7 Best Lawn Mowers of 2024

Written by: - Landscape Gardener
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The Best Lawn Mowers

best lawn mowers uk tested reviews
  1. Best cordless lawn mower - LawnMaster 24V 34cm Cordless Lawnmower

  2. Best corded electric lawn mower - Bosch Rotak 34R Electric Lawn Mower

  3. Best petrol mower - Hyundai HYM510SP 4-Stroke Petrol Lawn Mower

  4. Best robot lawn mower - Flymo EasiLife 500 GO Robotic Lawn Mower

  5. Best hover lawn mower - Flymo Turbo Lite 250 Electric Hover Lawn Mower

  6. Best manual lawn mower - Webb WEH30 Manual Hand Push Cylinder Lawn Mower

  7. Best professional lawn mower - Hayter Harrier 41 Petrol Variable Speed Mower 375A

Lawn Mower Reviews

Cordless

1. LawnMaster 24V 34cm Cordless Lawnmower

Best cordless lawn mower

best lawn mowers LawnMaster 24V 34cm Cordless Lawnmower
  • Handles fold flat over the body of the mower so it can be stored neatly away in small spaces
  • Roller produces smart, visible stripes
  • Intelligent battery management system adjusts the power according to the conditions, reserving battery life during lighter cuttings
  • Lights on battery indicate how much charge is left
  • Fast charger included, charges one battery in one hour

  • Grass collector has ventilation holes at the bottom so some grass clippings fall out whilst you mow
Type
Cordless Electric
Lawn Size
Small to Medium
Power
24 V Battery
Weight
11.4 kg
Cutting Width
34cm
Cutting Height
20 - 70 mm
Collection Bag
32 L
Overall Score 5Read In-depth Review
Design
5
Power
5
Performance
5
Manoeuvrability
5
Features
5
Safety
5
Value for Money
5

There’s a lot of cordless mowers on the market these days, and I’ve tested many of them. But there’s one model that I always refer back to as the best. And that’s the LawnMaster 24V 34cm Cordless Lawnmower.

LawnMaster-24V-34cm-Cordless-Lawnmower-Review

Firstly, in my testing I time how long a mower takes to assemble. This model only took me 10 minutes, and you don’t even need any tools! I found the instructions were easy to follow and well written.

LawnMaster-24V-34cm-Cordless-Lawnmower-Review-assembly

Then when it comes to design, it certainly looks the part with the bright orange LawnMaster branding. It’s constructed from alloy steel and plastic, which if too ‘plasticy’ can be a concern for me. But upon closer inspection there are a lot of well-crafted fittings and joints.

It’s a compact lawn mower with a 32 litre collection bag. I’d suggest it’s best suited for small to medium gardens. And a couple of other features I really like are the handles which feel really good in your hands, plus it’s also got a rear roller, which worked a treat!

LawnMaster-24V-34cm-Cordless-Lawnmower-Review-performance

Now moving on to one of the most important factors to consider – battery life. This mower comes with two 4aH batteries which is a really thoughtful move. You can use one while the other charges. I wish every brand did this!

It takes about one hour to charge each battery, and it’ll run for 30 minutes of continuous moving. Mine went for 40-45 minutes, as of course you stop every now and again to check your work!

LawnMaster-24V-34cm-Cordless-Lawnmower-Review-power

What I also appreciate is the LED battery life indicator. This is really helpful in understanding how much juice you’ve got left. Plus there’s even an intelligent power control, meaning this mower adjusts the amount of power released by the battery based on your grass conditions. Clever stuff.

In terms of performance, this mower surprised me. Not only did it cut my dry grass beautifully, but it even did a great job on wet grass too. From my experience, lawn mowers can easily clog with wet grass as it all clumps together. This machine chewed right through it though with ease.

At 11.4kg this model is really nice and light. It’s easy to maneovure and I think would really suit gardens with awkward shapes and people with mobility issues. It’s just so easy to use.

LawnMaster-24V-34cm-Cordless-Lawnmower-Review-manoeuvrability

There’s a couple more features I think you should know about too. It’s able to mulch which is nice for those who like to distribute clippings back on the lawn.

There’s an adjustable cutting height range of 20mm to 70mm, which is pretty standard for most mowers. Plus the handle can be adjusted too. I’m quite tall and I didn’t have to stoop, which is always a bonus!

