There are numerous mower types out there, making it difficult for both homeowners and professionals alike to settle on which lawn mower is best. In this article, we will help you navigate the different mower types, their pros, and cons, and finally, help you decide which one is best.
The best lawn mower is the one that best fits your needs and preference. The self-propelled walk-behind lawn mower is the best for hilly terrain, while hover mowers are the best for small lawns. Cylinder mowers are best for short grasses, while rotary mowers are best for rough grasses. To decide which lawn mower is best, first consider your lawn size, terrain condition, your physical condition, and the features of your preferred mowers.
The best lawn mower takes away 80% of the workload; and users are seeing mowing as an enjoyable task due to that.
TYPES OF LAWN MOWERS
● PUSH MOWERS
Push mowers are popular, inexpensive, and easy to operate. They are found in most households, and as the name suggests, require the direction of the user to move across the lawn.
A push mower is lightweight and, therefore very easy to push, however, some models can be heavy and may require extra energy from the user.
In this case, you’ll need to assert more force and energy which makes it a terrible option for anyone with health issues.
Asides from that, push mowers are very maneuverable since the user can push them across the lawn, directing the mower to the exact side he/she desires.
But because of its manual operation and energy requirement, pushing a lawn mower uphill would be too tiresome. Therefore, push mowers are only a good idea for flat or level lawns.
In addition, push mowers should only be pushed on small lawns. But they have other advantages still like being environmentally friendly as they do not emit toxic smoke into the air.
So, do you have a small leveled lawn, riddled with obstacles and you want a small and inexpensive mower to keep it aesthetically pleasing and evenly cut? A push mower is your best option.
● CYLINDER MOWERS
Cylinder mowers function similarly to a pair of scissors, but in this case, with up to 12 blades at the front of the mower rotating and trapping the grass to provide clean and even cuts on your lawn.
They are inexpensive and highly maneuverable. A cylinder mower leaves stripes on your lawn, making it beautiful and aesthetically appealing after mowing. However, cylinder mowers are best suited for small, and even lawns.
They do not fare particularly well on rough terrain and have a preference for grass type. For example, cylinder mowers only do well on soft and short lawns.
Because of this, you may need to mow every week or 2 weeks depending on the season of the year. Mowing rough and tall grasses with a cylinder mower will only result in undesired results like rough patches and an uneven lawn.
These types of mowers require frequent blade maintenance for optimal performance. However, accessing the blade can be a bit of a pickle and technical for the less mechanical-minded person.
You will need to take your time and the right tools to get the blades out of the mower, sharpen and probably replace them. That’s another problem since they are not common, finding replacement parts can be tough.
Nonetheless, if you have a short lawn with soft grass, and want only a lightweight inexpensive mower, then you’re at the right place. This mower will give you the right cut, making your lawn the envy of the neighborhood.
● ROTARY MOWERS
These mower types are very widespread, and you’ll find them in homes and commercial storage. They offer more variability when it comes to lawn type and are inexpensive.
A rotary mower is less equipped when compared to the previously mentioned mower as it has only a single blade rotating under the deck at full speed.
However, the speed covers for the lack of blades and has been vetted by numerous users to be a good choice for any lawn type, including rough and coarse grass.
They offer good cuts on all grass types, especially tall grasses, unlike cylinder mowers which are awful when the grass is overgrown.
However, the blade of a rotary mower is not very sharp and only relies on speed to provide precise cuts. But that doesn’t do the trick all the time as some users still complain of dull cuts.
But this is hardly noticeable, especially on the average lawn. These lawn types are affordable and are low-cost maintenance.
Since you’ll be dealing with only one blade, sharpening and replacing it shouldn’t cost much nor should it take your time. So, do you have an overgrown lawn and want to mow it as fast as possible? Buy a rotary mower to do the job.
● HOVER MOWERS
Hover mowers are similar to rotary mowers, but they float or suspend in the air, causing less friction and less contact with the surface. These mower types are small, inexpensive, and highly maneuverable.
They are budget-friendly and would make for a nice addition to any home. However, hover mowers are limited to a certain type of lawn or yard.
Due to their size, hover mowers are only suited for small lawns as mowing a big lawn with this mower will be time-consuming and wouldn’t yield desired results.
That being said, this mower types are perfect for small lawns and offer the best maneuverability around obstacles and edges. Bigger mowers have a hard time mowing smaller areas due to the huge difference in size.
This leaves your lawn unevenly cut and therefore requires manual operation to remove those extra inches of grass around your home.
But that doesn’t happen with a hover as you can simply move it around any surface. As mentioned earlier, hover mowers are best suited to small lawns, so if you just want to keep your small lawn short without breaking the bank, here is your best option.
● SELF PROPELLED MOWERS
These mower types are easy to use and are preferred by all and sundry. They are equipped with a transmission and variable speed that changes according to your pace to provide precise cuts and reduce the workload on the user.
A self-propelled mower is an automatic option in the mowing industry. It is quicker and faster, mowing through medium to big sized lawns in a matter of minutes.
