This article discusses the different types of lawnmowers.
Back in the day, lawnmowers were not so confusing!
There were push and reel mowers.
Nowadays, you can find all sorts including riding mowers, self-propelled, hover, robotic mowers, and more.
But which one is right for you?
That’s what you will discover in this article. Each lawnmower serves a specific purpose, so it’s important to choose the right one.
For the purpose of this article, I will separate each mower into 2 categories: Push mowers and riding mowers.
8 Different Types of Lawn Mowers
1.Push Mowers
Push mowers are the most common type of lawnmower. They are found in most backyards.
Compared to a riding lawn mower, they don’t provide as much comfort. However, gas variations still have enough power to take on large lawns.
Another thing I like about push mowers is most of them come with a grass catcher. This collects all your grass, so you don’t need to remove it from the lawn after mowing.
In addition, push mowers are more taxing on the body.
Is this a good thing or a bad thing!?
I’ll let you answer that one.
Do you enjoy working out!?
2.Riding Lawn Mowers
If you want to step things up a notch, then ride-on mowers are your best friend.
Unlike push mowers, they have a built-in seat. That means you can mow the grass while sipping on your favorite coffee.
Sounds good, huh!?
Not only that, but riding mowers have the most powerful lawnmower engines. That makes them excellent for long thick grass.
People also use them when trying to cover large areas in the shortest time possible. In fact, you’ve probably seen riding mowers cutting large soccer fields.
This is because of the large cutting deck, which cuts mowing time considerably.
If a traditional riding lawn mower doesn’t tickle your fancy, there’s an alternative.
A zero-turn mower.
Zero-turn mowers are similar to riding mowers. However, there are a few key differences.
The most prominent benefit is excellent maneuverability. With zero-turn mowers, you can turn 360 degrees on the spot.
That means after you’ve mowed a strip of lawn, turning around is a breeze. With traditional riding mowers, you have to spend time lining up your mower with the next strip of grass.
When it comes to riding lawn mowers, you also have to consider whether it’s front or rear-wheel drive.
Rear engine riding mowers have better maneuverability. Plus, you don’t have to deal with breathing in gas fumes, as the engine is positioned behind you.
Front engine mowers tend to have more powerful engines, so they can handle tougher grass. However, breathing gas fumes is unavoidable.
3.Robotic Mowers
A robotic mower is a machine that automates the process of mowing your lawn.
Yes, the robots are taking over!
They typically require little or no input from you after initial setup, and can be programmed to work on a schedule.
There are a few reasons why more people are using robotic mowers. One is that they’re very efficient- they can typically do the job of a human mower in a fraction of the time.
They’re also low-maintenance, so you don’t have to worry about them getting tired or needing to take breaks. And finally, they’re quiet, so you won’t disturb your neighbors if you decide to use one.
They may not disturb your neighbors, but they will surely get them talking!
4.Reel Mowers
A reel mower is a gardening tool that uses a simple mechanism to cut the grass. It has a cylindrical cutting bar with a series of blades that rotate around it. The blades are usually made of steel or another durable material.
There are a few reasons why people might choose to use a reel mower. First, reel mowers don’t produce any emissions, so they’re environmentally friendly.
Second, they’re quiet, so you can use them in residential areas without disturbing your neighbors.
Third, they don’t require any gasoline or electricity, so they’re affordable to operate.
Finally, they’re easy to maintain, so they’re a good choice for people who don’t have a lot of time to spend on yard work.
Reel mowers typically don’t produce as much of a cut as a standard gas-powered mower.
This is because the blades on a reel mower are much smaller than the blades on a standard mower.
However, this also means that reel mowers are less likely to damage your grass.
They’re also easier to push, making them excellent for elderly people.
5.Electric Mowers (Corded)
If I had to choose from the mowers on this list, I would put corded electric mowers at the bottom.
There are a few reasons for this.
Firstly, the cord is annoying. I can’t remember how many times I’ve been trying to mow the lawn but keep tripping over the cord.
Secondly, you can’t rely on them for a powerful cut. Most corded electric mowers are designed for beginners and small yards.
If you need to tackle a larger yard, good luck with that! Heck, the cord won’t even reach the outlet.
And finally, I’ve always found corded electric mowers to stall. As soon as you encounter taller dense grass, they seem to stop working.
And I think I can speak for everybody when I say, “That’s no way to cut the lawn”.
6.Battery-Powered Mowers
Battery-powered mowers are also electric. However, their performance is 10x better than corded mowers (most of the time!).
Not only that, but you don’t have to drag a cord around with one. That alone makes for a much more enjoyable experience.
They also tend to handle grass better. If you splash the cash on an electric mower, it’s unlikely to stall when faced with thick grass.
The only concern I have with battery-powered mowers is the batteries don’t always last. On average, you can expect most batteries to last about 30 minutes.
However, I’ve found a solution.
Rather than purchasing one battery, I recommend getting 2. That way, you can change the battery immediately when it runs out.
The problem? It sets you back more money.
7.Hover Mowers
Hover mowers are not so popular. However, they still do an excellent job at cutting the grass.
But here’s the thing…
They don’t have any wheels.
Strange, right!?
A hover mower works by creating an air cushion between the grass and the cutting deck.
This raises the mower from the floor, so it doesn’t require wheels to move along.
You’re probably wondering…
“Is there any benefit to having no wheels on a mower?”.
Absolutely.
No wheels mean you can easily turn hover mowers in any direction. When you finish mowing one strip of lawn, you don’t have to turn the mower around to start the next strip.
This saves you lots of time.
The issue I have with hover mowers is that they are corded.
And as we discussed previously, myself and corded mowers are not good friends.
So you have to ask yourself.
“Is the time saved worth dragging around a cord when mowing the lawn?”.
8.Self Propelled Mowers
The first self-propelled lawn mower was made in 1922. However, it wouldn’t be until years later that they became popular.
Nowadays, a quick Google search will yield thousands of self-propelled lawn mower results.
So, what is a self-propelled lawn mower?
A self-propelled lawn mower moves forward by itself. Unlike a push mower, you don’t need to use your body weight to push it forward.
Kinda like a push mower on steroids.
This is excellent for elderly people who don’t have the strength anymore. My only recommendation is to get one with variable speed control. That way, the lawnmower will match your walking speed.
Without variable speed control, the lawn mower may go too fast for an elderly person.
I know I keep mentioning the elderly.
But self-propelled lawn mowers are used by everybody, not just older people.
With that being said, self-propelled mowers are also great for hills. So, if you’ve got any uneven terrain in your backyard, consider getting one of these bad boys!
What Kind Of Lawn Mower Is The Best?
When comparing all the lawnmowers on this list, it’s hard to choose the best one. Everybody has different needs and wants, so I can’t answer that question.
However, I strongly advise considering a riding lawn mower.
Riding lawnmowers are more powerful and offer superior comfort. And if you’re anything like me – comfort is non-negotiable.
On the flip side, if you want some weekly exercise, standard push mowers are a great choice.
For elderly people, variable-speed self-propelled mowers are great for keeping fit without putting too much stress on the body.
Conclusion
If you’re still struggling to choose from the different types of lawn mowers, gas-powered are always a good choice.
They have been around for years and proven they can get the job done.
On the flip side, battery-powered mowers are newer. Therefore, they don’t have decades of proven reliability behind them.
If you have any questions regarding the types of lawn mowers, get in touch by dropping a comment below. I will be sure to respond.