The 8 Best Push Lawn Mowers of 2019

• 01 of 08

  Best Overall, Electric: Greenworks 12-Amp Corded 20-Inch Lawn Mower

  

  Excellent

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  Electric lawn mowers have become increasingly popular because they're more affordable, better for the environment, and easy to maintain. Our top pick for this category is the Greenworks 20-Inch 12-Amp Corded Lawn Mower. While not as powerful as a gas push mower, this little machine is ideal for small yards and you can't beat the price.

  This push lawn mower has a 12-amp motor, and it features a 20-inch deck. There are seven height options to choose from, depending on how short you want your grass, and the mower has folding handles that make it super easy to store. Keep in mind that this is a corded lawn mower, so you’ll need an extension cord and outlet where you can plug it in as you mow.

  Reviewers love that you can mulch or bag clippings with this mower, and many note that it’s a great option for lawns that are roughly half an acre. Plus, it’s easy to assemble and lightweight.

  Take a peek at some of the other best electric lawn mowers you can buy.

• 02 of 08

  Best Overall, Gas: Honda 21 in. 3-in-1 Variable Speed Gas Walk-Behind Self-Propelled Lawn Mower

  

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  Gas-powered lawn mowers are more powerful than electric ones, but they also require more maintenance. If you want a powerful push lawn mower, one of your best options is the Honda 3-in-1 Variable Speed Gas Walk-Behind Self-Propelled Lawn Mower, which is a top-rated option among thousands of reviewers.

  This self-propelled lawn mower has a 21-inch deck with twin blades, and it creates finer clippings, so you don’t have to empty the bag as often. The 3-in-1 system allows you to switch between mulching, bagging or side-discharge by turning a knob, and the machine is powered by an easy-start Honda engine.

  Reviewers love that this lawn mower is powerful, and the self-propelled design makes it easier to cut large lawns or sloped terrain. Several also note the twin-blade cutting system “blows away the competition,” making lawn care that much easier.

• 03 of 08

  Best Mulching: CRAFTSMAN M230 163-cc 21-in Self-propelled Gas Lawn Mower

  

  Buy on Lowe's

  

  Normal grass clippings aren’t the best to leave on your lawn, as they can harm the remaining grass. However, when you have a mulching lawn mower, the clippings are cut up into fine pieces that break down quickly, delivering nutrients to your yard. If you’re looking for a walk-behind lawn mower with mulching capabilities, consider the Craftsman 21-in Self-propelled Gas Lawn Mower.

  This mower has a 21-inch deck and six position height adjustment. It’s self-propelled, and it includes a variable-speed front wheel drive that allows you to mow comfortably at any pace. The Craftsman mower has a 3-in-1 deck that lets you choose between side discharge, bagging, or mulching, allowing you to return nutrients back to your lawn for a vibrant covering.

  Still can’t decide on what you want? Our lawn mower buying guide may be able to help you find the right machine.

• 04 of 08

  Best Reel Mower: Fiskars StaySharp Max Reel Mower

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  If you have a small yard and don’t mind putting a little muscle into its maintenance, a reel mower like the StaySharp Max may be a worthwhile investment. This style of mower doesn’t have a motor—it relies solely on your momentum to spin the blades and move around your yard. As such, reel mowers are only recommended for small jobs, but on the plus side, they don’t require any electricity or gas.

  This particular reel mower is 60 percent easier to push thanks to its chain-drive design and no-contact blades. The deck is 18 inches wide, and the mower boasts thicker blades that allow you to tackle weeds and other tough areas of your lawn with ease. There are several height adjustments available, and you can even choose whether you want clippings to be discharged in front of or behind the mower.

  According to reviewers, there’s a bit of a learning curve when you first switch to a reel mower, but the StaySharp Max provides a clean, even cut and is surprisingly light and easy to push. However, don’t let your grass get too tall, or else the mower may not be able to cut through it.

  Continue to 5 of 8 below.
• 05 of 08

  Best Cordless: EGO 21 in. 56-Volt Lithium-ion Cordless Battery Walk Behind Push Mower

  

  Buy on Home Depot

  

  Don’t like the idea of having to avoid a cord as you mow? Then you’ll love the EGO 56-Volt Lithium-ion Cordless Battery Walk-Behind Push Mower, which can run for 45 minutes per charge and delivers torque comparable to a gas-powered model.

  The EGO battery-powered push mower has a 21-inch deck, and it delivers 3-in-1 functionality with bagging, mulching, and side discharge options. The lithium-ion batteries need to be charged for 40 minutes between uses, and they’ll provide up to 45 minutes of cutting time—enough to tackle a small yard. The mower has a push-button start, as well as a six-position deck height adjustment. Reviewers love that the EGO mower is powerful yet quiet, and many note that it delivers performance on par with gas push mowers!

