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Tried and tested lawn mowers for every bang out of yard.
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
For more information on how we tested the mowers, check outour testing processbelow.
If youre not used to a self-propelled mower, it could take some time to get accustomed to it.
We took the Ego Power+ Select Cut out on a small lawn that takes 30 minutes to mow.
Credit: Walmart
The Ego handled them well and turned easily, handling the small hills well.
Adjusting the deck height was super easy, as was the propelling speed.
The handle is also adjustable both in height and angle for user comfort with no back pain.
Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Megan Wood
By the second mowing session, we had gotten the hang of it, though.
The mower performed impeccably, cutting evenly and smoothly.
We moved it to a drier area and it started just fine.
The mower is very light to maneuver with one hand, even when its not on.
The two separate pedals for forward and reverse may take some getting used to.
We tested this machine out on a large and hilly property and found that it performed impeccably well.
The mower came fully assembled and the instructions were easy to understand.
Starting it up does require a few steps.
First, you must push the brake pedal all the way down, then you set the parking brake.
Next, advance the throttle forward to the choke position, and lastly, turn the key.
Mowing 0.2 acres of lawn took just 15 minutes.
It has two separate pedals for reverse and forward drive which took some getting used to at first.
We loved the side discharge chute that powerfully sends grass far away from the mower.
Steering was easy and it rides smoothly, even over gravel.
Its quite a loud mower, but not so much that you need hearing protection.
While it doesnt have wheel weights or reflectors, we felt safe using it overall.
For added safety, however, it features an ignition cutoff switch and headlights for clearer visibility.
It doesnt have power steering.
Credit: The Home Depot
Setup took 1.5 hours, which was a bit longer than some of the other mowers we tried.
While testing it, we liked that the faux-leather seat that was comfortable and adjustable forward and back.
The mower cut the grass evenly and even chopped up leaves and sticks as it went over them.
Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Abby Mercer
The deck height is also adjustable with a large manual lever.
The mower is quite compact, so it takes up minimal storage space.
The only downside was that it doesnt have power steering.
While it was fine when going along quickly, it was a little tiresome when turning slowly around obstacles.
We liked that the mower featured a handy digital display to let you know how much battery is left.
The bag latching area needs to be cleaned after emptying and reinsertion, and the self-propel function is finicky.
During six months of testing, we were impressed by theHonda 21-Inch Gas Self-Propelled Lawn Mower.
It only took us 10 minutes to set up and we appreciated that the instructions were straightforward.
We took it out for a spin on a small yard of around 0.2 acres.
It usually takes an hour to mow this area, but this machine did it in just 40 minutes.
We also admired how easily it maneuvered, especially around large tree roots.
Adjusting the cutting height was quick and easy, as was switching from bagging to mulching.
The mower always cut the grass evenly, and this was evident from the first mow of the season.
The area often became clogged with clippings and required removal prior to reinsertion.
Another minor drawback is that we didnt find the self-propel function as helpful as we thought it would be.
Plus, it has a user-friendly app with extensive features.
It has a limited cutting width, and theres no protective cover for the charging station.
It also doesnt notify you when its running out of charge, or done mowing.
The setup was very simple with easy-to-understand instructions, and everything needed comes in the package.
However, were pleased to note that the manual effort needed to use this mower ended there.
We would have also appreciated a cover to keep the base protected from the elements if not stored inside.
The mowers advanced safety features are also impressive.
In addition, it needs a pin to start up.
For a truly good mulching mower, we recommend theToro Stripe 60-volt Max 21-in Cordless Self-Propelled model.
Credit: The Home Depot
During testing, the self-propel feature was useful and made pushing the mower effortless.
Theres also an adjustable-height handle which is ideal for taller users.
The mowers best feature is its mulching capability.
Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Patrick McGowan
It left no visible grass clippings and just returned the nourishing mulch back to the lawn.
One battery charge lasts about an hour and 10 minutes.
This set only comes with one, however, so thatll make for an additional cost.
We also cleaned each lawn mower and made a note of how easy removing lawn and garden debris was.
Push mowers are cheaper, lighter, quieter, and more eco-friendly than riding mowers.
They are good for small to medium-sized lawns that are flat and obstacle-free.
However, theyre not ideal for people with physical or health issues, says Clayton.
Riding mowers are faster, more powerful, more comfortable, and more versatile than push mowers.
However, gas mowers are good if you have to clean up a large amount of leaves during autumn.
Keep in mind those models tend to be more expensive, so itll be an investment.
The larger the lawn, the larger the mower should be, Clayton says.
Hills, obstacles, and other preferences may also affect your choice of lawn mower, he says.
McInerney suggests opting for a battery-powered electric lawn mower if you have a small yard that is relatively flat.
It also offers convenient and space-saving storage thanks to its foldable handle that allows you to store it upright.
Your Questions, Answered
Which is besta gas or electric lawn mower?
Keep in mind that they’re not only more expensive to buy; they’re also costlier to run.
What maintenance does a lawn mower need?
How long do lawn mowers last?
Credit: Lowe’s
With proper care, the new breed ofrobot lawn mowerscan last 10 years or more.
Kat is also an editor-at-large at Thomas-Xometry, the leading U.S. online platform for supplier discovery and product sourcing.
Kat also spoke toBryan Clayton, CEO of GreenPal, andBen McInerney, the founder of Home Garden Guides.
Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Lauren Meyers
What Is BHG Recommends?
Next to all of the products on this list, you may have noticed ourBHG Recommends seal of approval.
In these cases, we use the same testing criteria we use to test the purchased products.
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