Consumer Reports Says This Quick-Charging Lawn Mower Is Worth The Splurge

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A lawn mower is one of the most essential tools for healthy green grass. According to Consumer Reports and the vast majority of owners, the quick-charging Ryobi 40V HP 21" Whisper Series Walk-Behind Push Mower offers all the cutting options and performance necessary for a pristine lawn.

Ratings websites can be a great source of information to help you decide which products are worth your money, but knowing which ones to trust can be a challenge. Consumer Reports has been around for over 80 years and describes itself as the world's largest product testing organization. They are independent and nonprofit, so when they say a lawn mower is worth the splurge, it's definitely worth a closer look. Let's see why the site rates it so highly.

Ryobi offers a range of tools that can whip your lawn into shape and is known for its competitive prices. That said, this model comes in at something of a premium, at $749. The package does include two batteries, and Consumer Reports notes how this can extend run times — up to 70 minutes, according to Ryobi. The site is also impressed with its mulching, the even spread of clippings when side-discharging, and its easy handling. One comment was particularly assuring: The reviewers reported no discernible flaws in its performance.

The rapid charger that comes with the Ryobi 40V HP 21" lawn mower keeps recharging down to one hour. The Cross Cut twin blade system reduces clumping, and intelligent electronics adjust speed to suit the conditions, allowing it to cut up to ¾ acre. Among a host of features are LED headlights for those who like to mow early or late in the day.

Home Depot is the exclusive distributor for Ryobi tools. Over 700 of their customers have left feedback on the Ryobi 40V HP 21" Whisper Series lawn mower, with 85% saying they would recommend it. Many echoed Consumer Reports' thoughts on the convenience of the twin batteries and the mowing efficiency. "Cut is sharp and clean," said one. "Easy and light to use," wrote another. High performance and low noise were highlighted by one buyer who said, "It is so quiet but also works just as good as any gas-powered [model] without the stink!" That could be an important consideration when thinking about what type of lawn mower to buy for your yard.

Although Consumer Reports had no problems with the machine, a few customers had issues. Batteries can occasionally be problematic on any cordless tool, and one customer said his only lasted 15 minutes each. A few people also reported breakdowns as their lawn mowers aged. That said, those with complaints are very much in the minority.