The 3 Best Push Mowers of 2024, According to Our Testing

Ryobi push mower on a tan and orange background — BHG / Lecia Landis

Mowing is an essential part of summer lawn maintenance—and push mowers are the ideal size for homeowners with yards that are 1 acre or smaller. But wading through all the lawn mower choices can sometimes seem a bit overwhelming.

There are advantages and disadvantages of each type of mower, so it's important to do your research about each model and consider how often you mow and the conditions on your property.

"Look at the size of your yard, the cost of the mower, and make an assessment about what suits your needs best," says Andrew Bray, vice president of government relations for the National Association of Landscape Professionals. "If it's electric, look at the charge time of the battery and make sure you understand the cost of replacement batteries—and how to dispose of the battery safely and responsibly."

In addition to choosing between gas, electric, and reel mowers, there are a host of other features to consider as well. To come up with this list of the best push mowers, we researched dozens of models, looking at their power source, performance, price, cutting deck width and height, grass clipping options, and more. We also spoke with Andrew Bray and Abigail Mikkelsen, associate product manager for Ryobi Outdoor Power Equipment.

Our Top Picks

Best Cordless Electric:

Ryobi 21-Inch Dual-Blade Self-Propelled Mower at Home Depot ($699)

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Best Gas:

Honda 21-Inch Gas Self-Propelled Lawn Mower at Home Depot ($549)

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Best Self-Propelled:

EGO Power+ 21-Inch Self-Propelled Mower at Amazon ($639)

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Best Cordless Electric

Ryobi RY401150 40-Volt HP 21-Inch Dual-Blade Self-Propelled Mower

The Home Depot

View On Home Depot $699 View On Ryobitools.com

Our Ratings

Design

5/5
Performance

4.3/5
Usability

4.8/5
Safety

5/5
Setup

4/5

Why You Should Get It

It's self-propelled and has all-wheel drive, making it easier to get over any type of grass or terrain.

Keep in Mind

If you use the all-wheel drive mode throughout your mowing session, run times may be lower.

This Ryobi 40V Brushless Whisper Series mower gives you the power of gas, without all the noise, making it our overall choice for the best push mower. When using this mower during our testing, we found that it was one of the quietest mowers we tested—it sounded more like a white noise machine than a lawn mower.

This mower has a host of convenient features, such as the push button start, LED headlights, and external fuel gauge that shows you the remaining run time. All-wheel drive makes it a good option for yards with steep hills, and the brushless motor enhances power and run times.

The self-propelling feature was intuitive to use, and the button for this feature is conveniently located on the handle. The self-propelled function can be engaged even if the blades are turned off to make it easier to transport the mower from your garage to your yard. We did find that the highest setting was a bit too fast to use on flat ground, but it could be useful when mowing steep hills.

We liked that this mower was easy to start—simply place the batteries in the battery box and hold the handle while pressing the start button. It was much easier to use than a traditional pull-to-start cord and required much less energy and effort. This mower scored high for usability, earning a 4.8 out of 5 rating.

Like our pick for the best gas push mower, this machine has a safety feature that forces blades to stop when the handle isn’t held down. Similarly, it also has a back flap to help keep your legs safe from debris while mowing.

The mower's Cross Cut multi-blade system allowed us to choose between two blades for better cutting performance or one blade for a longer run time. An integrated mulch plug made it simple to choose mulching, bagging, or side discharge, and a single lever let us choose between seven different cutting heights. Large 11-inch rear wheels helped us maneuver the machine over uneven ground, and the aluminum handles fold up for easy storage.

Two battery ports and two 40V 6Ah batteries can provide up to 70 minutes of run time, so it works well for yards up to 1 acre. The Ryobi mower also comes with a rapid charger to charge the batteries four times faster than a traditional charger.

