(Image credit to Image Source: Home Depot) Gas lawnmowers are the equivalent of muscle cars in the world of grass cutting. They are powerful, so no matter how big your space is these mowers will do the job.

The guide features brands like Toro, Craftsman, Honda and Toro. You will find a range of prices and sizes to best suit your yard, most of which also come standard with twin cutting blades. The best top-rated gas lawnmower should be able to save you both time and simplify your lawn maintenance.

One big difference in price and ability is between manually pushed models and those that are self-propelled. This is ideal for anyone who doesn’t need to push as hard and perfect for hilly terrain. To help you choose the right lawnmower for your needs, weigh, drive type, and width are all important factors. Also keep a look out at Black Friday as you can snap up some great deals on gas lawn mowers around that time.

You may also want to look at the best electric lawn mowers best rider lawn mowers if they’re better suited to your needs.

What should you look for in a gas lawn mower?

Engine power: The engine power of regular gasoline-powered mowers determines their cutting power. However, self-propelled mowers have a much smaller engine, which makes it easier to mow, particularly if the terrain is bumpy or steep. Consider anything larger than 160cc to be extremely powerful.

Self-propulsion – The most efficient gas lawnmowers include self-propulsion technology. That means the engine can move the wheels. Although it won’t stop you from pushing the mower, it can make it easier, particularly if it is going uphill.

Mulch: The more costly lawn mowers allow you to mulch and bag your grass cuts as well as let them go. It’s possible that your lawn would benefit from mulching depending on its condition.

Blade width determines the number of passes required to mow your garden. A wider blade, like 22-inches, for example, means you spend less time pushing your lawnmower. It’s a case of the bigger the better.

Noise level: all internal combustion engines make a lot of noise, but larger engines tend to be louder, so if that’s going to be an issue for you then consider a mower with a smaller engine that produces less noise. For context, a quiet model would produce something like 85 decibels of sound.

Positioning and cutting height: The most powerful gas lawnmowers allow you to set the height of your blades using levers that are located on every wheel. Cheaper models tend to require manual adjustment with a screwdriver.

5 Best Push Lawn Mowers For Your Lawn In 2021

Experts say a push lawn mower can help maintain a small or medium sized lawn.

A push lawn mower can help you maintain your desired grass length. Getty Images Mili Godio Select is independent from The Good Brigade / Getty Images Mili Godio Select. Our editors selected these deals and items because we think you will enjoy them at these prices. We may be compensated if you make a purchase through one of our affiliate links. As of the publication date, pricing and availability may not reflect current prices.

A push mower can offer a cost-effective alternative to conventional lawn mowers. Although they require more effort to use, push lawn mowers can be a good option if you want to have a smaller to medium-sized lawn. You can choose from a variety of different types. They are lighter than most other mowers. Aqsa Tabassam is a landscaper and gardener at Garden Guidepost. She explained that although they don’t make noise, push lawnmowers tend to be quieter than others and have a lower cutting speed. Bryan McKenzie is the co-founder and chief executive of Bumper Crop Times. He says it’s easier to hire a landscaper to do the first mowing, while you can maintain the grass length later on with a push lawn mower.

Talking to experts on the pros and cons of using a push mower, as well as how to buy them, we got their suggestions for which push mowers are best to purchase.

What types of push lawn mowers are available?

Depending upon the size of your yard and how difficult you are looking to mowing it, there are two major types of push mowers available.

For some people, push mowers are more appealing for their active lifestyle. However, others prefer a self-propelled lawnmower Ronnie Collins is a gardening blogger at Electro Garden Tools. A “reel”, or manual mower, has a set sharpened blades that cut grass with a scissorlike motion. These mowers are compact and lightweight and rely solely on physical exertion. They do require some light maintenance, though: You’ll need to occasionally clean and sharpen the blades so they don’t get dull.

Collins states that reel mowers can work well on lawns smaller than one third of an-acre, and with no steep hills or slopes. Collins added that you must also have enough strength to maneuver the mower underneath the lawn if it is sloped. Motorized rotary mowers, on the contrary, are powered by either a battery- or corded electric motor and have a rotating blade. McKenzie said that although they tend to be less expensive than motor-powered lawnmowers, the noise from them is just as high as those of other models. They can be a more effective option if you need to trim a lawn with uneven spots, but they’re typically heavier than reel mowers, according to Collins.

