How to Buy the Best Lawn Mower for You

Mowing the lawn will seem like less of a chore with the proper mower.

A lawn provides a pleasant place to relax and play in your yard. Once you've chosen the right seed for your conditions and grown a lush field of green, you'll need to maintain your lawn with regular mowing. Making the wrong mower choice can turn this task into drudgery. A lawn mower that is too small for your yard will have you making endless trips back and forth, whereas a mower that is too large will be unwieldy in a tiny yard. Consider your needs concerning size, price and fuel type to make the best match.

Instructions

1. 

   Riding mowers can take the work out of mowing.

   Consider the size of your lawn. If you have a small lawn or only a few patches of grass, a push mower -- powered or non-powered -- is a better option than a riding mower. Push mowers come in various widths. The wider the mower, the fewer passes you will have to make as you mow. However, if you need to make tight turns or mow narrow patches, a narrow mower will work better for you. If you have a large lawn with ample space to make turns, a riding mower will cut down on the time it takes to mow.

2. 

   Electric mowers don't stink of fumes.

   Consider the type of fuel you want to use. If you're sensitive to fumes, don't want to store gasoline near your home or simply don't want to make trips to the gas station, an electric mower or reel mower are better choices. However, gas-powered mowers are often easier to find and have a wider selection of options than electric or reel mowers.

3. 

   Reel mowers keep you fit and are the simplest mowers to maintain.

   Evaluate your physical fitness. Even if you are only in moderate physical shape, you can push a mower. If you aren't physically fit, consider a power mower that is self-propelled as this type of mower will be less work to push. However, if you have mobility issues, a riding mower will be a better choice.

4. Look at the type of starting mechanism. Some gas-powered mowers are started with a pull string mechanism that can be difficult to use if you aren't agile or strong. For push mowers with easier starting mechanisms, look for those with push button start mechanisms. Reel mowers only require you to start walking to get them going.

5. Determine how much you have to spend on the mower and on maintenance. Push mowers are the least expensive to buy and maintain. Their blades only need to be sharpened once a year at the most. Electric mowers and gas mowers cost about the same for purchase and maintenance, but with the gas mower you will have to purchase fuel. Riding mowers are the most expensive mowers to purchase and maintain.

6. Consider your environmental impact. A reel mower uses only your own energy and produces no emissions. If energy usage and being environmentally friendly is important to you, a reel mower is the better choice. The next best option for the environment is an electric mower as it also produces no exhaust and doesn't require a large amount of energy to power it. If you live in an area with air quality issues and frequent smog alerts, using a reel or electric mower allows you to do your part to keep pollution levels down.

References

• "New Garden Book;" Gerald Knox (editor); 1990
• CBS News; Best Bets for Lawn Mowers; Rome Neal
• Lawn Mower Guide: Guide to Choosing and Using a Lawn Mower