Lawn Mower Types

Pros and cons of five types of walk-behind lawn mowers

Walk-behind mowers vary according to several factors -- how the blades move, what fuels that movement, what pushes the whole mower along, and what happens to the grass clippings. The best type for your needs depends mostly on the size and slope of your lawn, how many trees you have, and the condition of your lawn -- smooth, or rough and weedy? Of course how much of a workout you want also enters into your choice. Some people think of mowing as good exercise, while others want it to be as easy as possible.

Most rotary-blade mowers can mulch, bag, or side-discharge clippings -- or provide the option to do two or even all three. Reel mowers can be equipped with bags, or just drop the clippings on the ground -- but not finely chopped as from a true mulching mower.

Overall, each major type of lawn mower has distinct advantages and disadvantages.

Self-propelled gas lawn mowers

Generally the most expensive type of mower, self-propelled gas mowers are moved by their motors without being pushed. They can be rear-wheel-drive or front-wheel drive, also single speed or variable speed, and some even have cruise control.

Recommended for lawns up to half an acre, the top-rated self-propelled mowers also cut more evenly than other types of lawn mowers. Some self-propelled mowers start with an electric switch; another high-end feature is a blade override -- which stops the blade without cutting the motor. This means that you can stop to pick up objects or empty the bag without having to restart the engine. It also adds a measure of safety.

Like all gas lawn mowers, self-propelled models need regular cleaning and maintenance, and at about 85 decibels or louder, they're noisy enough to require hearing protection. They're also the most expensive type of lawn mower, and the type most apt to need repairs. Safety is also a concern; most of the lawn-mower accidents each year are from gas lawn mowers.

Emissions are another concern, for both air pollution and global warming. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) estimates that a typical gas mower emits as much air pollution per hour as eleven cars. You can minimize emissions by choosing a mower with an engine that meets the California Air Resources Board (CARB) Tier III emissions standards. If that's not possible, choose a four-cycle overhead-valve (OHV) engine. These are more fuel-efficient, cleaner and last longer than the common two-cycle lawn-mower engines.

Gas-powered push lawn mowers

Recommended for flat lawns up to about one-third of an acre, push mowers take more muscle to operate, so they provide better exercise. They tend to need fewer repairs than self-propelled mowers, yet they don't last quite as many years. Although push mowers can bag clippings, experts suggest using them in mulching or side-discharging mode, so you're not trying to push 30 or 40 pounds of bagged grass along with the mower. They're noisy enough to require hearing protection, but a few models do meet California's strict emissions standards.

Corded electric lawn mowers

These mowers offer easy starting and much lower noise levels. Corded electric mowers also offer lower long-term costs, lighter weight and fewer emissions than gas mowers. Some communities even offer rebates for switching from a gas mower to an electric lawn mower. The obvious downside is that you have to deal with the cord, which maxes out at 100 feet or less, depending on the model. Corded electric mowers can be push mowers or self propelled.

Electric mowers cut a slightly narrower path than most gas mowers. This is helpful for mowing in tight areas, but does make most mowing jobs take longer. A 12-amp corded mower is about as powerful as a 5.5-horsepower gas mower -- not as powerful as the top-rated gas mowers, but powerful enough for most lawns. Owners like the low noise levels of electric mowers, but reliability and repairs can be a problem.

Cordless electric lawn mowers

Though more expensive than a corded mower, a cordless lawn mower gives you more flexibility and range, since you aren't tethered to an electrical cord. Cordless electric mowers are also the easiest type to convert to solar power. Coverage area on one battery charge varies among models, but the average is about 45 minutes. Some cordless mowers let the user insert a freshly charged battery while a tired battery gets recharged. Most use lead-based batteries that require special disposal and replacement every couple of years. (Bosch makes a lithium-ion-powered mower, but it's not available yet in the United States.) As with corded mowers, some owners do say it's harder to find replacement parts and get repairs than for a more common gas mower.

Manual reel mowers

With global warming a growing challenge, interest is reviving in the old-fashioned, manual reel mower. This is the quietest type of mower available, as well as the safest. Reel mowers stir up the least amount of dust and pollen, and they have an excellent safety record. (By contrast, emergency rooms reported 80,000 lawn mower injuries in 2004 alone, which is the latest report available.)

Manual reel mowers need little maintenance, and owners say they are fun to use as long as the grass is kept short. Reviews recommend them for relatively small flat lawns that are in good condition -- though some users say they're happy to use them for big lawns. Some users report having a tall lawn mowed initially with a gas mower, then mowing regularly with a reel mower.

Should you bag, mulch or side-discharge clippings?

Even within types, mowers vary in how they handle clippings. Most manual reel mowers just drop the clippings on the lawn. Since this type of mower works best only when you mow fairly fine grass, and often at that, dropping the clippings is fine. You can buy grass-catching bags for manual reel mowers, but they add to the weight you have to push, and users say they don't work very well.

Most gas and electric mowers come with a slightly dome-shaped deck which, in "mulching mode," circulates the clippings for a while so the blades chop them into finer and finer pieces. This is the mode lawn experts recommend using, because the mulched clippings serve as fertilizer. In fact, experts say you can cut fertilizer needs by a third this way.

Side-discharging clippings also fertilizes the lawn, but the pieces aren't cut as finely so they take longer to disintegrate into the lawn. This mode leaves messy rows of clippings, which may or may not bother you; you can rake over clipping to make them less noticeable. The least expensive and most basic gas mowers side-discharge clippings.

Bagging clippings looks neater, but the bags get heavy, and emptying them makes extra work. In the autumn, though, bagging is useful for collecting leaves. Reviews indicate that the best lawn mowers not only perform equally well in all three modes, but also make it easy to change from one mode to another.

Look for mowers described as "3-in-one" with a tool-free switch from one mode to another. If you're sure of the mode you want to use most, however, a "2-in-one" mower may cost less. In any case, be sure that the mower you pick excels in the mode you plan to use most often. (Our What to Look For page has additional tips on what to consider.)