Better Homes & Gardens / Jennifer May
Better Homes & Gardens / Jennifer May
Better Homes & Gardens / Jennifer May
Better Homes & Gardens / Jennifer May

Best Gas

Honda HRN216VKA 21-Inch Gas Self-Propelled Lawn Mower

Lowe's

View On Home Depot $549 View On Northerntool.com

Our Ratings

Design

3.7/5
Performance

4.8/5
Usability

4.2/5
Safety

5/5
Setup

5/5

Why You Should Get It

This mower had no issues mowing over bumpy and uneven terrain.

Keep in Mind

This mower starts with a pull cord rather than an electric push button start.

With a reliable, easy-start Honda GCV170 engine, this is a machine you can count on to be ready whenever you are (with regular maintenance, of course).

It's a self-propelled mower, so we found we didn’t have to put as much effort into pushing the machine around—plus, it adapted the mowing speed to match our stride. When mowing over bumpy and inclined terrain, it was easy to maneuver and we didn’t have to exert any extra energy.

It effectively cut grass during our testing, and the only area it had difficulty with was a tight corner close to a mailbox. However, because it was so intuitive to use, this mower scored a 4.5 out of 5 rating for its performance.

It's simple to adjust the mower to seven different cutting heights with the dual-lever height adjustment function, and we could easily switch between mulching and bagging without any extra attachments. With two offset blades, it cuts the grass into small pieces that are better for both mulching and bagging.

One of our favorite features on this mower was the blade control located on the handle of the mower. While mowing, you have to hold the lever down for the blades to rotate. However, upon releasing the lever, the blades immediately stop moving, which is an important safety feature to have in the event of a slip or fall.

There is also a flap on the back of the machine that helps prevent debris from hitting your legs as you mow. With these features in mind, we gave this machine a 5-star rating for safety.

We also appreciated that the deck is made of 16-gauge steel for extra durability. With a 170cc engine, it has plenty of power; however, it's not the largest engine available on the market.

Keep in mind that you have to start this mower with a traditional pull cord rather than an electric start button, but we found that the pull cord was easy to use. The mower turned on immediately upon pulling the cord, and over the course of a year we never had difficulty with starting the mower.

Best Self-Propelled

EGO Power+ Select Cut 56-Volt 21-Inch Self-Propelled Cordless Lawn Mower

Walmart

View On Amazon $639 View On Acmetools.com View On Mscdirect.com

Our Ratings

Design

4.8/5
Performance

4.5/5
Usability

4/5
Safety

5/5
Setup

4.8/5

Why You Should Get It

This self-propelling lawn mower has five different propulsion speeds, and it’s battery operated so we didn’t have to worry about gas or oil.

Keep in Mind

We had some difficulty clipping the bag attachment into place upon initial setup.

After our testing, we determined that the Ego Power+ Select Cut 56-volt 21-in Self-Propelled Cordless Lawn Mower 7.5 Ah is the best push lawn mower for those looking for a self-propelled model.

We tested this lawn mower with both dry and damp grass, and found that it performed well in both conditions and created an even, precise cut. It handled hills and inclines effortlessly, and maneuvered gracefully around trees. There is a bag attachment to catch lawn clippings, but we did find it was initially difficult to attach since the plastic clips were so tight. However, this was only an issue upon setting up the lawn mower.

We appreciated the thoughtful design that went into the self-propelling feature. There are five different speeds to choose from, and the speed of the propulsion can be adjusted with a lever on the left side of the handle. After using the self-propelling feature, we found ourselves to be much less fatigued in our backs compared to a lawn mower without this feature.

This lawn mower is also ideal for someone who wants a low maintenance machine. Because it’s cordless, it doesn’t need any gas or oil to operate. You simply have to attach the 7.5Ah 56-volt battery after it charges, which only takes an hour. Additionally, it can be folded up for easy storage and it has a handle on the bottom, which was helpful to use when we were storing the lawn mower.

Because of its performance and design, this is the best self-propelling push lawn mower.

