Lawn Mowers Reviews

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Lawn Mowers Reviews Reviewed
Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	Lawn Mowers Ratings Comments on Reviews
1. Consumer Reports >> Details/Subscribe	Lawn Mowers Editors of Consumer Reports May 2008		A total of 45 lawn mowers are ranked here, based on ratings for performance in all three grass-handling modes, plus handling and ease of use. Testing is objective and thorough, done yearly in Florida by a team of mowers. The review excels in rating performance, but we find some bothersome gaps. No noise measurements are given, although last year Consumer Report's lawn-mower reviewer promised to consider including them. Nor is the new, wider Neuton cordless mower tested here. Only three manual reel mowers are briefly reviewed, with a strange criticism of one for leaving "uncut strips beneath its wheels." (How could any mower cut beneath its wheels?) The worst gap, however, is that there's still no rating for environmental impact. The review fails to note which lawn mowers.

Lawn Mowers Reviews above this line are significantly better than reviews below.

Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	Lawn Mowers Ratings Comments on Reviews

2. Popular Mechanics >> Details/Subscribe	Best Lawn Mowers of 2007 Roy Berendsohn Apr. 2007 and Mar. 2008		This review compares six high-end, self-propelled gas mowers based on three days of testing. Editors look for some things not mentioned in the Consumer Reports testing, including the mowers' maximum speeds. Noise level is rated in actual decibels, making it possible to identify the two quietest models. Although the models aren't rated or ranked, top picks are selected, and each mower gets a detailed review that includes pros and cons. The March 2008 issue gives a "Best of Green Design" award to the new Remington cordless lawn mower, which can also run with an extension cord.
3. Wired Magazine >> Details/Subscribe	Summer Test: Electric Lawn Mowers Editors and Contributors June 13, 2007		This review rates and ranks two cordless and two corded electric lawn mowers based on test mowing, reporting pros and cons for each. Noise ratings aren't reported, but the review does go into detail about how much effort it takes to handle each mower. A few readers chip in with comments about the electric mowers they use.
4. How Stuff Works.com	Lawn Mowers Editors of HowStuffWorks.com As of May 2008		HowStuffWorks.com (formerly Consumer Guide) is now reviewing and rating lawn mowers on the basis of actual test usage, adding new reviews each year. Some lawn mowers are included here that Consumer Reports and Popular Mechanics don't cover, such as the new wider Neuton cordless mower. The single-product reviews are nicely detailed, but it's not easy to compare mowers since there's no overall ranking. A few mowers are recommended as best buys, others as budget buys. Reviews cover push and self-propelled gas, cordless and corded electric mowers, but no manual reel

Lawn Mowers Reviews above this line are significantly better than reviews below.

Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	Lawn Mowers Ratings Comments on Reviews

