Is your old lawn mower retiring soon? Are you looking for a high-quality replacement that will make your task easier?
Shopping for a lawn mower is not an easy feat. There are many things to consider, such as the type, engine, features, and durability.
To make things even more complicated, you’ve got a lot of brands to choose from.
So, before you hit that “buy” button, here’s a list of the lawn mower brands to avoid. Hopefully, this will help narrow down your choices and ensure you get the best equipment for your yard.
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Lawn Mower Brands To Avoid
Lawn mowers are serious investments. Hence, you want something that will give you years of plausible service and won't require frequent repairs.
Our list of lawn mower brands to avoid has been curated based on customer reviews on various platforms. We also checked expert reviews to assess the overall performance of each brand.
1. Troy Bilt
Troy Bilt has made a good reputation for selling power mowers. However, numerous reviews say that Troy Bilt mowers tend to have bagging issues.
Bagging clippings is an important function of a mower, but many say that Troy Bilt mowers don’t hold mulch and grass effectively.
Moreover, some of its lawn mowers have flimsy build, a couple of design flaws, and missing features.
2. Earthwise
Earthwise has some of the worst zero-turn mowers around. For one, these mowers use lead-acid batteries instead of lithium batteries, which are less reliable.
Aside from that, the battery life of Earthwise mowers doesn’t last long. Hence, they aren’t suitable for mowing medium to large lawns.
Even though Earthwise mowers are cheaper than other brands, they don’t hold up well in terms of performance.
In fact, some customers say these mowers are a “waste of money.”
Moreover, the Earthwise Reel Mower performs poorly on uneven lawns.
If you have a hilly terrain or a bumpy lawn, you will need extra effort to maintain it, which makes mowing time-consuming and inconvenient.
3. Craftsman
Craftsman is a well-known manufacturer of good lawn mowers, but the brand has been getting bad reviews from disappointed users for a long time.
The Craftsman 2791, for example, is documented as one of the worst lawn mowers.
Although it is intended to be lightweight, the flimsy plastic body makes it less likely to accomplish tough mowing jobs.
This model, along with other Craftsman mowers, has gained a bad rap for its malfunctioning mulcher. Moreover, some point out the failure of Craftsman lawn mowers to bag grass clippings.
4. Stihl
Stihl makes good lawn mowers, but the RMA 370 has given them a bad rap. This electric mower has poor quality.
While it does have a lithium-ion battery, the lawn mower is poorly designed.
What’s more, the mowing deck is only 15 inches, meaning it will take you much longer to mow your lawn.
If you are busy or have a large lawn, this mower will make your job difficult and tedious. Given the realities, the RMA 370 is too expensive for what you get.
5. Cub Cadet
Cub Cadet has built a solid reputation in manufacturing lawn tractors. Many swear by the quality and performance of this lawn equipment.
Unfortunately, Cub Cadet is one of the worst brands to avoid if you are looking for a lawn mower.
Many say that Cub Cadet self-propelled mowers have difficulties with bagging.
You should pull hard from the lawn to bag grass effectively, making the task difficult and inconvenient. Moreover, the bag is noted to rip easily.
All in all, you’ll find this lawn mower too expensive for what it offers.
6. Sun Joe
This brand is a popular option for people looking for affordable lawn mowers. Unfortunately, it doesn’t cut it in terms of quality.
Many consumer reports say that Sun Joe lawn mowers have poor construction quality.
In fact, in this report, the brand has recalled 26,300 Sun Joe cordless battery-powered mowers sold in the U.S. because the mower blade detaches unexpectedly, posing a laceration hazard.
Moreover, the Sun Joe MJ401C-XR push mower earned one of the worst scores in Consumer Reports’ mowing test.
In particular, it performed poorly on bagging run time and evenness. Also, it has side discharge, so you must buy an additional chute.
7. Poulan Pro
This brand has gained praise for its reliable engines. Unfortunately, that is all it has to offer.
Many complain about the poor construction of Poulan Pro gas-powered models. They are made of cheap materials and are difficult to maneuver.
Hence, this brand is not suitable for challenging turfs.
Also, the Poulan Pro’s wheel adjuster is poorly made, and the deck vibrates a lot that it affects cutting precision.
What Should You Watch Out for When Choosing a Lawn Mower Brand?
Not all lawn mowers are made the same, so it is important to be smart with your choices. Here are some red flags to consider when shopping for a lawn mower:
- Start-up issues
- Engine vibration
- Short and limited warranty
- Consistent bad reviews and low customer satisfaction ratings
- Unresponsive or poor customer service
- Too inexpensive
- Inferior construction
Reliable Lawn Mower Brands To Consider
Now that you know the brands to avoid, let us give you a rundown of the most reliable brands when it comes to lawn mowers:
1. Honda
Honda has been around for more than 50 years and is one of the largest manufacturers of cars, trucks, motorcycles, and of course, lawn care equipment.
While Honda lawn mowers have high price tags, they are among the most durable and reliable options.
Many commend Honda mowers because they require less maintenance, start up quickly, and last a long time.
Also, they feature a patented two-blade cutting system that keeps the engine and blades in top shape even after many years of use.
2. Ego
If you are looking for a battery-powered mower, Ego is a wonderful option. The brand has gained a reputation for being a top innovator.
This is evident in the Ego Power Select Cut model, which uses an ARC lithium 56-volt battery that boasts a runtime of over 60 minutes.
Another innovation from this company is the Select Cut, which allows you to switch from three kinds of blades to achieve your desired cut.
3. Toro
This company has been manufacturing quality mowers since 1948 and continues to innovate its products.
Toro’s push-start mowers boast Briggs & Stratton engines, thick-gauge steel construction, and quick-start features.
They are also very low-maintenance. These mowers don’t require an oil change for the entire lifespan of their engines.
The Toro 21382 is one of the most popular models from this brand. It features a rust-resistant body made of cast aluminum and a precise 21-inch cutting deck.
4. John Deere
John Deere is one of the oldest brands of lawn mowers, beginning its history early in the 19th century.
The company leverages its over 100 years of experience in building tractors to design top-notch riding mowers that are high-performing, powerful, and durable.
The X350-42 is one of the top-rated products of John Deere. It has an overall score of 88 and an Excellent predicted reliability rating from Consumer Reports.
This powerful mower features sharp blades, a bagger, a snow blower, a weather enclosure, a sprayer, and a canopy.
5. Greenworks
This brand is known for producing high-quality, eco-friendly products at competitive prices.
It was established in 2002, offering electric and battery-powered alternatives to traditional gas-powered mowers.
Greenworks mowers pack everything you need to bag, mulch, or side discharge. They also perform well in terms of power, cut quality, durability, and ease of use.
The Greenworks Corded Electric Lawn Mower is a lightweight, efficient model with a powerful engine.
It is perfect for cutting thick grass and also comes with a smooth setup that is ideal for older people.
Buy the Best Mower for Your Lawn
Now that you know the best and worst lawn mower brands, it’s time for you to decide.
If you are buying a lawn mower for the first time or have not been satisfied with your old equipment, we suggest starting your search with the top five brands we listed.
However, note that each brand offers a wide range of lawn mowers, so you have to read more about the model to know what suits your needs.
Consider the size and type of your turf, the features you need, engine preference, and your budget to find the best lawn mower.
