Have you ever felt a level of admiration, and vicarious satisfaction when you saw one of the perfectly striped lawns on TV?
You must have wondered: How do they make it?
As a matter of fact, it entirely depends on the lawn mower. High-quality tools along with well-positioned rear rollers are of critical importance for generating perfect stripes.
No matter how precisely you operate your lawn mower, or how strongly you push it, you will not get the lawn stripes you desire if your lawn mower is not designed for the purpose.
So, we went through multiple reviews, customer recommendations, as well as advice from professionals to create this ultimate list of the 7 best lawn mowers for stripes! Let’s explore!
How to choose the right lawnmower for lawn stripe?
If you are not very experienced in the field of lawn mowers, you might be wondering what the crucial features to look for are. To help you find the right lawn mower for lawn stripes, we’ve outlined some essential features.
Types of lawnmowers
There are several types of mowers that can make stripes. Below we go over the 3 different types:
- Petrol lawn mowers. These are the most powerful models on the market. They are flexible in use as they don’t need a power cord, making them perfect for large, demanding lawns. However, they tend to be extremely heavy and this would be a problem if they are manually driven. They are also often noisy and require annual maintenance, such as cleaning filters and checking oil.
- Zero turn mowers. As the name suggests, these are lawn mower tractors with a nearly zero turn radius. They are expensive but they offer excellent performance, and if you own a large lawn, they may be worth your investment. Zero turn mowers work through a series of hydraulic controls that are available on the handles you use to pilot the mower. This lets you spin around without losing your place on your lawn completely.
- Push lawn mowers. These are typically small cylinder lawn mowers that you simply push along with your muscle power. They are best for small gardens and don’t use electricity or produce emissions and noise. Nevertheless, push lawn mowers are not suitable for large or sloping gardens, or for people who have difficulty pushing.
Your lawn size
The type of lawn mower is dependent on the size of the patch you will work on. A small lawn often requires a hand push mower. For a medium lawn, a petrol-powered lawn mower would be appropriate. However, if you have a large lawn, you would rather go with a petrol-driven or zero turn mower.
Further Reading:
- Best lawn mowers for 1 acre: Zero turn or riding lawn mowers?
- 9 Best Lawn Mowers for 3 Acres You May not Know
- 7 Best Lawn Mowers for 5 Acres for Your Garden
- 5 Best Lawn Mowers for Large Uneven Gardens
Grass collection
The presence of a collection bag or box should also be considered. The higher the capacity of the collector, the longer you can use the mower before you need to empty it. Also, some models come with a vision window to help you see when the collector is full, which is a great feature.
You can also invest in a lawn mower with a mulching capability. It cuts up the grass and pushes them into the turf. They end up decomposing and eventually improve the quality of the grass on your lawn.
Height adjustment
Most lawn mowers have different options for cutting height adjustment. Blades can be easily moved up and down. Some lawn mowers have greater varying ranges while others have smaller ones. Knowing how tall or short you want your grass to be is very crucial.
Blade width
The longer the blade, the more grass gets cut with each pass. This is essential for large-sized patches as it can reduce the amount of time spent taking care of the lawn. Small gardens suffice with a 30cm cutting width. Meanwhile, medium-sized lawns with a 35-40cm width and large gardens should look for a 40cm+ width.
Weight
If you are investing in a hand push model, lightweight lawn mowers are the right choice. Choose a model that you can easily maneuver and take off-site for storage. (Recomendation: How much does a lawn mower weigh?)
Best petrol lawn mowers for stripes
1. Hayter Harrier-41 16-Inch Rear Roller Self-Propelled Petrol Mower
The Hayter Harrier 41 16-inch self propelled petrol roller lawn mower is a modern definition of the very best lawn mowers. As it is self-propelled, you just let the lawn mower do all the work so you can simply walk behind and steer. If you are looking for a mower for medium and large lawns, this one is designed for you.
The model has an impressive cutting width of 41cm (16’’), covering a large surface of grass in one cutting. The cutting height is adjustable from 13 to 60mm, which can be set using a simple counter-balanced lever. Unlike most cheap models, the body is made up of robust high aluminium to prevent damage.
This is further complemented by the 7 different cutting settings that are available for use, ensuring that users can decide on the type of finish they want with the lawn every time. The mower is powered by a 500 series engine designed by Briggs and Stratton, which affords you all the power you need to complete your tasks.
