5 Best Toro Lawn Mowers – Best Lawn In The Neighborhood

By
Nora Held
Nora Held
Research Writer
Apart from being our main writer, Nora also works for a number of gardening-related sites and magazines, sharing her experience as an owner of a small farm in North Carolina read more
reviewed
Reviewed By
Bruce Williams
Bruce Williams
Expert Consultant
Bruce owns a small farm and loves to grill since his early childhood. He’s a professional cook, but hiking and enjoying the great outdoors is his no less favorite part of read more
Last updated: August 16, 2023
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Is your lawn looking untidy and not giving you the curb appeal you want? All you need is the best Toro lawn mower to give your lawn the cut it needs so your landscape looks neat and well-kept. One aspect to remember is that not all lawn mowers are the same. You’ll need a device that’s ideal for the size of your garden and appropriate for how often you’ll use it.

That’s why we’re giving you reviews of the top five Toro lawn mowers on the market. In this article we’ll be going through various types of lawn mowers you can buy. These machines will have different cutting heights, since consumers have different preferences. We also mention widths as well as weight so you can determine how easy it will be to handle. And of course, ground speed helps you determine how quickly you can do your outdoor chores. These five reviews with all the specifications mentioned will help you select the best Toro lawn mower for you. First take a look at our comparison table to help you easily navigate to the lawn mower you want to view.

Quick Summary

  • Editor’s Choice: Toro 21199
    "The blades of this lawn mower are incredibly sharp so they slice through the toughest of grass. It will cut your lawn evenly so there won’t be any patches when you’re done mowing. There’s also a bag and mulching switch that allows you to change between the two functions effortlessly"
  • Best Value: Toro Stripe
    "The mower has excellent traction and will cut through any tough turf. It saves you time because it mows your lawn and mulches your grass too. It also comes with a large capacity bag to catch all grass cuttings when you don’t want to mulch"
  • Best with Electric Start: TORO Recycler
    "This machine comes with many convenient features such as an electric start button that will turn the mower on quickly. This saves you having to switch the machine on using traditional drawstrings"
  • Budget Pick: Toro 20378
    "This is the best Toro self-propelled lawn mower on the market at the moment because it does all the work for you while you steer the machine, plus, it comes at the best price"
  • Best for Home Use: TORO 20377
    "The reason this mower is suitable for home use is that it’s effortless to operate and to maintain. It requires no oil changes, only top-ups when the gas is running low. This has a quick switch feature that allows you to change between bagging and mulching"

Top 5 Toro Lawn Mowers Review 2024

?
Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 6552 people in the past 30 days
10
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
9.9
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
9.8
Features & Benefits
Product Review
9.9
10
1
Editor’s Choice

Toro 21199

Features
  • Type: recoil, 1.2 Qt. (Up to 1 hour of run time)
  • Engine: 10.00 ft-lb Gross Torque* Briggs & Stratton® 223cc OHV
  • Cutting width/height: 30″ /1.25″ – 4.25″
  • Handle: Quick Stow Storage Handle
  • Ground speed: Up to 4.5 mph
  • Wheel height: Front 8″, Rear 10″
  • Dimensions: 65.7 x 32.2 x 44.3 “
  • Weight: 140 lbs

At the top of our list is the 2199 machine which has the best design and functionality. This lawn mower has a durable construction made from steel and hard plastic. It has an ergonomic feel and is comfortable to operate when you push it. This is because of the Personal Pace technology that allows you to adjust the speed of the mower according to how fast you’re walking. It’s a self-propelled gas operated machine that works as fast as you want it to. This makes the 2199 Toro mower ideal to work on large and small turfs.

The blades of this lawn mower are incredibly sharp so they slice through the toughest of grass. It will cut your lawn evenly so there won’t be any patches when you’re done mowing. There’s also a bag and mulching switch that allows you to change between the two functions effortlessly.

You’ll love how easy it is to maintain your lawn with this Toro mower because it reduces your cutting time by 40% thanks to the speed of the machine and convenient operation.

This mower requires minimal maintenance because it doesn’t need oil changes. The mower has a washout port that simply requires rinsing after every use to keep your machine running smoothly.

The 2199 Toro mower has a recoil start-up system so you don’t have to contend with annoying wires or cables when you’re cutting grass.

