The 7 Best Push Lawn Mowers

Best Overall

Greenworks 16 Inch Corded Electric 10 Amp Walk-Behind Push Lawn Mower

$159 at Walmart View on Sears.com

If you want a reliable lawn mower that has no issues around obstacles, can cut overgrown grass, and provides a uniform cut, look no further than the Greenworks Corded Electric Push Lawn Mower. When we tested this mower, we found it had no trouble navigating our yard's many obstacles, such as the patio, flower garden, and trampoline. In fact, it took a little over 30 minutes to mow our lawn, which was heavily overgrown with weeds and dirt areas. 

With its 16-inch deck and light weight (just 48 pounds), this mower allowed us to reach portions of our yard that would have previously required a weed wacker. We were able to easily adjust the height of the mower—five heights, ranging from 0.62 inches to 2.8 inches— through a lever on the unit so that we were able to get our preferred cut every time.

We also liked how versatile the mower was, as it could mulch, side discharge, and bag. In our experience, the bagging option was the most practical to prevent grass from sticking to our shoes. Emptying the bag was simple. We only emptied it twice: once after mowing the rear yard and once after mowing the front. Keep in mind that if your yard is larger, you may need to empty it more frequently. 

Although some might be wary of a corded mower, we didn't have any problems with it. One major advantage was there was no need to worry about petrol fumes, oil changes, or batteries. Keep in mind you'll need an extension cord suitable for use outdoors. While the mower can use up to a 150-foot chord, we discovered that a 100-foot cord was more than plenty. To ensure the plug stays put and avoid tripping, a cord retainer is included.

The mower's assembly was as simple as attaching the handle. The handle can be folded down completely for convenient storage, though we found folding the handle was a challenge initially due to the lack of directions, but as we got the hang of it, it was really simple (just twist the handles on the side).

_{Cutting Width: 16 inches | Weight: 48 pounds | Power Source: Corded | Clippings Options: Bag, mulch, side discharge}

Best Battery-Powered

Ego Power+ Select Cut Cordless Push Lawn Mower

$414 at Amazon $419 at Lowes View on Acmetools.com

If you don't want to deal with a cord or the fumes and maintenance of a gas mower, this battery-powered mower from Ego is a great option. It has an impressive 45-minute runtime and power; the included 56-volt, 5-Ah battery and high-efficiency brushless motor allow this lawn mower to handle tall or thick grass without a problem (but may struggle with damp grass).

The cutting deck is 21 inches wide (5 inches wider than our best overall pick), so it can tackle more grass with one pass. Plus, there are several height adjustments ranging from 1.5 inches to 4 inches, so you can have the right height for your lawn. You'll also appreciate the bright LED headlights, which make it easier to mow at dusk or in the morning.

You can bag your clippings in the included grass catcher, which is very easy to lift for emptying, let them discharge to the side, or mulch them into the lawn. When you are finished mowing, the mower's handle folds down so you can store it easily.

While the mower comes with a battery and charger, you don't need to wait for another battery to charge if you already use Ego Power+ tools (like cordless leaf blowers and hedge trimmers)—the battery is compatible so you'll always have an extra ready to go.

_{Cutting Width: 21 inches | Weight: 49.4 pounds | Power Source: Battery | Clippings Options: Bag, mulch, side discharge}

Best Gas

Troy-Bilt 21-Inch Gas Push Lawn Mower

View on Troybilt.com $300 at Tractor Supply Co.

Unlike many gas mowers, which require seemingly endless cord pulls to power up, this one starts right up, thanks to Troy-Bilt's ReadyStart technology. Once started, the 140cc Briggs & Stratton engine has plenty of power to slice through even thick grass, leaving your lawn neatly groomed.

This sturdy mower has a 21-inch cutting deck (tied for largest on our list) and six easily adjusted cutting levels ranging from 1.25 inches to 3.75 inches, so whatever your type of lawn grass, you can cut it to the appropriate height.

Thanks to Troy-Bilt's TriAction cutting system, the mower gives an exceptionally clean cut to the grass and produces very fine clippings, which can either be mulched back into the lawn or collected in the included 1.9-bushel bag. There is no side-discharge option on this mower.

Its 11-inch rear wheels allow the mower to move easily over even rough terrain and up or down gentle slopes on lawns up to 1/4 acre or so in size. It comes fully assembled and has a two-year limited warranty.

However, one downside is that, like many gas mowers, you need to change the oil periodically—use 10w-30 oil (sold separately)—and to do so, you'll need to tip the mower onto its side to let the old oil drain out before adding the new oil. There is no need to mix oil with gasoline, though.

_{Cutting Width: 21 inches | Weight: 66 pounds | Power Source: Gas | Clippings Options: Bag, mulch}

Best for Small Yards

Ryobi 13 Inch 11 Amp Corded Electric Walk Behind Push Mower

$199 at Home Depot

If your yard is just a quarter to half an acre in size, this Ryobi mover can be just what you need to keep things under control. We put this mower to the test in our front yard, which is 10 x 30 feet with bushes and a small fence around the perimeter, and we were able to mow the entire lawn in 30 minutes. 

