Walking into the mower aisle — or browsing greenworkstools.ca — you're going to hit the same fork in the road every Canadian homeowner faces: push mower or self-propelled? Both cut grass. Both run on batteries. But they're built for very different kinds of yards and very different kinds of mowing experiences.
Here's how to decide which one belongs in your garage.
What's the Actual Difference?
A push mower uses your muscle power to move forward. You push, it rolls. The motor only drives the blade, not the wheels. Push mowers are lighter, simpler, and cheaper.
A self-propelled mower drives its own wheels using the motor. You squeeze a lever or engage a drive control, and the mower pulls itself forward while you just steer. The motor does double duty: spinning the blade and turning the wheels.
The distinction sounds simple, but it has real consequences for cost, effort, and which mower will make you happier on a Saturday morning.
Push Mower Pros and Cons
The upside: Push mowers are dramatically lighter than self-propelled models — often 15 to 25 pounds lighter. They cost less upfront. They're simpler mechanically, so there's less that can go wrong. They're easier to store, easier to turn at the edges of your lawn, and easier to lift in and out of a shed. For small, flat yards, a push mower is genuinely more pleasant to use than a self-propelled one.
The downside: You're the engine. On hills, on long grass, or on yards bigger than about 5,000 square feet, you'll feel it. Pushing a 40-pound mower across a damp lawn after work is a workout, not a chore. If your yard is hilly or if you just don't want to break a sweat, a push mower can turn from charming into punishing quickly.
The Greenworks 48V (24V x 2) 17″ Push Mower is the sweet spot in this category. It runs on two 24V batteries combined into a 48V platform, with a lightweight poly deck, 7 cutting heights, SmartCut technology that automatically adjusts power for thicker grass, and folding handles for compact storage. At 17 inches, it's wide enough to get through a mow quickly but still light enough to feel effortless on flat ground.
Self-Propelled Mower Pros and Cons
The upside: The mower does the work. On hills, on long runs, on any yard where walking briskly for 30 to 45 minutes sounds exhausting, a self-propelled mower is a revelation. You steer, you adjust, you pay attention to the edges — but your legs and shoulders don't pay the price. Most self-propelled models let you adjust the drive speed so you can match your walking pace, and many have single-lever controls that are easy to engage and release.
The downside: Self-propelled mowers cost more. They're heavier, which matters when you're lifting them onto a deck or out of a shed. They have more moving parts, so there are more things that can need service. And because the motor is powering the wheels in addition to the blade, battery runtime per charge is typically shorter than a comparable push mower.
The Greenworks 80V 21″ Brushless Self-Propelled Mower is the flagship in the self-propelled lineup. 80 volts of battery power, a 21-inch brushless-driven steel deck, SmartCut technology, and 7 cutting heights. The wider deck means fewer passes, the self-propelled drive means no sweat, and the 80V platform means the blade has serious cutting power for thick or overgrown grass. For homeowners with medium-to-large yards, this is the one.
How to Choose: Four Questions
1. How big is your yard? Under 5,000 square feet and relatively flat → push mower is fine. 5,000 to 10,000 square feet → self-propelled is more comfortable. Over 10,000 square feet → self-propelled, no question.
2. How hilly is your property? Any noticeable slopes and you'll want self-propelled. Pushing a mower uphill is a workout. Pushing it downhill without the drive engaged feels like holding back a runaway cart.
3. What's your budget? Push mowers typically run $300 to $500 CAD. Self-propelled models start around $600 and go up from there. If budget is tight and your yard is manageable, push is the smart move.
4. How much do you enjoy the exercise? Some people genuinely like the physical effort of pushing a mower. It's 30 minutes of walking and a bit of resistance — not nothing, health-wise. If that appeals to you, a push mower is a feature, not a compromise.
The Bottom Line
There's no wrong answer, just a right answer for your specific yard. Small and flat? Grab the 48V 17″ push mower and save some money. Medium, large, or hilly? The 80V 21″ self-propelled will make every Saturday easier. Either way, you're getting a battery-powered Greenworks mower with real cutting power, no fumes, and the peace of mind of local Canadian support.