The model is also very safety orientated. It’s got your typical dead man’s switch which means it can’t be turned on without pushing a button at the same time as pulling the trigger. But there’s also a safety key too near the batteries, which you can remove when not in use if you wish.

LawnMaster-24V-34cm-Cordless-Lawnmower-Review-safety

So overall, this machine has a lot going for it! It’s not often I don’t find faults with a piece of equipment, but it’s just been designed so well. For me, if you’re looking for a cordless model this year, the LawnMaster 24V 34cm model should be what you go for.

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Corded

2. Bosch Rotak 34R Electric Lawn Mower[ SAVE 23% ]

Best corded electric lawn mower

best lawn mowers Bosch Rotak 34R Electric Lawn Mower
  • Narrow design helps it get into tight corners easily
  • Cuts close to lawn edges and fences
  • Rear roller creates visible stripe on the lawn
  • Lightweight and easy to manouvre
  • Good power to cope with an overgrown lawn and damp grass
  • Can be collapsed down and stored in smaller areas

  • Some grass will spill when you remove the bucket to empty the clippings
  • Lots of plastic parts
Type
Corded Electric
Lawn Size
Small to Medium
Power
1300W
Weight
11.1kg
Cutting Width
34cm
Cutting Height
20 - 70mm
Collection Bag
40L
Overall Score 4.7Read In-depth Review
Design
5
Power
4
Performance
5
Manoeuvrability
5
Features
5
Safety
4
Value for Money
5

For small to medium gardens, the Bosch Rotak 34R Electric Lawn Mower is both a functional and affordable option. It’s easy to manoeuvre and has a narrow cutting width of 34 cm. It’s also good for close edge cutting against obstacles like fences, borders and flowerbeds.

Bosch-Rotak-34R-Electric-Lawn-Mower-Review

This lawn mower has got a lot going for it, and it’s the best lawn mower if you want a mains-powered option for smaller spaces.

Even though it’s equipped with a lot of features, the Bosch Rotak 34R remains a great option to buy on a budget. Somehow, Bosch have created a powerful, high-quality mower that remains extremely affordable.

On top of its 34 cm cutting width, it has adjustable cutting heights between 20 – 70 mm, a 40 L grass box capacity and – most surprisingly for a mower in this price range – it has a rear roller that actually works.

Bosch-Rotak-34R-Electric-Lawn-Mower-Review-performance

The only real downside when it comes to design is that there are lots of plastic parts. However, this is surely one of the ways that Bosch has kept the price down, and it’s a factor that keeps the weight down too. 

Weighing 11 kg, the Bosch Rotak 34R is as light as you would expect for an electric, mains-powered mower. It’s easy to move in and out of storage, and doesn’t require a lot of exertion to push around the garden either. It’s both lightweight and compact, with a double folding handle and stackable grass box that allow it to be stored neatly. 

Bosch-Rotak-34R-Electric-Lawn-Mower-Review-features

Performance-wise, this electric mower holds its own against even some of the pricier models. It offers 1300 W of power which is enough for cutting through medium growth. It can tackle slopes and different terrains with ease, and the cutting height is easy to adjust, using a single lever, allowing you to cut your lawn according to the conditions. 

Although it cuts close to lawn edges, you will probably still need to go round with a strimmer after mowing if you want to ensure that all of the grass is perfectly uniform. However, if you’re not worried about a few stragglers, you’ll find it does a good job the first time. With inset wheels and side grass combs it gets a lot closer to edges than many mowers.  

One element that probably helps keep the price down is that this mower does not have a mulching plug. Therefore, grass needs to be collected in the grass box.

It takes around 25 minutes to assemble, and is one of the best lawn mowers for small to medium lawns.

Although it’s an all-round excellent lawn mower, its size and power cable would likely make it challenging to use on bigger gardens. The rear roller is an impressive feature to see on a mower at this price point, and it’s even more impressive that it actually works reasonably well.

See here for our full roundup of the best corded electric lawn mowers.