These mower types are best suited for commercial use and households with big lawns. However, they are more expensive and require constant maintenance to keep them working at an optimal level, especially the gas-powered self-propelled mowers.
Unlike smaller and manual mowers, this mower types require a professional due to the numerous working parts. Nonetheless, a self-propelled mower is a good buy due to its numerous advantages.
Self-propelled mowers cut across different types of mowers, so you can choose different sizes and types. Here are the best electric self-propelled mowers.
● ZERO-TURN MOWERS
These mower types are becoming very popular among homeowners and professional mowers alike due to their unmatched advantages.
Zero-turn mowers, just like the name suggests, are easily turned and provide the best maneuverability of all mower types. Unlike the regular mower, a zero-turn mower is controlled by a lap bar at the front of the mower which controls each wheel independently.
This unmatched maneuverability allows for sharp turns around edges, corners, and walls. However, there will be a brief learning curve period as lap bars are not as popular as steering wheels. But once you get a hold of it, nothing is stopping you anymore.
Fast and durable, a zero-turn mower is every household’s best tool. Zero-turn mowers are the right option for lawns filled with obstacles or on hilly terrain.
While they cost more than some of their counterparts, buying a zero-turn mower will reduce the workload with its enhanced efficiency. Here are the best zero-turn mowers.
● LAWN TRACTORS
Are you a professional mower looking for an efficient yet reasonably priced mower for your job? Then lawn tractors are your best choice.
These Ride-On mowers offer unmatched horsepower from 18 to 25 HP and a deck width that’s between 42 in-54 inches. A lawn tractor has an outstanding engine compared to other mowers.
While low-priced lawn tractors are equipped with single-cylinders and lever-operated gear transmissions, higher-priced options have continuously variable transmission and dual-cylinders.
Both options offer efficient mowing on all lawn types, but you may want to up your game by switching to a more advanced option for the right price.
Lawn tractors are generally priced between $1000 to $3000 which makes them affordable. The steering wheel on this mower types makes them easy to use.
They are great options for large lawns, however, they have certain drawbacks. Due to their size and heavy engine, they lack the maneuverability of smaller lawn mowers.
While they are great for large lawns, they are a terrible option for smaller lawns. Nonetheless, this mower options are great for hilly areas and terrain. The big rear tires allow them to move well and provide amazing friction.
● REAR ENGINE RIDING MOWERS
Lawn tractors are perfect large lawns over acres, and a mentioned earlier will be a bad choice for smaller lawns. But that doesn’t mean you cannot use a ride-on mower on your lawn.
The rear engine mower type is the solution. Smaller and efficient, with better maneuverability and a solid engine, and outstanding horsepower, this mower types are great for lawns sizes below 2.5 acres.
While the lawn tractor’s engine is on the front of the mower, this mower types have their engine at the back. If your lawn is big, but not too for a lawn tractor, then a rear engine riding tractor is your best choice.
They are reasonably priced with the necessary features and specifications. They are also good for professional mowing.
LAWN MOWER POWER TYPES
Lawn mowers require a power source to work. The different power sources have their unique advantages. The best one for you depends on several factors, including the size of your lawn and mower, and strength.
For example, electric-powered mowers are usually lightweight but are limited by battery or cord. Without further ado, let us delve into the various power options for lawn mowers.
ELECTRIC-POWERED MOWERS
More homeowners and professional mowers are switching to electric mowers because of their maneuverability and additional advantages.
An electric mower is lightweight and therefore easy to maneuver around a small to mid sized lawn. They offer high mowing capabilities with fewer bulky parts and can be found in almost every home today.
Electric-powered mowers are easy to operate and handle, making them the best choice for newbies. As mentioned earlier, they are maneuverable, which means they are suitable for lawns with numerous obstacles.
Due to being tethered to an electric outlet with a cord, electric mowers are best suited for small to mid-sized lawns. If you want to use an electric mower on a larger lawn, then you’ll need a longer cord.
Asides from that, finding an outlet close to the angle of your lawn sometimes proves to be a difficult task. So you may need to install new outlets in the front and back of your home, depending on the location of your lawn.
Another problem with electric mowers is cord entanglements. You’ll need to always watch the cord so it doesn’t come in contact with the blade, as this can be very dangerous, and costly.
To prevent that, always fold the cord and hold the folded part so it doesn’t fall. Contrary to popular belief, electric-powered mowers are affordable. Here are the best electric lawn mowers.
MANUAL-POWERED MOWERS
Are you on a tight budget but want a lawn mower for your lawn, then buy a manual-powered mower. Affordable and fairly easy to use, this mower types offer a high level of maneuverability.
The engine on this mower only powers the blade. For momentum, you’ll have to push this mower yourself, navigating around obstacles and walls.
Have we mentioned how cheap they are? You can get a good manual-powered mower for less than $100. They are the best option for anyone just starting.
However, this mower types are only suitable for small-sized lawns because they require physical strength and can be energy demanding. They can cause immediate fatigue.
You can have them to exercise your hands and improve on your flexibility, but for real mowing work on a medium-sized-large lawn, we recommend other power sources.
