Best Push Lawn Mowers for Everyday Mowing Jobs
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The best push lawn mower for an everyday yard depends on three things: the power source you can live with, the cutting width that fits your lawn size, and the cutting height range that suits your grass. Gas models in this group use a 144cc engine and pull-cord start, battery models use 40V or 48V packs with push-button start, and reel mowers use no engine at all. The seven products below are the push mowers in this group, and each block explains what its own listing says about power, width, height and yard size.
Quick answer
- For a yard up to about 1/4 acre, the listings for the 17 inch and 21 inch battery models state that size range.
- For the widest cut in this group, the EGO model lists a 21 inch cutting width, the largest in this set.
- For a reel mower with no fuel, oil or battery, the American Lawn Mower models are the only manual options here.
- Check the warranty line before you buy, because the listings state terms that differ between models.
Power source and what it changes
Power source shapes almost every other choice. A gas push mower has the most engine power in the group, and the PowerSmart listing describes a 144cc four-cycle overhead valve engine with a pull-cord start, a 0.21 gallon fuel tank and 13.5 fluid ounces of oil. Its listing says the oil is 10W-30 and that oil is not included. Battery models trade that fuel and oil routine for a charger and a pack, and they start with a push button. Reel mowers cut by scissor action and need no power at all, which means they are quiet and simple, but they suit flat lawns with short grass.
Runtime is the main limit on battery models. The Greenworks 40V listings say up to 35 minutes on a single 4.0Ah battery, and the EGO listing says the same runtime with its 56V 4.0Ah pack. The Greenworks 48V listing says up to 45 minutes on two 4.0Ah batteries. All of these runtimes are listed conditions, and the listings note that real results depend on grass and technique.
Cutting width, height and yard size compared
Cutting width sets how many passes a lawn takes. The table below uses only the values each listing states. Where two numbers conflict inside one listing, the table gives both and says so.
| Product | Power | Cutting width | Height range | Yard size or runtime stated | Warranty stated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PowerSmart EasyCut 18-inch | Gas, 144cc | 18 inches | 1.5 to 3.9 inches | Ideal for small yards, 1/4 acre | Two years limited |
| Greenworks 40V 16-inch | Battery, 40V 4.0Ah | 16 inches (15.67 inches in specs) | 1.25 to 3.75 inches | Up to 1/3 acre, 35 minutes | Three years limited |
| American Lawn Mower 14-inch reel | Manual | 14 inches | Bullets say 0.5 to 1.75 inches; specs say 1.3 to 4.45 inches | Small lawns | Not stated |
| Greenworks 40V 17-inch | Battery, 40V 4.0Ah | 16.14 inches in specs | 1.25 to 3.13 inches in specs; six positions | Up to 1/4 acre, 35 minutes | Three years limited |
| Greenworks 48V 17-inch | Battery, two 4.0Ah packs | 16.14 inches in specs | 1-3/8 to 3-3/4 inches, five positions | Up to 1/4 acre, 45 minutes | Listing text says three years; specs say two years |
| EGO LM2112 21-inch | Battery, 56V 4.0Ah | 21 inches | 1.25 to 4 inches, seven positions | 35 minutes | Not stated |
| American Lawn Mower 18-inch reel | Manual | 18 inches | Bullets say 1/2 to 2-3/4 inches; specs say 1.27 to 6.4 inches | Dry grass under 4 inches | Bullets say five years; specs say one year |
How to choose by lawn size and grass
Start with the lawn. The listings for the two Greenworks 40V models and the 48V model state a yard size of up to 1/4 acre, and the PowerSmart listing states 1/4 acre as well. The Greenworks 40V 16-inch listing goes a little further and says up to 1/3 acre, though it qualifies that figure by grass condition and operator technique. For a yard that is mostly flat, a 14 or 18 inch reel mower is a realistic option, but the listings say reel mowers suit short grass and small lawns.