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Petrol
  • Very easy to assemble in around 10 minutes with no tools required
  • Large cutting width is ideal for working quickly over a larger garden
  • Self propelled motor means the weight isn’t noticeable when mowing
  • Can be used without self propulsion in moments when it isn’t required
  • Hose connector on the deck means hose can be attached to clean mower after use

  • Some gardeners with smaller hands may find the gap is uncomfortably large between handlebars and self-propulsion lever
  • Reasonably heavy at 38 kg - tricky to move in and out of storage when not switched on
  • Starting cable can be a little stiff
  • Shouldn’t be used on inclines greater than 15%
Type
Petrol
Lawn Size
Large
Power
4-stroke 196cc engine
Weight
38.7 kg
Cutting Width
51 cm
Cutting Height
25 - 75 mm
Collection Bag
70 L
Overall Score 4.9Read In-depth Review
Design
5
Power
5
Performance
5
Manoeuvrability
4
Features
5
Safety
5
Value for Money
5

For larger gardens, the Hyundai HYM510SP 4-Stroke Petrol Lawn Mower is a great choice.  This powerful petrol lawn mower has a large 51 cm cutting width, making it the biggest mower featured on this page. If you want to get the mowing done fast on large lawns, this is one of the best lawn mowers to consider.

Hyundai-HYM510SP-4-Stroke-Petrol-Lawn-Mower-design

With a 196 cc 4-stroke engine, this is a good lawn mower if you’re after something powerful. It has a lot of force behind it and excels in large, open spaces. The 51 cm cutting width, combined with the 70 L grass bag, means you can cover a lot of area, relatively quickly, without stopping.

Hyundai-HYM510SP-4-Stroke-Petrol-Lawn-Mower-performance

This is the largest grass box capacity featured on this page as well, so this is a ‘jumbo’ machine in all areas. Because of this, you may struggle to get it in and out of narrower areas or around trees and flower beds. 

There are six cutting heights to choose from, ranging from 25 – 75 mm. 75 mm is highest cutting height featured on this page, shared only by the battery-powered Hyundai HYM40LI420P. The higher settings can be used for long or wet grass, which this powerful petrol lawn mower is also able to tackle

Hyundai-HYM510SP-4-Stroke-Petrol-Lawn-Mower-manouverability

You’ve also got a few options when it comes to the grass clippings. If you don’t fancy collecting them in the grass box (which has a plastic top and mesh sides), there’s a mulching plug included. This shreds and deposits the clippings back onto your lawn, helping to improve lawn health over time. Other options include rear or side discharge. 

As a large, petrol lawn mower, this HYM510SP is naturally heavier than electrical models of the same size: it weighs 38.7 kg.

Fortunately, being self propelled, this weight isn’t a huge issue when mowing. However, it can make manoeuvring the mower in and out of storage quite difficult, especially if the shed is some distance from the lawn. Although relatively bulky, the handles do at least fold down to allow storage to be slightly more compact.

In moments when you don’t want to use the self propulsion, it’s possible to push this lawn mower by hand. As you might expect though, this is pretty heavy to do for long periods of time, but it may help around obstacles.   

Overall, this is one of the best lawn mowers if you want a petrol model for large gardens. It’s powerful and speedy, and covers a large amount of area in very little time. You’ll find it’s particularly useful if you have a big lawn with limited obstacles, as the job will get done extremely quickly!

See here for our full roundup of the best petrol lawn mowers.

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Robotic
  • Virtually silent in operation so could even be used at night
  • Secure - can’t use the mower without a pin code and an alarm can be set to go off when the mower is lifted
  • Can cope with gentle slopes, not just a flat area
  • Automatically adjusts mowing based on grass length/conditions
  • Handles all terrains including mossy and wet areas

  • Takes quite a long time to get set up boundary wire - allow at least 2 hours
  • Charging pad needs to be installed close to the power outlet and cannot be placed in direct sunlight
  • Boundary wire needs to be placed 30 cm away from fences - meaning you’ll have a section of grass surrounding your garden which needs to be cut manually
Type
Robotic
Lawn Size
Medium
Power
AC/DC Dock
Weight
7.3 kg
Cutting Width
16 cm
Cutting Height
20 - 50mm
Collection Bag
n/a
Overall Score 4.4
Design
5
Power
4
Performance
4.5
Manoeuvrability
4.5
Features
5
Safety
5
Value for Money
3

For those who want perfectly cut grass without having to, well, actually cut the grass, the Flymo EasiLife 500 GO Robotic Lawn Mower is an excellent option to consider. It’s one of the best lawn mowers if you’re after a robot to cut the lawn for you.

