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Push lawn mowers are an ideal option for those with smaller lawns, as they’re typically more affordable than ride-on mowers. There are plenty of push mowers to choose from today, including both gas- and battery-powered models, as well as mulching, self-propelled, and cordless options.
Here, the best push lawn mowers on the market.
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This gas-powered pick from Troy-Bilt is one of the best push lawn mowers you can buy today, thanks to its dependable Honda engine, ample power, and unbeatable durability. This mower has a 21-inch deck, a 160cc engine, and weighs just under 70 pounds. It’s recommended for those with flat lawns that are a quarter of an acre or less. It has a dual-lever, six-position height adjustment to get you the grass height of your choice, and its TriAction cutting system is designed so the blade, rake bumper, and deck work together to deliver a clean, even cut every time.
This Troy-Bilt mower comes with rear bag, mulch kit, and side discharge options, and the 11-inch rear wheels provide better traction on rough or soft spots. The mower comes with a two-year limited warranty, and reviewers say as long as you take care of the machine, it will last you for many years. Owners say this push mower is powerful enough to tackle longer grass, and many also note the Auto Choke System is easy to use, allowing you to start up the mower effortlessly.
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If you don’t want to splurge on a lawn mower, this model from American Lawn Mower is both affordable and effective. This corded push mower has a modest 14-inch deck and 11-amp motor, but reviewers say it’s surprisingly strong, given its affordable price, and can even handle thick grass.
This electric corded push mower features a 2-in-1 rear discharge and mulching system, and it comes with a hard-top grass bag, too. It boasts five-position height adjustment, as well as multiple handle height positions to make it comfortable to use for just about everyone. At just 25 pounds, this mower is lightweight and easy to operate, and it’s an ideal solution for small yards.
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Gas mowers are typically more powerful than their battery-powered counterparts, but they also require more maintenance and are louder to operate. If you want the power that a gas push mower providers, one of your best options is the Craftsman M110, which features a 140cc Briggs and Stratton engine and 21-inch cutting deck.
This gas push mower is ideal for small yards—typically a quarter of an acre or less—with flat terrain. The 3-in-1 deck lets you mulch, bag, or side discharge grass clippings, and the six-position height adjustment can be set between 1.25 and 3.75 inches. The engine features the brand’s ReadyStart technology, which means you don’t have to prime or choke the mower to get it started, and the model’s 8-inch rear wheels allow you to maneuver the mower easily around your lawn.
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On the flip side, electric lawn mowers are quieter, more eco-friendly, and a breeze to maintain. With a model like the top-rated Ryobi Battery Walk-Behind Push Lawn Mower, you’ll get gas-like power and a host of useful features, such as push-button start and load-sensing technology.
This push mower is powered by a 40-volt 5.0 Ah lithium ion battery that delivers around 38 minutes of run time per charge. The Ryobi push mower has a 20-inch cutting deck and both bagging and mulching capabilities, and it also features seven different blade height positions. The battery-powered mower is extremely quiet while running and includes LED headlights and a telescoping handle for more compact storage.
If you don’t believe that an electric mower can keep up with gas-powered models, just read the reviews for this Ryobi mower—people say it’s lightweight yet incredibly powerful, and many say they enjoy using it much more than gas-powered mowers.
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If you don’t like the inconvenience of having to plug in a corded push mower, you’ll love the DeWalt Cordless Push Lawn Mower, which is powered by two 9.0 Ah lithium-ion batteries. This cordless push mower is ideal for yards up to a quarter acre, as it can run for up to 25 minutes per charge.
This mower has a 20-inch metal deck, and you can quickly and easily adjust the cutting height with the single-lever adjustment. The push mower has 3-in-1 capabilities to either bag, mulch, or rear discharge grass clippings, and it comes with a collection bag, to boot. When you’re done mowing, the handles fold for compact, upright storage.
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Certain push mowers can be quite heavy, especially if you have to navigate them around a larger yard. To make your life easier, you may want to consider a lightweight push mower like this one from Sun Joe—it weighs just 29 pounds for easy maneuverability!
This corded push mower has a smaller, 12-inch deck and is powered by a 12-amp motor. It comes with a detachable grass catcher, and you can choose between three cutting heights. This corded mower is recommended for small to mid-sized lawns with flat or slightly sloped terrain, and reviewers say it can even handle tall or thick grass, despite its compact form.
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For those with large or sloped yards, physically pushing a lawn mower around might not be easy—or even feasible. In this case, you’ll need a self-propelled mower, such as this top-rated electric model from EGO, which uses engine power to turn the wheels, reducing the work you have to do. This popular, self-propelled mower features a 21-inch cutting deck and is powered by a 56-volt lithium-ion battery that delivers an impressive 60 minutes of cut time per charge. According to the manufacturer, this mower is best used for yards up to a half of an acre with flat, sloped, or uneven terrain.
The EGO self-propelled mower can mulch, bag, or side discharge grass clippings, and it offers six deck height positions with a single-lever adjustment system. It has a durable, weather-resistant construction, as well as a push-button start, two-bushel grass collection bag, LED headlights, and folding handles. Buyers say it’s impressively powerful, easy to operate, and durable.
As someone who grew up on a farm, Camryn Rabideau has been using all sorts of yard care tools since she was young. Using her firsthand knowledge, she’s written several lawn mower buying guides for The Spruce and even tested out the Ryobi Electric Riding Mower with help from her father.
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.
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