Next, check the height range. Grass that gets long between mowings needs a higher top setting, and the EGO listing gives a range of 1.25 to 4 inches across seven positions. The American reel listings give narrower ranges, and the 14-inch model says it can cut grass up to 4 inches tall while being less effective on taller grass. If your lawn runs taller than that between cuts, a reel mower is not the right fit, and a gas or battery rotary model is the better match.
Finally, decide on maintenance. Gas models need fuel and oil, while the Greenworks 40V 17-inch listing states that it needs no oil, fumes or pull cords. The American listings describe the reel mowers as low maintenance and noise-free. Your own time and tolerance for upkeep will narrow the list faster than any spec does.
Roundup: seven push mowers compared
The blocks below cover every push mower in this group. Each block uses the listing’s own facts and ends with a link to the product on Amazon.
PowerSmart EasyCut 18-Inch Gas Push Mower
This gas walk-behind mower is the power option in the group. The listing describes an 18 inch steel deck, side discharge, a five-position height adjustment from 1.5 to 3.9 inches, and rear and front wheels of 8 and 7 inches. Its specs list six height positions while the bullets say five, so check the owner’s manual when you receive it. The listing gives a weight of 58.4 pounds and a folded size of 26 by 19 by 14 inches. At 58.4 pounds it has the highest stated weight in this group, which suits buyers who want engine power over light handling.
Greenworks 40V 16-Inch Push Mower With Battery and Charger
This battery mower includes a 4.0Ah battery and a charger in the box. The listing says it is 35 percent lighter than steel deck mowers, and it includes a grass bag, a 4.0Ah battery, a charger and an owner’s manual. The mower offers five height positions from 1.25 to 3.75 inches and supports mulching and rear bagging. The listing gives a three-year limited warranty on the tool and battery, and it says the battery works with more than 75 Greenworks 40V tools. Its listed weight is 37.5 pounds.
American Lawn Mower 14-Inch 4-Blade Reel Mower
This manual reel mower has no engine or battery. The listing describes four blades, a 14 inch cutting width and 8.5 inch polymer wheels, and it gives a weight of 19 pounds in the bullets. The listing says the reel action does not bruise grass blades, and it recommends mowing no more than one third of the grass blade at a time. Its height statements do not agree, so use the bullets for height and confirm the setting once the mower is in your hands. Choose it for a small flat lawn with short grass.
Greenworks 40V 17-Inch Brushless Push Mower
This battery mower uses a brushless motor and a 4.0Ah battery that the listing says runs up to 35 minutes. It offers a two-in-one mulch or bag system and six cutting heights, adjusted with one lever. The listing describes it as suitable for yards up to 1/4 acre and says it is 30 percent quieter than gas mowers. The product carries a three-year limited warranty on the tool and battery. Its specs list a cutting width of 16.14 inches and a height range that conflicts with the bullets, so compare the two before you choose.
Greenworks 48V 17-Inch Push Mower With Two Batteries
This model runs on two 4.0Ah batteries, which the listing describes as a 48V system built from 24V packs. It states up to 45 minutes of runtime and a 17 inch poly deck that the listing says is 40 percent lighter than steel. The five-position height adjustment runs from 1 3/8 to 3 3/4 inches, and it offers mulching or rear bagging. The bullets describe a three-year warranty, while the specs field says two years, so confirm the term at checkout. The listing gives a weight of 42.5 pounds.
EGO Power+ LM2112 21-Inch Cordless Push Mower
This is the widest battery model in the group, and the listing states the cutting width at 21 inches. It is covered in the review below.
American Lawn Mower 18-Inch 5-Blade Reel Mower
This reel mower has five blades and an 18 inch cutting width, and the listing describes it as suited to small to medium yards. The bullets give an adjustable range from 1/2 inch to 2 3/4 inches, while the specs list 1.27 to 6.4 inches, so the two sets of numbers do not match. The listing says it works best on dry grass under 4 inches, and it may need several passes on taller grass. The bullets describe a five-year protection plan, but the specs field lists a one-year limited warranty. The listing weighs it at 27 pounds.