Flymo EasiLife 150 GO Robotic Lawn Mower Review - design

This robot lawn mower weighs just 7.3 kg and has an incredibly compact build. It can be left out, rain or shine, and its charging station is streamlined and discreet. It’s intended for a small or medium garden (up to 500 m²) and makes use of a range of cutting heights, from 20 mm – 50 mm. The overall cutting width is 16 cm. 

Although robotic mowers need to run for longer periods than standard mowers, the Flymo EasiLife 500 only produces 58 dB so it won’t disturb your neighbours, and can even be used overnight.

This robot mower has tilt, lift and collision sensors that ensure you won’t need to keep a constant eye on it as works either. It can even mow on sloped and bumpy lawns, capable of tackling a 25% incline

The Flymo Easilife 500 GO mulches as it goes, leaving fine grass shavings on the ground. When the mower detects grass growth, it automatically adjusts its schedule to suit the conditions, leading to an even cut every time. 

If it’s all sounding a little complicated, there’s no need to worry. Whilst robotic lawn mowers do require more in terms of initial set up than regular mowers, once installed it’ll save you hours. You’ll have total control of this robot lawn mower using a Bluetooth app – allowing you to see the schedule, park, start/stop and a lot more. There’s also a frost sensor that helps protect the lawn; this robot mower will stay at its base and leave grass alone when it’s too cold. 

The trickiest part is setting up the boundary wire. Whilst the boundary wire allows this mower to cut awkward shaped gardens, it’s best to bury it as opposed to simply lay it down, which can be time consuming.

Flymo EasiLife 150 GO Robotic Lawn Mower Review - assembly

Another thing to bear in mind is the position of the charging station. The robotic lawn mower will automatically head back to charge when it needs to, but you’ll need to ensure that the station is positioned both near a socket and out of direct sunlight. 

Flymo EasiLife 150 GO Robotic Lawn Mower Review - power

Despite there being some nuances involved with setting up robot mowers, they can save a lot of time overall.

The Flymo EasiLife 500 GO is a great robotic mower due to its app compatibility and smart approach to different terrains/conditions. Also, thanks to this robot mower’s automatic sensors, there are very few things that you’ll be required to control yourself – great news for hands-off lawn maintenance!

See here for our full roundup of the best robot lawn mowers.

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Hover
  • Storage is very tidy because the handle folds down parallel to the base of the unit.
  • Cuts grass on sloped lawns.
  • Hovers well so there's very little resistance when cutting grass.
  • Ideal weight for people who struggle with heavier mowers.

  • May not work effectively on bumpy lawns - best suited to a flat surface.
  • The vents may get clogged with grass meaning it doesn't hover well until the grass is brushed off.
  • The cutting heights available may be too long for some, depending on personal taste.
  • Adjusting the cutting height is not done with simple levers; you need to remove the blade and add spacers.
  • No cable hooks to keep the cable neatly out of the way whilst mowing.
Type
Corded Electric
Lawn Size
Small
Power
1400 W
Weight
5.1 kg
Cutting Width
25 cm
Cutting Height
11 - 31 mm
Collection Bag
n/a
Overall Score 4.6
Design
4.5
Power
4
Performance
4.5
Manoeuvrability
5
Features
4
Safety
5
Value for Money
5

With a name like ‘Turbo Lite’, there are no prizes for guessing the main selling point of the Flymo Turbo Lite 250 Electric Hover Lawn Mower. At just 5.1 kg, it’s the lightest lawn mower featured here. As a result, it’s the best lawn mower if you’re after a lightweight, hover model. This makes it a great choice for gardeners of all ages, as well as anyone who finds heavy mowers too taxing on the wrists or back.

Weighing the same as a standard housecat (although arguably somewhat easier to hold!), this is certainly a very manageable lawn mower. Measuring 79 x 39 x 80 cm, it’s compact and can be stored easily – in fact, due to its light weight, it can even be hung from a hook for storage.

In terms of performance, this mains-powered hover mower provides 1,400 W of power, gliding over the lawn using Flymo’s famous hover technology. It hovers well, resulting in limited resistance when cutting (especially if the grass is already short), and can tackle some longer grass too.

Its cutting height can be altered from 11 – 31 mm depending on the type of grass you’re cutting as well as the desired finish. With longer grass it may be necessary to stop and clean the vents relatively frequently, which is easily done. Blocked vents will stop the mower from hovering.

