7 Best Walk-Behind Lawn Mowers of 2024

An overgrown and unkempt lawn can be a homeowner's nightmare.

Getting a landscaping crew can be expensive, so a quality walking lawn mower can help you tackle all the grass in your yard.

Walk-behind lawn mowers are the practical and manageable solution for most homeowners whether in an urban, suburban, or even rural setting.

But with so many lawn mowers coming in all shapes, sizes, and types, finding the perfect one for your needs can be hard work to find.

PropertyNest searched through dozens of walking or walk-behind lawn mowers to find the top models and brands for any kind of feature, function, and type of job.

Honda HRN216VKA Gas Self-Propelled Lawn Mower: Best Overall

Given all the money in the world, we think you can't get better for your money than Honda walking lawn mowers because their engines are unmatched.

They are the finest in the business, but the best of the best comes with a hefty price tag. These walking mowers are not cheap.

The Honda 21 in. 3-in-1 Variable Speed Gas Walk Behind Self Propelled Lawn Mower with Auto Choke has 7 different cutting heights, ensuring you can make your lawn look just as you like it.

With its 5 adjustable speed positions, it is built not only for cutting the toughest of lawns but also for making sure you stay comfortable while doing it.

This particular model doesn't just mow but also lets you decide how you want to dispel the clippings, whether it's to mulch, bag, or discharge in the rear.

Troy-Bilt TB100 Briggs & Stratton Engine Gas Lawn Mower: Best for Value

If you only have a small amount of grass that needs cutting and want a mower that will not break the bank, check out the Troy-Bilt.

The Troy-Bilt 21 in. 140cc 500e Series Briggs & Stratton Engine 2-in-1 Gas Walk Behind Push Lawn Mower with High Rear Wheels is far cheaper than most gas mowers on the market yet does not sacrifice the power that is associated with a gas engine.

With a 140cc Briggs and Stratton OHV engine, it can handle any average-sized lawn easily.

Its 6 different cutting heights allow homeowners to keep their lawns between 1.25 to 3.75 inches.

Customers rave about this mower because it is the perfect light-duty walking lawn mower. Capable of handling any suburban lawn out there.

Even with its lightweight design, this lawn mower has improved traction to help the user with hills and uneven terrain.

And when you're done, the handle folds so you can easily store this lawn mower even with tight storage space.

Toro 21466 60 V Battery Self-Propelled Lawn Mower: Best Battery-Powered

If you are a California resident and need a powerful lawn mower, you should keep the name Toro in mind as you transition out of gasoline-powered lawn equipment.

With plenty of gas-powered mowers on the market, Toro's electric mowers outshine all others in terms of quality.

Most electric walking mowers do not have the power to be self-propelled, but Toro's 60v battery gives this mower an unmatched cruise control.

The Toro also has a whopping 9 different cutting positions, making it so you can cut at any height you could ever want.

It is easy to start and easy to run, with a 40 minute run time, it is great for jobs that will not take too long.

Sun Joe 24V-X2-16LM 48 V Cordless Electric Lawn Mower: Best Lightweight

A heavy mower can be a real pain to drag around, especially if you only have a small lawn that needs clipping.

At under 36 pounds, the Sun Joe 48-Volt 16-in Push Cordless Electric Lawn Mower 4 Ah is half the weight of most gas mowers.

Its 2 24-Volt, 4.0 Ah lithium-ion batteries give the Sun Joe a shocking 65-minute run time making this light little mower outrun most of its electric peers.

This mower is very popular in older communities since it is so lightweight and easy to use.

While its 16-inch deck is smaller than most mowers, it is excellent for getting in between flower beds and other areas you would usually have to weed.

Keep in mind, since it is so small and lightweight, many people have complained that it will get bogged down quickly if faced with too much grass or if you start walking too fast.

Honda HRX217HYA GCV200 Lawn Mower: Most Durable

As mentioned before, when it comes to tough walking lawn mowers, Hondas are the gold standard.

If their everyday mower is not tough enough for the jobs you are looking to do, then their commercial option should do the trick.

