I’ve researched and compared the best hand push manual lawn mowers on the UK market. My top recommendation is the Bosch AHM 38 G Manual Hand Push Lawn Mower.
My Top Recommended Hand Push Manual Lawn Mowers
1. Best for creating stripes - Bosch AHM 38 G Manual Hand Push Lawn Mower[ SAVE 8% ]
2. Best for comfort - Gardena Comfort Hand Push Lawn Mower
3. Best hand push mower overall - WEBB WEH30 Manual Hand Push Lawn Mower
4. Best value hand push mower - Einhell GE-HM 38 S Push Lawn Mower
5. Best for small gardens - Einhell GC-HM 30 Manual Hand Push Lawn Mower
6. Best lightweight mower - Garden Gear Manual Hand Push Lawn Mower
7. Best for uneven terrain - Fiskars StaySharp Plus Manual Lawnmower
8. Best for mulching - Murray HM400 Hand Push Cylinder Mower[ SAVE 14% ]
9. Best for medium lawns - Sprint Hand Push Manual Mower
10. Best cutting height range - Oypla Manual Hand Push Lawn Mower
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Who said that using powerful machines was the only way to get those excellent stripes running up and down the lawn? If you’re looking to achieve this kind of satisfying football-pitch finish, without using any fuel, the Bosch AHM 38 G Manual Hand Push Lawn Mower comes with a rear roller attached to help realise this goal.
With five steel blades, that cut neatly on a cylindrical drum, this push mower cleanly cuts through grass without chewing it up in the process. Covering a 38 cm width in each pass, small and medium gardens are easily managed, and the rear roller creates stripes that are both clearly visible and aesthetically pleasing.
At 6.9 kg, this is at the lighter end of the mowers featured here, making it straight-forward to navigate around corners and easy to turn around in smaller gardens. It can also tackle a variety of lawns, able to cut through some thicker grass, and offers several cutting heights from 12 – 40 mm in order to create different finishes.
Using the various cutting heights can also help in tackling longer grass, as it can be approached in stages to avoid jamming the blades.
A 25 L grass box comes included, which is somewhat of a revelation considering the number of hand push lawn mowers that don’t come with one as standard. It attaches easily to the body of the mower and collects grass relatively efficiently, but does require fairly frequent emptying.
The assembly instructions are slightly lacking, but it still shouldn’t take longer than 20 minutes to get this push mower up and running. Whilst a small spanner is supplied, an adjustable spanner can make much lighter work of the task.
Best for creating stripes
Scores:
- Design
- Performance
- Manouverability
- Assembly Ease
- Value for Money
- Overall
Who said that using powerful machines was the only way to get those excellent stripes running up and down the lawn? If you’re looking to achieve this kind of satisfying football-pitch finish, without using any fuel, the Bosch AHM 38 G Manual Hand Push Lawn Mower comes with a rear roller attached to help realise this goal.
With five steel blades, that cut neatly on a cylindrical drum, this push mower cleanly cuts through grass without chewing it up in the process. Covering a 38 cm width in each pass, small and medium gardens are easily managed, and the rear roller creates stripes that are both clearly visible and aesthetically pleasing.
At 6.9 kg, this is at the lighter end of the mowers featured here, making it straight-forward to navigate around corners and easy to turn around in smaller gardens. It can also tackle a variety of lawns, able to cut through some thicker grass, and offers several cutting heights from 12 – 40 mm in order to create different finishes.
Using the various cutting heights can also help in tackling longer grass, as it can be approached in stages to avoid jamming the blades.
A 25 L grass box comes included, which is somewhat of a revelation considering the number of hand push lawn mowers that don’t come with one as standard. It attaches easily to the body of the mower and collects grass relatively efficiently, but does require fairly frequent emptying.
The assembly instructions are slightly lacking, but it still shouldn’t take longer than 20 minutes to get this push mower up and running. Whilst a small spanner is supplied, an adjustable spanner can make much lighter work of the task.
Features:
- Lawn Size
- Small lawns
- Cutting Width
- 38 cm
- Cutting Heights
- 12 – 40mm
- No. of Heights
- Adjustable
- No. of Blades
- 5
- Collection Bag
- Yes
- Bag Size
- 25 L
- Weight
- 6.9 kg
Pros
- Very quiet, only emitting a light 'whirring' sound from the blades.
- Can be made compact for storage as the handle can be removed by undoing two clips.
- Avoids causing grass to get yellow tips by very cleanly cutting the grass blades.
- Can work adequately even on damp grass.
Cons
- The grass collector can miss grass if the correct speed is not adopted when pushing the mower.
- The instructions are only in diagram format and can be a little difficult to understand.
- Long grass may cause the blades to jam.
- Undulating ground can make the mower difficult to push.
Mowing the lawn can be hard work for a number of reasons, and often the hands, arms and back suffer when pushing the mower. This can be especially true when using a manual, hand-push mower, but it doesn’t have to be the case. The Gardena Comfort Handy Push Lawn Mower is, as the name suggests, built ergonomically with comfort in mind.
Lightweight, at 9.4 kg, there won’t be any backache caused by moving this push mower in and out of the shed, and the rounded ergonomic bar handle is comfortable to hold for an extended period without digging in to the hands.
Gardena has also taken steps to make this mower easier to push by employing ‘touchless cutting technology’. This means the blades don’t interfere with each other and therefore there’s no need to fight against their resistance whilst pushing. This means all your effort is translated into cutting power.
It’s a model that has been designed for use in areas of up to 250 m², so it’s suitable for small and medium gardens. Of course, it will cope with larger areas too, but more passes will be required. In general, the 40 cm working width ensures jobs don’t take too long, without being too large to navigate around some smaller areas.