Most motorized mowers have a cutting width that is equal to the distance the mower can cut in a single pass. Reel mowers are smaller and can only go so far as 14 inches. Both reel and motorized mowers may have adjustable cutting heights, which let you customize how many inches of grass your unit can cut.

Experts advise that you pay careful attention to the engine’s power and deck width. Collins said to look for the most efficient combination of the motor’s power and the deck cutter width in order to speed up the process.

The 7 Best Self-Propelled Lawn Mowers Of 2021

A self-propelled lawnmower will cut the grass more effectively.

If you are having trouble finding your keys after you leave them in the yard, or if they have fallen into the grass, then it is time to trim the lawn. A self-propelled grass mower may be right for you, no matter if you’re new or experienced in lawn care. The self-propelled mowers can push their own lawnmowers.

Self-propelled lawnmowers can be more user-friendly than push lawnmowers, because they use your own power. Although self-propelled mowers can be used in bumpy or hilly terrain, they are not suitable for large areas. We found a self-propelled lawn mower for every kind of person at every budget these are the seven best self-propelled lawn mowers of 2021.

Who Should Get A Reel Mower

Before getting a reel mower, you should be aware of their pros and cons. A reel mower can be a frustrating tool that is not used properly. You may end up wishing you had a traditional lawn mower. Reel mowers are not meant to replace regular mowers. The reel mowers have a few benefits for your lawn, including the health and safety of you, the user, as well as for how they are maintained. But they do require more diligence to adhere to a regular mowing schedule. Problems can arise if the schedule is not followed.

As one of our long-term testers said, “I love [my reel mower]. It makes mowing feel more like a pleasant way to spend time outside and less like something I need to grit my teeth and power through.” On the other hand, a second long-term tester stated that he regrets purchasing a reel mower and has “frequently considered selling it to get a cheap electric mower.” Compared with a regular walk-behind mower, reel mowers are better for the lawn’s health. While rotary mowers usually shred grass blades, they snip grass blades with scissors. Jason Kruse of University of Florida associate professor of environment horticulture says that the reel mowers’ scissor cutting action results in less damage of leaf tissue. This in turn makes plants less stressed.

This blade was cut with a gas-powered, circular mower on the rougher side. The reel was used to cut the more smooth left edge.

A reel mower can also be good for your health. The mower is not motorized and you must push it manually. It can be difficult to operate, especially for those with large yards. You should also remember that the turning wheels spin the blades and add to their resistance. It’s not the same as pushing an empty furniture dolly, in which you push the wheels only. According to a Livestrong.com article , (which in turn credits Harvard Medical School, among others) a person weighing 175 pounds would burn approximately 251 calories by pushing a reel mower which the article refers to as a hand mower for 30 minutes. This is 51 calories more than someone weighing 185 pounds pushing a mower with a powered blade for the same amount of time.

The reel mowers are also much less maintenance than regular ones and they can be much quieter. The only thing you need to keep a reel mower in good condition is the blades. The reel mower’s gentle snipping sound is often cited by many as its main benefit. However, gasoline mowers need gas and regular tune ups. Oil changes are also required. The mowers also emit a strong odor.

Rope mowers have many advantages. There are also some downsides to reel mowers.

You need to have a relatively small lawn in order for the reel mowers to work. Anyone with more than a quarter acre (roughly 10,000 square feet) will find weekly mowing with a reel mower exhausting. In the spring grass growth is rapid and can require twice weekly mowing. A quarter acre might seem too much. An example of a tester who has been with us for over ten years, her lawn is approximately 1000 square feet. It takes her around 20 minutes to mow.

How We Picked And Tested

From front to rear, the Fiskars StaySharp Max Mower, Lee Valley 20’’ Mower and Great States 415-16 are all shown.

