Mowing wet grass is never ideal. Unfortunately, sometimes it is just necessary.
If you live in a wet climate where rain is frequent, buying a lawn mower that can handle wet mowing is more important than ever. It will help keep your lawn healthy and look great.
So, in this guide, we’ll show you the 7 best lawn mowers for wet grass, as well as some useful tips to choose the right one.
Let’s explore!
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How to choose the best lawnmower for wet grass?
There are a few things you need to consider in your lawn mower for wet grass cutting. Wet grass doesn’t need special abilities or features compared to regular grass mowing, but it needs much more powerful versions of those features.
Adjustable height settings
Adjustable height settings are essential for mowing wet grass. It’s not a good idea to mow wet grass the same height as you would mow dry grass. Wet grass is much clingier and more prone to clumping, so it should be cut in smaller chunks.
Having multiple adjustable height settings allows you to move the mower up higher, giving your grass a trim without cutting off as much of the grass. Taller trimming height is also beneficial for other types of grass. Therefore, it’s important to have at least a couple of adjustable height settings, not just when you are cutting wet grass.
Sharp blades
Blunt blades can make trimming a wet turf a challenging job, as wet grass weighs down instead of standing upright. The grass will evade the blades, making it too hard to get an even cut.
One method of fixing this is to ensure that the blades are sharp enough to not brush over and push grass blades aside or sideways.
Other important features
These two features are the main considerations when we’re looking for a lawn mower for wet grass. However, that doesn’t mean we are not considering other features.
It’s still necessary to consider the power source, run time, as well as maintenance requirements of your lawn mower. We also look for mowers that are relatively easy to start, even if they use the traditional pull chain. Besides, low vibration and maneuverability are great features if you have a large lawn because they can make the work easier without tiring out your arms and shoulders.
Note:
Remember, as much as possible you should mow the grass when it is dry. A lot of experts believe that you shouldn’t even try to cute wet grass. But if you still want to, please pay attention to safety, as well as every lawn mowing tip and trick you know.
8 Best lawn mowers for wet grass
1. Craftsman M105 140cc 21-Inch 3-in 1 – Best mower for wet grass
Although there’s a whole array of highly functional mowers, we believe that Craftsman M015 Gas-Powered Push Lawn Mower is one of the best mowers for wet grass. The reason for this is very simple – it is effective, long-lasting, and ergonomic. Plus, it is a mid-range gas mower that comes with a good number of features for the price you pay.
Weighing less than 70 lbs, the mower is a mobile and easy-to-use utility. It’s excellent for both large-scale maintenance and simply mowing your lawn. It’s a bit over 20-inch wide, which means that it can fit in most limited space in your garage,
With a 140cc motor, it can provide the best quality cutting without overheating for longer than regular mowers. Additionally, the motor can operate in three modes, allowing users to trim the grass with one or two blades at the same time, as well as distribute mulch. All these functions are initiated with just a few simple slides of the mode levers.
To utilize all features, make sure to fuel the mower with good-quality gas to prevent it from choking and smoking. Moreover, when sufficiently fueled, it slices through even the densest and wettest grass.
Pros:
- Easy start motor
- Deep grass slicing
- 3-mode cutting system
- High traction wheels
Con:
- The grass collector bad might feel small for some users
Specifications:
| Mower type | Push lawn mower |
| Engine output | 140cc |
| Power source | Gas |
| Cutting width | 21’’ |
| Adjustable cutting height | Yes (from 1.25’’ to 3.75’’) |
| Weight | 65 lbs |
2. Ariens 915223 IKON-X 52-Inch Zero-Turn Mower – Top pick
If you’re looking for the best commercial mower for wet grass, then take a look at this zero-turn lawn mower. Ariens 915223 IKON-X 52-inch zero-turn mower is much more compact than similar models. Yes, it’s 52 inches in width, but it is rather flat in height, which ensures portability and swift movements.
