Consumer Reports claims Honda FG110 is the best choice. From scores of poor, fair, good, very good and excellent, it was excellent. This includes tilling, sod busting, weeding and starting. Price is $325.00, from their source. Mantis rated good, but tilling, sod busting, weeding and starting was only a good rating, @ $300.00. I copied this paragraph from the CR web site: "
Four-stroke engine. These typically start with fewer pulls and deliver more power at lower speeds. They also produce fewer emissions than two-strokes and require no fuel-mixing. Found on the four top-scoring gas models." Honda is four stroke, Mantis is two. I think the convenience of not mixing oil and gas is well worth thinking about getting a Honda.
Susan