The 9 Best Push Lawn Mowers
Updated by · How we research
Sized for small yards: nine battery, corded, gas and reel mowers compared by deck, runtime, weight and warranty. The Greenworks 60V 17-Inch is first. When users buy our independently chosen editorial choices, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
Plenty of people call any walk-behind mower a push mower, even one that's self-propelled. A true push mower is one you push yourself, the usual choice for small and medium yards. Homeowners pick from battery, corded, gas and manual reel models. Reel models are nearly silent but struggle in thick or wet grass.
Editor's Notes
October 16, 2026, by Ezvid Wiki Admin:
Light, well tested and able to cover a typical suburban lawn on one charge, the Greenworks 60V 17-Inch takes over first place. Most of the 2020 list was gone. The Makita XML03PT1, GreenWorks 25022, Snapper XD, Fiskars StaySharp Max and Sun Joe Pro are no longer available, and the Craftsman M105 listing has disappeared. The Worx WG779 is still around, barely, but it scored poorly in an independent lab test, so it's out.
Two old favorites stay. The American Lawn Mower 1204-14 is still the reel mower to beat, and the Black+Decker MTC220 remains a handy trimmer-and-mower combo for tiny yards.
Most readers land here looking for a mower for a small yard, so the new list leans that way. The Greenworks 40V 16-Inch costs less and is quieter, and the American Lawn Mower 50514 skips the battery entirely. For bigger or bumpy lawns we added the EGO Power+ LM2114SP, which is self-propelled. Strictly speaking, that's not a push mower, but plenty of people use the term for any walk-behind. There's also one gas mower, the PowerSmart EasyCut DB8618C, for grass that gets away from you.
We stopped at nine. Toro's well-reviewed 60V mower wasn't sold as a kit through our usual retailer, so it's now a special honor, and the other candidates were near-copies or had too little evidence behind them.
This list is sized for small and medium yards, with battery, corded, gas and reel mowers. If you've settled on a battery mower and want more choices, including self-propelled models for hills and bigger lawns, see our list of electric lawn mowers.
June 22, 2020:
When it comes to manicuring a small or medium-sized yard, you don't always have to invest in a tractor or riding mower to get the job done. As powerful as these options are, our list of push lawn mowers includes models that offer plenty of features and maneuverability to tackle unkempt grass, tall weeds, and thick brush on your property.
We've added the Makita XML03PT1 for its Star Protection technology, which allows it to leverage real-time data exchanges with its batteries to prevent potential overloads. This model also offers a range of adjustable height settings, making it ideal for use on uneven terrain and yards with various types of overgrowth.
Also included are the GreenWorks 25022 and Greenworks 80V, the former of which has a push-button start and 20-inch cutting deck while the latter uses patented load-sensing technology to automatically adjust its operating speed based on the length of your grass.
The three-in-one design and pivoting handle on the Black and Decker MTC220 allow it to be used as an edger, lawn mower, and string trimmer.
If you need to get through a mowing job quickly, the gas-powered Craftsman M105 can cut through thick swaths of vegetation in a single pass, making it a good choice for areas that haven't received attention for long periods of time. Its deep treading also provides reliable traction, while keeping it stable when it's pushed uphill.
For the environmentally conscious gardener, we've included both the American 1204 and Fiskars StaySharp Max, the latter of which has a cutting system designed to minimize physical contact between its blades and reel for improved operating performance and longevity.
When working in tight spaces, the compact Sun Joe Pro makes it easy to dispose of over 10 gallons of yard clippings, thanks to its removable hard top collection bag.
Finally, we've added the Worx WG779 for its dial-based control over torque output, meaning you don't have to depend on the tool to make that decision for you. While automatic power options are definitely useful, I still appreciate the option of controlling my power tools manually in certain situations.
Special Honors
Toro 60V Max 21-Inch Super Recycler Toro's 21-inch battery mower was Bob Vila's best overall pick, and TechGearLab praised its handling and measured about 41.5 minutes per charge, with a recharge of roughly three and a half hours. It's self-propelled, with a speed that follows your walking pace. It's sold through Toro's own site and dealers, but not currently as a kit through our usual retailer. toro.com
Battery, Corded, Gas Or Reel
Battery mowers start with a button, make no fumes and need little upkeep, but each charge lasts roughly 30 to 50 minutes.
A push mower has no power going to its wheels, so you supply the forward motion. A self-propelled mower drives its wheels, which helps on slopes and bigger lawns but adds weight and cost. Plenty of people call both kinds push mowers, which is why one self-propelled model appears here (Bob Vila).
