Lawn Mower Buyer's Guide
How To Pick The Perfect Lawn Mower
You've already done the difficult stuff. Seeding. Watering. Fertilizing.
Now you get to enjoy the fun part: showing off the results of your hard work while getting a suntan.
There's no reason to outsource your lawn mowing if you purchase the proper equipment for your own use.
You'll find a number of different lawn mowers available, all of them designed to efficiently cut grass. To make your choice of a mower easier, it helps to divide them into three types:
Check out the chart below to see the basic differences, and continue reading to learn more about the benefits of each type.
| LAWN MOWERS | Walk-Behind | Riding | Tow-Behind |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  |
| Cutting Width: | 10 - 61" | 26 - 74" | 18 - 136" |
| Max Speed: | Walking | 13 MPH | 10 MPH |
| Power Source: | Manual Electric Cord Battery Gas Engine | Gas Engine | Manual Gas Engine |
Walk-Behind Mowers
These are the traditional lawn mowers that many of us picture when we imagine Saturdays spent taking care of the yard. Ideal for small to mid-sized suburban lawns, walk-behind mowers come in a variety of styles:
- Reel mowers
- Corded electric mowers
- Cordless or battery-powered electric mowers
- Gas-powered mowers
Walk-behind mowers are the most budget-friendly and environmentally-geared lawn mowers you'll find. They're easy to store due to their small size, making them a great option for many homeowners. No matter why they appeal to you, you're sure to find one to meet your needs.
Riding Mowers
If you've got a larger property, or if you need to avoid long periods of walking and standing, a riding lawnmower is a terrific choice.
There are three different styles of riding mowers:
- Rear engine riders
- Tractors (both lawn and garden tractors)
- Zero turn mowers
With cutting widths ranging from 26 inches to 66 inches, riding mowers allow you to cut a lot of grass in a little time. They're essentially small vehicles, so be prepared to perform regular maintenance throughout the year and set aside some storage space in your garage come winter. However, the power they offer can't be beat.
Tow-Behind Mowers
Whether you're mowing the fairways of a golf course or taming the wild brambles of an overgrown field, a tow-behind mower is the perfect companion to your ATV or tractor.
Towable mowers come in several styles:
- Gang reel mowers
- Trail mowers
- Trail cutters
Because they don't propel themselves and need to be connected to a riding mower or other vehicle, tow-behind mowers are a top choice for commercial landscapers and professional users who already own large pieces of lawn care equipment. However, anyone who has large swaths of tall grass or even small saplings to clear will get a lot of mileage out of a tow-behind mower.
