best walk behind mower
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Unless there are several acres of land that have to be mowed, chances are good that you only need a walk behind lawn mower to get the job done. These smaller mowers are able to handle a remarkable amount of different terrains better than riding mowers because of their unique features. And they can be stored in smaller spaces too.

Our Top 6 Picks for the Best Walk Behind Lawn Mowers

What Are the Advantages of Walk Behind Lawn Mowers?

A walk behind lawn mower can be maneuvered around hedges and flower gardens with ease because the control of its movements is literally all in your hands. This is different than riding lawn mowers that have wider turn swaths. You can also react faster to any obstacles that may get in your way. So rocks, dips in the land, and toys forgotten out in the yard don’t pose as much of a problem.

Walk behind lawn mowers usually have no bigger than a 22-inch deck, so they can be tucked into small spaces in the garage, especially if you choose a type with a foldable handle to it. This makes storage a breeze, especially since they’re light enough to set up on a shelf during the wintertime.

What Are the Different Types of Walk Behind Lawn Mowers?

The following are the four basic types of walk behind lawn mowers to choose from:

Gas-Powered Lawn Mowers
This type of lawn mower has the most power. So if you have a yard full of dense vegetation, you might want to give it a try. Gas-powered lawn mowers usually have the widest decks of all too, which helps to get the mowing done faster. However, they also need the most maintenance of all. And they have a lot of emissions from the gasoline. So in other words, they aren’t exactly good for the environment.

Cordless Lawn Mowers
These battery-powered lawn mowers offer a more economical, environmentally-friendly solution to lawn mowing. They run on a high-volt battery that is rechargeable instead of guzzling a gallon or more of gasoline, like the other types. But they don’t have the same amount of power though. So pick this mower only if you have a smaller yard with a sparse amount of vegetation to get through.

Electric Lawn Mowers
Only those with a very small lawn will be able to make use of an electric mower, especially if it’s a type that has to be plugged in the entire time it’s being used. The attached cords are not just inconvenient, but they pose serious health risks if they accidentally get run over by the blades. Still, some people will appreciate their convenience, since they don’t require regular fill-ups with gasoline.

Manual Reel Lawn Mowers
A last resort to the more modern versions of walk behind lawn mowers in the manual reel mower. It requires a lot more effort to get through the grass. But it requires no other outside source of energy. That makes it perfect for those who are trying to reduce their environmental impact. Just be sure to keep your blades sharp on a reel mower. Otherwise, it will be impossible to get through the grass, no matter how tall it is.

Lawn Mower Maintenance Tips

Always clean your lawn mower after you finish mowing. All of the dirt, grass and other debris will build up over time, and this can damage the finish and blades. This can be done with a small brush and a wet, soapy rag. Just be sure to wait until it cools completely before you start the cleaning process. Mowers can get pretty hot from the heat of the engine, so you could be burned if you aren’t careful.

Don’t use water on the engine or electrical pieces. Stick with a dry cloth for any build up of dust on these parts. And when it comes to cleaning the bottom, set the entire lawn mower up on some stacks of bricks first. Leaning it over to the side could cause the gasoline or oil to pour out. Check for any strings or long blades of grass that could have wrapped around the blades too.

And lastly, remember that lawn mowers have a small engine, but it still has to be cared for in the same way that a large one does. So change out the oil and the air filter at the end of the season. And never store it full of gasoline for more than a couple of weeks without pouring in a special additive to prevent corrosion.

Our Walk Behind Lawn Mower Reviews

#1 – Honda HRX217K5VYA 21-Inch 4-in-1 Versamow System Gas Lawn Mower

The Honda HRX217K5VYA lawn mower comes with a powerful 187cc Honda engine and is powered by gasoline. Gas powered engines provide solid power and unquestionable reliability. This gas mower also features speed adjust dial and intuitive speed control.

This gas lawn mower is equipped with the 4-in-1 Versamow System capability of mulch, bag, discharge and shred leaves. Changing between these modes doesn’t require tools and is quite simple. Furthermore, it uses a 21 inch cutting deck to give you a wide area of effect, ensuring that you tidy up your lawn in no time.

This walk behind mower also features a blade stop system so you can step away from the mower when needed, and then get back to it without the need to restart the engine or stop it in the first place. It also has twin blade system that produces superior mulching and clippings.

#2 – EGO Power+ 20-Inch Lithium-Ion Cordless Lawn Mower

The EGO Power+ lawn mower is a cordless electric mower, which comes with the added incentive of not having to spend loads of money on gasoline, or having to worry about polluting the air with gas emissions. All you have to do is charge the battery up.

With a fully powered battery, you can safely expect to have about 45 minutes of run time. The motor equipped in this walk behind lawn mower rivals the gas equivalent in performance. Furthermore, it comes with LED headlights to allow you to do your work anytime, and it can be stored easily due to its compact and foldable design.

The cutting deck is 20 inches in diameter and has three different modes to offer – mulching, rear bag discharge or side discharge. This cordless lawn mower is very low on noise and vibration thanks to its electronic build.

#3 – GreenWorks 25022 Corded 20-Inch Lawn Mower

The GreenWorks 25022 is a corded electric lawn mower that has enough power to rival the performance of some gasoline based lawn mowers. It comes with the same conventional modes that are available in most lawn mowers which are the mulching, side discharge and rear bag discharge modes.

It’s also equipped with a 20 inch cutting deck which allows you to finish your lawn mowing activities in no time. The cutting height is easily adjustable and requires minimal effort in part of the user.

The large wheels offer proper control and steering capabilities and ensure that you’re never being controlled by the lawn mower instead. The rear wheels are 10 inches, while the front wheels are 7 inches. This electric mower is quite lightweight as well thus maneuvering it is very easy.