Best Easy-to-Push Lawn Mowers for Every Homeowner
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An easy push lawn mower is a walk-behind mower with a light, well-balanced frame, a comfortable handle and a deck width that suits your yard. The right choice depends on three things: how heavy the mower is, how you power it (gas, corded electric, battery or manual reel), and how much grass you need to cut in one pass. This guide compares seven push mowers from our product data, and it shows the weight, power and height facts each listing states so you can judge ease of pushing for yourself.
Quick answer
- Lightest to push: the Hoteche corded electric mower and the Pyroarle 14-inch reel mower are the lightest options in the set, according to their listings.
- Battery power without gas: the two Greenworks cordless push mowers run on 24V and 48V battery platforms with brushless motors.
- Gas power for bigger yards: the BILT HARD 21-inch gas push mowers have the widest decks in the group and the most engine power listed.
- Manual option: the DMSIDN 20-inch and Pyroarle 14-inch reel mowers need no fuel, cord or battery.
How to choose an easy push mower
Ease of pushing depends on weight, wheel size and handle design more than on the engine. A heavier gas mower with large rear wheels can feel easier on a long lawn than a light mower with small wheels on a bumpy yard. Start with the weight stated in the listing. Several listings in this set give weight in pounds, and one gives it in kilograms, so compare the same units before you decide.
Next, check the deck width. A wider deck covers more ground per pass, but it also makes the mower bulkier to store and turn. The 20-inch and 21-inch decks in this group suit medium yards. The 12.6-inch Hoteche and the 14-inch Pyroarle suit small lawns and tight areas.
Finally, look at the height settings. Most homeowners want a cut between about 1 inch and 3 inches. The listings in this group state different adjustment ranges, and some give more than one range for the same mower, so read the height section of each listing closely.
Power source compared
| Mower | Power | Deck width | Weight as stated | Height range as stated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BILT HARD 21-inch 3-in-1 | Gas, 144cc 4-cycle | 21 inches | Not stated in bullets | 1.0 to 3.0 inches (bullet); 1.2 to 3.75 inches (specs) |
| BILT HARD 201cc 3-in-1 | Gas, 201cc 4-cycle OHV | 21 inches | 73.8 pounds (specs) | 1.2 to 3.75 inches |
| Hoteche corded electric | Corded electric, 10-amp brush motor | 12.6 inches | 16 lbs (bullet); 7.95 kg (specs) | 1 to 2.2 inches (bullet) |
| Greenworks 48V 20-inch | Battery, two 24V packs (48V), brushless | 20 inches | Not stated | Not stated |
| Greenworks 24V 13-inch | Battery, 24V, brushless | 13 inches | Not stated | Single-lever, 5 positions (bullet) |
| DMSIDN 20-inch reel | Manual | 20 inches | Not stated | 1.33 to 2.51 inches |
| Pyroarle 14-inch reel | Manual | 14 inches | Not stated | 0.47 to 1.65 inches |
Where a listing does not state a value, the table says “Not stated” rather than estimating it.
Gas push mowers
Gas mowers give the most engine power in this set. They also carry the most weight, and they need fuel and oil. Two BILT HARD 21-inch gas mowers are in the group, and they share a similar deck and wheel design.
BILT HARD 21-inch 3-in-1 gas push lawn mower
This mower has a 21-inch steel deck and a 144cc four-cycle engine. The listing gives 3.4 HP and 5.75 ft-lb of torque, and a 27.1 fl oz fuel tank. The bullets say it can bag, mulch or discharge grass to the side. The listing says the single-lever height control moves all four wheels together. Its front and rear wheels are described as 10 inches, and the listing says the mower comes with a grass bag, side discharge chute, mulching plug, engine oil and tools. Because the bullets and specs give different height ranges, check the height setting on the mower itself before you cut.
BILT HARD 201cc 3-in-1 gas push lawn mower
This version has a 201cc four-cycle OHV engine, which the listing says delivers 9.0 ft-lb of torque. The listing says it has no choke and no primer, which it describes as making it easier to start. It has a 21-inch deck with mulching, side discharge and rear bagging. The height control covers 1.2 to 3.75 inches in ten positions. The listing states 9.5-inch rear wheels and 8-inch front wheels with double ball bearings, and a foam-wrapped angled grip. Specs give an item weight of 73.8 pounds and an alloy steel material. The listing also describes a warranty and a support team, but it does not give the length of the warranty.
Corded electric and battery push mowers
Electric mowers skip fuel and oil, and they are quieter. The trade-off is the power cord or battery. A corded mower needs an outlet within reach. A battery mower needs a charged pack, and the run time depends on the grass and the cutting technique.
Hoteche 12.6-inch corded electric lawn mower
This is the smallest powered mower in the set, with a 12.6-inch (320 mm) cutting width. The listing says its brush motor is rated at 10 amps and 1200 W, and that the blade turns at 3600 RPM. The bullets say it suits yards up to 0.3 acres, which is a claim from the listing and not a test result. It includes a 30-liter grass bag with a quick-release design. The bullets give a weight of 16 lbs, while the specs list 7.95 kg, which is about 17.5 lbs. Because the two figures differ, weigh the mower in a store or check the package before you buy if weight is your main concern. The listing says the mower is quiet, with a noise level under 75 dB, and that it needs no gas, oil or batteries.
