Is DeWalt's 28-Inch 3-In-1 Lawn Mower Worth Buying? Here's What Reviews Say

Although DeWalt is perhaps best known for top-class power tools, the brand also offers an extensive range of equipment that can be a game changer for yard and garden projects. Among them are leaf blowers, string trimmers and edgers, and a choice of lawn mowers from 21-inch models ideal for a small yard to a 48-inch monster for commercial use.

DeWalt's 28-inch 3-in-1 mower is particularly interesting. It has the wide cut that those with medium to large yards will be looking for, yet thanks to twin, side-by-side rotors, it doesn't have the bulk of a ride-on mower. It is self-propelled, with rear-wheel drive to 10-inch wheels that give great traction, particularly on sloping lawns. Caster wheels at the front provide excellent maneuverability. Variable speed drive is delivered by a powerful 224cc four-stroke motor that is electronically regulated for optimum cutting performance, however thick the grass. Cuttings can be dealt with by side discharge, bagging, or mulching.

It certainly sounds impressive, and although there are sometimes questions over whether DeWalt tools are worth the hefty price tag, at around $1,600, it's not a great deal more than similar models from popular brands Craftsman, Echo, and Troy-Bilt. So, given that there's a fair amount of competition, is DeWalt's 28-inch 3-in-1 mower worth buying? Let's take a look at what reviews have to say.

We surveyed reviews at DeWalt's own website, where the tool gets an average rating of 4.6, and at Home Depot, where it scores 4.0. As you might expect from a brand with such a strong reputation for build quality and reliability, comments are largely very positive.

Over at DeWalt, ease of use and maneuverability are considered major pluses, as is the variable speed that allows people to mow at the pace they choose. One owner mentioned that the mulch was so fine it was almost invisible, and another talked about the consistency of cut, "even in taller, wet grass."

It's a similar story at Home Depot, where comments like "super efficient," "makes life so much easier," and "what an awesome mower" are the norm. One owner pointed out a useful feature that's often missed: you can attach a hose and then activate the mower to self-clean the underside of the deck. Another made a particularly appropriate point: that the DeWalt was perfect for places he couldn't take a ride-on mower. So, overall, it appears the vast majority think the DeWalt 28-inch 3-in-1 lawn mower is well worth buying.

It's not easy to find fault with the DeWalt 28-inch 3-in-1 lawn mower, but while most found minimal assembly straightforward, there were those who thought the instructions were poor. Some found the oil level difficult to check, and a couple of people said the bagger got blocked too easily. Each is sure to be frustrating, but they don't reflect the experiences given in most reviews.

There are other potential issues. When you factor in DeWalt's renowned durability, the price certainly isn't excessive, but you could save $100 or more by buying from some rival brands. You need to check specifications and warranty period carefully in order to make an informed decision on that. You'll want to think about the best time of year to buy a lawn mower and then check around for bargains. While prices at major online retailers can be difficult to beat, it's often worth visiting local stores to see what's available.

You could also save a considerable sum by going down to a 25-inch mower, for example, and, importantly for some, that would bring battery-powered models into the equation. The DeWalt 28-inch 3-in-1 lawn mower may have an efficient, electronically controlled gasoline engine, but it still pumps out greenhouse gases that add to air pollution and can damage the environment.