The average person spends over 60 hours a year mowing their lawn. That’s more time than most of us spend at the gym. Or in meetings that could’ve been emails.
And yet, most people are still wrestling with the wrong lawn mower. It’s either too big, too small, too loud, or just plain annoying.
Picking the right lawn mower isn’t just about horsepower or blade size. It’s about comfort, efficiency, and choosing the tool that makes sense for your garden, not someone else’s.
Whether you’ve got a sprawling lawn that looks like a football pitch or a modest patch of grass that doubles as a cat sunbathing area, there’s a mower that fits. You just need to know what to look for, and what to avoid.
In this guide, we’re breaking down the best lawn mowers available right now. No fluff. No salesy jargon. Just real options that get the job done. Some quietly. Some powerfully. All of them were chosen for actual humans, not robots.
Let’s get into it, your lawn (and your weekend) deserve better.
Key Takeaways
- Match your mower to your lawn size and terrain for better results
- Corded mowers work well for small lawns near outlets
- Cordless models are versatile and low-maintenance
- Petrol mowers offer power for large or tough grass
- Robotic mowers automate the process, great for busy homeowners
- Key features to check: cutting width, battery life, storage
- Regular cleaning and blade sharpening extend mower life
- The right mower makes lawn care faster, cleaner, and more enjoyable
Design a Landscape That Works With Nature
Types of Lawn Mowers (And Which One You Actually Need)
All lawn mowers are not created equal. And if you’ve ever tried dragging a corded mower across a slope or pushed a manual reel mower through a wet lawn, you know this firsthand.
Here’s how to decode the mower aisle without losing your mind.
Electric (Corded)
If your lawn is small, flat, and near an outlet, this is your simplest, most budget-friendly option. They’re lightweight, easy to use, and surprisingly effective. Downsides? The cord. You’ll either become a master of cable acrobatics or accidentally mow through it. Maybe both.
Cordless / Battery-Powered
Cordless mowers have taken over, and for good reason. They’re quiet, clean, and give you full freedom of movement. Ideal for medium-sized lawns. Just check the run time. Some batteries last 30 minutes, others over an hour. A second battery? Highly recommended.
Petrol
For bigger lawns or tougher terrain, petrol is still king. It’s noisy, it’s powerful, and it doesn’t care about wet grass or dense patches. The tradeoff? They’re heavier, smell like your uncle’s garage, and need regular maintenance. But when you need muscle, petrol delivers.
Robotic
If mowing bores you to tears, this is your dream machine. Robotic mowers quietly trim your lawn on autopilot. Set it up, and it goes to work. It’s like a Roomba for grass. Just don’t expect it to tackle overgrown jungle-like lawns or steep slopes. It’s good, not magical.
Manual (Push Reel)
This one’s for the purists. No fuel. No noise. Just blades, wheels, and a solid upper body workout. They’re great for small, flat lawns, especially if you cut regularly. But don’t let the grass get too long or damp. You’ll be there all day.
Best Lawn Mowers of 2026
We’ve combed through test results, user reviews, Reddit threads, and expert roundups to bring you a no-nonsense list of the best lawn mowers this year. These picks aren’t just technically great, they actually work for real people in real gardens.
Best Overall Lawn Mower
Ego Power+ LM2135SP
Powerful, cordless, and impressively quiet. It handles large lawns with ease and has a variable speed self-propelled function that adapts to your pace. Also folds up vertically for compact storage. It’s not cheap, but it’s a beast. A quiet, efficient beast.
Best Cordless Mower for Small Lawns
Bosch Rotak 32 LI
Compact, lightweight, and great for city gardens. It’s easy to store and cuts cleanly. Battery life clocks in at about 30 minutes, which is plenty for most small spaces. Bonus: it doesn’t sound like a jet engine taking off.
Best Petrol Mower for Large Gardens
Honda HRX537HY
Reliable. Durable. Powerful. It glides through long or damp grass like it doesn’t care, and that’s kind of the point. Hydrostatic drive gives you smooth control, and the build quality is what you’d expect from Honda: bombproof.
Best Robot Lawn Mower
Husqvarna Automower 315X
This little unit quietly takes care of business while you’re inside doing literally anything else. It maps your garden, avoids obstacles, and even handles light rain. If you want beautiful grass without doing any of the work, this is your guy.
Best Budget Lawn Mower (Under £150)
Flymo Speedi-Mo 360C
Simple. Cheap. Gets the job done. It’s corded, so it’s best for small to medium lawns, but the motor is surprisingly strong for the price. If you want clean cuts without spending a fortune, it’s a solid starter choice.
Best Quiet Lawn Mower
Makita DLM382Z
Whisper-quiet operation paired with solid performance. This battery-powered mower is ideal for noise-sensitive areas or neighbours who definitely don’t want to hear your 7 AM mow. Just don’t forget the compatible Makita batteries.
What to Look For Before You Buy
If you’re overwhelmed by choices, zoom out for a second. These are the real factors that actually matter.
Lawn Size
This is the big one. A cordless or electric mower might be fine for a 150-square-meter lawn. But if you’ve got rolling acres, you’ll want petrol or ride-on territory.
Cutting Width
Wider cutting decks cover more ground, faster. But they’re heavier and harder to store. If you’re tight on space, don’t oversize it.
Height Adjustment
Look for mowers with multiple cutting heights. Different seasons. Different grass types. You’ll thank yourself.
Grass Disposal
Do you want a rear bag? Side discharge? Mulching? Some mowers do all three. Some do none. If you hate raking clippings, don’t skip this.
Storage
Folding handles. Upright storage. Removable batteries. These sound like details until you try to cram a mower into a tiny shed.
Maintenance
Cordless models are nearly zero-maintenance. Petrol ones? Not so much. Factor in your tolerance for oil changes and spark plugs.
Lawn Mower Maintenance Tips to Make Yours Last
Even the best mower won’t last long if you treat it like a disposable grill. Keep it in good shape, and it’ll reward you with cleaner cuts, fewer breakdowns, and less time spent cursing in your garden.
- Clean after every use. Grass buildup under the deck slows performance and rusts the blades.
- Sharpen the blade once a season. A dull blade rips grass instead of cutting it.
- Empty the grass catcher. Obvious? Maybe. Ignored? Absolutely.
- Charge batteries after each mow. Don’t let them sit flat too long.
- Store it dry. Mowers don’t like damp corners. Neither does rust.
- Winterize petrol models. Run the tank dry, check the oil, and store it covered.
Conclusion
Picking the best lawn mower isn’t about finding the most expensive model or the one with the longest spec sheet. It’s about knowing your garden, how much time you want to spend maintaining it, and how much noise you’re willing to tolerate.
You don’t need to overthink it. Just focus on what actually matters: lawn size, mower type, storage space, and whether you want to push it, ride it, or let a robot handle it.
That’s what this guide is for. Straight answers. Real options. No jargon.
Now it’s up to you. Choose the mower that fits your lawn and your life and enjoy the satisfaction of a job well cut.
