Best New Push Mowers for Homeowners
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A new push mower is a walk-behind mower that you move by hand, and it comes in three main power types: gas engine, battery, and manual reel. The right choice depends on how big the lawn is, how much maintenance you want to do, and whether you need to cut tall grass. The eight push mowers below are all listed as push mowers, and each description is taken from its own listing. The listings do not state whether any unit is new, so check the seller’s condition note before you buy.
Quick answer
- For a small yard under about a quarter acre, a battery push mower with a 16 to 17 inch deck is a practical fit. Several listings in this group state a 1/4 acre limit.
- For a larger lawn, a gas push mower with an 18-inch deck and a 144cc engine is the option listed for more work.
- For a quiet, low-maintenance small lawn, a manual reel mower with a 14 or 18 inch cut width needs no fuel or battery.
- Check the cutting width, height range, and runtime or battery kit before you buy, because the listings differ on each.
How to choose a push mower
Start with the lawn size. A small lawn is easy to cover with a narrow deck, but a wider deck saves time on a larger yard. The listings in this group give cutting widths from 14 inches for the reel models up to 21 inches for the EGO unit. A wider deck is heavier to push, so balance width against your own strength and the terrain.
Then choose the power type. Gas mowers are listed with engines, such as the 144cc 4-cycle OHV engine on the PowerSmart 18-inch model, and they need fuel and oil checks. Battery mowers have no fuel, but they depend on the battery you buy, and runtime varies with grass height and conditions. Reel mowers are manual and have no engine or battery, but they work best on short, dry grass.
Consider the height range. Reel mowers list heights from 0.5 to 1.75 inches on the smaller models and up to about 2.75 inches on the 18-inch model. Battery and gas models list five-position or six-position height settings, with ranges from 1 to about 4 inches. If you want a low, tight cut, check the minimum height in the listing. If you cut tall grass, check the maximum.
Finally, look at the bagging and mulching options. Several battery listings say the mower can mulch or bag, and one says it can switch between the two. Mulching returns clippings to the lawn, while bagging gives a cleaner finish but needs emptying.
Sizing by lawn size
The listings in this group describe the following fits. The Greenworks 40V 16-inch model says it cuts up to one third of an acre on a fully charged 4.0Ah battery, although the listing notes that results vary with grass condition and operator technique. The Greenworks 40V 17-inch model lists up to a quarter acre. The Greenworks 48V 17-inch model lists small to medium yards up to a quarter acre with two 4.0Ah batteries. The EGO 21-inch unit lists up to 35 minutes of run time on a 56V 4.0Ah battery. The PowerSmart 18-inch gas model is listed as a walk-behind mower with a side discharge chute. The reel mowers are listed for small lawns.
These are the listings’ own figures. Run time and coverage depend on grass, slope, and mowing speed, so use them as a starting point rather than a promise.
Roundup: eight push mowers
1. PowerSmart EasyCut 18-inch gas push mower
This is the only gas-engine unit in the group. The listing describes a 144cc 4-cycle OHV engine with auto choke and a primer for easier starts. It has an 18-inch steel deck, a side discharge chute, and a five-position height adjustment from 1.5 to 3.9 inches. The listing gives a weight of 58.4 pounds, which is heavier than the battery and reel models. The listing says the mower is made of alloy steel and calls the blade specialized for a clean cut. Choose this model for a larger lawn where you want an engine and do not mind fuel and oil.
2. Greenworks 40V 16-inch push lawn mower
This is the lightest battery model in the group, with a listed weight of 37.5 pounds. The listing says it is made of plastic, includes a 4.0Ah battery and charger, and has a cutting width of 15.67 inches. It lists a single-lever height adjustment with five positions and a 2-in-1 system for mulching and rear bagging. The listing says it cuts up to one third of an acre on a fully charged battery and gives a battery average life of 35 minutes. It is a good match for a small lawn where weight matters.
