Electric Mowers

Black & Decker is the top brand for electric mowers

Experts say corded electric mowers are the least expensive type to buy and maintain. Maintenance -- apart from sharpening the blades regularly – is minimal; there is no gas to buy, no oil to change and no batteries to replace.

Power comes from an extension cord plugged into the nearest outlet. Though some find it a hassle to be mindful of the extension cord, many owners just follow a simple pattern to always keep the cord on the outside so it doesn't interfere with the mower.

With high ratings from hundreds of owners at Walmart.com and Amazon.com, reviewers say the Black & Decker LM175 (Est. $160) is the best electric mower. Because it's lightweight, starts at the push of a button and cleanly cuts a small lawn, many users prefer this corded mower to larger, more powerful options.

The LM175's durable 6.5-amp motor is best for smaller lawns. The mower isn't tough enough to clean up unkempt yards full of overgrown grass and weeds, but it does leave an excellent finish on a healthy lawn. This two-in-one mower is best at discharging grass out the side, but it can also bag clippings with the optional grass catcher; the LM175 doesn't have a mulching feature.

For a corded electric mower that can mulch, the Black & Decker MM875 (Est. $240) is a great option. Its 12-amp motor is outstanding at mulching and bagging, according to expert tests and hundreds of owner reviews. Plus, it's easy to push and steer. Though reviewers say it leaves a reasonably even lawn, it can't match the finish of a gas mower.

Both the LM175 and the MM875 include a two-year warranty on the mower and a lifetime warranty on the polymer deck. Though Black & Decker earns top ratings for its corded lawn mowers, as a brand it has below average customer satisfaction according to J.D. Power and Associates. Numerous owners mention Black & Decker's customer service and warranty repair shops can be unfriendly and difficult to work with.