Gas Push Mowers

Push mowers are less expensive and give you a workout

If you have a smaller yard and can get by without a self-propelled feature, you can save money. Several push mowers get good reviews.

The 21-inch Husqvarna 7021P (*Est. $285) gas push mower costs more than the Husqvarna 6021P (*Est. $220), but it uses a quieter, more durable and less polluting Honda OHV engine. The 7021P is available nationwide and offers the added benefit of being CARB-compliant, so it passes California's emissions requirements. The engine is the only difference between the two Husqvarna push mowers, but it's an important distinction.

It's reasonable to assume that the Husqvarna 7021P, with its lower emissions, performs at least as well as the cheaper 6021P. The latter is covered in comparison tests, which show that it handles well and is easy to use. It performs especially well in mulching mode, but can also side-discharge clippings or bag them to the rear. (A rear bag is best for a push mower since side bags can change the weight distribution and make it harder to push.)

The 12-inch rear wheels on both models aid maneuverability, especially on slopes. Both Husqvarna push mowers feature ball-bearing wheels -- a feature that experts say makes them easier to push. The soft-grip handles are adjustable and can be folded for storage. Husqvarna uses steel mower decks and backs its mowers with two-year warranties. The maximum cutting height on the Husqvarna 6021P and 7021P mowers is 3.42 inches; adjusting it requires changes at each of the four wheels.

Honda push mowers also have four-wheel cutting-height adjustment, steel decks and ball bearings in the rear wheels -- but all wheels are the same height. Still, the pricier Honda mowers offer some advantages. The maximum cutting height is slightly higher (3.5 inches), the warranties are for three years, and at 63 pounds, the 21-inch Honda HRS216PDA (*Est. $350) weighs 18 pounds less than the Husqvarna. Tests at ConsumerGuide.com report that this light weight makes the Honda push mower especially easy to maneuver.

The Honda has a manual choke and throttle, which some owners prefer (while others prefer the automatic controls on the Husqvarna). Instead of a rear bag, this mower side-discharges or mulches clippings. A side-discharge bag is an option, but experts say this type of setup is awkward to balance on a push mower. If you want a push Honda mower for bagging, consider the newer 21-inch Honda HRR216PDA (*Est. $440).

Note that objective tests find that the best corded electric mowers (discussed in the section on electric lawn mowers) perform as well as the best gas push mowers, and are recommended for the same size and type of lawn -- as long as the lawn is reasonably well kept.