Better Homes & Gardens / Megan Wood
Better Homes & Gardens / Megan Wood
Better Homes & Gardens / Megan Wood

The Bottom Line

The Ryobi 40V HP Brushless Whisper Series 21-Inch All-Wheel Drive Electric Mower is one of the best push lawn mowers because it combines power and convenience. It effectively and precisely cuts grass, and has several safety features to keep users protected. We also appreciated how quiet this machine is compared to gas lawn mowers.

For the best gas push lawn mower, we chose the Honda Hrx 201-cc 21-in Self-propelled Gas Lawn Mower Model #HRX217K6VKA. During our testing, we found that this lawn mower performed well with both smooth and bumpy terrain, and it had several safety features that put us at ease.

Our Testing Process

We tested multiple push lawn mowers to determine which were the best ones based on performance, safety, value, usability, and design. Upon receiving the lawn mowers, we set a timer to determine how long it took for us to assemble the machine.

Once the lawn mower was assembled, we mowed grass with the machines three separate times and recorded the weather conditions, the surface area of the yard, and how long it took for us to mow the yard. We considered factors like ease of use, maneuverability, and how long the battery lasted (if applicable).

We also noted special features and how easy or difficult it was to store the lawn mower. After each mower was used three different times, we evaluated our results to determine the best push lawn mowers.

What to Know About Push Mowers Before Shopping

Power Source

When choosing the best push mower for your property, first consider your power source options. Gas-powered mowers used to be the only option when it came to lawn mowers, but these days more people are opting for electric mowers as the technology continues to improve.

Gas-powered mowers provide plenty of power to easily tackle long grass, leaves, and weeds as well as traverse tough terrain. You don't have to worry about a battery running out of charge, but you do have to top up on gas and oil on a regular basis. Gas mowers also require regular maintenance to make sure the mower is winterized in the fall and ready to go in the spring.

Electric mowers are available as cordless (battery-operated units) and corded models. Both types of electric mowers are more eco-friendly than gas mowers, but they often don't have quite as much power. If you opt for a cordless option, you'll want to make sure the run time is long enough to make it through your yard on one charge, or you can also purchase spare battery packs to swap out when one runs out of charge.

Some mowers, like the Ryobi 40V HP Brushless 21 in. Cordless Battery Walk Behind Dual-Blade Self-Propelled Mower, come with two batteries so one can charge while the other is being used.

Property Size

As you're choosing the best push mower for you, be sure to check what size of yards the mower is recommended for. Typically, reel mowers and corded electric mowers are best for properties of 0.25 acres or less. Cordless electric mowers work for small-to-medium yards—often up to 0.5 or 0.66 acres.

Gas mowers can work for any size of yard, although if your property is larger than 1 acre, you will likely want to opt for a riding mower rather than a walk-behind mower to get the job done faster. (You can certainly use a riding mower for yards of less than an acre if you prefer—many people do.)

Consider a commercial-duty zero-turn mower if your property is more than 2 acres.

Cutting Deck

As you consider different models, be sure to check the width of the cutting deck as this can vary by quite a bit from mower to mower. A 21-inch deck is standard, although many electric models feature smaller decks.

Mowers with smaller decks can help you maneuver more easily in small spaces, while wider decks can help you mow large areas faster. Cutting decks can usually be set at different heights; be sure to consider how many height settings are available and how easy it is to change between them.

Push or Self-Propelled

A push mower requires you to push the full weight of the mower, while self-propelled models will move forward with very little effort on your part. "Users who have a hilly or uneven lawn or who want the mower to take on more of the work will prefer a self-propelled mower," Mikkelsen says. "Those who have a flat yard or don't mind pushing the weight of the unit can utilize a push mower with ease."

Noise Levels

Electric and reel mowers are quieter than gas models, allowing you to mow earlier in the morning without disturbing your neighbors. The quietest push lawn mower we tested was the Ryobi 40V HP Brushless 21 in. Cordless Battery Walk Behind Dual-Blade Self-Propelled Mower, which sounded more like a white noise machine than a typical lawn mower.