• 06 of 08

  Best for Hills: Toro Recycler 22 in. Variable Speed Electric Start Self Propelled Gas Walk-Behind Mower

  

  Buy on Home Depot

  

  Those with sloped lawns should invest in a self-propelled mower—you don’t want to be stuck pushing a 50-pound machine up a hill every time you mow. Self-propelled mowers, such as the Toro Recycler, handle the work for you, as they use power from the engine to turn the wheels, essentially driving themselves up hills.

  This self-propelled mower has a 22-inch deck, and even though it’s gas-powered, it includes an easy push-button electric start. The mower is versatile, allowing you to bag, mulch, or side-discharge clippings, and it boasts nine cutting positions and two handle heights. Plus, this gas mower makes maintenance easier thanks to its “Just Check and Add” oil system and easy-to-clean deck. Reviewers say this self-propelled mower is powerful, and many note that it climbs hills with ease, making your job a lot easier.

• 07 of 08

  Best for Small Yards: Sun Joe Mow Joe 14-Inch 12 Amp Electric Lawn Mower

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  If you have a small yard, you probably don’t want to spend an arm and a leg on a lawn mower. The Sun Joe Mow Joe 14-Inch 12 Amp Electric Lawn Mower is a great budget pick for small mowing jobs, as the corded lawn mower has a small but powerful deck.

  This Sun Joe lawn mower has a 12-amp electric motor, and you have to keep it plugged into an outlet as you mow. The deck is just 14 inches wide, but you can choose between three height adjustments, as well as attach a grass catcher if you choose. Because this mower is electric, there’s no messy oil or gas to worry about, and it starts with the push of a button. Reviewers say it’s a great low-cost, lightweight push mower for small yards, and many note the compact size is easy to store.

• 08 of 08

  Best for Large Yards: Toro TimeMaster 30 in. Briggs and Stratton Personal Pace Self-Propelled Walk-Behind Gas Lawn Mower

  

  Buy on Home Depot

  

  On the other side of the spectrum, people with larger yards will benefit from a larger deck, such as the one on the Toro TimeMaster. This self-propelled gas lawn mower has a 30-inch deck that will cut wider paths on each pass, making quick work of yards up to an acre in size.

  The Toro TimeMaster can reduce mowing time by up to 40 percent thanks to its large deck and dual-force twin blades. Its personal pace self-propel system adjusts to your walking speed, and you can choose to mulch, bag, or side-discharge clippings. Plus, its unique spin-stop blade system allows you to step away from the mower without having to restart it. Some customers have noted that this machine drinks up gas like crazy, but most reviewers have been extremely happy with their purchase.

  "Big yards (especially corner lot homes) take no time at all," wrote one user. "It has unbelievable power for the price."

  For extra large properties, you might want to consider a riding lawn mower to get the job done quickly. Check out our guide to the best riding lawn mowers you can buy today.

Products Tested by The Spruce

How We Tested

Our reviewers spent five hours testing one of the most popular push lawn mowers on the market. To get the most comprehensive feedback possible, we had them scale their yards, taming grass, weeds, and more. We asked our reviewers to consider the most important features — from performance to maneuverability — when using this push lawn mower. We've outlined the essential takeaways here so that you, too, know what to look for when shopping.

What to Look for in a Push Lawn Mower

Type The most common types of lawn mowers are gas-powered, electric, and manual reel. Gas-powered mowers are often preferred for their convenience and power, but they tend to be noisy and not as environmentally friendly. Electric models, which can be corded or cordless, are quieter, have low emissions, and are just as reliable — however, they require charging and have limited run times. Reel models require a lot of physical effort but are suitable for very small yards.

Push vs. self-propelled Push lawn mowers are the standard, but you’ll need to exert more physical effort — especially if your lawn is hilly or uneven. If this is the case, a self-propelled model will be easier to maneuver. Single-speed, self-propelled lawn mowers move at a single pace, between 1 and 3 MPH. Variable-speed lawn mowers can be operated at more than one pace, depending on your preference.

Cutting deck Grass clippings can be expelled three ways: side discharge, bags, and mulching. Side-discharge models send grass clippings right back onto the grass, which is convenient but messy. Bags collect clippings, but emptying them is labor intensive. Mulching models cut grass clippings into small pieces before spitting them back onto the grass. Some models are multifunctional.

Test Results: Greenworks 12-Amp Corded 20-Inch Lawn Mower (Best Overall, Electric)

Excellent

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What We Like

• Easy setup

• Runs quietly

• Great value

What We Don't Like

• Wish it were cordless

This lawn mower won over our testers for how easy it was to set up, use, and store — especially for the price point. Our reviewers also really loved how quiet it was: “You won't be disturbing any of your neighbors if you're mowing early on a weekend,” noted one tester. The only real drawback of this mower? It wasn’t cordless. “The toughest part about using a corded mower is figuring out the best way to maneuver it without having to constantly adjust the power cord,” one tester said before adding “Once you get that down, you’ll enjoy using this mower.”