Last Updated on February 3, 2026 by Duncan

Mowing wet grass requires different guidelines than regular lawn care. Moisture can significantly affect the performance of most mowers, leading to uneven cuts and potentially wearing out your equipment.

Finding the right lawnmower is critical for simplifying your lawn management routine and avoiding mower breakdowns. If you have been wondering what type of mower is best for wet grass, the options below offer the power and essential features to give your lawn the best trim, regardless of the weather.

Battery-powered mowers

These are ideal for environmentally conscious homeowners with medium-sized yards who want quieter operation.

One of the best lawnmowers that you can go for is the Greenworks 24V 13“ Brushless Cordless Lawn Mower that has a feature-rich design, including a load-sensing motor that automatically increases power in harsh cutting circumstances.

Top Pick: Greenworks 24V 13“ Brushless Cordless Lawn Mower

• The intelligent three-phase brushless motor optimizes power utilization, conserving battery life while ramping up for more challenging mowing situations.
• No emissions (essential in enclosed BC yards).
• The personal pace auto drive system automatically adjusts to your walking speed.

Robotic lawnmowers

Best for: Hands-free care and frequent light cutting.

This may surprise you, but robotic mowers can be ideal for mowing in wet weather. Many of the advanced versions available now are designed to withstand these conditions. Their weather-detection systems, mulching capabilities, and high-torque motors enable them to perform better in rainy and humid conditions.

One of the best robotic mowers to go for is the Redkey MGC1000 Robot Lawn Mower

It has a rain sensor function that you can customize to either interrupt or not start mowing when it’s raining.

If you have a sloped lawn, the Redkey MGC1000 Robot Lawn Mower can handle up to 35% inclines and is not bothered by damp grass.

Frequent, modest cuts minimize overgrowth throughout the extended rainy seasons.

Gas-powered self-propelled mowers

Gas mowers perform well in difficult situations because they deliver steady power output, especially when cutting wet grass.

Top Pick: Powerhorse 21in. 3-in-1 Self-Propelled Gas Lawn Mower

• Self-propelled mowing performance comes in handy when handling wet grass.
• Since the lawnmower is tough, you can easily tackle large lawns.
• The lawnmower works well under tough conditions.  
• Increased torque for thick, moist grass.

Powerhorse 21in. 3-in-1 Self-Propelled Gas Lawn Mower features:

• Self-propelled, allowing you to move across soggy grass easily.
• Higher cutting heights are available (crucial in rainy weather).
• Better for mowing slopes common in wet terrain.

What are the challenges of mowing wet grass?

There are several challenges associated with cutting wet grass. These challenges include:

Uneven cutting

Wet grass is more malleable, which allows it to cluster, bend, and become weighed down. Running a mower through grass in these conditions can result in inconsistent cuts. It may not be evident when you’re mowing, but uneven patches may become more visible once the grass dries.

Clumping

This is when moist grass sticks to itself. Aside from creating uneven cuts, the cut grass may remain clumped on the lawn. These clumps retain moisture, particularly if the weather remains gloomy, which can cause the grass beneath to decay or contract diseases.

Mower damage

The dampness in the grass makes it stick to the mower’s blades more easily. As a result, you may have to stop more frequently to clean the blades. Otherwise, the grass clumps may cause unnecessary strain on the engine and the transmission, reducing their performance or lifespan.

Grass diseases

Wet grass is prone to tearing due to its pliability and softness, leading to uneven openings through which pathogens can enter. Fungi and bacteria thrive in damp environments, causing ailments such as dollar spot, red thread, and rust disease.

Soil Compaction

If the grass is moist, then the soil is probably wet as well. Driving a mower on moist soil may produce compaction under the machine’s weight. Compacted soil can inhibit grass growth because roots have a more difficult time developing and collecting water and nutrients. In some circumstances, it may cause poor drainage.

Slippery conditions.

When it rains or snows, the lawns and driveways become more slippery. Mowing the lawn when it is damp requires extra attention.

What makes a good lawnmower for cutting wet grass?

When buying a lawnmower for cutting wet grass, look for several key features. These features include:

Self-propulsion

• The self-propulsion feature is beneficial because:
• It reduces strain to push through dense, soggy grass.
• Ensures that the lawnmower maintains a steady speed for even cuts.
• Ensures that the lawnmower is less likely to bog down under challenging conditions.

Sharp blades

You need a lawnmower with sharp blades. This way, you ensure that the grass doesn’t get torn and is less susceptible to diseases. Sharp blades also reduce the risk of clumping or uneven cuts.

Lightweight

You need a light, easy-to-push lawnmower that won’t compact the soil. When you purchase a lawnmower, choose one as light as possible to make your work easier.

