Walk-behind lawn mowers are one of those handy, cannot do without gardening machines, which are designed to save you time and effort in your quest to cultivate and maintain a great looking lawn.
From the first manual ‘Push Reel’ lawn mower invention, yes, there are still some out there, mechanical lawn mowers have come a long way. However, just like most home and garden power tools, the best lawn mower will depend on your garden specifications: size, type of grass, and your physical abilities to be able to maintain your garden.
The 7 Best Walk-Behind Mowers
- Sun Joe MJ401E Electric Lawn Mower
- BLACK+DECKER Corded Lawn Mower
- EGO Power+ LM2000-S Cordless Walk-Behind Lawn Mower
- GreenWorks Cordless Lawn Mower
- Honda 663020 HRN216VKA Self-Propelled Lawn Mower (Our Top Pick)
- Craftsman M215 Self-Propelled Lawn Mower
- PowerSmart DB2194PR Lawn Mower
Our Top Pick for the Best Walk-Behind Mower
Our top pick for the best walk-behind mower is the Honda 663020 HRN216VKA Self-Propelled Lawn Mower.
This powerful mower is ideal for small to medium-sized lawns and is capable of handling most mowing conditions. It has everything you need for an effective and enjoyable mowing experience: self-propelled design, 3 mulching capabilities, multiple heights and speed options, a comfortable folding handle for easy storage, and it is environmentally friendly.
Check the price on AmazonPush or Self-Propelled Mower
Push Lawn Mower
A push or traditional walk-behind mower requires you to physically propel the machine. If you have a small lawn and easy-to-cut grass then a push mower is the ideal choice for you. Besides maintaining your lawn, it is a great way to get some exercise!
A self-propelled mower can either be powered by electricity or gas and has a strong motor that does most of the hard work, and a handle that you can press to propel the machine in the desired direction. All it takes is a gentle push and off it goes, no need for any exertion.
If you have a bad back or are physically challenged in some other way, and if you have a large lawn or a lot of uneven ground to cover, then invest in a self-propelled lawn mower.
Self-propelled Lawn Mowers
Self-propelled mowers offer a keyless start, single and variable speeds and you use the machine by engaging a speed control lever. The speed control lever can be a part of the handle or a separate bar that you press to make the mower move forward. The only energy you have to exert is to guide the mower around the yard.
These energy-saving mowers are usually front or rear-wheel-drive. Front-wheel-drive models are easy to operate and allow you to turn the mower by simply tipping the front wheels back and lifting them off the ground.
Rear-wheel drive tends to provide better traction when mowing across slopes in a back-and-forth pattern. Rear-wheel drive mowers are most effective when they are in the grass collection bag or a container as it can make them more balanced. If the bag or container is too full it can also cause the front end of the mower to rise. So remember to empty it regularly.
Self-propelled lawn mowers may be a little more expensive, but they can save you from physical strain and will make your mowing chores a breeze. But also keep in mind, most manufacturers make their mowers to be lightweight these days, so whether you choose a push walk-behind mower instead of a self-propelled model, most of them will be relatively easy to maneuver around your yard.
Electric, Gas-powered, or Battery-powered Lawn Mowers
Like many mechanical power gardening tools: weed wacker or chainsaws, lawnmowers can be powered either by electricity, gas, or a battery.
Electric (corded)
Electric mowers are ideal for small-sized yards, but they can also work well on medium lawns that have even terrain. They can provide a clean cut like gas-powered mowers, but their key selling points are that they are usually very light and easy to maneuver. Electric mowers are also eco-friendly, they require minimal maintenance and they work well in suburbia as they are quiet.
The downside of using an electric mower is that you have to stay close to a power outlet, or you may need to use an extension cord. Power cords can be dangerous, so you have to be aware of their position while you are mowing and take care that you do not mow over the top of them. Also, the extension cord can come loose from the machine or the initial power source.
Remember: If you have to use an extension cord, heavy-duty 12 gauge cords are the best to use for a lawn mower. Overall, electric mowers work best on small to medium lawns with slight inclines.
Gas-powered Lawn Mowers
Gas-powered lawn mowers are noted to be the most powerful of mowers, so they generally can do a better job at cutting through tall grass and tough weeds. They are also ideal for medium to larger properties that have uneven terrain and hilly areas.
The downside of gas-powered mowers is that they emit fumes, you may have to mix oil with fuel or if they have a separate reservoir for the oil, you have to make sure that you use the right amount of oil and do not overfill the reservoir. If you use too much oil it could cause problems with the engine and the mower could stop working.
Gas-powered mowers are a lot noisier than other types of mowers, but they can help you get your mowing chores done quickly.
Battery-powered Lawn Mowers
if you are looking for a portable, cordless option, then a battery-powered lawnmower is ideal. They can be used for most lawns, small to medium-sized, but they may not work the best with long grass.
