Being an essential tool in gardening, there are lawn mower brands to avoid when purchasing. This is mostly due to the improper build and low performance. Most complaints by users were related to quick breakdown, under-performance, expensive spare parts, and non-coverage of warranty. So make sure to avoid these worst lawn mowers and go for the ideal solution for your yard.
List of Lawn Mower Brands to Avoid
Contents
As most companies have many good models, with just one or two bad models, it is not so easy to decide which brands to avoid completely. As these manufacturers have occasional models that are not up to their usual standard, it is better to avoid these individual models. So here are some lawn mower brands to avoid, based on the customer reviews and lawn mowers rating.
1. Troy-Bilt TB100
Troy-Bilt produces many tools as a reputed manufacturer, but this lawn mower model has disappointed its users. Although it is a bit less costly than others, there are certain issues in this device that make it one of the lawn mower brands to avoid. It does not bag up the grass, and you need to pick up the clippings manually after cutting the grass.
Reasons to Avoid:
- Difficult to start the engine
- No option to attach bagging clippings
- Leaves are not collected
2. Troy-Bilt TB240
This undergoes the same issues as the above lawn mower. Quality machines are produced by this manufacturer as it is a highly reputed company. But they have a few models that underperform, and this is one such model.
Reasons to Avoid:
- Not efficient in bagging the cutting
- Insufficient performance
3. Greenworks MO40L2512
Greenworks is a manufacturer specialized in a wide range of equipment with good quality and performance offered at an affordable price. However, this model has let down this company due to several reasons.
Reasons to Avoid:
- Not hold enough charge held by the battery
- Even a secondary battery runs out soon
- Inefficient performance
4. Sun Joe MJ-HVR12E
This manufacturer produces affordable lawn mowers that are preferred by many buyers. However, being so cheap can have negative impacts in terms of performance. There are some issues in this model, which make it one of the lawn mowers to avoid.
Reasons to Avoid:
- Poor build
- Prone to breaking
- Inefficient performance
- Poor customer support
5. Sun Joe MJ506E
Even though this is a budget model, its build is not worth the investment. There have been many complaints regarding this model as it leaves uncut patches. Therefore, it is recommended to spend a little more and purchase a better brand of lawn mower.
Reasons to Avoid:
- Ineffective mowing
- Made from flimsy material
- Prone to break easily
6. Stihl RMA 370
Stihl is another manufacturer of similar goods but disappointed the users with this model of poor quality electric push mower. The narrow width of the mower, which is just 15 inches makes it more inefficient as you would have to cut grass for a longer time. Even this might be fairly suitable for small lawns; you can get a better solution than this. Even though this fact might not be related to the work, it doesn’t look so attractive as others. So as you don’t need to spend on something unattractive, it’s better to spend on something that looks better.
Reasons to Avoid:
- Narrow in width
- Inefficient performance
- Time-consuming
- Unattractive design
7. Craftsman 37420
Craftsman has a very reasonable price, but it is not efficient in bagging clippings or leaves and as a side discharge. Even though it cuts grass quite well, this issue in bagging makes it one of the worst lawn mowers. This mower also has a limited life which means that your investment would wear out soon.
Reasons to Avoid:
- Inefficient bagging
- Less durability
8. Cub Cadet SL500Z
This is a self-propelled gas mower that has issues with bagging. This is also quite expensive respective to other lawn mowers of the same quality. So these sit-on mowers from this brand are better avoided.
Reasons to Avoid:
- Unable to bag clippings effectively
- Quite expensive
9. Earthwise 60220
This is a 20-inch cordless electric lawn mower that has a side discharge and has a mulching and bagging option. It uses a single lever height adjustment. However, despite these good specifications, this mower is of very cheap quality. Many issues make this one of the worst lawn mowers.
Reasons to Avoid:
- The battery is hefty and takes time to charge
- Fails when cutting thicker grass
- The blade isn’t aligned properly and hits the deck wall
- Challenging to get a replacement even during the warranty
- Poor customer service
10. Earthwise 60318
This model is another low-quality electric, self-propelled mower that has disappointed its users. It has issues in bagging clippings and uses an outdated lead-acid type battery. As other modern lithium-ion-type batteries function better, this is quite a drawback in this model. Most Earthwise tools seem to be using older technology to reduce their costs. So if you are thinking of purchasing an electric mower, it is always better to go for a brand that uses the latest technology in its models.
