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Whether your garden is big or small, it’s nice to have it looking spick and span for when the sun puts his hat on. Unruly patches of long grass can ruin the look of a lawn, so you'll want to have a decent lawnmower on hand to keep it looking neat and trim. However, when it comes to purchasing your new mower, there are some important decisions to be made.
Do you want a cordless electric model, or a petrol motor you can ride on? A manual push mower is ideal if you don't mind a little workout, but perhaps you'd prefer a self-propelled option instead? In this guide, we compare clipping box capacity, rotary blades, cutting height and much more. We've even ranked the top 10 in the UK from trusted brands including Honda, Kärcher and Bosch, on Amazon, eBay, and John Lewis.
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Table of Contents
While choosing the perfect lawn mower, the decision you make will largely depend on the size and terrain of your garden. Nevertheless, there are still some key factors to consider. So, let’s dive right in!
Your first port of call will be to decide what style of lawn mower to choose. You will need to make sure that the one you pick is suitable for your garden, so in this section we'll discuss each of the three styles to help you find the right one.
Manual lawn mowers require nothing more than some elbow grease and a can-do attitude to get them started. They’re quiet and eco-friendly, as well as being the lightest lawn mowers you can buy.
As push lawn mowers are more compact, they’re easily stored when not in use. However, they might struggle with rough terrain and will only be a wise choice if you have a smaller garden, unless you plan on mowing your lawn as a form of endurance exercise.
If you have a medium sized garden, an electric lawnmower will help you get the job done quickly. They are fairly lightweight and come as either a push model, or self-propelled if you would prefer some extra assistance.
You'll be able to find both corded and cordless electric lawnmowers. While they offer more freedom, if you pick a cordless mower you need to make sure it's fully charged before you start. Corded mowers won't run out of steam, but you will need a plug socket close enough to your lawn and run the risk of messy cables getting in the way.
To be safe, save mowing your lawn for a sunny day. These models should only be used in dry conditions to avoid damaging the machine.
Petrol lawnmowers can be pushed, self-propelling or you can even get ride-on options for especially vast lawns. They pack the most power, making them a better choice for tackling trickier terrain or for those with larger gardens. They’re robust and hard-wearing, although this means they’re also significantly heavier.
Due to the nature of petrol engines, these lawn mowers will require more maintenance and additional purchases such as oils, and possibly anti-freeze. They’re also loud, so make sure you’ve given the neighbours time to wake up before you start up on Sunday morning.
The next decision you will need to make is what style of blades will work best for your needs. To determine which is best, think about your terrain. Is it rough or smooth? Flat or bumpy? Here we’ll take a look at the different blade options available.
These mowers work using a series of blades at the front of the lawn mower that move in a circular motion against a fixed bottom blade. These are the perfect choice for those with flat lawns who prefer to keep the grass looking neatly cropped.
Cylinder blades are available in any style, although they are most commonly found on manual lawn mowers. It’s worth noting that this style of blade requires frequent upkeep to keep your garden looking great, as you’ll need to sharpen the blades.
If you’re unsure what you need, then you can’t go wrong with a rotary blade lawnmower. Rotary blades are the most common type of blade used in lawnmowers. This is because they’re the most versatile. They use a blade that rotates horizontally above the grass to cut at your desired height.
This style of blade is great for medium to large sized gardens as they’re capable of coping with different types of lawns, from deep sloping areas of grass or rougher terrains. They can also handle longer grass, which makes them ideal for those who prefer to cut less regularly.
Less common than the other options, hover mowers cut from above using a rotary blade. Doing this creates a cushion of air between the lawnmower and the grass, which allows the machine to be easily manoeuvred in any direction. This makes them a top choice for those with precious flower beds they would like to keep in tact.
Their downside is that they’re usually smaller in size than standard rotary blades, which can mean mowing a large garden becomes much more laborious with a hover model.
You’ll want to consider whether you require a push or self-propelled model. Push lawn mowers are generally cheaper, much easier to maintain and aren’t that much hassle if your lawn is not that large.
However, if you have a big garden with slopes, then constantly pushing a 15 kg machine up and down can become tiresome. In which case, you might want to opt for a self-propelled lawnmower. They’re easier to handle and some even come with different speeds to suit your walking pace. Although, you can expect to pay more for the convenience.
The width of the lawnmower determines how much it can cut in a single strip. These can range in size, but are usually no smaller than 300 mm in width.
If you’re lucky enough to have a medium-sized garden between 100 – 250 square metres, then you might want to choose something closer to 350 – 400 mm. For particularly large lawns and outdoor spaces, you can find mowers with a width over 400 mm to help save you time.
The cutting height refers to how tall the blades of grass will be after cutting. Pretty much any lawn mower comes with adjustable options, which are usually controlled by moving the blade up or down on the side of the machine.
As with the width of the machine, the cutting height can vary. We recommend that you look for a machine with a minimum of 20 mm and a maximum of 60 mm as this provides the most versatility. Of course, if you like to have it shorter or longer there are options available, this is just a guideline.
