The best corded mower is one you can route safely across your entire lawn—not necessarily the one with the widest deck or highest amp rating. A 20-inch mower saves passes on open ground, while a narrow deck is easier to turn around beds and fit through gates. Cutting-height range, clipping options and storage space matter just as much. These picks cover both approaches, from three-mode mowers for open lawns to compact machines for short, obstacle-filled mowing routes.
The ranking favors a workable match between deck width and yard layout, useful cutting-height adjustment, clearly described clipping modes, and practical handling and storage. Kit contents matter: a bagging option is more useful when the collection bag is identified, and a side-discharge option needs the appropriate chute. Scores are editorial judgments about each mower for its intended buyer, not cut-quality measurements. Where a listing and manufacturer information differ on a consequential detail, the guide identifies what to check before ordering.
Top-rated Comparison
For open lawns and changing clipping needs: a 20-inch, three-mode mower with a 4-inch maximum cut, but a wide deck takes room to turn.
For an open lawn with edges to follow: a 20-inch deck, seven height settings and three clipping modes, with more mower to maneuver.
For lawns with both open stretches and obstacles: a 16-inch deck and rear bag balance coverage with maneuvering, but cutting height tops out at 3 inches.
For a compact storage area: a 16-inch mower with bagging, mulching and a folding handle designed for upright storage, but no side-discharge mode is listed.
For wide-deck coverage with easier carrying and storage: a folding handle and lift handle help, though mulching is not clearly specified.
For a buyer who wants substantial cutting width without a 20-inch deck: this 19-inch mower bags or mulches, but its maximum cut is 3 inches.
For a small lawn with frequent turns: its 15-inch deck and bike-style grip favor maneuvering, while the 3-inch height ceiling limits tall cuts.
For a small lawn and users who need handle-height choice: a 14-inch deck and six cut settings help with fit, but narrow coverage means more passes.
For routine mowing in a small yard: a 15-inch deck and 9.2-gallon catcher suit tight spaces, but only a 3-inch maximum cut is listed.
For very tight mowing routes: a 13-inch deck can get around beds and side aisles, but three height choices and a 2.56-inch maximum narrow its uses.
For an open lawn with convenient power access, the CRAFTSMAN CMEMW213 is the most adaptable pick: its 20-inch deck, 1.5-to-4-inch cutting range and three clipping modes cover more mowing preferences than a bag-only compact model. Its collection bag and side-discharge chute are identified in the package, though a wide push mower is less convenient around tight obstacles. (craftsman.com)
The BLACK+DECKER MM2000 offers a similarly broad cutting range, seven height settings and an EdgeMax deck intended to cut close to borders; confirm the accessories in the particular package you order. For a smaller or more intricate lawn, the 16-inch LawnMaster MEB1216K gives up cutting width in exchange for easier routing around obstacles. Its 3-inch maximum height, however, offers less room for taller grass than either 20-inch pick. (blackanddecker.com)
Treat deck width as a match to your lawn’s shape, not a contest to buy the largest number. The 20-inch CRAFTSMAN CMEMW213 and BLACK+DECKER MM2000 can cover open stretches in fewer passes; the 13-inch DORTALA may make more sense beside beds or through a narrow gate. Check the mower’s physical clearance against gates and storage openings, rather than assuming its cutting width is its full outside width. Bag capacity affects how often you stop to empty clippings: the listed bags range from 8 gallons on the LawnMaster MEB1216K to 13.2 gallons on the DOVAMAN LA16M. A larger bag can also become heavier as it fills. (lawnmaster.com)
Choose clipping modes according to what you will actually do with the grass. The CMEMW213 and MM2000 specify bagging, mulching and side discharge, making them useful if your preferred approach changes during the season. The American Lawn Mower Company 51319 is a more focused bag-or-mulch choice; its listing identifies a catcher and mulch plug. The BEMW213 identifies a bag and side-discharge chute, but its product information does not clearly establish mulching, so do not assume it has the same three modes as the MM2000. A folding handle helps in a crowded shed, while the DOVAMAN LA16M’s listed upright-storage design addresses floor space more directly. (craftsman.com)
| Profile | Recommended Product | Why It Fits | Avoid If |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open residential lawn; buyer alternates among clipping methods | CRAFTSMAN CMEMW213 | The 20-inch CMEMW213 specifies bagging, mulching and side discharge, with a 4-inch maximum cut. | Narrow passages or frequent tight turns make a 20-inch push mower cumbersome. |
| Open lawn with fences or landscape borders | BLACK+DECKER MM2000 | The MM2000 combines three clipping modes with an EdgeMax deck designed to cut close to edges. | You need confirmed accessory contents without checking the exact package. |
| Moderate-size lawn with beds or other obstacles | LawnMaster MEB1216K | The MEB1216K’s 16-inch width is a middle ground between coverage and maneuverability. | You need a cutting setting higher than 3 inches. |
| Buyer with limited shed or garage floor space | DOVAMAN LA16M | The LA16M lists a folding handle and upright-storage design, plus bagging and mulching. | Side discharge or a cut higher than 2.95 inches is essential. |
| Small lawn requiring frequent steering around features | BLACK+DECKER BEMW472BH | The BEMW472BH pairs a 15-inch deck with a bike-style comfort grip. | You need wide-deck coverage or a cut above 3 inches. |
| Very narrow side yard maintained at a short height | DORTALA DOUS-GT4834USPA | The DORTALA’s 13-inch width is the narrowest selected. | You need more than three height choices or a cut above 2.56 inches. |
Start with maximum cutting height if you occasionally delay mowing. The 4-inch ceiling on the three 20-inch picks gives more height choice than the 3-inch ceilings on the LawnMaster MEB1216K, 51319, BEMW472BH, PowerSmart DB8015 and BILT HARD. The DORTALA reaches only 2.56 inches, making it a more specific fit for regularly maintained, shorter cuts. Also compare the number and method of adjustments: a single lever changes the deck height more conveniently than repositioning individual wheels. Motor amps and listed RPM describe the machine, but neither figure alone establishes how cleanly it will cut a particular grass type or condition.
