9 Best Push Lawn Mowers of 2024 [Reviews]

If you don’t mind putting in a little elbow grease, push lawn mowers are the best and most affordable option for many small- to medium-sized lawns. So, we waded through hundreds of models at Home Depot, Lowe’s, Walmart, and Amazon to find the nine best push lawn mowers.

We compared each model’s power, durability, and ease of use to find push mower picks for every preference. Our list lists gas, electric, and manual mowers for lawns as large as ½ acre. Let our detailed reviews help you pinpoint the best push mower for your lawn. 

Our Top Picks

Top 3 Gas Lawn Mowers

Cub Cadet SCP100

Toro Recycler 21311

Yardmax YG1650

Top 2 Battery-Powered Lawn Mowers

Ego Power+ LM2114

Greenworks MO48L4210

Top 2 Corded Electric Lawn Mowers

Sun Joe MJ403E

Kobalt KM 211-06

Top 2 Reel Lawn Mowers

Remington RM3100

Scotts 2010-20SG

Top 3 Gas-Powered Push Mowers – Reviews

1. Cub Cadet SCP100 – Best Overall

Our top gas-powered pick is the Cub Cadet SCP100 Signature Cut Push Mower. It comfortably mows flat and sloped lawns up to ½ acre. Known for its reliability as a brand, Cub Cadet controls quality by designing and building their mowers in America. This model certainly doesn’t disappoint; the SCP100 is well-built and loaded with fantastic features.

Performance: The mower has a potent 140-cc Briggs & Stratton gas engine that starts without priming or choking. It also has a float feed carburetor to optimize performance and simplify starting. Its 21-inch blade smoothly cuts, and the mulch plug finely shreds grass clippings. 

Durability: Its body is sturdy, and its engine is reliable. It has a 15-gauge stamped steel cutting deck, a strong steel handle, and durable tires. 

Ease of Use: Although heavy, it handles well with an adjustable, ergonomic handle and 11-inch rear wheels with zag tread. It’s the easiest gas push mower to start and one of the simplest to maintain. It doesn’t need oil changes. To clean under the deck, simply attach a hose to the mower’s wash port. 

Specifications

• Cutting heights: 1.25 – 3.75 in.
• Cutting height positions: 6
• Cutting width: 21 in.
• Engine: 140-cc Briggs & Stratton Engine
• Fuel tank capacity: 15 fl. oz.
• Warranty: 3 years
• Weight: 75 lb.

Bagger	Yes
Mulching Capability	Yes
Side Discharge	Yes

Pros and Cons

What we liked	What we didn’t like
✓ Durable ✓ Potent ✓ Easy to use ✓ Easy to maintain ✓ Handles well ✓ Made in the U.S.A.	✗ Expensive ✗ Heavy

2. Toro Recycler 21311 – Runner Up

The 21-inch Toro Recycler 21311 is a high-performance push mower that’s durable and easy to use. It’s packed with innovative features that make mowing manageable on flat, hilly, and uneven yards up to ½ acre. 

Performance: The Recycler has plenty of power with a 140-cc Briggs & Stratton engine. Its mulch plug creates good air circulation to finely mulch grass clippings. The fine mulch quickly breaks down into the soil, inspiring dense green grass growth. 

Durability: It’s built tough with a 15-gauge stamped steel cutting deck and a reliable engine. 

Ease of Use: The Recycler is user-friendly and easy to maneuver. Its 10-inch rear and 8-inch front wheels get excellent traction, even on rough terrain. This mower doesn’t need oil changes, and its bag is easy to empty.

Specifications

• Cutting heights: 1.25 – 3.75 in.
• Cutting height positions: 9
• Cutting width: 21 in.
• Engine: 140-cc Briggs & Stratton Engine
• Fuel tank capacity: 16 fl. oz.
• Warranty: 2 years
• Weight: 62 lb.

Bagger	Yes
Mulching Capability	Yes
Side Discharge	Free with product registration

Pros and Cons

What we liked	What we didn’t like
✓ Durable ✓ Potent ✓ User-friendly ✓ Handles well ✓ No oil changes	✗ Expensive

3. Yardmax YG1650 – Best Budget Buy

If you’re looking for a bargain, consider the Yardmax YG1650. It’s one of the best-performing gas push mowers and one of the best lawn mowers under $300. Don’t let its low price tag make you doubt its quality; it’s sturdy and versatile with a mulcher, rear bag, and side discharge.  It’s fast and efficient for yards under ½ acre.