Most battery-powered models draw their power from a long-lasting lithium-ion battery and a strong motor, which allows you to cover a large area with just one battery charge. Another key selling point of a battery-powered mower is that most of them are easy to start with just a push of a button.
6 Factors to Consider When Choosing the Right Walk-behind Mower
1. Deck Size
The deck size of a mower describes the cutting swath or the cutting area of the mower. The wider the deck the fewer passes you will have to do to cut your lawn. Most cutting decks ranging from 15-inches-21-inches for residential uses.
Remember, the larger the deck, the heavier the mower may be and it may be more difficult to maneuver, especially in tight spots. Also, the mower can take up more storage space. However, if you have a larger lawn, you may need a larger-sized deck.
2. Lawn Size
If you have a small-sized lawn with low-level grass that is easy to cut, then choose an electric mower or a mower with a 15/16-inches cutting deck.
If you have a medium to large yard with uneven terrain and some slight inclines, a gas-powered or a battery-powered mower with a strong 56-volt lithium-ion battery and a larger cutting deck would be the best choice.
Also, if you have a lot of mowing to do or have a lawn that has a lot of hilly areas, you could choose a self-propelled mower that does most of the work.
3. To mulch or not to mulch?
Most mowers come with mulching capabilities. They can either shoot the grass clippings to the side, collect the clippings into a bag, or just mulch the grass clippings back onto the lawn from the rear of the mower.
If the mower shoots the clippings to the side or just on the lawn, you have to consider using a rake to collect the clippings to put them under a tree or in the garbage bin.
Some mowers come with a 3-in-1 mulching feature where they can do all three, and you can choose which is the best for you. If the machine mulches the grass into the attached bag or container, you will have to stop continually if you have a lot of areas to cover.
Also, mowers that come with a 3-in-1 mulching feature may be more expensive. So it all depends on your gardening modus operandi and budget.
4. Height Adjustment
Gardening experts say that we should not cut our lawns to less than 30% of their overall height as cutting them shorter can weaken them. In the hotter weather, grass can become more brittle and break easily, so choosing the height of the mower to the grass level is important for a healthy-looking lawn.
Fortunately, most mowers come with a smart height adjustment feature, which gives you a range of heights to choose from, and these height levels can be easily adjusted by a single handle.
5. Extra Safety Features
If you choose an electric push mower, it can be easily started with a key or by pushing a button. This option is great for those of us with back problems or for elderly people who still like to get some exercise out in the fresh air and like to maintain their own lawn.
Trying to pull on a cord multiple times can be hard work and frustrating, and also cords can break after long term use.
Some mowers give you variable speed controls. Some mowers are ergonomically friendly and have operator-friendly features like a foldable handle for greater portability and easy storage.
6. Warranty and Customer Support
Of course, we do not expect our mowers to function effectively forever. At some point, hopefully not straight away, they will need to be fixed. Some manufacturers offer a 2-year warranty which is not very long, especially if you are going to be using the lawnmower a lot, and especially for heavy-duty mowing chores.
Other manufacturers offer a generous 4-year warranty, it can be a limited warranty, so it is best to read the fine print. A good tip before purchasing, besides reading this article, is to visit the manufacturer’s website.
Another thing to look out for with product warranties is that some manufacturers have two warranties for their mowers, one for the machine itself and another for the motor. So keep your eye out for these details that can be easily overlooked.
Good customer support and an accessible service center are essential when things go wrong or you just want to ask a question about your mower. So have a look at these details as it is all part of being a savvy gardener who wants to make sure that their money is well spent.
7 Best Walk-Behind Mowers – Reviews
1. Sun Joe MJ401E Electric Lawn Mower
If you have a small-sized yard and you are looking for a walk-behind mower that is easy to handle and maneuver around tight spots such as flower beds and along the edge of pathways, then the Sun Joe MJ401E Electric Lawn Mower is a great choice.
It is lightweight at 29lbs, delivers a smooth cutting performance, and it features 3 height settings (low, medium, high) so that you can set it to your desired height for the best cutting action.
The mower is easy to set up as it comes almost pre-assembled, so all you have to do is attach the blades and tighten the handles, plug it into a power outlet and you are all ready to go. If you need to purchase an extension cord, choose a 12 gauge cord.
Although the body of the mower is made from plastic, do not be fooled, it is powered by a durable 12 Amp electric motor so it can power through thick grass quickly. It has a 21-inch cutting deck, which gives it a rather wide cutting swath.
The wheels are lightly constructed and may have trouble negotiating uneven and rocky terrain, but it is designed primarily for small lawns with even terrain.
If you are a homesteader who needs a maintenance-free, easy-to-use mower that is ergonomically friendly, the Sun Joe mower will be a good choice for your mowing needs.
