Lawn Mowers

Cracking a cold one (adult beverage or soda, your choice), slathering on some sunblock, grabbing a hat and hitting an unruly lawn are one of the best ways to spend a Saturday afternoon. Some view the chore of mowing a lawn as just that – a chore. Your loyal scribe begs to disagree. Mowing is relaxing, fun (seeing all that grass you cut is exhilarating), and best yet, provides valuable alone time.

We’ve written on riding mowers in the past. The technology has come a long way, and they can tackle a lawn in ways that were previously unimagined. Today we’re going to focus on walk-behind lawn mowers, the traditional lawn mowers and a segment that many still enjoy.

Large Yards (Electric)

A winning electric mower for large yards is the EGO LM2100SP. EGO is a well-known brand in the gardening sector, and while its size (21-inch deck) is indeed a bit intimidating, perhaps the best feature of this mower is its industrial design. The LM2100SP folds and flips into a compact unit, literally shedding 50% of its bulk (somehow) for easy storage. This is quite the feat, and another user favorite is the sloped nose of this mower, allowing it to get under low-hanging shrubs and tight spots.

Mid-Size Yards (Electric)

If you’ve got a yard that doesn’t require a beast like the previously mentioned EGO, the Greenworks 25223 is a fine option. The first thing the 25223 brings are 10-inch rear tires. These are rare, and super-cool for a mower this size. Second is a three-function capability – mulch, bag and side discharge. But perhaps the best of all is the Greenworks’ steel deck, controlled via a spring-loaded lift mechanism. There aren’t many detractors to this mower, but a couple of folks mentioned that through-the-handle bag access would have been nice.

Overall Mower (Gas)

If you aren’t necessarily thrilled or interested in an electric mower, it’s a free world out there. You can go gas, and Honda has a mower for you. The HRX217HZA is one in a series of Honda gas powered mowers known for its durability and longevity. It’s not uncommon to see multiple variations of this mower over the last decade. Featuring a cutting width of 21 inches, the engine is what stands out with this model – 200c. Powerful and also equipped with a hydrostatic transmission, this puppy can handle tall grass and climb hills effortlessly.

Most Versatile (Gas)

A tough category to judge, but the Toro Personal Pace Power Reverse 20355 wins, principally because of its power reverse feature. The Toro Personal Pace system allows you to reverse uphill quickly and efficiently, and this is very helpful if you find yourself in a situation with a full grass bag. The rear lever gives you the option of switching between bagging and mulching, and a fold-forward handle helps with storing this mower vertically against the wall.

At the end of the day, it would appear the decision in this segment really comes down to a gas or electric powered lawn mower. You already accepted the challenge of walking instead of riding!