Few power and lawn equipment tools are more iconic than the push mower. Even folks who don’t call themselves DIYers own them, and they use them dozens of times throughout the year. It’s a critical piece of equipment for any homeowner.
But push mowers range quite a bit in terms of types, styles, and who they’re best for. In this beginner’s guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about push lawn mowers, including how to tell which type is best for you.
What is a Push Mower?
“Push mower” is a broad term used to describe a grass-cutting machine that users walk behind while mowing the lawn. In most cases, the user must push the mower across the grass (hence the term), but many mowers are now self-propelled, allowing the user to follow behind their mower rather than push it. They’re used to keep grass short on smaller lawns, mow areas where large riding mowers and garden tractors won’t fit, or mulch leaves once they fall each year.
Types of Push Mowers
There are several types of push lawn mowers to choose from, but they generally fall into one of three main categories: manual, gas-powered, and electric.
Manual Mowers (Reel Mowers)
- Pros: Quiet, eco-friendly, and affordable
- Cons: Requires more effort, can struggle with tall grass
Manual mowers (also called reel mowers) have a set of rotating blades in a cylindrical pattern, and they spin when the user pushes the mower. There isn’t an engine or motor attached, so they’re quiet and environmentally friendly. But they can be tough to work through tall grass. They can be a bit more work to use and they do require maintenance despite their simplicity, but reel mowers can be very effective.
Manual Push Mowers are Best for:
Manual push mowers work well for small, flat lawns of about 2,000 square feet or less. They’re great for eco-conscious homeowners as well, since they produce zero emissions or noise.
Gas-Powered Push Mowers
- Pros: Powerful enough for tough grass; some are self-propelled
- Cons: Noisy and not eco-friendly
Gas-powered push mowers feature an internal combustion engine attached to a bar-shaped blade under the mower. As the engine cycles, it spins the blade at a high speed, cutting the blades of grass to a consistent height. They’re powerful, but they do require maintenance. They’re also loud and not eco-friendly, but they can handle thick grass and uneven terrain. Some are also self-propelled, making the grass-cutting process easier.
Gas-Powered Push Mowers are Best for:
Homeowners with medium-to-larger-sized lawns (up to ½ an acre) will find gas-powered mowers to be a good fit. This is especially the case for lawns with thicker grass, weeds, or rough, uneven terrain. Also, homeowners capable of basic DIY repairs will find the maintenance simple enough to manage.
Electric Push Mowers
- Pros: Quiet, low maintenance, no emissions
- Cons: Limited by battery life or cord length; can be underpowered
Electric push mowers are similar to gas-powered mowers, but in place of the internal combustion engine is an electric motor. Power is supplied via battery or an extension cord plugged into an outlet. They’re very quiet and easy to use, and their maintenance is minimal. However, they can also be underpowered, depending on the model. However, some are available with self-propulsion, relieving the user of some of the work.
Electric Push Mowers are Best for:
Electric push mowers are a good choice for homeowners with small-to-medium sized lawns (up to ⅓ acre or so, but even smaller for corded models), and those who prefer a zero-emission approach with more power than a manual mower. Some of the more expensive models are more than capable of tackling tall, thick grass as well.
What To Consider When Choosing the Right Push Mower
There are a few things you’ll need to keep in mind when selecting a push mower. The following are some of the key factors to understand.
Lawn Size
The most important aspect to keep in mind when choosing a push mower is the size of your lawn. Choosing a powerful push mower for a small lawn will be overkill and can make storage difficult. On the other hand, a small, light-duty mower for a large lawn won’t cut it. Here’s a helpful guide:
Small, flat lawns (2,000 square feet and under)
- Manual reel mowe
- Light-duty electric mower
Medium lawns (⅓ to 1/2 acre)
- Small battery-powered electric mower
- Small gas-powered lawn mower
Large lawns (½+ acre):
- Self-propelled battery-powered electric mower
Cutting Width
Push mowers come in different sizes, which are generally between 18 and 22 inches. The smaller 18-inch models are great for small lawns and easy to store, but they do require more passes to cut a lawn than a larger model would. The 22-inch models are typically heavier and more difficult to maneuver, but they cut much faster.
Noise Level
Noise might be a determining factor when it comes to choosing between gas mowers or any of the other options. Gas mowers are much louder, often exceeding 85 decibels, and some local ordinances might not allow them. Electric lawn mowers rarely exceed 75 decibels. Reel mowers are quieter yet, producing just the faint sound of the grass being clipped.
Grass Type and Thickness
Consider how thick your lawn grows each year when choosing a push mower. A manual reel mower will handle short, well-maintained lawns well, but can’t handle thick grass that grows quickly (especially if it gets out of hand). Thick, fast-growing grass requires a gas-powered mower or a powerful battery-powered electric mower. Corded electric mowers fall somewhere in between the two.
