We always keep our houses clean and neat. But when was the last time that you gave your lawn its much needed TLC? Yes, it may seem like a laborious task, but before you let out a groan, try checking these commercial walk behind mowers out first.
These lawnmowers are easy to use because they are the middle ground between traditional grass cutting and modern technology. And since you don’t need to drive them, everyone can maintain their outdoors without having to be a pro in lawn maintenance.
We have reviewed below the 10 best commercial walk behind mowers in the market to save you the stress of choosing a model. They vary in power sources, cutting width, and power, so you can find which fits your lawn needs perfectly. At the same time, our comprehensive buyer’s guide is full of useful information to help you decide which mower to get.
Best Commercial Walk Behind Mower Comparison Table
Unit | Power Source | Cutting Width (inch) | Power | Price |
---|---|---|---|---|
Troy-Bilt TB490 XP | Gas | 21 | 190cc | Check Price |
Lawn-Boy 10732 | Gas | 21 | 149cc | Check Price |
EGO Power+ LM2020SP | Battery | 20 | 56-volt | Check Price |
EARTHQUAKE 28463 | Gas | 22 | 150cc | Check Price |
Greenworks G-max 25302 | Battery | 20 | 40-volt | Check Price |
EGO Power+ LM2000-S | Battery | 20 | 56-volt | Check Price |
Remington RM1159 | Gas | 22 | 159cc | Check Price |
Yard Machines OHV | Gas | 21 | 140cc | Check Price |
Greenworks 25022 | Electric | 20 | 12amp | Check Price |
BLACK+DECKER MTE912 | Electric | 12 | 6.5amp | Check Price |
Best Commercial Walk Behind Mower Reviews
Troy-Bilt TB490 XP – Best Walk Behind Mower for Steep Hills
A lot of people may be skeptical about getting a walk behind mower if their yard has uneven terrain. However, this first model in our list from Troy-Bilt might make you change your mind about this perception.
First of all, the TB490 XP stands out among these mowers because of its badass look. You can immediately tell that this unit is meant for heavy-duty use from top to bottom upon looking at it. Overall, we love the design and materials that Troy-Bilt has chosen for this mower. But can it live up to its look?
What We Love
All-Terrain Wheels and All-Wheel Drive
We know the literal uphill battle that every homeowner faces when they mow over slopes. And even if you are strong enough to maneuver the unit, chances are, a part will give out. The good news is this model wouldn’t get you exhausted when cutting grasses and weeds even over steep hills. And the reason behind this is the fact that this unit uses all-terrain wheels.
Sometimes, even if your mower has a strong engine, you’ll still struggle if its wheels and transmission system are incapable of going through uneven surfaces. With Troy-Bilt, it uses high-quality all-terrain wheels, with the front measuring 8 inches and the rear at 11 inches. This way, you don’t have to worry about the type of foliage you’re pushing through or how steep your landscape is. And best of all, the TB490 XP is an all-wheel-drive mower.
Adjustable Pulling Speed and Interchangeable Transmission System
The advantage of having an all-wheel and all-terrain mower will, of course, be related to smoother and reliable control during usage. Simply pull both of the drive handles, and you’ll engage both the front and rear wheels. This will give you additional pulling power, which is perfect over uneven terrain.
But if this is not necessary, you can just use one drive handle, depending on what wheels you want to engage in. For example, the right side drive handle is for engaging the rear wheels, while the left side drive handle is for the front wheels. This interchangeable transmission system also controls your speed in this self-propelled mower, so you can customize the power you’ll need depending on your yard type.
This way, you can go to high-speed drive if you engage the rear wheels, while you can move slower when you pull the left handle for the front wheels. As a result, you can say goodbye to struggling when moving the mower’s weight because you can customize the wheels you’ll engage, and the mower’s pulling speed.
Comfortable Handling and Traction
Besides having a say on the transmission system and pulling speed, Troy-Bilt itself is ergonomic to hold. The handle of the model itself is comfortable to grip, so you’ll get better handling and traction in addition to the features we mentioned. If you notice, Troy-Bilt has its handle a bit angled, so there’s less strain on your part when you choose a higher speed.