Pros
- Affordable
- Ideal for small lawns
- Lightweight
- Powerful
- Easy to maneuver in tight spots
Cons
- Grass catcher fills up quickly
- Not ideal for uneven terrain or large yards
2. BLACK+DECKER Corded Lawn Mower
This BLACK+DECKER Corded Lawn Mower is powered by a 13 Amp motor that will deliver all the cutting power you need to maintain your small-sized lawn. The mower is easy to assemble, all you have to do is attach the handle.
It has an excellent cutting ability with a cutting radius of 20-inch. The EdgeMax cutting deck allows you to cut close to the edge of fencing and around flower beds so that you can effectively manicure your lawn to perfection.
The mower is portable, easy to operate, and has a 3-in-1 grass management system, mulching, bagging, and side discharge capabilities, a single lever height adjuster with 7 height settings from 1.5-4-inches. The 13-gallon nylon grass collection bag allows you to check to see how much grass or debris is in the bag.
It is also ergonomically friendly with a carrying handle for easy transport and storage. Overall, the BLACK+DECKER lawnmower can provide you with an excellent and clean cutting performance.
Pros
- Ideal for small lawns
- Press button start
- Quiet
- Seven setting height adjustment
- Excellent cutting ability
- Portable
- See-through nylon grass collection bag
- Carrying handle
Cons
- Not ideal for large lawns or heavy-duty mowing
- Not ideal for uneven terrain
3. EGO Power+ LM2000-S Cordless Walk-Behind Lawn Mower
EGO Power+ is an award-winning company that has consistently delivered high-quality power gardening tools, and its LM2000-S Cordless Walk-Behind Lawn Mower does not disappoint.
It is a lightweight, emission-free, powerful mower that can be easily started with just a push of a button. The EGO Power+ walk-behind mower is an ideal option for any homesteader who has a small to medium-sized lawn. It has a 20-inch cutting deck, and the 5.0Ah 56-Volt Lithium-Ion battery has enough power for mowing areas up to 1-acre and can even tackle slight inclines and uneven terrain.
The EGO Power+ battery takes about 30 minutes to charge and it has a run-time that is equivalent to about 45 minutes before you have to recharge it again. It is specially designed for residential use as it is a quiet operator and environmentally friendly with no harmful emissions.
The walk-behind mower is designed with a 3-in-1 mulching/bagging/side discharge, 6 height adjustments to choose from, easy to access grass collection bag, and LED headlights if you need to mow your lawn in low light conditions.
It is portable and can be easily folded for storage. Extra features include a battery and charger, and a very generous 5-year limited warranty, but remember to read the warranty carefully to see what it does and does not cover. The walk-behind mower also comes with a battery and a charger.
Pros
- Ideal for small to medium yards up to 1-acre
- Powerful
- Quiet
- Lightweight
- Easy to maneuver
- Smooth cutting performance
- Fast charging battery
- Compact
Cons
- Expensive
- Not ideal for large properties
- Can get bogged down in wet grass
4. GreenWorks Cordless Lawn Mower
The GreenWorks Cordless Lawn Mower has everything you need for maintaining a small-sized lawn. It is lightweight, starts with just a touch of a button, and provides that much-needed power due to the 40-volt lithium-ion battery, which will give you consistent power for up to 40 minutes before having to recharge the battery.
You can choose from 5 height settings, which can easily be adjusted with a single lever, and the innovative SMART CUT technology adjusts the power or runtime based on the thickness of your grass, and the 7-inch rear wheels and 6-inch front wheels mean you can effortlessly maneuver the machine over your lawn.
The mower has a durable 16-inch reinforced poly plastic cutting deck, and it can also mulch the clippings into a rear collection bag, which is easy to attach and detach.
The mower comes with an easy fold handle system for greater portability and storage, and a battery and charger are also included.
Pros
- Ideal for small lawns and basic mowing needs
- Lightweight
- Great battery life
- Five height settings
- Easy to maneuver
- Compact and easy to store
Cons
- Not ideal for tall grass or tough weeds
- Technical support is not very helpful
- One year warranty
5. Honda 663020 HRN216VKA Self-Propelled Lawn Mower
There is a lot to love about the upgraded Honda 663020 HRN216VKA Self-Propelled Lawn Mower. If you suffer from a bad back or you are an elderly homesteader and would prefer a mower that is easy to maneuver and delivers a superior cut, this mower is tailor-made for you.
It has a powerful, reliable, and fuel-efficient engine that can tackle the toughest jobs. The automatic choke system means you do not have to worry about tugging on a pull cord. Just start the mower and go.
This user-friendly designed mower has so many handy features that make it perfect for small to medium-sized lawns. It has a 21-inch heavy-duty steel cutting deck that cuts a wide area, 7 cutting height levels, and a safety brake system.
