Without a doubt, an unkempt lawn can truly bring down the appearance of a home. To keep your lawn looking its best, you need to use a capable and competent lawnmower. To someone who is not an expert, however, choosing the right one can be difficult.
With so many types, brands, and models available, it’s only natural to be insecure about your decision. This buyer’s guide will go over five of the best lawnmowers on the market. Besides, it will provide useful information about lawn mowers in general. With any luck, this knowledge will help you choose the perfect product for your particular needs.
The Best LawnMower – Comparison Table
1. Husqvarna MZ61 61 in. 24 HP Kawasaki Hydrostatic Zero Turn Riding Mower – Best Zero-Turn Lawnmower
Maneuverable and effective, the Husqvarna MZ61 61 in. 24 HP Kawasaki Hydrostatic Zero Turn Riding Mower is, without a doubt, an option to consider. The machine with a large and powerful engine is capable of reliable startups as well as remarkable speeds.
Surrounding said engine is a robust and sturdy heavy-duty steel frame that makes this lawnmower amazingly durable. Also, this mower features an extensive and capable cutting deck that’s remarkably effective.
Maneuverability and Precision
Amazing Power
One of the best features that the Husqvarna MZ61 has to offer is not immediately visible: its engine. Manufactured by the world-renowned Briggs & Stratton, this engine boasts a fantastic level of quality.
At maximum power, this engine is capable of delivering 27hp, resulting in a forward drive of 8.5mph and a reverse drive of 5mph. Even if it doesn’t seem like much, this amount of speed allows you to go through three of four acres of lawn in less than an hour.
- Very reliable automatic start.
- Powerful and compelling.
- Roll-over protection system allows operating in all conditions.
- Multiple options for disposing of clippings.
- Comfortable padded high-rise backseat.
- Features capable vibration dampers.
- Heavy-duty steel frame.
- The seat may be a bit too high for some people.
- Can be challenging to store.
- Very heavy.
2. Troy-Bilt Mustang Fit Riding Lawn Mower – Best Manual Transmission Lawnmower
The Troy-Bilt Mustang Fit Riding Lawn Mower offers a good compromise between power and practicality. It features a 452cc that is capable of producing a considerable amount of energy. The machine uses an EZT hydrostatic transmission that is remarkably responsive and smooth. Combined with an efficient and ample cutting deck, this power makes it possible to mow down large sections of rough, thick grass with surprising ease.
Slim and Nimble
As I just mentioned, the Troy-Bilt Mustang Fit Riding Lawn Mower is capable of producing a considerable amount of power. Despite having a rather sophisticated engine, though, the machine is compact, slim and relatively lightweight. In addition to making it practical and easy to store, its sleek and dynamic design facilitates sharp zero-turns. This lawnmower uses a double-lever system to give the user a smooth and precise control at all times.
As a result of these features, the Troy-Bilt Mustang Fit Riding Lawn Mower can be an excellent option for smaller lawns with many obstacles such as trees and flower beds.
Surprising Solidity
What is more, it features a reinforced heavy-duty steel frame that protects it against anything you can throw at it, including water, dust, and snow. This type of construction quality is also present in the engine, guaranteeing a stable and reliable performance for years after purchase.
- Includes a powerful 452cc engine.
- Powerful hydrostatic transmission.
- Zero-turn maneuverability.
- Features reverse capabilities.
- Wide cutting deck.
- Very smooth cutting action.
- May rip the grass when performing a zero-turn.
- Somewhat noisy.
3. PowerSmart DB2321PR Gas Powered 170cc Engine Push Lawn Mower – Best Push Lawnmower
Those looking for a practical, compact, and convenient lawnmower would be remiss not to check this product out. Powered by a sturdy and capable 170cc motor, the PowerSmart DB2321PR Gas Powered 170cc Engine Push Lawn Mower is effective and efficient at the same time.
This push machine has very little fuel and provides a fast and stable cutting action that can quickly go through harsh, thick blades of grass. The fact that this device comes with a two-year warranty is just the cherry on top of the cake.
Efficiency Over Everything
When it comes to the PowerSmart DB2321PR, efficiency is the name of the game. Each one of its parts was designed to be as lightweight and compact as possible. D allows all the power of its 170cc engine to go to the actual cutting deck, resulting in high effectivity when going through thick, unruly patches of grass.
While it offers only 21 inches in diameter, said cutting deck does its job very well, preventing you from having to go over the same section twice.
Startup Issues
- Lightweight and compact.
- Easy and responsive pull start.
- Three-in-one bag with side-discharge and mulching capabilities.