It is not cheap, but this is the walking mower that professionals rely on for daily use.

Its Roto-Stop safety feature stops the blades but keeps the engine running, so if you need to step away for a second, you can without having to restart the machine.

If you have a couple of acres of 12-inch grass that needs to be cut regularly, you can not go wrong with a Honda HRX217HYA.

There are plenty of customers that bought commercial Hondas 25 years ago and claim that they are still running smoothly today.

Greenworks 25142 10 Amp 16-inch Corded Mower: Best for Small Lawns

If you have a lawn that is a little too large for a weed-eater yet too small for a full-sized walking mower, consider getting a Greenworks 25142 10 Amp 16-inch Corded Mower.

Since it is a corded mower, you never have to worry about recharging the batteries or topping it up with gas. Just plug in and go.

However, you will be restricted to how long your extension cord is, and you will want to make sure you do not accidentally roll over it while the blades are spinning.

It's lightweight enough to be carried with one hand yet durable enough to handle any small yard.

Plus, at less than $140, this is the cheapest mower on our list.

CRAFTSMAN M430 Self-Propelled Gas Lawn Mower: Best for Large Lawns

If you have a really large yard and are looking to get it cut quickly and efficiently, then a CRAFTSMAN M430 223-cc 28-in Self-propelled Gas Push Lawn Mower Briggs & Stratton Engine would be perfect for you.

With its pace control system, you just have to start walking, and the mower will adapt to your pace, so there's no switching between speeds.

Its Briggs & Stratton engine does not need to be primed like most gas mowers and is large enough to handle the toughest and tallest grass.

Since it is a very large walking mower, it is equipped with 4 wheels for optimal mobility.

If you are worried about fitting this beast of a mower in your garage, fear not because its handles fold in for easy storage.

What Types of Walking Lawn Mowers Are There?

Walking lawn mowers are typically used on smaller lawns. If you are sitting on acres and acres of property, you would probably opt for a riding mower, but for many homeowners, a good walking mower is all you will ever need.

That said, there are various types of walking lawn mowers with numerous features and a range of prices.

Cylinder Mower

A cylinder mower or reel mower is a walking mower with vertically rotating blades at the front.

They are known for having a more precise cut than most mowers. Also, since the process does not damage the grass as much, cylinder mowers keep lawns healthier.

While great for flat lawns, cylinder mowers are not suited for uneven or rough terrain. Therefore, they are most popular amongst gardening enthusiasts who want an immaculate yard.

Rotary Mower

Rotary mowers are by far the most common type of walking lawn mower on the market. They have a single rotating blade that cuts in a horizontal motion.

While the cut you get from a rotary mower is not as precise as a cylinder mower, they are much easier to use and can handle most slopes and uneven patches of your yard.

Almost all the mowers recommended above are rotary mowers.

Push Mower

The term “push mower” is usually associated with any mower that is not self-propelled, but traditional push mowers are mowers that do not require power.

People like these mowers because they are incredibly cheap and lightweight, but they do take a fair amount of physical excretion to operate.

Making these great if you want a little bit of exercise with your weekend chores.

Hover Mower

As their name implies, a hover mower hovers above the ground while it cuts. This gives it the unique ability to cut in any direction with ease.

They are relatively inexpensive and very lightweight, making them a popular option among homeowners.

Unfortunately, since they do not have much power, they are not suitable for large yards or tough grass.

What is the Difference Between Gas and Electric Walking Lawn Mowers?

The difference between the two is pretty big, so figuring out which one is right for your lawn should be your first step. As a general rule, though, if you have a smaller yard, you should be okay with an electric mower, but you will have to go with gas if you have a larger yard.

Gas Lawn Mowers

Gas-powered lawn mowers have been the standard for generations, and there are plenty of reasons why.

Firstly, gas-powered engines are more powerful than electric ones and thus can handle a lot more grass. You can also use a gas mower on wet grass, where an electric one would get bogged down.

Not only are their run times longer than electric, but you will also still be using your gas-powered mower years after an electric one would have broken down.

