I spend a lot of time thinking about how folks actually cut their grass, and the truth is that not every yard wants the same machine. Some lawns are postage-stamp small, others sprawl across half an acre, and a few sit on slopes that punish a weak drive system. This roundup mixes traditional gas-powered options with their battery-driven siblings, because the category has blurred and the right pick depends on your yard, your shoulders, and how much engine noise you can stomach on a Saturday morning.
A Closer Look At The Lineup
Greenworks 80V 21in Push Lawn Mower, 4.0 Ah Battery and Charger
PowerSmart EasyCut 18-Inch Gas Lawn Mower 144cc 5-Position Height
PowerSmart EasyGlide 21-Inch 3-in-1 Push Gas Lawn Mower
EGO POWER+ Self-Propelled Cordless Mower (LM2135SP)
PowerSmart 22-Inch 170cc Self Propelled Gas Lawn Mower
Litheli 40V 16 Inch Cordless Lawn Mower, 2×5.0Ah Batteries
Litheli Cordless Lawn Mower 14 Inch, Brushless Motor Push Mower
A Closer Look At Each Pick
Greenworks built this 21-inch walk-behind for households that want a gas engine’s cutting confidence without the noise, fumes, or oil changes. The brushless motor (a design with no physical brushes wearing down, so it runs cooler and lasts longer) is quieter than a typical four-stroke and shrugs off light dust and moisture better than brushed units.
For anyone living under an early-morning noise ordinance, or just tired of waking the block, this slot is the obvious pivot point in the roundup. It runs on the included 80V 4.0Ah pack, which charges back up in roughly an hour, so a Saturday mow and a Sunday touch-up are both realistic on a single battery rotation.
Useful Highlights
- Brushless motor delivers strong torque with low noise and a longer service life than brushed designs.
- Single-lever height adjustment saves time when switching from a trim cut to a longer summer cut.
- Up to about 60 minutes of runtime per charge covers most suburban lawns without a second pack.
- Rapid charger refills the 4.0Ah battery in roughly an hour for fast turnaround between cuts.
Points To Keep In Mind
- Battery runtime drops in tall or wet grass, so bigger yards may need a second pack for uninterrupted mowing.
- Push-only drive means inclines require more effort than self-propelled options later in this list.
Whose Lawn It Suits Best
Suburban homeowners with small-to-medium lawns who want cordless simplicity and a quiet Saturday morning.
Skip It When
Anyone with a half-acre of steep terrain should reach for the EGO POWER+ Self-Propelled Cordless Mower (LM2135SP) instead.
The EasyCut trims down where the Greenworks 80V felt like overkill. The 144cc 4-stroke OHV engine (an overhead-valve layout that burns fuel cleaner and runs cooler than older side-valve designs) is sized for tight lots, and the 18-inch deck slips through narrow side gates without scraping the trim.
Auto choke and a primer bulb take most of the drama out of cold starts, so this lands well for first-time mower owners who don’t want to fiddle with a manual throttle. For a flat city lot under a quarter acre, that’s the right level of capability, and the steel deck should hold up to a decade of weekend use if it gets cleaned after each cut.
Advantages To Know
- Auto choke and primer make cold starts easy for first-timers and infrequent users.
- 5-position height adjustment lets you dial in a short trim or a shaggy summer cut without tools.
- Steel deck stays rigid over bumpy ground, extending the mower’s useful life compared to plastic decks.
- Side-discharge path handles tall, thick grass without bogging the engine in a single pass.
Honest Caveats
- No bagging or mulching option, so clippings sit on the lawn for users who prefer a cleaner finish.
- Pull-cord starting requires two-handed yanks on chilly mornings; no electric start option.
- 18-inch deck means more passes on anything over a quarter acre, which adds up in time.
Feature Snapshot
Right Fit For
First-time mower owners with a flat city lot under a quarter acre who want a simple pull-start machine.