5. Noise Pollution Clearinghouse (NPC)	Quiet Lawns Editors of NoisePollution.org 2004		Although this review is four years old, it covers quite a few lawn mowers still available. The information provided is based on comparison tests of performance, ease of use and, of course, noise. Although both Sunlawn and Neuton are among the many sponsors of this nonprofit organization, the review includes some criticisms of mowers made by both companies, and it recommends some mowers not made by sponsors, as well.
6. National Home Gardening Club	Electric Mower: Sunlawn EM-1 Editors and club-member testers July 2007		National Home Gardening Club provides volunteer testers with products to rate based on use in their own gardens. The only lawn mower tested is the Sunlawn EM-1 cordless mower. Testers like its light weight, electric start and maneuverability, but its ratings for design, ease of use and durability are below the average for products tested here. We'd rank this review higher if editors specified the number of testers for each product.
7. Consumers Digest >> Details/Subscribe	Lawn Mowers: The Changing Landscape Steve Trusty Apr. 2008		This review recommends one manual mower, in addition to three gasoline and three electric lawn mowers. Within types, the gas and electric mowers are ranked based on ease of use, performance and durability. Ranking seems to depend more on price and features than on any tests done for the review. This is still a valuable article, since it explains new and upcoming changes based on CARB and EPA regulations, plus the change in engine ratings from horsepower to torque.
8. Amazon.com	Lawn Mowers Contributors to Amazon.com As of May 2008		Owners review and rate lawn mowers here, often reporting on several years of use. All types are covered, but quite a few major brands aren't reviewed, because they're not sold through Amazon. It's interesting to see that while the professional comparative reviews greatly value even cutting and power, users often value light weight and long-term reliability more.
9. TreeHugger.com	Product Review: Enviromower (Solar Lawn Mowing) Warren McLaren Feb. 2008		This single-product review praises the Enviromower, the Australian and European cordless mower that's essentially the same as the Neuton cordless mower. The author reports that he gets about 55 minutes of mowing time per charge, in thick grass that's been growing fast. Single-lever height adjustments are easy. The mower can cut grass that's been allowed to grow high, but this reduces the run time significantly. This review has attracted a lot of comments from readers, some of whom recommend other electric or cordless mowers, as well.
10. Mother Earth News	Cordless Electric Lawn Mowers Scott Hollis Apr. / May 2005		This review compares three 24-volt cordless lawn mowers based on actual use: Black & Decker CMM1000, 14-inch Neuton and 15-inch Brill Accumower ASM380. Also included is information on a solar-powered mower and on a kit to adapt a cordless mower to photovoltaic panels.
11. Housekeeping Channel.com	Review: Black and Decker Cordless Mower CMM1000 Diana Forbes Not Dated		This review by a journalist who specializes in reviewing household products gives the Black and Decker CMM1000 cordless lawn mower a high rating, calling it "pricey but worth it." She tests it on a 1/8-acre lawn, finding that the mower stays at full power the whole time. Like other reviewers of this model, she praises the one-lever height adjustment, push-button starting, relative quiet and low environmental impact. Price is the only drawback noted.
12. The Detroit News >> Details/Subscribe	There's Lots to Consider When Buying a New Mower Jeff Ball Feb. 25, 2006		This review by gardening writer Jeff Ball covers gas-powered lawn mowers, with an emphasis on the most desirable features, based primarily on personal use. The author singles out the Toro Personal Pace system for special praise, but he also notes that Craftsman offers several mowers with the same feature, called EZ Walk. The review recommends front-wheel-drive mowers for easy maneuvering in tight spaces.

Lawn Mowers Reviews above this line are significantly better than reviews below.

Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	Lawn Mowers Ratings Comments on Reviews