Performance: It’s the best-performing budget gas mower with a powerful 170-cc OHV Yardmax engine that gets 7 ft.-lb. of torque. Its MaxFlow cutting deck gets excellent airflow for fine mulching and fast bagging. 

Durability: It’s built strong, but not as heavy-duty as the other gas mowers on our list. The rust-resistant one-piece cutting deck is made of 16-gauge stamped steel. The mower also has a sturdy handle, and its wheels have a durable 1.5″ tread.

Ease of Use: The YG1650’s double ball-bearing, high rear wheels make this mower easy to maneuver. The handle adjusts to comfort, and its single-lever height adjustment is quick and easy.

Specifications

• Cutting heights: 1.25 – 3.75 in.
• Cutting height positions: 7
• Cutting width: 21 in.
• Engine: 170-cc Yardmax Engine
• Fuel tank capacity: 0.21 gal
• Warranty: 2 years
• Weight: 60 lb.

Bagger	Yes
Mulching Capability	Yes
Side Discharge	Yes

Pros and Cons

What we liked	What we didn’t like
✓ Durable ✓ Potent ✓ Affordable ✓ Handles well	✗ Air filter cover sometimes falls off

Top 2 Battery-Powered Push Mowers – Reviews

1. Ego Power+ LM2114

The best battery-powered push lawn mower is the Ego Power+ LM2114. It’s quiet, low-maintenance, and powerful. Ego is known for cutting-edge cordless electric technology and efficient ARC Lithium-ion batteries. With up to 55 minutes of runtime, the LM2114 works great on flat lawns up to ½ acre. Its battery refuels with the included charger in 80 minutes.

Performance: Its mighty motor gives the mower more power than many gas models. It has 6 ft.-lb. of torque. It also comes equipped with a high-quality mulching blade.

Durability: With a durable brushless motor and IPX4-rated weather-resistant construction, this mower is built strong and will last you a long time.  

Ease of Use: The mower is very easy to use. It has a push-button start, bright LED headlights, and an adjustable handlebar. It’s easy to maneuver around trees and landscaping. 

Specifications

• Battery: 56-volt, 6 Ah ARC Li-ion 
• Cutting heights: 1.25 – 4 inches
• Cutting height positions: 7
• Cutting width: 20.5 inches 
• Warranty: 5 years
• Max runtime: 55 min.
• Weight: 60.25 pounds

Bagger	Yes
Mulching Capability	Yes
Side Discharge	Yes

Pros and Cons

What we liked	What we didn’t like
✓ Durable ✓ Potent ✓ Easy to use ✓ Low-maintenance ✓ Good runtime	✗ Expensive

2. Greenworks MO48L4210

The Greenworks MO48L4210 is a potent push mower that best serves yards under ¼ acre. It’s also the only mower on our list with 4-in-1 cutting capability: mulcher, rear bag, side discharge, and a turbo button for fast leaf cleanup.

The MO48L4210 runs on two 24-volt batteries that combine for 40 volts of power. The batteries provide up to 45 minutes of runtime and recharge in a couple of hours with the included dual-port charger. You can use the same batteries with 125 other Greenworks tools, including leaf blowers and trimmers.

Performance: It has a high-efficiency brushless motor and a sharp 20-inch mower blade.

Durability: The MO48L4210 has a durable motor and steel cutting deck.

Ease of Use: It’s easy to use and vertically folds for compact storage. It has a push-button start as well as bright LED headlights for mowing after dusk. 

Specifications

• Battery: 24-volt, 4 Ah Li-ions (2)
• Cutting heights: 1.375 – 4 inches
• Cutting height positions: 7
• Cutting width: 20 inches
• Warranty: 3 years
• Max runtime: 45 min.
• Weight: 67 pounds

Bagger	Yes
Mulching Capability	Yes
Side Discharge	Yes

Pros and Cons

What we liked	What we didn’t like
✓ Durable ✓ Versatile ✓ Easy to use ✓ Low-maintenance ✓ Vertically folds	✗ Turbo mode drains the battery fast ✗ Expensive ✗ Heavy

Top 2 Corded Electric Push Mowers – Reviews

1. Sun Joe MJ403E

The best corded electric push lawn mower is the Sun Joe MJ403E. It’s the most affordable rotary mower on our list, making it a great budget buy if you have a flat yard less than ½ acre. It mows low and is very lightweight. However, it’s not suitable for cutting tall grass, and your entire lawn must be within 100 feet of a power outlet.

