SEATTLE - So you're in the market for a new lawn mower. Chances are you'll choose a self-propelled walk-behind model. They're the most popular these days. That means you have a few decisions to make.

First, do you want a front-wheel or rear-wheel drive?

"Rear-wheel drive is better than front-wheel drive," said Peter Sawchuk, who is responsible for testing lawn mowers for Consumer Reports. Why does he prefer rear-wheel drive?

"What happens when you're bagging is the weight of the bag starts to pull the front end up a little bit and you lose traction any time you're bagging with front-wheel drive," he says.

Sawchuk highly recommends getting a model with a controller that lets you smoothly vary the speed. This infinite drive feature lets you get the job done faster and a little easier.

One more feature he likes - a premium engine. You'll pay a bit more to get an engine with overhead valves or an overhead camshaft but Sawchuk says it's money well spent.

"Because the engine will last longer and as they get older they start easier."

More Information:

Mowers & tractors: Faster and friendlier