3. American Lawn Mower 1204-14 14-inch reel mower
This is a manual reel mower with four blades and a 14-inch cutting width. The listing says it weighs about 19 pounds, and it lists 8.5-inch polymer wheels. The height adjusts from 0.5 to 1.75 inches. The listing states that it can cut grass up to about 4 inches tall, but it is less effective on taller grass. It describes a reel cutting action that does not bruise the grass blade, and it says to mow no more than one third of the blade height at a time to keep the roots intact. Choose this model for a small, well-kept lawn where you want no fuel, no battery, and no engine noise.
4. Greenworks 40V 17-inch push lawn mower
This Greenworks model adds a wider deck than the 16-inch version. The listing gives a cutting width of 16.14 inches, a battery average life of 35 minutes on the included 4.0Ah battery, and a brushless motor. It says it is 30 percent quieter than gas mowers, which is a manufacturer claim you can check against your own yard. The listing also says it has six cutting heights adjusted by one lever, a mulching or bagging choice, and push-button start. It is listed for yards up to a quarter acre.
5. Greenworks 48V 17-inch push lawn mower with two batteries
This is the two-battery version in the Greenworks line. The listing describes 48V operation from two 4.0Ah batteries, with up to 45 minutes of run time on a full charge. It lists a cutting width of 16.14 inches, a 17-inch poly deck that is described as rust-resistant and 40 percent lighter than steel, and five cutting positions from 1-3/8 to 3-3/4 inches. The listing gives a weight of 42.5 pounds. It states that the mower can mulch or rear-bag and that it has no gas, oil, or tune-ups. Choose this model if you want more run time from a battery mower and can carry two packs.
6. EGO Power+ 21-inch cordless push mower
This is the widest cut in the group. The listing gives a cutting width of 21 inches and says the mower includes a 56V 4.0Ah ARC lithium battery and charger. It lists up to 35 minutes of run time on a single charge, a brushless motor, and seven height positions from 1.25 to 4 inches. The listing says it delivers up to 6.0 ft-lbs of cutting torque and uses a metal alloy material. It is a larger, heavier mower, so it suits a larger battery-powered lawn where a wide deck saves time.
7. American Lawn Mower 1815-18 18-inch reel mower
This is a larger manual reel mower with five blades and an 18-inch cutting width. The listing says the height adjusts from 0.5 to 2.75 inches and that it is suited to dry grass under 4 inches tall. It notes that taller grass may need multiple passes. The listing gives a weight of 27 pounds, a metal material, and a five-year manufacturer protection plan for the reel. Choose this model if you want a wider reel cut for a small, flat lawn and do not want an engine or battery.
8. Great States 304-14 14-inch reel mower
This is the lightest reel mower in the group, at 9.3 pounds according to the listing. It has five blades, a 14-inch cutting width, and blades made of heat-treated alloy steel. The listing gives a height adjustment from 0.5 to 1.75 inches, 8.5-inch composite wheels, and a T-style handle with a cushioned grip. It describes tool-less assembly. Choose this model for a very small lawn or for a person who wants a light, easy-to-push mower.
Comparison table
| Model | Power | Cutting width | Listed weight | Height range or positions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PowerSmart 18-inch | Gas, 144cc | 18 inches | 58.4 pounds | 5 positions, 1.5 to 3.9 inches |
| Greenworks 40V 16-inch | Battery, 40V 4.0Ah | 15.67 inches | 37.5 pounds | 5 positions |
| American Lawn 1204-14 | Manual reel | 14 inches | About 19 pounds | 0.5 to 1.75 inches |
| Greenworks 40V 17-inch | Battery, 40V 4.0Ah | 16.14 inches | Not stated | 6 positions |
| Greenworks 48V 17-inch | Battery, 2 x 4.0Ah | 16.14 inches | 42.5 pounds | 5 positions, 1-3/8 to 3-3/4 inches |
| EGO Power+ 21-inch | Battery, 56V 4.0Ah | 21 inches | Not stated | 7 positions, 1.25 to 4 inches |
| American Lawn 1815-18 | Manual reel | 18 inches | 27 pounds | 0.5 to 2.75 inches |
| Great States 304-14 | Manual reel | 14 inches | 9.3 pounds | 0.5 to 1.75 inches |
Where a value is missing from the listing, the table says “Not stated”.
