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The best ways to make sure your lawn stays a cut above the rest

The best ways to make sure your lawn stays a cut above the rest
Gizmag takes a look at some of the mowing options out there
Gizmag takes a look at some of the mowing options out there
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John Deere's app will let you log how long you've been mowing
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John Deere's app will let you log how long you've been mowing
The app uses GPS to give you the best possible path around the lawn
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The app uses GPS to give you the best possible path around the lawn
You can use the John Deere app to comprehensively log your lawn history
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You can use the John Deere app to comprehensively log your lawn history
MowBike was designed for a customer with a knack for destroying petrol powered mowers
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MowBike was designed for a customer with a knack for destroying petrol powered mowers
The MowBike is a heavy duty recumbent trike with a mower on the bottom
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The MowBike is a heavy duty recumbent trike with a mower on the bottom
Honda's Mean Mower holds the record for world's fastest lawn mower
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Honda's Mean Mower holds the record for world's fastest lawn mower
Power comes from a 1.0-liter VTR Fireblade engine
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Power comes from a 1.0-liter VTR Fireblade engine
The mower still cuts grass, albeit at much slower speeds
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The mower still cuts grass, albeit at much slower speeds
The Mean Mower was driven by Top Gear magazine's Piers Ward during its record setting attempt
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The Mean Mower was driven by Top Gear magazine's Piers Ward during its record setting attempt
Honda worked with its BTCC team to create the Mean Mower
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Honda worked with its BTCC team to create the Mean Mower
The Mean Mower looks enough like a regular mower to hold the world record for fastest mower
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The Mean Mower looks enough like a regular mower to hold the world record for fastest mower
The Guinness World Record team made sure the Mean Mower was able to cut grass as well as go fast
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The Guinness World Record team made sure the Mean Mower was able to cut grass as well as go fast
Piers Ward set the record at 116 mph
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Piers Ward set the record at 116 mph
The Mean Mower's rear catcher is actually there to disguise a fuel tank, oil cooler and secondary radiator
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The Mean Mower's rear catcher is actually there to disguise a fuel tank, oil cooler and secondary radiator
The Mean Mower before setting its world record
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The Mean Mower before setting its world record
Honda's Mean Mower should make it easier for you to get a big lawn mowed quickly
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Honda's Mean Mower should make it easier for you to get a big lawn mowed quickly
The Honda Miimo uses a fan to create a cleaner cut for your lawn
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The Honda Miimo uses a fan to create a cleaner cut for your lawn
Miimo can run in three different modes, and the owner doesn't need to worry about plugging it in
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Miimo can run in three different modes, and the owner doesn't need to worry about plugging it in
The Honda Miimo can cut at a range of different heights, depending on what time of year it is
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The Honda Miimo can cut at a range of different heights, depending on what time of year it is
Honda's Miimo with its distant robot cousin, Asimo
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Honda's Miimo with its distant robot cousin, Asimo
Husqvarna's app lets you keep track of where your autonomous mower is
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Husqvarna's app lets you keep track of where your autonomous mower is
The Automower uses GPS to plot a path through tough terrain
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The Automower uses GPS to plot a path through tough terrain
The Husqvarna Automower 450X will cover 1.25 acres
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The Husqvarna Automower 450X will cover 1.25 acres
Just in case you're worried about the mower getting caught up in the elements, Husqvarna has made it weather proof
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Just in case you're worried about the mower getting caught up in the elements, Husqvarna has made it weather proof
The Husqvarna Automower 450X
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The Husqvarna Automower 450X
John Deere's app has an eye on machine maintenance as well as your lawn
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John Deere's app has an eye on machine maintenance as well as your lawn
Ryobi's 40V mower uses a lithium-ion battery for power
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Ryobi's 40V mower uses a lithium-ion battery for power
Beside the battery power, there's nothing to suggest this isn't just a normal mower
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Beside the battery power, there's nothing to suggest this isn't just a normal mower
The mower folds up for easy storage
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The mower folds up for easy storage
Ryobi's 40V mower is quieter and cleaner than your average gas mower
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Ryobi's 40V mower is quieter and cleaner than your average gas mower
RoboMow pairs with a clever app to give you control of the weekly mow
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RoboMow pairs with a clever app to give you control of the weekly mow
The blades on RoboMow
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The blades on RoboMow
RoboMow has a different look compared to the rest of the autonomous mowers in this story
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RoboMow has a different look compared to the rest of the autonomous mowers in this story
Gizmag takes a look at some of the mowing options out there
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Gizmag takes a look at some of the mowing options out there
View gallery - 34 images

An immaculately manicured lawn is a point of pride for many homeowners, but the days of working up a sweat behind the trusty old two-stroke mower look to be numbered. From autonomous mowers to 3D-printed creations, there has never been such a wide range of ways to make sure your lawn is the envy of the neighborhood. Let's look at some of the best options out there.