The cutting width is 25 cm, which is the smallest size featured on this list (not including the Flymo Robotic Lawn Mower). This might be a blessing or a curse, depending on your space, but smaller gardens will benefit from the easy manoeuvrability offered by this lawn mower.

This lawn mower is better suited to a small garden overall, as the 10 m mains cable is a good length to work in small areas without the need to use an extension cord.

One thing to be aware of: like most hover mowers, this model does not have a grass box. Instead, it leaves the grass cuttings on the lawn. For some gardeners, this isn’t a problem, as the shredded grass cuttings can act as a fertiliser for the lawn; however, if you like to collect your grass trimmings, this might not be the right lawn mower for you – you’ll have to follow up your mowing by raking the area.

Overall, this is one of the best lawn mowers if you want a lightweight hover model. It’s easy to manage and manoeuvre which makes it suitable for a range of different gardeners.

See here for our full roundup of the best hover lawn mowers.

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Manual
  • Cuts grass up to approximately 8 cm tall
  • Upper handles can be removed for easy storage
  • Narrow cutting width makes it easy to manoeuvre
  • Solid and well made - designed to last season after season
  • Rear roller creates a light striped effect

  • Can’t be used to cut long grass over 8 cm
Type
Manual
Lawn Size
Small
Power
Hand push
Weight
9.1 kg
Cutting Width
30 cm
Cutting Height
10 - 40mm
Collection Bag
17 L
Overall Score 4.1
Design
4
Power
3
Performance
5
Manoeuvrability
4.5
Features
4
Safety
4
Value for Money
4

The Webb WEH30 Manual Hand Push Cylinder Lawn Mower is for those who value simplicity when it comes to their garden machinery. 

Without a hint of electricity or petrol in sight, this is a great hand push mower for approaching small gardens. It’s one of the best lawn mowers to buy if you want a simple, manual push mower.

This hand push lawn mower is compact and lightweight, yet it’s also robust and durable. Made predominantly from alloy steel, with some plastic components, it’ll likely become a staple in the shed for many years to come. 

There are six super sharp blades and four cutting heights, ranging from 10 – 40 mm. Many manual mowers only have five blades, so this is an improved design.  The cutting height can be adjusted easily with no tools required, and there is a plastic rear roller which leaves a gentle striped effect after mowing. It’s not as pronounced a stripe as with some heavier, larger mowers/rollers, but it’s visible nonetheless!

Generally speaking, this lawn mower will struggle to tackle grass that is over 8 cm tall. For most well-kempt lawns, this shouldn’t pose a problem, but if you need to do the first cut after some time away, you might need an electric mower.

Unlike a lot of manual push mowers, the Webb WEH30 comes fitted with a lightweight 17 L grass box. This means you’ve got two options when it comes to your grass clippings. They can either be left on the lawn to help restore nutrients, or collected. The grass box is mounted at the front of the mower, so you can easily see when it needs emptying. 

As mentioned, this mower is most suitable for smaller lawns. It has a 30 cm cutting width that gives it great manoeuvrability around trees and flower beds. The tight turning circle ensures you can get into even the smallest of areas, but it’s also fairly efficient across wide stretches of lawn. 

When it comes to storage, the handlebars can be removed and the whole unit becomes relatively compact. If you haven’t got much space for storage, and you’ve only got a small lawn to stay on top of, this could be the right lawn mower to consider.

Although manual mowers might seem old fashioned, there are some benefits to choosing one. This model is capable and robust; plus, there are very few components to go wrong – anything for a simple life!

See here for our full roundup of the best manual lawn mowers.

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Professional
  • Well built with a solid durable construction
  • Provides an extremely tight and night finish
  • Cuts very close to boundaries so there’s no need to go over them with a strimmer
  • Produces a smart striped effect thanks to the polymer roller
  • Very easy to assemble straight out of the box
  • Variable speed makes it easy to match walking pace without feeling like it’s going too fast

  • Heavier than a lot of mowers featured here - weighs 37 kg may be more difficult to move from storage to lawn
Type
Professional petrol
Lawn Size
All sizes
Power
4-stroke 196 cc engine
Weight
37 kg
Cutting Width
41 cm
Cutting Height
13 - 60mm
Collection Bag
60 L
Overall Score 4.4
Design
4.5
Power
5
Performance
5
Manoeuvrability
3.5
Features
4.5
Safety
4.5
Value for Money
4

A more premium mower than many of the models featured here, the Hayter Harrier 41 Petrol Variable Speed Mower 375A is a powerful, self-propelled model mower that is very popular despite its higher price tag. 