With 4 cutting heights to choose from, ranging from 12 – 42 mm, both long and short finishes can be achieved. Longer grass can also be tackled in stages, over several passes, to avoid jamming the mower or causing too much resistance.
The main thing letting this push mower down, compared to other models of a similar price, is that it doesn’t come with a collection bag. The bag can be bought separately, or the mower can be used without; however, it can be time consuming to rake up the cuttings.
Best for comfort
Scores:
- Design
- Performance
- Manouverability
- Assembly Ease
- Value for Money
- Overall
Mowing the lawn can be hard work for a number of reasons, and often the hands, arms and back suffer when pushing the mower. This can be especially true when using a manual, hand-push mower, but it doesn’t have to be the case. The Gardena Comfort Handy Push Lawn Mower is, as the name suggests, built ergonomically with comfort in mind.
Lightweight, at 9.4 kg, there won’t be any backache caused by moving this push mower in and out of the shed, and the rounded ergonomic bar handle is comfortable to hold for an extended period without digging in to the hands.
Gardena has also taken steps to make this mower easier to push by employing ‘touchless cutting technology’. This means the blades don’t interfere with each other and therefore there’s no need to fight against their resistance whilst pushing. This means all your effort is translated into cutting power.
It’s a model that has been designed for use in areas of up to 250 m², so it’s suitable for small and medium gardens. Of course, it will cope with larger areas too, but more passes will be required. In general, the 40 cm working width ensures jobs don’t take too long, without being too large to navigate around some smaller areas.
With 4 cutting heights to choose from, ranging from 12 – 42 mm, both long and short finishes can be achieved. Longer grass can also be tackled in stages, over several passes, to avoid jamming the mower or causing too much resistance.
The main thing letting this push mower down, compared to other models of a similar price, is that it doesn’t come with a collection bag. The bag can be bought separately, or the mower can be used without; however, it can be time consuming to rake up the cuttings.
Features:
- Lawn Size
- 250 m²
- Cutting Width
- 40 cm
- Cutting Heights
- 12 – 42 mm
- No. of Heights
- 4
- No. of Blades
- 5
- Collection Bag
- No
- Bag Size
- n/a
- Weight
- 9.4 kg
Pros
- Can fold down small and be compact enough to fit into storage boxes and benches.
- Extremely quiet in use - won't disturb neighbours or family.
- Doesn't require too much exertion to push due to its light weight.
- Clippings are left on the grass and can be used as mulch to add nutrients to the lawn.
Cons
- One plastic screw is used to hold the handle in place, it needs to be treated with care to avoid damage.
- There is no collection bag for the grass cuttings so they end up on the lawn.
- May not cut wet grass as blades bend instead of cut.
- Garden needs to be cleared of leaves and twigs before use as they can jam the blades.
Whilst a lot of manual push mowers have either no grass-clippings collector, or one that is a little fragile and hard to put together, the WEBB WEH30 Hand Push Lawn Mower is the only model featured here with a solid 17 L grass collection box.
This makes it easier to empty, as the hard casing doesn’t need to be supported, and easier to remove and reattach to the mower by simply clicking it into place. One common theme with the grass collectors on these mowers is that the need relatively frequent emptying; this is standard across the board due to the size of the machine vs. the size of collector it can physically support. Whilst this push mower is no different, it still has a larger clippings capacity than some, and the solid clippings box makes the emptying process less of a hassle.
At 9.1 kg, this is a midweight mower; however, it has six hardened-steel cutting blades, instead of the standard five, which explains this additional weight. These blades are generally very effective, giving the mower great cutting power that can get through even slightly longer grass. Whilst 3 – 4 cm long grass is probably the limit for this mower, its cutting height can be adjusted from 10 – 40 mm which helps tackle them relatively reliably.
This WEBB WEH30 push mower comes partially assembled, but the assembly process is straight forward, only requiring the handles to be attached with wing nuts. This actually makes it easy to store after use, as the handles can be removed again without much problem. Alternatively, this push mower fits well into smaller spaces in the shed, even with the handles attached because of its ‘upright’ standing design .
Best hand push mower overall
Scores:
- Design
- Performance
- Manouverability
- Assembly Ease
- Value for Money
- Overall
Whilst a lot of manual push mowers have either no grass-clippings collector, or one that is a little fragile and hard to put together, the WEBB WEH30 Hand Push Lawn Mower is the only model featured here with a solid 17 L grass collection box.
This makes it easier to empty, as the hard casing doesn’t need to be supported, and easier to remove and reattach to the mower by simply clicking it into place. One common theme with the grass collectors on these mowers is that the need relatively frequent emptying; this is standard across the board due to the size of the machine vs. the size of collector it can physically support. Whilst this push mower is no different, it still has a larger clippings capacity than some, and the solid clippings box makes the emptying process less of a hassle.
At 9.1 kg, this is a midweight mower; however, it has six hardened-steel cutting blades, instead of the standard five, which explains this additional weight. These blades are generally very effective, giving the mower great cutting power that can get through even slightly longer grass. Whilst 3 – 4 cm long grass is probably the limit for this mower, its cutting height can be adjusted from 10 – 40 mm which helps tackle them relatively reliably.
This WEBB WEH30 push mower comes partially assembled, but the assembly process is straight forward, only requiring the handles to be attached with wing nuts. This actually makes it easy to store after use, as the handles can be removed again without much problem. Alternatively, this push mower fits well into smaller spaces in the shed, even with the handles attached because of its ‘upright’ standing design .
Features:
- Lawn Size
- Small to medium lawns
- Cutting Width
- 30 cm
- Cutting Heights
- 10 – 40 mm
- No. of Heights
- 4
- No. of Blades
- 6
- Collection Bag
- Yes
- Bag Size
- 17 L
- Weight
- 9.1 kg
Pros
- The upper half of the handle can be removed for easier storage.