Scott Dunbar is the superintendent at Diamond Hawk Golf Course, Cheektowaga (New York), and he helped us to choose the right reel mower. Reel mowers are more precise than rotary mowers, Dunbar explained. The crew at the golf course uses reel mowers to trim greens, approaches and rough. However, they also use gas-powered rotary mowers. A homeowner should not cut their lawn so it can be used as a putting-green. Turf professionals recommend that you never cut more than one-third of the length of the grass. Too close can lead to grass drying out, and even scorching in summer. The minimum height of a mower is not a good measurement as you are unlikely to ever use it.

This height is crucial and it was the primary reason we eliminated mowers. Few reel mowers are able to get above 2 1/2 inches, which may not be good for your lawn. “[Cutting height] is one of the primary complaints I have against the majority of reel mowers that are marketed for home use. Kruse of University of Florida turfgrass specialist stated that residential grasses of both cool and warm season have a range of recommended cutting heights. “While it would be possible to use the mower, the long-term health of the turf could suffer significantly,” he continued.

Next, we considered other factors. How difficult is it to adjust the mower’s settings? We also looked at how difficult it is to push. It is how wide? How much does it weigh? Models with strong user reviews were considered.

Our final four lawnmowers were taken to the fairway. To ensure that they can cut paper easily, the grounds crew adjusted the blades. Three hours later, all four of us pushed the mowers around on different grass heights. Scott Dunbar was the course superintendent. He is also a member on the grounds crew. Dunbar also works as a mechanic, selling equipment and being a part of the maintenance team. They are all experts in turfgrass and have experience with mowing grass every day. They were very enthusiastic in comparing mowers, looking at every part and answering our queries about quality of cut turf.

We mow tall, weedy grass. Recently, we cut low grass. The decision between the Scotts lawnmower (made under the American Lawnmower Company’s Scotts trademark) and the Fiskars was not easy at first. Both mowers were excellent at cutting grass. We came to an unanimity after much discussion with Dunbar and his grounds crew.

How to Shop for the Best Push Mower

The best push mower will make yard work a breeze. Self-propelled and manual push mowers will cut lawns smaller than half an acre. Yards with more than one-half an acre can benefit from riding mowers. You may find a wide variety of options at the home store, so it’s important to know the basics of push mowers before you buy.

Corded and battery-operated electric mowers are available. They’re easy to clean, low-maintenance, and earth friendly. These mowers last longer and are more robust. The blades can also cut through tall, dense grass. The self-propelled push mowers can be used in steeper areas and for larger yards. They also take out the effort of moving a heavy 100-pound mower around on hot days.

This can reduce the number of options available for lawn equipment. A self-propelled mower is a great choice for those yards with less than one-fourth of an acre. A less expensive electric mower may be required for lawns that are smaller than one-fourth of an acre. And if you want to use nothing but hard work and the sweat of your brow, a reel mower ditches the engines and batteries for a simple spiral of blades that is 100-percent powered by your own two hands (a cost-effective solution for homes with only a small patch of grass, or folks looking for a workout).

To find the perfect mower for your needs, take a look around your yard.

The best wood chipsters will help you see the forest among the trees.

Corded Electric Lawn Mowers Have Many Benefits

It may seem counterintuitive that something designed to cut the ground is also equipped with a cord that stretches across the ground, but a corded electric mower can be one of the best push mowers for your yard. A cordless and corded electric mowers have different power outputs. A corded mower will have more power. The corded lawn mower is not as powerful as the gas-powered model, but it can cut through most suburban backyards. You can always count on it to be working. Mowers powered by batteries must be charged. A full charge can last less than one hour. A corded electric lawn mower can be your reliable, constant tool if you do not want to have to plan yard maintenance every minute. You will still need an electrical outlet.

A corded mower that does not have a battery can be lighter which can prove to be a great advantage. A corded mower user must always be attentive to the path and ensure that the cord is securely tied behind and over their shoulders. An extension cord of high quality, heavy duty will allow you to move more freely. Make sure your yard is in the range of the extension cord.

Corded mowers need very little maintenance. They can be stored in a shed all winter and start instantly on the first day of spring. And one of the biggest benefits of an electric mower is the small carbon footprint: there are no gas fumes and exhaust. Electric mowers can be quiet. Corded electric mowers have been around for decades, but they just might be the future of eco-friendly gas cutting.