    What makes it special?
  • Up to 4.5mph speed
  • 223CC motor
  • Personal Pace technology
  • Practical for large and small areas
    What cons did we find?
  • Difficult to start
  • Poor packaging
?
Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 5001 people in the past 30 days
9.6
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
9.3
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
9.4
Features & Benefits
Product Review
9.3
9.6
2
Best Value

Toro Stripe

Features
  • Type: recoil
  • Engine: 7.25 ft-lb Gross Torque** Briggs & Stratton® EXi 163cc w/Ready Start®
  • Cutting width/height: 22″ /1.0″ – 4.0″
  • Handle: SmartStow, 1 Piece, Adjustable Height
  • Ground speed: Up to 3.25 mph
  • Wheel height: Front 8″, Rear 11″
  • Dimensions: 58.9 x 23.6 x 39 “
  • Weight: 78 lbs

The Toro Stripe lawn mower is nominated as our best valued machine. You’ll get more bang for your buck with this smart lawn mower because it will make short work of your grass cutting tasks. This lawn mower has a streamlined structure that can be stored upright in your shed or garage so it doesn’t take up too much floor space.

The mower has excellent traction and will cut through any tough turf. It saves you time because it mows your lawn and mulches your grass too. It also comes with a large capacity bag to catch all grass cuttings when you don’t want to mulch. It has excellent ground speed so you can mow your grass fast and without hassle. You’ll enjoy that this is a recoil mower so there are no wires or cables to contend with when cutting your grass. The recoil system makes this lawn mower portable so you don’t have to be near a power outlet to operate it.

The lawn mower is easy to maintain because it doesn’t require any oil changes. Simply check the oil regularly and fill the tank up when needed. It has a deck that cleans out easily too so it continues to provide optimal performance when cutting your grass.

Toro Stripe’s lawn mower is highly durable and can withstand any weather conditions. The robust steel structure won’t oxidize over time and keeps the internal parts of the mower protected from wear.

    What are our favorite features?
  • Recoil lawn mower
  • Fast ground speed of 3.25 mph
  • 163CC engine
    What could be better?
  • Faulty gas cap
  • Difficult to start up
?
Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 8676 people in the past 30 days
9.2
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
8.8
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
9.0
Features & Benefits
Product Review
9.0
9.2
3
Best with Electric Start

TORO Recycler

Features
  • Type: electric, 163cc
  • Engine: 7.25 ft-lb Gross Torque* Briggs & Stratton® EXi 163cc w/Ready Start®
  • Cutting width/height: 22″ /1.0″ – 4.0″
  • Handle: 1 Piece, Adjustable Height
  • Ground speed: not specified
  • Wheel height: 8″
  • Dimensions: 59 x 23 x 44 “
  • Weight: 87 lbs

The Toro Recycler lawn mower comes with many convenient features such as an electric start button that will turn the mower on quickly. This saves you having to switch the machine on using traditional drawstrings. The lawn mower is also a smart device because it has Personal Space technology that senses your walking speed. So if you’re walking fast the lawn mower will move faster too.

You’ll also love that this Toro lawn mower can switch between bagging and mulching when you use the change lever. The quick switch between the functions saves you a lot of time & frustration because you don’t have to do it manually.

This lawn mower is effortless to use and maintain. The bag can be removed easily to be cleaned out and all the parts are durable so they require minimal maintenance. What’s more, the Toro 20334 cuts your grass evenly so there aren’t any patches. It’s a robust lawn mower that has a long service life and it’s the most preferred garden service machine on the market. It makes short work of cutting your grass for small to medium sized gardens. This lawn mower also has an ergonomic design so it’s comfortable to walk with.

    Why is it special?
  • Wheel height of 8"
  • One-piece adjustable handle
  • Electrical device with a 163cc engine
  • Adjustable ground speed
  • Quick engine start
    What are the flaws?
  • Maximum ground speed not specified
  • Poor customer service
?
Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 2852 people in the past 30 days
9.0
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
8.7
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
8.8
Features & Benefits
Product Review
8.8
9.0
4
Budget Pick

Toro 20378

Features
  • Type: recoil
  • Engine: 6.75 ft-lb Gross Torque* Kohler® XTX 149cc OHV w/Auto Choke
  • Cutting width/height: 22″ /1.0″ – 4.0″
  • Handle: 1 Piece, Adjustable Height
  • Ground speed: Up to 3.25 mph
  • Wheel height: Front 8″, Rear 11″
  • Dimensions: not specified
  • Weight: 72 lbs

Some lawn mowers can be extremely expensive so that’s why we’ve included a budget buy on our review list for you. This one is the Toro 20378 and it comes with all the features you need to neaten up your garden but at an affordable price.