Consider Something Else When
Anyone wanting bagging or mulching should pivot to the PowerSmart EasyGlide 21-Inch 3-in-1 Push Gas Lawn Mower for the same engine family with more versatility.
Where the EasyCut sticks to side discharge, this sibling opens up the full cutting trifecta: bag, mulch, or discharge. The 144cc 4-stroke OHV engine returns, but the 21-inch deck covers more ground per pass, so a medium lawn finishes noticeably faster.
The 3-in-1 deck matters more than spec sheets suggest. Bagging keeps sidewalks clean for HOA-conscious neighborhoods, mulching feeds the lawn through hot summer weeks, and side discharge clears tall spring growth without clogging. For most households, having all three on tap removes the “wrong tool for the season” problem.
Everyday Perks
- 3-in-1 deck covers bagging, mulching, and side discharge without swapping parts between seasons.
- Stabilized engine body structure adds durability on bumpy terrain where lighter mowers flex.
- Auto choke and primer keep first-pull starts realistic across warm and cool weather.
- 21-inch deck trims mowing time on medium lawns compared to narrower walk-behinds.
Trade Offs To Consider
- Push-only drive still demands effort on inclines, unlike self-propelled options later in the list.
- Heavier than the 18-inch EasyCut, so storage in a tight garage corner may need planning.
The Right Fit
Homeowners with a quarter-to-half-acre lot who want one mower that adapts to bagging, mulching, and discharge across the year.
Look Elsewhere When
Anyone battling hilly terrain should skip up to the PowerSmart 22-Inch 170cc Self Propelled Gas Lawn Mower, which adds rear-wheel drive for slope traction.
EGO’s LM2135SP is the step-up tier for cordless shoppers. The 56V 7.5Ah battery ships with a secondary 5.0Ah pack, and the Select Cut multi-blade system lets you swap between mulching, high-lift bagging, and extended-runtime blades without tools.
Where the Greenworks 80V left you walking on flat ground, this machine walks you up the hill. The self-propelled rear drive lightens the load on slopes, and the twin-battery setup lets one pack charge while the other cuts. For households treating lawn care as a recurring chore rather than a weekend novelty, that workflow difference adds up over a season.
What Makes Sense
- Self-propelled drive reduces fatigue on slopes and larger yards compared to push-only options.
- Select Cut multi-blade system swaps between mulching, bagging, and extended-runtime cuts without tools.
- Twin-battery bundle extends runtime, letting one pack charge while the other cuts.
- Rapid charger refills the larger 7.5Ah pack faster than standard chargers, cutting downtime between mows.
Practical Considerations
- Heavier than the Greenworks 80V push mower, which can matter for users with stairs or steep shed entries.
- Premium tier pricing reflects the dual batteries and self-propelled drive, so budget-focused shoppers should look at simpler picks.
- Battery storage matters in cold climates, since lithium packs lose capacity when stored below freezing.
Key Product Details
Made For
Households with larger or sloped lawns who want gas-like cutting power without engine noise or fuel mixing.
Another Choice May Suit
Shoppers who prefer the traditional gas feel and lower upfront cost should look at the PowerSmart 22-Inch 170cc Self Propelled Gas Lawn Mower instead.
This is the gas-powered counterweight to the EGO LM2135SP, and the one to grab when thick grass and uneven ground are part of the weekly routine. The 170cc 4-stroke OHV engine pushes through tall spring growth that would stall a smaller 144cc unit, and the 22-inch deck eats up ground fast.
Rear-wheel drive is the real story here. On flat lawns, self-propelled mowers can feel like overkill, but on the slopes that come with many suburban lots, the rear wheels pull the deck uphill while you steer. For homeowners who have been fighting a push mower across a hill all summer, that single feature tends to justify the upgrade.
Well-Handled Touches
- 170cc engine delivers enough torque for thick, tall grass that smaller engines stall on.
- Rear-wheel self-propelled drive provides better traction on slopes and uneven terrain.
