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Best Lawn Mower for you
Mowing the lawn is not everyone's favourite gardening activity, but with the right equipment it becomes significantly easier. But when it comes to the world of lawn mowers there is much to consider: for example, should you buy a cordless lawn mower or mow by hand, is it better to have a battery lawn mower or an electric lawn mower and when should you consider a robot lawn mower or even a ride on lawn mower? We have some great tips and tricks to keep in mind as well as the top rated models within each category.
Which Lawn Mower Should You Buy?
Choosing the right lawn can be a daunting task, especially with so many different models available on the market. The main thing to take into consideration when buying your lawn mower is the type of garden you have, including terrain and size of lawn as well as your own personal preference. When considering you personal preference there are several types of lawn mowers to choose from, including petrol, electric, and cordless models. However, if you do have a large lawn then you would perhaps want to opt for either a petrol lawn mower that will be more quick and efficient or even a ride on lawn mower if you have a very large lawn. For smaller lawns an electric, cordless or even a manual lawn mower will work well. Make sure to also consider the terrain, if you have a lot of hills or uneven ground then a self-propelled mower will make the job easier, if you have a flat lawn then a robot lawn mower is a great choice.
With regards to specific models, there are several top-rated brands, such as the Ryobi lawn mower, Makita lawn mowers,Honda lawn mower, Stihl lawn mower and Husqvarna lawn mower. Below you can find the best reviewed lawn mowers in each category as well as some things to bear in mind when opting for each as well as some lawn mowers on sale.
Petrol Lawn Mower
Petrol lawn mowers are one of the most popular lawn mower choices in the UK, and for good reason. They are ideal for larger lawns and gardens due to their powerful engines and wider cutting diameter. They are able to handle cutting thick grass with ease and are quicker than electric models, they are also useful for more sloping terrain as the power helps give you a boost. They can also operate for a longer period of time since they are not limited by cord length or battery life.
There are however, some downside to a petrol lawn mower. They are heavier and bulkier than electric and cordless models, so they can be difficult to manoeuvre despite the increased power, additionally they do require more maintenance since they will inevitably require oil changes as well as fuel refills. They are also noisier and are not so good for the environment.
Pros and cons
+ Efficient
+ Good for small to mid sized gardens
+ Can operate long
- Difficult to manoeuvre
- Requires more maintenance
- Not environmentally friendly
Ride On Lawn Mower
Ride on lawn mowers or a sit on lawn mower may seem like an extravagant splurge, but if you have a larger lawn or simply a need for speed that will make mowing the lawn more efficient, fun and less physically demanding than a ride on lawn mower might be the perfect fit for you (and will make for a grateful back).
Although a ride on lawn mower is more efficient, there are some downsides to consider. The price being perhaps the biggest one, as you might imagine ride on lawn mowers are significantly more expensive than normal lawn mowers, they will also due to their size require more storage space. As they are so large they have quite limited manoeuvrability, so you need to make sure that your lawn really is large enough to operate in. In addition to this you will also spend a lot more time on maintenance as ride on lawn mowers have more complex engines that require more upkeep, they also consume more fuel which beside being an added cost is also not great if you're looking for an eco-friendly option.
Pros and cons
+ Efficient
+ Perfect for very large lawns
+ Not physically demanding
- Large and takes up much space
- Requires more maintenance
- Not environmentally friendly
- Expensive
Robot Lawn Mower
If you want the ultimate no hands lawn mower then a robotic lawn mowers might be the one for you! They are popular choices because they are convenient and easy to use and they require no hands-on physical labour. You can easily programme them to mow the lawn on a regular basis, keeping your garden freshly mowed without having to lift more than a finger.
They can however be expensive and are not suitable for all types of gardens, since you typically need to install a perimeter wire to define the mowing ares you are limited in terms of size, the installation process can also be somewhat tedious. Robot lawn mowers also do not fare so well in more advanced terrain as they may struggle to navigate certain obstacles. It is best suited if you have a small or mid sized garden that is flat.
They do also require a certain amount of maintenance as well as regular cleaning and upkeep, to make sure they operate properly. Also bear in mind that you will need have a charging station in your garden, which may not be super popular especially with pets.
Pros and cons
+ Low effort
+ Perfect for smaller lawns that are flat
+ Not physically demanding
- Cannot handle complex terrain
- Expensive
Battery lawn mower
Some of the best cordless lawn mowers are the attery lawn mowers are powered by a battery making them not only environmentally friendly, but also quieter and lighter which makes them easy to manoeuvre, making them a popular choice they are also often cordless making them practical. However, they are mostly suited for smaller lawns as the battery life can be quite limited so if you have a larger lawn you may find you will have to re-charge before having finished mowing. They are also a bit more expensive than the regular lawn mowers, but may be more cost-efficient in the long run since they require little maintenance and no fuel costs.
Pros and cons
+ Environmentally friendly
+ Light and easy to manoeuvre
+ Quiet
- Limited battery life
- Expensive depending on the model
Electric lawn mower
An electric lawn mower or a mains powered mowers are popular choices as they are environmentally friendly and typically quieter and lighter than petrol lawn mowers. They are also more affordable than other types of mowers, making them a great budget choice and compared with battery lawn mowers you are not limited by a battery life, which means the power is better making for a more efficient cut, although they are still not as powerful as petrol lawn mowers, but perfect for those who prefer smaller lawn mowers.
However, electric lawn mowers may be difficult to use on bigger lawns as you need a socket to plug the chord into and you will always be limited by the chord length, granted, they tend to be quite long but it's still something to take into consideration. Some models may also require more maintenance than petrol mowers.
Pros and cons
+ Environmentally friendly
+ Light and easy to manoeuvre
+ Acceptable power
- Limited by chord length
- Not as powerful as a petrol mower
Hand Powered Lawn Mowers
Hand powered lawn mowers, also known as push mowers or a pushing lawn mower, are the most traditional lawn mowers on the market as well as the most budget friendly as well as environmentally friendly and make little sound. If you like the good old labour of a push mower and don't have a too big garden, then this is an excellent choice. It's also a lot less fuss and maintenance than electrical or petrol lawn mowers. The biggest downside is obviously that it requires the most physical effort of all the mowers, they can also be quite heavy and difficult to manoeuvre when compared to self propelled lawn mowers. You will also need to regularly sharpen the blades to ensure that they operate properly, in addition to this they will not be as effective on tall and thick grass as other mowers.
Pros and cons
+ Environmentally friendly
+ Budget friendly
+ Not much hassle
- Very physically demanding
- Not as effective as other options
- Not good for larger lawns
More Gardening Tools
Want more great gardening tips and tricks as well as recommendations of the most popular products and models, then take a look at everything from popular leaf blowers and pressure washers to garden benches and garden furniture on sale.