- Five-position height adjustment.
- Durable and stable blades.
- Two-year limited warranty.
- Easy to maneuver.
- The belt comes off easily.
- Does not include a neutral or idle speed.
- Produces a lot of toxic emissions.
4. Greenworks 21-Inch 80V Lawn Mower – Best Battery-Powered Lawnmower
Once upon a time, battery-powered lawnmowers were considered to be vastly inferior to gas-powered ones. Today that is no longer the case. The Greenworks 21-Inch 80V Lawn Mower testament to the technological advancement that this type of mower has gone through.
Compact and yet sturdy, this machine delivers a performance that is roughly equivalent to that of a 160cc gas-powered engine. Amazingly, it only uses two 2.0AH batteries to achieve this.
Smart Mowing Capabilities
Featuring a sleek and intelligent design, the Greenworks 21-Inch 80V Lawn Mower certainly favors practicality and efficiency over sheer power. Still, it’s fast and robust enough to perform satisfactorily even under challenging scenarios where the grass is thicker and taller than you would want it to be.
This mower can be quickly and easily adjusted using a single lever. As if all that was not enough, the machine features a smart load sensing technology that lets you know when it’s time to unload the three-in-one clipping bag.
Protect Your Ears and the Environment
- Long runtime with a single battery charge.
- Lightweight and compact.
- Very easy to clean.
- Includes mulching capabilities.
- Practical push-button start.
- Smart Cut Load sensing technology.
- Does not start with a low battery.
- Long charging times.
- Frame is not durable.
5. WORX WG163 GT 3.0 20V PowerShare 12″ Cordless String Trimmer & Edger – Best Hand-Held Lawnmower
A cross between a mower and a trimmer, the WORX WG163 GT, is an incredibly useful and convenient product. It features a stylish and pragmatic design that makes it remarkably easy to control. Its head is adjustable, and it can be tilted 90 degrees to reach difficult spots with high precision. This feature is also incredibly helpful when it comes to trim edges or sloped sections of the terrain.
Part of a Family
The WORX WG163 GT is a part of a cordless tool platform with a variety of entries. Conveniently, all the tools included in this platform use the same battery regardless of their specific voltage. Without a doubt, this is amazingly practical.
The battery itself is commendable: With it, you can power the WORX WG163 GT for up to an hour of continuous use. This time allows you to cover considerable amounts of terrain while in mowing mode or pay attention to small details while in trimming style.
Safe and Precise
- Converts from a string trimmer to a wheeled edger in a matter of seconds.
- Long runtime with a single battery charge.
- Portable and easy to store.
- Allows trimming and detailing hard-to-reach sections.
- Tilting head allows easy adjustments.
- Spacer guard prevents damaging plants and bushes.
- Not very powerful.
- Long recharging times.
The Best Lawnmower – Buyer’s Guide
As the saying goes, information is power. The next time you are in the market for a lawnmower, you should be curious to ensure that your final decision will be the right one. To be able to ask the right questions, take the following into account:
Types of Lawnmowers
Battery-Powered Lawnmowers
Once upon a time, battery-powered lawnmowers were weak and inefficient. Thanks to advancements in technology, however, that is no longer the case. Today, battery-powered lawnmowers are surprisingly capable and competent.
They come in both the push and the self-propelled varieties. Typically, they use lithium-ion battery packs. Lightweight, compact, and easily rechargeable, these packs are undoubtedly convenient. However, their runtimes are rather short when compared to those of gas-powered mowers.
- As previously mentioned, battery-powered mowers tend to be compact and lightweight, making them portable, manageable, and easy to store. Besides, they tend to be easy to start using a single button. What is more, they are quiet, and they produce no emissions.
- On the downside, it can be mentioned that battery-powered lawnmowers tend to have a minimum runtime. Typically, this runtime ranges between 30 minutes and an hour. Another negative is that this type of lawnmower tends to be more expensive than others.
Gas Mowers
The most common type of lawnmowers out there, gas mowers are powerful, efficient, and very fast. What is more, they are not limited in their runtime by rechargeable batteries, allowing them to cover a lot more distance in a single session. Like their battery-powered counterparts, they come in both push and self-propelled varieties. Of course, they need to be refueled and maintained with regularity.
- Gas mowers tend to be larger than other varieties, allowing a wider cutting deck size. In addition to making the cutting process faster, this will enable them to handle better long or thick grass as well as tough weeds. As previously mentioned, they are also less expensive than battery-powered mowers, and they can run for more extended periods.