- Lightweight enough to be manageable on slops and to carry around multi-level gardens.
- Wheels have good grip and do not slip on the lawn.
- Solid grass collection box is easier to unclip and remove than many mesh/basket versions.
- Compact to store as stands 'upright' when at rest.
Cons
- May not be able to tackle long grass more than 3 - 4 cm.
- On a bumpy lawn the grass box may get dislodged and fall off.
- May cut too deep into the lawn if it encounters bumps.
- The roller may not be heavy enough to create clearly defined strips in the lawn.
The Einhell GE-HM 38 S Push Lawn Mower is one of the best manual push lawnmowers to buy on a budget; it’s functional and well designed, without any (sometimes unnecessary) mod-cons pushing the price up. It’s a decent, basic push mower which efficiently completes its primary function: neatly cutting the grass.
Weighing 7.77 kg, with a 38 cm cutting width, it isn’t overly cumbersome yet is wide enough to cover small to medium gardens relatively quickly.
Plus, as a push mower, it’s a quiet and environmentally friendly option, which still offers all the usual benefits of an electric or petrol model. There are four cutting heights, ranging from 13 to 38 mm, leaving plenty of options depending on personal preference and desired finish.
Five steel blades provide the cutting power, and they use a ‘contactless’ system so that there is less friction and resistance felt when pushing the unit.
As a cheaper option, this push mower is not particularly well suited to tackling longer grass; however, as long as mowing is done relatively frequently and not left for weeks at a time, it shouldn’t be necessary to drag the electric mower out.
Best value hand push mower
Scores:
- Design
- Performance
- Manouverability
- Assembly Ease
- Value for Money
- Overall
The Einhell GE-HM 38 S Push Lawn Mower is one of the best manual push lawnmowers to buy on a budget; it’s functional and well designed, without any (sometimes unnecessary) mod-cons pushing the price up. It’s a decent, basic push mower which efficiently completes its primary function: neatly cutting the grass.
Weighing 7.77 kg, with a 38 cm cutting width, it isn’t overly cumbersome yet is wide enough to cover small to medium gardens relatively quickly.
Plus, as a push mower, it’s a quiet and environmentally friendly option, which still offers all the usual benefits of an electric or petrol model. There are four cutting heights, ranging from 13 to 38 mm, leaving plenty of options depending on personal preference and desired finish.
Five steel blades provide the cutting power, and they use a ‘contactless’ system so that there is less friction and resistance felt when pushing the unit.
As a cheaper option, this push mower is not particularly well suited to tackling longer grass; however, as long as mowing is done relatively frequently and not left for weeks at a time, it shouldn’t be necessary to drag the electric mower out.
Features:
- Lawn Size
- 250 m²
- Cutting Width
- 38 cm
- Cutting Heights
- 13 – 38 mm
- No. of Heights
- 4
- No. of Blades
- 5
- Collection Bag
- No
- Bag Size
- n/a
- Weight
- 7.77 kg
Pros
- Light enough to frequently take out of storage without being offputting.
- The cut is clean and precise, without chewing the grass blades.
- The large wheels have good traction and don't slip even if it's damp.
- Assembly is quick, completed in 5 - 10 minutes.
Cons
- No collection bag included so cut grass needs to be raked after mowing.
- Won't work on long grass, so lawn needs to be frequently mowed and kept short.
- May struggle to create an even cut on bumpy lawns.
- Can be hard going when used on inclines.
- Quiet, but not silent in use and also makes more noise when pulled backwards.
For gardens that contain a large number of obstacles, be they water features, flowerbeds, or washing lines, it can be difficult to find a mower that’s not too cumbersome to navigate around the lawn. The Einhell GC-HM 30 Manual Hand Push Lawn Mower has a cutting width of 30 cm, and an overall size of 58 cm wide, making it easy to manoeuvre and a good option for smaller gardens.
At 6.46 kg, this is a compact push mower that can be transported in the car if necessary, and it doesn’t require a lot of effort to get out of storage either. When the idea of getting machinery out of the shed is off putting, it’s natural that jobs get done less regularly, so a lightweight push mower can encourage regular lawn maintenance.
This Einhell push mower is also a good, practical weight to be used by any family member; so, whether the plan is to encourage teenagers to help out, or gift a manageable mower to grandparents, it will be suitable for the intended recipient.
Requiring a bit of ‘oomph’ on the first push, once away this mower moves smoothly without fighting back with too much resistance. It can tackle longer grass, and damp grass, within reason, but will be most effective on level lawns that receive fairly regular trims.
The cutting height is easily adjustable, ranging from 15 – 42 mm, so whether you’re looking to gradually cut down longer grass, or neaten shorter blades, there are options to choose from. It also comes with a 16 L collection bag which can help avoid making too much mess whilst mowing, although some grass blades may still be thrown out of the bag, so some raking may still be required post-mow.
Whilst you might not expect to find a roller attachment included in this price range, the Einhell Manual Push Mower does have a small roller connected to the back. It’s capable of creating small, subtle stripes on the lawn.
One further thing to note: due to the design of this mower, the distance between the outer edge of the wheel and the blades is approx. 8 cm. As a result, in can be difficult to get right up close to obstacles, and sheers may be required for the finishing touches.
Best for small gardens
Scores:
- Design
- Performance
- Manouverability
- Assembly Ease
- Value for Money
- Overall
For gardens that contain a large number of obstacles, be they water features, flowerbeds, or washing lines, it can be difficult to find a mower that’s not too cumbersome to navigate around the lawn. The Einhell GC-HM 30 Manual Hand Push Lawn Mower has a cutting width of 30 cm, and an overall size of 58 cm wide, making it easy to manoeuvre and a good option for smaller gardens.
