Push Mower Buying Guide for First Time Buyers
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A push mower buying guide should start with three choices: power source, cutting width and height range. Gas, battery and reel mowers each suit different lawns, and the width you pick decides how many passes the job takes. This guide walks a first-time buyer through those choices, then compares six push mowers from our product set. Each comparison uses only the facts printed in that mower’s listing, and it says so when a listing leaves a figure out.
Quick answer
- Choose a gas mower if you want the most power and do not mind fuel, oil and a tune-up schedule. The PowerSmart EasyCut 18-inch is the gas option in this set.
- Choose a battery mower if you want no fumes and no oil. The Greenworks 40V 16-inch, the Greenworks 40V 17-inch, the Greenworks 48V 17-inch and the EGO 21-inch are the battery options here.
- Choose a reel mower if your lawn is small, flat and fine-grassed. The American Lawn Mower 18-inch reel is the manual option in this set.
- Check the height range and the battery packs included before you order, since those vary by listing.
Step one: pick the power source
Gas mowers are the traditional choice. They carry the most power for thick grass and long sessions, and refueling takes a minute. The cost is fuel, oil, an air filter, a spark plug and a yearly service. The PowerSmart listing describes a 144cc 4-cycle engine with an easy-start system and auto choke, which are the features to check for a gas model.
Battery mowers are quieter and need no oil or fuel. The trade-off is runtime: a single pack can run out before a large lawn is finished. The Greenworks and EGO listings in this set give runtimes of up to 35 minutes on one charge, and the 48V Greenworks listing gives up to 45 minutes on two packs. A battery mower is a good fit when the lawn is small or when you can split a big lawn into two sessions.
Reel mowers have no motor. The American Lawn Mower listing describes an 18-inch, five-blade reel with height settings from 1/2 inch to 2-3/4 inches, and it names a five-year manufacturer protection plan. A reel mower cuts fine grass well when it is sharp and the lawn is mowed often. It struggles with long, wet or tough grass, so it suits a specific lawn rather than every yard.
Step two: choose a cutting width
Cutting width is the width of the strip the mower cuts in one pass. A wider deck covers more ground per pass, but it is heavier and harder to steer around beds and corners. A narrower deck is easier to push and store, and it fits small yards and tight spaces.
The six mowers in this guide range from about 15.67 inches to 18 inches for the listed width. The Greenworks 40V 16-inch listing gives 15.67 inches in its specifications, the 40V 17-inch gives about 16.14 inches, and the PowerSmart and American Lawn Mower models are both 18 inches. The EGO listing is 21 inches, which is the widest in this set.
For a small yard, a 16-inch or 17-inch deck covers the lawn in a few passes. For a larger flat lawn, the 21-inch EGO will finish sooner, though it takes up more room. The width you need depends on the size of your lawn and how much room you have to store the mower.
Step three: check the height range
A height range tells you how short the mower can cut and how tall it can leave the grass. A low minimum helps when you want a close cut for a formal lawn. A high maximum helps when the grass is tall after a dry spell or a long gap between cuts.
The listings differ. The PowerSmart gives five positions from 1.5 to 3.9 inches. The EGO gives seven positions from 1.25 to 4 inches. The 48V Greenworks gives five positions from 1 3/8 inches to 3 3/4 inches. The American Lawn Mower reel gives a range from 1/2 inch to 2-3/4 inches. The reel mower cuts lowest, but it is not built for tall growth, so the range is a different kind of number.
A first-time buyer should set the height range against the cut they want for their own grass. Write down the height you mow at, then check that the listing’s minimum and maximum both include it before you assume the mower will fit.
Step four: count the battery packs
For battery mowers, the battery is part of the purchase. The Greenworks 40V 16-inch and 17-inch listings include one 4.0Ah pack and a charger. The EGO listing includes a 56V 4.0Ah pack and a charger. The 48V Greenworks listing includes two 4.0Ah packs. A second pack lets you run one while the other charges, which is the practical way to finish a bigger lawn in one afternoon.
Check whether the mower uses the battery platform you already own. A pack from one brand usually does not fit another brand’s tool, so an existing battery is a reason to pick the matching mower.
The six push mowers side by side
The table uses only the values in each listing. “Not stated” means the listing did not give that figure in the bullets reviewed.
| Mower | Power source | Cutting width | Runtime or power per listing | Height range per listing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PowerSmart EasyCut 18-Inch | Gas, 144cc 4-cycle | 18 inches | Not applicable | 1.5 to 3.9 inches |
| Greenworks 40V 16-Inch | Battery, 40V 4.0Ah | 15.67 inches (spec) | Up to one-third acre per charge, varies | 1.25 to 3.75 inches (spec) |
| Greenworks 40V 17-Inch | Battery, 40V 4.0Ah | 16.14 inches (spec) | Up to 35 minutes | Six heights, one lever |
| Greenworks 48V 17-Inch | Battery, two 4.0Ah packs | 16.14 inches (spec) | Up to 45 minutes on two packs | 1 3/8 to 3 3/4 inches |
| EGO Power+ LM2112 | Battery, 56V 4.0Ah | 21 inches | Up to 35 minutes | 1.25 to 4 inches |
| American Lawn Mower 1815-18 Reel | Manual reel, no motor | 18 inches | Not applicable | 1/2 to 2-3/4 inches |
The table shows why the width and battery count matter. The 48V Greenworks gives the longest battery runtime in the set, while the EGO gives the widest deck among the powered mowers. The reel mower has no runtime at all, so its entry in the table is a reminder that it works on a different principle.
