The Best Push Lawn Mowers, Tested and Reviewed
Over the last couple of years, we’ve tested more than 30 lawn mowers and found these eight push mowers to be the best in their category, easy to use, and capable of fine finishes. We’ve mowed rows and rows on 2 acres with each of these mowers during 6 weeks of testing. In that time, we assessed each of their strengths to determine which mowers would best suit a variety of situations.
This guide outlines key features to look for in these lawn-maintenance tools and a product lineup that includes a variety of mowers, including some with self-propulsion. Traditionally, push mowers refer to a category of walk-behind mowers that require the user to push the mower, as opposed to a self-propelled walk-behind mower, which mechanically assists the user. However, because people often use push and walk-behind interchangeably, this list includes some self-propelled options as well. Our best overall pick is the Greenworks Pro 80V 21-Inch Push Lawn Mower thanks to its efficient battery usage, cut quality, versatility, and value. Regardless of how you define these machines, the best push mowers are frustration-free and provide consistent results.
- BEST OVERALL: Greenworks Pro 80V 21-Inch Push Lawn Mower
Jump to Review - RUNNER-UP: Ego Power+ 21-Inch Self-Propelled Mower
Jump to Review - BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: American Lawn Mower 14-Inch 11-Amp 120V Corded Mower
Jump to Review - BEST FOR SMALL YARDS: Stihl RMA 460 19-Inch Lawn Mower
Jump to Review - BEST FOR LARGE YARDS: Greenworks 40V 21-Inch Self-Propelled Lawn Mower
Jump to Review - BEST SELF-PROPELLED: Toro 60V MAX 21-Inch Super Recycler Mower
Jump to Review - BEST GAS: Craftsman 21-Inch 150cc Self-Propelled Lawn Mower
Jump to Review - BEST REEL: Fiskars StaySharp 18-Inch Max Reel Mower
Jump to Review
How We Tested the Best Push Lawn Mowers
Before we began testing these mowers, we researched dozens of products in this category. Starting with top-rated models, we narrowed top picks down to products that we thought would offer exceptional performance based on features, consumer reviews, and our own experience with certain brands and similar products. We also chose a variety of products with user experience in mind, so this list includes mowers of various sizes and power output.
We then put these mowers to the test, evaluating ease of use, cut quality, noise, grass disposal, value, and any special features. With each mower, we mowed our test area over several weeks. Finally, we rated each mower’s capabilities, awarding Best Overall to the highest-rated mower. We then awarded other mowers based on their strengths or best use.
| Testing Stats | |
| Products tested | 8 |
| Time spent testing | 16+ hours |
| Tests performed | 4 to 6 |
| Price range | $140 to $800 |
Our Top Picks
With the best push mower, keeping a lawn neat and orderly isn’t difficult. Here’s how our tested models stack up.
Best Overall
Greenworks Pro 80V 21-Inch Push Lawn Mower
This Bob Vila Approved product carries our brand’s highest level of recommendation.
Bob Vila Approved recognizes the household and DIY products that impressed us most in our real-world testing and that exemplify core values of the Bob Vila brand, including craftsmanship, innovation, and value for the dollar. Winners of this designation come recommended by our professional review team and are personally approved by Bob Vila.
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4.5/5; Cut Quality 4/5; Noise 5/5; Grass Disposal 5/5; Value 4.7/5
Product Specs
- Power source: One 80-volt (V) 4-amp-hour (Ah) battery
- Deck size: 21 inches
- Cutting heights: 1.38 to 3.75 inches in 7 positions
What We Like
- 4 Ah battery offers up to 40 minutes of runtime
- Strong motor delivers clean cuts and adjusts blade speed for thick grass
- Easy-to-use controls integrated into the handle
- Rapid charger replenishes battery power in 1 hour
What We Don’t Like
- Not self-propelled, so it may not be as easy to use for some
- Side-discharge chute fits loosely and could be knocked off
Greenworks is known for its advancements in battery technology, and this model comes with an 80V 4 Ah battery that allows for up to 40 minutes of runtime from a full charge. The recharge time for the battery is 60 minutes using the rapid charger.
This battery-powered lawn mower features a 21-inch-wide steel deck and Greenworks’ SmartCut technology. This technology adjusts the motor speed based on load, which makes for more efficient battery usage and better cut quality. In addition to impressive mowing coverage, this model has seven cutting-height positions, three grass-disposal options, and large 10-inch rear wheels to make it easy to mow and maneuver.
