Electric mowers use rechargeable batteries to power the blades and any self-propelled transmissions, and they have comparable power to their gas-using counterparts. The downside is that they have relatively short run times – often just up to an hour – so you’ll have to keep a back-up battery charged and ready to go if your yard is on the larger side or has a lot of obstacles to mow around. Manual reel mowers have seen an uptick in popularity with homeowners who have very small lots, often under .25 acres. With smaller cutting decks and no need to keep fuel or batteries on-hand, they’re perfect for more compact storage when not in use and during the off season. They also can help you reduce your carbon footprint since they don’t expel any sort of exhaust or require any electricity, just some good, old-fashioned elbow grease. To help you find the best push mower for your yard, I’ve rounded up five of the best you can buy. I broke down their features, power sources, and price points so you can choose the one that best fits both your budget and your lawn care needs. Must read:
The 5 best lawn mowersThe 5 best riding mowersThe 5 best zero-turn mowersThe 5 best robot mowersThe 5 best electric mowersHow to choose a mower
The Honda HRN 166cc push mower snagged a spot in our list of the best lawn mowers you can buy, and it takes the crown as the best push mower available. The 166cc engine uses a mix of two-cycle oil and gasoline for power, while the 21-inch cutting deck works has two blades for ultra-fine clippings that either go into the included bagger attachment or re-feed your lawn with the side discharge chute. You can also adjust the cutting height to seven different positions with the easy-to-use levers for the perfect lawn every time. The rear wheels work with the mower’s self-propelling drive train for an easier mowing experience, and you can control the speed with the intuitive push throttle to match your natural walking speed. You’ll also get peace of mind with the three-year warranty to replace damaged and worn out parts from regular use, so your Honda HRN push mower will last season after season. The Ego Power+ 56V was named our number one pick on our list of the best electric mowers, and for good reason. The rechargeable battery gives you up to an hour of run time with full power, which is perfect for yards up to half an acre. A push-button start eliminates frustrating rip cords for near-instant engine turnover, so you can get started mowing your lawn seconds after you set up the mower. It comes with a bagger attachment to collect grass clippings, but you can also use the mulching feature to create ultra-fine cuttings to re-feed your lawn between professional treatments. The bagger holds up to two bushels of cuttings, so you can spend more time getting yard work done and less time emptying the container. The 21-inch cutting deck can be set to six different heights with the simple lever, and you can control the self-propelled speed with the intuitive squeeze throttle to go as slow as .9 MPH or as fast as 3.1 MPH. The deck is made of durable molded plastic to resist rust and corrosion that can ruin traditional steel cutting decks. And the entire mower folds down for more compact, vertical storage; which is perfect for garages and tool sheds that are on the smaller side. Dual LED headlights illuminate your cutting row for safer operation if you need to cut your grass in the early morning or late evening. If your lawn is on the smaller side, the Craftsman M110 push mower is the perfect option for you. It features a 21-inch steel cutting deck that lets you use a traditional side discharge chute, bagger attachment, or mulching kit to suit your needs. You can adjust the blades to six different heights to handle mowing all season long. The 140cc Briggs and Stratton engine uses a mix of two-cycle oil and gasoline for enough power to handle lawns up to .25 acres. The mower is covered by a two-year warranty, so you can replace parts like belts, blades, and spark plugs if they become worn or damaged during normal use. The Snapper 82V electric push mower is the perfect option for landscaping professionals. It comes with two 82V rechargeable batteries and a charging station, so you can have a backup power source ready to swap out with a depleted battery for uninterrupted power. A fully charged battery gives you up to 90 minutes of run time, which is great for mowing lawns up to .5 acres – or using it as an auxiliary mower to handle tricky areas around garden beds, lawn ornaments, or steep ditches. The brushless motor works with the rear-wheel drive shaft to give you control over how fast the mower moves, so it can perfectly match your natural walking speed for safer operation. The 21-inch cutting deck can be set to seven different heights and uses load-sensing tech to adjust power levels when mowing tall or thick grass for maximum efficiency. It comes with a 1.7-bushel bagger attachment to collect trimmings for easier cleanup, or you can convert the cutting deck to a mulching machine to re-feed the lawn with ultra-fine cuttings. A push-button start eliminates frustrating rip cords for near-instant power. The Snapper 82V push mower is covered by a five-year warranty, so you can have peace of mind while you work with clients knowing your mower will last season after season. Reel mowers have seen a surge in popularity with homeowners who have very small yards, and the Troy-Bilt 16-inch reel mower is an excellent option. Since it is powered by a person pushing it, you don’t have to worry about keeping extra fuel on-hand or keeping track of batteries to recharge. The 16-inch blade barrel cuts grass super fine to re-feed your lawn between professional treatments and can be adjusted to nine different cutting heights from as short as .75 inches up to 2.5 inches. The frame is all steel for strength and durability season after season, and the 10-inch wheels give you better traction on uneven terrain for a consistent cut. The compact design of the Troy-Bilt reel mower is perfect for garages and tool sheds where space is at a premium, and the adjustable handle makes it easy to find a safe and comfortable height for mowing. Electric and reel push mowers are best for lawns that are less than .5 acres, due to their shorter run times and manual power, respectively. A gas-powered lawn mower can handle lawns up to .75 acres, but it also requires a regular maintenance routine for optimal performance: oil changes, refueling, filter replacements, and spark plug cleaning. They’re also a more eco-friendly option, even compared to battery-powered push mowers, since they’re human-powered; no nasty exhaust to breathe in, oil spills to clean up, or increased carbon footprint from charging batteries. They do have some drawbacks, though. You have to mow frequently, since the barrel blades can bind when used on taller grass. And since they’re made almost entirely of steel, they can be quite heavy and more difficult to maneuver. Electric mowers don’t need quite as much upkeep to stay in good working order, but you should inspect your battery connections and housings as well as all wiring at the beginning of mowing season to make sure nothing has become corroded or damaged during winter storage. And no matter what kind of mower you have, you should always sharpen the blades before your first mow. You don’t want them razor sharp, but you should make a few passes on each cutting edge with a metal file to bring them back to a true edge. Sharp blades mean cleaner cuts, which leads to healthier grass. Wet grass clumps can also kill portions of your lawn, since they can gather in big piles, cutting off air and sunlight. And you won’t be able to get an even cut on wet grass, due to the blades quickly becoming duller in addition to the clumping. You’ll get tall stripes and patches like you missed entire passes, which means you’ll have to essentially mow your lawn twice. In the end, it’s best to wait for your yard to fully dry before cutting the grass to keep your push mower in good shape and all of your limbs intact.