This mower is a gas powered machine that doesn’t require oil changes. Simply top up the engine whenever it’s running low on oil. Cleaning this lawn mower is effortless too because it has a washout port that simply requires regular rinsing.

The mower has a single speed with a front-wheel drive and an overhead valve engine. It doesn’t come with a blade brake clutch but it can switch off easily with a press of a button. This is the best Toro self-propelled lawn mower on the market at the moment because it does all the work for you while you steer the machine. It has wheels on the front and back of the mower so there’s no resistance when you’re pushing it. It’s of a manageable weight if you need to pick it up to load onto a truck or into storage.

The durable exterior of this lawn mower protects the inner components from wear and it’s weather resistant. Still, it’s best to store the mower in a shed or garage to preserve the life of the machine.

    What stands out?
  • One adjustable handle
  • Up to 3.25mph speed
  • 8" of height in front and 11" at the back
    What cons did we manage to find?
  • Doesn’t have a blade break
  • Difficult to start
?
Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 5250 people in the past 30 days
8.9
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
8.5
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
8.4
Features & Benefits
Product Review
8.5
8.9
5
Best for Home Use

TORO 20377

Features
  • Type: recoil
  • Engine: 6.75 ft-lb Gross Torque* Kohler® XTX 149cc OHV w/Auto Choke
  • Cutting width/height: 22″ /1.0″ – 4.0″
  • Handle: 1 Piece, Adjustable Height
  • Ground speed: Up to 3.25 mph
  • Wheel height: 8″
  • Dimensions: 59.8 x 23.7 x 39.8 “
  • Weight: 71 lbs

Not all homeowners can afford a garden service. So if you have a large garden that needs maintenance the Toro 20377 is the best lawn mower for homeowners. This is a self propelled gas operated lawn mower that works at fast speeds. It has wheels on the front and back of the mower so you can push the machine easily across any turf.

The reason this mower is suitable for home use is that it’s effortless to operate and to maintain. It requires no oil changes, only top-ups when the gas is running low. This has a quick switch feature that allows you to change between bagging and mulching. The automatic bagging and mulching saves you a lot of time because you don’t have to do it manually.

This mower is easy to clean because it comes with a washout port. It’s advised that you keep this part clean to optimize the operation of your machine.

The mower is a front-wheel drive machine that has variable speeds for small and large turfs. It will cut your grass evenly & disperses mulching consistently.

This Toro lawn mower is lightweight and can be stored in garages or sheds without taking up too much floor space.

It has a robust steel structure that won’t corrode and protects the internal parts of the engine from wear.

    What are its best features?
  • Recoil type
  • Handle has adjustable heights
  • Powerful 149CC engine
    What could be improved?
  • Poor customer service
  • Faulty handle

Things to Consider

This next section is the Toro lawn mower buying guide. Below you’ll learn more about Toro lawn mower specifications and features. It’s important to read through this section thoroughly because it will assist you with making the best buying decision.

What is so special about Toro lawn mowers?

5 Best Toro Lawn Mowers - Best Lawn In The Neighborhood

The Toro lawn mowers are popular machines because of their easy operations and ergonomic designs. They work fast, often reducing your lawn mowing time by up to 40%. Most Toro lawn mowers have a bagging and mulching system that you can switch between with a click of a button. The mulching and bagging are automatic so you don’t have to do this manually, saving you time and making garden maintenance easier.

This company makes Toro commercial mowers as well as residential machines so they can be used for businesses as well as home use.

They manufacture various types of machines such as Toro riding mowers and Toro zero turn mowers as well as high quality self-propelled machines. Take a look at our Toro self-propelled lawn mower reviews to see their best features and specifications.

Other special qualities about Toro lawn mowers are that they’re incredibly durable and easy to maintain. They require zero oil changes, only top-ups. The decks are washout devices that simply need to be rinsed regularly. As you can see Toro is a reputable brand that most people opt for because of high quality constructions and how easy the machines are to use.

Features to consider while choosing a Toro lawn mower

In our features section we’ll be going through the different types of Toro lawn mowers you can buy and the features & specs they can offer you. This section will help you select a lawn mower suitable for your gardening requirements.

