How to Choose a Lawn Mower: Reel, Cordless or Gas?
The right mower depends on three things: how big your lawn is, how much noise and upkeep you will put up with, and how you like to store your gear. Here is a quick way to narrow it down.
Reel (manual push) mowers
Best for small, flat lawns. Spinning blades cut grass like scissors, which leaves a clean edge. No fuel, no battery, almost no noise and very little maintenance. Keep the grass short, since reel mowers struggle with tall growth and twigs.
Cordless electric mowers
A good fit for small to medium yards. Quiet, push-button start and no gas to store. Check battery run time against your yard size and keep a spare battery if the lawn takes longer than one charge.
Gas mowers
Built for large lawns and thick or wet grass. More power and run time, but they need oil changes, fresh fuel and a well-ventilated place to store them.
Cutting width and height
A wider deck means fewer passes, but a narrower one turns more easily around beds and trees. Pick a mower with adjustable cutting height and never remove more than a third of the grass blade at once.
Fall tip
For the last mow of the season, cut a little shorter than usual, then clean the blades and store the mower somewhere dry.