Not surprisingly, this Greenworks push mower required a bit more effort to move around the yard than the self-propelled mowers, but it was an extremely capable mower. The powerful motor offered the most “gaslike” performance among the electric mowers. It easily cut through dense, weedy grass up to 10 inches tall and left possibly the best finish of all the mowers we tested. In all grass-disposal modes—bagging, mulching, and side discharging—it left the grass perfectly smooth with no uneven spots or stringy weeds left behind. Plus, it mulched thick grass into virtually invisible clippings.
The only downside of this mower was that hilly ground reduced the amount of area we could mow per charge—not because of demand on the mower, but because our pace slowed. Also, we noticed that the side-discharge chute fit loosely, making it very easy to knock off when in use.
All things considered, we found that this push mower delivered the strongest mowing capability, even though we had to push it. And the price was significantly less than others.
Get the Greenworks 80V push lawn mower at Amazon or Lowe’s.
Runner-Up
Ego Power+ 21-Inch Self-Propelled Mower
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Cut Quality 4/5; Noise 4/5; Grass Disposal 5/5; Value 4.7/5
Product Specs
- Power source: One 56V 4 Ah, 5 Ah, 7.5 Ah or 10 Ah battery
- Deck size: 21 inches
- Cutting heights: 1.5 to 4 inches in 6 positions
What We Like
- 60 minutes of runtime works for lawns up to 0.5 acre
- Battery charges in an hour making it suitable for multiple uses
- Battery works with many other Ego Power+ tools
- Exhibits mowing power similar to a gasoline lawn mowers
What We Don’t Like
- Using the self-propel feature decreases battery runtime by up to half, depending on terrain
- Drive system emits a whiny sound that some users may not like
With Ego Power+’s advanced battery power and feature upgrades typical of more expensive models, this mower is one of the best on the market. It boasts 60 minutes of runtime thanks to its high-efficiency brushless motor and 56V 7.5 Ah battery, which is what we used in testing. (Ego also offers 4 Ah, 5 Ah, and 10 Ah batteries.) Plus, the 7.5 Ah battery takes just 60 minutes to recharge with the rapid charger.
An intuitive lever controls the variable-speed self-propel system, which is capable of mowing more than 3 miles per hour. A load-sensing cutting system automatically increases when conditions get tougher, such as in dense, weedy areas or tall grass. Adjustable handle height, fold-down storage, three grass-disposal options, and LED headlights round out some of the impressive features of this mower.
In testing, we appreciated this machine’s blend of mowing ability, operator comfort, and rapid recharging ability. It easily mowed down tall weeds and traversed steep slopes, and its battery life appeared to be less affected by the added workload. In tough conditions where we experienced declines in battery life of up to 50 percent with some of the other mowers, the Ego Power+ mower only lost about 25 percent of its runtime.
The self-propel feature, on the other hand, cut battery time by about half, compared to using the manual mode. A second charged battery could alleviate that issue, however. The self-propel system also seemed to make the mower a bit noisier than it was otherwise.
That said, the Ego Power+ mower was comfortable and easy to use in all conditions and would be a good choice for lawns up to about a half acre.
Read our full review: Ego Power+ 21-Inch Self-Propelled Mower
Get the Ego Power+ push lawn mower at Amazon (with two 4Ah batteries) or Lowe’s (tool only).
Best Bang for the Buck
American Lawn Mower 14-Inch 11-Amp 120V Corded Mower
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4.5/5; Cut Quality 4/5; Noise 5/5; Grass Disposal 4/5; Value 4.3/5
Product Specs
- Power source: 11-amp corded motor
- Deck size: 14 inches
- Cutting heights: 1.5 to 2.5 inches in 5 positions
What We Like
- Has rear-discharge port and bagger attachment
- Offset oversize wheels for easier navigation on challenging terrain
- Adjustable handle height for improved user comfort
- Doesn’t require gas or charged batteries to operate, saving users time
What We Don’t Like
- Narrow 14-inch cutting deck, so users have to make more passes to finish cutting
American Lawn Mower Company’s corded mower allows you to mow lawns as far as your extension cords can reach and at an attractive price. It also has offset oversize rear wheels to help users navigate hilly and uneven terrain. It features an 11-amp motor and cuts a 14-inch swath, so it’ll take a few more passes to cut the lawn, but its compact size and adjustable fold-down handle also make it very easy to store. The cutting height adjusts to five settings, from 1 inch up to 2.5 inches, making it most suitable for low-growing and warm-season grass types.
