Lawns are no laughing matter.
Heck, people literally spend billions of dollars on them every year in America.
In 2015, for instance, almost $30 billion was spent on lawn care across the country!
Mowing the grass is, of course, a central part of yard maintenance. You could spend all the money in the world making a garden look its best. However, it would all be wasted if the lawn remained unkempt and overgrown.
Doing it right requires a quality mower. But with a huge number of options out there, it’s hard to know how to choose a lawn mower that’s right for you.
Wondering how on earth to decide? Let us help!
Keep reading for 7 top considerations for buying the best lawn mower for your needs.
1. Yard Size
First thing’s first:
How big is your yard? The size of the space will be a primary factor in deciding the best lawn mower for your needs.
Imagine pushing a walk-behind mower around a 4-acre patch of grass! It would take hours, and you’d be exhausted.
Conversely, taking a riding mower around your 300 square foot garden would be excessive. It might even be difficult to maneuver around the limited space.
You want to find the right balance. Small space? Manual mowers would be fine. Medium-sized yard? A powered push mower may be preferable. Finally, larger gardens arguably call for heavier duty mowers. A sit-down mower, or even a lawn tractor, may be best.
2. Yard Terrain
The type of terrain you have outside is another key consideration.
If it’s flat all the way, then your job’s nice and easy. A simple push mower is going to be fine.
However, adding hills into the mix is sure to make life that bit more difficult. Just seeing the giant incline outside might be enough to make you want a riding mower!
Pushing an ordinary machine up and down is sure to be a challenge. Likewise, rougher and bumpier land will be harder too.
Mild slopes over a smaller space? Self-propelled mowers should do the job. A push mower would do the job, but it’d be a serious workout. Riding motors would be a better bet over larger, hillier terrain.
3. Budget
Of course, finances are bound to be a factor too.
You’ll want to find the perfect balance between quality and affordability.
Mowers come in all shapes and sizes.
As you might expect, bigger, powerful and more technologically advanced machines will inevitably cost more. Consider seeing your mower as an investment! Paying more upfront can prevent expensive repairs and replacements in the future.
What’s more, buying an appropriate mower for your garden can save countless amounts of time and effort. This is arguably priceless.
4. Mobility and Strength Levels
It’s important to think about your physical capabilities too.
Mowing the lawn might sound like an easy task. However, don’t underestimate it! Mowing a large space with difficult terrain takes serious effort. Even smaller spaces can be tiring in certain conditions.
Think about how much you’re willing and/or able to do. A riding mower is sure to make life easier for anyone with physical limitations. After all, you’re sat down throughout the process.
They cover larger and more challenging spaces with ease.
The same goes for self-propelled mowers. They’re walk-behind, but they assist you in doing the job quicker and more easily. They’re good options for smaller lawns that don’t justify a riding mower, yet where mobility is a problem.
5. Power Supply
Mowers are generally powered in one of three ways:
Manually, with gas, or by electricity.
Manual reel varieties are your typical old-school mower! With no motor, the blades spin and act as scythes as you move the machine. It’s a clever and purely mechanical item. However, they’re only be suited to small and easy lawns.
Onto the powered mowers. There are pros and cons to both.
Gas mowers are run for longer and tend to offer more power. However, they make a mess and demand a relatively high level of maintenance.
An Electric mower is better for the environment and demands less upkeep. Yet they’re generally less powerful and have the potential to run out of charge. It’s best to have a spare battery to ensure you can finish your lawn!
6. Access & Storage
You have to think about access to your lawn as well.
Imagine buying a riding mower and realizing it won’t fit through the gate to your garden! You’re stuck in all senses of the word.
Consider the size of the mower you want. Is there enough space to store and use it easily? If not, then downsize accordingly.
The cord is a similar thing to keep in mind. Electric mowers sometimes have a cord that you attach to the power supply. You’ll want to ensure that it’s long enough to cover your entire lawn.
7. Cutting Style
Finally, keep the cutting type in mind.
This consideration only applies to walk-behind mowers. Basically, not all of them cut grass in the same way.
Some project the clippings outwards from the side. Others mulch the grass. Finally, some mowers discharge clippings into a bag/box that’s attached to the machine.
In truth, the best alternative comes down to personal preference. Think about how you’d rather mow your lawn and make an appropriate purchase.
Final Thoughts on How to Choose a Lawn Mower
There you have it: top considerations for how to choose a lawn mower that’s right for you.
Americans take their lawn care very seriously, spending billions of dollars each year on their upkeep. Mowing the lawn is, of course, a central part of the job.
A shabby lawn can ruin the overall aesthetic appeal of the garden.
For that reason, it’s crucial to find a quality mower. Unfortunately, with a huge amount of variety out there, that’s easier said than done.
Hopefully, the information in this post will help you choose one that’s right for you.
Want more articles like this? Check out the other posts on the lifestyle section of the blog!
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