The TB490 XP is indeed a powerful all-wheel drive, and it’s not just because of its wheels and transmission system. It starts immediately on the first pull and can push through tall grasses and bushes thanks to its Honda engine.
Powerful Honda GCV Series Engine
The TB490 XP uses Honda’s newly designed GCV series engine. And what’s unique with this 190cc engine is that it uses an automatic choke system. What this means is that the engine can automatically adjust to the temperature change when it warms up. In turn, it can self-regulate the fuel and air to the proper ratio, thus giving you a better engine performance.
3-in-1 Steel Deck
Now that you have an idea of the maneuverability and power of this self-propelled mower, let’s talk about its features. Troy-Bilt uses a 3-in-1 deck, which means you’re not only getting a standard cutting mower.
If you’ve read our buyer’s guide, you’ll be familiar with mulching, bagging, and side discharge systems. They are all equally useful depending on your lawn, which makes this model flexible for multiple uses since it can do all of them.
To give you an idea on the model’s versatility, this mower uses a 21-inch steel deck that you can adjust the height and position. You can cut grasses ranging from 1.25 inches to 3.75 inches, and the grass catcher is even big enough for most lawns when you use its side discharge system.
Integrated Deck Wash
Are there any negatives with this model? We notice that cleaning might be a bit complicated for a typical user. This is because you may need to disassemble it to make sure you’re getting the grass out of the front and rear areas. The good news, though, is that Troy-Bilt has an integrated deck wash, so you can just attach your garden hose to clean it more conveniently.
- Self-propelled
- All-terrain wheels
- Adjustable pulling speed
- Interchangeable transmission system
- Comfortable handling
- Easy to maneuver
- Powerful engine with automatic choke system
- Can be used for mulching, bagging, and side discharge with large grass catcher
- Adjustable deck
- Integrated deck wash
- Proper cleaning requires some knowledge in disassembling mower
Lawn-Boy 10732 – Best Walk Behind Mower for Elderly
If you have difficulty moving, or if you are in your late years, a walk behind mower might be the least of your consideration when buying a mower. However, you can still get a bit of physical exercise and a good-looking lawn with the proper walk behind mower. And our best suggestion, in particular, is this model from Lawn-Boy.
What We Love
Easy Start and Maintenance
Let’s talk first about its engine. A mower is going to be easy to use and maintain if it has a simple operation and fewer parts to learn about. At the same time, if it is powerful on the first pull, even the elderly and disabled can start the mower without any issues. And these are the characteristics that we notice with Lawn-Boy.
Lawn-Boy uses the Kohler XT6 engine that is very easy to start. Pull start mowers are often frowned upon, especially for those with minimal strength capacity. However, this unit just proves that you don’t need to exert a lot of effort to get your mower going on the first try.
We also like the fact that even if you have shaky hands, you won’t end up wasting gas when filling your machine. Lawn-Boy has a large inlet and comfortable cap that even those with poor dexterity can efficiently fill their mower.
You can also check the oil quickly because the dipstick on the oil compartment comes off with minimal effort. And lastly, the engine itself is fuel-efficient, so you don’t need to do constant refills to finish your areas.
Adjustable Steel Deep Dome Deck
As for the cutting capabilities of this mower, it uses a 21-inch steel deck. You can also adjust its height similar to our previous model, so tall grasses are no match with this mower. Overall, we find no flaws when it comes to its performance in mulching and cutting. At the same time, the mower’s bag is a good size to hold a considerable amount of clippings. Of course, this is advantageous for you if you have physical limitations since you won’t be needing to empty the bags frequently as you mow.
Lightweight Rear-Wheel Drive
The maneuverability style of the walk behind mower is often what makes the elderly and disabled overlook the model. After all, it is called “walk behind” for a reason. The good news, though, is that Lawn-Boy is a self-propelled, lightweight mower that runs pretty smoothly.
While this mower doesn’t have an all-wheel drive and only uses a rear-wheel-drive system, it still moves quite impressively. You can even adjust its pull speed using the lever so you can use the appropriate setting for your lawn. Regardless, the default speed of this mower is just right if used by someone who’s physically challenged.