Review: Greenworks 48V 17-inch push mower in depth
The Greenworks 48V model is the one to read closely if you want a battery mower with more run time than a single pack. The listing describes two 4.0Ah batteries that give up to 45 minutes of run time on a full charge. It says the run time varies with grass conditions and is meant for small to medium yards up to a quarter acre. For a homeowner with a lawn that takes about 30 to 40 minutes to mow, the second battery matters more than the deck size.
The 17-inch poly deck is the main reason to choose this model over the steel-deck options. The listing describes the deck as rust-resistant and 40 percent lighter than steel. It states a cutting width of 16.14 inches and a weight of 42.5 pounds. That weight is heavier than the 16-inch Greenworks model at 37.5 pounds, but lighter than the gas PowerSmart mower at 58.4 pounds. Pushing a 42.5-pound mower across a flat lawn is practical for most adults, and the listing says the lighter deck helps with maneuvering around flower beds and trees.
Height adjustment uses a single lever with five cutting positions from 1-3/8 to 3-3/4 inches. The listing says that setting allows a precise cut in any season. The mower can mulch or bag. Mulching returns grass clippings to the lawn, and rear bagging gives a cleaner finish. Both options are built into the same unit, so you choose the mode on the day you mow.
The listing describes the mower as maintenance free, with no gas, oil, or tune-ups, and says push-button start fires up at once. It describes the mower as quiet, so you can mow early in the morning or in the evening. Those points are the listing’s own claims, and you can check them against your own use.
Close alternatives in this group are the Greenworks 40V 17-inch model, which uses one battery with the same 16.14-inch cut and six height positions, and the EGO Power+ 21-inch model, which has a wider cut and seven height positions on one 56V battery. Choose the Greenworks 48V if you want more run time from two batteries, choose the 40V 17-inch if you want a lighter single-battery setup, and choose the EGO if the wider deck and seven height positions matter more.
FAQ
Is a push mower the same as a self-propelled mower?
No. A push mower is moved by your own effort. Self-propelled mowers use a drive system. The listings in this group are push mowers. The American Lawn 1815-18 listing uses the term self-propelled in its specs, but the description still describes a reel mower that you push.
Which push mower is best for a small yard?
For a small yard, the Greenworks 40V 16-inch model is light and simple, and the 14-inch reel models suit a very small, flat lawn. Choose a battery model if you want to mow quickly, and a reel model if you want no battery or fuel.
Are reel mowers good for tall grass?
The listings say reel mowers work best on short, dry grass. The 14-inch American Lawn model states that it is less effective on taller grass. For tall grass, a gas or battery rotary model with a higher cut is the better choice.
How long does a battery push mower run?
The listings give different figures. The Greenworks 40V models list a battery average life of 35 minutes on the 4.0Ah battery. The Greenworks 48V model lists up to 45 minutes on two batteries. The EGO model lists up to 35 minutes on its 56V battery. Run time depends on grass height, slope, and how fast you mow.
Does the listing say these mowers are new?
No. The listings describe the product features but do not state whether the unit is new. Check the seller’s condition note and the return policy before you order.
Do I need a second battery for a push mower?
For a small yard, one battery is often enough, as the Greenworks 40V listings suggest. For a larger lawn, the Greenworks 48V model includes two batteries, which extends the time you can mow without a recharge.
Bottom line
Choose a gas push mower for a larger lawn where you want an engine. Choose a battery push mower for a small or medium lawn where you want no fuel and easy starts. Choose a reel mower for a small, flat lawn with short grass. Match the cutting width and the height range to your grass, and check the runtime or battery kit in the listing before you buy.
Related guides
For a battery push mower that fits a small yard, read Making a Cordless Mower Battery Last Longer. For a second look at a gas push mower, see SENIX 20-Inch Gas Push Mower Review.