At 6.46 kg, this is a compact push mower that can be transported in the car if necessary, and it doesn’t require a lot of effort to get out of storage either. When the idea of getting machinery out of the shed is off putting, it’s natural that jobs get done less regularly, so a lightweight push mower can encourage regular lawn maintenance.
This Einhell push mower is also a good, practical weight to be used by any family member; so, whether the plan is to encourage teenagers to help out, or gift a manageable mower to grandparents, it will be suitable for the intended recipient.
Requiring a bit of ‘oomph’ on the first push, once away this mower moves smoothly without fighting back with too much resistance. It can tackle longer grass, and damp grass, within reason, but will be most effective on level lawns that receive fairly regular trims.
The cutting height is easily adjustable, ranging from 15 – 42 mm, so whether you’re looking to gradually cut down longer grass, or neaten shorter blades, there are options to choose from. It also comes with a 16 L collection bag which can help avoid making too much mess whilst mowing, although some grass blades may still be thrown out of the bag, so some raking may still be required post-mow.
Whilst you might not expect to find a roller attachment included in this price range, the Einhell Manual Push Mower does have a small roller connected to the back. It’s capable of creating small, subtle stripes on the lawn.
One further thing to note: due to the design of this mower, the distance between the outer edge of the wheel and the blades is approx. 8 cm. As a result, in can be difficult to get right up close to obstacles, and sheers may be required for the finishing touches.
Features:
- Lawn Size
- 150 m²
- Cutting Width
- 30 cm
- Cutting Heights
- 15 – 42 mm
- No. of Heights
- Adjustable
- No. of Blades
- 5
- Collection Bag
- Yes
- Bag Size
- 16 L
- Weight
- 6.46 kg
Pros
- It can cut through damp grass (although best used on dry grass).
- Feels lighter to push than a hover lawnmower.
Cons
- There are no number markings on the cutting height adjustment, so it's trial and error.
- May struggle on long grass and is best suited to a relatively well-maintained lawn.
- Blades need to be adjusted on arrival and trying to use mower without doing can cause damage.
- It can't get very close to lawn edges and leaves an 8 cm border uncut (distance between outer wheel and where blades start.
Electric and petrol mowers can be heavy, but even certain hand push mowers can have a fair amount of weight to them. If you’re looking for a truly lightweight machine, suitable for gardeners of any age, this Garden Gear Manual Hand Push Lawn Mower weighs a comfortable 6.4 kg, making it the lightest of the models featured on this list.
With handles that can be detached by undoing screws, and a 30 cm cutting width, this lightweight mower is a compact unit that can easily be taken out of the shed and put away again. The amount of space it uses up is minimal, and it can even be packed into the car if required, to take to an allotment or relative’s house.
The push mower has 5 sturdy blades and is easy to push. Its manageable weight makes it suitable to work with over inclines and it has a choice of adjustable height settings from 12 – 45 mm.
As with most push mowers, it’s best suited to flat lawns that are relatively even and well maintained, especially as it has slightly less force behind it due to its light weight. Several passes will likely be required in areas with longer grass, but it does do a reasonable job at tackling them.
As a smaller unit, gardeners with small gardens will probably get the most out of this push mower; however, even medium-size gardens can be tackled, they’ll just require more passes due to its narrower width. A 17 L collection bag comes included which will be most compatible with a smaller lawn.
Best lightweight mower
Scores:
- Design
- Performance
- Manouverability
- Assembly Ease
- Value for Money
- Overall
Electric and petrol mowers can be heavy, but even certain hand push mowers can have a fair amount of weight to them. If you’re looking for a truly lightweight machine, suitable for gardeners of any age, this Garden Gear Manual Hand Push Lawn Mower weighs a comfortable 6.4 kg, making it the lightest of the models featured on this list.
With handles that can be detached by undoing screws, and a 30 cm cutting width, this lightweight mower is a compact unit that can easily be taken out of the shed and put away again. The amount of space it uses up is minimal, and it can even be packed into the car if required, to take to an allotment or relative’s house.
The push mower has 5 sturdy blades and is easy to push. Its manageable weight makes it suitable to work with over inclines and it has a choice of adjustable height settings from 12 – 45 mm.
As with most push mowers, it’s best suited to flat lawns that are relatively even and well maintained, especially as it has slightly less force behind it due to its light weight. Several passes will likely be required in areas with longer grass, but it does do a reasonable job at tackling them.
As a smaller unit, gardeners with small gardens will probably get the most out of this push mower; however, even medium-size gardens can be tackled, they’ll just require more passes due to its narrower width. A 17 L collection bag comes included which will be most compatible with a smaller lawn.
Features:
- Lawn Size
- Small lawns
- Cutting Width
- 30 cm
- Cutting Heights
- 12 – 45 mm
- No. of Heights
- Adjustable
- No. of Blades
- 5
- Collection Bag
- Yes
- Bag Size
- 17 L
- Weight
- 6.4 kg
Pros
- Strong enough to cut through tougher grass and stinging nettles.
- Light and small enough to be easy to move in and out of storage as well as transport in the car.
- Can adjust to cut at a short height which will also cut clover.
- Assembly is relatively straightforward in less than 25 mins.
- Will cut damp grass as well.
Cons
- Grass box may not efficiently catch all of the cuttings.
- The wheels do not always grip well and may slide on damper grass.
- May require several passes over the same area to achieve an even cut.
- Handle isn't foldable and requires screws to be undone to remove it.
The Fiskars StaySharp Plus Manual Lawnmower is particularly quiet, even on the scale of manual mowers, and will allow you to make the most of summer evenings (when it stays light until 10 pm), without feeling like the neighbourhood maverick.
