Best Push Lawn Mower On The Market

Push lawn mowers are the ideal tool when it comes to cutting a small to medium-sized lawn thanks to their ease of use and consistent results.

The benefits of buying a push lawn mower

The biggest benefit of buying a push lawn mower is maneuverability. With small lawns, and even some medium-sized lawns, riding lawn mowers just aren’t an option, because they’re too bulky, unwieldy and impractical for the size of your lawn. They’re also not good for precision cutting, which could leave you with damaged grass, flowers and ornamental flora in the process—another big benefit to choosing a push lawn mower over a riding mower when precise navigation is a top priority.

Push lawn mowers also come in more varieties than riding lawn mowers and tractors. Obviously, there is the standard gas-powered mower, but you also have both electric and self-propelled options, with self-propelled being the true standout in the push lawn mower world. Unlike gas and electric powered mowers, all you need is your own body, which makes for an eco-friendlier option. Plus, you don’t have to worry about finding an outlet or filling a gas tank.

One of the most popular types of push lawn mower is the reel lawn mower, and its biggest benefit—aside of the easy maneuverability it shares with other push mowers—is the way it cuts grass. Push reel lawn mowers function like a giant pair of scissors, snipping the ends of your grass the way your barber trims your hair. The grass is left healthy and undamaged. Even when it’s not visible to the naked eye, other lawnmower types are damaging the leaves of the grass, inflicting micro and macro tears which allow in disease and make it harder for the grass to hydrate itself when exposed to water. Reel lawn mowers are also self-propelled and the technology has been around centuries, so it’s tried and true, making it an eco-friendly and reliable option.

Tips on how to choose the best push lawn mower for your needs

There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing the best push lawn mower for your needs. Consider the following:

• What is your power preference—gas electric or self-propelled? Those who prize eco-friendliness may prefer self-propelled while those who need some extra power may choose gas or electric.
• How big is your lawn? Match your lawn size to your cutting deck size for the perfect equilibrium between maneuverability and efficiency.
• How even is your yard? Does your yard require extra blade height adjustment options?

Push lawn mower reviews

American Lawn Mower 1204-14 14-Inch 4-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower

Precision cutting

Reel mowers are favored by true turf aficionados due to their gentleness on the grass itself. Powerful riding lawnmowers may get the job done in a snap, but they mutilate your grass down to the cellular level, which can not only make it appear brown and less healthy, but actually allow in disease that can threaten your entire yard. Reel mowers like the American Lawn Mower 1204-14 snip your lawn like a giant pair of scissors, so the grass remains uninjured and can thrive, verdant and healthy.

Quality construction

The 4-blade reel and bed knife blade are made from tempered alloy steel while the 8.5-inch wheels are made from quality, high-impact polymer for extra durability and longevity.

Broad cutting width

The 1204-14’s cutting width is a cool 14 inches. Unlike push lawn mowers with smaller cutting widths, the wide 14-inch width on the American Lawn Mower Push Reel Lawn Mower allows you to mow your lawn in fewer passes, which boosts your efficiency and minimizes the time you spend out in the hot summer heat.

Height adjustable blade

The blade on the American Lawn Mower 1204-14 is height adjustable, with cutting heights ranging from 0.5 inches to 1.75 inches, which allows easy customization for your lawn’s specific needs, and is ideal for those with lawns of variable terrain.

Eco-friendly

Because the American Lawn Mower 1204-14 is a reel mower, it’s powered entirely by you, the pusher, which means there is no gas or electricity involved. That makes the American Lawn Mower 1204-14 a very environmentally-friendly option compared to gas-guzzlers and electricity hogs—and not only are you helping to save the planet, you’re saving your wallet some pain at the same time too.

The pros

What to like:

• Tempered alloy steel blade construction
• 5 high impact polymer wheels
• 4 cutting blades
• Blade height is adjustable from 0.5 inches to 1.75 inches
• 14-inch wide cutting path
• Cuts grass precisely without injuring it
• Eco-friendly alternative to gas-powered mowers
• Tool-free assembly
• Easy to use
• Easy to store
• Lightweight
• 1-year warranty

The cons

What to consider:

• It’s not designed to mow through branches and twigs like a gas-powered mower for instance, so if you have a lot large fallen twigs in your yard, you’ll want to remove them beforehand, which is a bit of a bummer. This downside is a moot point for those who don’t have trees in their yard, it should be noted.

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Great States 204-14 Hand Reel 14 Inch Push Lawn Mower

Quality construction

The 3-spider, 4-blade reel and body are made of durable alloy steel while the 8.5-inch high impact polymer tires feature molded tread.

Adjustable cutting height

The cutting height is easily adjustable and can be set from 0.5 inches to 1.5 inches. Additionally, the 3-section roller is also adjustable.

14-inch cutting width

The 14-inch cutting width allows you to get more mowing done in less time, freeing up time that could be better spent relaxing.

Self-propelled

Because this mower is self-propelled, meaning you push it, the Great States 204-14 Hand Reel makes for a very economical and environmentally-friendly lawn mower option. Not to mention, you never have to worry about running out of gas—no muss, no fuss.

The pros

What to like:

• Alloy steel construction
• 3-spider, 4-blade reel
• 5-inch high impact polymer tires with molded tread
• Adjustable cutting height ranges from 0.5 inches to 1.5 inches
• 14-inch cutting width
• Self-propelled, eco-friendly
• Compact, space-saving
• Easy to store
• Lightweight
• Tool-free assembly
• 1-year warranty

The cons

What to consider:

• The maximum cutting height isn’t as high as some of the other options, but this obviously won’t be an issue for those who like a close-cut lawn.
• As always, having a lot of weeds or branches in your yard can make for a difficult time, so you’re going to want to remove them beforehand. If you regularly cut your grass, this likely won’t be much of an issue, though.