Performance: It has a high-performance 13-amp motor and a no-load speed of 3,500 rpm.

Durability: It’s well-built but less sturdy than heavy-duty models. The polymer deck may get damaged by rocks and twigs. Make sure your yard is free of debris before you mow.

Ease of Use: It’s lightweight and effortless to push. The mower has all-terrain tires and a comfortable foam grip. 

Specifications

• Amp: 13
• Cutting heights: 0.98 – 2.87 in.
• Cutting height positions: 7
• Cutting width: 17 in.
• Max extension cord length: 100 ft.
• Warranty: 2 years
• Weight: 32.9 lb.

Bagger	Yes
Mulching Capability	Yes
Side Discharge	No

Pros and Cons

What We Liked	What We Didn’t Like
✓ Easy to use ✓ Lightweight ✓ Low-maintenance ✓ Affordable ✓ Mows low	✗ Not good for tall grass ✗ Not as durable as other mowers on our list ✗ Needs an extension cord

2. Kobalt KM 211-06

The Kobalt KM 211-06 costs only a few dollars more than the Sun Joe MJ403E, making it a great buy for flat yards under ¼ acre. Aside from cutting and mulching turf, this mower can also collect grass clippings in its rear bag or expel them from the side discharge chute. Although it’s more durable than the Sun Joe MJ403E, its heavy-duty construction adds weight to the mower. 

Performance: It has a mighty 13-amp motor and a sharp blade for quality cuts.

Durability: Its motor is reliable and its steel cutting deck is durable.

Ease of Use: It quickly starts with the push of a button. The cord retainer keeps the mower securely plugged, and the single-lever height adjustment is easy to use. It has a comfortable foam-padded handle and 10-inch rear wheels for smooth maneuverability. 

Specifications

• Amp: 13
• Cutting heights: 1.375 – 3.75 in.
• Cutting height positions: 7
• Cutting width: 21 in.
• Warranty: 5 years
• Weight: 53 lb.

Bagger	Yes
Mulching Capability	Yes
Side Discharge	Yes

Pros and Cons

What We Liked	What We Didn’t Like
✓ Easy to use ✓ Low-maintenance ✓ Affordable ✓ Durable	✗ Heavy for a corded mower ✗ Needs an extension cord

Top 2 Reel Push Mowers – Reviews

1. Remington RM3100

The Remington RM3100 is our favorite reel mower and the lowest-priced lawn mower on our list. It makes pristine cuts, beautifying your lawn while improving its overall health. This manual mower is an eco-friendly option for homeowners with yards under ¼ acre.

Performance: Its five-blade reel makes crisp, clean cuts. 

Durability: The RM3100 has a sturdy frame and a high-quality alloy steel reel.

Ease of Use: It has an ergonomic foam grip, quality wheels, and adjustable handle height. It’s comfortable to push, but expect to tire more from mowing than you would with a rotary mower.

Specifications

• Blades: 5
• Cutting heights: 0.75 – 2.5 in.
• Cutting height positions: 9
• Cutting width: 18 in.
• Power type: Manual
• Warranty: 2 years
• Weight: 28.4 lb.

Bagger	Yes
Mulching Capability	Yes

Pros and Cons

What We Liked	What We Didn’t Like
✓ Mows low ✓ Durable ✓ Makes superb cuts ✓ Eco-friendly ✓ Affordable	✗ The grass catcher bag is small ✗ Not good for tall grass  ✗ It takes more effort than using a rotary mower

2. Scotts 2010-20SG

The Scotts 2010-20SG is an excellent reel mower. It’s durable and easy to push on flat and slightly sloped yards under ¼ acre. It doesn’t have mulching capability but comes with a hand grass catcher. 

Performance: Its five-blade reel makes clean, even cuts for a pristine appearance and improves grass health. 

Durability: It’s built strong with heavy-duty composite wheels and a rust-resistant deck. Its alloy steel blades stay sharp for a long time. 

Ease of Use: Because it’s man-powered, it takes more effort to mow than a gas or electric mower. Despite that, this compact mower is easy to push with its rear tracking wheels and double ball bearings. 

Specifications

• Blades: 5
• Cutting heights: 1 – 3 in.
• Cutting height positions: 7
• Cutting width: 20 in.
• Power type: Manual
• Warranty: 3 years
• Weight: 30 lb.

