The 8 Best Walk-Behind Lawn Mowers, Tested in Real Yards

Mar. 15, 2025

In This ArticleView AllIn This ArticleOur Top PicksReviewsWhat to KnowBehind the ScenesFAQWhy Trust PEOPLE?What Is PEOPLE Tested?

In This ArticleView All

In This Article

View All

Our Top Picks

Reviews

What to Know

Behind the Scenes

FAQ

Why Trust PEOPLE?

What Is PEOPLE Tested?

Photo:People / Lauren Meyers

People / Lauren Meyers

If you want your yard to be the envy of the neighborhood, you’ll need one of the best walk-behind lawn mowers in your tool shed. This style of lawn mower strikes just the right balance between performance and value, making it a popular option for anyone who wants to upgrade their landscaping in warm-weather months.Walk-behind mowers come in electric and gas models and are best for small to midsize yards. “Depending on your yard’s size and terrain, a walk-behind mower is ideal for a yard that’s 3/4 of an acre or less," saysNicole Durden, senior merchant of outdoor power at The Home Depot. For those with larger yards or hilly terrain, a self-propelled mower is worth the higher cost, as it requires less manual effort to drive.The More You KnowAs of January 1, 2024,California outlawedthe purchase of gas-powered lawn equipment, so if you live there, you’ll need to choose an electric or battery-powered lawn mower.To help you pick the best walk-behind lawn mower, we tested nine top-rated models, using them to mow in all sorts of conditions. After evaluating them on design, performance, usability, safety, and value, we selected the best gas, battery-powered, and electric options to help with your yard maintenance. We also researched some of the top walk-behind lawn mowers on the market to add a few more recommended picks to this list. Keep scrolling to shop the best walk-behind lawn mowers available.Our Top PicksBest Overall:Honda 21-Inch Gas Self-Propelled Lawn Mower at Northerntool.comJump to ReviewBest Electric:SALEGreenworks 20-Inch 3-in-1 Corded Lawn Mower at Amazon$600$450Jump to ReviewBest Battery-Powered:Ego Power+ 21-Inch Self-Propelled Mower at Amazon$649Jump to ReviewBest Gas:Honda Self-Propelled Gas Lawn Mower at Home Depot$799Jump to ReviewBest Self-Propelled:Ryobi 21-Inch Dual-Blade Self-Propelled Mower at Ryobitools.comJump to ReviewBest for Uneven Terrain:Toro Self-Propelled Lawn Mower at Lowe’s$549Jump to ReviewBest Reel:American Lawn Mower Company Manual Reel Mower at Amazon$90Jump to ReviewBest Investment:Milwaukee Self-Propelled Mower at Walmart$1,183Jump to Review

If you want your yard to be the envy of the neighborhood, you’ll need one of the best walk-behind lawn mowers in your tool shed. This style of lawn mower strikes just the right balance between performance and value, making it a popular option for anyone who wants to upgrade their landscaping in warm-weather months.

Walk-behind mowers come in electric and gas models and are best for small to midsize yards. “Depending on your yard’s size and terrain, a walk-behind mower is ideal for a yard that’s 3/4 of an acre or less," saysNicole Durden, senior merchant of outdoor power at The Home Depot. For those with larger yards or hilly terrain, a self-propelled mower is worth the higher cost, as it requires less manual effort to drive.

The More You KnowAs of January 1, 2024,California outlawedthe purchase of gas-powered lawn equipment, so if you live there, you’ll need to choose an electric or battery-powered lawn mower.

The More You Know

As of January 1, 2024,California outlawedthe purchase of gas-powered lawn equipment, so if you live there, you’ll need to choose an electric or battery-powered lawn mower.

To help you pick the best walk-behind lawn mower, we tested nine top-rated models, using them to mow in all sorts of conditions. After evaluating them on design, performance, usability, safety, and value, we selected the best gas, battery-powered, and electric options to help with your yard maintenance. We also researched some of the top walk-behind lawn mowers on the market to add a few more recommended picks to this list. Keep scrolling to shop the best walk-behind lawn mowers available.

