6 Best Affordable Push Lawn Mowers of 2025

This cordless electric beast redefines what you can expect from an affordable, high-performance push mower. With a 16-inch cutting deck and dual 20V 4.0Ah lithium batteries, the Litheli delivers serious runtime—up to 30 minutes on a single charge, enough to tackle lawns up to 2,700 sq. ft. The coreless motor technology isn’t just a buzzword; it translates into higher torque, quieter mowing, and longer motor life, making it a standout in the budget electric category. For homeowners tired of gas fumes and cord hassles, this mower offers true cordless freedom while still packing enough power for medium-sized yards.

In real-world testing, the Litheli shines on flat, well-maintained lawns with medium grass height. The 6-position height adjustment (0.98″ to 2.98″) lets you fine-tune your cut seasonally, and the folding handle makes storage a breeze in tight garages or sheds. However, it starts to struggle on wet grass or thick overgrowth, where the blades can bog down—typical for electric mowers in this class. The 20,000mAh total battery capacity is impressive, but heavy users may still need to pause for a recharge on larger properties. That said, the tool-free blade access and push-button start make maintenance and operation refreshingly simple.

Compared to the VEVOR reel mower, the Litheli offers effortless power and speed, making it ideal for those who value convenience over eco-purity. It doesn’t match the raw deck size of gas-powered beasts like the AMERISUN 21″, but it beats them in noise, emissions, and startup ease. This is the perfect pick for urban or suburban homeowners with small to medium lawns who want reliable, quiet, and clean mowing without breaking the bank. For the features, performance, and included battery ecosystem, it offers more bang for the buck than the Greenworks 48V, despite a slightly shorter runtime.

The VEVOR 14-inch reel mower is a quiet, eco-conscious triumph for small-lawn owners who value sustainability and simplicity. With five high-carbon steel blades and a precision 14-inch cutting width, it delivers a scissor-like cut that keeps grass healthy and reduces browning—ideal for cool-season lawns. The adjustable height (0.6″ to 1.75″) lets you tailor your trim for spring growth or summer maintenance, while the ergonomic U-shaped handle significantly reduces back and arm strain, making it a great choice for seniors or eco-focused gardeners.

In testing, the VEVOR excels on dry, short grass under 4 inches tall, slicing cleanly and collecting 70–80% of clippings in its handy grass catcher bag. It handles flat lawns and driveways with ease, and the tool-free 10-minute assembly means you’re mowing the same day you unbox it. However, it struggles on tall, wet, or tangled grass, requiring multiple passes or pre-trimming—this isn’t a mower for neglected lawns. The large wheels help with traction, but pushing on uneven terrain can still feel labor-intensive compared to self-propelled models.

When stacked against the American Lawn Mower 1204-14, the VEVOR offers a more durable 5-blade system and included grass catcher, giving it an edge in usability and clean-up. It’s not as powerful as any motorized option, but for tiny urban yards or environmentally conscious users, it’s a no-compromise solution. Compared to battery mowers like the Litheli, it’s cheaper, quieter, and zero-emission, but demands more physical effort. If you want a peaceful, green mow with zero maintenance, this is the most affordable and eco-smart entry in the lineup.

The American Lawn Mower 1204-14 is a no-nonsense, American-built classic that proves sometimes, less is more. With a 14-inch 4-blade reel system and polymer wheels, it offers smooth, clean cuts on small lawns, delivering the healthiest possible trim by slicing grass blades cleanly—no tearing. At just 19 pounds, it’s incredibly lightweight and easy to maneuver, making it perfect for tight spaces, small yards, or touch-up mowing between full cuts. Its adjustable height (0.5″ to 1.75″) allows for precise control, especially when maintaining short turf.

On the ground, it performs best on dry, well-maintained grass under 4 inches, where it cuts effortlessly and quietly. However, wet or overgrown grass quickly becomes a challenge, requiring slow, deliberate passes and frequent overlap. The lack of a grass catcher means you’ll need to rake or blow clippings afterward—a trade-off for simplicity and low cost. While it’s not designed for large or rough lawns, it’s ideal for daily light trimming, garden edges, or eco-conscious users who want a zero-emission, zero-maintenance solution.

Compared to the VEVOR 14″, it’s slightly lighter and more compact, but loses points for missing a grass bag and having one fewer blade. It doesn’t compete with electric or gas mowers in speed or power, but for small, flat lawns, it’s a reliable, long-lasting workhorse. If you’re after a simple, durable, and ultra-low-maintenance mower and don’t mind a little elbow grease, this American-made model outshines budget imports in build quality and longevity. It offers better craftsmanship than the VEVOR, though with fewer user-friendly extras.