- Unfortunately, gas mowers tend to be noisy. You should use ear protection while operating one of them. They also produce emissions, and they require regular maintenance.
Lawn Tractors
A cross between a small car and a gas mower makes lawn tractors capable of cutting a lot faster than simple push mowers. As a result, they are very well-suited for taking care of large lawns. Many of them include cruise-control and height adjustment options, allowing for a more precise mowing. Some models even involve hydrostatic transmissions that help with the use of plows and other tool attachments.
- Lawn tractors have huge cutting decks, allowing for a swath between 42 and 50 inches. They are also mighty, allowing them to quickly go through thick and tall grass as well as troublesome weeds. As if all that wasn’t enough, they require little to no effort from the user. Featuring comfy, high-backed seats, they allow for long mowing sessions without straining your back.
- Lawn tractors are very noisy, even requiring users to wear ear protection. Additionally, they consume a great deal of fuel, which can be expensive. Of course, they also produce a considerable amount of toxic emissions.
Zero-Turn-Radius Lawn Mowers
These are similar to lawn tractors, the difference being that, instead of a wheel, you use a zero-turn with a pair of levers to control the vehicle. This allows zero-turn radios lawnmowers to be more maneuverable and nimble than lawn tractors. Typically, this type of mower is gas-powered.
- As it was just stated, zero-turn radios lawnmowers provide better maneuvering capabilities than regular lawn tractors. That makes them easy to use around obstacles such as trees, polls, and flower beds.
- In general, zero-turn radios lawnmowers are more expensive than regular lawn tractors. They are also less powerful than their counterparts.
Rear-Engine Riders
Think of rear-engine riders as a mix between walk-behind mowers and lawn tractors. They offer some of the comforts and benefits of the latter without many of its disadvantages. They are compact and relatively lightweight. However, they aren’t as powerful or efficient as lawn tractors.
- Rear-engine riders are compact and relatively lightweight, making them easy to transport and store.
- They are not as effective as lawn tractors or even some of the best walk-behind lawnmowers.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Lawn Mower
Push or Self-Propelled?
Generally speaking, push mowers are more affordable than self-propelled ones. Of course, they depend on your physical effort to perform their job. In the end, the decision should come down to whether you have the energy and the time to push the mower around or not. The size of your yard will inevitably play a huge role in that decision. Slopped lawns can also become a factor.
Yard Size
It’s crucial to think about the size of your lawn before making a decision. If you have a small yard, a self-propelled mower (or, even worse, a tractor) could be too much. On the other hand, if your yard is rather large, purchasing a self-propelled mower with a decent amount of power may be the best option.
Landscaping Needs
If your lawn is ample and obstacle-less, a large mower with a large cutting deck is probably a good idea. However, if your yard has a steep terrain that includes obstacles like trees, flower beds, and ornaments, you should look for a more maneuverable option. Zero-turn radius mowers, in particular, can be remarkably agile.
Cleaning
Ideally, you should clean your mower after every use. Depending on the type and style of the machine, this can be more or less difficult. A washout port can make this a lot easier, so keep your eyes open for mowers that include this feature.
Maneuvering Capabilities
Without a doubt, you want to get a lawnmower that can be controlled with precision. For that reason, it’s essential to take into account its maneuvering capabilities. Make sure the wheel or levers provide enough control and do not stick. Cruise control is an extra feature that you may want to consider when looking at lawn tractors.
Desirable Features in a New Lawn Mower
Uniform Wheel Sizes
Some lawnmowers feature larger wheels on the back. Generally speaking, this makes them less efficient than mowers that have uniform wheel sizes.
Blade-Brake Clutch
Some mowers include a clutch that allows deactivating the blade without stopping the engine. This can be very useful when you need to take a small break without restarting the engine all over again.
Electric Start
Older gas-powered mowers use a pulling system to start the engine. However, newer models include a single-button electric start that makes the process a lot more convenient.
One-Lever Height Adjustment
Various self-propelled mowers include a one-lever system for adjusting the height of the whole mowing deck at once. Without a doubt, that makes the adjustment process a lot easier and more convenient.
Automatic Drive
An automatic drive feature can help you vary the ground speed with high effectivity and efficiency. Typically, this feature is controlled with a lever.
Electric Power Takeoff Switch
This switch automatically allows you to engage and disengage the blades, helping you extend the belt’s lifespan.
In Conclusion
Now that everything is laid out on the table, you should have a clearer idea of what kind of lawnmower to go for. Without a doubt, all the products presented in this buyer’s guide provide great value and are worth considering. However, there are essential differences between them that you should take into account before making a decision.
