American Lawn Mower Company 51319 19-inch 13-Amp Corded Electric Push Lawn Mower with Grass Bag

Why I reached for a corded 19-inch mower

I’ve used plenty of gas, battery, and corded mowers, and each format has its place. For a season I put the American Lawn Mower 19-inch corded model to work on a modest suburban yard with a mix of cool-season grass, a couple of slopes, and some tight passages between beds. I wanted something lighter than gas, simpler than maintaining batteries, and capable of clean, predictable cuts. This mower delivered on the core promise: straightforward mowing with minimal fuss, a light footprint, and a reassuringly consistent cut—so long as I kept expectations in line with its design.

Setup and build

Out of the box, assembly was simple—handle bolts, grass bag, and a quick check of the blade. The deck and body are largely plastic, which keeps the weight down and makes it easy to carry by the central handle. The tradeoff is feel: this is not a burly, metal-deck machine, and the control bail has a bit of flex. Nothing came across as flimsy to the point of concern, but if you’re used to the tank-like build of older gas mowers, this will feel much lighter and more compact.

One note on packaging: mine arrived well protected, but the outer carton had a plasticized coating that limited how much I could recycle. Minor in the scheme of things, but worth mentioning for buyers focused on sustainability.

Power and cut quality

The 13-amp motor starts instantly and spins up to speed without hesitation. On regularly maintained grass (weekly or biweekly during peak growth), it cuts cleanly across the full 19-inch path with little tendency to leave stragglers. I found the blade speed brisk and the deck design efficient at lifting and slicing clippings. Edges and corners were tidy, and the mower didn’t scatter debris.

Where you’ll want to adjust your expectations is thick, tall, or wet grass. Like most corded electrics in this class, it will bog if you push fast into dense growth. My workaround was simple and effective:

• Raise the deck a notch for the first pass, then drop it to your target height for a cleanup pass.
• Take slightly narrower swaths when the lawn is lush.
• Slow your pace rather than muscling through.

Those adjustments preserved cut quality and prevented stalls. For typical suburban maintenance, it’s plenty; for reclaiming a neglected lawn or mowing after a rain, you’ll need patience.

Bagging and mulching

The mower ships with both a rear bag and a mulch plug. The bag seals well, doesn’t leak clippings, and is easy to attach and remove. It’s on the smaller side, which is consistent with the mower’s compact footprint. In heavy growth, I emptied it frequently—more than with larger, gas mowers—but the tradeoff is the machine remains exceptionally light and maneuverable.

Mulching performance was solid with dry grass at modest heights. The deck recirculates clippings nicely, leaving a fine, even finish. In damp conditions or with longer growth, mulching can overwhelm the deck; switching to bagging or taking a two-pass approach kept things moving.

Height adjustment and lawn health

Height adjustment is handled by a single lever that moves all four wheels at once—a feature I appreciate. The range is 1 to 3 inches. The low end produces a clipped, carpet-like look, and the top end is fine for most cool-season lawns early and late in the season. In midsummer, I prefer 3.5–4 inches to protect against heat stress; the 3-inch ceiling meant I simply mowed a bit more frequently and avoided cutting during the hottest part of the day. If you’re committed to taller cuts for turf health in summer, note this limitation.

Handling and ergonomics

This is where the 19-inch corded mower shines. It’s so light that it genuinely feels like pushing a household vacuum. Tight turns around beds and trees are easy, and backing out of corners is no chore. The compact deck reaches under shrub lines better than bulkier machines. On my sloped section, the light weight actually helped—less effort uphill, more control downhill.

The handle height and grip are comfortable enough for longer sessions. I’d prefer a slightly firmer feel to the control bail, but it never interfered with operation, and the reduced weight made the overall experience low effort.

Noise, maintenance, and storage

Noise is notably lower than gas—conversation is possible while mowing, and neighbors will appreciate early evening passes. Vibration is minimal, with none of the idle shake of small engines.

Maintenance is as simple as it gets: keep the deck clean, check the blade, and store it dry. There’s no fuel, oil, spark plug, or air filter to worry about. After the season, I pulled the blade for sharpening and it came off easily. The handle folds, the footprint is compact, and the mower stands neatly in a small shed space. No lingering fuel smell is a welcome change.

Cord management

If you’ve never used a corded mower, cord management is the learning curve. I ran a 12- or 14-gauge outdoor-rated extension cord sized to the length of my yard and had no overheating or voltage drop. Working away from the outlet and looping back, keeping the cord draped over my shoulder, minimized tangles and kept it clear of the deck. The plug is a two-prong, polarized design typical of double-insulated outdoor tools. A GFCI outlet or in-line adapter is a smart safety addition.

Corded mowing isn’t for everyone, but once you establish a pattern, it becomes second nature. In exchange, you get endless runtime and consistent power.

Durability and reliability

Throughout a season of regular use, the mower started instantly and performed consistently. The plastic deck shrugged off errant sticks, and the wheels tracked straight. The lightweight build means being mindful when dragging it across concrete or storing it stacked among heavier tools; it’s not fragile, but it isn’t built to be abused. Treat it like the lightweight tool it is and it should hold up well. As with any mower, keeping the blade sharp extends motor life and improves cut quality.

Who it’s for

• Small to medium lawns, especially with narrow gates or tight landscaping.
• Homeowners who want quiet operation, low maintenance, and no battery management.
• Anyone comfortable with corded tools and looking for predictable, unlimited runtime.
• Users who value a lighter machine to reduce fatigue.

What could be better

• Top cut height caps at 3 inches. A 3.5–4-inch setting would better suit summer turf health for many grasses.
• The control bail and some handle components feel flexible. A more robust metal interface would inspire extra confidence.
• The bag is small. It keeps the mower light but requires frequent emptying in peak growth.
• Plasticized packaging limited recyclability in my case.

The bottom line

The 19-inch corded mower hits a sweet spot for simple, reliable lawn care on small to medium plots. It’s easy to store, easy to use, and easy to maintain. The cut is clean so long as you keep up with growth, and the machine’s light weight turns mowing into a low-effort chore you can knock out without smelling like gasoline afterward. The compromises—cord management, a lower maximum cut height, and a smaller bag—are real, but understandable given the design priorities.

Recommendation: I recommend this mower for homeowners with modest lawns who want a quiet, low-maintenance, budget-friendly tool and don’t mind working with a cord. It’s especially well-suited to regular, dry-condition mowing where its clean cut and nimble handling shine. If you have a large yard, prefer taller summer cuts, or often tackle overgrown or wet grass, you’ll be happier with a heavier-duty option or a higher-capacity battery mower. For its intended use, though, this corded 19-incher is a reliable, no-drama workhorse.