On top of this, it’s also suitable for a range of terrains because it is fitted with four wheels. This helps improve stability, even across bumpy ground, making it easier to focus on pushing (instead of wasting energy balancing the mower). As a result, this mower is very easy to push and use.
With four cutting heights available, ranging from 40 – 100 mm, this is an ideal option for those who like their grass kept a little longer. However, if that sounds a bit too long, remember that push mowers generally need to be used weekly anyway, so a minimum height of 40 mm will still create a maintainable and neat finish.
The cut grass is thrown forwards, unlike with most manual lawn mowers that eject it to the back, which avoids projecting the clippings at your legs as you walk. Purchasing the additional clipping collection bag is a matter of personal preference, but when mowing so regularly, the small number of debris that is cast aside can be left and used as effective lawn mulch.
Although quite a lot heavier than the majority of push mowers featured on this list, at 18.6 kg, it is still manageable for most gardeners to comfortably use over an area of 200 – 300 m².
One thing to bear in mind though, is whether there are a lot of obstacles on the lawn, such as plants, flowerbeds, ornaments etc. It can be more difficult to constantly stop and start with this push mower, particularly compared with other models, as it helps to have a bit of momentum.
Best for uneven terrain
Scores:
- Design
- Performance
- Manouverability
- Assembly Ease
- Value for Money
- Overall
The Fiskars StaySharp Plus Manual Lawnmower is particularly quiet, even on the scale of manual mowers, and will allow you to make the most of summer evenings (when it stays light until 10 pm), without feeling like the neighbourhood maverick.
On top of this, it’s also suitable for a range of terrains because it is fitted with four wheels. This helps improve stability, even across bumpy ground, making it easier to focus on pushing (instead of wasting energy balancing the mower). As a result, this mower is very easy to push and use.
With four cutting heights available, ranging from 40 – 100 mm, this is an ideal option for those who like their grass kept a little longer. However, if that sounds a bit too long, remember that push mowers generally need to be used weekly anyway, so a minimum height of 40 mm will still create a maintainable and neat finish.
The cut grass is thrown forwards, unlike with most manual lawn mowers that eject it to the back, which avoids projecting the clippings at your legs as you walk. Purchasing the additional clipping collection bag is a matter of personal preference, but when mowing so regularly, the small number of debris that is cast aside can be left and used as effective lawn mulch.
Although quite a lot heavier than the majority of push mowers featured on this list, at 18.6 kg, it is still manageable for most gardeners to comfortably use over an area of 200 – 300 m².
One thing to bear in mind though, is whether there are a lot of obstacles on the lawn, such as plants, flowerbeds, ornaments etc. It can be more difficult to constantly stop and start with this push mower, particularly compared with other models, as it helps to have a bit of momentum.
Features:
- Lawn Size
- 200 – 300 m²
- Cutting Width
- 43 cm
- Cutting Heights
- 40 – 100 mm
- No. of Heights
- 8
- No. of Blades
- 5
- Collection Bag
- No
- Bag Size
- n/a
- Weight
- 18.6 kg
Pros
- Copes well with thicker grass, not just suitable for a fine lawn.
- Efficient to use: a plot of 40 m² can be mown in around 20 minutes.
- All screws and fasteners are made from metal so they won't damage or wear down.
- Quiet enough to mow in the evenings without disturbing neighbours.
- Easily manageable over 200 - 300 m² for most fitness levels.
Cons
- Does not come with a collection basket for clippings.
- The lowest cutting-height is higher than competitors and may be too high for some lawns.
- May not be suitable for gardens with a lot of obstacles as momentum is required to get a good cut.
- May be difficult to manoeuvre due to weight.
- Doesn't always cope well with inclines and may produce an uneven finish.
Depending on your gardening style, you may like the idea of leaving grass clippings on the lawn as fertiliser, or you may prefer to neatly collect them all up for composting. The Murray HM400 Hand Push Cylinder Mower makes either option possible. You can use the push mower’s large 20 L collection bag, or not, depending on whether you’d like to feed your lawn with mulch.
With cylindrical mower blades that arrive fully sharpened, this push mower slices through grass using a scissor-style chop which results in a clean shave for the lawn. When used regularly, only a small amount of height will need to be cut each time, creating fine clippings. These can either be lightly scattered over the garden as you mow, or fit in the grass collector.
Whilst the grass catcher does still require semi-frequent emptying, it’s easier to work with than those with smaller capacities. Depending on the size of the garden, and how substantial the trim, it may need to be emptied at every pass of the lawn. The best way to empty the collector is by taking grass out by hand because removing and reattaching the bag can be more trouble than it’s worth.
The height of the cut can be adjusted to fit your lawn and weather conditions – if the grass is damp, it can work better to use a higher setting. There are four height positions to choose from, between 13 and 38 mm.
This is a lightweight mower, weighing 9.5 kg, and should therefore be manageable for most gardeners.
Best for mulching
Scores:
- Design
- Performance
- Manouverability
- Assembly Ease
- Value for Money
- Overall
Depending on your gardening style, you may like the idea of leaving grass clippings on the lawn as fertiliser, or you may prefer to neatly collect them all up for composting. The Murray HM400 Hand Push Cylinder Mower makes either option possible. You can use the push mower’s large 20 L collection bag, or not, depending on whether you’d like to feed your lawn with mulch.
With cylindrical mower blades that arrive fully sharpened, this push mower slices through grass using a scissor-style chop which results in a clean shave for the lawn. When used regularly, only a small amount of height will need to be cut each time, creating fine clippings. These can either be lightly scattered over the garden as you mow, or fit in the grass collector.
Whilst the grass catcher does still require semi-frequent emptying, it’s easier to work with than those with smaller capacities. Depending on the size of the garden, and how substantial the trim, it may need to be emptied at every pass of the lawn. The best way to empty the collector is by taking grass out by hand because removing and reattaching the bag can be more trouble than it’s worth.