Bagger	Yes
Mulching Capability	No

Pros and Cons

What We Liked	What We Didn’t Like
✓ Easy to push ✓ Durable  ✓ Makes superb cuts ✓ Eco-friendly ✓ Affordable	✗ Does’t work well on thick weeds ✗ Not great for tall grass ✗ Doesn’t mulch ✗ It takes more effort than using a rotary mower

Buyer’s Guide

The ‌best push mower for you depends on your lawn, budget, and physical ability. Before making a purchase, please consider the following:

• Power Source
• Mower Type
• Cutting Width
• Cutting Height
• Weight
• Cost

Power Source

Push lawn mowers may be manual, corded electric, cordless electric, or gas-powered.

Manual Push Mowers

Manual reel mowers use scissor-like precision to make crisp, clean cuts. The result is a pristine lawn with better immunity to pests and diseases. However, it takes a lot of time and effort to cut grass with this type of mower. 

Pros	Cons
✓ Clean scissor-like cuts ✓ Good for grass health ✓ Mows low ✓ Most eco-friendly  ✓ Most affordable	✗ Takes a lot of effort to mow ✗ Takes a lot of time to mow ✗ Not good for tall grass

Reel mowers are best for homeowners with yards under ¼ acre and those with grass types that are cut low. However, some of the best manual reel mowers can handle larger yards and taller grass.

Corded Electric Push Mowers

Corded electric push mowers are affordable and have unlimited runtime, but they keep you on a leash. Most corded mowers can use an extension cord that’s up to 50 – 150 feet. Although corded mowers are quite affordable, an extension cord can cost as much as one of these models.

Pros	Cons
✓ Unlimited runtime ✓ Don’t emit harsh gas fumes ✓ Low-maintenance ✓ Affordable ✓ Easy to start	✗ Must be within an extension cord’s reach of a power outlet ✗ Extension cords are purchased separately ✗ Low performance ceiling

Corded lawn mowers work best on smaller yards, but some can handle yards up to ½ acre.

Cordless Electric Push Mowers

Cordless electric lawn mowers typically run on lithium-ion batteries. They don’t keep you on a leash, but they have the shortest runtimes. Light-duty cordless lawn mowers are rather affordable, but high-performance models cost a pretty penny.

Pros	Cons
✓ No cords ✓ Don’t emit harsh gas fumes ✓ Low-maintenance ✓ Easy to start ✓ There are high-performance models	✗ Limited runtime ✗ Batteries can take hours to charge ✗ High-performance models are expensive ✗ Good quality batteries are expensive ✗ Lithium mining is bad for the environment

If you want a mower that performs well without the smelly gas fumes, consider getting one of the best battery-powered lawn mowers.

Gas-Powered Push Mowers

Gas push mowers are the most potent. Although some battery-powered mowers compete with gas models, the mowers with the highest performance run on gas. And when it comes to performance, gas mowers give you the most bang for your buck. However, they weigh a lot and emit toxic fumes.

Pros	Cons
✓ Most potent lawn mowers ✓ Most affordable for large yards ✓ Long runtimes ✓ No cords ✓ Affordable parts	✗ Release toxic emissions ✗ Harder to start than electric mowers ✗ Louder than electric mowers ✗ High-maintenance ✗ Heavy

Consider getting one of the best gas-powered lawn mowers if you have a large yard.

Mower Type

Before choosing a push mower, consider the size of your lawn, your budget, and the effort you want to spend on mowing. 

Walk-Behind Mowers:

• Push lawn mowers work best on yards that are less than ½ acre. They are the most affordable but also the most labor-intensive to use. Expect mowing to take more time and sweat with a push mower than with other mower types. However, they are among the best for hilly yards, and other mower types are typically overkill for yards under ¼ acre.

• Self-propelled lawn mowers are best for yards that are ¼ to 1 acre. They have motorized movement, using all-, front-, or rear-wheel drive. So, you follow behind instead of using your strength to push them. The best self-propelled mowers cost more than push mowers, but they’ll save you time and effort.

Riding Lawn Mowers:

• Lawn tractors are best for lawns ½ to 4 acres without steep slopes. Mowing takes less effort than with walk-behinds, but lawn tractors are costly. However, many models have fancy features such as cup holders, car-like speed control, and a high-towing capacity. 

• Zero-turn lawn mowers are the most expensive but the best for large yards with many twists and turns. Their small turn radius makes mowing around trees and landscaping easier. They also tend to go faster than lawn tractors and work better on uneven terrain. The best zero-turn mowers are handy for homeowners with multi-acre properties. 