Overall, the only potential drawback that we notice is that there were users that received the model with the front wheels unattached. So when you clip the axle on its slots, it ends up wobbly. The remedy we discovered for this is to check the axle itself and remove a futile piece so that it will attach more securely.
- Easy to start and maintain
- Large inlet for the gas means easy refill
- Easy removing dipstick on the oil compartment for quick oil checkup
- Impressive traction
- Quality cutting and mulching
- Large bag
- Lightweight to maneuver
- Customizable speed
- Some units arrived with unattached front wheels
EGO Power+ LM2020SP – Editor’s Choice
Up next is our top pick among this list, and it is this self-propelled, battery-operated, brushless mower from EGO Power+. It is truly a mouthful to say, but these are the characteristics that might make you want to get your own model of this mower.
What We Love
The Advantage of Brushless Motor
What’s the point of going brushless? This model is unique because of the fact that it is brushless. And the advantage of a brushless motor is as simple as this; less heat is generated, which means better power efficiency. The secret is because a brushless motor uses magnets instead of a mechanical brush. Therefore, it works with less friction, which, in turn, generates less heat.
An Impressive Battery-Operated Mower
Battery-operated mowers have the advantage over their gas-powered counterparts because the latter emits fume during usage. Not to mention, gas-operated mowers require other maintenance like oil change and spark plug replacement throughout its service. However, not everyone opts for a battery-powered mower because it may not last long enough to finish a whole lawn before needing a recharge.
So here’s the part where this battery-powered mower stands out. EGO Power+ lasted us around 45 minutes, which allows us to finish a typical-sized lawn completely. And since it is battery-operated, it isn’t noisy and doesn’t limit us in movement as you would typically experience in a corded electric mower.
The Compromise…
However, note that the battery and charger aren’t included in this set. We wish EGO Power+ has chosen to include those accessories just like in other battery-operated mowers. But we think this is the compromise at this price since the model itself is powerful for something battery-operated. At the same time, you may like the fact that this mower is weather-resistant, while also capable of folding compact for storage.
Easy to Use and Reliable Steel Deck
Besides the quality construction, operating EGO Power+ is effortless thanks to it being self-propelled. And just like the previous mowers, this unit offers control on its pull speed for a more comfortable mowing experience.
You can also say goodbye to pulling a string with all your force multiple times and sweating before even starting mowing. Because this model is battery-operated, it will start effortlessly at the touch of a button.
Thanks to the brushless motor that we have discussed earlier, EGO Power+ can quietly cut through thick lawns without any struggle from the user. And since the model uses a steel deck, you don’t need to worry about it giving out after just several uses.
3-in-1 Capacity with LED Headlights
This mower uses a 20-inch steel deck that is capable of mulching, bugging, and side discharge. You can even change the deck’s height to make sure you’re getting all your stubborn grasses. And speaking of sparing no grass, this mower does have LED headlights for better visibility when cutting.
- Sturdy construction
- Self-propelled
- Brushless motor
- Quiet operation
- Long-lasting battery
- Push start
- Can mulch, bag, and side discharge
- Adjustable steel deck height
- Variable speed
- No other maintenance necessary
- With LED lights
- Folds compact
- Battery and charger are not included
EARTHQUAKE 28463 – Best Walk Behind Mower for Tall Grass and Weeds
How many times have you struggled to find a good commercial mower that is powerful enough to cut through stubborn weeds and tall grasses? And even if you found something, it somehow always ends up having a significant drawback like high maintenance costs and poor maneuverability. Now, it’s time to say goodbye to the fear of heights (i.e., heights of grasses.)
Not Your Typical Pull-Start Push Mower
The EARTHQUAKE 28463 is a powerful push mower that starts at a pull of the string. Yes, we know that push mowers with pull-starts are notorious for being difficult to control and use, but this isn’t the case with EARTHQUAKE. This unit starts immediately on first pull and moves smoothly without much difficulty on the user’s part.