This lawn mower is perfect for professional landscapers, with a 4-stroke 196 cc engine that will create a neat cut in very little time. It has a solid durable construction, with a cast-aluminium cutter deck, and a built-in muffler to reduce noise and vibration. This feature, combined with the fact it is a 4-stroke instead of a 2-stroke engine, helps keep the volume down and improve comfort whilst mowing.

In terms of performance, this lawn mower is both powerful and easy to use. It starts easily, using a pull cord (there’s no electric start) and cuts reasonably close to boundaries.

Unlike many self-propelled petrol lawn mowers, this Hayter Harrier 41 375A offers variable speeds, making it a lot more manageable. They’re adjustable from 2.2 to 3.4 mph, making it possible to comfortably match your walking pace instead of feeling it’s running away with you. The self-propelled motor also makes this one of the best lawn mowers for big lawns and sloping gardens.

The 41 cm cutting width strikes the right balance of manoeuvrability and efficiency. Getting around trees and flowerbeds is relatively easy, whilst it’s still efficient across wide stretches of lawn. Plus, this mower also comes equipped with a two-piece ribbed rear roller. This is designed to produce those enviable stripes without marking the turf when turning. 

There are seven cutting heights available, from 13 mm to 60 mm. As a result, this model cuts a lot shorter than most lawn mowers featured here, and it also has the most options to choose from. The tallest cutting height, however, is not as high as the Hyundai mowers.

Practical features include a 60 L grass collector bag and a 0.8 L fuel tank. Additionally, the handles fold to save space  

At 37 kg, this lawn mower certainly isn’t the lightest on the market. In fact, getting it in and out of storage may be tricky, especially if you need to carry it anywhere. However, once the lawn mower is switched on and in motion, the self propelled feature ensures it feels extremely lightweight. 

Overall, it’s the best petrol lawn mower if you want a premium, professional-level option.

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Product Testers

Landscape Gardener

We tested a range of lawn mowers, from electric and petrol-powered models to hover lawn mowers and even a manual hand push mower. We assessed:

  • Assembly Time: We assembled each lawn mower in this list, timing it from unboxing to the models being fully operational. We considered any lawn mower that took more than 30 minutes too long for the average gardener.
  • Battery Life & Charging Time: For battery-powered lawn mowers, we conducted tests on battery life and charging times. Our benchmark was a charge time of under 3 hours to ensure that you wouldn’t have to wait an excessive amount of time before carrying on with mowing.
  • Cord Length: In the case of corded lawn mowers, we evaluated their suitability for different garden sizes without the need for extension leads. This involved testing the reach of the power cords to ensure they could cover each garden size.
  • Cutting Performance: We tested each lawn mower on various terrains, garden sizes, and grass lengths. We considered factors like cutting width and speed, each model’s ability to handle tricky terrain, and the versatility of the grass length settings. This allowed us to identify which models excelled in specific cutting conditions.
  • Manoeuvrability: To determine the best lawn mowers for manoeuvrability, we tried and tested each model around tight corners, curved flowerbeds, and obstacles such as fences and borders. This helped us identify which lawn mowers were most suitable for small spaces and intricate garden layouts.
  • Additional Features: We checked out specific features like the grass box, testing its size and ease of removal. Models were marked down if lots of grass spilt out of the box when you removed it or if the box was excessively heavy or difficult to remove. We also assessed the rear rollers, testing whether these left crisp lines as they claim to.
  • Value for Money: In our final test, we considered the value for money of each lawn mower, taking into account its performance, features, and price point. We also evaluated how easy it was to move each model in and out of storage to assess their practicality in everyday spaces.

