Here Are the Best Push Lawn Mowers of 2021

If you care about the state of your lawn, you’ve never had more options to find the right tool for the job. However, “cheaping out” and buying a clunker can hurt your wallet and leave your lawn looking worse than it was before.

When it comes to push lawn mowers, there are several mower varieties to choose from, each with their respective benefits and disadvantages. For this article, we got our hands-on countless push lawn mower models to help you find the best product to keep your lawn looking crisp and clean. Read on to learn about our top picks and how you can avoid picking up a dud.

Great States 304-14 Push Reel Lawn Mower

This classic manual push mower from Great States has five rotating blades of various lengths between 14 and 18 inches to help you keep your lawn looking pristine while also saving money and the environment. For narrow lawns and hard-to-reach corners, the 14” cutting width of this mower is ideal, affording it easy maneuverability and lightweight frame.

A T-style handle with a padded grip makes this push mower a great choice for those who are tired of pushing uncomfortable, non-ergonomic mowers.

Plus, low-sitting 8.5” composite wheels make this lawn mower able to cut between 1 and 1-¾” grass height for a low, clean cut. This alloy steel build comes at a low cost to provide maximum value with little upkeep.

Pros:

✓ Precise 1″ cutting height
✓ Five blades for smooth rotations
✓ Ergonomic handle for comfortable pushing
✓ Low 8.5″ composite wheels for a crisp cut

Cons:

✗ May require two passes for a perfect cut

BLACK+DECKER MM2000 Corded Electric Lawn Mower

This corded electric lawn mower from the renowned BLACK+DECKER punches through thick overgrowth with a powerful 13-amp motor. The 20-inch cutting deck is especially wide for a corded electric model, letting you mow your whole lawn with fewer passes. 

Plus, the EdgeMax deck design lets you cut grass right up against curbing, fencing, and other obstacles. With the MM2000, you won’t need a separate edger for the borders of your lawn. 

Seven adjustable cutting height options make this mower perfect for different areas of your lawn and different grass types. Using a lever, you can easily adjust the deck between 1.5 and 4 inches. 

Pros:

✓ Seven cutting height settings
✓ Wide 20″ cutting path
✓ 3-in-1 mulching, bagging, and side discharge
✓ EdgeMax deck design for close-to-edge cutting
✓ Folds for compact storage

Cons:

✗ On the heavier side of electric mowers at 46.2 pounds
✗ Must stay plugged in during use

PowerSmart DB8621CR Gas Lawn Mower

This gas lawn mower features a powerful 170cc OHV 4-stroke engine that easily propels the mower through the thickest, tallest grass. The durable steel cutting deck is 21 inches wide, so you can clear large areas quickly. 

Another great feature is the 2-in-1 mulching and discharging capability that lets you return helpful nutrients to your lawn as you mow it. With five different cutting height settings between 1.18 and 3.05 inches, the PowerSmart D8621CR will work for multiple grass types.

Pros:

✓ Powerful 170cc engine
✓ Durable steel 21″ cutting path
✓ 3-year manufacturer’s warranty
✓ Five cutting height settings
✓ 2-in-1 side discharge and mulching

Cons:

✗ Weighs more than 50 pounds

WORX WF958 40V Cordless Lawn Mower

If you need a reliable all-in-one solution for your lawn care needs, you can’t go wrong with investing in the powerful dual-battery 20V WORX WG958. This electric lawn mower also comes with an electric leaf blower to ensure your lawn is looking its best all year long. With patented Intellicut technology, this mower provides premium torque to cut through the toughest terrain.

With cutting paths ranging from 14 to 20 inches, this small yet powerful push lawn mower will save you time by cutting a wide path through your lawn. Plus, there’s a built-in removable discharge bag so you can dump your shavings without having to worry about having your lawn littered with clippings and ugly shavings.

