What happens when you choose the best walk-behind mower for hills? You use a reliable model for a long time. Without worrying about maintenance costs and replacements. Unlike what happens with people who buy impulsively, you need to know what you’re buying and how.

This guide should help you come to the right decision. In not only a short span of time, but with the right tools by your side.

Top 10 Choices for The Best Walk-behind Mower for Hills

Humans are good at remembering things when explained. And so here is a simple run-down of the best walk-behind mower for hills. It contains a mower’s best features, rating, and price.

* All links above will take you to the latest prices on Amazon.com or you can read our in-depth lawn mover reviews below.

1. Greenworks 21-Inch 40V – Best Walk-behind Mower for Long-term Use

You’ve probably heard of the Greenworks Brushless and Cordless Mower. It’s the king of lawn mowers that are self-propelled and automatic. And this best walk-behind mower for hills is more functional and effective.

For starters, it comes with a solid 21-inch steel deck. This deck allows you to mow in all directions. You can mulch, bag, and discharge without worrying about making a mess. That’s not all. The fuel that runs this mower offers continuous use.

This mower is as good as a professional mower can be. Especially for tricky hills and uneven terrain. And if you’re worried about vibration. Let me tell you it has zero vibration and no noise.

The twin blades on this mower may overlap from time to time. Especially when you’re cutting thick grass. You may need to take two rounds on the same patch.

Greenworks 40-Volt, 21-Inch, Cordless Mower

2. EGO Power+ 20-Inch – The Ideal Walk-behind Mower for Large Areas

This 20-inch best walk-behind mower for hills is a catch for anyone willing to power up. It is a rechargeable powerhouse backed by advanced technology.

So it has a 3-in-1 functionality. This allows you to mulch, rear bag, and side discharge. Not many mowers admit to such exceptional technology. Especially for mowing steep hills. If you’re a beginner, this should be the best fit for you.

The mower, which guarantees a strong cleaning power, has 30% less noise. This is in comparison to gas-powered models. The body of this mower has smart features. Such as the LED headlights and magnetic motor.

The mower goes from fab to flat in under 5 seconds. Making it easier on you to store it in your garage. It also makes it quick and simple to clean. A mower gets dirty almost after every use. So having an ergonomic design helps with the cleaning.

Some parts of this walk behind mower may be too long to get used to. For example, the handle and nose are long. Making it difficult to maneuver in tight spots!

3. Snapper P2185020E HI-VAC 190cc – Best Walk-behind Mower with a Vacuum 

Why should you opt for the Snapper for mowing hills? Because the ‘no priming and no choking’ charm is too good! The Snapper P2185020E HI-VAC is famous for a reason. And that reason is smooth performance.

Many people don’t know this but this is the best walk-behind mower for hills. It has a quick starting system that’s as simple as a push-button control. The rear-drive wheels offer an effortless glide along the way. No pressing and no half-cutting grass in patches.

Aren’t you sick of the bald patches of grass you get? That’s because the wheel system on the mower lacks traction. Thanks to this mower, you don’t have to worry about that anymore!

This mower has a vacuum feature. To make the most of it, raise the wheel as high up as you can. So raking the lawn is not an issue at all. It lets you mow and clean as effectively as an expert mower.

While this mower is smooth and effective, it isn’t user-friendly. The assembly is a drag and needs an extra pair of hands. You might refer to the manual. But asking around will surely quicken the process.

4. Troy-Bilt TB330 – The Best Walk-behind Mower for Hills with a Wash Port

What do I see in the Troy-Bilt TB330 that others do not? For me, it was the incredible “no oil change” feature and TriAction cutting system. The features of this best walk-behind mower for hills saves time and effort.

For people in desperate need of personalized control and performance. The Troy-Bilt is the one to buy. It comes with 4-speed settings and a speed drive manual. This manual makes sure you don’t lose the top speed. While maintaining steady maneuverability on steep hills.

This, in coordination with the 8-inch rear wheels, makes performance smooth. Be it on uneven terrain or hills, it can cover maximum ground. And with no sudden collision, lagging, or impact.

The single lever height adjustment gives you control over multiple cutting angles. And if you really like a mower that controls itself, this mower is the sure thing.

For steeper hills, this walk behind mower is excellent. It has a self-propel feature that allows you to comfortably push it right up the hill. Not only is it easy enough to push, but it doesn’t collide with rock or uneven terrain.

The quick start of the mower isn’t that quick to start. It should take two pulls of the cord to kick-start the mower each.