Our Top PicksBest Overall:Honda 21-Inch Gas Self-Propelled Lawn Mower at Northerntool.comJump to ReviewBest Electric:SALEGreenworks 20-Inch 3-in-1 Corded Lawn Mower at Amazon$600$450Jump to ReviewBest Battery-Powered:Ego Power+ 21-Inch Self-Propelled Mower at Amazon$649Jump to ReviewBest Gas:Honda Self-Propelled Gas Lawn Mower at Home Depot$799Jump to ReviewBest Self-Propelled:Ryobi 21-Inch Dual-Blade Self-Propelled Mower at Ryobitools.comJump to ReviewBest for Uneven Terrain:Toro Self-Propelled Lawn Mower at Lowe’s$549Jump to ReviewBest Reel:American Lawn Mower Company Manual Reel Mower at Amazon$90Jump to ReviewBest Investment:Milwaukee Self-Propelled Mower at Walmart$1,183Jump to Review

Best Overall:Honda 21-Inch Gas Self-Propelled Lawn Mower at Northerntool.comJump to ReviewBest Electric:SALEGreenworks 20-Inch 3-in-1 Corded Lawn Mower at Amazon$600$450Jump to ReviewBest Battery-Powered:Ego Power+ 21-Inch Self-Propelled Mower at Amazon$649Jump to ReviewBest Gas:Honda Self-Propelled Gas Lawn Mower at Home Depot$799Jump to ReviewBest Self-Propelled:Ryobi 21-Inch Dual-Blade Self-Propelled Mower at Ryobitools.comJump to ReviewBest for Uneven Terrain:Toro Self-Propelled Lawn Mower at Lowe’s$549Jump to ReviewBest Reel:American Lawn Mower Company Manual Reel Mower at Amazon$90Jump to ReviewBest Investment:Milwaukee Self-Propelled Mower at Walmart$1,183Jump to Review

Best Overall:Honda 21-Inch Gas Self-Propelled Lawn Mower at Northerntool.comJump to Review

Best Overall:Honda 21-Inch Gas Self-Propelled Lawn Mower at Northerntool.com

Best Overall:

Best Electric:SALEGreenworks 20-Inch 3-in-1 Corded Lawn Mower at Amazon$600$450Jump to Review

Best Electric:SALEGreenworks 20-Inch 3-in-1 Corded Lawn Mower at Amazon$600$450

Best Electric:

SALE

Best Battery-Powered:Ego Power+ 21-Inch Self-Propelled Mower at Amazon$649Jump to Review

Best Battery-Powered:Ego Power+ 21-Inch Self-Propelled Mower at Amazon$649

Best Battery-Powered:

Best Gas:Honda Self-Propelled Gas Lawn Mower at Home Depot$799Jump to Review

Best Gas:Honda Self-Propelled Gas Lawn Mower at Home Depot$799

Best Gas:

Best Self-Propelled:Ryobi 21-Inch Dual-Blade Self-Propelled Mower at Ryobitools.comJump to Review

Best Self-Propelled:Ryobi 21-Inch Dual-Blade Self-Propelled Mower at Ryobitools.com

Best Self-Propelled:

Best for Uneven Terrain:Toro Self-Propelled Lawn Mower at Lowe’s$549Jump to Review

Best for Uneven Terrain:Toro Self-Propelled Lawn Mower at Lowe’s$549

Best for Uneven Terrain:

Best Reel:American Lawn Mower Company Manual Reel Mower at Amazon$90Jump to Review

Best Reel:American Lawn Mower Company Manual Reel Mower at Amazon$90

Best Reel:

Best Investment:Milwaukee Self-Propelled Mower at Walmart$1,183Jump to Review

Best Investment:Milwaukee Self-Propelled Mower at Walmart$1,183

Best Investment:

