One of our favorite deals today is a $100 iTunes gift card for $80 at Best Buy. Click to see more.
Electric Lawn Mowers, Mulching Lawn Mower
Cheapism
Mid-range
High end
$99
$300
$600...+In this review:
|
Lawn Mowers Features
Electric Lawn Mowers.
Another quiet, low maintenance, and environmentally friendly choice for small yards is a low-cost electric mower. Black & Decker, Earthwise, and Toro are well-known brands in this market segment, which includes corded and cordless models. Low-cost corded electric lawn mowers, like the 9-amp Black & Decker 18 in. Deck Side-Discharge Electric Mower MM275 (starting at $180, Amazon), require some planning, however. Because they draw electricity from an outlet via a long cord (some users report they feel as though they're vacuuming the lawn), the person mowing has to establish a pattern that keeps the cord out of the cutting path. Also note that you won't be able to range much farther than 100 feet from the power source; beyond that, the power begins to poop out. Low-cost corded electric lawn mowers may be somewhat limiting but they are easy to push around -- they're about half the weight of low-cost battery-powered cordless mowers.Cordless electric lawn mowers don't limit your range of motion but the charge limits how much you can cut at any one time. The batteries on electric lawn mowers can handle only about one-quarter to one-third of an acre on one charge; manufacturers generally recommend that you keep the mower (or the battery, if it can be removed) connected to the charger whenever it's not in use. Cordless electric lawn mowers are pricier and heavier than corded models; the corded Black & Decker MM275 weighs 38 pounds, for example, compared to the 64-pound weight of the cordless Black & Decker 18-inch CM1836 electric mower (starting at $342, Amazon), which contains a 36-volt battery. Batteries usually last a couple of years before needing replacement, and most models contain a disclaimer stating that difficult cutting conditions will cause the charge to run down faster.
Mulching Lawn Mower.
What happens to all those grass clippings? Basically, your choices include letting the clippings drop onto the grass as you mow or blowing them into a bag or out the side. The Black & Decker MM275, Toro 20331, and Craftsman 37068 feature all three functionalities.If you want to treat the lawn to its own self-made fertilizer, choose a cheap mulching lawn mower. For mulching, the lawn mower throws grass clippings up onto the deck (the plastic housing that covers the blades) that then fall back through the whirling blades to become fine shreds before landing back on the lawn. The Scotts 2000-20 reel mower also shreds grass finely enough to serve as mulch. Mulching lawn mowers eliminate the need to rake clumps that cover and suffocate patches of lawn or to empty or change a full bag. Note, however, that mulching may clog the mower if the grass is too tall or wet.
Another option is to bag the clippings and dump them somewhere (preferably on a compost pile). Most low-cost lawn mowers let you collect the clippings in a bag as you mow, but you may have to buy the bag separately. An optional grass catcher for the Scotts reel mower, for example, sells for about $23, although the Ariens 2-in-1 Front Wheel Drive Mower (starting at $229) comes with one. Because clippings increase the weight you're pushing as the bag fills, a self-propelled model may be easier to manage if you want to bag regularly (more about self-propelled lawn mowers on the next page). Electric lawn mowers, known for their lightweight frame, won't work as efficiently if the bag gets overly full. Experts note that with either corded or cordless electric lawn mowers, you should empty the bag when it's about half full so it doesn't tip the mower backwards or reduce the efficiency of these lightweight models.
And finally, most cheap gas and electric lawn mowers can discharge grass out the side, which is a good choice for wet or tall grass that's too heavy to mulch or bag. The front-wheel drive Ariens 2-in-1 and Scotts 2000-20 reel mower, however, lack this functionality.
Back to top »
Read user comments below
Filed in:
Gardening,
Home and Garden,
Lawn,
Lawn Mowers,
Leaf Blowers,
Riding Mowers,
Weed Eaters,
Winter
Best Cheap Lawn Mowers
Black & Decker MM275
For a small yard, this corded electric mower receives overwhelmingly positive reviews for its lightweight 38 pounds and easy storage, start up, and stop. Some users take issue with having to manage the cord but most reviewers prefer that to replacing a battery or dealing with gasoline. Six cutting heights, from 1 to 3.5 inches, can be adjusted for all wheels at once with one lever; the side bag attachment is sold separately. A 6.5 amp version is lighter and cheaper. Read more »Lawn Mowers Deals
Toro 20331
The Toro brand lives up to its name with this mower, which boasts a standard 22-inch cutting blade, variable speed self-propelled drive system, 4-cycle Briggs & Stratton engine, and washout port for attaching a hose to clean out under the decking. Users like the price, ease of use, and front-wheel drive, but some grumble about flimsy parts. Read more »Lawn Mowers Deals
Good Cheap Lawn Mowers
Scotts 2000-20 Reel Mower
This noiseless reel mower provides a classic low-tech (as in, person-power) grass-cutting solution; it’s easy to maintain and store, and cuts without tearing the grass. Like other reel mowers, the Scotts 2000-20 20 in. has a cutting gap (the space between the wheels and blade), so you may need to make more passes. This model doesn’t as well on tall grass, but users find it sufficient and even desirable for small yards. Read more »Lawn Mowers Deals
Craftsman 37068
The Craftsman 37068 includes welcome features, like a 22-inch deck, Platinum Series Briggs & Stratton engine, and a design that mulches, bags, or discharges grass clippings. Big wheels make for easy turns and the only obvious complaint is a small 1.6 quart-gas tank. Read more »Lawn Mowers Deals
| Buy it from Sears |
Cheapism.com on Facebook
Don't Bother Cheap Lawn Mowers
Ariens 2-in-1
The Ariens 2-in-1 mower receives mixed reviews for its heavy Kohler engine, poor traction from 8-inch plastic wheels, bolts-to-plastic outer cover, and difficult pull-start. There is no side discharge on this model but it does come with a grass collection bag. Read more »
Husqvarna Rear Bag Mower 21 inch
Despite all the makings of a good mower with its Honda engine and Husqvarna name, this one misses the mark; several users report front springs flying off and others complain that the blade cuts into the outer decking when the handle is lifted to shift weight to the front wheels for pivoting.
Products Mentioned in This Review
Fiskars Momentum Reel MowerAriens 2-in-1
Husqvarna Rear Bag Mower 21 inch
Scotts 2000-20 Reel Mower
Craftsman 37068
Black & Decker MM275
Toro 20331
May 22nd Daily Deals - iTunes Gift Card, Woot Off and more
Weekly Update - Air Conditioner Deals, Cheap London Trips, and more
With summer on the way, you may be hoping to catch the London Olympics or in the process of hunting for a new A/C. As always, we've got your back with all the frugal tips you'll need.
What to Grow in the Garden to Save at the Supermarket
Saving money on groceries while eating organic may seem oxymoronic, but here's how: by growing your own fruits and vegetables.
© 2012 Cheapism
We do not accept payment or other gratuities from manufacturers or retailers to recommend or discuss their products on Cheapism.com. Nor do we accept any payment or other gratuity from websites to blog about their news stories or posts.
Made in NYC
