Self-propelled mowers: features that help...features to avoid.(Buyers Guide)

The latest gasoline-powered mowers aim to make mowing easier. They also cut exhaust emissions by at least 32 percent compared with models sold five years ago, and allow you to mulch clippings--a crucial feature as more and more communities ban curbside disposal.

This year's mower section covers more than 60 self propelled and push mowers for lawns under half an acre or so. The report on self-propelled models begins below.

Looking for a lower-priced model for mowing a smaller lawn or trimming around a larger one? You'll find our push-mower report on page 34.

Mowers that power the wheels as well as the blade are one way to make grass cutting less onerous, especially if your lawn is hilly. Manufacturers are also introducing other labor-saving features, even on lower-priced machines.

Several mowers now offer push-button starting without the usual starter battery. A growing number of models have multiple drive speeds that allow you to crawl around garden borders, then speed back toward the shed when mowing is done. You'll also find more mowers that allow you to raise and lower the cutting height with one lever (see "Features That Help," below).

Nearly all models can mulch, bag, or side-discharge clippings--the three mowing modes. But some features that promise to trim your workload can actually add to it.

WHAT WE TESTED