The lawn mower is one of the most essential pieces of garden equipment – if you have a lawn, of course. But there are so many products out there that it can quickly go from a casual shopping experience to being overwhelmed by the sheer choice.

Fortunately, there are things that you can do to make sure that you choose the right lawn mower for your needs.

Before you add anything to your online shopping cart or part with your hard-earned cash at the DIY store, take a look at our top tips on how to choose the best lawn mower.

Once you are confident that you know what you are looking for, why not check out the excellent selection of lawn mowers at EasyLawnMowing.

Types Of Lawn Mowers

You could be forgiven for thinking that a lawn mower comes in just one form, but this is a common misconception. There are several types of lawn mowers, and one of the first things that you need to think about is which style will suit you.

Rotary Or Cylinder?

When we talk about a rotary or cylinder lawn mower, we are referring to the type of blade; rotary models are far more common and feature a blade that rotates under the deck. Conversely, a cylinder mower has a set of sharp blades arranged in a spiral.

The rotary mower is ideal for most homeowners since they are versatile and can be powered in several ways. What’s more, they are great for mowing on uneven ground and offer a great deal of power.

For those with a level garden and who want something a little more professional, a cylinder mower is a good option, although it is worth keeping in mind that these tend to be a bit more expensive.

Power

When it comes to powering your lawn mower, you have several options. In the main, most people are familiar with the petrol, push and a corded electric model. But many modern mowers are battery-operated (cordless) and are becoming a more popular choice.

The type of power you opt for will vastly depend on the size of your lawn, your ability and of course, personal preference.

Petrol Mowers

Petrol mowers are the most traditional type and offer an incredible deal of power; for this reason, they are ideal for larger areas and lawns that are more challenging to cut. However, you should also keep in mind that these models will require a lot more maintenance.

While petrol mowers do tend to be slightly heavier owing to the large motor, this also makes them more robust. Furthermore, many of these machines feature a self-propelled drive so they are great if you can’t exert enough force to manoeuvre them manually.

Corded Electric Mowers

Most homes have a corded electric lawn mower, and this is likely because they are inexpensive, lightweight, and easy to use. What’s more, they offer a comparable amount of power to the petrol mower but have the added convenience of using mains electricity without the need for fuel and oil storage.

They do not require any maintenance and are relatively compact so storing them is a cinch. However, because they have a power cord, this can limit the area in which you can use them, making them more suited to smaller gardens. Additionally, many people find that the cable can get in the way.

Cordless Battery-Operated Mowers

The most modern type of lawn mower is cordless, and these are highly convenient if you need something to cover a larger area thanks to the lack of a power cord tethering you to the spot. However, if you do want to mow a large lawn with a cordless model, you will need to have replacement batteries at the ready. One of the significant drawbacks of this type of mower is that power and run time is limited, unless you purchase a higher end model.

In contrast, they are lightweight and straightforward to use, and modern ones have a reasonable degree of power, although the petrol mower will always reign supreme where performance is concerned.

Robotic Mowers

If you don’t fancy cutting the grass yourself, why not get yourself a robotic mower that will do all the hard work for you? These are ideal if you want to stay on top of your lawn and keep it neatly trimmed all year round.

They offer a variety of features such as the ability to return to their charger when it rains, they will not leave your garden thanks to the boundary wire, and they are incredibly convenient and easy to use.

Things To Consider When Choosing A Lawn Mower

Aside from the type of lawn mower you would like, it is essential to look at the various features as this will help you to determine whether the mower is suitable for your needs.

Some of the things you might like to consider are:

• The cutting width tells you how wide an area the lawn mower will trim in one pass. This is usually given in inches or centimetres; for larger lawns, you will want a mower with a more extensive cutting width, whereas a smaller lawn might do well with something around 30cm/12inches.
• Lawn mowers have various mowing options including mulching, grass collection and side and rear discharge. You should look at which of these your mower offers and whether it will be suitable for how you like to mow the lawn.
• Look for any safety features, especially on cordless battery mowers as you want to feel confident that the mower will be safe to use.
• Does the mower have a roller? Rollers are additional features on some mowers that allow you to create a striped lawn.
• Lawn mowers have an adjustable cutting height which means that you can decide how long or short you would like the grass. How easy this is to adjust and the range should also be taken into consideration.
• Look at the handle to make sure that it is comfortable to use and whether the controls are easy to reach. You might also want to check if the handle folds down for easier storage.
• Considering your budget is a wise idea; in the main, robotic and cordless mowers will set you back the most whereas an electric model will be the most affordable.

Conclusion

Choosing a lawn mower doesn’t have to be a headache-inducing activity, by simply looking at the various features, you can make an easy decision on the model that is best for you. The type of lawn mower you need will depend on several factors, including the size of your lawn, the kind of power you prefer and your budget.