Every lawn is different, and so is everyone's mowing preference. Walk-behind mowers offer a solution for each, from reel mowers, to wide area walk mowers. But it can be hard to choose! That's why we put together the Best Walk-Behind Lawn Mowers of 2021 based on our best-selling, highest-rated models with expert recommendations to ensure you get the perfect type for your needs.
You can scroll through the full recommended list of self-propelled electric and gas walk-behind lawn mowers below. For those who prefer a workout, we also included our recommendations for the best push mowers!
The Honda HRX217HYA self-propelled lawn mower combines easy of operation with unsurpassed reliability to create a truly remarkable mowing experience.
The Honda HRX217HYA is powered by the reliable Honda GCV190 engine and features the Honda Auto Choke™ system for easy starting. No engine choke required! Just start the mower and go! Once you're mowing, you'll appreciate the Roto-Stop® blade stop system. You can step away from the mower without having to stop and restart the engine. Move items out of the way, empty the bag, or take a break, without having to restart your mower.
The Honda HRX217HYA mower deck is made of NeXite®. This impact resistant material does not dent, rust, or corrode over time. It's so durable it comes with a lifetime warranty! Under this deck, Honda's exclusive twin blade MicroCut System® uses four cutting surfaces that result in ultra fine clippings for superior mulching and more clippings per bag. The end result? A perfect cut, less time emptying the bag, and less work for you.
The Honda HRX217HYA is covered from top to bottom by Honda 5 year residential warranty. So you'll benefit from worry free yard care for years to come.
If you're familiar with Toro's gas-powered walk-behind mowers, then you know about some of their innovative features. There's the Personal Pace technology, which makes pushing your mower almost effortless. There's the Recycler cutting system, which slices and dices grass clippings into a fine mulch for your lawn.
Take those features, put them on an energy-efficient cordless mower, and you've got this 22" Toro Recycler.
The battery in this mower is a long-lasting 60V powerhouse that Toro rates as being able to cut 1/3 of an acre in one charge. Energy efficient and cost efficient, too - the battery can be used in any tool from Toro's Flex-Force tool family, and the included charger will charge the battery from any other Flex-Force product.
If you still have doubts about the quality of this Toro Recycler, check out the deck. Most battery-powered mowers have plastic decks. This one has a large 22" deck made from premium steel.
Toro builds their mowers to last, but just to make you feel more secure about your purchase, they cover this mower with a 2-year mower warranty and a 3-year battery warranty for consumers.
Times (and mowers) may change, but values like quality and innovation remain important. The Toro Recycler 20363 is made with those values in place, which is why it's recommended.
Features
Feel The Flex-Force
Mow up to an impressive 1/3 of an acre off of just one charge
Personal Pace®
Self-propel system automatically senses and adjusts to your speed
Slow or fast, you don't need to stop working to adjust your pace
Premium Brushless DC Motor
Designed to reduce friction for reliable, long-lasting performance
Provides gas-like power that will have you cutting the grass like butter
Virtually no maintenance or annoying pull cords to worry about
22-Inch Recycler® Steel Cutting Deck
Designed to re-process or "recycle" clippings for the finest mulch
Mulching instead of bagging promotes a healthier, more luscious lawn
SmartStow® Vertical Storage
Handlebar folds up to sharply reduce storage footprint by up to 70%
Adjustment is quick and painless - simply fold, lock, and store
The Cub Cadet CC600 is ideal for homeowners with big yards and busy schedules. This 28 inch mower covers more ground in less time, significantly reducing your mowing time. You'll be able to mow your yard in up to 25% less time compared to a conventional 22-inch walk behind mower. The Cub Cadet CC600 is powered by a reliable 195cc Cub Cadet OHV 4-cycle engine. The Signature Cut™ deck design creates more circulation and a stronger vacuum, delivering a gorgeous, well-manicured lawn every time. The Cub Cadet CC600 features an easy-to-use, push-button electric start system, and the thermal auto-choke delivers fast, sure starts every time. The Cub Cadet CC600 features Cub Cadet's high performance MySpeed™ self-propelled drive control system. Once the handle is pushed forward, as you walk faster, the handle is automatically pushed further forward and thus the speed of the mower increases. If you slow your walk, the handle is pivoting back and the unit slows down.
If you stop walking, the lever automatically moves to neutral and the unit stands still. And even though this mower is a bit heavier and wider than a traditional walk behind mower, the Cub Cadet CC600 features 7-inch, ball bearing, front swivel caster style wheels that make maneuvering this mower no more difficult than a regular size mower. And once you're done mowing, the SmartJet™ high-pressure deck washing system lets you clean the underside of the mower deck with ease.