The bigger choice is what powers the blade. Battery mowers start with a button, make no fumes and need little upkeep, but each charge lasts roughly 30 to 50 minutes. In TechGearLab's lab, a Greenworks 60V and a Greenworks 40V both ran about 40 minutes, and a Toro 60V averaged 41.5 minutes (TechGearLab). Corded mowers are light, cheap and never run out, but the cord limits how far you can go and has to be kept away from the blade. Gas mowers have the most power for thick or overgrown grass and never need charging, but they're the loudest and need oil, fresh fuel, spark plugs and winter storage.
Manual reel mowers have no motor at all. They're the quietest by far: TechGearLab measured 66 decibels for a reel mower, versus about 72 to 79 for battery mowers and 79 to 81 for gas. They cut cleanly when sharp, but they work best on fine grass that's mowed often, and they struggle with coarse, tall or wet grass (Bob Vila).
Match The Mower To The Yard
Bigger isn't better in a small yard. A walk-behind with a deck of up to about 22 inches is usually right for a lawn of up to half an acre, and narrower decks are easier to steer around beds, trees and fences (Bob Vila). For a typical small suburban lawn, a 14- to 17-inch mower is plenty. A 9- to 13-inch mower makes sense only for very small patches, strips and edges.
Check the runtime claim against your lawn. Makers quote coverage in fractions of an acre for short, dry grass, and runtime drops in tall or wet grass. TechGearLab found a 16-inch Greenworks bogged in grass over about 5 inches and left clumps as the battery drained. If your lawn is near the limit, a second battery is cheaper than a bigger mower. Weight matters if you'll lift the mower up steps or hang it on a wall: the mowers here range from about 10 to 58 pounds.
Decide what to do with clippings. Bagging leaves the neatest lawn, mulching returns nutrients to the soil, and side discharge copes best with long grass. Many smaller electric mowers can't side-discharge, and many budget gas mowers only side-discharge.
Mowing Habits And Safety
A good mower can't fix a bad habit. Lawn-care guides from university extension services recommend cutting no more than the top third of the grass blade at a time, and changing your mowing direction each time to avoid ruts and compacted soil (University of Wisconsin Extension). That rule also explains why reel and small battery mowers do best when you mow often.
Every walk-behind power mower sold in the U.S. must meet a federal safety standard that requires a blade control that stops the blade when you let go of the handle. In August 2026, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a recall of one walk-behind mower that failed that standard (CPSC). We checked every brand on this list against the commission's recall database and found no recalls for any of these models.
Before you mow, pick up stones, sticks and toys, and wear closed shoes and eye protection. Remove the battery, unplug the cord or pull the spark plug wire before you clear a clog, and never reach under a deck that's running. Refuel gas mowers outdoors with the engine cold. For upkeep, clean grass from under the deck and, on gas models, change the spark plug about once a year (Bob Vila).
How we researched this
We screened about 40 push and walk-behind mowers and compared 24 in detail, then narrowed them to nine. We drew on TechGearLab's lab and field test of 12 mowers and the picks Bob Vila's testers made after mowing with them, makers' published specs (several maker sites blocked our requests, so some figures come from product listings and are marked as maker claims), and patterns in owner feedback. We checked every brand for recalls with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best lawn mower for a small yard?
For most small lawns, a light cordless push mower with a 14- to 17-inch deck, such as the Greenworks 60V 17-Inch or the cheaper Greenworks 40V 16-Inch. If an outlet is close, a corded mower like the American Lawn Mower 50514 costs less and never needs charging.
Should I get a battery or a gas push mower?
Battery mowers are quieter, start with a button and need almost no upkeep, but each charge lasts about 30 to 50 minutes. Gas mowers have more power for thick or long grass and no runtime limit, but they're louder and need oil, fuel and seasonal care.
Are reel mowers worth it?
For a small, flat lawn of fine grass that you mow often, yes. They're quiet, cheap and need no fuel or charging. They're hard work in long, thick or wet grass and can't cut as high as most powered mowers.
What's the difference between a push mower and a self-propelled mower?
A push mower has no power to its wheels, so you move it yourself. A self-propelled mower drives its wheels, which helps on slopes and larger lawns but adds weight, cost and, on battery models, runtime drain.
How long does a cordless mower battery last?
Most push-mower kits run about 30 to 50 minutes per charge, less in tall or wet grass. The packs themselves typically last about five years, according to Bob Vila.
How often should I change a gas mower's spark plug?
About once a year, or roughly every 100 hours of use, along with an oil change and a clean air filter.