Before buying any corded mower, map a route from the outdoor outlet to the farthest corner, accounting for beds, gates and places where the cord could cross your path. Check the exact model manual for a suitable outdoor extension cord and the wire gauge required for its length and amp rating; do not assume an extension cord comes in the box. Keep the cord behind and away from the cutting path as you mow. For handling, the CMEMW213 and BEMW213 identify transport or lift handles, while the BEMW472BH’s bike-style grip is aimed at steering around a small lawn. Its manufacturer lists a weight of 38.2 pounds, so do not rely on the much lower weight shown in one product listing. (lawnmaster.com)
Plan on clearing clippings from the deck and emptying and drying the collection bag after use, following the model manual and disconnecting power before working near the blade. Inspect the cord and plug for damage, and keep the blade in serviceable condition; a motor rating cannot make up for a dull or damaged blade. Check how the handle folds before committing to a tight storage spot so the cord is not pinched. Warranty terms vary by model: CRAFTSMAN lists a three-year limited warranty for the CMEMW213, while BLACK+DECKER lists two-year limited warranties for the MM2000 and BEMW213. Read the applicable terms rather than treating warranty length as a promise about service life. (craftsman.com)
Prefer a clearly identified model and documented package contents over a broad claim such as ‘powerful’ or ’lightweight.’ The CRAFTSMAN CMEMW213 documentation identifies its bag and side-discharge chute, making that three-mode purchase easier to check. For the MM2000, product information describes a 13-gallon bag but the manufacturer page’s short ‘Includes’ field names only the mower; confirm the retailer’s exact package contents if the bag is essential. Manufacturer and retailer weight figures also differ for some models. Use the exact model number when checking replacement blades, bags or manuals rather than assuming parts interchange across mowers of the same width. (craftsman.com)
When reading owner accounts, first match the model number and the job. Feedback on a BLACK+DECKER MM2000 should not be merged with feedback on the BEMW213 simply because both have 20-inch decks; their specified height settings and clipping options differ. For the compact PowerSmart DB8015 or DORTALA DOUS-GT4834USPA, give more weight to accounts describing small, regularly maintained lawns than to complaints about covering a large open yard. Look for the grass condition, cutting height, bagging mode and extension-cord setup behind a reported result. A comment about collecting wet clippings, for example, answers a different question from one about steering around garden beds.
Do not choose a deck solely by how many passes it might save: a wide mower that cannot comfortably pass a gate or turn at the end of a strip creates its own work. Do not mistake a bag in a product image for confirmation that every accessory or clipping mode is in the package. Avoid buying for motor amps while overlooking cutting height; the compact DORTALA’s 2.56-inch maximum is a more immediate limitation for tall cuts than its 12-amp rating suggests. Finally, continuous corded operation does not mean unlimited reach. If a safe cord route cannot cover the lawn, none of these picks solves that constraint.
Is a 20-inch corded mower always faster than a 16-inch model?
Not necessarily. A wider deck can reduce passes on open grass, but extra turns around beds, fences or narrow gates can erase that advantage. Choose a width that clears your tightest route comfortably.
Which picks clearly offer bagging, mulching and side discharge?
The CRAFTSMAN CMEMW213 and BLACK+DECKER MM2000 specify all three modes. Confirm the accessories in the exact package you order, particularly for the MM2000.
What if I sometimes let the grass grow tall?
Prioritize cutting-height range before comparing amps. The CMEMW213, MM2000 and BEMW213 reach 4 inches; several compact picks stop at 3 inches or less. A higher setting offers more flexibility for an initial cut, though no listed height guarantees a clean pass through overgrowth.
Can I use the extension cord I already own?
Check that it is rated for outdoor use and meets the mower manual’s requirements for the motor’s amp rating and the cord’s full length. Also plan a route that keeps the cord away from the blade and reaches the entire mowing area.
Choose the CRAFTSMAN CMEMW213 if your lawn has enough open space for a 20-inch deck and you want the flexibility to bag, mulch or side-discharge. Its 1.5-to-4-inch height range and identified bag and chute make it the clearest all-around choice here. If obstacles, rather than open-area coverage, define your mowing route, the narrower LawnMaster MEB1216K is the more practical alternative—as long as its 3-inch maximum cutting height suits your grass.
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