The thickness of the steel sheet is around 11 inches, making the upper deck sturdier than standard 14 or 12-gauge mowers. This allows for a longer service period while protecting the machine from mechanical damages, like scuffing, denting, or cracking.
The machine is made to require as little maintenance as possible. Its zero-turn feature enables the mover to move fast and evenly in the most opaque grass, dry or wet. With 3 in-built razor-like blades, it can cover an area large enough to accelerate the speed and timing of your lawn care routine.
In case you want to regulate the height of its coverage area, you can turn to its control board. It is extremely easy to use and lets you opt between different cutting modes, from the lowest to the highest.
Pros:
- Compact and comfortable
- In-built arbor for bumpy areas
- Durable
- Excellent for large lawns
Cons:
- Quite expensive
- Uncrating takes up to an hour
Specifications:
| Mower type | Zero-turn mower |
| Power source | Gas |
| Cutting width | 52’’ |
| Adjustable cutting height | Yes (from 1.5’’ to 4.5’’) |
| Weight | 871 lbs |
3. PowerSmart 170cc 21-Inch Lawn Mower – Top lawn mowers
In case you are always concerned about the tidiness of your lawn maintenance, this mower can give you an easy solution. PowerSmart DB2194SR Gas-Powered Self-Propelled Lawn Mower offers a lot of attractive features at a price that won’t leave too big of a dent in your checking account.
The mower is completely non-electric, powered by a 170cc motor. Such capacity lets users cover rather vast areas within a shorter time. It can cut through even the densest grass and vegetation without getting stuck or cut off during long runs.
To ensure comfort and neatness, the manufacturer has equipped the mower with a nice waste sack. When the grass is sliced down, it is slung directly into the sack, completely secured from falling out by a mesh.
You just simply remove the container from its deck, dump the wastes, and the mower is ready for the next run. Don’t worry about wet grass sticking to the container because it’s prevented by the mesh inside the sack.
Mowing when wet grass gets into the blades can be quite dangerous. Nevertheless, its 8-inch blades are slick enough not to let the grass get stuck on the surface. Besides, thanks to its sharpness, it doesn’t only cut the grass down but rather mash it heavily to allow for fast and effortless cleaning.
Pros:
- Powerful motor
- Waste-gathering sack
- Corrosion-resistant
- Large cutting deck
Con:
- Consumes a large amount of gas
Specifications:
| Mower type | Self-propelled lawn mower |
| Engine output | 170cc |
| Power source | Gas |
| Cutting width | 21’’ |
| Adjustable cutting height | Yes (from 1.18’’ to 3’’) |
| Weight | 70 lbs |
4. Greenworks 40V 21-inch Brushless (Smart Pace) Self-propelled Lawn Mower – Great choice
If you are looking for a more versatile option, take a look at this powerful Greenworks battery-powered lawn mower. This mower is quick to start, easy to maintain, and offers good battery life.
This lawn mower also features great traction on the wheels, so it is a good choice if your lawn is a little uneven or has lots of hills. Besides, the option to switch between back bagging, mulching, and side discharge features also help this lawn mower be more useful in addition to mowing wet grass.
Furthermore, with 7 different height settings, this lawn mower becomes one of the best options for wet grass. It is virtually maintenance free,with no oil, no gas, and no emissions. According to the brand, it uses up to 70% less space in your garage with vertical storage.
Pros:
- Eco-friendly
- Easy to start
- Large cutting deck
- 7 different height settings
Cons:
- It’s quite difficult to switch between bagging and free discharge settings
Specifications:
| Mower type | Self-propelled lawn mower |
|---|---|
| Power source | Battery-powered |
| Cutting width | 21’’ |
| Adjustable cutting height | Yes (from 1-⅜’ to 3-¾’) |
| Weight | 82.8 lbs |
5. WORX WG779 40V Power Share 4.0AH 14-Inch Mower – Good choice
This WORX lawn mower is a decent option for any kind of grass. You will just need to adjust the height properly when cutting grass. Plus, it can be a good choice for people who are searching for an entry-level lawn mower. However, its wheels don’t have quite enough traction for this version to make it into our top 5.
