(NC) If you're in the market for a lawn mower but not sure what kind to buy, there are some things to consider that can make the buying process a little easier.

Whatever your needs, the goal is to find the right mower so lawn maintenance is easy and efficient. Assessing your needs in advance can save time, money and hassle, getting you out of the store and enjoying your yard sooner. Here are some questions to ponder:

How big is your yard? If you've got less than three-quarters of an acre, you'll be fine with a walk-behind mower. Anything more and you should probably consider a riding model. In addition to yard size, take into consideration your personal health, time constraints and preference of walking or riding.

Push vs. self-propelled? Push mowers are best for flat yards under a quarter of an acre. If your yard is larger, hilly or on an incline, go for something self-propelled.

How does it start? Some people work fine with a pull rope, especially with newer no-prime and no-choke systems. Others prefer the ease of an electric push-button or key-start system.

Are there quieter options? If you want to mow at any time of the day or go easy on your ears (and your neighbours), look for a mower that isn't quite so loud. At Canadian Tire, the new Yardworks 3-in-1 self-propelled mower with Briggs & Stratton's Quiet Power Technology is up to 60 per cent quieter than standard gas-powered lawn mowers.

What kind of maintenance is required? Today's technological advances will help you take better care of your equipment with less effort. Look for a walk mower with Briggs & Stratton's Just Check and Add technology, which allows you to simply check oil levels and add more oil when necessary — no more oil changes required.

Zero-turn vs. riding mowers? Zero-turn mowers tend to be more expensive, but are great for speeding through flat lawns. More bumps and hills call for a standard riding mower or lawn tractor.

What sized mower deck do I need? This one applies only to riding mowers. Look for a 30 to 40-inch mowing deck for areas up to 1.5 acres. For yards 1.5 to 3 acres you'll need a 40 to 48-inch mowing deck, and for yards 3 acres or larger a 48 to 61-inch mowing deck.

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