Lawn Mower Review for Beginners: Gas, Reel, Corded, or Battery?

Our Lawn Care Journey

We’re new homeowners and when it was time to buy a lawn mower, we fell down the rabbit hole of research, so we decided to test 4 types of mowers—reel, battery, electric, and gas. We have a medium-sized lawn that is pretty bumpy. We don’t need anything fancy and we’re on a budget.

We tested four mowers. Left to right: reel, corded, battery, gas.

Our lawn care philosophy is simple: we want to improve and maintain but not looking to manicure a perfect lawn. We need a reliable, affordable mower that will work if we maybe can't mow on a weekly basis.

We both tested each mower and will talk about the pros and cons we discovered along the way, as well as the reveal of the best one and runner-up. We hope you find the info helpful! Let’s get going!

The Reel Mower

Reel mowers are the quietest option, which is great since Lucky, our small dog, goes crazy for electric tools. But with our bumpy lawn, it was a bit of a challenge. The pros? It's environmentally friendly and low maintenance. The cons? It can be tough to push on uneven ground. Rating: 3/5.

The Battery-Powered Mower

Battery-powered mowers are a modern, eco-friendly choice. The performance was decent, but it did bog down a bit in thicker patches of grass. The battery lasted long enough for our medium-sized lawn, but if you have a larger yard, you might need a backup battery. Rating: 4/5.

The Electric Mower

Electric mowers are great if you have a small yard and easy access to power outlets. The cord can be a bit of a hassle, but it’s lighter and quieter than a gas mower. Perfect for small spaces but not ideal for larger, bumpy lawns. Rating: 4/5.

The Gas-Powered Mower

Gas mowers are the traditional choice and they pack a punch. They can handle thick grass and bumpy terrain with ease. However, they are noisy, require more maintenance, and aren't as eco-friendly. They also cost more to operate, about 1 gallon per week for a standard 1/2 acre lawn. Rating: 3.5/5.

Tips for Homeowners on a Tiny Budget

We initially wanted to buy a mower because borrowing one wasn't always convenient. Consider checking out tool libraries or looking at estate sales and thrift stores for used mowers. We found the reel mower for $10 and added some accessories to make it run great!

Conclusion

After testing all four types of mowers, our top pick is the battery-powered mower for its versatility, eco-friendliness, and performance, especially for our bumpy lawn. The runner-up is the corded mower for its ease of control and power.

We hope this helps you find the right mower for your needs! Don't forget to subscribe to the Lucky Furniture and Design Co. YouTube channel for more tips and reviews. Happy mowing!