![]() We cut both level turf and slopes to get a feel for the handling of each and every model. We cut 500,000 square feet of grass in three modes-mulching, side discharging, and bagging (collecting a total of 3,000 pounds of clippings). We plant 1,800 pounds of grass seed (predominantly annual rye, prized for its dense growth). To give you ratings and reviews of the latest models by early spring, Consumer Reports’ testers travel to Florida to conduct tests in late winter at grounds we specially prepare each year. And Consumer Reports’ tests show they’re quieter than gas models.ĬR’s expert lawn mower tests are uniquely useful because they combine scientific rigor with real-world usage. They also require less maintenance than gas mowers. They’re more eco-friendly than gas machines and don’t produce noxious fumes because they don’t use fossil fuels. Battery mowers have other unique benefits.A few brands, including DeWalt, Makita, and Milwaukee, sell battery mowers that run on 18- or 20-volt batteries that also power their hand tools, including drills and circular saws. Increasingly, mower brands are designing other outdoor power tools-for instance, string trimmers, leaf blowers, and chainsaws-to accept the same battery as their mowers, typically at 40 volts or higher. You often can use the battery for other yard jobs.A CR analysis found that depending on the model you choose, the savings on gasoline and maintenance can more than make up for the price difference within a few years of ownership. Notably, some battery mowers that are more expensive still may cost you less in the long run. Greenworks’ self-propelled battery mowers earn a very good reliability mark and an excellent satisfaction rating.) (Honda is the only brand in our ratings to win top ratings for predicted reliability and owner satisfaction for both push and self-propelled gas mowers. The top self-propelled battery mower, from Greenworks, is priced lower than the top-rated self-propelled gas model, from Honda. ![]() Among push mowers that CR recommends, cordless electrics from Kobalt and Skil are priced similarly to gas models from Toro and Troy-Bilt but score comparably or higher in our ratings. Performance among our tested models is improving for both self-propelled and push battery mowers, and they offer more value, Kollontai says.
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