In testing, we liked the nonslip grip handle for comfortable control. The large 7-inch rear wheels and narrow, lightweight body also made it easy to pivot and navigate tight spaces. Plus, it had no problem mowing thick, weedy grass. It did struggle with tall grass since the tallest setting is 2.5 inches, compared to 3-plus inches on other mowers.
The mower also features a safety shutoff if you release the handle while mowing, and it has mulching and side-discharge grass disposal options. It does require a 12- or 14-gauge exterior extension cord (not included) to run the mower. Overall, this mower is a good choice for those with small yards and limited storage space.
Get the American Lawn Mower Company push lawn mower at Amazon.
Best for Small Yards
Stihl RMA 460 19-Inch Lawn Mower
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Cut Quality 4/5; Noise 5/5; Grass Disposal 5/5; Value 4.5/5
Product Specs
- Power source: One 36V AK 30 battery
- Deck size: 19 inches
- Cutting heights: 1.4 to 3.9 inches in 7 positions
What We Like
- Competitively priced lawn mower from a premium brand
- Handles fold flat and mower can stand vertically for more convenient storage
- Lightweight build made it easy to push on slopes and to maneuver for storage
- Eco mode saves battery life but still cleanly cuts dense grass
What We Don’t Like
- Narrow cutting deck requires more passes to complete mowing
- 3-hour charge time was not as fast as some of the competition
Part of the AK series of battery-powered tools, the RMA 460 is Stihl’s first mower in the brand’s lawn-care lineup. This cordless lawn mower is available with an AK 30 battery and charger or as a tool only, for those who already own Stihl AK batteries.
At just 62 pounds with a 19-inch steel deck, it’s an easily maneuverable mower for those who have plenty of landscaping to move around or narrow passes to squeeze through. It also offers three grass-discharge options: bagging, mulching, and side discharge. With an AK 30 battery, the RMA 460 can mow 2,852 square feet on a single charge, according to the Stihl site. It also features two battery slots for backup power. Comfort features include a cushioned handle that adjusts to three positions.
In testing, the mower’s battery power lived up to Stihl’s claim: We mowed a little over 3,000 square feet on a single charge in standard mode with the mulch plug installed. A switch in the battery compartment allowed us to choose between standard mode or eco mode. Standard mode produces consistent high power. Eco mode defaults to lower output until it senses resistance—then it kicks into higher power until the resistance level dissipates. Eco mode allowed us to mow just under 4,000 square feet.
The mower deck was lightweight and easy to push but could also be used in self-propelled mode with a manual speed adjuster to match our pace. We were impressed with its cut quality too—no stringy weeds left behind.
Get the Stihl push lawn mower at Northern Tool+ Equipment or a Stihl dealer.
Best for Large Yards
Greenworks 40V 21-Inch Self-Propelled Lawn Mower
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4.7/5; Cut Quality 4.5/5; Noise 5/5; Grass Disposal 4/5; Value 5/5
Product Specs
- Power source: Two 40V 4 Ah batteries
- Deck size: 21 inches
- Cutting heights: 1.38 to 3.75 inches in 7 positions
What We Like
- Can tackle small to large yards; 60 minutes of runtime per charge with 2 batteries
- Self-propelled with automatic pace adjustment to alleviate strain on user
- Heavy-duty steel deck can handle thin to thick grass varieties
- Large 10-inch rear wheels and 8-inch front wheels to traverse tricky terrain
What We Don’t Like
- Pace-adjustment feature is less smooth than competitors
- Less effective at mulching dense grass than comparable options
With up to 60 minutes of runtime per charge and a 21-inch mowing swath, this efficient, brushless lawn mower from Greenworks tackles larger yards up to half an acre (or even more for flat, manicured yards). It includes two 40V 4 Ah batteries and a single-port battery charger that recharges each battery in 120 minutes.
Its convenient self-propelled feature operates with a pressure-sensitive handle that automatically adjusts wheel speed to the user’s walking pace. This mower also offers single-lever height adjustment so you can quickly set the mowing deck to cut from 1.38 to 3.75 inches in seven positions. The kit includes a side-discharge chute, bagger, and mulch plug to handle clippings in whichever way works best.
In our tests, we were somewhat surprised that this mower performed similarly to others with significantly more battery power, though it did tend to bog down dense grass in mulching mode a bit more. Otherwise, it delivered excellent results. With the discharge chute in place, we easily mowed