• While a basic, push-style lawn mower without any extras may be an economic investment, for a large yard the mower isn't always the best choice. Mowing the lawn with such a machine is physically demanding and leaves a mess of clippings all over the yard. As a solution, try a bagging, self-propelled or walk-behind mower that collects clippings as it cuts and uses its engine to power the wheels and the cutting blades.
  
  

Honda HRX2172VKA

• The science, technology and product review resource Popular Mechanics refers to the Honda HRX2172VKA as the "luxury car" of self-propelled lawn mowers and rated it as the best overall in 2010. The rear-wheel drive mower has a 21-inch cutting width, a 190cc engine with an automatic choking mechanism---making it easier to start---and two cutting blades. As Popular Mechanics notes, the HRX2172VKA's dual blades provide incredibly clean cuts, both in dry and wet lawn conditions. In addition to collecting clippings in a rear bag, the mower is also capable of mulching, side-discharging and shredding, the latter of which is ideal for leaves. You can set the HRX2172VKA to seven different cutting heights, allowing you to cut grass to between 3/4 inch and 4 inches tall.
  
  

Toro 20091

• At the core of the rear-wheel drive Toro 20091 Personal Pace Mower is a Briggs and Stratton Engine capable of generating 6.75 lbs. per foot of torque, which is what allows the mower to reach a top seed of 4.8 mph. As the technology and product review website Galt Tech notes, the 20091 is one of the top-selling mowers on the market and features an electric turnkey ignition, just like in a car, which means you don't have to repeatedly pull a rip-cord to get the engine started. The mower also features a 7-position adjustable blade height, ranging from 1 1/4 to 4 1/4 inches, a 22-inch cutting width and Personal Pace technology, which allows you to set the mower to the speed of your choosing. According to the lawn mower review website Lawn Mower Guide, you can easily switch the 20091 from bagging to mulching to side-discharging without using any tools.
  
  

Craftsman 37436

• According to Popular Mechanics, the Craftsman 37436 is a real-wheel drive self-propelled mower that provides rapid clipping and a responsive and easy-to-control squeeze accelerator on its handle. The mower comes with a 22-inch cutting width, a Platinum Series Briggs & Stratton Engine that is capable of 7 lbs. per foot of torque, and an easy-to-use, spring-loaded blade height adjustment system. Capable of mulching, side-discharging and bagging, the Craftsman 37436 also comes with a indicator that lets you know when the bag is full of clippings and requires emptying.