Maintaining a well-manicured lawn requires regular upkeep, and a lawn mower is crucial for achieving that clean-cut finish on your grass. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your existing lawn mower or purchase one for the first time, selecting the right mower for your needs is crucial. With so many available options, deciding which one to pick can be overwhelming, confusing and frustrating but the good news is I have used nearly every type of lawnmower there is in my career as an expert gardener and want you to take advantage of this!
Do you need a battery-powered mower, ride-on, petrol or robotic lawn mower? How do you finally choose the right lawn mower out of the hundreds on offer? Or avoid picking a mower that won’t cut it in the long run? All these questions will be answered, Garden Ninjas! This lawnmower guide will take the fuss and confusion out of choosing the right lawnmower for your gardening needs.
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The first thing you need to determine and understand before purchasing any lawn mowing equipment is the size of the area it will be mowing. I hear from many new gardeners that either buy a huge ride-on mower for a tiny garden or the smallest plug-in electric mower for a half-acre of grass.
Both examples illustrate the frustration and expense of having a mower that won’t cut your entire lawn or is so power-hungry that it makes cutting your lawn unaffordable.
The size of your lawn is crucial in determining the type of lawn mower you need.
A small lawn is classified as anything 300 m² or smaller.
This is around 1 and 1/10 of a standard-size tennis court. Just a bit bigger than a tennis court’s worth of grass/lawn. So if your lawn is the same size as or smaller than a tennis court, then either a push, electric or petrol mower is your best bet.
For lawns over 300m2 (360sq yd) but below 600m2 (700sq yd), a petrol mower will just about handle that amount. But it will take much more of your time unless the petrol mower is a powered drive model that self-propels.
Consider the size of the collection bin you’ll need and how often it will need to be emptied. It is the medium-sized lawn that most gardeners struggle with when buying a new mower.
In my experience, anything over 700 m² should really have a ride-on mower for efficiency, speed, and cutting quality. Trying to do this manually with a petrol mower is tiring and time-consuming. With a plugged-in electric model, it’s nearly impossible without dangerous power chord extensions.
For lawns larger than 1000m2 or 1/3 of an acre, a ride-on or sit-on mower is essential. Unless you want to spend your entire weekend pushing, emptying and refilling your petrol lawn mower, let alone the cool-down time it will need in between cuts.
Be sure to consider the width of the cutting deck, as it will affect the time it takes to mow your lawn. There’s more detail on this below, but a ride-on mower should have a cutting width of at least 60cm.
The below table gives you an at a glance view of the different types of lawnmower and which maybe most suitable for your garden and lawn.
| Mower Type | Best For | Lawn Size | Power Source | Cutting Width | Price Range | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual Push Reel | Small, flat lawns | Up to 200m² | Human power | 30-40cm | £80-£300 | Silent operation, no emissions, excellent cut quality, minimal maintenance | Physical effort required, struggles with thick grass, limited to level ground |
| Electric Corded | Small to medium lawns | Up to 400m² | Mains electricity | 32-40cm | £100-£400 | Lightweight, instant start, consistent power, low maintenance | Limited by cord length, potential safety hazard, requires power outlet |
| Battery Cordless | Small to medium lawns | 300-800m² | Lithium-ion battery | 35-50cm | £200-£800 | No cords, quieter operation, easy storage, instant start | Limited runtime, battery replacement costs, power decreases as battery drains |
| Petrol Push | Medium to large lawns | 400-1500m² | Petrol engine | 40-55cm | £250-£800 | Powerful cutting, unlimited runtime, handles thick grass well | Heavy, noisy, requires maintenance, emissions, storage considerations |
| Self-Propelled Petrol | Large lawns, slopes | 600-2000m² | Petrol engine | 45-60cm | £400-£1200 | Reduced physical effort, powerful, good for slopes, professional results | Higher cost, complex maintenance, noise, weight |
| Cylinder Mower | Fine lawns, sports turf | Up to 1000m² | Electric/Petrol | 30-50cm | £300-£2000 | Superior cut quality, can cut very short, creates stripes, faster cutting | Requires level surface, more expensive, regular blade adjustment needed |