Best OverallHonda 21-Inch Gas Self-Propelled Lawn MowerPHOTO: Lowe’sView on Northerntool.com$549 at Home DepotView on Honda.comStar QualitiesCuts dense and wet grassEasy to startSuperior mulching abilitiesGood value for its size and powerRed FlagsBag latch can clogNot the most responsive speed controlThis gas mower from Honda has a self-propelled design with a powerful engine, and it started up easily during testing. It has a 21-inch cutting deck and weighs around 75 pounds, but despite its substantial weight, the self-propelled operation made it easy for us to navigate around obstacles in the yard. This lawn mower also did a phenomenal job while cutting, moving through dense patches of grass and weeds in a single pass, and it didn’t get bogged down in wet conditions.We loved that this mower’s mulching setting cuts up debris into fine pieces that help feed nutrients back into the lawn, but we did notice that the area where the collection bag latches to the mower frequently got clogged with grass pieces. Additionally, the self-propulsion doesn’t respond well to gradual increases in speed — it tends to go from slow to fast with no options in between. Still, it’s a great value for its size and power, making it our top choice for midsize lawns.Power Source:Gas |Cutting Width:21 inches |Weight:74.75 pounds |Self-Propelled:Yes |Clipping Options:Rear discharge, bag, mulchPHOTO: People / Lauren MeyersPHOTO: People / Lauren MeyersPHOTO: People / Lauren Meyers

Best OverallHonda 21-Inch Gas Self-Propelled Lawn MowerPHOTO: Lowe’sView on Northerntool.com$549 at Home DepotView on Honda.com

Best OverallHonda 21-Inch Gas Self-Propelled Lawn Mower

Best Overall

Honda 21-Inch Gas Self-Propelled Lawn Mower

PHOTO: Lowe’s

View on Northerntool.com$549 at Home DepotView on Honda.com

Star QualitiesCuts dense and wet grassEasy to startSuperior mulching abilitiesGood value for its size and powerRed FlagsBag latch can clogNot the most responsive speed control

Star QualitiesCuts dense and wet grassEasy to startSuperior mulching abilitiesGood value for its size and power

Cuts dense and wet grass

Easy to start

Superior mulching abilities

Good value for its size and power

Red FlagsBag latch can clogNot the most responsive speed control

Bag latch can clog

Not the most responsive speed control

This gas mower from Honda has a self-propelled design with a powerful engine, and it started up easily during testing. It has a 21-inch cutting deck and weighs around 75 pounds, but despite its substantial weight, the self-propelled operation made it easy for us to navigate around obstacles in the yard. This lawn mower also did a phenomenal job while cutting, moving through dense patches of grass and weeds in a single pass, and it didn’t get bogged down in wet conditions.

We loved that this mower’s mulching setting cuts up debris into fine pieces that help feed nutrients back into the lawn, but we did notice that the area where the collection bag latches to the mower frequently got clogged with grass pieces. Additionally, the self-propulsion doesn’t respond well to gradual increases in speed — it tends to go from slow to fast with no options in between. Still, it’s a great value for its size and power, making it our top choice for midsize lawns.

Power Source:Gas |Cutting Width:21 inches |Weight:74.75 pounds |Self-Propelled:Yes |Clipping Options:Rear discharge, bag, mulch

PHOTO: People / Lauren MeyersPHOTO: People / Lauren MeyersPHOTO: People / Lauren Meyers

Best ElectricGreenworks 20-Inch 3-in-1 Corded Lawn MowerPHOTO: Amazon$600$450 at Amazon

Best ElectricGreenworks 20-Inch 3-in-1 Corded Lawn Mower

Best Electric

Greenworks 20-Inch 3-in-1 Corded Lawn Mower

PHOTO: Amazon

$600$450 at Amazon

Star QualitiesGood value for its sizeCuts damp and tall grassGood for uneven terrainEasy to pushRed FlagsBulky to turnClippings fall out of bag

Star QualitiesGood value for its sizeCuts damp and tall grassGood for uneven terrainEasy to push

Good value for its size

Cuts damp and tall grass

Good for uneven terrain

Easy to push

Red FlagsBulky to turnClippings fall out of bag

Bulky to turn

Clippings fall out of bag

This mower is a great value if you don’t mind working around an extension cord. It has a large 20-inch cutting deck and offers side discharge, bagging, and mulching abilities, unlike other corded models we tested. We used it on dry and damp grass, and it had no problems cutting either one, breezing right through tall weeds. It also did a good job capturing grass clippings when bagging, though some do spill out when you remove the bag for emptying.

