Manual push lawn mowers were the first type invented and are still preferred by many gardeners across the UK. We’ve reviewed the best hand push manual lawn mowers available to buy in the UK and compared their cutting ability, ease of use, weight and price to provide our overall recommendation.

Fiskars Manual Mower

Fiskars StaySharp Max Reel Mower

Best Overall

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Einhell Manual Mower

Einhell GC-HM 30 Manual Mower

Great Value

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Bosch Manual Mower

Bosch AHM 38 G Push Mower

Great Alternative

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Best Hand Push Lawn Mower Reviews

Fiskars StaySharp Max Reel Mower

Fiskars have a great reputation for producing high quality garden tools and this push mower is simply the best. With an 18 inch (45 cm) cutting width, the Fiskars StaySharp Max is well suited to cutting and trimming larger lawns but can still quickly and easily mow a small garden.

This mower is very well balanced due to an even weight distribution, despite the relatively high weight of 23kg. This balance ensures that it remains level as it cuts, even when mowing rough and uneven areas of ground. The result is a fine and even cut across your entire lawn.

One very slight limitation is manoeuvrability, simply due to the size and weight of the unit. This can make mowing in arcs or turning corners slightly cumbersome.

Look past this though and you will be rewarded as the Fiskars StaySharp Max is the best push lawn mower there is.

Fiskars StaySharp Max Reel Mower

Einhell GC-HM 30 Manual Hand Push Lawn Mower

The Einhell GC-HM 30 Manual Hand Push Lawn Mower is a well built and lightweight mower that is very easy to push and cuts very cleanly whether mowing long or short grass.

It features five steel blades that will last for years without replacement and provide a nice neat cut. The cutting width of 30 cm and cutting heights of 15 – 42 mm offer exceptional versatility which will allow you to use this mower year round, regardless of season.

The 16 litre mesh grass collection bag is easy to attach and detach for quick clipping disposal. The wide plastic wheels do well not to dig into the lawn and the back roller allows for lawn stripes too as well as smoothing out minor lumps and bumps in your lawn. The overall compact size and low weight means that this manual mower is very easy to manoeuvre around flower beds and other garden features or ornaments.

Assembly is simple and can be completed with a few tools in around five minutes. Other plus points include premium build quality and excellent value for money. Definitely the second best hand push manual lawnmower available on the market.

Einhell GC-HM 30 Manual Mower

Bosch AHM 38 G Manual Hand Push Lawn Mower

The Bosch AHM 38 G Manual Hand Push Lawn Mower is a mid-sized push mower with a 38 cm cutting width. Despite this, it is still light and very easy to use.

Like most hand mowers, this mower is easy to assemble and takes less than ten minutes, even for novices. It glides smoothly and quietly which is a big advantage for those who wish to limit noise for their neighbours.  

Each of the five cutting blades cut very cleanly and neatly and are adjustable from 15 – 43mm in height via a lever. You’re also provided with a large 25 litre grass box which results in less time emptying and more time mowing.

A rear roller is also included which provides stability when mowing lawn edges as well as providing that nice striped lawn finish we love.

This mower easily tackled long grass which was full of nettles and weeds with the minimum of effort. Well-kept lawns are even easier to mow with even less effort to provide a nice and tidy cut. Perfect for small to medium sized lawn alike due to the overall size of the cutting width.

If you are looking for the best manual lawn mower, this is a great option and one you should consider.

Bosch AHM 38 G Manual Mower

WEBB H30 Manual Hand Push Lawn Mower

The WEBB H30 Hand Push Lawn Mower is very easy to use and easy to push, even on gradients and surfaces that aren’t level. The six hardened steel blades leave a very sharp and even cut on well-kept grass and even power straight through neglected and unkempt lawns with ease. As with every good manual mower, the cutting height is quickly adjusted between 10mm and 40mm.

The 18 litre grass collection box is a decent size and can be removed quickly for easy grass cutting disposal. We especially liked the fact that this mower comes almost fully assembled, leaving you to only attach the handles and a few nuts and bolts.

Garden Gear Manual Hand Push Lawn Mower

The Garden Gear is our budget friendly choice for hand mowers and is great for smaller gardens with its 30 cm cutting width. Despite this narrower width, height adjustments from 12 – 45 mm are available, and this model includes a rear roller which we’re a big fan of. The 17 litre grass collection bag is a nice touch too.