The height of the cut can be adjusted to fit your lawn and weather conditions – if the grass is damp, it can work better to use a higher setting. There are four height positions to choose from, between 13 and 38 mm.
This is a lightweight mower, weighing 9.5 kg, and should therefore be manageable for most gardeners.
Features:
- Lawn Size
- Small to medium
- Cutting Width
- 40 cm
- Cutting Heights
- 13 – 38 mm
- No. of Heights
- 4
- No. of Blades
- 5
- Collection Bag
- Yes
- Bag Size
- 20 L
- Weight
- 9.5 kg
Pros
- The blades arrive sharp and slice through the grass.
- Light enough for gardeners of all ages to manage easily.
- Cuts efficiently, trimming an area of around 70 m² in approx. 30 minutes.
- Creates clean cuts that don't result in yellowing grass tips.
Cons
- Best suited to a flat lawn, may create an uneven finish on slopes.
- Some grass may miss the collection bag, especially if it is slightly fuller.
- Likely to jam if it encounters sticks and debris.
- The handle is a little flexible which can make it hard to create perfectly straight cut lines.
- The grass box can be difficult to remove, it can be easier to scoop out grass than detach it.
For gardener’s with a medium-size garden, who are really looking to steer clear of externally powered machines, the Sprint Hand Push Manual Mower offers a good balance of manageability and size.
With a 40 cm cutting width, it’s hard to find a manual mower with a wider cut – especially one that still only weighs 9.5 kg like this model. This combination of lightweight design and larger coverage means it can be used over bigger areas without causing too much fatigue.
A 20 L collection bag comes included, keeping time spent emptying the grass catcher to a minimum. It still requires relatively frequent clearing out, but a larger bag would unbalance the machine so this creates a decent compromise.
Depending on the desired aesthetic for the lawn, the Sprint manual mower can be set to different cutting heights ranging from 13 – 38 mm. Whilst not intended for cutting very long grass, working through the heights gradually can help this mower manage slightly more challenging lawns.
If you have a larger garden, but are really keen to use a manual mower, it might be advisable to have an electric lawnmower on standby – not for frequent use, but just to help out if using the hand-push mower becomes too hard going.
Best for medium lawns
Scores:
- Design
- Performance
- Manouverability
- Assembly Ease
- Value for Money
- Overall
For gardener’s with a medium-size garden, who are really looking to steer clear of externally powered machines, the Sprint Hand Push Manual Mower offers a good balance of manageability and size.
With a 40 cm cutting width, it’s hard to find a manual mower with a wider cut – especially one that still only weighs 9.5 kg like this model. This combination of lightweight design and larger coverage means it can be used over bigger areas without causing too much fatigue.
A 20 L collection bag comes included, keeping time spent emptying the grass catcher to a minimum. It still requires relatively frequent clearing out, but a larger bag would unbalance the machine so this creates a decent compromise.
Depending on the desired aesthetic for the lawn, the Sprint manual mower can be set to different cutting heights ranging from 13 – 38 mm. Whilst not intended for cutting very long grass, working through the heights gradually can help this mower manage slightly more challenging lawns.
If you have a larger garden, but are really keen to use a manual mower, it might be advisable to have an electric lawnmower on standby – not for frequent use, but just to help out if using the hand-push mower becomes too hard going.
Features:
- Lawn Size
- Small to medium
- Cutting Width
- 40 cm
- Cutting Heights
- 13 – 38 mm
- No. of Heights
- 4
- No. of Blades
- 5
- Collection Bag
- Yes
- Bag Size
- 20 L
- Weight
- 9.5 kg
Pros
- Can cut through nettles and slightly thicker grass as well as standard lawn.
- Easy to assemble in around 10 minutes, just four bolts need to be positioned.
- More compact that most electric/petrol mowers and can store in smaller spaces.
Cons
- Uneven ground may cause it to eat into the earth and create an uneven finish.
- Grass collector fills up quickly when used on long grass.
- Because the grass collector has an open top, some grass can come out as the mower is moved.
When the lawn is growing fast, but your budget isn’t, consider turning your gaze to an affordable, yet functional, manual mower like the Oypla Manual Hand Push Lawn Mower. This reasonably-priced push mower won’t have a dramatic effect on your bank balance, but it will help to dramatically neaten up the garden.
It is well suited to smaller gardens, with a 30 cm cutting width that makes it easy to manoeuvre both around the lawn and back into storage. This narrower design is especially useful for gardens with narrow passageways and different ornaments because it can navigate them easily, whereas larger mowers can get stuck and be a nuisance to pull past bushes.
A lower price tag doesn’t result in a lower-quality mower, either, and this model cuts through standard lawn grass without any problems using its five sharpened blades. The cutting height can be adjusted between 14 and 47 mm, making it easier to tackle slightly longer grass too, or choose the specific finish desired for the lawn.
Whilst even some pricier manual mowers don’t come with a catcher bag for the clippings, this Oypla push mower has a 20 L collapsible collection bag which can be stored compactly when not required. This bag might not seem that big for larger garden, but it’s one of the biggest sizes that comes with push mowers, and it will certainly help in smaller areas, meaning no raking is required once the job is done.
As with the majority of hand push lawn mowers, not all of the clippings are thrown accurately in the bag by the mower – with no engine-power to help direct them, they can miss the catcher.
Best cutting height range
Scores:
- Design
- Performance
- Manouverability
- Assembly Ease
- Value for Money
- Overall
When the lawn is growing fast, but your budget isn’t, consider turning your gaze to an affordable, yet functional, manual mower like the Oypla Manual Hand Push Lawn Mower. This reasonably-priced push mower won’t have a dramatic effect on your bank balance, but it will help to dramatically neaten up the garden.