What We Love
As we have said earlier, EARTHQUAKE is perfect for cutting tall grasses and weeds. In fact, we are even surprised that even those bushes with soft stems do not hinder the mower from moving through them. The secret behind this is that EARTHQUAKE uses a 150cc Viper engine partnered with a 22-inch cutting width.
No Stalling
Besides the powerful engine and quality blades, EARTHQUAKE maneuvers smoothly over tall foliage because of its large wheels. Yes, it’s a push mower, so you’ll still need to exert some effort to move it, but even so, we didn’t experience any stalling.
At the same time, we like that the deck is low enough so that you can push the mower under fences. You can also adjust the height from 0.15 inches to 3 inches for a better mowing experience. However, note that the cutting string may not be best for woody shrubs and brush. In fact, you may notice more struggling when cutting tiny brushes, as opposed to taller weeds.
Folds Compact
Lastly, EARTHQUAKE may look like an absolute unit, but it folds compactly. Imagine the convenience of having a mower strong enough to cut through tall grasses but also folds compact for easy storage at the shed. This mower has adjustment knobs at its handlebar so you can fold it easily.
- Starts on first pull
- Can go through thick and tall grasses, weeds, and shrubs
- Does not stall thanks to powerful engine, large wheels, and stable deck
- Adjustable deck height
- Folds easily using knobs
- Not for woody shrubs
Greenworks G-max 25302 – Best Battery-Operated Walk Behind Mower
The 5th walk behind mower in this list is this battery-operated unit from Greenworks. It may have a toy-like design, but this lightweight unit is an effective grass cutter. And what makes this battery-operated mower even more unique is that it has a feature called Twin Force.
What We Love
Twin Force
Greenworks already comes with the charger and batteries. However, you’ll notice that the batteries are 4Ah and 2Ah. You’ve read that right, and Greenworks uses two battery ports so you can use them simultaneously.
Always Have Back-Up
Compared to using one battery port, the G-Max automatically switches to the backup battery when you drain what you’re using. As a result, you’ll have a longer run time at about 70 minutes. But of course, this still depends on your lawn size and type. Still, we appreciate this twin force feature so that you don’t need to stop when you drain the battery. It is also worth noting that it only takes an hour and a half to charge both batteries, so talk about time-efficient!
Using G-Max is also effortless considering that it’s lightweight and battery-operated. As you can assume, it starts quickly at a push of a button and also works quietly. And even though it isn’t self-propelled, this mower is easy to control and move around.
For Cutting, Mulching, and Bagging
How is its performance? G-Max uses a 20-inch cutting deck that you can also use for mulching and bagging. At the same time, you can adjust its height to get a better cutting range. However, we noticed that this unit struggles in cutting taller and thicker grasses, so it’s best to use a stronger model like our first gas mower.
Power Save
On the bright side, this mower uses a pre-set feature called Power Save so that the blades’ rotational speed is dependent on your lawn. The mower will automatically spin faster when you’re using it on thick foliage and then slows down to save battery power.
- Dual battery system means longer duration of usage
- Power Save
- Charges fast
- Lightweight
- Easy maintenance
- Adjustable cutting deck
- Can be used for mulching and bagging
- Not for tall grasses
EGO Power+ LM2000-S – Best Value for Money Battery-Operated Mower
We are halfway through our review, and up next on our list is another battery-operated walk behind mower. This time, we are taking a look at the LM2000-S model from EGO Power+. If you remembered earlier, our top favorite model, LM2020SP is from the same brand. So let us see if this model is another worthy consideration among battery-powered mowers.
What We Love
Keep Cool Cell Technology
Just like the EGO Power+ mower earlier, this unit is compatible with the brand’s arc lithium batteries. What’s different with this type of battery is that it uses the so-called “keep cool cell technology.” Compared to an ordinary lithium battery, EGO Power+ has a power management system that prevents the battery pack from overheating or over-discharging. Therefore, you’ll have a longer and safer power source.
Long Usage Duration and Quick Charging
Sadly, you do need to buy the battery and charger separately. But before you skip this model completely, let us tell you the positives and why it’s still one of the best battery-operated mowers in the market.
