Best Push Mowers

Top 10 Rated Push/Walk-Behind Lawn Mowers 2025

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While most lawn mowers can handle flat, even terrains, the trick is to find a high-powered lawn mower that still works well when the lawn is large and hilly and containing trees, rocks, and roots. We looked at a number of lawn mowers to see how well they mulch, bag, or discharge grass clippings, leaves, and other lawn debris. Other factors we considered:
1. Versatility of functions
2. Maneuverability
3. Ease of start-up and maintenance
4. Power to get over hills and obstacles
5. Bag capacity
6. Noise and emissions
7. Height adjustment
You’ll find an assortment of high quality lawn mowers, be they gas, electric, or cordless. The choice between the three styles depends on your yard and mowing needs.

Lawn Boy 10730   9.6/10

Kohler 6.5 ft. lb. cross torque 149cc OHV engine
Auto Choke
21” Cutting Path
11” Rear Wheel (7” front)
$239

Lawn-Boy’s 21 in. high wheel push mower is lightweight at 61pds and maneuverable. The Kohler 6.5 gross torque over head valve engine provides plenty of power to cut through tough grass… read more


140cc Briggs and Stratton Engine
CARB Compliant
21” Cutting Path
60 Pounds

With durable 12-inch rear wheels, this Husqvarna gas-powered push mower, available for $249.95, is easy to maneuver over all kinds of terrain. It’s durable and that’s the main trait we are looking for. The engine runs smooth and… read more


Husqvarna 7021P  8.5/10

6.9 torque, 160cc engine
CARB compliant
21-inch cutting path
55 pounds
38″ x 23″ x 68″

With durable 12-inch rear wheels, this Husqvarna gas-powered push mower, available for $299.95, is easy to maneuver over all kinds of terrain. Fairly lightweight at 55 pounds, it conveniently folds up … read more


Kohler 6.5 ft. lb. cross torque 149cc OHV engine
Auto Choke
21” Cutting Path
11” Rear Wheel (7” front)
$279
66 pds

The only difference in the 10732 is that it’s a self propelled or walk behind mower. But if you prefer you can push it as well. If you’re like me I use push faster than the mower’s self propelled speed, so I like that option. Then on hills… read more


450E 125cc Briggs & Stratton primer engine
20-Inch deck push mower
Side discharge only
4-Quick height adjusters with 5 positions
7-Inch Front and Rear Wheels
42 Pds

For people with smaller yards that cut their yards frequently this can be a great little mower. The side discharge is perfect for worry free cutting. Grass clippings are actually good for your yard and re-introduce fertilizer… read more


190 cc engine
22-inch cutting path
Rear drive wheels
93 dBA

A sturdy self-propelled gas mower from Craftsman, this machine effectively mulches, bags, or discharges clippings. The rear wheel drive provides better traction than front … read more



 

Push Mower Buying Guide

A Guide to Buying a Lawn Mower

Take a look at your yard. Is it flat, hilly, or rocky? Does the grass regularly grow high? You know your yard better than anyone, so you can make informed decisions when selecting a new lawn mower.

The first thing you should ask: Do I need a mower I can ride or push? The answer lies in the size of your property. A lawn less than half an acre is sufficiently small for a push or self-propelled mower. If it’s bigger than half an acre, then you can save yourself a lot of time and energy by using a ride mower.

Understanding the engine

Gas mowers and electric or cordless mowers specify the motor’s power in different ways. For gas, it’s typically:

  • Horsepower, which refers to the power the engine produces.
  • Torque, which measures how much horsepower reaches the blades.
  • CC, or cubic centimeters, which determines the motor’s power by the cylinder’s displacement volume.

While manufacturers will boast of a mower’s high horsepower, that doesn’t always mean the mower will have the greatest cutting performance. A high torque or cc are better indicators.

Electric and cordless mowers measure their power in amps, watts, or volts. To compare an electric motor’s power to a gas motor’s, you can divide the wattage by 746 to get the equivalent horsepower. Not sure how to get the wattage? Just multiply the volts by the amps.

Gas mowers are also broken down into two-cycle and four-cycle engines (also called two- or four-stroke). Two-cycle engines, which require a mixture of gas and oil, are typically more powerful and start better in cold temperatures, but they also emit more pollution. Four-cycle engines are large, run cleaner, and are ideal for large properties.

Bagging vs. Mulching

Is it better to bag or mulch the grass? It depends on the climate and the condition of your lawn. Fertile, wet lawns can get clogged and clumpy if you leave mulch behind. In this situation, it’s better to bag the grass clippings. However, if your soil is dry it could benefit from the nutrient-rich mulch.

Some lawn mowers also discharge clippings from the side. Honestly, this is not the most ideal mower function unless you don’t mind raking up grass after you mow the yard.

As far as design goes, mowers with rear bags are preferable to side bags. The rear bags will generally hold more clippings and won’t make the mower wider and bulky.

Wheel size and strength

The wheels on the lawn mower get the most wear and tear because they’ll be running over rocks and roots. A large wheel size improves the mower’s durability and makes it easier to maneuver over rough terrain.

How much exercise do you want? Push vs. self-propelled mowers

Unless you have a small, flat lawn, self-propelled mowers are generally more convenient, if more expensive. Push mowers are lighter, but that’s before the bag fills up with clippings.

Start-up

While electric starts are supposed to save you the hassle of pulling a start cord, modern recoil start mowers have improved the start-up process and don’t cost extra.

Deck material

You can find quality mowers with steel, plastic, or aluminum decks, or housings for the motor. All are acceptable. Plastic is generally durable enough and doesn’t rust like metal. However, steel is usually thinner, meaning you can get up close to fence edges and not need the trimmer afterward.

Lifespan

With proper maintenance and care, your lawn mower can last for years. Still, look for a model with a decent warranty of at least two years. Some manufacturers offer a lifetime warranty on the deck.

Steve Holdgren Steve Holdgren is an engineer by trade and has worked for some of the largest energy related engineering firms in the world with his latest stint in Switzerland. He holds a degree is mechanical engineering… See more about Steve

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