Lawn mowing is achieved through the use of five sturdy metal blades which make mowing a pleasure. Pushing requires little effort on well-maintained lawns but a little more effort is required if you’ve allowed your lawn to grow for a few months over summer. We found that a second cut sorts these areas out easily enough.

The Garden Gear Manual Hand Push Lawn Mower is great value and one for those on a budget or who own a small garden. You’re provided with a 12 month warranty against defects and the inclusion of a lawn striper is a particular favourite of ours.

Hand Push Lawn Mower Buying Guide

Manual lawnmowers are just as popular as they’ve ever been and for good reason. If you own a small front garden or a relatively small back garden, a manual lawnmower can make more sense than paying more for features that aren’t required.

Why a Push Mower?

Hand push lawnmowers are usually lightweight and are easy to push, cost nothing to run and don’t require you to mess around with petrol or power cords like a petrol mower or electric mower would. Their big advantage is that they are quieter than any other type of lawn mower which is invaluable if you live in a quiet residential area. They are also even more versatile than a battery mower due to their low weight.

Small to medium sized lawns can be cut in minutes and you’re also benefiting from the light exercise this activity provides. Finally, this type of mower is the most environmentally friendly of the lot.

Put simply, a hand push lawnmower is easy to use. You will often find you can cut your lawn before your neighbours have taken a heavy self propelled mower out of the shed, plugged in an extension lead or filled up a petrol lawn mower with fuel.

Hand push lawnmowers can mow long grass as well as lumpy and bumpy terrain; although a little extra effort will be required on very uneven lawns as you push them over bumps and up slopes. Much of this is countered by their lower comparative weight.

If you’re looking for a mower that is compact, easy to store, requires very little maintenance and will last for years, manual lawnmowers are for you.

How Manual Mowers Work

Manual mowers work using a cylinder mechanism which has horizontal metal blades located at the front of the mower which rotate against a fixed blade at the bottom of the mower. This type of technology produces a very fine cut and is actually better for the health of your lawn than most other types of grass cutting.

There are several features you should consider when buying a hand push lawnmower:

Cutting Width

Hand push mowers are available to buy with a range of cutting widths. A narrower cutting width results in a lighter, more manoeuvrable mower. A wider cutting width will mow your lawn faster. If you have a larger lawn with few obstacles, you should buy a wider mower. For smaller lawns or lawns with many obstacles to navigate around, choose a smaller mower. A smaller mower is also more suitable if you don’t think you have the strength or fitness required to push a heavier mower around your garden.

Cutting Blades

Manual lawnmowers have between four and eight blades. The more blades a mower has, the thicker and longer the grass it can cut. The best mowers usually have five or six cutting blades and are a good compromise between cutting ability and weight.

Cutting Height

The best manual lawn mowers allow you to choose between several cutting heights and are easy to adjust. This control allows you to take into account weather conditions and the length of your grass. A taller cutting height is best used if you have to mow overgrown grass. You can then mow again at a lower height to make the job easier.

Manual Push Lawn Mower

FAQs

How do I maintain my hand push lawnmower?

Push reel mowers are easy to maintain, due to fewer moving parts and no propulsion system.

Clean your mower by wiping away dirt, grass and any other debris once you’ve used your mower before storing it in a dry place. Apply a small amount of oil to the blades regularly which will keep them clean and prevent rust. It’s also good practice to oil the blades before putting your mower away for winter.

Can I sharpen the blades of my hand push mower?

A hand push mower should not need its blades sharpening for years if you are careful not to run over stones and other hard debris. If your blades have become blunt, it is possible to sharpen them.

Blade sharpening kits come with grinding stones and paste which you can learn to use by watching and reading tutorials. We’ve also provided a blade sharpening guide which covers the principles.

You can also take your mower to a service shop for the work to be carried out. It is usually inexpensive and will keep your mower working efficiently.

Final Verdict

There are several benefits to cutting your lawn with a manual push lawn mower. If you’ve decided to make the switch, we recommend the Fiskars StaySharp Push Mower as it is the best hand push lawn mower for most gardeners.

It isn’t the cheapest manual mower we reviewed but is worth every penny. If you’re on a budget, we suggest buying one of the other manual mowers tested in this review. Each of them makes a fine alternative and will provide you with a neat and tidy lawn for years to come.

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