Thanks to its large rear wheels, this mower didn’t have any problem on uneven terrain that has posed a problem for other mowers. We were able to push the mower around with just one hand, holding the power cord with the other, but it does require two hands to turn the mower around, as it’s a bit bulky and not self-propelled.

Power Source:Plug-in |Cutting Width:20 inches |Weight:56 pounds |Self-Propelled:No |Clipping Options:Side discharge, bag, mulch

Best Battery-PoweredEgo Power+ 21-Inch Self-Propelled MowerPHOTO: Walmart$649 at Amazon$649 at WalmartView on Acmetools.comStar QualitiesLong battery lifeAdjustable handle heightEasy to maneuverQuiet during operationRed FlagsNot the best in wet conditionsComplicated to startThis 21-inch lawn mower comes with one 56-volt battery, and it was able to mow for 50 minutes with power to spare, making it a great option even for larger yards. On first use, we struggled to figure out how to start the mower, but once we conquered that hurdle, it was smooth sailing. The self-propelled design was easy to maneuver around the yard, and it delivered a clean, even cut, even when the grass was damp.We did find that the mower would occasionally get bogged down in thicker, wet areas — for instance, it had trouble cutting through a patch of ferns — but this is the case with many mowers, so we don’t think it’s a dealbreaker.Power Source:Battery |Cutting Width:21 inches |Weight:54.5 pounds |Self-Propelled:Yes |Clipping Options:Side discharge, bag, mulchPHOTO: People / Megan WoodPHOTO: People / Megan Wood

Best Battery-PoweredEgo Power+ 21-Inch Self-Propelled MowerPHOTO: Walmart$649 at Amazon$649 at WalmartView on Acmetools.com

Best Battery-PoweredEgo Power+ 21-Inch Self-Propelled Mower

Best Battery-Powered

Ego Power+ 21-Inch Self-Propelled Mower

PHOTO: Walmart

$649 at Amazon$649 at WalmartView on Acmetools.com

Star QualitiesLong battery lifeAdjustable handle heightEasy to maneuverQuiet during operationRed FlagsNot the best in wet conditionsComplicated to start

Star QualitiesLong battery lifeAdjustable handle heightEasy to maneuverQuiet during operation

Long battery life

Adjustable handle height

Easy to maneuver

Quiet during operation

Red FlagsNot the best in wet conditionsComplicated to start

Not the best in wet conditions

Complicated to start

This 21-inch lawn mower comes with one 56-volt battery, and it was able to mow for 50 minutes with power to spare, making it a great option even for larger yards. On first use, we struggled to figure out how to start the mower, but once we conquered that hurdle, it was smooth sailing. The self-propelled design was easy to maneuver around the yard, and it delivered a clean, even cut, even when the grass was damp.

We did find that the mower would occasionally get bogged down in thicker, wet areas — for instance, it had trouble cutting through a patch of ferns — but this is the case with many mowers, so we don’t think it’s a dealbreaker.

Power Source:Battery |Cutting Width:21 inches |Weight:54.5 pounds |Self-Propelled:Yes |Clipping Options:Side discharge, bag, mulch

PHOTO: People / Megan WoodPHOTO: People / Megan Wood

Best GasHonda Self-Propelled Gas Lawn MowerPHOTO: The Home Depot$799 at Home DepotView on Northerntool.comStar QualitiesEasy to startCruise control settingMore grass clipping optionsRed FlagsTricky to find the right settingsIf you have a lot of ground to cover, this Honda Mower easily cuts through thick and dense grass, yet it’s incredibly easy to start up — we were able to get the mower going with a single pull, no priming needed. It also has four-in-one functionality, meaning you can side discharge, bag, mulch, or shred grass clippings, and we like that there’s even an option to bag half and mulch half.This mower also stood out thanks to its convenient self-propelled design, which has a knob that lets you select the speed you want, locking the mower at that pace so you don’t have to worry about holding the lever down. It can also go quite fast — a medium speed was comfortable for walking, but you could dial it up for faster mowing if desired. It did take a little trial and error to find the right deck height and speed setting, but once that was done, the mower delivered a nice even cut every time.Power Source:Gas |Cutting Width:21 inches |Weight:91 pounds |Self-Propelled:Yes |Clipping Options:Side discharge, bag, mulch, leaf shred