| Ride-On Mower | Large properties | 1000m²+ | Petrol engine | 60-130cm | £1500-£8000 | Fast coverage, comfortable operation, can handle large areas | High initial cost, requires storage space, annual servicing essential |
| Zero-Turn Mower | Large, complex lawns | 2000m²+ | Petrol engine | 100-150cm | £3000-£12000 | Exceptional manoeuvrability, professional finish, very fast cutting | Expensive, learning curve required, potential turf damage if misused |
| Robotic Mower | Regular maintenance lawns | 200-2000m² | Battery/charging station | 20-30cm | £400-£3000 | Autonomous operation, consistent cutting, quiet, theft protection | High initial cost, installation required, struggles with obstacles, mulching only |
| Hover Mower | Slopes, difficult terrain | Up to 500m² | Electric | 25-35cm | £150-£500 | Excellent for slopes, lightweight, easy to manoeuvre | Limited cutting width, collection systems less effective, can scalp uneven ground |
Petrol Mowers: Engine displacement ranges from 140cc for small push mowers up to 190cc for larger self-propelled models. Higher CC ratings provide more torque for cutting thick grass and handling slopes with greater effectiveness.
Electric Mowers: Corded models typically operate between 1000 and 1800 watts, with 1400 watts being sufficient for most domestic lawns. Battery mowers range from 18V for small areas to 80V for professional-grade equipment.
Battery Specifications: Look for lithium-ion batteries with a minimum capacity of 4Ah. Higher-voltage systems (40V+) maintain power more effectively under load. Premium models offer interchangeable batteries across tool ranges.
Modern mowers offer cutting height ranges typically between 15mm and 80mm. Cylinder mowers can achieve the lowest cuts at 6mm for bowling green finishes. Rotary mowers generally range from 20-70mm, with 7-position height adjustment being standard.
Cutting width directly affects mowing time. A 35cm mower requires approximately 40% more passes than a 50cm model for the same area. However, wider mowers become increasingly difficult to manoeuvre around obstacles and through narrow spaces.
Lawnmowers come at different price points, ranging from entry-level models to high-end, built-to-last brands. You can spend anywhere between £99 and £25,000 on a lawnmower.
The more you spend, the better quality of the components, such as blade strength, wheel durability, collection box size, lifespan and guarantee period. I always like to think of the durability of finding the cheapest model. I’d rather pay more for a lawn mower with replaceable parts or better-quality materials so it lasts longer.
Whilst a £99 plug-in mower may save you a couple of hundred pounds at first, it may be a false investment. If in a year’s time, it’s falling to bits, requiring another £99 to replace it. Then it’s a false economy.
Before making a purchase, determine how much you’re willing to spend. Keep in mind that higher-end models may have more features, but they also come at a higher cost. Be sure to weigh the features and benefits of each model against your budget to make an informed decision.
Below is an idea of the rough cost of a quality lawn mower, depending on the type. This must be taken as a rough guide, as brand value, materials, and other components will affect these prices significantly. Based on industry feedback and warranty claim analysis, Japanese manufacturers (Honda, Yamaha) typically offer the highest reliability for petrol engines. European brands (Husqvarna, STIHL) excel in professional-grade equipment. British manufacturers (Hayter, Atco) provide excellent parts availability and local service support.
Lawn mowers come in different power sources. The two most common are electric (plug-in or battery-powered) and petrol-powered lawn mowers. Let’s examine the two primary types of mowers and determine which one is best suited for your lawn and grass-cutting needs.
Petrol-powered lawn mowers are powerful and ideal for large lawns, but they are also noisy and emit fumes. They also require servicing and draining down over the winter if not in use. However, they can run for far longer than most electric models, up to 60 minutes of constant use before needing to cool down.
Electric mowers are quieter and produce no emissions, but they have limited run time and require access to an electrical outlet. Most electrical models are constrained by the length of their power cord or grass collection box, which is usually smaller.