Type

There are seven types of lawn mowers and Toro makes them all:

  • Gas: These lawn mowers operate on gas and they are convenient for larger landscapes where power outlets won’t be within reach. The advantage of these lawn mowers is that you don’t have to contend with annoying wires while you cut the grass. Most gas lawn mowers need regular oil changes to maintain the engine but Toro’s lawn mowers don’t. Simply check the oil tank to see if it needs a top-up.
  • Self-propelled: Toro makes excellent self-propelled lawn mowers that work fast, such as Toro 20378. Most electric and petrol powered machines are self-propelled which means you don’t need to push these machines for them to move. These machines push themselves forward and all you have to do is steer them in the correct direction. Take a look at our Toro self-propelled lawn mower reviews to find one that’s ideal for you.
  • Recoil cordless: A lawn mower that’s cordless is typically a battery or gas powered machine. They don’t have any wires that must be plugged into an outlet. This makes these mowers portable and suitable to work on larger turfs. The only downside is that they’re slightly more difficult to power up because they work on recoil systems. You have to pull a string that powers up the internal mechanisms inside the mower which may take a few tries. But Toro’s recoil mowers are easy to power up because you only have to pull the string once to initiate action.
  • Electric: If you’re looking for a lawn mower that doesn’t require regular petrol and oil top-ups then an electric machine is the one you should opt for. These mowers are ideal for smaller gardens and for people who need an economical machine. Read the Toro lawn mower 20334 review at the top of our list because it’s the best electrical lawn mower on the market at the moment.
  • Push mowers: These lawn mowers are typically smaller and lightweight because they must be pushed in order for them to move. They are ideal for smaller turfs, they don’t use electricity to work and they don’t produce much sound, so you won’t disturb the neighbors.
  • Zero Turn: A zero turn mower is a machine that has a turning radius of zero. The benefits of these mowers are their speed and maneuverability. They can get into tight spaces and they can cut grass that’s growing close to objects such as walls. Read Toro zero turn lawn mower reviews to find one with the best specs, features and price.
  • Riding mowers: A riding lawn mower is a vehicle that you sit in and drive (similar to a tractor) to cut your grass. They have powerful engines, they move fast and they are comfortable to sit in. These mowers are suitable for golf courses and other large turfs. Take a look at Toro riding lawn mower reviews if you’re looking for this type of machine. A Toro riding lawn mower review will give you all the information you need to decide if it’s the proper machine for your grass cutting tasks.

 

Power and engine

Toro makes machines that are powered by electricity, batteries and gas. But what about their engines? One advantage of Toro engines is that they require minimal maintenance. The Toro mowers on our list don’t require any oil changes, as you can see it by TORO 20334, only top-ups which makes these machines economical. You save money on engine maintenance kits. However if you have a Toro lawn mower with an engine that needs regular services the brand does sell their own oil and OEM filters. This makes the oil changing process quicker and effortless for you & you can be sure it keeps on running smoothly.

Toro engines are incredibly robust and will have a long service life if you take care of your machine correctly. The brand sells engines for all of their mower types such as ride, zero turn, electrical and recoil machines.

The Toro cylinder and V-twin engines were designed to give optimal performance to any of the brand’s mowers. These engines match the torque curvature to the requirements of the Toro cutting decks they operate. Here are some of the components of Toro mower engines:

  • Self-cleaning air filter housing
  • Quick drain oil hose
  • Dual barrel carburetor

 

All of the engines have heavy-duty construction housing that protects the internal components from debris and from wear.

Blades

5 Best Toro Lawn Mowers - Best Lawn In The Neighborhood

There are three types of cutting blades for lawn mowers:

  • Deck blades: These are commonly found on most lawn mowers. The blades’ edges are curved upward to provide consistent airflow through the mower and they rotate horizontally.
  • Low lift blades: These blades are made for mowers that have a side discharge and they are ideal for sandy soil turfs. They have slightly curved edges and they lack suction to keep airflow to a minimum. Mowers with low lift blades lack suction to allow the cut grass to exit the machine while keeping out dirt and debris. These blades are less strenuous on an engine.
  • High lift blades: A high lift blade has a deeper curved edge that creates maximum suction to circulate and discharge cut grass. These blades create higher airflow that prevents the machines from clogging when cutting taller wet grass.

Cutting Width and Height

Mowers with a wider blade width will cut your grass a lot quicker. For smaller lawns you can select a mower with a cutting width between 12 inches and 16 inches. For larger lawns pick a mower with a cutting width of 14 inches to 18 inches.

The Toro mowers on our list all have 22-inch cutting width except for the 21199 model which as 30-inch cutting width.