Best GasHonda Self-Propelled Gas Lawn MowerPHOTO: The Home Depot$799 at Home DepotView on Northerntool.com

Best GasHonda Self-Propelled Gas Lawn Mower

Best Gas

Honda Self-Propelled Gas Lawn Mower

PHOTO: The Home Depot

$799 at Home DepotView on Northerntool.com

Star QualitiesEasy to startCruise control settingMore grass clipping optionsRed FlagsTricky to find the right settings

Star QualitiesEasy to startCruise control settingMore grass clipping options

Cruise control setting

More grass clipping options

Red FlagsTricky to find the right settings

Tricky to find the right settings

If you have a lot of ground to cover, this Honda Mower easily cuts through thick and dense grass, yet it’s incredibly easy to start up — we were able to get the mower going with a single pull, no priming needed. It also has four-in-one functionality, meaning you can side discharge, bag, mulch, or shred grass clippings, and we like that there’s even an option to bag half and mulch half.

This mower also stood out thanks to its convenient self-propelled design, which has a knob that lets you select the speed you want, locking the mower at that pace so you don’t have to worry about holding the lever down. It can also go quite fast — a medium speed was comfortable for walking, but you could dial it up for faster mowing if desired. It did take a little trial and error to find the right deck height and speed setting, but once that was done, the mower delivered a nice even cut every time.

Power Source:Gas |Cutting Width:21 inches |Weight:91 pounds |Self-Propelled:Yes |Clipping Options:Side discharge, bag, mulch, leaf shred

Best Self-PropelledRyobi 21-Inch Dual-Blade Self-Propelled MowerPHOTO: The Home DepotView on Ryobitools.comStar QualitiesVery quiet during operationComparable power to a gas mowerLong-lasting battery lifeRed FlagsSmall grass collection bagIf you have a hilly yard, this Ryobi mower’s self-propulsion abilities outperformed the competition in our testing. We found that it performs just as well as gas mowers thanks to its two powerful 40-volt batteries, and it offers variable speed self-propulsion that lets you match the mower to your pace, making it easy for up to tackle hill. In fact, the feature can betoofast on straightaways if you turn it to max speed.This mower is much quieter than a gas mower, almost sounding like a white noise machine. It also impressed us with its runtime — we were able to mow a 2,000-square-foot yard three times without needing to recharge the batteries. Our only complaints are that the grass collection bag is quite small and needs to be emptied frequently, and the mulching setting left behind quite a few dry leaves on the lawn.Power Source:Battery |Cutting Width:21 inches |Weight:75 pounds |Self-Propelled:Yes |Clipping Options:Side discharge, bag, mulchPHOTO: People / Jennifer MayPHOTO: People / Jennifer May

Best Self-PropelledRyobi 21-Inch Dual-Blade Self-Propelled MowerPHOTO: The Home DepotView on Ryobitools.com

Best Self-PropelledRyobi 21-Inch Dual-Blade Self-Propelled Mower

Best Self-Propelled

Ryobi 21-Inch Dual-Blade Self-Propelled Mower

View on Ryobitools.com

Star QualitiesVery quiet during operationComparable power to a gas mowerLong-lasting battery lifeRed FlagsSmall grass collection bag

Star QualitiesVery quiet during operationComparable power to a gas mowerLong-lasting battery life

Very quiet during operation

Comparable power to a gas mower

Long-lasting battery life

Red FlagsSmall grass collection bag

Small grass collection bag

If you have a hilly yard, this Ryobi mower’s self-propulsion abilities outperformed the competition in our testing. We found that it performs just as well as gas mowers thanks to its two powerful 40-volt batteries, and it offers variable speed self-propulsion that lets you match the mower to your pace, making it easy for up to tackle hill. In fact, the feature can betoofast on straightaways if you turn it to max speed.