GAS-POWERED MOWERS
These mower types are popular because of their similarity to a normal engine. They are powered by a heavy engine, gas, and oil. These mower types offer amazing mowing capabilities and are suitable for medium to large-sized lawns.
They are not restricted by a cord, so you can move without limitations to the ends of your lawns and any sides without worrying that accord may entangle with the blades.
Unlike manual mowers, the engine in a gas-powered mower powers the blade and provides momentum for the drive as well. These mower types offer outstanding and even mowing, and are considered the best.
However, they have certain drawbacks, the most prominent being their size. The engine is usually bigger than others which makes maneuverability a tad difficult, compared to other types.
They are also a cause of air and noise pollution. You may need a face mask and ear protective gear when mowing to protect your health. Nonetheless, gas-powered mowers are outstanding and would be a great addition to your garden tools.
BATTERY-POWERED MOWERS
Battery-powered mowers are fast becoming popular because of the trajectory of the world today. More and more people are choosing these cordless and gasless equipment for their homes due to convenience and usability.
Without being tethered to an electric outlet, this mower types are suitable for all sizes of lawn and terrain. The batteries power the blades and give the mower momentum, making the equipment easier to use.
These mower types are maneuverable but are highly-priced. A major drawback to this mower types is runtime. Most of the battery-powered mowers have a limited runtime of around 40-60 minutes, which might not be enough to mow your lawn.
However, advanced battery-powered mowers have a better runtime. These mowers have dual to 6 battery space and fast charge. They are also equipped with a battery gauge to help you monitor battery use.
But unlike gas-powered mowers which require a high level of maintenance, battery-powered mowers function on minimal maintenance. However, you may need to sharpen and replace the blade from time to time.
Battery-powered mowers are suitable for mid-sized lawns but if you have extended battery life, then you can use this mower types on larger lawns too.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST LAWN MOWER FOR YOUR LAWN
Now that you have been familiarized with all the mower types, which one is best for your lawn and personal preference? Choosing the best mower can be a difficult decision to make because of the numerous options available out there.
But we have come up with certain measures and pointers to help you choose the right lawn mower for your lawn and mowing needs.
Note that we won’t be including price as it is secondary, but do well to consider your budget before concluding on your mower choice. Here are the cheapest gas lawn mowers.
● SIZE OF YOUR LAWN
The most common mistake most homeowners and even professional mowers make is ignoring their lawn size before buying a mower.
The size of your lawn should be considered first, as mowers are categorized based on their ability to mow an expanse of yard.
For example., manual mowers are best suited for small lawns because they require physical strength, and mowing a large area is not just feasible. According to lawn experts, the smaller the lawn, the smaller the mower deck.
Using a bigger deck for a small lawn is very counterproductive and a waste of resources because bigger mowers lack the maneuverability to mow smaller areas and would require more power and maintenance.
However, bigger lawns above ¾ acres should use a lawn tractor, riding mower, or a rear engine mower. These mower types are bigger and better.
They also offer the right amount of power for the task at hand. For medium-sized lawns, then zero-turn mowers are the best.
● MOWER SPEED
Another important thing to consider is the mower speed. Mowers are categorized into manual, automatic, and self-propelled. Manual mowers require the momentum of the user while the engine focuses on powering the blades.
Self-propelled and other mower types either have a continuously variable speed or set speed. The former keeps adjusting the pace of the mower according to the user, making it very easy to use, while set speed moves at a set speed and requires manual intervention.
Manual mowers are tied to your speed. But the continuously variable speed adjust to suit you, while set speed may be too fast or too slow.
These mower types have their speed on the product for users to know what they are buying. Nonetheless, we recommend the continuously variable speed to match your walking pace.
● GRASS-TYPE
Grass can either be soft or coarse, tall or short, and wet or dry. You need to which grass type a mower can conveniently handle before buying the mower. Most mowers are suited for a particular grass type.
For example, cylinder mowers only do well on soft and short lawns while rotary mowers will handle coarse grass without a problem. Figure out your grass type before choosing from your available options.
● LAWN CONDITION
What is the condition of your lawn? Is it hilly/sloppy or even? These are important factors to consider. You wouldn’t want to be caught mowing a hilly lawn with a manual mower as that would be very exhausting.
Hilly lawns are best mowed by a self-propelled mower or any type pf walk-behind mower. They are suitable for rough and smooth terrain, providing consistent results all around.
● YOUR PHYSICAL HEALTH
Lastly, how’s your physical health? Consider any health challenges you may have faced or currently facing. Is your body strong enough to handle physical exertion for too long? If not, then consider a riding or self-propelled mower.
These are easy to use since they provide momentum and only require the user to steer them in the right direction, unlike manual mowers that are totally reliant on the user.
Gas-powered mowers are not suitable for users with respiratory and ear problems. The fumes produced by this mower types can be harmful to the body. Consider electric or battery-powered mowers instead to prioritize your health.
Conclusively, which mower is best? As we can see, that answer is relative to your needs. What’s the size of your lawn, what is the lawn condition, and how is your physical health? The answers to these questions will guide you correctly to the right mower.