- 22-inch steel deck covers more ground per pass, reducing mow time on larger yards.
- Auto choke simplifies starts across temperature swings from spring into fall.
Things To Weigh
- Gas engine requires seasonal maintenance: oil changes, spark plug checks, and fuel stabilizer for off-season storage.
- Heavier than cordless equivalents, so deck lifting onto a trailer or into a truck bed takes more muscle.
- Noise and exhaust fumes mean it’s less friendly for early-morning or HOA-quiet-hour use.
Built With In Mind
Homeowners with half-acre-plus yards and sloped terrain who want raw gas cutting power with drive assist.
Swap It Out When
Anyone wanting cordless quiet and simpler maintenance should pivot to the EGO POWER+ Self-Propelled Cordless Mower (LM2135SP) for a similar drive system without fuel.
Litheli’s 40V platform splits the difference between the Greenworks 80V push mower and the bulkier EGO LM2135SP. The dual 5.0Ah batteries run the brushless motor at full 40V output until depleted, and the 16-inch deck keeps the footprint small enough for tight sheds.
Six height settings between 25 and 75 millimeters cover everything from a close fairway-style cut to a tall summer cut that hides minor lawn imperfections. The 50-liter collection bag means fewer trips to the compost pile, and the mulching plug redirects clippings back into the turf when conditions are right.
A Few Highlights
- Dual 5.0Ah batteries maintain full 40V output without the gradual power sag single-battery setups can show.
- Six height settings between 25 and 75 mm cover close trims and tall summer cuts without tools.
- 50L collection bag cuts down on emptying trips during longer mow sessions.
- Brushless motor needs no oil, spark plug, or carburetor service, simplifying yearly maintenance.
Small Caveats
- Both batteries must be inserted to operate, so forgetting to charge a pack means no mowing that day.
- 16-inch deck means more passes than the Greenworks 80V on medium lawns, which adds up in time.
Feature Rundown
Best Suited To
Mid-size suburban lawns where owners want cordless convenience and finer height control than the Greenworks 80V offers.
Reach For A Different Pick When
Anyone needing self-propelled drive on a slope should pivot to the PowerSmart 22-Inch 170cc Self Propelled Gas Lawn Mower for muscle and traction.
The 14-inch Litheli is the smallest, lightest walk-behind in this roundup, and the one I’d hand to anyone who’s been nervous about pushing a heavier mower up a ramp or across damp grass. The brushless motor removes the usual gas-engine maintenance: no oil changes, no spark plug swaps, no carburetor cleaning.
Five height positions between 1 and 2.5 inches let users dial in their preferred cut, and the folding handle collapses the deck into a footprint that fits a closet or a narrow garden shed. For households with a postage-stamp front lawn or a tidy backyard strip, this slot is the easy choice.
A Strong Showing
- Lightweight design reduces arm and shoulder fatigue during longer push sessions.
- Quick-fold handle shrinks the mower for tight garages or small garden sheds.
- Brushless motor delivers quiet operation without the oil-and-spark-plug maintenance gas engines need.
- Adjustable handle promotes a healthier mowing posture for shorter or older users.
Points To Note
- 14-inch deck means substantially more passes on any lawn over 1,500 square feet.
- Single 5.0Ah battery limits continuous runtime, so larger yards may need a top-up charge to finish.
- No self-propelled drive, so pushing on slopes requires the user’s own leg power.
Who Will Love This
Owners of small lawns, seniors, or anyone who wants the lightest, easiest-to-store walk-behind mower on the list.
A Better Fit Elsewhere
Anyone with a medium lawn wanting fewer passes and longer runtime should step up to the Litheli 40V 16 Inch Cordless Lawn Mower with its dual-battery setup.