Cutting height refers to the height above the soil line that the blades slice to. Some lawn mowers have adjustable cutting heights for short and tall grass. Select a Toro mower that has adjustable heights between 1.0 inches and 4.0 inches.

Handle

All the Toro lawn mowers on our review list have ergonomic handles that have adjustable height settings. This allows you to adjust the height of the handle to a position that’s comfortable for you. The handles of a lawn mower make it easier for you to push the machine.

It should be noted that some mowers don’t have handles, such as the zero turn machines. The Toro zero turn mowers are steered by a wheel.

 

Take a look at a Toro zero turn lawn mower review on YouTube to see how it’s operated.

 Ground Speed

The ground speed of a lawn mower refers to how fast it goes when you push it. Read our Toro lawn mower review on model 21199 because it has a maximum ground speed of 4.5mph.

Other Toro machines have Personal Space technology that senses your walking speed. So if you’re walking fast the lawn mower will move faster too.

Wheel Height

The wheel height will determine how high the decks will be in the front and back of the mower. All the Toro mowers on our list have a front-wheel height of 8 inches and a rear-wheel height of 11 inches. This is the optimal height to mow your lawn because it improves grass color and density & it promotes deep rooted turfs.

5 Best Toro Lawn Mowers - Best Lawn In The Neighborhood

Durability

It’s important that your lawn mower is made with the highest quality materials so that it can have a long service life. All Toro lawn mowers are made with steel that won’t easily wear over time. The hard plastic components are highly durable and won’t crack or tarnish.

Adjustability

As mentioned before the handles on the Toro mowers can all be adjusted to a suitable height. But what about the rest of the construction? The cutting height of all the Toro mowers in our reviews can be adjusted too. The wheel heights can also be changed easily. This is an important feature to look for when shopping for lawn mowers, because you may have a preference of how short you want your grass cut.

Ease of Operation

It’s extremely important that you select a lawn mower that’s easy to use to avoid frustration and strain when you’re mowing the lawn. If you want a user-friendly lawn mower perhaps the Toro 20334 could work for you. It has an easy start-up button and Personal Space technology which means the speeds of the lawn mower will adjust to the pace you’re walking at.

If you want a mower that you don’t have to push then select the Toro 20378 because this machine is a self propelling device. All you have to do is steer the mower in the direction you want it to go.

Warranty

Since a lawn mower is made up of many parts that are vulnerable to wear and damage you’re going to need an excellent warranty on your machine. Fortunately Toro offers warranties on all its machines. The warranty will depend on the type of lawn mower you’ve selected to buy.

Dimensions and Weight

Toro lawn mowers are lightweight so you can move them easily. These mowers are also compactly designed so they can be stored in sheds and garages without taking up too much floor space.

Price

All the Toro lawn mowers are affordable. But if you’re looking for a machine that won’t break the bank then opt for our budget pick which is the Toro 20378.

FAQ

How should I maintain and clean my Toro lawn mower?

The Toro lawn mowers on our review lists require minimal maintenance. The engines have self-cleaning airflow housing so they don’t require oil filters. They also don’t need oil changes. Toro mowers have washout decks that can be removed and rinsed with water.

Where is a Toro lawn mower better stored?

Some lawn mowers such as the Toro recycler machine can be stored upright to save on floor space in a garage or shed. Take a look at a Toro recycler lawn mower review to see how it’s done. You should always store your mower in a shed or garage to protect it from the elements.

How often do blades need sharpening?

It’s recommended that you sharpen your mower blades twice each season. Sharpened blades will cut clean through turf and prevent resistance when pushing the machine. Clean cut grass also promotes a healthy lawn that recovers quickly after it’s been mowed.

Our verdict

Did you find the best Toro lawn mower for your grass? If you’re still struggling to decide perhaps our editor’s choice, Toro 21199, may be an excellent buy for you. It’s a great machine with a 223CC engine and a Personal Pace speed technology.

Or perhaps our best valued machine will be better suited for you. This is the Toro 20339 which has an easy start recoil system and can be stored upright to save on floor space.

But if you’re looking for a mower that isn’t expensive then our budget pick is for you. The Toro 20378  is a gas powered machine that doesn’t require oil changes. It’s portable, easy to operate and effortless to maintain.

So, which do you think is the best Toro lawn mower and which one will you be buying? We hope our reviews and buyers guide helped you with your purchase decision. But no matter which Toro lawn mower you pick, you’re guaranteed a quality machine.

10
Total Score
Toro 21199 - Editor’s Choice
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