It is well suited to smaller gardens, with a 30 cm cutting width that makes it easy to manoeuvre both around the lawn and back into storage. This narrower design is especially useful for gardens with narrow passageways and different ornaments because it can navigate them easily, whereas larger mowers can get stuck and be a nuisance to pull past bushes.
A lower price tag doesn’t result in a lower-quality mower, either, and this model cuts through standard lawn grass without any problems using its five sharpened blades. The cutting height can be adjusted between 14 and 47 mm, making it easier to tackle slightly longer grass too, or choose the specific finish desired for the lawn.
Whilst even some pricier manual mowers don’t come with a catcher bag for the clippings, this Oypla push mower has a 20 L collapsible collection bag which can be stored compactly when not required. This bag might not seem that big for larger garden, but it’s one of the biggest sizes that comes with push mowers, and it will certainly help in smaller areas, meaning no raking is required once the job is done.
As with the majority of hand push lawn mowers, not all of the clippings are thrown accurately in the bag by the mower – with no engine-power to help direct them, they can miss the catcher.
Features:
- Lawn Size
- Small lawns
- Cutting Width
- 30 cm
- Cutting Heights
- 14 – 47mm
- No. of Heights
- Adjustable
- No. of Blades
- 5
- Collection Bag
- Yes
- Bag Size
- 20 L
- Weight
- 7.95 kg
Pros
- The blades won't cut into the ground when used on an uneven surface.
- It is small enough to transport in the car.
- A good size for small gardens due to width and collection bag.
- Can cope with clumps of heavier, thicker grass.
Cons
- The nuts and bolts may start to loosen through use so need to be checked occasionally.
- The grass collector may tip when used on uneven ground.
- Some clippings may miss the when mowing.
Compare Product Features Here
Use the dropdown to sort the table by the feature that's most important to you.
- Our score
- Lawn Size
- Cutting Width
- Cutting Heights
- No. of Heights
- No. of Blades
- Collection Bag
- Bag Size
- Weight
-
- Lawn SizeSmall lawns
- Cutting Width38 cm
- Cutting Heights12 – 40mm
- No. of HeightsAdjustable
- No. of Blades5
- Collection BagYes
- Bag Size25 L
- Weight6.9 kg
-
- Lawn Size250 m²
- Cutting Width40 cm
- Cutting Heights12 – 42 mm
- No. of Heights4
- No. of Blades5
- Collection BagNo
- Bag Sizen/a
- Weight9.4 kg
-
- Lawn SizeSmall to medium lawns
- Cutting Width30 cm
- Cutting Heights10 – 40 mm
- No. of Heights4
- No. of Blades6
- Collection BagYes
- Bag Size17 L
- Weight9.1 kg
-
- Lawn Size250 m²
- Cutting Width38 cm
- Cutting Heights13 – 38 mm
- No. of Heights4
- No. of Blades5
- Collection BagNo
- Bag Sizen/a
- Weight7.77 kg
-
- Lawn Size150 m²
- Cutting Width30 cm
- Cutting Heights15 – 42 mm
- No. of HeightsAdjustable
- No. of Blades5
- Collection BagYes
- Bag Size16 L
- Weight6.46 kg
-
- Lawn SizeSmall lawns
- Cutting Width30 cm
- Cutting Heights12 – 45 mm
- No. of HeightsAdjustable
- No. of Blades5
- Collection BagYes
- Bag Size17 L
- Weight6.4 kg
-
- Lawn Size200 – 300 m²
- Cutting Width43 cm
- Cutting Heights40 – 100 mm
- No. of Heights8
- No. of Blades5
- Collection BagNo
- Bag Sizen/a
- Weight18.6 kg
-
- Lawn SizeSmall to medium
- Cutting Width40 cm
- Cutting Heights13 – 38 mm
- No. of Heights4
- No. of Blades5
- Collection BagYes
- Bag Size20 L
- Weight9.5 kg
-
- Lawn SizeSmall to medium
- Cutting Width40 cm
- Cutting Heights13 – 38 mm
- No. of Heights4
- No. of Blades5
- Collection BagYes
- Bag Size20 L
- Weight9.5 kg
-
- Lawn SizeSmall lawns
- Cutting Width30 cm
- Cutting Heights14 – 47mm
- No. of HeightsAdjustable
- No. of Blades5
- Collection BagYes
- Bag Size20 L
- Weight7.95 kg
Tips For Buying a Manual Lawn Mower
- Manual mowers are best suited to small/medium lawns. I recommend a manual mower with a cutting width of approximately 30cm for small gardens. These narrow mowers are great for manoeuvring in tight spots, which can make them a useful option in some medium-size gardens too.
- However, a larger cutting width will help you get the job done quicker. A 30 – 40cm cutting width is better suited to medium-size gardens. If you have a lawn that is a standard, rectangular shape, you could even consider a cutting width over 40cm.
- A collection box is another feature to consider – not all manual mowers have one. If your grass is long, the grass cuttings may be too large to leave on the grass as mulch. However, if you’ll be cutting your grass regularly, a grass collection box may not be necessary – small clippings make ideal mulch.
- Also, the best manual lawn mowers offer adjustable cutting heights, just like standard mowers. Generally, a cutting height of around 25mm is ideal for the average UK lawn. Higher cutting heights are useful for cutting overgrown or damp grass as well as grass in shady gardens, or grass that sees a lot of stress and footfall.
- Mowers with 5 – 6 cutting blades offer a good balance between a lightweight design and a great cut. If you want a push mower that’s easy to manoeuvre (which is a primary benefit of a manual mower), I recommend looking for a model under 10kg. However, a heavier mower might be advantageous if it has extra features that will benefit you.