For starters, the brand offers 3 power options, and you can choose from 4.0 Ah, 5.0 Ah, and 7.5 Ah battery packs. Personally, we’ve tried the 4.0 Ah battery, and it did manage to serve us a 45-minute run time.
We think this is good enough for a battery-operated mower because it’s enough time to finish a typical-sized lawn. At the same time, you might appreciate the fact that the mower’s battery only takes half an hour to get fully charged.
Although, if you have a larger landscape, which requires a longer run time, the 5.0 Ah and 7.5 Ah packs can last you 60 minutes and 90 minutes respectively. So if you think about it, it will be more economical to get an additional spare battery.
This way, you can swap it with your current one before it completely runs down its charge. These batteries are high-quality lithium-ion anyway, so you don’t run the risk of them losing capacity even if you charge them before they are completely drained.
3-in-1 Battery-Operated Mower
As for the mower itself, this nifty mower uses a 20-inch deck and is able to do mulching, bagging, and side discharge. You can quickly adjust the blade height using the lever as well so that the mower can do a complete cut or trim.
Mow Even at Night
And in the case that mowing in the morning and afternoon is too hot for your weather, you can still mow at night thanks to the model’s LED headlights. However, when it comes to maneuverability, the LM2000-S isn’t self-propelled, you do have to exert some effort in pushing it.
Weather-Proof Construction
LM2000-S uses a 56-volt engine, so it is powerful enough to go through weeds and bushes. And even though it isn’t using a brushless motor like our top pick, the quality of the brushes themselves in this unit is well-built, so there’s no maintenance necessary in your part. We can also command EGO Power+ in the overall build of the mower itself because it feels solid. After all, the brand boasts that it is a weather-proof construction.
Frustration-Free From Start to Finish
Lastly, we like the fact that the mower isn’t frustrating to use from start to finish. What we mean by this is that it quickly starts at a push of a button. And then once you’re done, the handle folds down easily, so you can save more storage space by keeping it vertically.
- Push button start
- Quiet operation
- Maintenance-free
- Keep cool cell technology
- Quick charging time
- 3-in-1 mower
- Adjustable deck height
- LED headlights
- Quality construction
- Folds compact
- Battery and charger are not included
Remington RM1159 – Best Value for Money Gas-Powered Walk Behind Mower
If the previous mower is one of the best value battery-operated units in the market, this model from Remington is a gas-powered mower that gives you a great deal for its price. It is not a self-propelled mower and uses a pull-start, but we think it’s relatively easy to use.
A Joy to Maneuver
As we have said, this unit is smooth to maneuver. The small trimmer head and adjustable handle make it comfortable for the user to push through different conditions of terrain. We also think that the large rear wheels help in controlling this mower. However, you can’t expect that you wouldn’t be needing additional strength over bumps and steep hills since this isn’t an all-wheel drive.
159cc Engine
Mowers that aren’t self-propelled will, of course, require the physical help from the user. However, you wouldn’t be as exhausted if it is powerful enough to go through the foliage. For Remington, it uses a 159cc MTD Powermore engine.
It is an overhead valve engine, which means you can expect it to give you good power output at a lower cost and smaller size. Overall, it’s effective for cutting tall grasses and vegetation, as long as there are no woody shrubs.
Quality Trim
In addition to the Powermore engine, Remington uses a 22-inch deck and a 0.155-inch trimmer line. And while it doesn’t have mulching, bagging, or a side discharge system, Remington is an impressive trimmer to the point that it feels like we are gliding over our landscape.
What We Love
Compact Trimmer Head
We think the effectiveness of this mower is also related to its unique size and shape. It is compact enough to reach those smaller areas in between trees or under fences. And this same trimmer head size and adjustable handle height also make it easy to maneuver even if it isn’t self-propelled.
If you need more customization in cutting, you can also adjust the angle of the cutter cord. However, this doesn’t mean that you are also changing the cutter string’s “height.” Compared to the previous cutters with a true height adjustment, you’re only adjusting the spindle shaft length with this model.
Foldable Handle
Lastly, as you may have noticed in this list, a trend with mowers nowadays is the ability to get them compact for storage. So as you can assume, Remington has a foldable handle to save you some footprint.
