All lawnmowers are not made the same. Some lawnmower brands should be avoided at all costs. So, what are the lawn mower brands to avoid?
In this article, I’ve listed mower brands that have received the highest complaints from customers, whether it’s due to performance, longevity issues, or price.
List of Lawn mower Brands to Avoid
Here’s a list of lawnmower brands to avoid:
- Troy-Bilt
- Cub Cadet
- Poulan Pro
- Earthwise
- Craftsman
- Stihl
However, it’s important to note that these companies produce different mowers. The most popular are zero-turn mowers, push lawnmowers, and riding lawnmowers.
Here, I’ll review specific lawn mower models you should avoid.
Craftsman 2791 Self-Propzelled Lawnmower
Craftsman is a well-established brand that manufactures powerful equipment. But they have failed in this mower. The biggest issue with this tool is the build quality. It comes with a cheap quality plastic body that feels weak when operating. Although it makes it lightweight, they should have used durable and high-quality plastic. Also, it has blades that get clogged up easily, which requires you to lift and clean them before you continue mowing.
Troy-Bilt TB100
Generally, Troy-Bilt is a well-known and reputable brand that produces a wide range of decent tools, but unfortunately, their Troy-Bilt TB100 is a bit off. The main issue is that it doesn’t bag the cut grass nicely; you will need to collect the clippings after mowing.
Additionally, when mowing during fall, this mower doesn’t collect the leaves that have accumulated on your lawn. Therefore, if you’re looking for a mower with good bagging capabilities, this is not the right model.
The Earthwise 60318 gives you the experience of a low-grade performing machine and has several bagging issues. It is equipped with an outdated version of a lead-acid battery instead of a lithium-ion battery. This will be the first annoying feature you’ll notice. This model has a low mowing deck that cuts corners and uses older technology.
Cub Cadet is not a poor brand, but this walk-behind lawn mower has poor performance. The Cub Cadet SC500Z is a gas-powered and self-propelled mower that has issues bagging clippings from the yard. For this reason, you should avoid this model, although you’ll find other cub Cadet mowers that perform well.
Common Issues Found in Low-Quality Lawnmower Brands
- Under-performance or non-starting engine
- Hard-to-find or expensive replacement parts
- Low power
- Not proper cutting deck as per engine capacity
- Poor battery performance
- No warranty and poor customer service
What Makes a Lawnmower Reliable?
When looking for a reliable lawnmower, you should be keen on these characteristics:
- Powerful engine with fewer repair needs
- Proper deck size as per engine power
- Good value for the price
- High cutting and bagging performance
- Long-lasting and durable build quality
- Uniform cutting with sharpened blades
High-quality Lawnmower Brands and Models
It may feel discouraging knowing that some products aren’t high quality. But thankfully, many brands are known to have better designs and quality controls. Here’s a list of the best performing lawnmower brands:
- John Deere
- Greenworks
- Husqvarna
- Sun Joe
- Black Decker
- Toro
- Honda
- Ego
- Yard Force
This lawnmower is a great balancing mower with 10-inch rear wheels that offers smooth running even on uneven surfaces. It is equipped with dual batteries along with 3-function capabilities. The steel deck offers a wide deck size and 7 cutting heights, making it a great choice for medium-sized yards.
Ego Power+ Select Cut Mower LM2135SP
The Ego Power lawnmower is a battery-powered machine that is well-known for its long-lasting and strong battery life. This cordless lawnmower has a fast charging time and comes with effective speed controls and two blades. Additionally, it operates silently so it doesn’t disturb your neighbors.
Black+ Decker 3-in-1 Push Mower
If you’re looking for a versatile tool, this is a good choice. This powerful tool easily converts from a mower to an edger to a trimmer. This mower works well on inclined and flat surfaces and can handle any type of grass. Additionally, it has an ATS Automatic Feed Spool that eliminates constant starting and stopping while trimming.
Yard Force YOLMX225300 3-in-1 Lawnmower
This 3-in-I lawnmower comes with a 120V brushless motor that can handle the toughest terrains in your yard. It has a rugged frame design and doesn’t feel cheap or bulky. It’s equipped with a 22” steel deck that is very strong and has good cutting performance.
Conclusion
Buying a lawnmower shouldn’t be challenging once you know the brand to trust and the ones to avoid. Armed with this knowledge and the great alternatives available, you can now invest wisely. However, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and have a regular maintenance schedule.