Cutting Width

A lawn mower’s “cutting width” refers to how wide its deck is. The width of the deck determines the area of grass you can cut in a single pass. With a larger cutting width, you can mow your lawn faster, since you will cover more ground with each pass. 

If you have a small yard with many twists and turns (around landscaping, trees, or swimming pools, for instance), a smaller cutting width might be more convenient for you. Otherwise, a larger cutting width is better because it means spending less time on mowing.

Average Push Mower Cutting Width	18 in.
Range of Cutting Widths	13 – 21 in.

But push mower width varies by power source, as shown in the table below.

Power Source	Cutting Width Range
Manual	14 – 20 in.
Corded Electric	13 – 21 in.
Cordless Electric	13 – 21 in.
Gas	20 – 21 in.

Cutting Height

To mow your lawn correctly, you must consider your turf’s ideal mow height. The table below shows the best mow heights for common lawn grasses.

Grass Type	Ideal Mow Height
Bahiagrass	3 – 4 in.
Bentgrass	0.25 – 1 in.
Bermudagrass	0.5 – 1.5 in.
Buffalograss	2 – 4 in.
Centipedegrass	1 – 2 in.
Fine Fescue	1 – 3 in.
Kentucky Bluegrass	2 – 3 in.
Perennial Ryegrass	1 – 3 in.
St. Augustinegrass	2 – 4 in.
Tall Fescue	2 – 4 in.
Zoysiagrass	1 – 2.5 in.

Weight

Weight is important for obvious reasons. If you have limited upper body strength and you buy a mower that weighs, say, 90 pounds, you’re going to wear yourself out pushing it across your entire lawn. 

It’s simple: The lighter a mower is, the easier it will be to push. You want to go with a lightweight mower if you expect children or seniors to use it. 

Average Weight of a Push Mower	40 lb.
Typical Weight Range	25 – 55 lb.
Extreme Low	6 lb.
Extreme High	75 lb.

Most push mowers weigh 25 to 55 pounds, but push mower weight varies by power source. The table below lists more details about mower weight.

Power Source	Typical Weight Range
Manual	20 – 35 lb.
Corded Electric	30 – 50 lb.
Cordless Electric	25 – 50 lb.
Gas	50 – 65 lb.

Push mowers with a wider cutting width tend to weigh more, so the best lawn mowers for small yards weigh less than the best lawn mowers for big yards. The table below shows the average weight of push mowers by cutting width.

Cutting Width	Average Weight
20 – 21 in.	52 lb.
17 – 19 in.	37 lb.
15 – 16 in.	30 lb.
13 – 14 in.	24 lb.

Cost

Most push lawn mowers cost $115 – $370.

Average Cost of a Push Mower	$245
Typical Price Range	$115 – $370
Extreme Low	$85
Extreme High	$640

However, push mower prices vary by power source, as shown in the table below.

Power Source	Typical Price Range
Manual Reel Push Mowers	$95 – $170
Corded Electric Push Mowers	$160 – $225
Cordless Electric Push Mowers	$250 – $465
Gas Push Mowers	$280 – $360

FAQs About Push Lawn Mowers

1. What brand of lawn mower is the most reliable?

Toro, Honda, and Cub Cadet make the most reliable gas-powered walk-behind mowers. Honda focuses on self-propelled models, but Toro and Cub Cadet make both push and self-propelled mowers. 

The most reliable electric mowers are made by Ego and Greenworks. 

2. How hard is it to push a reel mower?

It’s not too hard if you mow your lawn every week and don’t have a lot of weeds. In fact, reel mowers are lighter than other mowers because they don’t carry a power source.

3. How do I change the oil in my lawn mower?

You can change the oil in a lawn mower in 9 steps:

1. Gather the necessary tools and materials.
2. Warm up the engine.
3. Disconnect the spark plug. 
4. Locate the oil fill cap.
5. Drain the old oil.
6. Change the oil filter.
7. Add new oil.
8. Clean the area and properly dispose of old oil.
9. Start the engine and check if everything is in working order.

When to Call a Lawn Care Pro

You should weigh all your options before purchasing a push mower. The easiest option to have a beautiful lawn is to hire a lawn care pro. Pros have high-end equipment, experience, and knowledge. In addition to mowing, they treat weeds, cure diseases, and do what it takes to keep your lawn lush, healthy, and well-manicured. 

LawnStarter connects you with local lawn care pros that are affordable and insured. You can manage your services with our user-friendly app, and it only takes a moment to get a free online quote. You’ll be shocked at how easy and affordable quality lawn care can be.

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