Review: EGO Power+ LM2112 in depth
The EGO LM2112 is the most fully specified battery mower in this group, so it earns the deepest review. The listing describes a 21 inch deck and a 56V 4.0Ah ARC lithium battery that runs up to 35 minutes on one charge. It delivers up to 6.0 foot-pounds of cutting torque, which the listing compares with gas mowers, and it uses a brushless motor that the listing says offers low vibration and long life. The package includes the battery and a charger, so you can start cutting without an extra purchase.
Height and function are the next layer. The mower offers seven cutting positions from 1.25 to 4 inches, and it works in three modes: mulching, bagging and side discharge. The listing says it starts with a push button, has bright LED headlights and an adjustable handle height, and carries an IPX4 rating for weather resistance. Those features matter if you mow early or late in the day, or if you keep the mower outdoors.
The listing does not state a weight, a warranty term or a grass capacity, so this review does not claim any of them. Its runtime of 35 minutes is the main planning limit. For a larger yard, a second battery would extend the work, and the listing does not say whether a larger pack is offered. If you already own EGO 56V tools, the listing’s compatibility line is the strongest reason to pick this model.
Two close alternatives sit in this group. The Greenworks 40V 17-inch offers a six-position height range and a three-year warranty, and the Greenworks 48V 17-inch offers two batteries for up to 45 minutes of runtime. Both are smaller in cutting width, so they suit smaller yards better than the EGO does.
FAQ
Which push mower is best for a small yard?
The listings for the Greenworks 40V 17-inch and 48V 17-inch models state a yard size of up to 1/4 acre, which fits a small yard well. The PowerSmart gas model also states 1/4 acre. If you want no fuel or oil, the battery models are the more direct fit for small lawns.
Do battery push mowers need oil or fuel?
No. The Greenworks 48V listing says it has no gas, no oil, no tune-ups and no fumes. The Greenworks 40V 17-inch listing says it needs no oil, no fumes and no pull cords. Battery models do need the battery charged and the charger connected between uses.
How long does a battery push mower run?
The listings give about 35 minutes for the 40V 16-inch, 40V 17-inch and EGO models, and up to 45 minutes for the 48V model on two batteries. The listings say these figures vary with grass condition and how you mow, so treat them as a starting point.
Is a reel mower a good choice for tall grass?
The American Lawn Mower listings suggest not. The 14-inch model says it is less effective on grass taller than 4 inches, and the 18-inch model says it suits dry grass under 4 inches, with multiple passes needed for taller grass. A reel mower is better suited to short, regularly trimmed turf.
Why do some listings show different heights or warranty terms?
Several listings in this group state different numbers in their bullets and in their specs fields. The American Lawn Mower 14-inch and 18-inch listings show conflicting height ranges, and the Greenworks 48V listing shows conflicting warranty terms. The page does not reconcile these values, so confirm the figure with the seller or the owner’s manual before you rely on it.
What does a two-in-one mulch and bag system mean?
The Greenworks 40V 16-inch, Greenworks 40V 17-inch and EGO listings each describe a mulch and bag option. In mulching mode the clippings are returned to the lawn, and in bagging mode they are collected. The EGO listing adds a third option for side discharge. Choose the mode that matches how you handle clippings.
Bottom line
Choose gas for the most engine power and battery for no fuel or oil, and pick a reel mower only for small, flat lawns with short grass. For a yard up to 1/4 acre, the Greenworks 40V 17-inch and 48V 17-inch listings give the clearest size statements, and the EGO model is the widest cut here. Before you buy, check the height and warranty values, because several listings disagree with themselves.
Related reading
If you own or are considering the SENIX gas model, the SENIX 20-Inch Gas Push Mower Review covers that machine in the same detail. Before you start mowing with any model, read the Lawn Mower Safety Checklist for Homeowners for the basic rules that apply to every type.