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Noisy and gas-guzzling, mower engines are highly inefficient, contributing to greenhouse gases and small particle pollution and to health problems such as asthma and heart disease. But they're not the only option: Reel mowers, which have no motor at all, are gaining in popularity, and sales of electric mowers have seen a 25 percent growth over the last five years, according to Carl Eickenberg, senior product manager for the Neuton electric lawn mower. Electric lawn mowers produce less than one percent of the smog-contributing carbon monoxide that gas mowers put out and 1/9000th the hydrocarbons, though only six pounds less carbon dioxide per typical use. The average electric mower is also considerably quieter than its gas equivalent, and 10-year operating costs are less than half those of gas mowers, making up for the higher initial cost.

For yards up to a third of an acre, Black & Decker's cordless CMM 1000 mulching mower made Consumer Reports' quick picks with its green features and easy cutting-height adjustment ($394; www.amazon.com). For quarter-acre lawns, the cordless electric Neuton Mower, with a one-hour battery life, handles trimming and edging to boot ($349; www.drpower.com, 800-798-2921). Or try Sunlawn's EM-1 cordless electric rechargeable mower, which works manually or powered with a battery life of up to one hour and 15 minutes ($379; www.sunlawn.com, 970-493-5284). A more affordable option is the MTD cord-run Electric Mini Mower ($200; www.eco-gardening.com, 877-204-7336). Light, quiet, maneuverable and easy to maintain, Sunlawn's Brill Luxus 38 ($199) and American Lawn Mower Co.'s Reel Mower ($100; www.acehardware.com, 866-290-5334) produce zero emissions. With any of these models, the obsessive mower in your life will appreciate the chance to hear the birds, and you'll be able to sleep in this spring.