It has a large 60-liter grass bag that is not compulsory to use when activating the rear discharge feature. The fabric grass bag is fixed through the handle for ease and simplicity. It is also easy to remove and empty when full.
An especially pleasing feature of this lawn mower is the generous three-year guarantee. This solidifies the manufacturer’s trust and confidence in their product and further highlights that the model is made of high-quality materials.
Pros:
- Various speed settings
- The cutting width of 16’’ with 7 cutting functions make it perfect for large lawns
- A large grass bag to ensure more time mowing and less time emptying
- The cutter blade friction disc prevents engine crankshaft damage
- The aluminium deck provides corrosion resistance features in combination with strength and durability
- The startup is by an easy electric key, meaning no pulling stiff cords
- Lifetime guarantee on the crankshaft and 3-year warranty on the mower
Cons:
- A bit heavy
- Quite expensive
Specifications:
| Mower type | Petrol mower |
| Power source | Petrol |
| Cutting width | 16’’ |
| Adjustable cutting height | Yes (from 13 to 60mm) |
| Weight | 39.2 kg |
2. PowerSmart DB8621S Gas Lawn Mower
For making stripes easily, this PowerSmart seld-propelled lawn mower should be one of the best choices. With its ease of use, this mower is also recommended for large gardens.
At a glance, the mower looks like its counterparts even though it has a few extras that the others don’t have. The first thing you can notice is its large bag at the rear. Besides, it has side-discharge and mulching capabilities. By dropping clippings to the side of the area cut, you can simply return the nutrients back to the soil. So, your lawn stays green.
Starting this mower is not a tough nut to crack even though it comes with a pull start rather than an electric start. For the height, it has adjustable height settings with 5 different levels. Moreover, it’s easy to cut stony terrain because you can adjust the height of the mower above the stony grounds.
The mower moves quite fast but you wouldn’t have a tough time keeping up with it. It does mulch leaves as it deals with your grass. For many of us who intend to buy new wheels, you are free to do so. But the mower comes with 8-inch wheels, which is actually enough to handle your tasks. With a 159cc Briggs and Stratton 4.89HP 4-cycle engine, the mower responds pretty well and gets the job done.
While PowerSmart might not be the name that is as well-recognized as others, you will feel comfortable giving it a nice try thanks to the 2-year warranty. The ease of use of this PowerSmart lawn mower is helping the brand rapidly gain popularity.
It is not difficult to assemble the unit, as it comes with an instruction manual. You just simply follow the guide to connect the parts, and add oil and gas, then you’re good to go!
Specifications:
| Mower type | Gas mower |
| Power source | Gas |
| Cutting width | 21’’ |
| Adjustable cutting height | Yes (from 1.2’’ to 3’’) |
| Weight | 62 lbs |
Pros:
- Lightweight and easy to push even over rugged lawns
- Easily pull cord pulls and fires up the first time
- 3-in-1 functionality, including a large 18-gallon rear discharge bag
- 5 adjustable height positions
- Easy to turn, even in compact spaces
Cons:
- Only 8’’ rear wheels
- The highest height position is only 3’’
3. Troy-Bilt 21-inch 159cc Gas Self-propelled Lawn Mower
Many walk-behind, petrol-powered lawn mowers have a well-earned reputation for being pretty heavy. That’s not necessarily what you want if you mow a large lawn on a hot and humid day. Fortunately, lawn mower manufacturers like Troy-Bilt have come to understand this pain point and worked to create self-propulsion features in their units.
At first glance, the Troy-Bilt 21-inch 159cc lawn mower is a little bit smaller than some of the competitors at this price point. But, the OHV design of the engine lets it develop more overall power, cut efficiently, and drive the self-propulsion system. It also includes a special port to accommodate a built-in deck wash port. This lets you simply attach a standard garden hose in order to wash away loose or gunky lawn debris.
Some people don’t choose gas-powered lawn mowers as they think it’s harder to use them than an electric mower of a similar size, for instance. However, this Troy-Bilt mower is quite easy to use. Its engine oil system is designed to check but doesn’t change. You should never have to change the oil with normal use. You just need to check it every two or three mowing sessions.
