What to Look for in a Lawn Mower

Bombardment (cordless) lawnmowers have improved substantially over the years, making them a practiced choice for many homes. Only petrol and electric models have their own advantages also. We help you lot determine whether to become the petrol, electrical or battery route to keep your backyard well clean-cut.

On this page:

Lawnmower types: petrol, battery (cordless) and electrical
What size cut diameter does your lawnmower need?
Bombardment technology is improving
2-stroke vs 4-stroke petrol lawnmowers
How much practice lawnmowers price?
What features should I await for in a lawnmower?

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Lawnmower types: petrol, bombardment (cordless) and electric

Petrol lawnmowers

Compared to electric- and bombardment-powered models, petrol lawnmowers can be a hassle to start and refuel. The cost to the local environment with fumes and racket may likewise be an issue. Only the petrol mowers we've tested over the years are commonly splendid grass cutters and quick to refuel, and so they're a good option for mowing big areas of grass.

Battery (cordless) lawnmowers

For a small-scale or medium lawn typical of a suburban dwelling house (up to about 500 square metres), one of the top-performing battery mowers is probably a better choice – they're very capable machines, and y'all skip the need to store petrol. The batteries are usually compatible across a range of power tools from the same brand, which is very convenient if you likewise have a line trimmer, brush cutter or ability drill. And of grade at that place are no petrol exhaust fumes to worry almost. But you do need to remember to charge the batteries ahead of time.

The more the battery life improves, the bigger the area you'll be able to mow. Some hold enough accuse for 1500 square metres or more, though if you've got spare batteries and/or a fast charger to hand, you lot'll be able to mow all twenty-four hours, just like you lot would with a petrol mower.

Electric lawnmowers

If you don't listen the small-scale hassle of dragging a string effectually and you have a ability signal close by, then an electric lawnmower is easy to run and maintain. Make certain to utilise a suitable outdoor-rated extension cord plugged into a safety switch, which will shut off the ability immediately if you accidentally damage the ability cord.

What size cut diameter does your lawnmower need?

A lawnmower with a wide cut diameter means you'll spend less time mowing the lawn and more time enjoying your weekend.

Petrol lawnmowers usually have a wide cutting diameter of 45–50cm.

Electric and battery-powered models are more commonly available with cutting widths from xxx–40cm.

A difference of 10 or 20cm may not seem to be significant, but large lawn-owners volition definitely notice if you accept to brand a dozen more than runs for each mowing session. If you accept a smallish inner-metropolis lawn, the difference probably won't worry you lot.

Bombardment engineering science is improving

If you looked at battery-powered mowers ten years agone and dismissed them as useless, you might accept been right. But improvements in cutting performance and battery life have been meaning, and battery-powered options have been well worth a look for a few years now.

You lot get the low-maintenance advantages of an electric mower without having to elevate the string effectually.

In our reviews, nosotros find the bombardment gives typically about 45 minutes of mowing, which is normally more than enough for a typical suburban thousand. But they tin can range from under twenty minutes to well over an hr, so brand sure to check the results of our lawnmower test to detect i capable of covering your dwelling house yard size.

Remember to charge the battery well earlier mowing (doing information technology the night before is a good idea), as it can take two or 3 hours to get the battery upward to full power. That said, accuse times are improving and you lot tin can purchase spare batteries equally backups, though they don't always come inexpensive.

The lawnmowers nosotros test often accept at least 36V battery voltage (ofttimes running 2x 18V batteries on the 1 unit). How long the batteries last in a mowing session depends on a number of factors besides the bombardment, including the quality of the blades and how long the grass is.

Virtually battery mowers have removable batteries, making it easier to bandy out a spent bombardment for a fully-charged i, or to trade up to a new battery with a bigger capacity. A few take built-in batteries, which keeps things simple but offers less flexibility.

But at that place'due south all the same a downside

All lithium-ion batteries lose their ability to hold charge over fourth dimension. We've had at to the lowest degree i report that within four years, a lawnmower battery had dropped to one-half the running time it originally had when at full charge. And subsequently a few years, a manufacturer might discontinue a product and no longer offer a replacement bombardment. That might leave you with a perfectly good mower but no compatible batteries – probably unlikely with a major brand, but information technology could happen with a one-off model or a cheapie brand that drops out of the market.

