Buying a lawn mower isn’t easy. With so many options available, how do you decide what’s right for you and your budget?
Focusing on your lawn, and the tool that will do the best job is the best place to start. Your lawn and your needs come first. The latest features and designs are no good to you if they won’t help you mow your lawn faster or make it look better.
Before you start your search, here are a few quick tips to remember when buying a lawn mower.
1. Know your yard — and pick the right drive
If you have a small mostly flat yard, you may be happy with a simple push mower. Push mowers are not self-propelled, they just cut the grass. If you’re okay with a little extra work and don’t have much grass to mow, push mowers are typically the cheapest way to go.
But, if your yard is hilly or if you have a large lot, a self-propelled mower is a must. Self-propelled mowers are typically front or rear-wheel drive, though some all-wheel-drive models are available. Front-wheel drive mowers are great for mostly flat yards, but rear or all-wheel drive will give you much better traction when going up and down hill.
2. What about riding mowers?
A push or self-propelled mower is a great choice for most homeowners, but if you have a big yard or acreage walking can get old fast. Although they tend to cost a bit more, a riding lawn mower will make mowing a big yard much easier and faster.
Before you buy anything, be sure to ask yourself if you’d be comfortable using this for an hour or more each week.
3. Comfort is king when buying a lawn mower
Whether you’re walking or riding, you’re going to be spending a lot of time with your mower. Make sure you pick one that can be adjusted to your height easily. If you’re looking for a riding mower, make sure the seat fits you and that you can get on and off the mower easily.
4. To mulch or not to mulch
Another important factor to consider is whether you’ll be mulching or bagging your grass.
Mulching is a great way to naturally fertilize your lawn so, I’m a strong supporter of mulching your grass every time you mow. It’s good for the lawn and simplifies mowing.
There’s nothing wrong with bagging your grass though. Bagging can give your lawn a cleaner look depending on how long the grass is when mowed, and the clippings are great for composting.
As you compare mowers, be sure to keep your mulching and bagging preferences in mind. Or, better yet, look for a model that does both so you can switch back and forth if needed.
5. Durability
You don’t have to be a mechanic to own a lawn mower. But, if you know how to do a few basic things like changing the oil and air filter you can get a lot more life out of your mower. When you’re looking for a mower, check to see how easy it is to do basic maintenance and repairs.
6. Pick the right lawn mower brand
If you’ve already been shopping for a mower, you know how many brands are available… and choosing the right one can be a real challenge. While there are a few brands that stand out — like Honda and Toro — there are still a lot of other good choices too.
While picking a Honda or Toro is a pretty safe bet if you’re looking for a gas push mower, don’t forget to consider parts and repair availability in your area. A newer or cheaper brand might sound like a great idea, but if you can’t get parts or basic maintenance items in the future you’ll end up buying a whole new mower before you want to.
Gas or Electric?
Electric mowers have revolutionized lawn care. Most homeowners just don’t like dealing with gas, oil, and the other maintenance required to keep gas mowers running. So if you don’t like the added hassle of typical mower maintenance, an electric model is a great choice.
The biggest drawback to choosing an electric mower is its range limits. If you have a big yard, electric may not be best for you. Technology is improving quickly though.
Go with a gas-powered mower if you have a big lawn or don’t want to mess with batteries and cords. But if you have a smaller yard, electric may be the way to go.
Spend a little more = saving in the long-run
With lawn mowers, you really do get what you pay for. I know budget is the limiting factor for most bigger purchases like a lawn mower and, let’s face it, most of us don’t want to blow all of our money on a tool used to cut grass.
If you can spend a little more upfront, you really can get a lot more use out of a mower.
Buying a better mower also means better components. And better components, like improved wheel bearings or better self-propelled drive systems, means the mower will be easier to use and maintain.
Check the reviews
I shouldn’t have to say this, but I still can’t believe how many of my friends and family never check reviews before buying a product. At the very least, check the reviews at the retailer you’re considering buying from. Then, just google the mower and see what you can find. Buying a lawn mower is a big investment, so be sure to see what others are saying before you buy.
Can you adjust the cutting height easily?
Every yard is different and different grass types and seasons call for different cutting heights. Many mowers now make it very easy to adjust cutting height with a single lever, while others have easy-to-use tabs near the wheels. Make sure you can adjust your mower easily, and avoid buying cheaper models with no cutting height adjustments.
Save your arm with an electric starter
If you’re looking for a gas lawn mower but dread pulling a cord starter, you’re in luck. Many mowers now come with push-button electric starters that allow you to crank up your mower as easily and quickly as you start your car.
Price, price, price
If money was no object, I’d have a lot of things. But, unfortunately, the number of dollars in my bank account still limits most of my purchases.
Gas and electric walk-behind mowers range in price from around $200 up to $1,000. Residential riding lawn mowers, on the other hand, are going to cost somewhere around $2,000 to $5,000. Whatever your budget is, try to get the best mower you can afford. There’s no sense in overspending, but as we learned earlier, spending a little more typically gets you longer life and more ease of use.