Pros:

✓ Dual 20V 4.0Ah lithium ion batteries for long run time
✓ Cordless leaf blower included
✓ Compatible with WORX Power Share batteries
✓ Intellicut technology preserves battery during standby time
✓ 2-in-1 rear discharge for easy cleaning and maintenance
✓ Adjustable cutting height

Cons:

✗ 33.5-pound design slightly heavy for an electric mower

Sun Joe MJ401E-PRO Electric Lawn Mower

For a truly unique mowing experience, consider choosing the Sun Joe MJ401E-PRO, which packs a small but mighty 13A electric motor. Contained within an aerodynamic green frame, this mower contains a 10.6-gallon discharge bag and chute so your lawn can receive the vital nutrients it needs for the clippings and shavings.

The pro version of this mower comes with a fast rear discharge chute and a fully adjustable cutting height mechanism. Stainless steel blades ensure precise cuts, and in our experience, we never had to double back and redo a cut thanks to a wide 14-inch mowing path. In one charge, this electric mower can easily service a lawn up to 200 sq. ft. in size.

Pros:

✓ Power of gas machine with convenience of electric
✓ 3,500 RPM steel blade
✓ Large 10.6 gallon catch bag for easy cleanup
✓ Lightweight 29-pound construction
✓ ETL-approved with 2-year limited warranty

Cons:

✗ Broken washers require a full wheel replacement kit

How We Chose Our Top Picks

We always go the extra mile to ensure our readers get the most out of the products they buy. That’s why we always test the products we review multiple times. This way, our readers can purchase with confidence knowing they got the best value out of their lawn care product.

Ultimately, there are many factors that go into finding a reliable push lawn mower. However, our expert analysis considers every relevant factor, including durability, manufacturer’s warranty, blade construction, battery time, storage capacity, and mowing path width.

Our holistic review approach covers all aspects of the product so our readers can make a choice that satisfies their lawn’s unique needs.

Push Lawn Mower: A Buyer’s Guide

This guide will cover all angles of push mowers to help readers find the best lawn care solution for their unique needs.

Types of Mowers

There are three main types of push lawn mowers. Below, we’ll touch on all three varieties and their respective benefits and capabilities.

Gas-Powered

Nothing beats the power and torque from a gas-powered push lawn mower. Although they offer maximum performance, buyers should beware that these power mowers are often the most expensive. Not only do they come with the highest price tag, but they are costly to maintain and replace, and gas isn’t cheap these days either.

Electric

Speedy and efficient electric lawn mowers are becoming the new norm thanks to cost and environmental concerns. These power mowers plug in overnight and usually provide enough output to cover large lawns without having to recharge. However, over time their ability to hold a charge gradually degrades.

Non-Motorized

Push mowers without motors provide the best long-term bang for your buck thanks to their low upkeep costs. They don’t require gas, electricity, or oil, but they might wear out your arms if you purchase a heavier unit and have a large lawn (100 sq. feet or above).

Features to Consider

To find the best push lawn mower, you need to consider four main factors beyond the price tag. Below, we’ve listed what these are and why they’re important.

Overall Weight

No matter what type of mower you buy, you should look for a lightweight unit. Ideally, a push mower under 45 lbs. will ensure that you can mow large lawns without your arms and shoulders getting fatigued. Lighter units also allow for easier storage.

Maneuverability

Make sure that your mower can round corners with ease and get into tight crevices and spaces without having to resort to an external trimmer.

Cutting Capacity

Pay close attention to the cutting height of the mower. If the cutting height is above 2 inches, you may find that your lawn looks untouched even after a fresh mow. Ideally, find a push mower with adjustable cutting height.

Run Time

Motorized push mowers need to run for at least an hour or two, especially for large lawn maintenance. If you’re considering a gas or electric mower, ensure that it has a long run time of multiple hours on a single tank of gas or battery charge.

Final Thoughts

The hard truth is that you can’t simply glance at the price tag of a mower to find out which one’s the best for you. Instead, you need to take a deep dive into the model’s specifications to see if it has what it takes to satisfy your lawn’s needs. In this article, we’ve listed our top five picks that will handle most lawn care jobs with ease.

Still have questions about lawn care? Visit our lawn care page for more information.