Unfortunately yous might non be able to use a battery from another make, as manufacturers aren't collaborating to create whatever battery standard that would allow you to switch batteries betwixt brands. But you might be able to observe an later on-marketplace or generic battery that will work.

With petrol mowers, you lot can be assured petrol will be around for a while longer, though in the long term, petrol prices and pollution regulations volition probably work against them.

Video: Petrol vs battery (cordless) lawnmowers

Which is best for your lawn? A petrol lawnmower, a battery (cordless) mower or an electric (corded) mower?

2-stroke vs 4-stroke petrol lawnmowers

Minor petrol engines are mostly either two-stroke or four-stroke.

Two-stroke engines are simpler in design, have fewer moving parts and are more powerful than the equivalent capacity 4-stroke, so they can be both compact and reliable.

However, typical two-stroke engines produce a great deal more pollution because they crave a mix of petrol and oil, which yous'll demand to mix yourself to the required fuel/oil ratio.

Four-stroke engines, while more than complicated, run on ordinary unleaded petrol and and then produce a lot less pollution.

Nearly all petrol mowers currently sold in Australia have 4-stroke engines. An emissions police passed in September 2017 will phase out the sale of two-stroke lawnmowers entirely, due to concerns about their environmental and health impacts. Two-stroke engines will proceed to exist immune in smaller power equipment such as line trimmers and chainsaws, as long equally they encounter emissions standards for those products.

If y'all've got a beloved onetime two-stroke mower in your shed, y'all'll be able to keep it and use it. But new two-stroke mowers won't be found.

How much do lawnmowers price?

The models in our most recent battery and electric lawnmower examination range in price from about $200 to over $1500, including the battery and charger. Battery lawnmowers are usually sold equally a kit (including mower, battery and charger) but you can buy them every bit a "skin" only (i.e. just the mower – the battery and charger are sold separately). Brand sure to cheque what'south included in the price.

Petrol lawnmowers range in price from almost $200 to over $2000.

What features should I look for in a lawnmower?

Ease of use

The handle should be comfy to concord and preferably height-adaptable.
A turned-up handle is easier on your wrists and gives better command over the lawnmower.
Major controls should be close to paw and piece of cake to come across.
The engine control lever should be on the handlebar for like shooting fish in a barrel access and you lot should be able to operate it without as well much effort.
Make certain the cutting tiptop is easily adjustable and you have several positions bachelor. Minimum cutting height varies, only one of the battery models nosotros tested can only cut to 35mm at its everyman point. If y'all desire anything shorter than that you'll need to shop around or become for a petrol model.
It's generally easier to showtime a petrol-powered mower when the pull string is located on the engine, but a handle-mounted cord is proficient if you tin can't easily curve over – make certain information technology's not mounted also high, equally this tin require a lot of shoulder strength to pull.
Push button or key ignition models don't require whatever strength or dexterity to starting time so they're even easier to operate.
The mower should be easy to push button and manoeuvre in all the weather condition you'll use information technology.
Big wheels improve handling on rough ground and a lightweight model is easier to push button and plow, specially on uneven ground.
Self-propelled models are all easy to push button, as they practise it themselves.
We find that rigid plastic catchers are best. With a cloth bag type catcher, you can get showered in grit. The catcher should have two handles to make it easier to carry and empty.
For battery models, a safe key which prevents the mower from starting unexpectedly when removed is a adept feature, particularly if you accept young, curious children.
Almost bombardment mowers have batteries which can be removed for charging. This means if you have spare batteries you tin swap them over and proceed mowing when you lot run out of charge.

Mulcher vs catcher mowing

Mulching mowers produce more of a compost than a mulch, using a special 'mulching plug' to repeatedly feed the cut grass through the blades, chopping information technology very finely earlier forcing the clippings downward between the blades of grass and back into the lawn.

A proficient mulcher mower will make your lawn expect neat and tidy and you shouldn't be able to see clumps of clippings or unmown grass later yous've finished.

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Source: https://www.choice.com.au/outdoor/gardening/lawnmowers-and-trimmers/buying-guides/lawnmower