Roundup: the six mowers
PowerSmart EasyCut 18-Inch Gas Push Mower
The PowerSmart is the gas option. Its listing gives a 144cc 4-cycle overhead-valve engine, an 18-inch steel deck and a side-discharge chute. The listing says the engine has auto choke for easy starts and that the specialized blade gives a clean, even cut. The height range is five positions from 1.5 to 3.9 inches.
It is the mower to consider if you want gas power for thick grass. The running cost is fuel and oil, and the listing does not include a battery.
Greenworks 40V 16-Inch Push Lawn Mower
The Greenworks 16-inch comes with a 4.0Ah battery and charger. Its title and bullets say it cuts up to one-third of an acre on a full charge, with results that vary by grass and technique. It weighs 37.5 pounds and describes itself as 35 percent lighter than steel-deck mowers. It has a single-lever, five-position height adjustment and a mulch and rear bagging option.
It suits a first-time buyer with a small lawn who wants a battery mower with the pack included.
Greenworks 40V 17-Inch Push Lawn Mower
The 17-inch Greenworks is a step up in width from the 16-inch model, with a 4.0Ah battery and charger. The bullets say it runs up to 35 minutes on a charge, and that its brushless motor is quieter and needs no oil. It offers mulching or bagging, and its one-lever height system has six cutting heights.
It suits a small to medium lawn and a buyer who wants a quieter machine without fuel.
Greenworks 48V 17-Inch Push Lawn Mower with Two Batteries
This model uses two 24V 4.0Ah packs for a 48V system and runs up to 45 minutes on two full packs. The poly deck is rust-resistant and about 40 percent lighter than steel decks, according to the listing. It has five cutting positions from 1 3/8 inches to 3 3/4 inches.
It suits a buyer who wants the longest battery runtime in this set and does not mind a heavier mower at 42.5 pounds.
EGO Power+ LM2112 Electric Push Mower
The EGO LM2112 is the widest powered mower in this set, with a 21-inch cutting width. It includes a 56V 4.0Ah battery and charger. The listing gives up to 35 minutes of runtime, 6.0 ft-lbs of cutting torque and seven height settings from 1.25 to 4 inches. It describes a brushless motor with low vibration.
It suits a flat, larger lawn for a buyer who already owns EGO batteries or wants a wide deck with the pack included.
American Lawn Mower 1815-18 18-Inch Push Reel Lawn Mower
The American Lawn Mower is a manual reel mower with an 18-inch width and five blades. Its listing gives height adjustment from 1/2 inch to 2-3/4 inches and says it works well on flat lawns. The listing also names a five-year manufacturer protection plan. It has no motor, no battery, no cord and no fuel.
It suits a small flat lawn of fine grass that you mow often. It is a poor fit for tall or wet growth.
In-depth look: the first-time buyer’s test
Before you choose, run through a simple test with the lawn in front of you. Measure the lawn in square feet, and find the longest grass you expect to cut between sessions. Then ask three questions. Can one pack, or one tank of fuel, cover the whole lawn? Does the width you need fit the room you have to store the mower? Does the height range reach the grass you want to keep?
A first-time buyer often overrates the width and underrates the storage. A 21-inch deck looks efficient on paper, but it is harder to fit in a shed and harder to steer around flower beds. The same goes for runtime: a single pack is enough for a small lawn, but a larger one needs two packs or a longer runtime platform.
Reel mowers deserve the same test. A reel mower is the best option for a flat lawn of fine grass that gets cut often, because it leaves a clean edge and burns no fuel. If the grass grows fast or stays wet, a reel mower will leave a rough finish, and a motor mower will do the job better.
Mistakes to avoid as a first-time buyer
- Buying the widest deck without checking storage. A wider mower is heavier and harder to fit in a small shed.
- Assuming a battery mower includes its battery. Several listings in this set do, and some do not, so read the line.
- Skipping the height range. A mower that does not go low enough or high enough will not fit your grass.
- Using a reel mower on tall or wet grass. It is designed for fine, regularly cut turf.
- Ignoring running costs. Gas needs fuel and oil, batteries need replacing over several seasons, and reels need sharpening.
FAQ
Which push mower type is best for a first-time buyer?
For most small yards, a battery mower with the battery and charger included is the simplest start. It needs no fuel or oil, and a 16-inch or 17-inch deck covers a small lawn in a few passes. Choose gas if you need more power for thick grass.
How wide should my cutting deck be?
A 16-inch to 18-inch deck suits most small yards. A 21-inch deck, such as the EGO LM2112, finishes a flat lawn sooner but takes up more room.
Do battery mowers include a battery?
It depends on the listing. The Greenworks 40V 16-inch, 40V 17-inch, 48V 17-inch and the EGO LM2112 each include battery packs. Check the listing before you order.
What height range should I look for?
Match the mower to the grass you grow. The EGO goes from 1.25 to 4 inches and the PowerSmart from 1.5 to 3.9 inches. The reel mower goes lowest, from 1/2 inch to 2-3/4 inches, but it is for fine grass.
Is a reel mower a real option?
For a small flat lawn of fine grass that you cut often, yes. The American Lawn Mower reel has no motor, battery or fuel. It is not designed for tall or wet grass.
Bottom line
A first-time push mower buyer should decide the power source first, then the cutting width, then the height range and the battery packs. For a small lawn, a 16-inch or 17-inch battery mower with its battery included is the simplest route. For thick grass, choose gas. For a small flat lawn of fine grass, a reel mower is a clean, no-fuel option. Confirm the height range and battery line in each full listing before you buy.
For more on keeping a battery mower running, read Making a Cordless Mower Battery Last Longer and CRAFTSMAN Electric Push Lawn Mower Review.