This mower is much quieter than a gas mower, almost sounding like a white noise machine. It also impressed us with its runtime — we were able to mow a 2,000-square-foot yard three times without needing to recharge the batteries. Our only complaints are that the grass collection bag is quite small and needs to be emptied frequently, and the mulching setting left behind quite a few dry leaves on the lawn.

Power Source:Battery |Cutting Width:21 inches |Weight:75 pounds |Self-Propelled:Yes |Clipping Options:Side discharge, bag, mulch

PHOTO: People / Jennifer MayPHOTO: People / Jennifer May

Best for Uneven TerrainToro Self-Propelled Lawn MowerPHOTO: Lowe’s$549 at Lowe’sStar QualitiesPowerful engineDrives smoothly over bumpsAutomatic speed adjustmentWide range of deck heightsRed FlagsSide discharge chute not includedIf you have a lot of bumps and divots in your yard, this gas-powered mower from Toro has an improved suspension system that makes it much smoother to drive on uneven terrain. It has a more powerful engine than many other walk-behind mowers, and its auto-drive transmission automatically matches your walking speed, saving you from fiddling around with the controls.While many mowers only offer five or six cutting heights, this Toro model gives you nine heights to choose from, and it can also be stored vertically to save space. Just keep in mind that it doesn’t come with a side discharge chute in the box — this piece will only be sent to you if you register the product after purchase.Power Source:Gas |Cutting Width:22 inches |Weight:90 pounds |Self-Propelled:Yes |Clipping Options:Bag, mulch

Best for Uneven TerrainToro Self-Propelled Lawn MowerPHOTO: Lowe’s$549 at Lowe’s

Best for Uneven TerrainToro Self-Propelled Lawn Mower

Best for Uneven Terrain

Toro Self-Propelled Lawn Mower

$549 at Lowe’s

Star QualitiesPowerful engineDrives smoothly over bumpsAutomatic speed adjustmentWide range of deck heightsRed FlagsSide discharge chute not included

Star QualitiesPowerful engineDrives smoothly over bumpsAutomatic speed adjustmentWide range of deck heights

Powerful engine

Drives smoothly over bumps

Automatic speed adjustment

Wide range of deck heights

Red FlagsSide discharge chute not included

Side discharge chute not included

If you have a lot of bumps and divots in your yard, this gas-powered mower from Toro has an improved suspension system that makes it much smoother to drive on uneven terrain. It has a more powerful engine than many other walk-behind mowers, and its auto-drive transmission automatically matches your walking speed, saving you from fiddling around with the controls.

While many mowers only offer five or six cutting heights, this Toro model gives you nine heights to choose from, and it can also be stored vertically to save space. Just keep in mind that it doesn’t come with a side discharge chute in the box — this piece will only be sent to you if you register the product after purchase.

Power Source:Gas |Cutting Width:22 inches |Weight:90 pounds |Self-Propelled:Yes |Clipping Options:Bag, mulch

Best ReelAmerican Lawn Mower Company Manual Reel MowerPHOTO: Amazon$90$85 at Amazon$85 at Walmart$85 at Lowe’sStar QualitiesAffordable pick for small yardsLittle to no maintenance requiredFour blades for a clean cutRed FlagsRequires more effortFor those with very small yards, this reel lawn mower is an inexpensive and eco-friendly choice. As you push the lightweight mower, its four blades spin, providing a clean cut on grass up to four inches tall. You can adjust the blade height to suit your preferences, and the mower doesn’t require any substantial maintenance — you simply have to clean it off after mowing.The downside, of course, is that this mower relies solely on manual pushing for operation, so it’s really only well-suited for yards that are only a few hundred square feet.Power Source:Manual |Cutting Width:14 inches |Weight:19 pounds |Self-Propelled:No |Clipping Options:Rear discharge

Best ReelAmerican Lawn Mower Company Manual Reel MowerPHOTO: Amazon$90$85 at Amazon$85 at Walmart$85 at Lowe’s

