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Best lawnmower buys
The scent of freshly cut grass is the surest sign that the sun is on its way again. The roar of the mower is the traditional soundtrack to a bright Sunday morning, and we all know someone who boasts about the size of their motor.
A lawnmower is an integral part of your garden care, keeping the grass in tip top condition prepares your space for all that time you’ll be spending outside. But with so much to choose from, sometimes it can feel overwhelming to choose the perfect one.
Our guide will take you through the different types of lawnmower available, the power sources on offer and all the features to look out for to make mowing your lawn as easy and simple as possible. So, whether you have a small patch of grass or a whole field to take care of, we've got the right one for you.
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Corded
Corded electric lawnmowers are ideal for most garden sizes as you can mow for as long as you like without worrying about topping up the fuel or recharging the battery. They’re lightweight and easy to use. The higher the wattage of an electric mower, the more powerful it will be.
They’re surprisingly quiet, especially when compared to petrol mowers, so you don’t need to worry about upsetting the neighbours. Maintenance is low cost and easy, and you don’t need to buy gas or oil like you would with other models.
The length of the cable on corded electric lawnmowers impacts the reach and mobility when mowing. If you choose a corded mower you may want more cable length in order to move without restrictions. An external extension lead or cable reel will give you a bit more room to manoeuvre. And a residual current device (RCD) is a safety must-have when using electricity outside. It immediately turns it off in case of faults, or if you run over the cable when mowing your lawn.
Cordless
If you don’t have access to an outdoor power source or have a larger garden where an extension cable simply is not practical, then a cordless lawnmower could be perfect for you.
Cordless lawnmowers offer many of the benefits of corded models, being lightweight, easy to use and maintain, but offer the freedom of petrol, making them ideal for a variety of garden sizes. They are also the most environmentally friendly power type as you do not generate any emissions and do not need mains power supply. With advances in technology, cordless mowers can now run for much longer and can cut larger lawns relative to older models. Although we state the runtime you can get from your tool where possible, in real world use there are a number of factors that influence the runtime and more information on this can be found here.
The majority of our cordless products are sold as kits, meaning you will get a battery and charger included. Products sold without these are commonly referred to as baretools. The majority also come with interchangeable batteries. This means a number of different garden power tools are part of the same battery platform and will work using the same battery. Depending on the vendor the same battery will also work on indoor power tools, giving you greater convenience and potentially a bigger pool of spare batteries.
Batteries have two important measures: The power of the battery is measured in voltage (v.) The higher the voltage, the more powerful the product will be. The other measure is ampere hours or amp rating (Ah.) This determines the batteries run time, the higher the capacity, the longer the battery will last.
Petrol
Petrol lawnmowers are best suited to tackle larger gardens, overgrown grass and more difficult mowing conditions.
They're similar to battery-powered lawnmowers as they are portable and offer unrestricted movement. Unlike with mains electric mowers, petrol lawnmowers don’t need to be near a power supply and there is no restrictive cable. They’ll keep going longer than battery-powered models and tend to be more powerful than either of the electric motor options.
Petrol tank capacity is measured in litres. The larger the tank, the more petrol your lawnmower can store. This means that you can mow for longer without having to fill up. A bigger cubic capacity means that your lawnmower will need more petrol to power it, and this affects how quickly the fuel is used.
Cubic capacity is a measure of how powerful the engine is, a higher cubic capacity is better suited to more difficult mowing conditions, however it will get through more fuel to power it.
Petrol lawnmowers are often a lot heavier and louder than other models, and as they require petrol and oil, they come with additional ongoing fuel costs. They also take more maintenance and need regular servicing.
Things to consider when buying a lawnmower
How large is your lawn?
Consider the size of your garden when choosing your lawnmower. Focus on the cutting width to determine what size of lawnmower you’ll need to suit your space. The wider the cutting width, the more grass it will cut, helping to reduce mowing time.
| Lawn size | Ideal cutting width | Best power type |
|---|---|---|
| Small - up to 100m2 | Up to 30cm | Corded, Cordless, Handpushed |
| Small to medium - 100m2 to 250m2 | 30-43cm | Corded, Cordless |
| Medium - 250m2 to 400m2 | 34-37cm | Corded, Cordless, Petrol |
| Medium to large - 400m2 - 550m2 | 37-46cm | Cordless, Petrol |
| Large - over 550m2 | 46cm+ | Petrol |
| Extra large – over 1000 m2 | Ride-on |
It’s important to mention though that a larger lawnmower will be heavier and harder to turn around obstacles, as well as being more expensive. So, if you have a smaller lawn, it’s not always a good idea to go for a large mower just because it has a wider cut, as it may not be as practical.
You’ll also want to consider the capacity of the grass collection box. As the mower cuts it will collect the trimmings in a box. The larger the capacity of the box, the less you’ll need stop and empty it.
If you have a large, wide lawn for example, you need to choose a box that will allow you to collect a significant amount of grass, or you’ll be stopping all the time when it’s full up.
We know that unused shed space is unheard of and empty garages are a rarity. That’s why the Mow N’ Stow feature on our new range of petrol lawnmowers gives you all the benefits of a powerful Briggs and Stratton petrol engine but are designed to be packed away upright, so they’re a doddle to store when the work is done.