Battery-powered mowers are also quieter than petrol mowers, and they offer more flexibility than electric mowers, but you’ll need multiple batteries to cut a medium-sized lawn compared to petrol. Consider that you may need to wait up to 60 minutes to recharge your battery if you only have one to use.
Robotic lawnmowers are a hybrid of battery power. Able to cut a much smaller grass area, such as urban town gardens. These robotic mowers use either a perimeter sensor or clever onboard sensors to map out your garden and then cut it automatically.
However, robotic mowers have a minimal range, sometimes ending up in your flower beds. They can only mulch the grass and not collect it. Lastly, they can’t cut very long grass, so they need to come at least once a week, which can be a nuisance if you want to use the lawn.
If you have a small to medium-sized lawn (under 300 m²), an electric or battery-powered lawn mower is the best option.
For larger lawns (350 m² or more), a petrol-powered ride-on or ‘lawn tractor’ is best. Battery-powered ride-on mowers currently lack the capacity to run for longer than approximately 30 minutes, which is insufficient for maintaining a larger lawn unless the lawn is cut in sections between charges.
For most gardeners, though, when mowing a lawn, you want to get it done in one hit so the grass looks even.
When choosing a new lawn mower, there is also the option of a self-propelled or push model. This is related to whether the mower will move itself (self-propelled) when turned on or whether you need to push and pull it manually.
A self-propelled lawn mower has a drive function that will power the mower’s back wheels, meaning you don’t need to push it. A self-propelled mower can save a lot of effort when mowing the lawn, especially with heavier petrol mowers. Most electric lawn mowers are light enough that they don’t have a drive function and are push mowers.
The classic rotary mower is a true self-propelled mower where the blades only rotate when you push or pull the mower. These rotary mowers are only suitable for tiny lawns, but don’t require any power at all!
Once again, it depends on the size of your lawn and the steepness or challenge of the terrain. For flat, small lawns, a push mower is usually fine. For larger, steep lawns, a self-propelled mower is far easier to use and less physically demanding.
This question is often overlooked when choosing a new lawn mower. Different lawns and styles have different mowing frequencies. Depending on the type of lawn you want to have in your garden, the mowing frequency will differ.
Suppose you want a formal ornamental lawn; you will then mow it twice a week (yes, you read that correctly). So you may also want a roller to create stripes if that’s the case, and a high-quality mower that can cope with that much use.
If you’re going to leave ‘no mow’ strips, consider creating wildflower meadows or maintaining a more utility lawn that gets mowed every two weeks. Then you can probably opt for an entry-level lawn mower or even a plug-in one.
When mowing a lawn, it’s essential to know how much of the cuttings a lawn mower can hold before it needs to be emptied, unless you’re mulching a lawn (letting the clippings fall back on top of the lawn) and then working out the holding capacity of a collection bag or bin is essential when buying a lawn mower.
The bigger the collection bag or bin, the less time is spent emptying the grass clippings into a compost bin or green recycling bin.
However, the bigger the bag, the heavier and more cumbersome it can be. Some clever bags have a chord that, when pulled, compresses the grass, making more room. But bear in mind that wet, freshly cut grass soon gets heavy.
Too small a collection bin, and you’ll be up and down like a yo-yo emptying it. So it’s worthwhile working out the size of this bin and your capability or enthusiasm for emptying it!
The cutting width of a mower refers to the width of the cut made with each pass. The wider the mower, the fewer passes needed for a lawn; however, the wider it gets, the heavier and harder it becomes to use with a manual mower.
As a rule of thumb, here are the cutting widths of lawn mowers depending on the size of your lawn.
The wider the cutting width, the faster it is to mow, but the harder the mower is to manoeuvre and turn with. The turning circle, too, becomes longer the wider the lawnmower. So, if you have very intricate flower beds or lawn shapes, a mower that is too big or too wide can be problematic.
Ride-on mowers and lawn tractors have an average cutting width between 45cm and 90cm.