Reasons to Avoid:
- Reduced power from the battery
- Inability to function for a longer time
- Poor bagging
- Use of old technology
Recommended Lawn Mower Brands
Here are some of the high-quality lawn mowers that you need to consider when you shop.
1. Ego Power + Select Cut Mower LM2135SP
This is a self-propelled and battery-powered mower that can run approximately for an hour with just one battery charge. This cordless lawn mower charges remarkably fast. This is easier to be used and maintained than a gas-powered one. As this has all old features of the same brand, the additional features include two blades and speed control. Although this might be quite costly, it is worth the price.
Pros
- Highly efficient performance
- Has new extra features
- Silent running
Cons
- Quite expensive
2. Honda HRX217VKA
This is a self-propelled lawn mower that offers high-quality cutting. This has a two-blade cutting system that exceptionally mulch and bag. It is also efficient in pulling grass clippings and leaves. It can cut tall grass and easily powered up hills due to its large 200CC engine and rear-wheel drive. Honda mowers are sure to last for over 15 years.
Pros
- Exceptional cut quality
- Efficient mulching and bagging
- High power engine
- Durable
Cons
- No recorded cons
3. Toro 21382
With an impressive cutting width of 21 inches, the deck is crafted from cast aluminum. So this is not vulnerable to corrosion or rust. As it uses Honda engines, it runs smoothly and has exceptional bagging and mulching abilities, even on a moist lawn. This has a powerful ability to drive uphill due to having rear-wheel power. The personal pace system moves the mower faster as it is pushed on its drive bar. So this is the ideal choice for a property with small hills.
Pros
- Free from rust and corrosion
- Smooth and efficient performance
- Rear-wheel power
- Personal pace system
Cons
- No recorded cons
4. Greenworks 25223
The larger 10-inch tires make it easy for smooth movement, even on washboard surfaces. It is also ideal for bumpy lawns with obstacles. It uses dual batteries and three-function capability. The steel deck has a seven-position capability and is a perfect choice for medium-sized areas. This is also less expensive and most suitable as an alternative to electric mowers.
Pros
- Easy to navigate on bumpy areas
- Powered by dual battery
- Three function capability
- Seven position ability
- Less expensive
Cons
- No recorded cons
5. PowerSmart Gas Powered Self-Propelled Lawn Mower
This is a highly versatile rear-wheel drive lawn mower that consists of a single-cylinder gas engine. It has enough power to clear out the tallest and toughest grass in the yard. The 4-stroke engine can get the work done without mixing oil with gas. As it is self-propelled, it is not required to push the mower while cutting grass. According to the height of grass you need in your yard, the mower provides a five-position adjustment option. The engine can be started with less effort, and the large 11.5-inch rear wheel helps in stable and easy movement, even on rough lawns.
Pros
- Easy to store with quick folding handle
- Large rear wheels
- 5-position adjustment
- 4-stroke engine
- 3-year warranty
Cons
- No recorded cons
Buyer’s Guide
Choosing a lawn mower might be a challenging task, but it doesn’t need to be a difficult one. This guide would help you to choose your perfect device to cut your lawn as efficiently as ever.
What to Look for?
As you have already figured out the worst lawn mowers, you can now decide on what aspects to look for in a mower. Here are the most important features that you need to look for. You can get a better understanding of their performance as well.
Power Source: Gas, Battery, or Corded?
Knowing how the lawn mower is powered is an important factor when choosing. It can be electric, corded, or gas. These types have their pros and cons.
- Gas Lawn Mower: These offer the most power and can be used for a long time if you have enough gas to power it up. However, it is noisy, air-polluting, and has complicated maintenance.
- Electric Lawn Mower: They are less air-polluting as they run with batteries. They make less noise and are easy to be maintained. They offer less power than gas mowers and are not suitable for longer use as the battery runs out after some time.
- Corded Lawn Mower: They don’t run out of battery or gas as it is connected to a power outlet. They are quieter and have less pollution. However, it can be used only for the area in the reach of power.
Battery Charge Duration
If you are choosing a lawn mower powered by a battery, it is necessary to go for a model with long battery life. Some low-quality models might not have enough battery even to finish cutting an average-sized lawn.