- Smooth maneuverability
- Small engine
- Compact size for hard-to-reach areas
- Quality trimmer
- Adjustable handle
- Folds compact
- Height adjustment is so-so
Yard Machines OHV – Best Affordable Walk Behind Mower
Up next on our list is another gas-powered mower, and it is this model from Yard Machines. It also happens to use an OHV engine like the Remington, so you can expect it to be smaller than other gas-powered mowers.
Premium POWERMORE Engine
For us, this unit proves that you don’t need to spend a huge amount to get an effective walk behind mower. This is because, at this price point, Yard Machines uses a 140cc POWERMORE OHV engine. And this brand gives you several advantages such as a low tone muffler for minimal noise, and a combination of cast iron cylinder sleeve and ball-bearing supported crankshaft for guaranteed durability.
We also didn’t struggle in starting Yard Machines, even though it is a pull-start model. The mower managed to start at 2 pulls, and it consistently presented no problems after some time. Once you get it going, the large wills with ball bearings won’t let you down as you move through your landscape. We didn’t feel any stalling with this lightweight unit, but of course, you may struggle a bit over uneven terrain.
What We Love
2 in 1 Mower
At the same time, we are impressed that Yard Machines isn’t just a trimmer. Its 21-inch deck is also capable of mulching and side discharge. You can even adjust it using the lever to get the ideal trimming height for your lawn. Therefore, you can opt to cut your tall grasses entirely or just get a bit of trim for your yard.
- Affordable
- Lightweight
- Capable of mulching and side discharge
- Starts easily
- Good maneuverability on even surfaces
- Adjustable trimming height
- Not self-propelled
Greenworks 25022 – Best Electric Walk Behind Mower
We are down to our last 2 products, and they also happen to be both electric mowers. But why go electric? If you don’t want the emissions from gas mowers or the battery charge limitation from battery-operated mowers, you may want to opt for an electric mower. And in particular, we recommend this electric mower from Greenworks.
Push Start and Lightweight
The Greenworks 25022 uses a 12 amp motor that is capable of quiet yet efficient trimming. And since it is an electric mower, you can take advantage of the push-button start for a quick and effortless start-up. And when it comes to maneuverability, the model is lightweight enough that even though it is a push mower, you can still move it without much traction.
We also know that one of the conditions that might prevent you from getting an electric mower is the fact that it is corded. However, corded electric mowers have an advantage over the battery-powered models because you can run them as long as you want without needing a charge.
Integrated Cord Lock
With this model, the extension cord itself isn’t even included, which means you can get the appropriate length for the distance you want. For example, you can use a 16-gauge 50-foot cord, so that you will still be able to draw the amp at that distance.
Personally, we rather go with a 14-gauge 100-feet extension cord so that you wouldn’t be as limited in movement when you mow. On the bright side, this mower does have a cord lock so that you won’t accidentally get your cord disconnected as you move around.
What We Love
3-in-1 Function
We also like the fact that this model is capable of mulching, bagging, and side discharge. It uses a 20-inch solid cutting deck that is capable of 7 height positions to make it possible for you to trim or cut taller grasses. However, while both the bagging and side discharge systems work phenomenally with tall grasses and thick foliage, the unit somehow struggles with its mulching system. It tends to clog quicker, which stalls the mower.
Locking Handle for Storage
How does it store? Like the previous mowers, you can fold the handle of Greenworks so it wouldn’t take a huge space when stored. You also don’t have to worry about transporting the mower since the handles stay locked.
- Affordable
- Quiet motor
- Push start
- With integrated cord lock
- Can be used for mulching, bagging, and side discharge
- Height adjustable cutting deck
- Folds compact
- Mulching system is so-so
BLACK+DECKER MTE912 – Best Small Commercial Walk Behind Mower
The last mower on our list is the MTE912 electric mower from Black and Decker. This walk behind mower is the smallest in this list, which makes it the best model if you need to mow in “hard-to-reach” areas.
