s important to consider the voltage for cordless models and the amperage (amps) for corded models. The higher the measurements for each, the more power the mower will have.

It’s also a good idea to choose a cordless model that offers a dual-battery system because it can increase the cutting time before the mower requires recharging.

Drive type

If you opt for a Toro self-propelled mower, you should consider the various drive types to determine which works best for your particular landscape:

• All-wheel drive: Self-propelled mowers with all-wheel drive supply power to all of the wheels, so it works well for both even and uneven terrain.

• Front-wheel drive: Self-propelled mowers with front-wheel drive supply power to the front wheels only. They work well for lawns that are level or even, because you can tip the mower up for easy turns.

• Rear-wheel drive: Self-propelled mowers with rear-wheel drive supply power to the back wheels only. This provides greater traction, so they work well for uneven lawns.

Engine horsepower

If you’re considering a Toro zero turn mower, the engine’s horsepower (hp) is an important detail to consider. Horsepower measures the engine’s power output, which is shared among the various components, such as the blades and the transmission. For the best performance, look for a mower with at least a 16 hp engine.

Suspension

With a Toro zero turn mower, you’ll get the smoothest ride if you choose a model that offers a floating suspension. This allows the wheels to move up and down independently, so the mower can easily glide over uneven terrain. This type of suspension doesn’t just offer a smoother ride, though – it also helps provide a more even cut for the grass no matter how hilly the turf may be.

Speed

A Toro zero turn mower’s speed helps determine how quickly you can cut your lawn. Some Toro models can go as fast as eight miles an hour, though many mowers feature smart speed settings, which determine the ideal speed based on whether you want to trim, tow or mow. These smart settings take a lot of the guesswork out of using a zero turn mower, so you can adjust more easily.

Cut width

No matter what type of Toro lawn mower you’re considering, the cut width is an important feature to consider. The wider the cut swath, the larger an area the mower can cover in one pass.

• Toro push and self-propelled models offer cut widths ranging from 22 to 30 inches.

• Toro zero turn mowers cut in swaths ranging from 32 to 60 inches.

Height adjustment

In order to cut both short and tall grasses, it’s important to be able to easily adjust the height on your Toro mower. Look for a push or self-propelled model that features a dual or single lever to control the height adjustment, so you don’t have to adjust the height for individual wheels. Toro zero turn mowers usually feature a user-friendly panel that allows you to easily adjust the cut height.

Deck wash port

When it comes to cleaning Toro lawn mowers, you’ll have an easier time if you choose a model with a deck wash port. This feature allows you to connect a hose to the mower, so you can quickly remove dirt and clippings from the bottom of the cutting deck.

Seat

If a Toro zero turn mower is going to be comfortable to ride, it should have a thickly padded seat for maximum support. It’s also a good idea to choose a model with a seat back that’s at least 18 inches tall to make sure your back is properly supported for longer mowing sessions.

Toro lawn mower prices

Toro lawn mowers range in price based on the mower type and the size of the cutting width. In most cases, the mowers cost between $279 and $9,400.

• Budget-friendly: Toro push lawn mowers are the most inexpensive models, ranging in price from $279 to $320.

• Mid-range: Toro self-propelled lawn mowers usually range in price from $300 to $470.

• Expensive: Toro zero turn mowers are the most expensive models, ranging in price from $2,200 to $9,400.

At the end of each mowing season, fully charge the battery for a cordless electric Toro mower and store it in a cold, dry location to prolong its life.

FAQ

Q. What type of Toro lawn mower is the best option for a small uneven or hilly yard?
A. If your yard is hilly and measures half an acre to a full acre in size, a Toro self-propelled model usually works best. Choose a mower with rear-wheel drive, though, so it has proper traction to deal with the uneven turf.

Q. What type of Toro lawn mower is easiest to use if my lawn has many trees and other obstacles?
A. Toro zero turn mowers are extremely effective in navigating obstacles, and they work well if your yard is an acre or larger in size. For smaller yards with many trees or other obstacles, a gas-powered Toro push mower with higher back wheels, Toro self-propelled mower with rear-wheel drive and large back tires, or a Toro self-propelled mower with all-wheel drive is your best bet.

Q.  How long does a Toro lawn mower usually last?
A. The lifespan of Toro lawn mower depends on how often you use it and how well you maintain it. In general, though, a well-maintained Toro push or self-propelled lawn mower should last seven to ten years. A Toro zero turn mower can last more than 20 years if you care for it properly.