Best ReelAmerican Lawn Mower Company Manual Reel Mower

Best Reel

American Lawn Mower Company Manual Reel Mower

$90$85 at Amazon$85 at Walmart$85 at Lowe’s

Star QualitiesAffordable pick for small yardsLittle to no maintenance requiredFour blades for a clean cutRed FlagsRequires more effort

Star QualitiesAffordable pick for small yardsLittle to no maintenance requiredFour blades for a clean cut

Affordable pick for small yards

Little to no maintenance required

Four blades for a clean cut

Red FlagsRequires more effort

Requires more effort

For those with very small yards, this reel lawn mower is an inexpensive and eco-friendly choice. As you push the lightweight mower, its four blades spin, providing a clean cut on grass up to four inches tall. You can adjust the blade height to suit your preferences, and the mower doesn’t require any substantial maintenance — you simply have to clean it off after mowing.

The downside, of course, is that this mower relies solely on manual pushing for operation, so it’s really only well-suited for yards that are only a few hundred square feet.

Power Source:Manual |Cutting Width:14 inches |Weight:19 pounds |Self-Propelled:No |Clipping Options:Rear discharge

Best InvestmentMilwaukee Self-Propelled MowerPHOTO: Amazon$1,183 at Walmart$1,095 at Home DepotView on Northerntool.comStar QualitiesLong runtime thanks to dual batteriesDrives smoothly and cuts thick grassStores verticallyRed FlagsCollection bag is thinWhile it is pricey, this battery-powered mower from Milwaukee makes it quicker and easier to mow your lawn. Running on two batteries at once, the self-propelled mower offers more power to cut through thick grass, and it can run for up to a full hour per charge. It even has a high lift mode that’s ideal for thick, overgrown areas.Users say it drives smoothly, even over bumpy terrain, and you can choose between side or rear discharge, bagging, or mulching your grass clippings. Plus, the design collapses to store vertically, so it will take up less space in your shed or garage.Power Source:Battery |Cutting Width:21 inches |Weight:80.6 pounds |Self-Propelled:Yes |Clipping Options:Side discharge, rear discharge, bag, mulch

Best InvestmentMilwaukee Self-Propelled MowerPHOTO: Amazon$1,183 at Walmart$1,095 at Home DepotView on Northerntool.com

Best InvestmentMilwaukee Self-Propelled Mower

Best Investment

Milwaukee Self-Propelled Mower

$1,183 at Walmart$1,095 at Home DepotView on Northerntool.com

Star QualitiesLong runtime thanks to dual batteriesDrives smoothly and cuts thick grassStores verticallyRed FlagsCollection bag is thin

Star QualitiesLong runtime thanks to dual batteriesDrives smoothly and cuts thick grassStores vertically

Long runtime thanks to dual batteries

Drives smoothly and cuts thick grass

Stores vertically

Red FlagsCollection bag is thin

Collection bag is thin

While it is pricey, this battery-powered mower from Milwaukee makes it quicker and easier to mow your lawn. Running on two batteries at once, the self-propelled mower offers more power to cut through thick grass, and it can run for up to a full hour per charge. It even has a high lift mode that’s ideal for thick, overgrown areas.

Users say it drives smoothly, even over bumpy terrain, and you can choose between side or rear discharge, bagging, or mulching your grass clippings. Plus, the design collapses to store vertically, so it will take up less space in your shed or garage.

Power Source:Battery |Cutting Width:21 inches |Weight:80.6 pounds |Self-Propelled:Yes |Clipping Options:Side discharge, rear discharge, bag, mulch

What to Know About Walk-Behind Lawn Mowers

Types of Walk-Behind Mowers

There are three main styles of lawn mowers that fall into the “walk-behind” category:

Power Source

There are three main styles of walk-behind lawn mowers: gas, battery, and electric, also called corded. Gas mowers are usually the most powerful option, boasting large motors that can power through thick grass and weeds, but they’re also loud and require frequent maintenance, including oil and spark plug changes.

