Discover the key specifications and features of a range of lawn mowers, including cutting width, drive type, and power source, helping you find the perfect mower for your needs.
Mowing your lawn is an important milestone for homeowners who have a significant yard. To accomplish this task efficiently without draining all your energy and motivation to enjoy the results, it's crucial to find the right lawn mower. Several factors come into play, such as the size of your yard and its topography, when determining the most suitable mower.
Maintaining lawn mowers is not a complicated process, but it is essential to do so. Battery-powered electric mowers, although not requiring the regular maintenance of gas mowers, may require battery replacements over time, which can increase long-term operational costs. Moreover, if your battery runs out, you either need a charged spare battery or must wait for the current one to recharge.
On the other hand, gas mowers require regular oil changes and air filter replacements, both of which are relatively simple tasks. With consistent maintenance and care, gas mowers often prove to be more dependable in the long term. They also excel at collecting leaves during the autumn season and cutting through thick grass. If a gas mower runs out of fuel, it can be quickly refueled within seconds.
Factors to Take into Account
A properly maintained lawn mower should leave your cut grass looking as smooth as velvet. Most of the available options on the market today do a commendable job in that regard. However, it's important to note that not every mower is suitable for every yard or its owner. Certain mowers are designed to offer specific advantages. For instance, battery-powered mowers are quieter compared to their gas-engine counterparts, while the latter are better equipped to handle challenging mowing conditions, such as tall and thick grass.
The type of drive is also a crucial consideration. Push mowers are a cost-effective choice, but they require manual pushing along your yard, as the name suggests. They are well-suited for relatively small and flat yards. If your yard is larger or has hilly terrain, it may be worth considering a self-propelled mower. Although these machines are typically more expensive, they propel themselves, requiring you to simply squeeze a trigger or manipulate a handle while the mower efficiently cuts your lawn in neat stripes. All you need to do is guide it along and turn it when necessary.
If you prefer a more hands-off approach, you might want to explore options such as riding lawn mowers or robot lawn mowers. These alternatives offer a more automated experience, reducing the amount of manual effort required on your part.
Honda 21 in. 3-in-1 Variable Speed Gas Walk Behind Self Propelled Lawn Mower with Auto Choke
The Best Premium Gas Mower
The Honda HRN serves as the brand's entry-level mower, but don't be fooled by its classification. This mower boasts several advanced features. It includes rear-wheel drive self-propulsion and is equipped with a robust 170 cc engine. Adjusting the cutting height is easily done through two levers, one for the front wheels and another for the rear. The mower offers versatile options for grass clippings, allowing you to bag, mulch, or discharge them through the rear door. The lowered position of the rear door features an air gap to facilitate the smooth exit of clippings.
To switch between the three cutting modes, the HRN provides a clip director handle, which controls a flap located at the rear of the mower. Close the door for mulching, open it for rear discharge, or attach the bag to collect the clippings.
The self-propulsion function of the HRN is operated using a thumb paddle positioned on top of the handle. While it differs from the conventional lever found on other mowers or Toro's Personal Pace system, it is an effective feature that may feel more intuitive for certain users.
It's important to note that Honda will no longer manufacture lawn mowers after the 2023 season. If you have been considering purchasing one, it is advisable to act promptly before it becomes too late.
IMPORTANT SPECIFICATIONS
Mowing Width: 21 inches
Drive Type: Rear-wheel drive
Power Source: 170 cc gas engine
Cost: 549$ At Home Depot 550$ At FARMANDFLEET.COM
Murray MNA152703 Gas-Engine Lawn Mower
The Best Value Gas Mower
We are impressed by the value offered by this affordable Murray mower, which is equipped with a reliable Briggs & Stratton engine. The mower demonstrates excellent craftsmanship, with well-formed and precisely stamped parts. It features a simple deck adjustment system with two points, one for the front wheels and one for the rear.
One standout feature is its 11-inch rear wheels, contributing to smooth maneuverability over uneven terrain. Despite not being self-propelled, the mower has a relatively lightweight design, weighing just 52 pounds.
Overall, this mower delivers solid performance and is available in various configurations and under different brand names, depending on the retailer or location.
IMPORTANT SPECIFICATIONS
Mowing Width: 21 inches
Drive Type: Push
Power Source: 140 cc gas engine
Cost: 349$ At Home Depot
Craftsman M110
The Best Budget Option
The Craftsman M110 push mower bears a striking resemblance to the Murray mower mentioned earlier in this article. Both mowers share a similar deck design as they are manufactured by MTD. Furthermore, the Craftsman M110 also offers the versatility of bagging, mulching, or side discharge options.
One reason for its lower price is the absence of the Murray mower's larger rear wheels, which results in a slightly less smooth ride over uneven surfaces.
Although the prices of the two mowers are relatively close when not on sale, the Craftsman M110 is a reliable and high-quality option if you can manage without the larger rear wheels and are seeking an affordable solution that won't strain your budget.
IMPORTANT SPECIFICATIONS
Mowing Width: 21 inches
Drive Type: Push
Power Source: 140 cc gas engine
Cost: 319$ At Lowe’s
Ryobi RY401150 Cordless Lawn Mower
The Best Electric Mower For Mid-Sized Yards
This mower from Ryobi represents one of their high-end models, and it showcases a feature we would love to see more often: tools manufactured in the United States. The RY401150 offers an expansive cutting area, thanks to its two (6-Ah) batteries, and its X-shaped blade leaves behind a flawless surface.
According to Ryobi's estimation, this mower should provide approximately 70 minutes of runtime, a claim that appears quite plausible. Its rear-wheel drive, along with a reasonably aggressive tread pattern, ensures excellent performance when mowing on hills or uneven terrain. Additionally, the mower's bagging capability performs admirably on all surfaces, including level ground, sidehills, and even uphill slopes.
The mower boasts several user-friendly features, such as an easily attachable or detachable bag that can be mounted and dismounted with ease. Adjusting the deck height is a simple task, thanks to a convenient single lever. The straight-edge deck is constructed from polypropylene, which not only ensures durability but also eliminates the risk of rusting, requiring minimal maintenance apart from routine cleaning.
IMPORTANT SPECIFICATIONS
Mowing Width: 21 inches
Drive Type: Rear-wheel drive
Power Source: 40-volt battery
Cost: 799$ At Home Depot
Greenworks 25223 Cordless Lawn Mower
The Best Electric Mower For Small Yards
We were impressed by the thoughtful design and the inclusion of features that are not commonly found in this class and price range of mowers. This model offers notable attributes, such as 10-inch rear tires, which greatly enhance its ability to navigate uneven surfaces, dual batteries for extended runtime, and a three-function capability allowing for mulching, side discharge, and bagging.
Additionally, the mower's steel deck is equipped with a single spring-loaded lift mechanism that enables easy adjustment across seven positions, ranging from 1-1/8 to 3 inches. The deck spans from the rear wheels to the front, ensuring a continuous cutting path, and a convenient hatch at the back facilitates access to the bag for easy emptying.
It's important to mention that this mower has a narrower cutting width of just 19 inches, making it particularly suitable for small yards or as a dedicated trimming mower, rather than for larger areas of grass.
IMPORTANT SPECIFICATIONS
Mowing Width: 19 inches
Drive Type: Push
Power Source: 40-volt battery
Cost:398$ At Amazon