Best Lawnmower 2021 – Buyer’s Guide

If you like to be able to choose between various cutting lengths for a truly personalised lawnmowing experience, then the Flymo Speedi-Mo is ideal.

There is a single lever height adjust option, through which you can choose between five cutting lengths ranging from 20-60mm. this means there’s no need to turn the appliance upside down or on its side and adjust each when separately, like other adjustable lawnmowers.

The vision window tells you when the grass box needs emptying, but the 40L capacity means that you will be able to cut most of your lawn without even having to worry about making a trip to the recycling bin, especially as it all compacts.

The 12m power cable is generous, reducing the need for a long extension lead and having to manage various cables and making it perfect for larger lawns.

It is easy to assemble compared to many of the others we reviewed, meaning you can be up and running in no time and make the most of the pleasant weather. The folding handles also mean it can be stored away without taking up a lot of space in your shed, and they also make the lawnmower easy to transport even though it is on the slightly heavier side.

Flymo is a leading name in the lawnmower industry, and fans of the brand will not be disappointed with this model. It handles uneven lawns easily, making it one of the best affordable Flymo’s on the market.

Ideal for medium-sized urban lawns of around 150cm², the 1200W ‘PowerDrive’ motor and metal blade make cutting grass a breeze. The 32R is the smallest rotary lawnmower in the Bosch range.

It is also lightweight for easy transportation, and the cutting-edge precision ensures that even the grass around your flower beds and edge of the lawn will not go uncut – reducing the need for having to get the trimmer out.

When it is time to empty the grass box, this is also lightweight so can be carried to your compost bin or recycling facility easily. It also has a generous 31L capacity, reducing the number of journeys you have to make.

The handles are double folding, reducing the area that the lawnmower will take up in storage which is ideal if you are short on space. There is also a cable-sorting feature so everything will be tidy and easy to bring out again when needed.

With an integrated rear roller, you will be left with the striped effect that many gardeners find sought-after.

The Bosch Rotak 32R’s cutting height can be changed simply by turning the lawnmower upside down and pushing the wheels to the desired height. There are three heights to choose from, between 20 and 60mm, so there is no need to constantly press down and go over certain patches of grass to get the desired effect.

The only downside to the lightweight aspect is that it isn’t ideal for bumpy irregular lawns which aren’t ‘bowling green flat’, or slightly damp long grass. Grass can also easily gather around the blade, possibly resulting in having to clean it more often than you’d wish.

For a battery-operated device, the Flymo Mighti-Mo is powerful in performance.

A two-hour maximum charge will provide enough power to cut a lawn the size of 250m² – roughly a full tennis court. The lack of cord also means you aren’t tied down with cables and plug point restrictions.

Simply press a quick release button and the battery comes out easily. Once charged, you just push it back in and you’re ready to go.

The five cutting heights, operated by a simple lever on the side of the body, give a wide range of options depending on the exact lawn design you wish to create, from 25 to 75 mm.

It is one of the lightest lawnmowers we reviewed, making it ideal for anybody who would need to transport it around or into storage. Talking of storage, the handles fold down easily so it takes up minimal space.

Even though it is on the smaller size, the 30L capacity grass box is easy to both fit and remove, so you don’t have to dread it disrupting your flow.

If power is what you are after, then the Honda IZY is pretty unrivalled. The huge 2800W motor and 4.4 horsepower will make light work of any grass, even if it has been neglected over the winter months.

It is also perfect for the safety-conscious; the blade break function means that the motor and engine will cut out once you let go of the handle, so you don’t have to scramble to turn it off or press any buttons.

The 50L grass box is more than generous, meaning it is likely you could cut your entire lawn without the need for any interruptions. This, combined with the power, makes it ideal for large gardens.

Six cutting positions, ranging from 20 to 74mm, means that you can get the exact grass length you desire. Leave it long for the nice weather or cut it right down ready for the winter months.

If the recoil start is putting you off, don’t worry – the flexible double-lined cables and auto-choke system means a perfect start every time, with no engine flooding or stalling in cold weather. The rounded design ensures good airflow, and there are no hidden areas for grass to cling to so it is easy to maintain clean-wise.