The mower has 6 different height adjustment settings, which are great to handle your wet grass, no matter how tall or short you want to keep it. Besides, mulching settings let you skip bagging, which is perfect for wet grass. Nevertheless, since mulching is much more intense for the blade, you might need to replace these blades more often if you mulch wet grass.
As the mower uses two batteries at once for a longer run time and more power, it also comes with a dual space charger, so that you can charge them at the same time.
When it comes to maneuverability, this lawn mower does a good job. It is quite good on slopes, but the lack of traction from the wheels can be a significant issue on steep slopes or when your grass is so wet.
Pros:
- Easy to maneuver
- Long runtime
- Powerful motors
- Two batteries
Con:
- Wheels don’t offer much additional traction
Specifications:
| Mower type | Push lawn mower |
| Power source | Battery |
| Cutting width | 14’’ |
| Adjustable cutting height | Yes (from 1.5’’ to 3.5’’) |
| Weight | 35.27 lbs |
6. American Lawn Mower 14-Inch 4-Blade Hand Reel Mower
For anyone that wants to facilitate their backyard maintenance with something simpler, here you have a manual lawn mower. The wonder of this product is an extremely plain design along with a bunch of functional features. Plus, this made in USA mower is a product from a well-known brand, so users can be sure of its quality.
This mower works using inertia created when pushing the handle. The faster you move, the more rapid the blade rotation is, hence providing more thorough cuts through wet grass.
Around 43 inches in height, the product suits people without having to bend down at any point. Its deck is more than 3-feet wide, ensuring a nice, smooth cutting coverage, where you will not miss an inch of the ground. Plus, the 4-blade system creates constant rotation to cut down even the thickest sorts of grass, no matter high or low.
To make its maintenance even easier, regular rubber wheels have been substituted for much tougher polypropylene ones. You don’t need to worry about being stuck in mulch or dirt as its wheels can easily grind through even the stickiest mud.
Pros:
- Easy to move
- Anti-rust coating
- Easy assembly
- No fuel is required
Con:
- Might get slowed down in taller grass
Specifications:
| Mower type | Push lawn mower |
| Power source | Manual |
| Cutting width | 14’’ |
| Adjustable cutting height | Yes (from 0.5’’ to 1.75’’) |
| Weight | 20 lbs |
7. Hyundai HYM510SPE 196cc Self-Propelled Petrol Lawn Mower – Great choice
The Hyundai HYM510SPE 196cc self-propelled petrol lawn mower is the top-of-the-line machine in Hyundai’s lawn mower range. It has a power and reliable 196cc engine, along with being self-propelled, taking little effort to maneuver around your lawn or gardening.
Its electric start button makes it simple to get going, though there’s a recoil cord in case the battery is flat. Assembly is tool-free and we suggest you watch the Youtube videos rather than reading the written instruction book.
The mower has a wide enough cutting blade at 51cm for large gardens as well as agricultural or horticultural businesses. However, at 43.8kg, it’s a heavy machine so some people may find it a bit difficult to move around obstacles.
It has all the functions that a garden requires. It can cut and collect grass in the larger than average 70-liter polyester collection bag. If you’d like to return the clippings to the lawn, you can eject them from the rear or the side of the mower. The mulching function lets you get the clippings finely chopped into mulch and then sprinkled onto the grass as fertilizer.
The choice of 6 pre-set grass lengths from 25mm to 75mm allows you to choose how long to leave the grass, depending on how soon you can get back to it and the grass type you have. A unique addition to this mower is that it has two cup holders in the soft-grip handlebars. Either take turns mowing with a partner with your own drinks, or take out 2 beverages for yourself to see you through a long mowing day.