On the other hand, gas engines require a lot of maintenance. You will have to replace air and gas filters and regularly top up the oil.

Given that they use a very flammable liquid for fuel, they are more dangerous. Also, the starting process for a gas mower is more complex.

Electric Lawn Mowers

There are two main kinds of electric-powered walking mowers, and like everything else, there are pros and cons to each.

Chord-Powered

The best part about a chord-powered mower is that its run time is unlimited. So as long as you are plugged in, you can keep mowing.

Since they draw their power from an outlet, they are also some of the lightest and easiest mowers to use on the market.

You will have to get used to carrying around an extension cord when you mow and make sure that you do not accidentally run it over.

Also, the voltage that you can pull from an outlet is not as strong as gas or battery-powered mowers, so cord-powered mowers can not handle a lot of grass.

Battery-Powered

Battery-powered mowers are by far the easiest walking mowers to use. Just press a button and start mowing without worrying about priming your engine or lugging around an extension cable.

They do not use fossil fuels, so they are much better for the environment than gas-powered mowers.

Keep in mind that the physical batteries that the mowers use are expensive and usually unique to that particular product and brand.

Also, most battery-powered mowers last from 30 to 60 minutes which is shorter than gas and obviously shorter than chorded.

What is a Self-Propelled Lawn Mower?

When it comes to walking mowers, there are two kinds, push mowers and self-propelled mowers. As the names imply, the push mowers have to be pushed while the self-propelled ones will use the engine's power to move them along.

Obviously, self-propelled mowers are the nicer of the two, especially if you are dealing with a heavy mower, but do not discount-push mowers altogether.

Push mowers are, on average, much cheaper than their self-propelled peers and are made lighter so that pushing them is not too much of a hassle.

Consider your budget and the size of your yard before deciding which is suitable for you.

How to Care for Your Walking Lawn Mower

Like all tools, you will want to take good care of your walking lawn mower, regardless of if it is gas or electric.

The most important thing you can do when you get a new piece of equipment is to familiarize yourself with the owner’s manual.

While it may be somewhat tedious, your manual will have all the information to ensure your mower runs properly for years.

One of the first things your manual will tell you is to clean your mower after every few uses. Making sure your mower is not clogged up with grass and debris is essential for its operation.

Also, regardless of your power source, you will have to sharpen and balance your mower blades periodically.

If it looks like your mower is not cutting as well, as usual, take it into a shop and get your blades redone, it will drastically improve your mower’s cutting ability.

Care of Gas Mowers

If you have a gas mower, then there are some other things you will want to do regularly to make sure it is running correctly.

Believe it or not, your gas can go bad if it is left out for too long.

Running an engine on bad gas can ruin it, so be sure to empty your tank at the end of every season.

You will need small engine oil for your gas mower, and this oil will have to be topped up every so often for your engine to run right.

If your mower is dying on you after it starts, it is very likely that your air or gas filters are clogged up.

It would be best if you were replacing both of those filters on a yearly basis. With help from the manual, you can do that yourself or take it to a shop.

If your mower is not starting at all, it may be because your spark plug has gone bad.

All gas mowers should come with a spark plug wrench so you can easily inspect your plug. Your spark plug should be coffee-colored. If it is black, then you will know that you need a new one.

Methodology

How We Picked the Best Walk-Behind Lawn Mowers

Here are the key factors we focused on when selecting the best lawn mowers for this list:

Customer Satisfaction

The first thing we look at is the customer ratings, regardless of how good the mower seems on paper. If a product has bad reviews across multiple websites, we will never endorse it.

Brand Accessibility

If you can not get your hands on the equipment, then it would not make much sense for us to suggest them. Therefore, our picks can be found nationwide brands like Lowes and Home Depot.

Pricing

We would never suggest a product that is priced unfairly. Every price above is appropriate for the industry standards and its features.

Quality & Features

Our walking lawn mower choices are equipped with every feature needed to get the job done and the standard of quality to ensure it lasts for years.