With the Tri-Action cutting system, you can easily switch from mulching, bagging, and side-discharge modes. Its deck was designed with an integrated rake bumper, helping lift up blades of grass for better mulching or bagging. Besides, it helps break down cut blades of grass more efficiently when mulching. In bagging configuration, the blades of grass that have been drawn into the bag are quickly incorporated into compost bins where microbes can efficiently break them down.
This mower needs very little maintenance. As we mentioned above, the engine is designed to never need an oil change. If the oil level lies on the low side of the safe range, simply add a small amount of oil. Then, give it a few minutes to properly settle and check the level again.
If your lawn has been suffering from lots of pollen or conditions have been especially dusty, you might need to check the air filter every month. Giving it a bit of blow-out with an air compressor, or just a vigorous shake will help ensure that the engine is getting enough oxygen to produce at full power. The brand also offers a 2-year warranty, which is a little better than some of the competitors in this category.
Specifications:
| Mower type | Self-propelled mower |
| Power source | Gas |
| Cutting width | 21’’ |
| Adjustable cutting height | Yes (from 1.25’’ to 3.75’’) |
| Weight | 75 lbs |
Pros:
- Impression Tri-action cutting system
- Fuel efficient
- No need for oil changes
- Easy height control
- Rake bumper
- Deck wash adaptor
- 2-year warranty
Cons:
- No way to drain overfilled oil
- Slightly underpowered
- All wheels are 8-inch diameter
- Bagger can get heavy
4. Mountfield S421R PD 41cm Self-Propelled Petrol Rear Roller Mower
With a five-year warranty, the Mountfield S421R PD guarantees you high performance for years to come. The longer-than-average warranty proves that Mountfield is serious about the quality of this self-propelled lawn mower.
The cutting width of 41cm (16’’) shortens the time it takes users to cut small and medium-size lawns. For people who want to create immaculate stripes, this is the lawn mower to do the job right. After you finish cutting a lawn up to 20m by 20m, the uniform stripes produce a beautiful lawn that you can sit back and admire.
The petrol roller mower features a powerful 100c Mountfield RS100 OHV, four-stroke engine. Steep comprises the bulk of the chassis, letting you cut grass in all conditions without any question of durability. Five grass-cutting heights extend from 20mm to 70mm, and you select grass heights by simply pulling an easy-to-move lever. You don’t need to exert much force to get the grass height of your choice.
The self-propelled drive removes the strain of pushing the lawn mower, especially uphills. At 55 litres, the grass collector saves you significant time by reducing the number of trips to the compost pile.
However, if you are after more control over grass cutting speed, you might be disappointed with this lawn mower. You will find you move at a fixed speed due to the lack of a throttle. Some users also review that the accompanying manual doesn’t have a section in English. Although the rear roller improves the lawn mower’s movement, it still feels somewhat heavy to pull out and push in and out of a garage and shed.
Specifications:
| Mower type | Petrol mower |
| Power source | Petrol |
| Cutting width | 41cm |
| Adjustable cutting height | Yes (from 20mm to 70mm) |
| Weight | 31kg |
Pros:
- Powerful engine withstands heavy use
- A large grass collection box
- Five grass-cutting heights ensure you get your desired finish height
- An impressive 5-year warranty
Cons:
- Fixed speed/ No throttle
- Manual doesn’t include instructions in English
- Somewhat difficult to push into and pull out of sheds
Best striping zero turn mowers
5. Ariens 915223 IKON-X 52’’ Zero Turn Lawn Mower – Top pick
This riding lawn mower from Ariens is appropriate for treating lawns of medium and large sizes. It works fast and efficiently for any mowing purpose.
Its powerful motor ensures high performance and speed, while a wide-cutting platform offers decent coverage. The Kawasaki engine is integrated into this mower. These engines are well known for being sturdy and dependable. Due to hydraulic transmission, you can easily drive the lawn mower with the automatic speed change and the ability to move with up to 6 miles/ h speed.
The cutting platform is 52-inch wide, and it allows for working with large areas in seconds. Plus, it has 13 cutting height options for you to choose from. You can always be aware of how much gas is left in a tank, thanks to its fuel gauge.
The mower is like a car, which can also trim your yard. It has a seat with armrests and adjustable wishbones. You will be in a comfortable position during all times of mowing. The levers in this mower are padded for absorbing the vibrations and ensure comfort during operation.