For these reasons, battery-powered models are becoming more popular: “Homeowners have been gravitating to battery power for a few years, and we’ll be seeing even more of that in 2023 with various laws and regulations and even HOA restrictions aiming to limit the use of gas,” explains Durden. “Advancements in technology are making it possible and practical for everyone to make the switch — we have several battery mowers that offer the same (or better) power than gas mowers today.” Battery-powered mowers are also quieter and don’t give off any harmful emissions, but they do have a limited runtime. Our top pick for a battery-powered mower is theEgo Power+ Lawn Mower.

Finally, there are corded walk-behind mowers, which tend to be the most affordable. These use an extension cord to plug into an electrical outlet, giving them unlimited runtime, but you have to navigate around the cord as you mow, which is why they’re recommended for small yards.

Yard Size

Just like with asnow blower, the size of your yard will dictate which type of walk-behind lawn mower is best for your needs. If you have a small yard that’s less than 1/4 acre, a corded push mower will generally meet your needs. These are usually lightweight, have smaller decks, and are easy to operate and store.

For larger yards, you may want to upgrade to a self-propelled walk-behind lawn mower, such as theRyobi Multi-Blade Lawn Mower, which moves forward on its own using power from the motor. This means you don’t have to physically push the mower to move it around your yard, making the process less strenuous.

Terrain

The terrain of your yard is another factor to consider as you shop for a walk-behind lawn mower. “If your yard is flat, a push mower will be the most affordable choice,” recommends Durden. “If your yard has hills, you may want to invest in a self-propelled mower that takes less manual effort.”

Walk-behind lawn mowers with larger rear wheels — like theGreenworks Electric Corded Lawn Mower— tend to handle better on uneven ground, so you may want to look for this feature if your yard has a lot of divots or ruts.

Clippings

There are three main options for handling grass clippings while you’re using a walk-behind lawn mower: discharging them out the side or back, bagging them up, or mulching them into fine pieces that will decay back into your lawn. Some walk-behind lawn mowers only offer one option, while other models offer all three.

If you want a bagging walk-behind lawn mower, pay careful attention to the size of the collection bag in comparison to your yard. If the bag is too small, you may find yourself stopping to empty it frequently — a problem we ran into when testing theRyobi Multi-Blade Lawn Mower.

Price Range

Walk-behind lawn mowers are available at a wide range of prices. Basic reel mowers often cost less than $100, while small corded models often range from $100 to $300. If you’re shopping for a larger gas or battery-powered mower, you can expect to pay between $500 to $1,000, with self-propelled models typically falling on the higher end of the range.

People / Jennifer May

We researched today’s most popular walk-behind lawn mowers, and we selected nine top-rated models for testing, including three battery-operated, two corded, and four gas options. We sent each walk-behind lawn mower to the homes of our testers, who are located in seven different cities across three states, and they tested each walk-behind lawn mower over several days. We used each walk-behind lawn mower at least three times, evaluating them on the following criteria:

At the end of testing, theHonda 21-Inch Gas Self-Propelled Lawn Mowerwas our top overall winner thanks to its power, ease of use, and overall value.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have a larger yard or a lot of hilly terrain, a self-propelled walk-behind lawn mower will take a lot of the manual effort out of mowing your grass. “Self-propelled mowers are designed to automatically move forward from 1 to 3.5 miles per hour,” explains Durden. “They‘re recommended for yards of more than half an acre, especially those that are hilly or sloped. Some mowers offer variable speeds that come in handy when working near trees and garden beds.”

Camryn Rabideauhas been a professional product tester for eight years, and she’s previously tested ride-on lawn mowers from popular brands like Ryobi and Husqvarna. While writing this article, she relied on firsthand insights from the PEOPLE Tested team who used these walk-behind lawn mowers for a total of 10 hours. She also spoke with expert Nicole Durden for tips on selecting the right lawn mower for your home based on factors like your yard size, terrain, and budget. Camryn later updated this article with additional picks from Milwaukee, Toro, and American Lawn Mower company based on research and shopper reviews.

Our Expert PanelNicole Durdenis the senior merchant of outdoor power at The Home Depot.

Our Expert Panel

Nicole Durdenis the senior merchant of outdoor power at The Home Depot.

We created thePEOPLE Tested seal of approvalto help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.

In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.

source: people.com