Husqvarna Automower 450X

The Husqvarna Automower 450X
The Husqvarna Automower 450X

If you want a totally hands-off approach to mowing, autonomous mowers are what you're after. Husqvarna's Auto-Mower was one of the first to hit the market back in 2004, not that the modern Automower 450X bears much resemblance to the little green blob that kickstarted things back in 2004.

Able to cover up to 1.25 acres (0.5 ha), the modern unit uses GPS to help it plot the best possible course through gnarly stretches of lawn, narrow gaps or wide-open fields. Owners are able to keep track of its progress and start or stop the mower using the Husqvarna Connect app, but particularly lazy owners can simply let the mower run and automatically return to base when the battery gets low.

It also won't disturb the neighbors, emitting just 58 dB on the move. Once the Automower is hooked up to its base station, it takes just 75 minutes to charge. The only real drawback to choosing an autonomous mower is the price – Husqvarna's range-topper costs US$3,500.

Honda Miimo

The Honda Miimo can cut at a range of different heights, depending on what time of year it is
The Honda Miimo can cut at a range of different heights, depending on what time of year it is

With a range of 0.75 acres (0.3 ha ), Miimo isn't able to cover as much ground as the Husqvarna Automower. It doesn't use GPS either, and won't hook up to your smartphone, but there a couple of neat tricks hiding under the mower's sleek skin.

If you're worried about keeping your lawn absolutely carpet-smooth, there's a little fan sitting above the rotating blades to pull the grass up to a uniform level before it's cut. Owners are able to choose between two different patterns, and if you plonk the unit in really thick grass it will default to a spiral pattern.

Because the mower might be running while there are children or pets around, Miimo is also fitted with "safe blades" and bump sensors, making sure it doesn't keep driving into the same obstacle or chop off curious fingers in the yard.

John Deere MowerPlus app

John Deere's app has an eye on machine maintenance as well as your lawn
John Deere's app has an eye on machine maintenance as well as your lawn

If you're not quite ready to make the jump to a fully robotized mower, there are plenty of ways to make your existing mowing habits smarter. John Deere's application will let you track how fast you're mowing, how much area has been covered and what pattern you're taking across the grass.

Because it's important to change your seeding and feeding based on the time of year, MowerPlus will give you tips based on the seasons. And don't think you'll be able to skip a week of lawn maintenance, because the app keeps a log of all your mowing, seeding and aerating for a full record of how your turf got so lush.

Having accurately logged all this lawn information, you're also able to create a maintenance schedule for your equipment to make sure you're never using blunt blades or tired motors to trim the lawn.

RoboMow

RoboMow has a different look compared to the rest of the autonomous mowers in this story
RoboMow has a different look compared to the rest of the autonomous mowers in this story

Just like the aforementioned Husqvarna Automower, Robomow will let you take control of your little robot mower remotely and drive it from lawn-to-lawn. You're also able to stop it turning on in the rain, manually bring it back to base and toggle a child lock so curious fingers can't accidentally start the mower while you're away.

Depending on the kind of lawn you've got, you're able to set the unit to edge the lawn, and everything is laid out on in a logical, colorful display so it's not a chore to set your mower up.

Ryobi 40 V Cordless Mower

Ryobi's 40V mower is quieter and cleaner than your average gas mower
Ryobi's 40V mower is quieter and cleaner than your average gas mower

If you're not quite ready to go fully autonomous but still like the idea of a clean, quiet way of trimming your lawn, there are a few battery powered options out there.

Ryobi's 40 V mower draws on a 4 A/h battery pack for power, and doesn't involve any priming, poking or prodding to start, which puts it one up on your gas mower already.

Yes, you will have to get up off your rear end and actually push the thing yourself, but you can do it without disturbing the neighbors and belching fumes into the suburban air.