A standard push lawn mower width is between 35cm and 40cm
Cutting heights of lawn mowers relate to how high the grass will be once you have finished cutting it. Nearly all lawnmowers have adjustable cutting heights, which can be controlled with a lever located on the side of the machine. Cutting height ranges are usually 20mm to 60mm
Then, you move the blades up or down to a preset number.
Usually, the lower the number, i.e. 3, the lower the cut. The higher the number, like 6 or 7, the longer grass will be left after the cut.
This helps you decide the height of the grass once you’ve cut it. This can be useful as different times of the year require different lawn cutting heights or different lawn uses. An ornamental lawn with low foot traffic is cut far shorter than, say, a family lawn or sports lawn, which is left longer.
Ornamental Lawn Cutting height – 2.5cm
General utility lawn cutting height – 5cm
Several newer lawn mowers can cut right up to the edge—saving you time strimming the edges of lawns afterwards. These clever mowers often feature wheels that are inset or have other clever blade positions, which means they can mow all the way to the edge.
Some work better than others, and sometimes, the mowers that can mow up to the edge have a narrower cutting width to begin with.
One top tip is to use a lawn edging strip to ensure that you don’t need to cut in your lawn edges with a half-moon edger constantly. This re-edging can take a significant amount of time during the season, and an edging strip helps prevent this. It also prevents grass from growing into your flower beds, too!
Before choosing any lawn mower, conduct a thorough assessment of your outdoor space. This systematic approach prevents costly purchasing mistakes and ensures you select the most suitable equipment for your specific needs.
Use a measuring tape or smartphone app to calculate your total grass area. Break complex shapes into rectangles and triangles, then add the areas together. For irregular shapes, pace out the perimeter and estimate. Remember to subtract non-grass areas, such as patios, flower beds, and driveways, from your total calculation.
Calculate your lawn area and get personalised mower recommendations
Walk your entire lawn area and note the following conditions. Steep slopes over 15 degrees require self-propelled mowers, whilst gradients exceeding 25 degrees need specialised slope mowers or professional maintenance. Count obstacles, including trees, garden furniture, play equipment, and tight corners that affect manoeuvrability requirements.
Different types of grass have varying cutting requirements. Fine grasses, such as fescue, benefit from cylinder mowers that provide the cleanest cut, while robust grasses, like rye, can handle rotary mowers effectively. Note areas of consistently long grass that might indicate drainage issues or shade problems requiring more powerful cutting equipment.
Lawn mowers require regular yearly maintenance to keep them in good working condition. Petrol-powered mowers require more maintenance, including oil changes and spark plug replacements. With a petrol mower, you will want to have it serviced annually. To check the oil levels, spark plug and general health of the engine. An old, unserviced petrol lawn mower will consume fuel quickly and can become hazardous if its parts are damaged or fuel starts to leak.
Servicing your lawnmower once a year is advisable.
In the wintertime, when you’re not using your petrol mower, you need to drain out the fuel. This is because the fuel can go off and stop the mower from starting correctly. One trick is to use the mower until it runs out of fuel. The other is to locate the fuel stop valve or switch. Turn that off, then run the mower until it stops or chokes as if you had run out of petrol.
You can purchase fuel stabilisers to add to your lawnmower’s fuel for the winter. But the reviews of them are poor, and often they are really expensive and not that successful.
Electric and battery-powered mowers require less maintenance but may need battery replacements over time. Additionally, as the mower ages, the battery’s lifespan will become shorter with each subsequent discharge. This is why battery-powered mowers should always have a removable or replaceable battery pack.
Blade sharpening and replacement may also be necessary. This is why it’s important not to mow over rocks, concrete or other debris. Always move large branches off the lawn, and refrain from using your mower to cut up wood chips or anything larger than thin twigs.
Another consideration when choosing a lawn mower is to make sure that you also spend time keeping your lawn in good shape. A well-maintained, cut and scarified lawn will reduce stress on your mower and help create a lush, full lawn that guests are jealous of!
As a rule of thumb, you want to:
Typically, anything up to 60 minutes of use requires a 5-10 minute cooldown before use again with most generic petrol mowers. Some have more advanced cooling systems, such as liquid cooling. Others rely on air cooling.
