# Lawn mower recommendations **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 7, 2013, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawn-mower-recommendations/649590 "2013-02-07T14:34:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Cumberdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8c91f0/32.png) [@Cumberdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cumberdale)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawn-mower-recommendations/649590/1 "2013-02-07T14:34:57Z")
My old mower is on it last legs so I’m looking for a new one. I don’t have a large yard so it doesn’t need to be huge. I’d prefer a push mower that mulches so I don’t have to mess with trash bags. Also, I’m thinking of spending around $300. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawn-mower-recommendations/649590/2 "2013-02-07T14:58:21Z")
Electric or gas? ---
**Author:** ![Cumberdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8c91f0/32.png) [@Cumberdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cumberdale)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawn-mower-recommendations/649590/3 "2013-02-07T15:08:54Z")
Either. I have a gas and never used an electric, but if it is good, economical and lasts, I’d get one. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawn-mower-recommendations/649590/4 "2013-02-07T15:28:55Z")
> [@Cumberdale](#): > > My old mower is on it last legs so I’m looking for a new one. I don’t have a large yard so it doesn’t need to be huge. I’d prefer a push mower that mulches so I don’t have to mess with trash bags. Also, I’m thinking of spending around $300. How did you arrive at the $300 figure? I bought the cheapest mulching push mower (gas-powered) I could find back in 2002. It’s about to start its twelfth season, and still works great. Starts on the first pull every time. Cost me about $120 back then, and looking at Home Depot’s website now, I see a [mulching mower for $169.](http://www.homedepot.com/Outdoors-Outdoor-Power-Equipment-Lawn-Mowers-Push-Lawn-Mowers/h_d1/N-5yc1vZc5ah/R-203569867/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&storeId=10051) More money gets you more features - bagging capability, powered wheels, etc. - but if you don’t need those features, then I think you’re better off saving your money. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawn-mower-recommendations/649590/5 "2013-02-07T15:48:33Z")
I’m very happy with my Ariens but it’s probably overkill for you. Some recent research sold me on Honda next time I have to buy one. I see some models [online](http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/catalog/servlet/Search?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&keyword=honda%20mower&Ns=None&Ntpr=1&Ntpc=1&selectedCatgry=Search+All) that look to run around $345-395. It should last you for quite some time. ---
**Author:** ![Cumberdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8c91f0/32.png) [@Cumberdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cumberdale)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawn-mower-recommendations/649590/6 "2013-02-07T16:04:50Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > How did you arrive at the $300 figure? Mostly because I have found that buying the cheapest for something like this can often times bite you in the butt, so I tend to go mid-range. But If the quality is good, I would definitely go with the lesser cost. ---
**Author:** ![tallcoldone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9a140/32.png) [@tallcoldone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tallcoldone)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawn-mower-recommendations/649590/7 "2013-02-07T16:59:00Z")
Honda engines have a great reputation; I got (from Lowe’s) a Troy-Bilt with a Honda engine a few years ago and it still starts on one pull with no maintenance other than changing the oil once a season. I paid about $250 IIRC. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2013, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawn-mower-recommendations/649590/8 "2013-02-09T00:42:55Z")
I have one of [these](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00005AKZI/ref=wms_ohs_product), but I think there may be a newer model out. It gets good reviews on several websites, it mulches, is easy to adjust for height, and comes with a bagger (I don’t use mine). It works great for a small yard. ---
**Author:** ![DummyGladHands](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/49beb7/32.png) [@DummyGladHands](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DummyGladHands)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2013, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawn-mower-recommendations/649590/9 "2013-02-09T04:54:21Z")
Honda. Very reliable. Check to see what the pro landscapers are using if they’re using push mowers. 9 times out of 10, it’s a Honda.