Specifications:
| Mower type | Zero turn mower |
| Power source | Gas |
| Cutting width | 52’’ |
| Adjustable cutting height | Yes (from 1-½’’ to 4-½’’) |
| Weight | 635 lbs |
Pros:
- Easy-to-use construction
- Powerful engine
- Adjustable cutting height
- Wide cutting platform
- High-back seat with armrests
Cons:
- The mower doesn’t come with headlights
- A bit pricey
6. Husqvarna MZ61 Zero Turn Mower
Professional landscapes looking for a top-of-the-line mower would need the Husqvarna MZ61. There is no substitute for this mower if you are taking on large mowing jobs every day of the week. This model has the build quality and design to tackle the largest mowing tasks.
The model relies on a powerful Briggs & Stratton motor, providing 27HP to the hydrostatic drive and cutting deck. Its 61-inch cutting deck is so impressive that it can cut lawns up to 5-acres or more in size. The induction-cooled motor and oversized fan keep your machine running cool during operation, even after hours of use.
The cutting deck has mid-range positioning, allowing for fast and effective turns. You will get a 9-bushel, triple collection bag to keep your trimmings for the compost heap. Plus, the model also includes the cutting height adjustment on the right side of the chair. You will find all the bells and whistles you need on either side of the wheel arches.
The levers feature comfortable handgrips, reducing operator fatigue in your arms while mowing. The plush, padded seat helps dampen vibration, while the ergonomic design reduces the need to shift around to get comfortable during long mowing tasks.
One of the outstanding features of this mower is its hour-meter. It notifies you when to take it in for a service, which takes the guesswork out of maintaining your machine. Like driving a car, accidents can happen when driving your zero turn lawn mower. That’s why Husqvarna included a seatbelt with the machine. Strap yourself in and protect yourself if things get out of hand while you are mowing.
Specifications:
| Mower type | Zero turn mower |
| Power source | Gas |
| Cutting width | 61’’ |
| Adjustable cutting height | Yes (from 1.5’’ to 4.5’’) |
| Weight | 770 lbs |
Pros:
- Powerful 27HP Briggs & Stratton motor
- 61-inch cutting deck
- Big fuel tank
- Comes with a seat belt for safety
- Premium brand
Con:
- Quite expensive
7. Craftsman 17ARFACQ091 50-Inch Hydrostatic Zero Turn Mower
The Craftsman 17ARFACQ091 50-inch zero turn mower earns its place due to the reliable starting system and comfortable high-back chair. Made with a powerful 24HP Kohler twin-cylinder gas engine, this mower is suitable for large lawns.
The lawn mower is equipped with a durable 50-inch wide steel deck, along with a sleek new frame design for mowing grass in one quick sweep. Plus, the deck wash port saves time for easier underside cleaning. The rear-drive tires create a strong grip on the ground, which gives you great control on moderately wet grounds.
For a clean cutting job and maximum maneuverability, the model allows for quick and easy direction changes with the zero turn technology. The drive system transmission is hydrostatic, which makes it one of the greatest choices on the market. Not to mention, the lap bars also feature comfortable grips and make deck adjustments easier for a better mowing experience.
Specifications:
| Mower type | Zero turn mower |
| Power source | Gas |
| Cutting width | 50’’ |
| Adjustable cutting height | Yes (from 1.25’’ to 3.75’’) |
| Weight | 656 lbs |
Pros:
- 50-inch mowing capacity
- Powerful 24HP Kohler twin cylinder engine
- Hydrostatic transmission
- Robust steel frame
- Comfortable handgrips on bars
- Adjustable cutting height
- Mulching striping kit can be added
Con:
- The range of the cutting height is a bit limited
Best push lawnmowers for striping
8. Webb WEH12R Rear-Roller Hand Mower
The Webb WEH12R push hand cylinder mower is a five-bladed model with a 30cm (12’’) cutting width with a rear roller for creating stripes. These blades are the ones that assist in the differentiation and adjustments of cutting heights. Its cutting height ranges from 13mm to 23.5mm and can be changed very easily with no tools needed.
It has a hardened steel cylinder cutting mechanism, ensuring efficiency and speed in cutting grass. It comes with a felt mesh basket for grass clippings collection, which helps lessen the job since there is no raking of grass clippings afterwards. All you have to do is empty the bag once it is full. Unfortunately, it does not have a large collection capacity and the 18-litre bag is simply quite adequate.
