Don't forget electric mowers
If you don't have a huge lawn, a battery-powered mower may be perfect. Cordless mowers are quieter, require less maintenance, and of course, run without gas or oil. But best of all, you'll never have to start a gas engine—you just push a button or lever and you're mowing.
As lithium-ion battery technology has improved, most manufacturers have included cordless mowers in their lineup, so you'll have plenty of choices. Many of these mowers can cut an average suburban yard (about one-fifth of an acre) on a single charge. Prices for battery-powered mowers are similar to those of their gas-powered rivals, and you'll find most of the same features, too.
Match the drive system to your terrain and yard size
Spending more up front when you buy lawn mower may save you in the long run
Check online reviews to avoid buying a lemon
Don't forget your local dealer when you buy lawn mower
Get electric start and stop pulling
Get a good mulcher
Stop without restarting
If you collect your clippings and need to empty the bag frequently, or if you have to stop often to pick up sticks or move toys out of the way, you know what a hassle it can be to restart the lawn mower every time. You can avoid this problem by shopping for a mower with a blade brake clutch (BBC) or Toro’s Blade Override System (BOS). Mowers with either feature allow you to stop the blade but leave the engine running. Expect to pay about $100 more.