13. Men's Health >> Details/Subscribe	Special Report: Silent Running Seth Porges Mar. 2006		This brief article recommends the quieter models among the noisiest home tools and appliances. The Honda HRX217HMA is recommended for its average 84-decibel noise levels, low among lawn mowers.
14. Clean Air Gardening.com	Electric and Manual Reel Mowers Contributors to CleanAirGardening.com As of May 2008		As the name suggests, this retailer sells only electric and manual reel mowers. Two reel mowers get high praise from owners, while one reel mower and one cordless electric mower come in for heavy criticism.
15. HomeDepot.com	Walk-behind Mowers Contributors to HomeDepot.com As of May 2008		Home Depot publishes owner-written reviews and ratings, but you have to click on each lawn mower model to see if it's been reviewed. At the time of our report, only a few lawn mowers have accumulated reviews from enough owners to make the ratings significant. We found quite a few complaints about the Cub Cadet mowers sold here. Some Yard Machines budget mowers provide good features, but the low-emissions models are available only in California.
16. Lowes.com	Lawn mowers Contributors to Lowes.com As of May 2008		Owners rate lawn mowers here, but without any chance to provide detailed reviews. At the time of our report, only a few mowers have accumulated ratings, but they're useful since they cover a wide range from high to low. Also, several mowers in the same price range get quite different ratings from owners.
17. Sears.com	Lawn Mowers Contributors to Sears.com As of May 2008		Quite a few lawn mowers have accumulated owner-written ratings and reviews here. It's interesting to see that mowers that are priced the same vary so much in rating. Most of the lawn mowers sold here are Craftsman brand, but a few Husqvarna and Snapper mowers also get reviews. The only CARB-certified lawn mowers are available solely to addresses in California.
18. Daily Home Renovation Tips	Solar Charged Lawn Mower Dan Apr. 2008		This detailed single-product review covers the Solaris solar-powered cordless lawn mower, which is also the first self-propelled cordless mower. The review starts with features and progresses through assembly and installation of the solar panel, then reports on mowing performance. No drawbacks are noted as such. Although a photo of the mowed lawn is shown, it's hard to tell how evenly the mower actually cuts. Nor is it clear exactly which electric lawn mowers are used for comparison. Despite these drawbacks, this is a useful review.
19. About.com	Top 3 Lawn Mowers David Beaulieu Not Dated		About.com's landscaping expert recommends three lawn mowers in this older and somewhat outdated review. Although newer models aren't covered, some general recommendations still apply. For bumpy or hilly lawns, lawn mowers with 12-inch rear wheels make pushing much easier. The review is also helpful in evaluating both pros and cons of corded electric mowers and manual reel mowers. (Note that ConsumerSearch and About.com are owned by the same parent company, but are not affiliated editorially.)
20. GardenWeb.com	Lawn Mowers Forum Contributors to GardenWeb.com As of May 2008		This forum contains quite a few discussions of lawn mower selection, often comparing specific brands and models head to head. One thread, "Honda vs. Toro," includes some discussion of the Honda HRX hand fatigue issue (due to the thumb position). This also comes up in another thread on the Honda HRR216K3TDA, with one user noting that it's possible to guide the HRX mowers with the heel of the hand instead. This is a good site for asking questions and researching specific models.
21. People Powered Machines.com	Compare the Brill and Sunlawn Push Reel Mowers Editors of People Powered Machines As of May 2008		This retail site sells electric corded and cordless mowers, as well as manual reel mowers. The comparison chart is useful in comparing the features and specifications of nine reel mowers, including some cordless models, and the newest Brill Razorcut manual reel mowers.
22. Mother Earth News	Solar-electric Mowers & Tractors George DeVault and Charles Higginson Aug.- Sept. 2006		This overview of solar-powered lawn mowers and tractors is based on interviews with manufacturers and retailers, without any ratings or rankings of current models. The article notes that Neuton is developing a solar battery charger and says that as of 2006, the Neuton cordless mower outsells the Black & Decker cordless lawn mower even in the United States.
23. Consumer Reports Greener Choices >> Details/Subscribe	Lawn Mowers Buying Guide Editors of Consumer Reports Apr. 2008		This environmentally-oriented lawn mower buying guide, available without subscription, includes ratings and rankings based on last year's mower tests. An added column shows which mowers can mulch, since this article emphasizes the value of mulching to save fertilizer. It's surprising that a site purportedly dedicated to "green choices" lists only three of the many available corded electric lawn mowers, only five cordless mowers and not a single manual reel mower.

Lawn Mowers Reviews above this line are significantly better than reviews below.

Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	Lawn Mowers Ratings Comments on Reviews

24. 3Luxe.com	Lawnmowers Editors As of May 2008		This site recommends three models as the best lawn mowers, but readers are about evenly split on their choices, and the picks seem to be based on features. No testing or usage is documented.
25. Yenra.com	Lawn Mower News Editors of Yenra.com As of May 2008		This site looks like a typical weblog designed to give minimal information in order to make money from ads -- but it actually provides some useful information on specific lawn mowers that we didn't find elsewhere. Unfortunately, however, this page is titled "lawn mower news," and there's no new information since 2006.