At 13 inches, the cutting width is the smallest on our list, making it very easy to maneuver around tree trunks and other obstacles, but it also better suited for a small lawn. We found it incredibly easy to push this mower throughout our lawn because it weighs just 23 pounds, which is half the weight of best overall.

The mower includes a single-point height adjustment, letting you choose the ideal height between 1 and 2.5 inches. There is a height adjustment lever near the front tire; however, we did not change the height throughout our testing.

Though the mower did a great job of leveling off our lawn, we did notice tiny clippings fly out as we were moving. While it was inconvenient since some of the clippings would occasionally get stuck in the vents, it was nothing a simple dusting after mowing couldn't fix.

This is a corded model, so you won't have to worry about filling up on gas, which may be expensive in regions like California, where we tested this mower. However, it does not come with an extension cord, so you will need to purchase one separately.

You can mulch the grass clippings or collect them in the included bag. The grass cuttings come with a bag for easy collection or mulching. If your yard is bigger than ours, you may need to stop and empty the bag more frequently (it was full when we moved between our back and front yard).

_{Cutting Width: 13 inches | Weight: 23 pounds | Power Source: Corded | Clippings Options: Bag, mulch}

Best for Thick Grass

Craftsman Gas Push Lawn Mower

$369 at Lowes

With a 140cc Briggs & Stratton engine, this gas push mower from Craftsman is best for smaller lawns that are no more than 1/4 acre in size, but it easily handles even thick or tall grass.

Unlike many other gas mowers, this one starts up easily, so you won't be yanking on the cord in frustration. The 21-inch cutting deck is wide enough to get the mowing down quickly, and there are six cutting height levels ranging from 1.25 inches to 3.75 inches. The sturdy wheels maneuver easily over rough terrain or slight slopes.

You can set the mower to side discharge clippings, collect them in the included rear bag, or mulch them back into the lawn. At 65 pounds, this isn't a light lawn mower (just a pound lighter than our best gas pick), but it does handle easily.

On the downside, like our best gas pick, this mower requires periodic oil changes. You'll need to tip the mower onto its side to drain the old oil before adding fresh 10w-30 oil. As a general rule, the oil should be changed at least once each year. However, there is no need to mix oil with gas as the mower has a 4-stroke engine. A two-year warranty covers the mower.

_{Cutting Width: 21 inches | Weight: 65 pounds | Power Source: Gas | Clippings Options: Bag, mulch, side-discharge}

Best Mulching

Toro Recycler Gas 21-Inch Push Mower

View on Acmetools.com $369 at Ace Hardware

While it's powerful and loaded with great features, this mulching lawn mower stands out for its ability to reduce grass clippings into the finest mulch, which Toro calls "lawn vitamins." If you prefer not to leave the clippings on your lawn, you'll also love the included two-bushel bag.

Unlike many other gas mowers, you never need to do an oil change on this one; just check the oil level and top it off when necessary. And you'll love the power of this mower, which has a 140cc Briggs & Stratton engine that easily handles thick or tall grass, even if wet.

The mowing deck is 21 inches wide. Nine cutting levels, ranging from 1.25 inches to 3.75 inches—the most levels on this list—allow you to fine-tune the length of your grass. It is also not difficult to start; generally, it will roar to life with just one or two cord pulls.

The mower can also side-discharge clippings, however to receive the free side-discharge chute, you must register your mower with Toro, who will then mail you the chute. The mower is easy to push and steer and has tractioned 10-inch wheels up front and 8-inch wheels in the rear, so it can easily handle tough terrain. A three-year warranty is included with the mower.

_{Cutting Width: 21 inches | Weight: 62 pounds | Power Source: Gas | Clippings Options: Bag, mulch, side discharge}

Best Reel Mower

American Lawn Mower Company Manual Reel Mower

$90 $85 at Amazon $85 at Walmart $85 at Lowes

If you have a small, flat lawn and want the ultimate in environmentally friendly lawn care, it's hard to beat this reel mower. While you'll get a bit of a workout using this mower, it does create a very fine cut, doesn't make much noise, and won't take up a lot of room in your garage or garden shed. It's also very reasonably priced and lightweight (the lightest on our list).

Unlike powered mowers with a single blade that spins on a horizontal axis, this reel mower has four blades that spin vertically. It neatly snips your grass with a scissor-like action that creates a very even cut. And there's almost no maintenance required; every few years, you'll need to sharpen the blades.

The mower cuts a 14-inch swath of grass in a single pass. You can adjust the cutting height between 1 inch and 1.75 inches, but the mower won't perform well on grass taller than four inches. It can occasionally get jammed on large sticks or other lawn debris, so it's best to be sure there aren't obstructions in your path while mowing.

The polymer wheels are 8.5 inches in diameter and roll smoothly. The clippings will mulch into your lawn, but you can purchase a separate bag for this mower if you prefer to bag your clippings.

_{Cutting Width: 14 inches | Power Type: Manual | Weight: 19 pounds | Clippings Options: Mulch}