Confused by lawnmower options? This UK buyer’s guide covers every type, from cordless and petrol to robotic and hover, so you can pick the right mower for your lawn with confidence.
Lawnmower Types at a Glance
|
Type |
Typical Price |
Best For |
|
Cordless electric |
£120–£650 |
Small to large gardens where convenience matters |
|
Corded electric |
£60–£150 |
Small gardens and tight budgets |
|
Petrol |
£200–£600+ |
Larger lawns, power and endurance |
|
Robot |
£300–£2,000+ |
Hands-off, automatic mowing |
|
Cylinder |
£60–£400+ |
Formal, striped lawns |
|
Hover |
£50–£130 |
Slopes and irregular shapes |
|
Ride-on |
£1,200–£5,000+ |
Half an acre and up |
Types of Lawnmower Explained
Cordless (Battery-Powered) Mowers
Best for small to large gardens where convenience matters. Range: £120–£650. Modern cordless mowers run on lithium-ion batteries, typically 18V to 82V.
Corded Electric Mowers
Best for small gardens and tight budgets. Range: £60–£150. Suited to lawns up to about 100–150 square metres.
Petrol Mowers
The gold standard for power and endurance. Range: £200–£600+. Practical for gardens over 400 square metres.
Robot Mowers
The ultimate in convenience. Range: £300–£2,000+. Once installed, they mow your lawn automatically.
Cylinder Mowers
Scissor-action blades give the finest finish. Range: £60–£400+. Best for formal, striped lawns.
Hover Mowers
Float on an air cushion for versatility. Range: £50–£130. Ideal for slopes and irregular shapes.
Ride-On Mowers
For very large gardens and estates. Range: £1,200–£5,000+. Practical for half-acre-plus properties.
How to Choose the Right Lawnmower for Your Garden
Lawn Size
- Under 100 sq m: hover, corded electric or entry-level cordless
- 100–400 sq m: cordless with 33–40cm width and 30–45 minutes’ runtime
- 400–800 sq m: self-propelled cordless or petrol
- Over 800 sq m: petrol or robot mower
Terrain and Slope
Flat lawns suit almost anything. Slopes and uneven ground favour a hover or a self-propelled rotary, while cylinder mowers need reasonably level ground.
Storage Space
Choose a folding or vertically storable mower if space is tight.
How Often You’ll Mow
Weekly mowing suits most machines. An overgrown lawn needs a rotary with plenty of power.
Key Features to Look For
- Cutting width: 30–33cm (small), 36–42cm (medium), 44cm+ (large)
- Grass box capacity: 30–40 litres (compact), 50–60+ litres (larger)
- Mulching function: returns fine clippings as natural feed
- Self-propelled vs push: self-propelled is essential for large or sloping gardens
- Adjustable cutting height: four to five settings (about 20–70mm)
- Brushless motor (cordless): more efficient, quieter and longer-lasting
How Much Should You Spend?
Budget: under £150. The Greenworks GD24LM33 (around £120–£150) covers basic entry-level cordless needs.
Mid-range: £150–£350. The Bosch AdvancedRotak 36-750 offers good width and clean stripes, typically £250–£350 with battery.
Premium: £350–£650. The EGO LM1702E-SP (around £550–£650 with battery) and Honda IZY HRG416 (around £380–£450).
Premium petrol: £300–£600+. The Mountfield SP53 self-propelled petrol mower (around £280–£350) and Honda models reaching £500–£600.
Prices change often, so check the cards below for current pricing.
Lawnmower Care and Maintenance
- Cordless mowers: clean the deck after use, sharpen the blade annually and store the battery at around 50% charge.
- Petrol mowers: change oil seasonally, replace the air filter and spark plug, drain petrol over winter and sharpen the blade annually. With this routine a Honda or Mountfield petrol mower should give you fifteen to twenty years.
- Robot mowers: check wire connections, replace blade cartridges regularly and clean the charging contacts.
- Cylinder mowers: back-lap the blades annually and check bottom-blade alignment.
Our Top Mower Recommendations for 2026
- Best cordless for most gardens: Bosch AdvancedRotak 36-750
- Best premium cordless: EGO LM1702E-SP
- Best budget cordless: Greenworks GD24LM33
- Best petrol for reliability: Honda IZY HRG416
- Best petrol mid-range: Mountfield SP53
- Best for awkward gardens: Flymo EasiGlide 360V
- Best robot mower: Husqvarna Automower 105 (600 sq m coverage)
Best cordless for most gardens: Bosch AdvancedRotak 36-750
A wide 46cm cut, strong performance for lawns up to about 750 m² and a 36V battery system make this the sensible all-rounder for most UK gardens.
Key specs: 36V, 46cm cutting width, lawns up to 750 m², supplied with one battery (see card for the exact kit and current price).
Best premium cordless: EGO LM1702E-SP
Self-propelled drive, a quiet 56V brushless motor and a plastic deck that shrugs off weather make this the premium cordless pick for medium to large lawns.
Key specs: 56V, 42cm cutting width, self-propelled, kit with 4.0Ah battery and standard charger.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best type for small UK gardens?
For a small garden (under 100 sq m), a compact cordless mower or a corded hover mower is usually the most practical.
Is cordless as good as petrol?
For most UK gardens, yes. A good cordless mower from EGO or Bosch will cut just as well. Petrol still wins on unlimited runtime, tough conditions and long-term durability.
How often should I mow?
Once a week during the growing season (April to October), and twice weekly in spring and early summer.
Should I mulch or collect?
Both work. Collecting gives a neater finish; mulching returns nutrients to the lawn and saves emptying the box.
What cutting height should I use?
Around 25–40mm suits most UK lawns. Go lower for formal lawns and raise to 50–60mm in drought.
Can I use a cordless mower on wet grass?
Most handle lightly damp grass, but avoid soaking wet lawns as the grass tears and clogs the deck.
How long does a mower battery last?
A quality lithium-ion battery should last 500–1,000 charge cycles, which is five to ten years of seasonal use.
Final Verdict
For most UK gardeners with a small to medium lawn, a cordless mower in the £200–£400 range, such as the Bosch AdvancedRotak or a mid-range EGO model, offers the best balance. Step up to petrol for large or unruly lawns, and consider a robot for the maintenance-averse. Buy from a reputable brand, keep the blade sharp and give it a basic service each spring.