Best practices when mowing wet grass

While wet grass is not ideal for mowing, you can still mow your lawn on rainy days or throughout the winter season. If you are looking to do it, these ideas will help you make the most of your lawn care days, maintain your mower, and achieve the best outcomes even under less-than-ideal conditions. These tips include:

Wait for the right conditions.

If you have to mow your lawn in the winter or on wet days, do it later in the day. Doing it later in the day allows the majority of the moisture to dry, especially if there is a lot of dew or it has rained or snowed overnight.

If you have short, light showers, you can start mowing about 30 minutes after they stop.

To minimize stress on the grass, avoid mowing during the hottest parts of the day.

Use a higher cutting height.

Even if you want your grass short, start with a higher cutting height. Starting with a higher cut keeps grass from clogging the blades and puts less load on the engine. On your next pass, reduce the height until you’ve achieved the ideal height.  

Go slowly.

When it comes to cutting damp grass, patience pays off. Mowing your lawn slowly allows you to be more thorough and even, as dampness encourages grass blades to cluster together.

It also helps to prevent accidents, especially when snow and rain can make lawns and driveways more slippery.

Make Overlapping passes.

One pass may not be sufficient to make your yard appear nicer. Going across it several times in different directions lets you catch any growth missed on prior passes, making it appear more even.

Collect your clippings

While mulching can increase moisture retention and fertility, it might be excessive during wet or cold months. Leaving grass clippings on your lawn during a rainstorm can cause decay or illness, as the grass lacks enough room to breathe.

If your lawn mower does not have a collecting bag, rake and gather your clippings to prevent them from spreading onto the rest of the lawn and withering.

Clean your bags and blades.

Wet grass can be stubborn. It easily adheres to any surface, so you may need to clean your mower’s bags or blades more frequently when mowing a damp lawn. Your clippings can quickly accumulate in the mower, affecting its performance and engine life.

You should regularly inspect your blades for clumps or longer blades of grass wedged between them. It’s also critical to check and empty your grass catcher bags before they fill up entirely.

Choose lightweight mowers.

As mentioned, you should use a lightweight mower if you have one. Going lightweight reduces the likelihood of soil compaction, keeping your grass healthier and providing better access to moisture and nutrients.

Reasons for the mower struggling to cut wet grass

If your mower struggles to cut wet grass, it could be due to several reasons, such as:  

Dull blades

Dull blades tend to shred grass rather than cut it cleanly, and wet grass compounds the problem, requiring extra-sharp blades.

Grass clumps

Wet grass tends to adhere together and to the blades, forming clumps that can inhibit even cutting.

Reduced blade speed.

Wet grass tends to adhere to the blades rather than cutting cleanly, resulting in poor performance. Extra moisture in wet grass increases weight and resistance, slowing the blades and diminishing efficacy. You should always clean the blades before mowing your grass.

Clogged mower deck.

Wet grass can quickly pile up under the deck and discharge chute, causing blockages and straining the motor. To be on the safe side, clean the mower deck frequently to remove any clumped grass. You also should make sure the deck is dry and clear before you begin mowing.

Using the wrong type of lawnmower

Not all mowers are suitable for damp conditions. For example, electric mowers tend to struggle more than gasoline-powered mowers due to differences in power output and design. Generally, petrol lawnmowers have more engine power to cut through damp grass, so these are the ones you should go for.

FAQs

Given the dangers of mowing wet grass, should you completely avoid it?

You should mow moist grass using the right equipment and technique, but avoid extremely wet conditions. If it rained overnight or there’s heavy dew in the morning, wait for conditions to improve before mowing your lawn.

If you are in a hurry and you can’t wait for the grass to completely dry, there are several ways to make mowing wet grass easier. One excellent thing to do is to raise your cutting height and go slowly.

Should you bag or mulch the damp grass clippings?

In moist environments, bagging is usually preferable. You should avoid mulching damp grass, as it can easily bog down your machine. Only mulch if the clippings are light and won’t mat down.

Are robotic mowers worth it?

Absolutely! A quality robotic mower “knows” when the grass is too wet to mow and will automatically return to its dock when it rains. The mowers are highly effective at maintaining a consistent lawn height, even with variable weather patterns.

Parting shot

As you have seen, there are lawnmowers that ae designed to handle wet grass and these are the ones you should go for. For the best outcome, mow in dry weather. Mowing damp grass can lead to clumping, inconsistent cuts, and possible mower damage. And you don’t want this, do you?

As a result, it’s best to schedule mowing when the grass is dry and the weather is clear to ensure a smoother cut and a healthier lawn. This strategy improves the beauty of your lawn while also extending the life and performance of your mower.

If you’re still unclear which lawnmower is ideal for you, contact an expert and discuss your options.