Best Push Mowers

Is a push lawn mower right for me?

Push lawn mowers, or walking mowers, are well-suited to those who have a flat, small to medium-sized patch of grass that they need to mow. They’re also preferred by those who want more user control and precision in their mowing, as these mowers can get into the nooks and crannies of your yard.

If you’re physically able to push a mower and start it up (you can sometimes work up a sweat starting a petrol mower), then these power tools might be right for you.

Types of push mowers

Most push lawn mowers for sale today are either powered by petrol or electric motors, and there are a few compelling reasons for going with either option. What’s right for you will depend on the size of your lawn, what kind of terrain your mower needs to get through, and your own personal preferences.

Petrol push mowers

Petrol push mowers have powerful engines (think at least 7nm of torque and an engine size of around 150 to 200cc), making them preferred by contractors and those with large lawns.

Battery push mowers

Battery lawn mowers usually give you up to 60 to 90 minutes of mowing time on a single charge, making them suited to small and some medium-sized lawns.

Electric push mowers

Electric push lawn mowers are mains-powered, and are generally suited for smaller yards in which they can be easily attached to a power source.

Manual push mowers

For those with small yards, mowing the lawn the old-fashioned way with a manual mower (also called a hand mower or a reel lawn mower) could be a good option.

While they’re the most environmentally friendly push mower option, they’re not as efficient as other mowers and generally aren’t very effective on taller grass. This means that if you use a hand lawn mower, you should be mowing fairly regularly.

They usually cost anywhere from $70 to $200, and because they don’t have many moving parts, are easy to maintain - you only really need to clean and sharpen the blades, no oil changes needed!

What to look for in a push mower

Ease of use

Weight

Your mower should be easy to push, which is why you should check its weight. Lawn mowers with big wheels handle rough ground easier, but smaller wheels on more lightweight models can be easier to manoeuvre and turn.

Comfort

Mowers with handles that are turned up place less strain on your wrists and can also give you greater control over the machine so you can easily manoeuvre it around the yard. A mower gets bonus points if the height of the handle is adjustable to suit people of all sizes.

Controls

The controls should be easy to use and access. Look out particularly for the engine control lever - it’s easier to operate if it’s on the handlebar.

Ignition

Some lawn mowers start with the push of a button or the turn of a key while others require pulling a cord. If you have strength and dexterity limitations, you may want to opt for an electric, battery, or manual model that doesn’t require much effort to get going.

Catcher size

The larger the catcher, the less often you’ll have to empty out the cut grass. A bigger capacity is particularly useful for those who have a larger lawn.

Features

There are some features that can make using and maintaining your lawn mower a breeze.

• Mulching option: A mulching attachment or plug lets the mower mulch your grass clippings and push them back into the lawn, helping fertilise your yard for it to be as healthy as it can be.
• Quick-start motor: A quick-start motor starts at the push of a button.
• Foldable handle: This is a common feature on newer mowers, and is useful to make a lawn mower more compact and easy to store.
• Self-propelled: A self-propelled mower propels forward on its own - all you need to do is control the direction it goes in.
• Blade brake: This feature lets you stop the blades while the engine still runs, getting rid of the need to keep restarting the mower when you want to empty the bag, move debris or obstacles out of the mower’s path, or move the mower over sidewalks or gravel.
• Side discharge: Side discharge is useful for high, thick, or wet grass as it doesn’t cause it to build up on the underside of the mowing deck, making it a great feature for those who don’t regularly clean their mower.
• Battery life indicator: For battery models, an indicator can help you figure out how much work you can get done before you need to recharge.
• Safety key: This stops the mower from starting when it’s removed (so you only keep it inserted when you use it) - this can help give you peace of mind if you have children around.

Cutting diameter

Another thing to consider is cutting diameter, which is related to the size of the blade slicing the grass. Petrol lawn mowers tend to come with wider cutting diameters of 45 to 50cm, compared to 30 to 40cm which you typically see on electric lawn mowers.

While this might not seem like a lot, on larger lawns 10-20 cms can save you an extra couple of laps around the backyard. However, a wider cutting deck can also make it more difficult to manoeuvre the mower into the tight spaces of your yard, not to mention the extra storage space they often require.

Cutting height

A mower should have at least a few different cutting height options. Think about how low you want to cut your grass - petrol models can generally make the shortest cuts. These different options should also be easily adjustable.

How much does a push lawn mower cost?

Petrol mowers will usually set you back somewhere between $200 and $1600. Electric push mowers (those that require mains power) can range anywhere from $100 to $250, while battery models often cost somewhere between $150 to $1900.

If you’re looking for a commercial mower for more heavy-duty jobs, then you should expect to pay more than this.

You should also look for a substantial warranty - the longer and more comprehensive it is, the more faith the manufacturer has in the quality of their product. You should also acquaint yourself with the fine print of the coverage so you’re not hit with a nasty surprise if things go wrong.

Wrapping up

Buying a push mower can be a big decision - between choosing the type of mower you want and the features you want it to have, it’s easy to be overwhelmed with the choice available.

Taking your own yard’s needs and how you like to mow into account will help you find a lawn mower that’s fit-for-purpose and helps you tidy up your green.