Thanks to Honda’s intuitive Smart Drive design, you can easily adjust the mower’s 5 variable speeds by placing your hands on the padded lever and rotate it to match your mowing conditions. You will have more control over the machine’s mowing action and can choose from a slow walk to a faster walking pace.
The twin blade MicroCut system can cut the grass into small clippings and dispose of the clippings through the rear of the mower. Equipped with a 3-in-1 Clip Director system, you can mulch, bag, and discharge with no tools or additional attachments.
This lightweight mower is easy to maneuver in tight spaces and around trees and shrubs. A 2-position quick-release folding handle allows for compact storage in a garden shed.
The highlights of this mower are its self-propelled feature, powerful premium Honda engine with an easy-to-start automatic choke system, and superior cut and mulching performance. Its Honda engine is environmentally friendly with a 50-state EPA and CARB emission certification, and the mower is covered by a 3-year residential warranty.
Pros
- Easy starting automatic choke
- Smart drive self-propelled design
- Works best on flat terrain
- Superior cutting and mulching action
- Plenty of power
- Seven cutting heights
- Five variable speeds
- Fuel efficient
- Three-year residential warranty
Cons
- Expensive
6. Craftsman M215 Self-Propelled Lawn Mower
Craftsman has been manufacturing high-quality garden power tools for over 80 years, so you can rest assured that when you buy one of its mowers you can expect an excellent mowing experience. The Craftsman M215 Self-Propelled Lawn Mower is designed to handle almost any type of lawn terrain.
It is powered by a strong and reliable 159cc OHV gas-powered engine, and with alloy steel cutting blades, you will have no trouble finishing your mowing tasks quickly.
Ready Start™ no prime, no choke technology means the machine is easy to start and will have the mower up and running quickly and ensuring a smooth cutting performance.
Its durable 21-inch steel cutting deck is ideal for rugged conditions and there are 6 height positions to choose from. The M215 has 3-in-1 mulching, bagging, and side discharge capabilities, and the attached bagger catches all the grass clippings.
If you have a lawn that has uneven terrain or thick grass, the zag traction on the large 11-inch rear wheels will give you very good grip and control in rough mowing conditions.
The 8-inch front wheels also give you that much-needed maneuverability in tight spots and around gardening obstacles.
If you suffer from allergies, Craftsman has designed this mower with environmentally-friendly specifications. The EZ Bushel Rear Bag with Dust Blocker protects you from the dust that can arise from grass clippings and other kinds of debris.
One of the highlights of this model is that it is vibration-free and its engine has a reduced noise level, which makes it one of the quietest mowers on the market. Overall, the smart design of the Craftsman push mower provides you with an effortless and efficient mowing performance.
Pros
- Ideal for small to medium yards
- Powerful
- Easy pull start
- Ergonomic design
- Good maneuverability
- Can handle uneven terrain and tough weeds
- Six height positions
- Comfortable to operate
- Vibration-free and reduced noise
Cons
- Plastic tires are not overly durable
- Bagger does not attach securely
- Customer service is not very helpful
7. PowerSmart DB2194PR Lawn Mower
Maintaining a beautiful lawn can require a lot of time and effort but not when you own the PowerSmart DB2194PR Lawn Mower. This push mower is an efficient mowing machine that is ideal for small to medium-sized yards.
Powered by a strong gas 4-stroke engine and equipped with a 21-inch durable steel deck and 8-inch rear wheels, this mower is easy to push. It can easily cope with uneven terrain and cut through thick, tall grass.
There is no priming or choking required, just pull on the cord and the mower will leap into action. Safety features include the start and stop lever that prevents any accidental startup. Once you are ready to resume mowing, just engage the lever again.
Although this mower is gas-powered, the motor runs smoothly and is known for its longevity and overall clean-cutting performance.
The PowerSmart mower has 3-in-1 bagging, mulching, and side discharge capabilities, and the 5 cutting height positions can be adjusted for varying lawn conditions. Its foldable handle and lightweight, compact design also make the mower easy to transport and store away.
Pros
- Good value for money
- Ideal for small to medium-sized yards
- Powerful engine is easy to start
- Clean cutting ability
- Start and stop lever
- Works well on uneven terrain and can cut through thick, tall grass
- Lightweight and compact design
- Foldable handle
Cons
- Not self-propelled
- Plastic parts are not very durable
Our Top Pick for the Best Walk-Behind Mower
Our top pick for the best walk-behind mower is the Honda 663020 HRN216VKA Self-Propelled Lawn Mower.
This powerful mower is ideal for small to medium-sized lawns and is capable of handling most mowing conditions. It has everything you need for an effective and enjoyable mowing experience: self-propelled design, 3 mulching capabilities, multiple heights and speed options, a comfortable folding handle for easy storage, and it is environmentally friendly.
Check the price on Amazon