Width of Mow Deck
Wider mow decks offer the advantage of cutting larger areas of grass and completing the work quicker. A narrower deck might be suitable for a small yard, but it is preferable to have a wider deck for larger lawns.
Mulch, Bagging, or Side Ejection
Mowers are capable of ejecting the grass from the side to the lawn for manual collection after cutting or slice it into mulch on the lawn. They can also collect them into a bag which is the most convenient method and can be used for composting or even disposed of. So it is necessary to find out how this is done in different lawn mower models. Determine the efficiency in bagging the cut grass and choose the best option that suits your convenience.
Excessive Color, Bulky, and Too Short
Over-designed lawn mowers with attractive colors are likely to be a feature of poor quality, and simple designs are more preferred by homeowners. Bulky and heavier machines are hard to operate and need to be provided more force. A short deck size would make you feel uncomfortable when walking behind the mower. So consider all these features to avoid the worst lawn mowers.
Easy to Start
The process of starting would be complicated in gas-powered models. However, this is less likely to be troublesome in electric and corded models as you can start the engines with the ON button.
White Colored Smoke
You should check the mower for smoke emission and make sure to avoid white-colored smoke as it is more harmful than black smoke. White smoke contains a corrupt burst which is hazardous and should be avoided at all times.
Warranty
If you have no warranty for your tool, then it would mean that you have no security. It is better to avoid these brands as they have no assurance over the quality of the product. You need to get one or two years of warranty with the benefits of free servicing.
What Increases the Reliability of a Lawn Mower?
After you find the specific features to look for in a lawn mower, there are additional characteristics that increase its reliability. Consider the availability of the following characteristics as they improve the performance of your tool.
Powerful engine with fewer repair needs
The gas-powered engines have either two or four cycles. Low-powered engines would not be able to handle cleaner cuts, while more powerful engines would be much bulky and harder to operate. Cordless electric mowers get underpowered, and batteries need to be replaced very often. So it is necessary to check the repair and replacement needs before purchasing.
Adjustable deck size and sharp blades
Make sure your lawn mower has an adjustable length of grass clipping from 1 to 3 inches. The strength and durability of edges can be increased with decks made of heavy-duty stamped steel. Choose the correct deck size depending on the size of your lawn. Choosing the mowers with sharper blades would help you get a clean-cut regardless of the thickness and hardness of the grass.
Durable and long-lasting build quality
Choose a lawn mower with long-lasting build quality with an ergonomic design. Having a variable speed adjustment option would help you cut the grass quickly and efficiently. Poorly built mowers would easily get corroded and less durable. So choose a mower with high-quality material that can withstand excessive wear and be subjected to considerable force.
High Mulching and Bagging Performance
Having better performance in mulching and bagging would help it easy to maintain your lawn after cutting grass. If they have these features, you can avoid the extra work of cleaning the yard. Some models have poorly designed bags which you would have to empty very often to continue working.
Good value to price
The average self-propelled mower can cost something between $100 to $800 or more. This depends on the features and characteristics available in it. Buying a cheap mower would mean that you might be going for an underpowered mower with old technology. So make sure to find the optimum solution to get the best value for the money you spend. If you notice mower brands of less than $40, you must avoid them as there is a high risk of getting a low-quality brand.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the worst lawn mowers?
Troy-Bilt, Earthwise, Craftsman, Stihl, and Cub Cadet (walk-behind mowers) are the worst brands of lawn mowers.
Why is my lawn mower leaving uncut grass?
This might be due to unbalanced blades in the lawn mower. It would leave a strip of uncut grass left in the middle of mowing rows. To eliminate this issue, make sure that your mower blades are installed correctly.
Why does my lawn mower not pick up grass?
Clogged chute and damaged or worn-out blades might be the causes for this. It could also occur due to a thatched grass bag, insufficient throttle, and even poor performance of the engine.
How often should a lawn be mowed?
The height of grass would vary during various seasons of the year. It is necessary to cut the grass every two weeks during warmer months. The colder months would grow less grass, and it would be enough to have the lawn mowed once a month.
Conclusion
Some brands occasionally manufacture some worst brands that need to be avoided. However, this may vary depending on the individual models. So it is necessary to avoid these and choose one from the recommended brands with proper efficiency. This guide must have helped you with the task of finding the ideal option to get the best return on your investment.
You can find similar brands to avoid related to Worst Washing Machines and Hazardous Tire Brands.