Choosing The Right Mower For Your Yard
Picking the right walk-behind comes down to four real questions: how big the lawn is, how steep the ground sits, how much noise you can tolerate, and how much seasonal upkeep you’re willing to do. A small flat lot under a quarter acre doesn’t need the same machine as a half-acre slope with thick fescue, and forcing the wrong match usually ends with frustration, broken belts, or a mower that sits in the garage by July.
Deck size and yard scale. Deck width controls how many passes it takes to finish the job. An 18-inch deck covers a postage-stamp lot fast but triples the lap count on a half-acre, while a 22-inch deck handles larger areas in reasonable time. Match deck size to lawn area rather than buying the widest machine and hoping for the best.
Drive type for terrain. Push-only mowers are lighter, cheaper, and easier to store, but they hand all the slope work to your legs. Self-propelled rear-wheel drive pulls the deck uphill and across uneven ground, and front-wheel drive tends to maneuver better on flat lawns with lots of turns. For any meaningful slope, drive assist earns its keep quickly.
Gas versus cordless tradeoff. Gas engines deliver consistent power and long runtime, but they require oil changes, spark plug service, and fuel stabilizer for winter storage. Cordless mowers trade some peak torque for quieter operation, zero fuel mixing, and near-zero engine maintenance. For most suburban lawns under a half acre, cordless has quietly become the easier choice, but gas still wins for thick grass and continuous heavy use.
Cutting modes and bag capacity. Bagging keeps walkways clean for HOA-conscious neighborhoods, mulching feeds the lawn through summer heat, and side discharge clears tall growth fast. A 3-in-1 deck covers all three without tool swaps, while a 50L bag cuts down on emptying trips during longer sessions. Match the cut mode to how often you mow and how tidy you want the finished lawn to look.
Mistakes First-Time Shoppers Hit
Buying more machine than the yard needs. A 22-inch self-propelled gas mower on a small flat lot is wasted money and storage space. Match the mower to the lawn, not the lawn you wish you had.
Ignoring slope and drive type. A push-only mower on a steep lot turns a Saturday chore into an upper-body workout. Self-propelled rear-wheel drive exists for exactly this situation.
When The Upgrade Pays Off
Larger engines and wider decks. Going from a 144cc 18-inch deck to a 170cc 22-inch deck cuts mowing time noticeably on half-acre-plus lawns. The extra torque also resists bogging in tall spring grass, which smaller engines stall on.
Self-propelled drive and dual batteries. Rear-wheel drive and a second battery pack add upfront cost but reduce fatigue and downtime across a full mowing season. For households treating lawn care as a recurring chore, the upgrade pays back in time saved and weekends preserved.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a cordless lawn mower battery last? Most 40V to 80V packs in this category run 30 to 60 minutes per charge, depending on grass height, terrain, and cutting mode. Thicker grass and mulching pull runtime down, while side discharge and bagging tend to extend it.
What size mower deck do I need for a quarter-acre lot? An 18 to 21-inch deck covers a quarter acre efficiently without becoming unwieldy in storage. Smaller decks force extra passes, and wider decks add weight that push mowers don’t always need.
Are gas lawn mowers better than cordless for thick grass? Gas engines still deliver higher peak torque for tall, wet, or thick grass without bogging. Cordless mowers have closed the gap for typical suburban lawns, but heavy growth cycles still favor gas in many cases.
How often should I service a gas walk-behind mower? Oil changes once per season, spark plug replacement annually, and air filter checks every few mows are typical. Fuel stabilizer matters for off-season storage, since stale gasoline gums up carburetors and causes hard starts in spring.
Can I store a cordless mower outdoors? Indoor storage in a dry shed or garage is best, since lithium batteries degrade in extreme cold and sustained humidity. A covered outdoor spot works for short-term storage but shortens battery life over years.
The Takeaway
A 14-inch cordless push mower handles a tiny yard just as well as a 22-inch gas self-propelled handles a half-acre slope, and forcing the wrong match wastes money and muscle. Look at the lawn honestly, then pick the slot that fits the grass, the ground, and your tolerance for engine noise.