Last Updated on August 11, 2023 by teamobn
Few household machines are subject to so much use and abuse as lawnmowers. We demand many of these machines even as we often ignore their maintenance. We put them to work all through spring and summer, and then again in the leaf-covered fall.
Yet many homeowners never as much as check the oil or change a spark plug on their machines throughout.
That’s why it’s important to select a mower with care and consideration. You want a machine that’s tough, uncomplicated, and suited to your needs.
Most of today’s lawnmowers will do an excellent job keeping your lawn trimmed. But that doesn’t make choosing the right lawnmower an easy task. Today’s mowers don’t come cheap and they are built to offer specific benefits.
Choosing the Right Lawn Mower
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Each type of mower has its pros and cons. Battery mowers are quieter than their gas-engine counterparts. They don’t need fuel and there’s no exhaust.
Front-drive mowers are easy to maneuver but will not perform well uphill. Rear-drive mowers aren’t as maneuverable but they’ll cut uphill as well as they do on flat surfaces.
Consider what you need and shop with that in mind. We’ve assembled our picks for the best lawnmowers in the market right now to help you decide.
The Best Battery-Powered Lawn Mower
Mowing the lawn is a chore, but it’s one you might enjoy with Greenworks 40V 21″ Brushless (Smart Pace) Self-Propelled Lawn Mower. It is a powerful and efficient tool for lawn maintenance. With a run-time of up to 70 minutes on two fully charged 4.0Ah batteries, it can handle large areas of grass quickly and easily. The 21” steel deck is also durable and allows for efficient mowing.
The brushless motor provides more torque, quiet operation, and longer life, making it a reliable and cost-effective investment. While the smart pace self-propelled system automatically adjusts to your walking speed, making it easy to use for anyone.
The dual battery ports with automatic switchover also ensure that you can have longer, uninterrupted run times. When one battery depletes, it automatically switches to the second battery, giving you more time to get the job done without having to worry about recharging.
The Greenworks electric lawn mower seems like a smart and efficient choice for those looking to get the job done in time with their lawn maintenance.
The Best Robotic Lawn Mower
The GARDENA SILENO Minimo Automatic Lawn Mower is a highly intelligent robotic lawn mower that can mow yards up to 5400 sq ft using patented streak-free technology. It is designed for easy connectivity via Bluetooth EasyApp Control, Auto-Schedule, and EasyConfig, making it user-friendly and convenient to use.
The precise and silent navigation of the GARDENA SILENO Minimo allows you to relax in your backyard while the mower navigates narrow spaces and tight corners while cutting your grass with one of the quietest in-class noise levels of 57 dbA. This ensures that you can enjoy a peaceful outdoor space while the mower does its job.
Safety is also a top priority with the GARDENA SILENO Minimo. The boundary wire ensures that the robotic lawn mower only mows the areas specified, while collision sensors ensure that the mower operates safely with no accidents or damage to your garden.
The GARDENA SILENO robotic lawn mower is designed to operate in all weather conditions, including rain. Its all-weather capability ensures that it can mow your lawn regardless of the weather outside, making it a convenient and hassle-free option for lawn maintenance.
Additionally, setting it up at home is designed to be easy and straightforward. The package comes with all the necessary components and user-friendly instructions, which will help you easily install and set up the mower.
Once the mower is set up, you can control it conveniently using the GARDENA Bluetooth App. This app provides a simple and user-friendly interface that enables you to control your robotic lawn mower from up to 33ft distance. You can use the app to adjust the cutting schedule, check the status of the mower, and even control the direction of the mower, among other things.
The GARDENA SILENO robotic lawn mower is designed to make lawn care easy and efficient.
The Best Corded Mower
If you have easy access to an electrical socket in your yard, why not consider a corded electric mower? The Greenworks 25142 16-Inch 10 Amp Corded Electric Lawn Mower is one of the top-rated examples in its class.
This model from Greenworks is a low-cost option for small yards. Since it’s corded, you do have to mind the cable which, in the case of the 25142, is 150 feet long.
