Homelite
The Homelite mower was a good performer at a price point lower than the other mowers. It features a state-of-charge indicator on the back of the mower, similar to that on the Craftsman, that is “visible only at a shallow angle when standing at the handle,” Siedlaczek says. But he did concede that “it was easy to adjust to that angle.” Siedlaczek also reports that the Homelite cut his 8,000-sq.-ft. lawn with a lot of power to spare, so he thought it was a “powerful performer.” The Homelite also uses a spring-loaded height-adjustment system similar to the Yardworks and Craftsman machines that got top marks. As McDonald puts it, the machine “was easy to use and easy to judge the depth settings.” Because I like to be able to push the mower under overhanging shrubbery with either hand, the right hand-only safety switch was not my favourite. On the other hand, its well-padded ergonomic handle shape was very comfortable. I thought the Homelite was a respectable machine.
Yardworks
The Yardworks machine is one of two in the test that uses a removable battery, allowing you to keep a spare one charged if you want to go to the expense of buying a second one. I liked that the safety-switching mechanism required no separate key, and that the mower can be kept running with either hand. The cup holder, though, is probably superfluous. McDonald felt the handle was “bulky, and the safety switch was overly sensitive, cutting out the motor with a slight release of your grip.” The handle is also where the battery-charge indicator lights are placed, which McDonald considered a “great idea.” Siedlaczek really liked the charge indicator, reporting that it was “possible to see the state of the battery even in full sunshine.” He also felt that the mower was a “strong performer, collecting all the clippings in the bag and leaving a clean cut.” And we all liked the height-adjustment system.
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