The reasons why your lawn mower may overheat are usually:
Electric Start Systems eliminate physical effort but add complexity and cost. Most reliable on larger petrol mowers where the convenience justifies the additional mechanism.
Recoil Start Systems require proper technique but offer simplicity and reliability. Modern auto-choke systems significantly improve starting reliability in various weather conditions.
Primer Bulb Systems provide reliable starting, but require an understanding of the correct priming sequence. Over-priming can flood the engine and prevent starting.
Front-Wheel Drive systems excel on level ground with numerous obstacles. The drive wheels can be lifted for tight manoeuvring, making them ideal for intricate lawn layouts with flower beds and garden features.
Rear-Wheel Drive provides superior traction on slopes and better straight-line tracking. The weight distribution over the drive wheels improves grip, particularly when using collection systems that add weight to the rear.
All-Wheel Drive systems offer maximum traction but add complexity and cost. They’re beneficial for challenging terrain but unnecessary for most domestic applications.
Bagging Systems keep lawns tidy but require frequent emptying. Collection bag capacity ranges from 40 litres for compact mowers to 70 litres for larger models. Consider the weight of wet grass clippings when evaluating bag size requirements.
Mulching Capability returns nutrients to the lawn but requires regular cutting to prevent clumping. Most effective when removing no more than one-third of grass height per cut.
Side Discharge handles long grass effectively but creates windrows that may need raking. Useful for utility areas where appearance is less critical than cutting efficiency.
For 500m², choose a mower with a 45-50cm cutting width. This provides an optimal balance between cutting efficiency and manoeuvrability. A self-propelled petrol model or premium battery mower will handle this area comfortably, requiring approximately 45-60 minutes of cutting time.
Electric suits lawns under 400m² with easy access to power outlets. Battery is ideal for 200-800m² areas where convenience matters more than cost. Petrol remains best for areas over 800m² or where thick grass and slopes present challenges.
Petrol mowers need annual servicing, including oil changes, spark plug replacement, and blade sharpening. Electric mowers require only blade maintenance and occasional motor brush replacement. Battery mowers need battery health monitoring and eventual replacement every 3-4 years.
Most robotic mowers can effectively manage slopes of up to 25 degrees. Obstacles require boundary wire installation or advanced sensor systems. Complex gardens with numerous obstacles may prove challenging for robotic systems, requiring manual finishing work.
Spring cutting should begin at maximum height, gradually reducing as grass establishes. Summer cutting typically uses middle settings (30-40mm) to retain moisture. Autumn cuts can be slightly shorter (25-35mm) for winter preparation, but avoid cutting too short before frost periods.
Measure your garden’s total area, then subtract any non-grass areas, such as patios, driveways, and flower beds. Use smartphone apps with satellite imagery for complex shapes, or break irregular areas into rectangles and triangles for manual calculation.
Cylinder mowers cut grass with a scissor action, providing the cleanest finish suitable for fine lawns. Rotary mowers use a spinning blade that chops grass, handling varied conditions better but with a slightly rougher finish.
Self-propelled systems benefit users with slopes, large areas, or physical limitations. They’re particularly valuable when using collection systems that add weight. For small, level lawns, the additional complexity may not justify the cost.
Quality lithium-ion batteries typically provide 3-5 years of service when properly cared for. Runtime decreases with age and usage. Look for mowers with removable batteries for easy replacement and consider purchasing spare batteries for larger areas.
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In conclusion, choosing the right lawn mower for your needs requires careful consideration of several factors. By considering the size of your lawn, type of grass, power source, budget, and maintenance requirements, you can make an informed decision and ensure that your lawn looks its best all year round.
Do your research and make sure you check out online reviews and visit machinery stores to test out any considered lawn mower purchases.
I’d love to hear from you about your lawn mower questions. Send me your lawn-cutting pictures on social media and ask any questions you may have.
Don’t forget you can always visit my Youtube channel, where I’m happy to help. You can also check out my Tweet, Facebook or Instagram for more garden guides and tips.
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