Greenworks 48V 20-inch push lawn mower with two 4.0 Ah batteries
This Greenworks model runs on two 24V POWERALL batteries that combine to 48V. The kit includes two 4.0 Ah batteries and a dual-port charger. The listing says the brushless motor gives more torque and a longer life, and it describes a 20-inch steel cutting deck. The listing gives up to 45 minutes of run time with two fully charged batteries, and it says run time varies with grass condition and technique. It is backed by a 3-year limited tool and battery warranty, according to the listing. The batteries work with more than 200 Greenworks 24V tools.
Greenworks 24V 13-inch push lawn mower with 4.0 Ah battery
This smaller battery mower uses a 24V battery with a 4.0 Ah pack and charger included. The listing gives a brushless motor speed of 3550 RPM and up to 30 minutes of run time per charge. Its 13-inch rust-resistant poly deck is described as lightweight, and the listing says it is designed to help with tight spaces. The height control is a single lever with five positions. It offers a 2-in-1 mulch or rear-bag setup. The listing gives a 3-year limited warranty.
Manual reel push mowers
Reel mowers have no engine, motor or battery. The blades turn as you push, and they cut grass with a scissor action. Reel mowers suit flat, fairly short lawns, and they need regular blade care. The listings in this group note that reel mowers are quiet and need no fuel.
DMSIDN 20-inch manual reel lawn mower
This reel mower has a 20-inch cutting width with 65Mn steel blades. The listing says it has nine height settings from 1.33 to 2.51 inches. It uses 9.84-inch wheels, which the listing describes as anti-skid, and a wider handle with non-slip sponge grips. The listing says the wide handle lets you hold it with both hands. Its wheels are large for a manual mower, which may help on uneven ground, though the listing does not compare them with other mowers.
Pyroarle 14-inch hand push reel mower with grass catcher
This reel mower has a 14-inch cutting width and a rear collection box. The listing describes four blades and says the box is secured by a fixing chain and can be detached for cleaning. The height knob moves from 0.47 to 1.65 inches. The front wheels measure 8.07 inches. The listing describes steel and aluminum construction with a plastic spray finish. It is a good match for a small, low lawn where you want to keep the mower light.
Review: Greenworks 24V 13-inch push mower
If you want a battery mower that is easy to store and easy to push, the Greenworks 24V 13-inch model is the best fit in this group for a small or medium yard. The 13-inch deck is narrower than the 20-inch models, so it takes more passes on a large lawn. In return, the mower is compact and the listing describes it as lightweight. The battery and charger are included, which means you can start cutting after you charge the pack. The listing states up to 30 minutes of run time per charge, which covers a typical small lawn but may not cover a large yard in one session.
The height control is a single lever with five positions, and the listing says it adapts to any grass length. A single lever is quicker to use than separate pins on each wheel. The 2-in-1 design lets you mulch clippings or send them to a rear bag. The listing describes the deck as rust resistant, which matters if you leave the mower outside between cuts.
Compared with the 48V Greenworks model, this mower gives up deck width and run time for a smaller footprint. If your lawn is larger than about a quarter acre, the 48V mower or a gas model in this set is a better match, according to the deck widths and run times the listings state. If you want the easiest storage and the lightest load, this 13-inch model is the better pick.
A close alternative is the Hoteche corded electric mower. It is lighter and quieter, and it needs no battery, but it needs a cord and it has a 12.6-inch deck. If you have an outlet near the lawn and a small yard, it is worth a look.
FAQ
Which push mower is easiest to push?
The listings do not give a single standard for ease of pushing. The Hoteche corded mower and the Pyroarle reel mower are the lightest by the weights and sizes stated. The Greenworks 13-inch battery mower is compact. Weight, wheel size and handle design all affect how easy a mower feels, so compare the listings side by side.
Do electric push mowers need a battery or a cord?
Yes. The Hoteche mower uses a corded electric motor. The two Greenworks mowers use battery packs, and the 48V model uses two 24V batteries together. The reel mowers in this group need neither a cord nor a battery.
How high can a push mower cut?
The listings give different height ranges. The BILT HARD gas mowers list up to 3.75 inches, the DMSIDN reel mower lists up to 2.51 inches, and the Hoteche mower lists up to 2.2 inches. Reel mowers cut best when the grass is short, and the listing for the Pyroarle reel mower gives a maximum of 1.65 inches.
Are reel mowers good for thick grass?
The listings describe reel mowers for regular maintenance of fairly short grass. A reel mower works by scissor action, so it is most effective on lawns that are cut often. For tall or thick grass, a gas or battery mower with a motor is the better match according to the listing descriptions.
How long does the Greenworks battery last?
The 48V model lists up to 45 minutes of run time with two fully charged batteries, and it says run time varies with grass condition and technique. The 24V 13-inch model lists up to 30 minutes per charge with its 4.0 Ah battery.
What does the warranty cover?
The listings for the two Greenworks mowers state a 3-year limited tool and battery warranty. The listing for the BILT HARD 201cc mower describes a warranty and support but does not state its length. Read the warranty terms that come with the product before you buy.
Bottom line
Choose a push mower by weight first, then deck width, then power source. For a small yard where you want to keep the mower light, pick a light electric or reel model. For a medium yard with no outlet nearby, pick a battery mower. For the widest cut and the most power, pick a 21-inch gas model, and plan for fuel and oil.
Related reading: Greenworks 48V 17-Inch Push Mower Review and Lawn Mower Safety Checklist for Homeowners.