Derek's Smart Buying Tips

  1. For most domestic gardens, a mains-powered electric mower is the best option. For medium-size spaces, a cutting width of 30 – 40 cm is ideal. Stick to a narrower model if you’re working around a lot of obstacles!
  2. If you have a large garden, a petrol lawn mower with a cutting width of at least 40 cm will be most suitable. It doesn’t need to be excessively powerful – a 125 cc motor will be enough for most big, domestic gardens.
  3. Alternatively, the ease of battery-powered cordless lawn mowers is worth considering if you have a small/medium lawn.
  4. A 40 L grass box should be enough for smaller gardens. Larger lawns require a grass collection box of at least 60 L – you’ll be forever emptying it otherwise. A mulching feature is a great choice if you’re keen to forget collecting grass altogether – you can deposit the grass clippings back onto your lawn to improve the health of your lawn.
  5. On top of all this, there are still more factors to consider. For example, you’ll want a few variable cutting heights. Mowers that cut to a height of around 20 mm are perfect for UK lawns – you won’t want to go any lower. If your grass is especially long, damp or slightly damaged, make sure there are higher heights available too (in the range of 40 – 50 mm).
  6. For most people, a lawn mower that weighs up to 30 kg is manageable without being too heavy. If you choose a model that weighs more than this, you should ensure that it’s self-propelled. Self-propelled lawn mowers are especially useful in hilly or uneven gardens.
  7. Finally, if you’re keen to avoid mowing altogether, you could always get a robotic lawn mower to do it for you!

Compare Product Features

Use the dropdown to sort the table by the feature you want to see.

  • LawnMaster 24V 34cm Cordless Lawnmower
    best lawn mowers LawnMaster 24V 34cm Cordless Lawnmower
    • 5
    • Cordless Electric
    • Small to Medium
    • 24 V Battery
    • 11.4 kg
    • 34cm
    • 20 - 70 mm
    • 32 L
  • Bosch Rotak 34R Electric Lawn Mower
    best lawn mowers Bosch Rotak 34R Electric Lawn Mower
    • 4.7
    • Corded Electric
    • Small to Medium
    • 1300W
    • 11.1kg
    • 34cm
    • 20 - 70mm
    • 40L
  • Hyundai HYM510SP 4-Stroke Petrol Lawn Mower
    best lawn mowers Hyundai HYM510SP 4 Stroke Petrol Lawn Mower
    • 4.9
    • Petrol
    • Large
    • 4-stroke 196cc engine
    • 38.7 kg
    • 51 cm
    • 25 - 75 mm
    • 70 L
  • Flymo EasiLife 500 GO Robotic Lawn Mower
    best lawn mowers Flymo EasiLife 500 GO Robotic Lawn Mower
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  • Webb WEH30 Manual Hand Push Cylinder Lawn Mower
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  • Hayter Harrier 41 Petrol Variable Speed Mower 375A
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How to Choose The Best Lawn Mower

With so many different lawn mower models on the market nowadays – how do you decide which is the right lawn mower for you?

Take a look at the following advice to help you find the best lawn mower for your garden.

6 Different Types of Lawn Mower

There are six main types of lawn mowers. Let’s look at some of their pros and cons, working our way up from cheapest to the most expensive:

1. Hand Push Manual Lawn Mowers

These are your good old-fashioned push mowers! As you drive the mower forward, the cylinder and blades rotate and it cuts the grass. A hand push cylinder  mower is the best lawn mower to buy on a budget.

Pros: Cheap to buy and free to run. These lawn mowers are simple to use, lightweight, and easy to store. They’re a great alternative to your traditional lawn mower. If you have a small garden, a hand push mower could well be the best option for you.

Cons: Can’t always cut through thicker grass and may require a couple of passes. Plus, all the power has to come entirely from your pushing force!

2. Hover Lawn Mowers

Hover mowers use a cushion of air to hold the mower above the grass. These are rotary mowers, as the hovering design isn’t compatible with a cylindrical mowing system.

A hover lawn mower is generally very lightweight and therefore tends to be the best lawn mower for anyone who struggles with heavier machines.

Pros: Lightweight, very quiet and can be manoeuvred from side to side. No wheels to limit movement or mark the grass.

Cons: As an electric machine, cords can get in the way/ batteries require charging. Can require a fair amount of forearm strength to control the hovering mower.

3. Corded Electric Mowers

Corded electric mowers are perfectly capable of dealing with small-to-medium size lawns. They are available in all different styles (rotary, cylinder, hover) and will be the best lawn mower solution for the majority of UK gardens.

Pros to corded electric mowers: Quiet to use and can be powerful enough to cut long grass. No charging or fuel, simply plug in and mow without interruption until finished!

Cons to corded electric mowers: Even the best electric lawn mower will generally require an extension cable. The power cords of these mowers are normally only 10 – 12 m long. Using extension cables can get in the way and cause a hazard.

