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Lawn-Boy 10795 Insight Platinum

Discontinued

Reviewed

April 2009

Pros

Good at mowing around obstacles
Maximum self-propelled variable speed of 5 mph
Adjustable handle folds for storage
Mows close to edges
Efficient OHV engine

Cons

Mulching isn't the best
Not CARB-certified
Stronger deck-height-adjustment lever needed
Aluminum deck can fracture or dent

Our Analysis

The 21-inch Lawn-Boy 10795 Insight Platinum self-propelled gas lawn mower has high-end features like an efficient Honda OHV engine and variable speeds of up to 5 mph. The handle folds for storage, and the aluminum deck is rustproof (though prone to dents). Single-lever height adjustment adds convenience, and 8-inch wheels help on hilly lawns. Mulching isn't its strong suit, however. Despite the Honda OHV engine, the mower as a whole doesn't meet California's stricter emissions requirements -- presumably because of fuel system emissions. To get a self-propelled, CARB-compliant lawn mower that has a blade brake and better mulching power, consider the top-rated (but expensive) Honda HRX series. The HRX217K2HMA (*Est. $900) has an electric brake. If you want to spend less but still want a self-propelled mower, consider the Toro Recycler 20333 (*Est. $400), which has a blade brake but doesn't use an OHV engine.

ConsumerReports.org magazine tests four Lawn-Boy self-propelled mowers in its comprehensive review in 2008, including a model close to the 10795. The 2009 report, however, covers only low-end Lawn-Boy models. Popular Mechanics magazine tests fewer models, but all six are high-end mowers. We found the most detailed review at Consumer Guide, part of HowStuffWorks.com, plus useful owner-written reviews at Hechinger.com, Amazon.com and in a forum at AbbysGuide.com.

Our Sources

After three days of testing six comparable high-end self-propelled mowers, editors give the top performance rating to the Lawn-Boy Insight Platinum 10797. The review praises the Lawn-Boy's cutting quality and ease of use (including easy starting) and says it bags extremely well.

Review: Best Lawn Mowers -- Comparison Test of New Lawnmowers, Roy Berendsohn, April 2007

2. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe

This review of 45 lawn mowers includes tests of the similar Lawn-Boy Insight Platinum 10785, but this model lacks the Honda OHV engine found on the Lawn-Boy 10795. Other features are the same, however. The 2009 tests at ConsumerReports.org cover only the low-end Lawn-Boy 10641, which has far fewer features and only a two-year warranty.

Review: Lawn Mowers, Editors of ConsumerReports.org, May 2008

3. J.D. Power & Associates

Lawn-Boy ranks eighth among 10 brands of walk-behind lawn mowers in this latest J. D. Power and Associates customer-satisfaction survey of more than 2,220 users. Lawn-Boy earns only three points (out of a possible five) on all three factors: durability, ease of use and performance.

Review: 2009 Walk-Behind Lawn Mower Study, Editors of J. D. Power and Associates, Sept. 10, 2009

4. ConsumerGuide.com

Consumer Guide tests many self-propelled lawn mowers and provides detailed single-product ratings and reviews rather than ranking them. Editors name the Lawn-Boy 10795 a Best Buy, giving it perfect scores on all rating factors: value, features, performance and ease of use.

Review: Lawn-Boy Insight Platinum 10795 Self-Propelled Mower Review, Editors of ConsumerGuide.com, March 2007

5. Hechinger.com

Only a few owners rate and review the similar Lawn-Boy mower at this retail site, but all of them give it top marks.

Review: Lawn-Boy 10797 Insight Platinum Series, Contributors to Hechinger.com

6. Amazon.com

A handful of owners review the Lawn-Boy 10795, praising the cutting performance and Sens-a-Speed system. However, one owner says a bumpy lawn can make it change the cutting speed.

Review: Lawn-Boy Insight Platinum 10795 Reviews, Contributors to Amazon.com

7. Abby'sGuide.com

Several gardeners discuss details of the top two lines of Lawn-Boy mowers, providing useful information we didn't find elsewhere.

Review: Differences between LawnBoy Insight Platinum and Gold, Contributors to AbbysGuide.com, April 2008

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