It is generally advised that the clippings from your expedition should be gathered instead of leaving them on the lawn. When making your final decision, remember that the bigger the clipping box capacity, the less you will have to empty it while you’re working.
Choosing a mower with a generous clipping box is particularly important if you have a larger garden. However, if you have a more modest garden, then a smaller collection box may be a better choice as these will be easier to store away.
When choosing our top spot, we wanted to find a lawnmower that offered something for everyone. That's why we decided on this electric model from Bosch. Although built for small to average-sized gardens, the 340 mm cutting width makes it a suitable option for larger areas too.
It also comes with a great range of cutting heights and a very respectable size clipping box. Yes, the cable is a bit of a pain, but as they say, nothings perfect.
This compact mower is ideal for those with tricky terrain, flower beds or delicate bushes which you need to be careful trimmed around. The lengthy cable will allow most folks to freely move around the garden without the need for an extension cable. Just be careful not to cut the cord!
The cutting heights are perfect for those that want a tightly-trimmed patch of grass, and while the clipping box may leave you making a few trips, the cutting width is ideal for most average sized gardens and lawns.
This offering from Bosch is probably the best manual lawnmower for those with small gardens. The cylinder blade cuts precisely like a pair of scissors, instead of pulling the grass, ensuring it delivers a clean and even crop.
This model also has high-geared side wheels, which give it a free-moving quality that is not often found in other lawnmowers. When you add to that how lightweight it is, coming in around 7 kg, you can easily see why this is such a pleasure to use.
This mower from Challenge succeeds where the earlier petrol model from Mountfield failed. Since it's self-propelling, the task of tidying up a large garden just got much easier as you won't have to physically move the 20+ kg around yourself.
This lawnmower has been designed with big gardens in mind, as is suggested by the 400 mm width and 45 L clipping capacity. We also like that its minimum height is much lower than the usual 25 mm crop of larger machines. Talk about a fresh cut!
If you're keen to lose the cord and have a small to medium garden, this is a great option from Kärcher. The lawnmower provides up to 25 minutes cutting from one charge, as well as having decent width and height cutting options. Plus, it's relatively lightweight, making it easier to manoeuvre.
The large 45 L capacity of the clipping box ensures fewer stops while completing the task. When the clipping box is full, a nifty LED indicator on the machine lets you know that it needs emptying.
This cordless model from Worx features 'Intellicut' technology. The high-tech addition keeps the lawnmower at a constant cutting power, even when cutting dense grass. So you can rest assured that you'll get a clean finish throughout your garden.
Additionally, you will receive two 20V 2.0Ah battery packs with every purchase and a charger that's capable of charging both at the same time. Although Worx don't explicitly state the battery run time, it's gotten some reassuringly good reviews online.
If you have a larger than average back yard, but it doesn't quite require the ride-on treatment, then this petrol mower from Mountfield is the perfect in-between. It comes with a width of 460 mm, as well as a very respectable 60 L clipping box which should reduce your trips to the bins.
Unfortunately, this is quite a heavy machine coming in at 26 kg! The fact that it isn't self-propelled either, could see you putting in quite the workout when it comes time to tidying up the lawn.
This economical lawnmower will make short work of most average sized gardens. The cutting width is ideal and the cutting heights ensure a neat and tidy finish. We really like the dual lever handles that allow you to operate the mower from either hand.
The machine is also a bit of a steal, coming in well under £100, something practically unheard of for this type of lawnmower. However, the build isn't particularly robust, which could see you replacing the machine sooner than you'd have hoped.
If you're fortunate enough to have an incredibly spacious yard, then you'll likely need something a bit more powerful to tackle it. Step up, the Honda HF2315HM! This beast combines efficiency, reliability and power to make large-scale garden maintenance a breeze.
Furthermore, it has an ultra-wide 910 mm cutting width, a massive 280 L clipping bin and can cut between 30 - 80 mm depending on your preferences. The catch? It's very expensive. In fact, you could probably buy a new car for the price of this lawn mower.
First on our list, this manual lawnmower from Einhell. It's available in two different sizes, 300 or 400 mm width, but we've gone with the smaller model as it's a little more convenient to use and store.
This model has the lowest height option in our ranking at a tiny 15 mm, perfect for those who like a short trim. Our only qualm is the small 16 L clipping box, which could see you making more than one trip to the bin, even in a small garden.
Having a well kept back garden is perfect for relaxing, admiring and entertaining. With the right equipment, your garden is sure to be the envy or the entire neighbourhood. That's why we've got some more of the best gardening gear in the UK, to help keep your patch in tip top shape!
After all this talk of lawn mowers, we bet you've got your eyes closed and are imagining enjoying a nice cold beverage on your perfectly cut lawn! No matter your garden size or budget, we hope you've found the right lawnmower among our list of favourites. Here's to being the envy of the street!
Author: Lewis Clark
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