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GreenWorks 25022 12 Amp Corded 20-Inch Lawn Mower

20-inch cutting deck

The extra-wide 20-inch cutting deck is a key feature on the GreenWorks 25022 mower, because, naturally, the wider the cutting deck, the less sweeps it takes to mow your lawn. 20-inch is wide for a push lawn mower, so if you have a medium-sized lawn, this could be the ticket.

12-amp electric motor

The 12-amp electric motor featured on the GreenWorks offering is powerful enough to make your lawn-mowing life a lot easier, cutting through rough grass and weeds handily.

3-in-1 mower

The 3-in-1 aspect of this mower is another great feature for those with medium-sized/suburban lawns, because it allows you more options with the clippings. The GreenWorks 25022 boasts side discharge, rear bagging and mulching abilities to fit a variety of needs.

Height adjustment

There are seven different height adjustment positions for the blade, ranging from 1.5 inches to 3.75 inches.

The pros

What to like:

• 3-in-1-capable: rear bagging, mulching and side-discharge
• 20-inch cutting deck
• Seven blade height adjustments, ranging from 1.5 inches to 3.75 inches
• 12-amp electric motor helps power through hard-to-cut grass and weeds
• Durable steel construction
• 4-year parts and labor warranty

The cons

What to consider:

• While the 20-inch cutting deck is going to be great for medium-sized suburban lawns, the large deck may be more of a hindrance than a help if you have a small, urban lawn, as it might feel unwieldy in small spaces.
• Requires electricity; this is obviously not an option if the power happens to be out. Also, while eco-friendlier than a gas-powered mower, electric mowers still aren’t as “clean” of an option as a self-propelled mower. Plus, there’s the cord to consider—mowing through it isn’t good, obviously. But the upside of an electric mower is the fact that they are much easier to push for people with back, shoulder or wrist problems, so they shouldn’t be entirely dismissed for being electric alone.

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Yard Machines 140cc 20-Inch Push Mower

140cc OHV engine

Some may say OHV engines (overhead valve engines) are outdated, but you don’t always have to have a techy engine to get the job done. In fact, OHV engines have a longstanding history of reliability.

20-inch cutting deck

The broad 20-inch cutting deck is great for those with medium-size suburban lawns, allowing you to get the job done quicker.

Height adjustable blade

The manual blade height adjustment is capable of three different settings to meet your needs.

Easy to use

The Yard Machines 20-inch Push Mower 7in x 7in front and rear wheels make navigating tight corners a snap, while the traditional loop handle makes steering a cinch—and is comfortable to boot.

The pros

What to like:

• Sturdy 140cc OHV engine
• Broad 20-inch cutting deck
• Side discharge
• Height adjustable with three settings
• 7in x 7in front and rear wheels for easy navigation
• Loop handle
• Comfortable
• Easy to use

The cons

What to consider:

• Height adjustment is manual and there are only three settings; however, if you have a smaller yard that’s pretty level, this issue won’t bother you too much.
• Can’t be sold in California due to emissions standards; unfortunately, this is a common issue with lawn mowers, but there are still a lot of great options for those living in California, so don’t feel too discouraged if you had your heart set on this one.

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Remington RM3100 18-Inch Reel Push Mower

Self-propelled

The Remington RM3100 18-Inch Reel Push Mower is, like most reel mowers, self-propelled, which means you are the power behind the machine. Self-propelled mowers are easily the most environmentally-friendly mower option, because gas and electricity eat up natural resources that could be better spent elsewhere.

18-inch cutting path

The 18-inch cutting path is just the right size for small to medium-sized lawns.

Adjustable reel with dual lever height adjustment

The 5-blade reel is height adjustable thanks to the dual lever height adjustment feature. This simplifies the process of finding the right cutting height not just on a practical level, but on a physical one as well, since some mowers have tricky-to-use height adjustment—especially if you have arthritis, for instance.

2-in-1 mulching feature

The 2-in-1 mulching feature boosts efficiency by allowing you to mulch as you mow, cutting down yard maintenance tremendously. The mulch bag is conveniently attached to the back of the mower.

Easy to use

The oversized 6in x 10in wheels are designed to make navigation around your yard easy as pie, while the ergonomic foam-gripped handle helps prevent your fingers from becoming fatigued.

The pros

What to like:

• Self-propelled reel mower
• Eco-friendly
• 18-inch cutting path is broad enough for medium-sized lawns
• 5-blade reel is height adjustable
• Easy height adjustment thanks to dual lever function
• Blade height adjustment range: 0.75 inches to 2.5 inches
• 2-in-1 mulching feature
• Mulching bag conveniently in the back
• Easy-to-maneuver wheels
• Ergonomic, foam-gripped handle
• 2-year limited warranty

The cons

What to consider:

• If your lawn is on the small side (like if you live in the city, for instance), the 18-inch cutting path may just be too bulky for your needs. That said, those living in the suburbs—what they consider a small lawn (which is much larger than an urban lawn) will probably do just fine with this mower.
• Some have felt that the grass catcher falls off too easy; this likely won’t be an issue if your grass is even, but those with uneven lawns may want to take note.

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Conclusion

While reviewing all of these push lawn mowers for this roundup, one particular mower kept coming forward as a true standout and leader of the pack: The American Lawn Mower 1204-14 14-Inch 4-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower. It’s easily the winner of the roundup because of its high-quality construction as well as the high-quality results it produces for your grass; the fresh cut grass looks healthy and clean cut—you can’t beat that. Additionally, it was the easiest to use as well, which is also a feature that I, like many others, hold in high esteem.