MowCycle

MowBike was designed for a customer with a knack for destroying petrol powered mowers
MowBike was designed for a customer with a knack for destroying petrol powered mowers

For the type of person who would rather use pedal power than electricity or gas, MowCycle lets you get some exercise while trimming the grass.

Built on a heavy-duty recumbent tricycle frame, the MowCycle has an internally-geared five-speed rear hub and coaster brake, designed to stop lawn clippings clogging up proceedings. To deal with the actual lawn-mowing side of things, there's a reel mower attached to the bottom.

The tricycle was created by bike-builder Ted Wojcik and his son Cody, when a client came to them with "the world's greatest talent for blowing up gasoline-powered lawn mowers." Although they had been using a regular reel mower towed behind an old mountain bike, the client decided it was time to upgrade to a more comfortable solution.

Honda Mean Mower

Power comes from a 1.0-liter VTR Fireblade engine
Power comes from a 1.0-liter VTR Fireblade engine

Honda's Mean Mower holds the Guinness World Record for the fastest lawn mower, clocking an average speed of 187.6 km/h (116.6 mph) in the hands of Top Gear Magazine journalist Piers Ward. Although that's 21.4 km/h (13.3 mph) less than the mower's claimed top speed, it's also 177.6 km/h (110.4 mph) faster than more traditional mowers like the Kubota GR2120-48 can manage.

It is worth bearing in mind, the mower will only cut grass at speeds up to 24 km/h (15 mph), which means you'll have to find a racetrack or autobahn to fully stretch its legs.

To make sure all that power doesn't crumple the Mower's frame like a tin-can there's a custom chromoly-tubed chassis, while the grass catcher bag out the back is actually there to hide the petrol tank, oil cooler and a secondary radiator.

There are a few drawbacks to the Mean Mower's impressive power. We're sure it sounds mean when you're on the move, but you neighbors aren't likely to be happy with the 130 dB racket from the Scorpion exhaust. Honda also hasn't actually put this up for sale yet, so you're unlikely to see one flash past you in the right lane of the autobahn.

How do you mow your lawn? Are you a traditionalist, or have you subscribed to the robot revolution? Let us know in the comments.

View gallery - 34 images
9 comments
9 comments
Gizmowiz
I'd take a Greenworks 21" 80V electric mower over any of the above. Works like a charm. Great pickup basket. Super long lasting power tough enough for the densest grass. Lightweight. There 80V batteries are the highest voltage cordless batteries on the planet.
electric excursion
I cut my grass with an All Electric John Deere ,built at home! it is almost completely silent and after I cut my grass I just plug it in it is the most wonderful thing I have ever used!
Len Simpson
What lawn mowers really need most are hardened edge blades
Douglas Bennett Rogers
I have Robomow RC306 for 6000 sq. ft., running on 8000 sq. ft. Is set for 9 AM to 4 PM mon-sat. I set it to manual most of the time so it won't run away and get stuck while I am gone, or in heavy rain. I am retired so I am around most of the time to unstick it. If I have the Andriod activated, I can drive it back as long as it has a charge. I had hoped it would have a remote driving feature. Would also need a web cam. I have one "separated loop" which requires carrying or driving. Keeps grass pretty even if it is allowed to do full schedule.
Martin Hone
No mention of zero-turn mowers, so I'll chip in that none of these puppies shown here would work on my 12 acres of hilly, rutted terrain. My fully suspended v-twin powered Ferris zero turn is not only effective, but a lot of fun as well.
Derek Howe
VincentWolf - I also have an electric push mower, got it in early April, its a 56V EGO. It's great, so much quieter then gas, battery is big enough I could mow my lawn nearly 3 times on one charge. In the fall they have a snow thrower coming out, I plan on picking that up too, and selling my 80V Greenworks snow thrower. It just didn't have enough power, and the battery was small, it took 2-3 full battery charges just to clean my driveway. Greenworks ain't bad, but nobody does electric like EGO.
Snerdguy
I know progress moves one step at a time. But, they need an autonomous mower for regular yards that are rough and uneven and have fallen sticks and toys in them. Maybe they come up with something that picks up stuff as it goes along and takes out ground mole hills and the like.
danmar
@electric excursion Pictures please! :)
danmar
@Len Simpson Fully agree. No matter how careful I am, sometimes I'll hit something harder than grass! Why this isn't a thing is baffling. Is this an opportunity for an enterprising tinkerer?