The Greenworks 48V 17-inch mower is a cordless powerhouse that brings gas-like performance without the noise or fumes. With dual 4.0Ah batteries, it delivers up to 45 minutes of runtime, easily handling medium to large yards with a single charge. The 17-inch rust-resistant poly deck is lightweight yet durable, and the 5-position single-lever height adjustment makes changing cut heights a breeze—no fumbling with individual wheels. Its push-button start and quiet operation make it a joy to use, especially in neighborhoods with early-morning mowing restrictions.

In real-world use, this mower handles thick grass with ease, thanks to its high-torque 48V motor, and transitions smoothly between mulching and bagging modes. The 2-in-1 design lets you choose to mulch clippings for lawn nutrition or collect them in the rear bag, giving you flexibility based on your lawn care routine. It performs best on flat to gently sloped lawns, though the lightweight build can feel less stable on rough terrain. While it doesn’t match the raw power of gas models on very tall grass, it comes remarkably close for an electric.

Compared to the Litheli 16″, the Greenworks offers more deck width, longer runtime, and better mulching capability, making it the superior choice for larger lawns. Against gas mowers like the AMERISUN 21″, it trades some raw power for zero emissions, lower noise, and no maintenance. It’s not self-propelled, so it requires more push effort than models like the PowerSmart, but for homeowners who want a clean, powerful, and versatile electric mower, this is the top-tier pick. It delivers better runtime and deck size than Litheli, justifying its higher cost with serious performance upgrades.

The AMERISUN 21″ gas mower is a brute-force workhorse built for large lawns and tough mowing conditions. With a 144cc OHV 4-stroke engine and auto-choke ignition, it starts easily and delivers consistent, powerful performance, even in hot weather or on thick, overgrown grass. The 21-inch steel deck cuts a wide path, slashing mowing time in half compared to smaller models, while the 3-in-1 system (bagging, mulching, side discharge) gives you full control over clippings. The single-lever 6-position height adjustment (1.5″ to 3.9″) makes switching cut heights fast and intuitive.

In field testing, this mower powers through tall, dry grass with ease, a task that would stall most electric or reel models. The large 10″ rear wheels ensure smooth rolling over uneven terrain, and the 1.4-bushel grass catcher holds plenty before needing emptying. However, it’s noisy and emits fumes, making it less neighbor-friendly than electric options. It also requires seasonal maintenance—oil changes, air filter checks, and winterizing—unlike maintenance-free electric models. While it starts ready-to-use out of the box, the foldable handle helps with storage, though it’s still bulky.

Compared to the PowerSmart self-propelled model, the AMERISUN offers nearly identical specs but lacks self-propulsion, meaning you’ll do more pushing on slopes or large yards. Against the Greenworks 48V, it wins in raw power and runtime but loses in noise, emissions, and convenience. This is the ideal choice for homeowners with large, overgrown, or uneven lawns who need maximum cutting power and speed. It delivers more deck width and engine strength than any other model here, making it the most capable push mower for serious mowing jobs.

The PowerSmart 21-inch mower is the ultimate self-propelled powerhouse for homeowners who want effortless mowing on large or hilly lawns. Backed by a 140cc Briggs & Stratton engine, it delivers smooth, reliable starts and consistent power, even under heavy grass loads. The 21-inch steel deck covers ground quickly, while the 3-in-1 system (bag, mulch, rear discharge) gives you total flexibility in clippings management. But the real game-changer is the self-propelled rear-wheel drive, which eliminates pushing fatigue—especially on slopes or wet terrain.

In real-world use, this mower effortlessly glides over uneven ground, thanks to its large 10″ rear wheels and rear-wheel drive system. The 6-position single-lever height adjustment makes it easy to switch between cut types, and the 1.4-bushel bag fills slowly, reducing stops. It handles thick, tall grass with confidence, outperforming electric and manual models by a wide margin. However, like all gas mowers, it’s loud and requires fuel and oil maintenance, and the bulk makes storage tricky in small sheds.

Compared to the AMERISUN 21″, it offers nearly identical deck size and cutting modes, but wins with self-propulsion and B&S engine reliability. Against the Greenworks 48V, it dominates in power and runtime, but loses in noise and eco-friendliness. This is the best choice for large, sloped, or overgrown yards where pushing a mower would be exhausting. For the best balance of power, ease, and durability, it outperforms all non-self-propelled models—delivering smoother operation than AMERISUN at a slightly higher price.