The machine is relatively light at 37.5 lbs. and it comes with a cord lock in the handle. The lock prevents you from yanking the cord from the outlet when you move the mower around.
The 25142’s electric starter works on a simple push-button and lever system. You won’t have to bother with a cumbersome pull cord. The mower’s high-quality 10-amp motor provides enough power for even the toughest of small lawns, as well.
This mower features a 16-inch cutting deck which should be enough for a small yard. You can use a lever to toggle through five cutting height adjustments. These range from 0.625” to 2.625”.
The mower doesn’t demand much by way of maintenance. You won’t ever have to worry about having to sharpen the mower’s blades on a bench grinder. You can just purchase the replacement blades. They are quite inexpensive.
The Greenworks 25142 even comes with a mulching attachment. But the 10 Amp motor might prove inadequate if you’re cutting and mulching tall grass at the same time.
So, it’s best to mow frequently if you want to mulch your grass clippings. Otherwise, the 25142 tends to leave small patches of uncut grass behind.
You might also notice that the rear wheels of this mower are bigger than its front wheels. The one-inch difference in diameter might be a minor problem in an extensive yard. Considering the 25142’s 150-foot cord, this shouldn’t be an issue at all.
What can be a problem is the cord itself. You might not notice it at all if your lawn is wide open. The cord lock on the handle will prevent accidental unplugging. But things won’t be as easy if your yard has more complex landscaping.
If your yard has tall flowers or a tree, the GreenWorks 25142 cord might cause some frustration. Setting up pegs or shepherd’s hooks at the edges of flower beds might help, though.
Our verdict? The GreenWorks 25142 performs well for the price it commands. It’s lightweight, sturdy, and easy to maintain. We say this is your best option if you have a small, open lawn with easy access to an electrical outlet.
The Best Manual Push Mower
If you’re looking to buy a high-quality mower that’s inexpensive and environment-friendly, consider American Lawn Mower 1204-14. That said, it’s a manual push mower. This means you’ll be putting in more work tending to your lawn than with a battery-or-gas-powered machine.
But taken on its own, there is much to like about this product. While it might not always provide a perfect cut, use 1204-14 the right way and it will deliver.
The first thing to remember here is that the 1204-14 is designed for general maintenance. This means you’ll need to mow more during the growing season to ensure optimum performance. Many users have reported that it doesn’t do as well if you let the grass grow too long.
But it does offer advantages. For example, it requires little in the way of an initial setup. There’s not much to do as it comes pre-assembled from the factory.
You just need to put the handle together and attach everything to the base of the mower. The locknuts have little plastic wings. You won’t need tools to tighten them. The only implement you might need is a pair of pliers when you squeeze the C-clips into place.
Using it is even simpler. You won’t have to bother with a grass catcher to transport to and from the compost pile. There is no start-up process. You don’t have to worry about regular gas and oil checks, either. You just roll the 1204-14 out onto the lawn and start mowing. That’s it.
The downside? The machine is prone to jamming. Most consumers say you’ll be stopped dead in your tracks when dealing with thick weeds and long grass. That’s why it’s essential to mow your lawn more often when you use this mower.
You will also find that adjusting the cut height isn’t a simple matter of toggling a lever. You will need a wrench to remove some locknuts and bolts to move between the 3 height settings. These settings are limited to 1”, 1.6”, and 2.25”.
But, all in all, this mower’s good blade and simple design make it a worthy investment. We think it would be just the right tool for small city lots and lawns.
Conclusion
When buying a mower, keep in mind that they require regular maintenance work. This is the only way to ensure that they continue to function. In general, there is little difference between the maintenance of gas-powered and battery-powered mowers.
The former just requires gas tank refills while the latter needs batteries that are charged. Beyond this, all mowers need regular cleaning, lubrication, and a regular inspection of the blades.
You should consider the warranty when buying a mower, too. You need to be sure you’re investing in a machine that commands the manufacturer’s confidence. Do not spend money on a product that the maker will not guarantee.
A good lawn mower warranty is easy to reference. It should provide information about the length of time it covers the mower. There should also be information about any activities that nullify the parts and services contract.