Bagging and Mulching

The best push mowers provide a few different grass clipping options. Check to see whether a push mower model allows you to switch between collecting grass clippings in a rear bag and mulching and leaving them on the lawn for extra nutrients. Some models have a 3-in-1 system that offers bagging, mulching, and side discharge.

Other Push Mowers We Tested

Greenworks Pro 80-Volt Max 21-inch Self-Propelled Cordless Lawn Mower 4 Ah

The Greenworks Pro 80-Volt Max 21-inch Self-Propelled Cordless Lawn Mower 4 Ah was easy to use and felt safe while we were using it. It performed well on short grass, but when it was challenged with taller and denser grass, it would immediately shut off. It took about 30 to 45 seconds to restart, which proved to be a time-consuming process. Because it was not effective on various types of grass, it didn’t make our list of best push lawn mowers.

Toro Recycler 22-inch Briggs & Stratton SmartStow Personal Pace High-Wheel Drive Gas Walk Behind Self Propelled Lawn Mower

While we loved certain features of the Toro Recycler 22-inch Briggs & Stratton SmartStow Personal Pace High-Wheel Drive Gas Walk Behind Self Propelled Lawn Mower, it didn’t completely wow us. It was easy to turn on and did cut grass evenly, but we did find it was difficult to turn which made it a bit awkward to use. Overall, it was a fine lawn mower, but we didn’t feel like it was overly impressive.

Your Questions, Answered

What is a self-propelled mower?

A self-propelled mower does some of the work for you. When a speed-control lever is engaged on these models (often operated by the handle), the mowers move forward by themselves so you just have to guide them around the yard rather than pushing them.

The best self-propelled mower on our list is the Ego Power+ Select Cut 56-volt 21-in Self-propelled Cordless Lawn Mower because of its ease of use.

Should I buy a push mower or a riding mower?

When choosing the best mower for your property, selecting a mower type is a crucial first step. The larger your yard, the more likely you'll be happy with a riding mower. There's no set size of yard that's best for a riding mower (some people choose a riding mower for yards of only 0.25 acres), but generally riding mowers are a good bet if your yard is 1 acre or larger. You'll exert less effort on a riding mower than a walk-behind mower, especially a push mower model.

If you want more exercise and have a medium-size yard, you may want to stick with a push model. On the other hand, if you have a large yard and want to finish mowing as quickly as possible, a riding mower will likely be your best option.

Riding mowers have much larger cutting decks, so you can mow large areas faster. However, they can be harder to maneuver into small spaces because of their large turning radius. (More expensive zero-turn riding mowers turn more easily, helping to solve this problem.) Also keep in mind that if you have a property with steep hills, the risk of a rollover in a riding lawn mower is higher.

How do you maintain a push mower?

Gas mowers require regular maintenance. You'll need to change the oil regularly, either every 50 hours or annually, depending on how much mowing you do. The air filter should be checked a few times during the mowing season and cleaned or replaced as needed.

You'll also need to clean the mower's cutting deck a couple times a year, sharpen the blades regularly, and change the spark plug once a year. Before winter arrives, you'll want to empty the gas tank and drain and refill the oil tank per the manufacturer's instructions.

"The beauty of cordless mowers is that they require almost no maintenance," Mikkelsen says. You'll just need to keep an electric mower's cutting deck clean by periodically clearing off debris and ensuring the airway that is used to cool the motor is clear. It's also a good idea to replace the blades annually and regularly check batteries or cords for any sign of damage.

For reel mowers, you'll want to clear away debris regularly. You may need to lubricate some parts (check your owner's manual), and you'll periodically need to sharpen the blades.

Who We Are

Renee Freemon Mulvihill is a freelance writer who focuses on home and garden topics. To write this story on the best push mowers, she researched various products online, taking into account each mower's power source, features, cutting heights and width, price, and more. She also consulted Abigail Mikkelsen, associate product manager for Ryobi Outdoor Power Equipment, and Andrew Bray, vice president of government relations for the National Association of Landscape Professionals.