Find the Right Walk Behind Lawn Mower for You

You know you’re ready for a new lawn mower, but how do you know which one is right for you, your yard, and your budget? We’re here to help.

Let’s take a closer look at what to look for when choosing your next lawn mower.

To Mulch, or Not to Mulch?

How much work do you want to do? A mower with a mulching blade, like a Recycler, cuts grass into tiny pieces that break down and decompose easily — putting important nutrients back to your yard. For supercharged mulching performance, look for a model with an intake system that fuels the cutting chamber with additional airflow.

Bagging your grass clippings could make your yard look cleaner, but takes more effort to bag or rake up and dispose. You’ll want to see if your city even picks up yard waste, or if you’ll need to bring it to a compost center.

We know what we’d do, but hey, it’s your yard.

Mower Model Options: 3-in-1. 2-in-1. What-in-the-What?

Mowing isn’t really a numbers game, it just thinks it is. A 3-in-1 mower lets you mow, mulch, and bag in one machine. 2-in-1 mowers either mulch and bag, or mulch and side discharge.

Most mowers let you quickly and easily switch between ways. If you want to bag your grass clippings, look at a rear-bagging model. It holds more than those with side-discharge bags.

Wheel Size: Do Low or High Wheels Matter?

Low-wheel lawn mowers have the same size wheels in the front and back. These are fine for your typical flat yard.

High wheels are best for bumpy or difficult terrain. With large wheels in the back, you can go over any terrain with ease. A high-wheeled model might cost a little more, but it’s worth it if needed. Typically, the cost difference is very minimal anyway.

Engine Options: What’s the Difference Between a 2-Cycle and 4-Cycle Engine?

Two cycles, of course. But seriously, two-cycle engines require mixing oil and gas. This is probably that old beast you have hidden in your garden shed. It’s loud, dirty, and outdated. If this is your lawn mower, it’s time to move on. Four-cycle engines are more powerful, quieter, and efficient.

What About Electric Lawn Mowers?

Instead of gas engines, electric lawn mowers feature powerful lithium-ion batteries. They’re just as powerful as gas lawn mowers, but you do gain the benefit of less sound. You’ll never worry about buying gas, replacing oil, or making your neighbors angry during their family barbecue. Like gas-powered models, some are even self-propelled.

If you buy a Toro electric mower, you get the benefit of the 60V Flex-Force Power System in which the lithium-ion lawn mowers use interchangeable batteries that you can use with the other tools like snow blowers, leaf blowers, and other yard tools, too!

When it comes to purchasing your next walk behind lawn mower, there are a lot of options for you to choose — from gas-powered to battery powered, push to self-propelled. When you know what to look for, and understand what’s needed for your yard, you’ll soon know how to pick a lawn mower that works for you. For an even more detailed description of this process, check out the full article on our Yardcare blog.