“Walk behind lawn mowers” are designed to move on their own, instead of being pushed by a person. They’re an excellent option for lawns up to a quarter of an acre and are easier to maneuver than push mowers. We researched dozens of models, evaluating ease of use, maneuverability, and value.
Our best overall pick is the Earthquake Walk Behind String Mower, which is easy to maneuver and has a powerful battery.
Here are the best walk behind lawn mowers.
Best Walk Behind Lawn Mowers: Editor Recommended
Our Editor’s Best Walk Behind Lawn Mowers Reviews
- MZK 60V 17" Push Electric Lawn Mower, Brushless Electric Mower, Batteries & Charger Included
- Reliable Engine: Experience high performance and longer working life with the 144cc 4-stroke OHV engine, engineered with a stabilized body structure for maximum durability.
- Easy Start System: Equipped with auto choke for easy start, and primer structure for better starting.
- 21“ Steel Deck: Featuring a 21" durable steel deck built to last through tough yard tasks, the specialized blade delivers finely mulched clippings and a clean, even cut every time.
- Effortless Maneuvering: Designed with 10" rear / 7" front double ball-bearing wheels for smooth control and easier pushing around your yard.
- 3-in-1 Mowing Function: Mulching, bagging, or side discharge. This versatile system lets you nourish your lawn with fine mulch, simplify cleanup with bagging, or power through tall grass with side discharge.
- Exclusive and industry-leading CVT (Continuously variable transmission) offers superior speed variability to adjust the mower pace to your walking speed by simply selecting the 6-speed shift lever
- Exclusive rubber tires with aggressive spiked tread pattern significantly increase overall traction and maneuverability
- Starting made easier with the automatic choke system, no need to prime or choke the engine
- Quickly clean the underside of the cutting deck with the deck cleanout port
- Single-lever deck adjustment for quickly setting your mow height
- Electric Start simplifies the starting process, making your gardening tasks more efficient and stress-free
- Exclusive and industry-leading CVT (continuously variable transmission) offers superior speed variability to adjust the mower's pace to match your walking speed by simply selecting the 6-speed shift lever.
- Durable, one-piece seamless steel deck reduces vibration for a smoother owing experience.
- Easily clean the underside of the cutting deck with the deck cleanout port.
- Single-lever deck adjustment for quickly setting your mow height.
- MZK 30V 20" Electric Lawn Mower, Brushless Walk-Behind Push Mowers with 2-Step Start and Grass Collection Bag
- HIGH-EFFICIENCY 144CC 4-CYCLE ENGINE – Powered by a reliable 144cc 4-stroke OHV engine, this gas powered lawn mower delivers consistent cutting performance for small to medium-sized lawns. The easy pull-start system ensures fast ignition, making yard maintenance simple and efficient.
- 21-INCH DURABLE STEEL CUTTING DECK – Featuring a 21-inch wide cutting path, this walk-behind lawn mower reduces mowing time while providing even coverage. The rust-resistant steel deck is built for long-lasting durability, ideal for thick grass and routine lawn care.
- 3-IN-1 MULCHING, BAGGING & SIDE DISCHARGE – This versatile gas lawn mower supports mulching for natural fertilization, rear bagging for a clean finish, and side discharge for fast trimming. Includes a large-capacity 1.4-bushel grass catcher to minimize emptying frequency.
- 6-LEVEL HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT (1.5"–3.9") – Customize your cut with 6 adjustable height settings to handle various grass types and seasonal conditions. Achieve a precise, even cut whether trimming short grass or tackling overgrown areas.
- LIGHTWEIGHT & EASY TO MANEUVER DESIGN – Weighing only 68 lbs, this push lawn mower is easy to control and maneuver around obstacles. Equipped with durable 7-inch front and 10-inch rear wheels for enhanced stability, plus a foldable handle for compact storage.
- [16" LAWN MOWER] - This 40V lawn mower cuts up to 1/3 acre with fully charged 4.0Ah battery (varies based on grass condition and operator technique)
- [ULTRA LIGHTWEIGHT] - 35% lighter than steel deck mowers
- [SINGLE LEVER HEIGHT ADJUST] - 5 position height adjustment
- [2-IN-1 SYSTEM] - Mulch and rear bagging
- [MAINTENANCE FREE] - The walk behind lawn mower is virtually maintenance free, with no gas, no oil, and no emissions. It starts instantly, is quiet, and delivers the power you need
- AMPLE CUTTING POWER: Powered by a robust 170cc 4-cycle OHV engine, this walk-behind string trimmer features a manual recoil easy start ignition system, ensuring easy starts and the capability to handle heavy mowing tasks.
- BUILT TOUGH FEATURES: Designed with a one-piece steel deck, this gas string trimmer offers enhanced strength and stability while minimizing vibration. Its heavy-duty nylon line clears a 22-inch wide path through the thickest grass and weeds.
- EASY MANEUVERING: Equipped with 14-inch never-flat wheels, this gas-powered string trimmer can tackle all terrains and go wherever you need it to. The foldable ergonomic handle provides an improved grip and allows for compact storage.
- WEED EATER: This push string mower can access tight spaces along fence lines, obstacles, or other tricky spots where standard mowers can't reach, making it ideal for clearing overgrown tall grass and light brush.
- WARRANTY: BILT HARD is dedicated to offering high-quality products and exceptional customer service. Please note that Amazon does not handle returns of gasoline-related products. For any questions, contact us directly via Amazon email or through our official website.