Pros:
- Perfect for both domestic and professional mowing
- Powerful and reliable 196cc engine
- Electric button start for easy powering up
- A generous cutting blade of 51cm for fewer passes
- Tool-free assembly is easy and quick
Con:
- Heavy to move around
Specifications:
| Mower type | Self-propelled lawn mower |
| Engine output | 196cc |
| Power source | Fuel-powered |
| Cutting width | 20’’ |
| Adjustable cutting height | Yes (from 25mm to 75mm) |
| Weight | 43.8kg |
8. TACKLIFE 40V 4.0AH Battery Cordless Lawn Mower
This battery-powered lawn mower packs a lot of bang for your buck. Its motor can handle more intense cutting, such as mowing wet lawns or mulching grass clippings, but it is also quieter than the average gas-powered lawn mower.
The folding design makes it easy to store, and even easy to move from place to place. If you’ve got a segmented yard and need to mow several lawns, this might be a good choice.
Its wheels have a reasonable amount of traction. We will note that its wheels can be a little slick when they are wet, so it is not great for wet grass and hills. However, this mower can handle either one on its own. We don’t recommend using the bag feature when you are mowing wet grass, but it’s nice to have when your lawn is dry.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Eco-friendly
- Powerful motor
- Durable
- Folding for easy storage
Con:
- The 16-inch cutting deck is not perfect for large lawns
Specifications:
| Mower type | Cordless lawn mower |
| Power source | Battery |
| Cutting width | 16’’ |
| Adjustable cutting height | Yes (from 0.98’’ to 2.95’’) |
| Weight | 33 lbs |
Tips to safely wet grass cutting
Below are several tips to mow a wet lawn safely:
- Always wear substantial footwear along with long trousers. Don’t operate the lawn mower when barefoot or wearing sandals.
- Make sure your lawn mower’s blade is sharp enough to cut the grass quickly and cleanly.
- Don’t bag or mulch. Use a side discharge and either rake up the clippings or mow again when it is dry using a bagger or mulcher.
- When it comes to fuel, you should use a stabilizer and only buy enough fuel for a few weeks’ mowing. This will help prevent contamination due to wet grass.
- Remember to clean after you mow. Wet grass often sticks to the underside of your lawn mower, so you’ll need to scrape any grass clippings from the underside and clean out all the air inlets and filters. Failure to remove wet grass may result in reduced performance of your lawn mower.
FAQs on best mowers for wet grass lawns
1. What are the precautions when mowing a wet grass lawn?
The first and foremost rule is to slowly mow, taking breaks now and again. Secondly, put on some old clothes as you are about to get dirty. Lastly, don’t use electric lawn mowers.
2. Is it safe to cut wet grass on slopes with mowers?
Mowing wet grass on slopes should be an option only when you use a non-electric or, even better, a hand mower. Meanwhile, mowing wet grass with a riding mower on slopes can be quite risky.
3. Why don’t use an electric lawn mower for a wet grass lawn?
You should not using electric mowers for wet grass lawn because of using an electric lawn mowers on wet grass—especially with an extension cord can runs the risk of electric shock that leads to electrocution to the operator
4. How wet is too wet to mow a lawn?
There are times when you can cut wet grass successfully. But the level of wetness or dampness will determine if you can be successful or not. So, how wet is too wet to cut grass?
- If the ground is soggy, don’t mow. Postpone until the ground dries and firms up.
- Light morning dew might not pose lots of difficulties. Clear it off with a lawn dew brush and proceed to mow.
- It’s not recommended to mow in the rain, especially when you are using a corded electric lawn mower.
As we said above, if you can wait, do it when the grass is dry to avoid too many complications.
Final thoughts
Many people assume that a regular lawn mower can handle wet grass just fine. It’s largely true, as long as you have a high-end model. However, even though most lawn mowers can handle cutting wet grass, that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re good at it.
We hope this list helps you find the best lawn mower for wet grass yourself. Should you have any questions, feel free to ask us right away! Thanks for reading and enjoy mowing!