What We Love
3 Features in 1 Compact Model
The MTE912 from the name itself is capable of mowing, trimming, and edging. How is that possible? This unit comes with a trimmer string and a detachable mower deck. This way, the string trimmer/edger will turn into a wheeled mower with a 12-inch cutting swath when you attach the deck. The mower uses a pedal mechanism to quickly interchange between a trimmer/edger to a mower, as well, so it’s not a hassle to change through the features.
However, note that even though it has a cutting height that you can adjust, it’s only 1.6 to 2.4 inches. We think this is too low for a typical mower, but since it’s meant for small and tight areas, this isn’t a huge setback for the intended use.
Automatic Feeding System and Gear-Driven Transmission
As for the performance itself, this model uses a 6.5 Amp motor. For us, it manages to do well in all features, such as mowing, trimming, and edging. Overall, we didn’t notice any shortcomings in its power because the trimmer also uses an automatic feeding system.
No More Bumping and Stalling
What this does is that the unit will advance the line of the trimmer automatically. Therefore, you don’t need to stop and pull out more line or bump the trimmer as you are working. And speaking of using the trimmer, both the trimmer and edger even use a gear-driven transmission. Because of this, Black and Decker manages to maintain the speed while you’re trimming so you won’t stall.
Adjustable Handle and Shaft
Lastly, pushing this unit is comfortable and lightweight. You can even adjust the shaft and handle of the string trimmer so that you won’t feel strained when using it. However, do note that Black and Decker does not come with the extension cord. And when you do plug it in the handle, it doesn’t have a cord lock to keep it from getting removed when you move around.
- Affordable
- Lightweight
- Easy to maneuver
- Can be used as a trimmer/edger or wheeled mower
- Easy removing mower deck via the pedal
- AFS trimmer
- Gear driven transmission to prevent stalling
- Adjustable shaft and handle
- Short deck height
- No cord lock
Buyer’s Guide
Types of Commercial Walk Behind Mower
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Push Mowers or Reel Mowers
From the name itself, the user of the push mower will be the one who’s doing the pushing to move it. This type of mower is similar to a traditional mower, but it’s a bit more convenient because it has engines that will power the cutting blades.
Although, you might still find a push mower that doesn’t depend on any engine because the blades also spin when you push manually. Their advantage is that they are easier to maintain (i.e., just blade sharpening), and produce no emissions due to the lack of an engine.
Because of their mechanism, push mowers can be tiring to use because the wheels depend on your force to move. If you have a large lawn or a sloped area, you might want to check self-propelled lawnmowers instead. On the other hand, push mowers are a cheap alternative for those with small yards that do not get their grasses too long.
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Self-Propelled Mowers
If you have an uneven landscape or a large lawn, using a self-propelled mower would be more convenient for you. This is because they already depend on another power source to move. What’s only left for you to do is control the direction of the mower as it moves forward.
You can also categorize them into their power source and transmission layout.
Power Source
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Gas-powered Mowers
Gas-powered models are one of the most common types of self-propelled walk-behind mowers. However, don’t be confused because you might also find a push mower that relies on gas to move its blades. But in this case, gas is the power source of the self-propelled mower both for moving forward and cutting the grass.
Gas mowers are popular because they are powerful. They can easily cut through thick, overgrown grass, regardless of the terrain. However, they are noisy and will create emissions during usage.
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Electric Mowers
Because you won’t be relying on gas and you won’t need oil changes, you can assume that electric mowers are cheaper to use and maintain. At the same time, they don’t produce emissions or noise when you’re mowing.
You can choose from corded and cordless electric mowers as well. The former can be limiting because you’ll be dependent on the cord length and the placement of an electrical outlet.
On the other hand, a cordless electric mower depends on a battery. A good example of this is the EGO Power+ LM2020SP, which can last you around 45 minutes before needing a recharge. However, if you’re using any battery-powered mower for a large lawn with thick grass, the charge of the battery may not last as long to finish the whole area.
Transmission Layout
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Rear-Wheel Drive
From the name itself, a rear-wheel drive mower is a model where the engine powers the rear wheels only. This type of mower is useful if your lawn has inclines and hills because of the better traction and maneuverability.
