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Gas, Electric, or Battery?
The Spruce
Riding or Walk-Behind?
Was it easy to assemble?
Were the instructions clear?
The Spruce
For battery models, we considered run and charging time.
When we were done mowing, we determined how easy the mowers were to store.
During our sessions we asked a few questions: Was it easy or difficult to start the mower?
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How easy was it to maneuver the mower around obstacles or up and down slopes?
How cleanly did the mower cut the grass?
We’ll report back soon with our findings.
The Spruce
Our small Iowa lawn (less than a quarter acre) was easily completed before the battery ran down.
Plus, the instructions weren’t as clear as we’d like.
The setup was very easy because the mower came more or less assembled.
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We initially had some trouble attaching the bag, but it was easy enough once we figured it out.
We tested this mower in both mulching and bagging modes, and both worked well.
One of our favorite things about this mower is how light it is.
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Its best if you have an electrical outlet outside near your yard.
And we agree that this riding mower is loaded with power.
But thats not all we loved about thiszero-turn mower.
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We found it very easy to use, making driving the mower a lot of fun.
We also found it very quietwe were able to converse with nearby family members with the mower powered on.
It also has excellent suspension that absorbs bumps and vibration, making the ride very smooth and comfortable.
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We were consistently impressed with this mower’s performance level in various weather conditions.
On hot days, we love not needing to deal with gas exhaust.
It discharges clippings to the side, but you canpurchase a bagger or mulching kitseparately if desired.
PHOTO: The Spruce
We were impressed with the excellent quality of service.
It also bags, mulches, and side-discharges without any extra purchases.
The mower also includes an LCD screen for monitoring speed, blade options, cruise control, and more.
The mower actually felt too powerful at first, but we got the hang of the self-propelled feature.The Spruce
It even has headlights for safety and a deluxe steering wheel for extra comfort.
Its too low for taller users, who may experience some discomfort.
When this mower completes its scheduled mowing time, it automatically returns to its charging dock.
The Ego Power+ Select Cut 21-inch Self-Propelled mower comes with a bag and charger.PHOTO: The Spruce
It takes about 1.5 hours to recharge.
If the Landroid bumps into an obstacle, it automatically stops and heads in a different direction.
Our only complaints about this mower involve the initial setup and the complicated app.
This mower has a 14-inch deck and adjustable cutting heights from 0.50 to 1.75 inches.
This mower requires very little maintenance.
That’s about it.
However, American Lawn Mower Company sells a separatecatch-bagfor this manual mower.
So dont automatically assume you should buy the largest lawn mower available.
Instead, choose a mower that suits the size of your lawn.
As a rough guideline, reel mowers generally have decks that are between 14 and 18 inches.
Riding lawn mowers have much larger deck sizes.
Cutting height indicates the height to which the mower will cut your lawn.
PHOTO: The Spruce
Generally, a range of 0.50 to 4 inches is common.
However, youll need to empty the bag, which can be heavy and awkward.
Side-discharge mowers shoot the grass clippings back out onto the lawn.
The turning radius gave us some trouble, but only near the fence and around obstacles.The Spruce
Some lawn mowers let you choose from two or three of the above cutting options.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should you replace a lawn mower?
However, gas lawn mowers usually last longer than battery mowers.
The Toro Smartstow 21445 handled sloped and uneven ground with ease.PHOTO: The Spruce
What is the best month to buy a lawn mower?
How often should you change your lawn mower oil?
If it has a filter, you could change it every 200 hours.
At a minimum, change your oil at least once per season.
Why Trust The Spruce?
He has used a variety of gas and battery-powered riding and push mowers throughout the years.
PHOTO: The Spruce
The battery is easy to access, and it has an indicator that shows charge level.The Spruce
The Toro 7013897 has easy push-button operation.PHOTO: The Spruce
PHOTO: The Spruce
We like how easy it is to remove the hard-shelled bag.The Spruce
The Ryobi 13 inch Corded Electric Mower comes in a few pieces, but it was easy to assemble.PHOTO: The Spruce
PHOTO: The Spruce
The mower provided an exceptionally clean cut.The Spruce
The Ryobi 42-inch Zero Turn Mower let us mow very close to a fence in our yard.PHOTO: The Spruce
The side discharge option directs grass out to the left.PHOTO: The Spruce
We love the detailed and intuitive control panel that puts everything at your fingertips.The Spruce
The Husqvarna Lawn Xpert LE-322 allowed us to easily set a comfortable walking pace.PHOTO: The Spruce
The 40V 8 Ah battery is powerful for a push mower.The Spruce
The 40V 8 Ah battery is powerful for a push mower.The Spruce
We found the mower comfortable to operate, even though it’s a little heavy for a push model.PHOTO: The Spruce
PHOTO: The Spruce
The gearshift was clearly marked and easy to use.The Spruce
The Ego Power+ T6 TR4204 has large tires with an aggressive tread for varied terrain.PHOTO: The Spruce
PHOTO: The Spruce
Installing the guide wire takes a lot of time and effort, but it pays off in the long run.The Spruce
The Worx WR147 includes a base station that it returns to when the battery runs low.PHOTO: The Spruce
PHOTO: Amazon
We’ve found plug-in mowers to be convenient, but dealing with the extension cord can be a hassle.The Spruce
The Husqvarna Automower worked well, but fine-tuning the guide wire took too much work.The Spruce
Four-stroke lawn mower motors need to have their oil changed just like your car.The Spruce