Being a push lawn mower, it is virtually noiseless and its operation is relatively enjoyable. The lightweight machine is 11.1 kg making it one of the lightest models in our review. What we find very relieving about this model is the 3-section handle, making it easier to use comfortably.
Specifications:
| Mower type | Push mower |
| Power source | Manual |
| Cutting width | 12’’ |
| Adjustable cutting height | Yes (from 13mm to 23.5mm) |
| Weight | 11.1 kg |
Pros:
- The hardened steel cylinder mechanism gives efficiency and speed alongside durability when using the mower
- Good for low cuts, with a range of between 13 and 23.5mm
- Different cutting heights to choose from
- The 3-section handle makes it easier to use comfortably
- Lightweight and environmentally-friendly
Cons:
- The front-mounted grass box is great at collecting cuttings, but can come loose if you hit an obstacle
- It doesn’t cope well with extremely tall or wet grass
- Not suitable for uneven lawns
9. Bosch AHM 38 G Manual Reel Lawn Mower
Last but not least, Bosch AHM 38 G reel lawn mower should be a decent choice for making stripes. This manual mower comes with horizontally fixed blades, which cut against a blade that is fixed at the bottom. That’s why you can be sure of a scissors-like cut at all times. It has a roller that leaves your lawn striped after mowing and makes you experience greater stability during operations.
You will love its high-geared wheels, making it more convenient for you to push it around. You don’t need to worry about buying petrol or dealing with power cables. Also, you don’t have to bother about charging or replacing batteries. It weighs just around 9 kilograms, and you can maneuver it around your garden without much stress.
What’s more, it has a grass box with a capacity of 25 litres so that you won’t experience frequent emptying. With its cutting width standing at 38cm, you can mow with utmost convenience. You can choose cutting heights between 15 and 43mm with the aid of a single lever.
Specifications:
| Mower type | Push mower |
| Power source | Manual |
| Cutting width | 38cm |
| Adjustable cutting height | Yes (from 15mm to 43mm) |
| Weight | 9.3kg |
Pros:
- 5-bladed cylinder for flawless operations
- High-geared side wheels for easy pushing
- Rear roller for a striped finish
- Lightweight design for convenient manipulation
- Single lever cutting height adjuster
Cons:
- Not suitable for large lawns
- Quite difficult to mow long, wet grass
FAQs on best lawn mowers for stripes
1. What are the best grass types for striped lawn?
Some grass types stripe better than others. In general, cool-season grasses, such as fescue, rye, or bluegrasses, are best for creating a striped lawn.
This is due to their fine texture and ability to stay healthy at higher heights of cut. For the warm season grasses, finer bladed zoysia, like Innovation Zoysia, can stripe pretty well. Innovation Zoysia, Zeon Zoysia, and Geo Zoysia are a few zoysia varieties that are finer-bladed.
Warm-season grasses are a little more difficult to achieve stripes. You may be able to stripe a bermuda grass lawn – in fact, some users do this pretty well – but it typically will not last long due to the bermudagrass’s rapid growth and low profile. Sports fields and golf courses that use bermudagrass and stripe their turf spend a lot of time and energy on making their fields look nice.
2. Do stripe lawn bad for grass?
There are many contrasting opinions about this matter, but there is no real evidence that striping is bad for grass.
As a matter of fact, it helps in boosting the healthy growth of grass. However, you should avoid excessive mowing in the same direction so that you don’t make the taller grass bend over shorter ones. This will deprive small grass of sunlight, which can lead to its death. So, it is advisable to change your striping direction frequently.
3. How long should lawn stripe last?
This actually depends on the season and the style used in creating stripes. Ideally, best lawn stripes should last for more than two weeks, and in a situation where this is not feasible, you will need to re-stripe as soon as possible.
4. Is there any cordless lawn mower good for lawn stripes?
Yes, you can consider LawnMaster 48V 41cm Cordless Lawn mower.
Final thoughts
Lawn striping is not just for large baseball fields and golf courses only. They can add a lot of beauty and health to your yard as well. And since they are simple and inexpensive to create, we are sure it is something you can handle. Just make sure to do it right and you will love the outcome.
We hope that after careful digestion of this review about best lawn mower for stripes, you can find the best one for your yard. Don’t hesitate to contact us or leave a comment if you have any concerns about this topic! Thanks for reading and have a nice day!