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Front-Wheel Drive
As opposed to a rear-wheel drive, a front-wheel drive mower means that the engine powers the front wheels only. This makes them more lightweight to use, but they are only useful for flat terrains. This is because you need to tip back and lift the rear wheels off the ground during usage.
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All-Wheel Drive
Of course, out of the three transmission layouts, an all-wheel drive mower will be the type that will offer the best traction. In turn, it’s the easiest to maneuver regardless of the terrain, as you can see with Troy-Bilt TB490 XP. However, these mowers are pricier compared to the previous two.
Factors to Consider When Buying a Walk Behind Mower
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Type of Lawn
As we have discussed previously, there are different types of walk behind mowers. You can choose if you want a push or a self-propelled mower. At the same time, the power source and transmission layout of the model itself is a significant factor when you’re choosing a mower.
We recommend choosing the appropriate unit for your lawn so that you will have an easier time using the model. To give you an example, a heavy-duty mower is going to be ideal for a large lawn. On the contrary, a push walk behind mower should be enough for small yards without much grass to maintain.
You can also check our comparison table to get a gist of the engine power of each model. Gas-powered units differ in ccs (cubic centimeters), battery-operated mowers differ in volts, while corded electric models differ in amps. And all of these measurements can give you an idea of how powerful their engines are.
This way, you can choose the mower that can cut your lawn efficiently. If you have a large lawn filled with tall grasses and uneven terrain, you may want to get something that is gas-powered and powerful, like our first mower.
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Cutting Width
You might be wondering why the cutting width should matter when choosing a lawnmower. This is because these sizes will give you an idea of how wide of the grass you can cut when you pass you mower through them. So as you can assume, the type of grass and the size of the lawn will determine the ideal cutting width that you should get.
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Height and Speed Adjustments
Some models also allow height and speed adjustments. This way, you’ll have an easier time cutting different heights and types of grass because you can select the appropriate setting for the condition. However, if you won’t be needing this flexibility, you can ignore these features.
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Mulching System
Besides height and speed, some mowers like the Lawn-Boy 10732 also offer mulching and bagging features. What is a mulching system? This means that the mower has a deck that will keep the clippings as you use it. In turn, the blade can cut these clippings into much smaller fragments. The resulting fragments or “mulch” will then fall back into your lawn, and the soil can benefit from their nutrients.
However, you should know that the mower’s type of deck is somewhat related to its expected lifespan. The most common type is steel, but we rather go with cast aluminum because it isn’t prone to rusting. Therefore, you can expect a longer lifespan on mulching mowers with aluminum decks.
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Bagging System
What about a bagging feature? Some units also work with a bagging system. This bag, as opposed to a mulcher, will store the clippings that you can dispose of later on. Because the bagging system holds the clippings, you’ll be left with a cleaner looking lawn after mowing.
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Side Discharge System
If either of these systems still doesn’t seem essential for you, you can also opt for another feature called the side discharge. As you can assume, mowers that use this system releases the clippings at the side of your mower. Compared to a mulching system, side discharge is useful if you have tall and coarse grasses on your lawn.
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Maintenance
Lastly, you should also consider how you want to maintain the mower in the long run. Gas-powered mowers are notorious for requiring a list of maintenance care such as oil changes, and as well as spark plug and air filter replacements. So if these aren’t appealing to you, your best choice would be an electric mower.
Conclusion
When looking for the best commercial walk behind lawnmower, you have to consider the features that we have mentioned above. The perfect fit for your neighbor may not be as useful for you, so it’s important to reread our buyer’s guide before getting a model.
Personally, our top favorite is the EGO Power+ LM2020SP. It uses a sturdy construction and brushless motor for guaranteed long-lasting efficiency. And even though it is battery-operated, it has a long run time before needing a quick recharge. You can also use it for mulching, bagging, and side discharge, depending on your need.
But if you prefer a gas-powered mower, the Troy-Bilt TB490 XP is one of the best ones in the market. It is an all-wheel mower meant to withstand various terrains, while also having a powerful Honda engine for a stall-free mowing experience.
Have you found your next walk behind mower in our list? If you have any questions, feel free to leave them below, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
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