Overall, I’ve chosen the Bosch AHM 38 G Manual Hand Push Lawn Mower as my pick for the best hand push mower. With a 38 cm cutting width, and adjustable cutting height range of 12 – 40mm, this mower is perfect for most sized lawns. It also has a solid collection box, which is easy to empty, making it ideal for different cutting styles.
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How to Choose The Best Manual Lawn Mower
A manual lawn mower might not seem like the immediate choice for cutting your lawn. But wait! Before you run for the hills (or to the safety of a power-assisted mower!), let’s consider their benefits.
I’ve compiled the following advice to help you make an informed decision when considering if a push mower will work for you.
READ NEXT: The Best Lawn Mowers for Small Gardens
The Benefits of a Hand Push Mower
For small and medium-sized lawns, a hand push mower could really come in handy.
They’re light, easy to push and cost nothing to run. Not sold yet? Ok, well, they also require none of the fuel-related hassle of petrol lawnmowers, nor the fussing-with-extension-leads of their corded electric mower cousins. Push mowers are also better for the environment and help keep our air cleaner.
What’s more, hand push mowers are very quiet to use – you’ll never be in danger of disturbing the neighbours on a Sunday morning.
For a moderately sized lawn, you can be done within an hour, and a push mower will be a much more environmentally-friendly option compared to either petrol or electric models. Furthermore, using a push mower if also good for the heart – you’ll get a light workout when you use one (it’s a positive, trust me!).
Hand push lawn mowers are much easier to use than most people think. Think about it – you could finish cutting the lawn before your neighbours have even managed to lug their heavy mower out of the shed, set up the extension lead, or fuelled up their petrol lawnmower.
Choosing the Best Cutting Width
Hand push mowers come in a range of cutting widths.
For example, I reviewed the Bosch AHM 38 G Manual Hand Push Lawn Mower with a larger cutting width of 38 cm, and the Einhell GC-HM 30 Manual Hand Push Lawn Mower which has a cutting with of 30 cm.
But what do these numbers mean in real life?
A smaller cutting width will give you a lighter, more manoeuvrable lawn mower. From my reviews, the 30 cm cutting-width mowers tended to weigh around 6.5 kg. It’ll be easy to use these smaller mowers to navigate around smaller nooks in the garden. This is especially helpful if you have a lot of flower beds/garden ornaments to content with. You can neatly and easily whizz right round them using a narrow push mower.
That said, a lawn mower with a larger cutting width will get the job done more quickly. If you have a larger lawn with few obstacles, it’s worth considering a wider push mower. However, wider hand push mowers weigh a bit more. For example, the model with a 38 cm cutting width weighs 9.3 kg.
Number of Blades is Important
Manual lawn mowers have between 4 and 8 blades. The more blades the push mower has, the thicker the grass it will cope with.
Of course, on the other hand, more blades will make the cylinder mower heavier. For the perfect balance between a good cut and a lightweight machine, 5 or 6 blades seems about right.
It’s something to bear in mind when purchasing a hand push lawn mower, and a good question to ask to customers who have already bought the model you’re looking into.
A Good Range of Cutting Heights
The best manual lawn mower will have a range of cutting heights. It should also be easy to adjust between heights, giving you flexibility to change the way you cut your lawn.
A longer cutting height is good if you have to tackle overgrown grass. It’s easier to do an initial cut on a longer setting, then recut it at a lower height afterwards.
The more range the better, so it’s a good idea to look for a lawn mower that offers a variety of cutting heights. However if you only have very short grass, you can probably get away with less height options, like the 3 cm range offered by the WEBB H30 Manual Hand Push Lawn Mower.
Manual Push Mowers vs. Petrol/Electric
To give a rounded summary, let’s have a look at the main pros and cons of each type of lawn mower:
Push Mowers
Pros of Push Mowers
- Extremely lightweight
- Costs nothing to use
- No negative impact on environment when using
- Cuts short- to mid-length grass extremely well
Cons of Push Mowers
- Harder work on long, thick grass/weeds
- May need a couple of passes on long grass
Electric Lawn Mowers
Pros of Electric Lawn Mowers
- Can be quite powerful
- Makes light work of most grass lengths
- Has power-assisted movement
Cons of Electric Lawn Mowers
- Often needs to be used with extension cord
- Battery-powered versions run out of charge
- Danger of cutting through cord
Petrol Lawnmowers
Pros of Petrol Lawnmowers
- Extremely powerful – can tackle nearly all terrain
- Easy to re-fill (don’t need to wait to charge like battery-powered mower)
- Cordless
Cons of Petrol Lawnmowers
- Emit fumes
- Very noisy
- Heaviest option
READ NEXT: The Best Lightweight Lawn Mowers for Elderly Users
Manual Lawn Mower FAQs
How do I maintain my hand push lawn mower?
The best hand push lawn mowers will last for years if properly maintained. Luckily this is very easy to do:
- After each use, wipe away dirt, grass and any other debris
- Store your mower in a dry place
- A little oil on the blades every now and then will also help prevent rust and keep the mower moving smoothly
- Consider oiling the blades before putting your mower away for its winter rest
Can I sharpen the blades of my hand push mower?
A hand push mower is unlikely to require sharpening for many years. Especially if you are careful not to run the blades over stones or other hard objects. In fact, it’s common for a cylinder mower to be self sharpening.
However, if your blades have become a little blunt it is possible to sharpen them.
You can buy a kit with everything you to sharpen the lawn mower blades. This will include a grinding stone and grinding paste. It’s fairly easy to do this yourself, just follow these steps to sharpen the blades. It should take around 45 minutes.
Alternatively, you can take your mower to a lawn mower service shop and let them do the job for you. It’s not that expensive and won’t need doing very often. However, it is something that will extend the life of your lawn mower for many years to come.
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