5. Husqvarna 21-Inch – Best Efficient Walk-behind Mower for Hills

There’s doubt that the Husqvarna is one of the best walk-behind mowers for steep hills. I prefer this mower for its affordable price and the fact that it’s super. With a Honda motor, it runs like a true powerhouse.

The 21-inch steel cutting deck and 12-inch high rear wheels are impressive. It also contains 8-inch wheels that improve control uneven terrain. You no longer have to walk on eggshells on hard ground. The wheels give you better maneuverability.

Moving forward, this mower also does a great job at mulching. You can switch back and forth between the mulch mode and others.

The wheels on this mower roll faster than anything I’ve ever seen. And because it lacks a self-propel feature, it gives better blade control. This is a true requirement for beginners who do not have enough experience on hills.

The brackets that hold the wheels in place may need replacing. That is if you’re using the mower on a daily basis.

6. Snapper 2185020 HI-VAC – Best Walk-behind Mower for Durability

The Snapper has features that cut across the board. In terms of performance and stability, it’s top-notch. Its primary feature is the high vacuum system. It does a full round of picking up lawn clippings. Unlike any other push lawn mower, I’ve seen.

What’s more? This mower supports more mulch than other models of the similar price. It is comparable to the higher-end models. And on top of everything else, it has the strongest running motor.

So power and convenience all packed in one. It works for both dry and wet grass. And has plenty of suction to keep the engine going for long. Not many people know this but once you buy this mower. You don’t have to worry about replacing, or even repairing it, for more than 15-20 years!

Each running wheel comes with a ball bearing. This ball bearing is responsible for causing less damage to the mower. This means it can handle uneven terrain as well as steep hills.

It is said that this walk behind mower is not easy for beginners. The assembly and packaging are a bit complicated to handle for a newbie.

7. Greenworks Pro 80V 21-Inch – Best Walk-behind Mower for Homeowners

Looking for a long-term walk behind mower? Go for the Greenworks Pro Cordless Lawn Mower. You don’t have to stop midway while cutting. It takes you on for about 60-minutes without stopping.

The dual batteries of this walk behind mower are good for daily use. It works well with both large and mid-sized spaces. The angled design of the mower gives plenty of room for working in tight corners. This means it improves upon maneuverability as much as stability.

You know this best walk-behind mower for hills can take a beating. That’s because of its polymer construction. A polymer build is great to suit cutting thicker grass. You can take this mower out for a spin as many times as you want. Mow over the same patch of grass and it still gets the job done.

After careful consideration, the Greenworks Pro is the tough one for the job. Making it one of the most incomparable mowers on the market.

When I say dual batteries, I mean each battery lasts for 60 minutes. That is, after a full charge. So with dual batteries, if needed, you can use it for longer than 90 minutes.

The only unfortunate drawback to this mower is the absence of the self-propel feature. This makes it a bit tricky to push up on tricky steep hills.

​8. Honda HRX217K5VKA – Best Gas Walk-behind Mower for Hills

The verdict finds the Honda a powerful and reliable pick. It has all the right features for someone looking for an upgraded model. Not only that, this best walk-behind mower for hills is responsive too.

Take the self-propulsion and discharge as a good example. It has the right capacity, stamina, and balance to work the hill. And even though it’s a gas model, it runs as effectively as electric. Making the Honda the best gas walk behind mower for hills!

The ideal cutting path of grass for any mower is 21 inches. But in some models, the wheels don’t match up to the scale. This is not the case with this gas mower. It doesn’t overlap with grass. It has good design protection on uneven terrain and hills.

The thumb lever control of this mower is outstanding. It replaces the average bar system which works for a gas mower. It’s what makes the self-propulsion a hard-to-beat feature in the Honda.

The only downside to this gas mower is the noise factor. While electric mowers don’t vibrate while working on hills, this one does. So wearing earplugs is necessary.

9. Jonsered 21-Inch Briggs & Stratton – Best Walk-behind Mower for Hills with Height Adjustment

Would you buy a gas walk behind mower for hills? I don’t see why you’d opt out of something so popular and efficient. The Jonsered is a Briggs & Stratton high-powered mower.

It has features that make it one of the best maneuverable mowers on the list. Giving you durable and high-end rear wheels. A height adjustment feature and high-tunnel cutting deck. All these features, when combined together, bring out the best in this mower.

The popularity of its design and performance are hard to match up to. If you want something that cuts grass mechanically but effective, this is the best one.

This mower comes with a ready start function. It completely eliminates the prime or choke function of the engine. This is not only an energy-efficient way but it’s a time-saver!

The speed on this mower may be too fast for some people. Especially for beginners who have little to no experience for mowing hills.