Storage Space
How much room do you have for a mower in your garage or shed? You might have a larger lawn that would benefit from a more powerful gas mower, but if you have limited garage space, that may dictate a smaller, lighter mower for easier storage. Reel and electric mowers are easier to store and take up less space, while gas-powered mowers typically need to be stored flat to avoid fluids leaking.
Desired Level of Effort
Let’s talk about how much effort you actually want to put in. If you want every mowing session to be a full-body workout, a reel mower might be the best option. If you want to keep things light and quick, but still get your heart pumping a little bit, an electric or light gas-powered mower will do the trick. If you want to do as little work as possible, have limited mobility, or your yard has some difficult slopes, a self-propelled model is the way to go.
Maintenance Requirements
The different types of mowers have varying levels of required maintenance. Gas-powered mowers need their air filters, oil, and spark plugs maintained and blades sharpened. Electric and reel mowers need blade sharpening and regular cleaning. If you don’t want much maintenance, an electric or reel mower might be the better choice.
Bagging and Mulching Options
Push mowers often come with some bagging or mulching options. Attaching the bag allows the mower to collect clippings. Attaching the discharge chute means clippings will discharge onto the lawn for raking or decomposing. Leaving the discharge chute closed means clippings will recirculate under the mower, chopping them into smaller pieces for even faster decomposition.
Budget
Finally, let’s take budget into consideration. Here’s where things get a little tricky. Reel mowers and corded electric models are typically the least expensive, costing anywhere between $100 and $250. Light-duty cordless and gas-powered models will typically cost between $250 and $400. Heavy-duty gas and cordless mowers will typically cost $400 to $600, with some self-propelled and commercial models being even more expensive.
Push Mower Maintenance Requirements
Regardless of the type of mower you choose, you’ll have at least some maintenance to perform. Here are some quick tips.
Cleaning
You’ll need to clean your mower after every use. Some mowers may have hose connections that allow you to attach a hose and clean the mower while the blade is spinning. In other cases, you’ll need to brush the mower clean. Just be sure to remove the battery, extension cord, or disconnect the spark plug to prevent an accident first.
Blade Sharpening
All mowers will need their blades sharpened at least once a year. If you don’t want to sharpen your own blades, you can usually find a sharpening service at a local hardware store or power equipment supplier.
Gas Mower Maintenance
Gas mowers have slightly more maintenance than other options. Follow these guidelines:
- Change the oil at least once per year.
- Clean the air filter once a month and replace it annually.
- Replace the spark plug annually.
- Drain the fuel or add fuel stabilizer before storage in the off-season.
Regular Inspections
All push mowers need regular inspections to ensure they’re safe for use. This means checking for any loose or split hose connections, loose covers, leaks, and loose blades. Again, make sure to disconnect the battery or spark plug before inspecting anywhere near the blade.
Lawn Mower Safety Tips from Roger Cook
Here’s some wisdom on avoiding injuries from the TOH landscape contractor:
1. Cut when the grass is dry.
You can slip on wet grass, and the blade can’t cut or mulch it well.
2. Stay off hills.
Mowers shouldn’t be operated on slopes of more than 15 degrees—a rise of 1 foot in every 4. On shallow grades, mow across the slope. Mowing up and down hills invites an injury if you slip.
3. Protect eyes and ears.
Don’t take a chance that something will rocket out and hit you. Safety goggles are a must. And when using a gas mower, so is ear protection.
4. Mind the plug.
Always take off the spark plug wire before working under the deck of a gas mower.
Tips for a Green, Healthy Lawn
Getting whacked by a heavy machine stresses grass. These steps will limit the trauma.
1. Sharpen the blade.
A dull blade rips grass, leaving jagged edges that turn brown, are slow to heal, and invite disease. Start each mowing season with a sharp-edged blade and resharpen it in July or any time you nick a rock, root, or large branch. To hone your sharpening skills, read and watch How to Sharpen Lawn Mower Blades.
2. Don’t cut too much at once.
Trim no more than one-third of the grass blades’ overall height at a time; that’s optimum for mulching and won’t slow down the engine. Sticking to a weekly mowing schedule helps you stay on that one-third target, but after a growth spurt or a missed week, raise the deck and make two shallow passes instead of one deep cut. If clippings are too long to mulch, collect them in a bag.
3. Leave the grass long.
A lawn with 3- to 4-inch-long grass blades does a better job of blocking weeds, keeping the soil moist, and growing deep, drought-resistant roots. Meanwhile a shorter cut in the fall makes leaf raking easier.
4. Rotate the patterns.
To avoid compacting the soil, vary your mowing pattern. If you mow left to right one weekend, go up and down the next time, and diagonally after that. If you go in a circle, reverse directions each week.
Push Your Way to a Well-Manicured Lawn
With this primer on push mowers, you can keep your lawn cut, mulched, and well-manicured. Whether you have just a small patch of grass or a sprawling corner lot, a push mower can do the job and even help you get a bit of exercise. By keeping your lawn size, terrain, grass type, storage space, and desired effort in mind, you’ll be able to find a push mower to keep your lawn looking great for many years ahead.
