When it comes to mowing the lawn, you want a mower that’s efficient, easy to use, and saves you time and money. When considering lawn mowers, there are three main items to take into account: yard size, terrain, and ability/want to mow.
Lawn Mower Breakdown
You have many options when it comes to mowers today. If you have a small yard and are looking for some extra exercise, a walk-behind mower may be the best fit for you. If you have a large yard, a riding mower is probably your best bet. If you have a small enough yard and don’t like to mow, you may be the perfect person to try out a robotic lawnmower. Whatever your preference, there are lots of options. Consider these types and features when purchasing a mower:
It’s important to consider your lawn size, terrain, and time it takes you to mow when choosing the best lawn mower for your yard.
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Walk-behind Mowers
Walk-behind mowers are generally used by homeowners who have less than a quarter of an acre
Rotary Mower
- Great for yards that are under 500 sq.ft.
- Has no engine - fully propelled by you
Self-propelled mowers
- Great for yards with slopes and hills
- Engine assists in propulsion so you don’t have to work as hard to push it
Front-wheel-drive push mower
- Easily pivots in and out of tight spaces
- Great for a small, flat yard with hardscapes and landscaped areas to mow around
Rear-wheel drive walk-behind mower
- Best for uphill and sidehill mowing
- Keeps the front wheels from losing traction on a slope or hilly terrain
A push mower with mulching and bagging features
- Mulching components chop leaves and grass clippings back onto your lawn, giving your yard up to a 25% nitrogen boost when you recycle your grass clippings
- Bagging features are great for when grass clippings are tall and thick, that would otherwise leave a mess and potentially mat the lawn
An electric walk-behind mower
- Works best on yards with 5,000 sq.ft. or less
- Eliminates carbon dioxide released into the air compared to gas-powered mowers, benefiting the environment.
- It will take you a bit longer to mow with this option, and is less powerful in tall, thick, or wet grass.
- Environmentally friendly, quiet
Riding Mowers
Depending on your yard size, a riding mower may better suit you. When shopping for a riding mower, consider your yard size, its terrain, and the time it takes you to mow.
Rear engine riding mower
- Great starter riding mower for small-sized lawns
- Deck sizes range from 30 to 33 inches
Lawn tractor
- Built for lawns beyond the scope of a push-mower, generally over a half an acre
- More powerful than a rear-engine riding mower for larger lawns
- Deck sizes range anywhere from 42 to 54 inches
Zero-turn mower
- Best for large, flat yards with large obstacles to mow around
- Offers faster speeds and precision turning
- Generally used by homeowners with over two acres of lawn
- Deck sizes range from 32 to 60 inches, and commonly have a bigger engine than lawn tractors
TIP: To determine what size you need, divide the deck size by 12. The end number tells you how many acres it can properly handle.
Robotic Mowers
Robotic mowers are perfect for the homeowner who has a small yard and doesn’t like to mow.
- Battery operated mowers that automatically move around your yard
- An electromagnetic barrier must be installed beneath your grass to create a perimeter for the mower to stay within
- Low maintenance, easy to use
- Environmentally friendly