- 🌱17" Cutting Deck & 6 Height Adjustable - This walk behind lawn mower features a 17 inch wide cutting deck that covers more ground per pass, drastically cutting down your mowing time. With 6 adjustable cutting height levels ranging from 25mm to 75mm, you can easily customize the grass length to your ideal look, ensuring an even, clean cut on every section of your lawn without missing spots or uneven trimming.
- 🌱1200W High-Power Brushless Motor - This electric battery powered lawn mower is equipped with a premium 1200W max brushless motor. The motor drives sharp blades smoothly through thick and dense grass, effectively preventing blade jams and grass clogging, while maintaining consistent cutting power for a neat finish across your entire yard.
- 🌱Dual 20V Batteries & Long Runtime - This cordless lawn mower comes with 2 pieces of 20V 4.0Ah large-capacity rechargeable batteries, supporting up to 40 minutes of continuous mowing on a single full charge, which can easily cover a 500 ㎡ lawn. The dual-battery design eliminates the hassle of mid-mowing power outages and long charging waits, perfectly solving the pain point of short battery life for uninterrupted lawn care.
- 🌱2-in-1 Mulching & Bagging Mode - This lawn mower is built with a versatile 2-in-1 mulching and bagging mode, giving you full flexibility for customized lawn care. The mulching mode finely shreds grass clippings into nutrient-dense lawn fertilizer, eliminating frequent emptying while boosting your lawn’s health. The bagging mode pairs with a 50L extra-large capacity grass collection bag, which holds far more clippings.
- 🌱Lightweight Mower for Multi-Scene Home Use - This walk behind lawn mower weighs only 14kg, featuring an ultra-lightweight, compact body that delivers effortless pushing and flexible maneuvering for all users. It is perfectly adapted to a full range of home mowing scenarios, including your garden, patio, yard and lawn — whether you’re trimming large open lawn areas, navigating narrow garden edges, or tidying up small patio spaces.
- 4-blade reel mower with a cutting width of 14” and durable 8.5” polymer wheels for maximum maneuverability. Lightweight at only 19 pounds. Reel Lawn Mowers are great for small lawns..Deluxe hand-reel mower ideal for most turf grasses.
- This push lawn mower has an adjustable blade height of 0.5”-1.75”. Capable of cutting grass up to 4 inches tall and is less effective on taller grass.
- Manual grass cutter is environment-friendly alternative to other lawn mowers. This push mower is pollution-free, noise-free, low maintenance, lightweight and easy to use.
- A reel mower uses a cutting action that does not bruise or damage the blades of grass. For best results using a reel push mower, mow no more than 1/3 of the grass blade, so that the roots stay intact.
- Increase the amount of overlap while using your push mower if your lawn reaches a height of 4 inches or more. It’s better to mow smaller amounts more frequently than it is to let the grass get long. Try not reel mower when the grass is wet.
Best Walk Behind Lawn Mowers Buying Guide
Before choosing the best walk-behind mower you should consider the following options:
1. Size and Power: The size and power of the mower will depend on the size of your lawn, the type of terrain, and the features you want.
Although some buyers may be tempted to go for a mower with more power than they really need, experts advise that buying a mower with too much power is not a good idea.
A mower that is too powerful can cause problems when maneuvering around slopes and curves. If you have a large area to mow, you may want to consider buying two mowers instead of one.
Some mowers are available in a self-propelled version, which makes them easier to maneuver.
2. Size of the Cutting Deck: The size of your cutting deck will depend on the size of your lawn, the type of terrain, and the features you want.
For example, if you have a large lot with lots of curves, you will want a mower with a large cutting deck to make one pass over the entire area.
On the other hand, if your lawn has mostly straight lines, you can get by with a mower with a smaller deck.
3. Speed: Most walk-behind mowers have a top speed of about 3 miles per hour.
However, if you have a flat and smooth lawn, you may not need a mower with a high speed.
On the other hand, if your lawn has lots of slopes and curves, you will want a mower with a faster top speed.
4. Maneuverability: You will want a mower that is easy to maneuver, regardless of whether you have a rough or smooth lawn.
While some buyers will want a mower with a powerful engine and a large cutting deck, others may want a mower that is easy to maneuver.
Some mowers have a “front lift” feature that makes it easier to lift the front end of the mower and maneuver it.
5. Features: Some mowers have added features, such as attachments for clipping and bagging, that make them easier to use.
If you have a large area to mow, you may want to consider buying two mowers instead of one.
Some mowers are available in a self-propelled version, which makes them easier to maneuver.
What else you should know about the best walk behind lawn mowers
1. What is the best walk behind a lawn mower for a small lawn?
Some of the best walk-behind lawn mowers for small lawns include the Honda HRX217VKA, the Toro 20333, and the Craftsman 24737.
2. What is the best walk behind a lawn mower for a large lawn?
Some of the best walk-behind lawn mowers for large lawns include the Honda HRX217K5VKA, the Cub Cadet SC500E, and the Troy-Bilt TB240.
3. What is the best walk behind lawn mower for a hilly lawn?
Some factors that may make one walk-behind lawn mower more suitable for a hilly lawn than another include the mower’s weight, wheel size, and self-propulsion feature.
4. What is the best walk behind lawn mower for a flat lawn?
Some of the best walk behind lawn mowers for a flat lawn include the Husqvarna LC221A, the Honda HRX217K5VKA, and the Toro 20332.
5. What is the best walk behind a lawn mower for a lawn with trees?
Some factors to consider when choosing a walk-behind lawn mower for a lawn with trees include the size of the lawn, the type of trees present, and the terrain.
Conclusion
On the market, there are numerous best walk-behind lawn mowers. Hopefully, the list of the top ten best walk-behind lawn mowers will save you time researching and deciding on the best one for you.