4. Battery-Powered Cordless Lawn Mowers

In the past, a cordless lawn mower wasn’t very useful because the battery wouldn’t last long enough. Nowadays, a cordless lawn mower can be useful in small, medium and even large gardens. However, their battery life may still make them less practical in large spaces. Buying an extra battery for a cordless lawn mower can help increase run time.

Pros to cordless lawn mowers: No cables, no petrol, no pollution. Simply plug in, charge up, and away you go.

Cons to cordless lawn mowers: A battery-powered cordless lawn mower often only has a battery life for about half an hour’s work (if you don’t have a spare battery). That being said, for the majority of gardens this is more than enough time.

As a general rule, cordless mowers will be the best lawn mower style for a small garden because of how easy they are to use.

On the other hand, if you have a large garden, the best lawn mower for you might be a petrol model…

5. Petrol Lawn Mowers

Pros to petrol lawn mowers: Petrol lawn mowers are extremely powerful and will cut through thick, long grass. Plus, they’re relatively cheap to run.

Cons to petrol lawn mowers: They’re noisy, polluting, and need a more maintenance than your standard electric lawn mowers.

That said, petrol lawn mowers are really useful for large gardens.

6. Robot Mowers

If you thought battery-powered mowers were a neat idea, you ain’t seen nothing yet!

If you’ve got the money, the future is at your fingertips with robot mowers.

Pros to robotic mowers: A robotic lawn mower will travel your pre-programmed cutting area, cutting and mulching as it goes. You can be sitting on the patio enjoying a BBQ whilst this little fella does the donkey-work!

Cons to robotic mowers: As with most technology, these robot lawn mowers work great until they don’t, and then they can be more complicated to fix (certainly compared to a manual push lawn mower!). It can also take a while to set up the parameter wire, and work out all the functions.

Choosing the Best Lawn Mower for Your Garden Size

In the handy table below, I’ve highlighted which lawn mowers are appropriate for different sized gardens. This should help you choose the best lawn mower for your garden.

lawn-mower-to-garden-size-table

Approximate Measurements for Reference:

Small garden: < 250 m²

Medium-sized garden: 250 – 1000 m²

Large garden: 1000 – 3000 m²

READ NEXT: What Size Lawn Mower Do I Need?

Grass Box Capacity

  • For small gardens (less than 250 m²), a grass box capacity of 20 L may be sufficient. If you want to avoid emptying it at all, opt for a 40 L grass box.
  • For a medium sized lawn (250 – 1000 m²) you’ll want a grass box capacity of at least 40 L. Consider a grass box of around 60 L if you’re keen to avoid emptying it, but be aware that the larger the grass box, the heavier the mower will be to push.
  • If you have a larger lawn (1000 – 3000 m²), look for a grass box with a capacity over 60 L. When working with a grass box of this size, you’ll want to consider a self-propelled mower. 60 L of grass isn’t light!

Why Lawn Mower Height is Important

Push mowers and hover mowers generally weight between 7 – 9 kg. Meanwhile mains-powered mowers often weigh between 12 -15 kg. Petrol lawn mowers may weigh close to 40 kg.

Ultimately, the best lawn mower for you will be have a weight that you feel comfortable manoeuvring around the garden.

Remember: even if your lawn mower is self propelled, this feature won’t work when the engine is off. So you’ll have to lug the full weight of the machine from the garage to the garden.

Lawn Mower FAQ

What’s a mulching lawn mower, and is it worth paying extra for?

Mulching lawn mowers are fantastic, especially if you have a compost heap. However if you already own a garden shredder, it might not be necessary.

Here’s How Mulching Works:

After the initial blades of grass are cut, they are transported into the mower. Once inside they are finely cut down into very small particles of grass. These particles are then distributed back to the lawn where they can quickly decompose, and feed the soil with valuable nutrients.

The benefits:

  • It makes your soil richer, which in turn makes your grass healthier.
  • You’ll save a lot of time not having to empty the grass collection box
  • You’re helping the environment by not having to throw away tons of grass every year.
  • You may not have to bother with harmful pesticides and weed killers, because you’re treating your lawn the natural way.

Of course, you may not want to use this option. In which case you can choose a mower without it, which may be cheaper. Lawn mowers with a mulching option also allow you to collect the grass too, if you’d prefer.

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