Features
High Performance 224cc Cub Cadet® OHV engine
Overhead valve design (OHV) runs cooler and cleaner
Convenient push button electric start with recoil start back-up
Auto choke starting system - no priming, no choking
MySpeed™ Premium Self-Propelled Drive System
Rear wheels propel the mower
Delivers smooth engagement and variable speed settings
28-Inch, 3-In-1 Steel Mower Deck
Reduce mowing time by up to 33% versus standard 21" deck mower
Mulch, rear bag or side discharge your grass clippings
SmartJet™ high pressure deck washing system
2.25 bushel capacity dust-blocking rear bagger
Full Ball Bearing Front/Rear Wheels
7" front full swivel caster style wheels for improved maneuverability
10" rear wheels help the mower move across uneven terrain
5-position height of cut adjustment
Foldable, Adjustable Loop Handle
Automatically adjusts the mower’s pace to your walking speed
Handle folds up or all-the-way over for more compact storage
I highly recommend the American-Made Cub Cadet SC100HW push mower. It's a customer favorite for many reasons. The reliable 159cc Cub Cadet® 4-Cycle OHV Engine has the power that is out-of-this-world capable of pushing through thicker grass without thinking twice about it!
Featuring an Autochoke SureStart™ ignition system for easy starting, this mower has no problem stopping and starting again and is guaranteed for 3 years. It also comes with ergonomically-designed features like a soft-touch foam grip handle, a 3-position adjustment, and a single-point height cut adjustment, so there is no need to manually adjust each wheel when you want to adjust your cutting level, all for the best in cutting comfort. The Cub Cadet SC100HW comes equipped with the Cub Cadet Signature Cut System, that has been optimized for flawless performance, low maintenance, and a consistently professional-quality cut. 3-in-1 cutting options give you a mulching lawn mower or lets you change the settings to rear bagging or side discharge, tackling any job you throw at it.
The 8 and 11-inch industrial tread, ball-bearing wheels make the mower very easy to push and control across uneven terrain with ease. It's a great machine with an unmistakable color that stands out from the rest that 'pictures alone won't do justice'!
Features
159cc Cub Cadet® 4-Cycle OHV Engine
Autochoke SureStart™ guarantee
Mower will start in 1 or 2 pulls for full 3-year warranty period
Cub Cadet Signature Cut System
21-inch, 3-in-1 steel mower deck
Provides superior mulching, rear bagging and side discharge
Patented SmartJet™ high-pressure deck washing system
1.9 bushel bagger capacity
Dual Lever Height Of Cut Adjustment
Change cutting height of front or rear wheels with a single lever
Industrial Tread, Ball-Bearing Wheels
8-inch front and large 11-inch rear wheels
Helps the mower easily move across uneven terrain
Soft-Touch Foam Grip Handle
3-position adjustment for optimal operator comfort
The Great States 1715-16EW is a great and affordable mower if you're looking for an environmentally friendly, easy, and reliable reel mower. It is specifically designed to cut low growing, creeping grasses. With a 7 blade and 16" cutting path, it is perfect for snipping grass for a clean, precise cut. Simply adjust the cutting height to your liking (1/2" to 2-1/2") and maneuver across your lawn with 10" composite wheels with radial thread designed for thicker grasses.
This mower requires minimal maintenance and is always ready when you are; meaning no gas, no fumes, or noise. So go on and reel away!
Features
An Environmentally Friendly Alternative To Gas-Powered Mowers
No gas, oil, fumes or noise
Specifically Designed To Cut Low-Growing Creeping Grasses
Ideal for St. Augustine, zoysia, Buffalo grass and Kentucky bluegrass
The Billy Goat BC2600HM ranks as one of the best rough cut mowers because of the durability and construction of the mower. It is made to clear vacant lots, trails, paths or around ponds with ease.
The Billy Goat BC2600HM is equipped with a powerful Honda GX390 commercial grade 4-cycle engine which has full pressure lubrication system with spin-on oil filter for easy maintenance. The heavy-duty mechanical transaxle system combines the transmission and differential into one sealed package. There is no linkages to snag on brush, and you'll benefit from 3 forward speeds plus powered reverse.
The Billy Goat BC2600HM has a 10-guage welded deck for years of reliability and stands up to the abuse of brush, tall weeds, and saplings. The tempered steel blade will cut brush up to 6 feet tall and saplings up to 2 inches in diameter. Clear up to one acre per hour.
Features
11.7HP/388cc Honda GX390 Commercial Grade Engine
OHV design for increased efficiency and optimal power transfer
Cuts brush up to 6 feet tall; saplings up to 2 inches in diameter
Heavy-Duty Mechanical Transaxle
3 forward speeds plus powered reverse
No linkages to snag on brush
26-Inch Wide Fixed Deck
Delivers excellent stability in deep vegetation
Ideal for clearing meadows, fields or trails of dense brush and weeds
Heavy-Duty Blade Spindle
Reinforced on four sides to tackle any brush job
Higher tip speed for improved speed and cut quality
Combines transmission and differential into one sealed package