6 On Your Side, Consumer Confidence, Choosing a lawn mower that’s right for you

(ABC 6 NEWS) – With the weather warming up, it’s almost time to start mowing those lawns. There are a lot of lawn mowers on the market right now, so which one is the best choice for you?

“This year we found that battery units performed just as well as gas in every tested category,” Misha Kollontai, Consumer Reports Testing Engineer said.

Testers assess each mower’s cutting and mulching performance as well as handling and maneuvering.

If you’re looking for an easier, hassle-free mowing experience, CR says you may want to consider making the switch to battery power.

“You don’t have to spend as much on maintenance, they tend to be much quieter and a lot of people tend to enjoy the bells and whistles that come with the battery-powered units more than the gas. Even if you’re not spending too much you can find a battery power mower that will do a great job and won’t break the bank,” Kollontai said.

For example, you’d save more than $200 by choosing the top-rated self-propelled Greenworks battery mower rather than the top-rated Honda gas model. Both rate highly in CR’s reliability surveys and deliver excellent mulching.

For half as much, CR says the battery-powered Kobalt from Lowes also offers excellent mulching.

If you prefer to do the pushing yourself, consider the recommended $350 mower from Ryobi.

Still not convinced a battery mower is right for you? The self-propelled Honda is less than $500 and offers an even cut, excellent mulching, and very good handling.

And if your lawn is big enough to require a riding mower, the John Deere S-120 is a great choice at a great price.