Cutting height
The cutting height is the length at which the lawnmower is set to cut the grass. Different models of mower will have a different number of settings you can choose from – more height settings mean more flexibility. This is especially useful when making the first cut of the year or if you have longer grass to deal with as cutting down too much in one go can damage your lawn.
Where do you live?
Depending on how residential the area you live in is, there are a few things to consider:
- Noise level – petrol lawnmowers are typically much noiser than corded or cordless models, so may not be suitable for more densely populated areas.
- Storage – more residential areas typically have smaller gardens and subsequently more limited outdoor storage. Therefore, choosing a mower which is easier to store is certainly something to consider. Some things to look out for if you do have limited storage are models that can be stored vertically, that have fully folding handles or a removable grass collector so they become compact. Taking this a stage further, our newer Mac Allister models are designed to be stored vertically using ‘Mow & Stow’ technology, ideal for smaller spaces.
Types of lawnmower
Our range of lawnmowers includes rotary, hover, ride-on, hand-push and robotic. There are advantages to each type, and this section of the guide will help you decide the best choice for you.
Rotary lawnmowers
Rotary lawnmowers feature a disc that horizontally rotates to cut the grass. They’re able to cut any type of lawn, whether it's long and overgrown or on a slope. This makes them brilliantly versatile, something to consider if you don’t have the time to mow the lawn on a regular basis. They offer the widest choice when it comes to power sources - available in both electric corded and battery) and petrol options.
Push mowers
Push mowers are hand-powered, and feature blades in a cylinder inside the mower. They are ideal for short, fine grass as they cut like scissors, leaving a clean, precise finish. These machines are designed to regularly cut grass and manicured lawns.
They don’t cope well with long grass and bumpy lawns and not many models come with a collection box. Push mowers are a great option if you’re on a budget, or just have a small patch of grass, but not so good for anyone less mobile as you’ll be physically powering it.
Hover lawnmowers
Hover mowers glide over the grass on a cushion of air which raises it up off the lawn. Because of this design, it benefits from being light and manoeuvrable, able to move freely from side to side, not just backwards and forwards.
This makes it ideal for uneven surfaces, irregularly shaped gardens and slopes - however this side-to-side motion isn’t possible with models fitted with a grass collection box.
One drawback is these mowers do not cope with long and damp grass very well.
Robotic lawnmowers
Robotic lawnmowers are fantastic for those of us without a lot of time but still want to keep the lawn neat and tidy. Independently mowing without being pushed or driven, these battery-powered models make a great choice for lawns of all sizes. They have the added benefit of releasing the grass clippings back into the grass, making sure no nutrients are lost and you’re left with a healthier lawn.
It can be programmed to start up at specific times, no matter the time or weather. It will return to its charging station when it's finished or if it needs to recharge. And you don’t have to worry about it being stolen as it features an anti-theft PIN and alarm.
Hand-propelled or self-propelled
As well as looking at the type and power, you can also choose hand-propelled and self-propelled mowers. These are labelled as HP or SP in the product descriptions.
Self-propelled
Self-propelled mowers require less effort to use; just engage the drive and the mower will move forward without being pushed. All you need to do it walk behind and steer. Some self-propelled models also have a variable speed control, so you can adjust the speed to best suit your own pace or the conditions.
Hand-propelled
Hand-propelled machines have to be pushed to make them move forward, the motor or engine’s sole function is to drive the cutter blade. You’ll have complete control over the speed, stopping and starting. They’re good for smaller gardens with a lot of obstacles.
Features to look out for
There’s a whole selection of extra features that can make your mowing even easier.
Lawnmower handle types
Ergonomic handles minimise discomfort when mowing as they reduce back and muscle strain – ideal for those who have larger gardens or heavier mowers.
If you’re looking for a lawn mower that's easier to store, choose one with foldable handles. Collapsing the handles will make your lawnmower more compact, and easier to place in corners.
Rear roller
Roller lawnmowers are designed for people looking for the perfect stripe on their lawns. Although less manoeuvrable than their counterparts due to the extra weight of the rear roller, the action of the roller flattening the grass behind it is what creates the striped effect.
Mulching function
A mulching lawnmower, or a mulch plug, cuts grass clippings down into very fine pieces that fall easily into the soil surface which release nutrients into the grass. Nearly all of the Mountfield 4-wheel petrol mowers now come with mulching plugs as standard.
Extras to make the job easier
Now that you’ve selected your lawnmower, it’s time to make sure you have all the extras you’ll need to use, store and maintain it.
Lawnmower blades
Sharp lawnmower blades are essential for safely mowing your lawn and getting a clean result. Every now and then sharpen or replace your blades.
Batteries
If you’ve chosen a cordless mower it’s a good idea to pick up a spare battery before you tackle the lawn so that you can keep on working without interruptions and delays.
Looking after your lawnmower
There is a range of support available should you encounter an issue with your lawnmower at any stage. If you have bought your product within the last 6 months you may be entitled to a refund if brought back to store, however there is a variety of other support available. We stock a wide range of spare parts both instore and online with matching parts across lawnmower blades, trimmer spools and chainsaw chains to name a few, spare batteries for cordless products and a range of oils and fuel enhancer for petrol products. All our vendors also have aftersales contact support available which can help you troubleshoot any issues and provide any advice on how best to look after your product or in some cases send you spare parts or repair your product. These details can be found here.