10. Lawn-Boy 17734 21-Inch Kohler – Best Responsive Walk-behind Mower for Hills

This best walk-behind mower is a lot less tricky to use. That’s because it has the best ready start feature on the market. You want something quick and responsive. Not only because you save time but you cut back on energy as well. But finding such a mower is close to impossible, right?

Not anymore! The Lawn-Boy 17734 has a carefully-engineered self-proper function to use. It improves traction, stability, and power. In so many ways, no less, it has a powerful Kohler engine!

The 3-in-1 discharge ability of this walk behind mower has a walk-through commitment. This means you can use it in different ways without any hassle.

The two-point height adjustment lets you customize to your ideal mowing height. This gives you a far more superior cut. The tri-cut cutting system makes managing the height lightweight and effortless.

The only real hassle with this mower is quality control. The deck the support such impressive features lacks durability. This affects the engine’s shelf life when used on a daily basis.

​Buying for the First Time? – Read This Buying Guide

Photo credit: progardentips.com

A walk behind mower can do many things. But it needs that special something to be able to mow steep hills. These are the following features that make the best walk-behind mower for hills.

Rear Wheel Drive Mode

Photo credit: hunker.com

The wheel drive mode is the most significant feature for a mower. Especially when you want to use it on hills. There are 3-wheel drive modes – front, rear, and full. The ideal one for hills is rear-wheel drive. It works on all levels including uneven and patch terrain. Plus, rear-wheel drive gives you better traction. So there’s no loss of control when going up or down the hill. (Rear-Wheel or Front-Wheel Drive Mowers?)

Deck

Photo credit: woodworkingtoolkit.com

The deck is what determines the main body of the mower. If you’re mowing a large area, a large deck size is essential. For mid- and small-sized areas, a standard size works.

The measure for the ideal deck size is between 42 to 54-inches of cutting width. For steep hills, you need better control. This calls for shorter and sturdier deck size.

Weight

Photo credit: lawnmowerreview.org

You don’t want to pull a heavy-duty mower up the hill. But even when you do, having the right weight is not enough. You need proper wheel attachments and height for it. This is what the weight of a mower comprises of.

You don’t need to worry about how heavy a mower is. Especially when it has the best rear wheel width and control. But managing a lightweight mower is ideal for homeowners. And for beginners to help with coping.

A lightweight model may not have enough stamina to handle hills. So a good balance between a lightweight and heavy-duty mower is your pick. Make sure you look for efficient features that make the mower responsive. And not to mention, a lot more studier to handle on the way down.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What’s the difference between a walk behind mower and a zero-turn mower?

Photo credit: deere.com

Walk behind mowers give you more control over where you’re going. Nothing pairs agility and balance better than a walk behind mower. And a zero-turn mower is good for quick and productive tasks. It has faster ground coverage than walk behind mowers. But for mowing hills, speed may not be what you need.

Walk behind mowers give you stability on slopes. You may not be able to keep up with a fast speed on slopes. You may lose control over the machine especially when coming down the hill.

As far as safety goes, the best walk-behind mower for hills is the one to get.

Q2. What are the advantages of using a walk behind mower?

Photo credit: deere.co.uk

Many professional landscapers opt for a walk behind mower. So why shouldn’t you do the same? For creative landscaping, a walk behind mower is effective and responsive. It practically has no footprints. It works in tight spaces and hillsides. And it’s a powerhouse of great features. That makes performance smooth and the design ergonomic.

Secondly, you’d rather walk behind a mower while going up and down the hill. This brings in the comfort factor. Wouldn’t you prefer to stay on top of things when mowing on a slope? You get complete control of your machine. So you take it where you’d like to go. And not the other way around.

High-quality mowers come with height adjustments that make things easier. It’s the only thing that makes newbies more confident when mowing a steep hillside. Not everyone is as adept at mowing as a landscaper, right? When you take matters into your own hands. You want to be as safe and accurate at the task as possible.

Conclusion

Which is your best walk-behind mower for hills? 

Do you have an immediate need to mow a hill?

Or are you looking for something to get into on a frequent basis?

It’s important to stay ahead of such questions when looking for such a heavy-duty equipment.

While there are a few fixed features that make a walk behind mower effective. My top choices should help you find the right combination of features. In the fastest and wisest way possible.

I have set examples of how convenient a walk behind mower can be. Especially when you want to use it on uneven terrain, slopes, and rocky hillsides. You can’t rely on a standard machine to do such a complicated job. Only a capable and responsive walk behind mower is worthy. What do you think?

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Sources:

• Things to consider when buying a walk mower
• 5 Steps to Choosing the Best Lawn Mower​