Quick answer
On steep hills, don’t ride. Use a self-propelled walk-behind with rear-wheel drive, and mow across the slope. For banks too steep to walk safely, use a remote-control 4WD slope mower or a string trimmer. Our top pick is the Mowrator S1 4WD (manufacturer-rated up to 50°), and the best walk-behind is the SENIX 201cc rear-wheel-drive self-propelled mower.
A steep yard calls for a different mower than a flat one. Riding mowers are generally limited to about 15°, so steeper ground needs a walk-behind with good traction, a remote-control slope mower, or a trimmer. If you’re after a ride-on for moderate hills, see our best riding mowers for hills guide instead.
| 1 |  | Mowrator S1 4WD (Grip Tread)Best Overall for Steep Slopes | Check price |
| 2 |  | SENIX 201cc 22″ Variable Speed RWDBest Gas Walk-Behind for Hills | Check price |
| 3 |  | Greenworks 80V 21″ Self-PropelledBest Battery Mower for Hills | Check price |
| 4 |  | PowerSmart 22″ with Briggs & Stratton E550 RWDBest Budget Gas | Check price |
| 5 |  | EGO Power+ 15″ String TrimmerBest for Banks Too Steep to Mow | Check price |
The best lawn mowers for steep hills
1Mowrator S1 4WD (Grip Tread)Best Overall for Steep Slopes
You steer the Mowrator by remote control from the flat ground at the top or bottom of the bank, so you never stand on the slope. It has true 4WD with grip-tread tires and is rated by the manufacturer for slopes up to 50° (119% grade). It cuts a 21″ path and runs on a 56V 18Ah LiFePO4 battery for up to about 1.1 acres per charge.
- Drive: 4WD, 1,000 W
- Slope rating: up to 50° (manufacturer)
- Cut: 21″
- Battery: 56V 18Ah LiFePO4
- Control: remote
Best For: Banks, ditches and slopes too steep to walk or ride safely.
Pros:
- You stay off the slope
- True 4WD traction
- Quiet electric drive
Cons:
- Expensive
- Narrow cut for big flat areas
- Remote control takes some practice
2SENIX 201cc 22″ Variable Speed RWDBest Gas Walk-Behind for Hills
Rear-wheel drive puts traction where the weight is when you push uphill or the bag fills. SENIX adds a 201 cc engine, variable speed and big 11″ rear wheels for rough ground.
- Engine: 201 cc OHV
- Drive: rear-wheel, variable speed
- Deck: 22″ steel
- Wheels: 11″ rear
Best For: Steep lawns you can safely walk across.
Pros:
- Rear-wheel drive
- Variable speed for careful slope mowing
- Strong engine
Cons:
- Heavy to wrestle on the steepest ground
- Recoil start
- Gas maintenance
3Greenworks 80V 21″ Self-PropelledBest Battery Mower for Hills
Battery mowers are lighter to manage on a slope, with no oil to starve or spill when tilted. Greenworks’ 80V model has a brushless motor, a steel deck and cuts up to about ½ acre per 4.0Ah charge.
- Power: 80V, brushless
- Deck: 21″ steel
- Runtime: up to ½ acre (4.0Ah)
- Drive: self-propelled
Best For: Small-to-medium sloped yards.
Pros:
- Lighter and quieter than gas
- No oil or fuel on slopes
- Push-button start
Cons:
- Climbing shortens runtime
- A second battery helps on bigger yards
- Less torque than the big gas engines
4PowerSmart 22″ with Briggs & Stratton E550 RWDBest Budget Gas
Rear-wheel drive and a familiar Briggs & Stratton E550 engine at a budget price. It’s a sensible pick for moderately steep yards.
- Engine: Briggs & Stratton E550, 140 cc
- Drive: rear-wheel
- Deck: 22″ steel
Best For: Budget buyers with sloped lawns.
Pros:
- Rear-wheel drive
- Known engine brand
- Low price
Cons:
- Single speed
- Smaller engine
- Basic features
5EGO Power+ 15″ String TrimmerBest for Banks Too Steep to Mow
Sometimes the safest mower is no mower. A good string trimmer handles short, steep banks and edges where wheels can’t grip. EGO’s has a 15″ swath, a brushless motor, a telescopic shaft and push-button POWERLOAD line winding.
- Swath: 15″
- Motor: brushless, 56V
- Runtime: up to 45 min (2.5Ah, sold separately)
- Line: POWERLOAD push-button winding
Best For: Short, very steep banks and edges.
Pros:
- Works on any slope you can stand on
- Easy line reloading
- Light and quiet
Cons:
- Slow on large areas
- Battery sold separately on this listing
- Uneven cut height compared with a mower
How to mow steep hills safely
- Walk-behind mowers: mow across the slope, side to side, so the mower can’t roll back onto you. (This is the opposite of riding mowers, which go up and down.)
- Never mow wet grass on a slope. Wait until it’s dry.
- Wear shoes with good grip and keep your footing. Don’t pull the mower toward you.
- Mow slowly and avoid sharp turns. Use variable speed if you have it.
- If you can’t stand comfortably on the slope, don’t mow it. Use a remote slope mower or trimmer, or plant ground cover.
How to choose
Moderate slopes
Rear-wheel-drive self-propelled walk-behind, gas or battery.
Steep banks
Remote-control 4WD slope mower, so you stay off the slope.
Small, very steep spots
String trimmer, or replace the grass with ground cover.
Engine oil on slopes
Gas engines can starve of oil at extreme angles. Battery mowers avoid that problem.
Frequently asked questions
Should I mow up and down or across a hill?
With a walk-behind, mow across. With a riding mower, mow up and down. Both rules come from mower makers’ safety guidance and keep the mower from tipping onto, or rolling back over, the operator.
How steep is too steep to mow?
Riding mowers are generally limited to about 15°. Walk-behinds can handle more, but if you can’t keep firm footing, switch to a remote slope mower, a trimmer or ground cover.
Are robot mowers good for hills?
Some all-wheel-drive robot mowers are rated for fairly steep lawns, but most standard robots struggle past moderate slopes. Check the maker’s slope rating against your steepest area.
How we chose: This is a researched guide. We compared drive type, traction, manufacturer slope ratings and owner’s-manual safety guidance for walk-behind and remote mowers. We didn’t field-test these mowers. Slope ratings are the manufacturers’ figures, and your manual’s limits come first.
Update log: November 2026: rebuilt the guide. We focused on walk-behind and remote slope mowers (riding mowers have their own guide), added slope safety rules, a trimmer option for very steep banks, and an FAQ.