Even though it may seem on the pricey side, it is a real investment piece, and if well looked after could last up to ten years. As a bonus, the blade is also designed to twist rather than break if it hits an obstacle, reducing possible maintenance costs. The cutting deck has also been treated to reduce rust and corrosion.

Mountfield are a titan name when it comes to the lawnmower world. This model is a real showstopper, too.

Firstly, it is self-propelled. So if the idea of pushing around your mower is tiring enough before you’ve even bought it, this is going to work wonders. This makes it ideal if your lawn is also slightly sloped, or if you struggle with weight.

A mulching plug is available which will finely cut trimmings up and recycle them back into the ground to put a bit more life into your grass if needed. It has a nice wide cut, large collection box and powerful engine too, just to finish it all off.

It couldn’t be easier to start up this lawnmower, which is the newest model from Hyundai. Simply press a button and you’re good to go – no fiddly pull and choke systems which can take a lot of effort. There is still a recoil pull start for back up, however.

The cutting width (the best out of the non-ride lawnmowers we reviewed) makes this model ideal for medium to large-sized lawns. It also has the largest grass bag capacity of these models, meaning it is likely you won’t have to empty cuttings at all during the time you spend mowing the grass.

You can choose from six cutting heights from 25 to 75 mm, simply by changing a lever on the side of the machine. The back wheels are equipped with four-speed drive, which is operated by a handle control.

As it is self-propelled, it will take a lot of effort out of the job, and the drive can be turned off for when you need to rotate the machine. It is even well suited to any inclines you may have in your garden.

With foldable soft-grip handles, it is easy to store despite its bulky nature. It is heavy, but this ensures an effective cut without too much pressure having to be applied.

Included is a mulching plug and side discharge chute, if you prefer to reduce waste and naturally fertilise your grass.

The Honda range of ride on lawnmower tractors combine the company’s expertise in the auto world with high-class products.

For a large lawn, this model is one of the best. It cuts quickly yet effectively, ensuring you’re only going to have to go over the grass once to get your desired effect. Once your mowing session is under way, all of the cuttings are collected in the 170L grass cuttings box. This means you don’t have to go back over it afterwards with a rake or stop every few metres to collect all the chopped grass.

Everything is quality, from the material of the seat to the build of the actual tractor. It is durable and well-built, so should last for well past its moneys-worth.

One of the more pricey ride-on lawnmowers we have featured, and one of the higher-end in this range from Honda, but the quality shines through.

Firstly, the OptiFlow function integrates a fan powered system beneath the cutter deck to improve air flow between the cutter and grass bag. This prevents the appliance heating, and should keep it running longer. The Synchronous feature helps synchronise the cutting blades to ensure that no single blade is left behind in the lawnmower’s wake.

You have the option to either collect the cuttings in the 350L grass bag, or use the Versamow system to act as a mulcher and redistribute the grass back into the lawn to act as a natural fertiliser. A dedicated lever lets you quickly make your mind up.

If you choose the former option, the latter electric grass-dumping system will empty the bag at the touch of a button. Because it is such a titan of a product, it isn’t going to be for all of you reading this, but if you have an awful lot of grass to cut and want a machine which can handle it, it is worth the money.

Suitable for lawns up to 400m² and for people who like to apply minimal effort to their household chores, this robotic Flymo model brings high-end technology to one of the most dreaded garden chores.

It mulches at the same time as mowing (which means the cuttings are redistributed into the soil as a natural fertiliser), so there is no need to keep a close eye on when it needs emptying. This is done by the razor-sharp blades quickly and repeatedly cutting the grass blade tips, making the cuttings easier to dispose.

With the irregular cutting pattern, it will take care of the longest patches of grass first, leaving no areas behind. Don’t worry if your garden is uneven, a funny shape or full of obstacles, as the highly sensitive motion sensors will protect the appliance and your garden decorations. It will also work well on any inclines up to 25%.

You could even set it to work every day, to keep on top of the trimming. Different mowing days and times are selectable using the large display screen at the front of the appliance, so it will get to work without you even thinking – even when it is raining.

A full charge will last an hour and within this time, it can cut an area around 30m². The cutting heights range between 20 and 50 mm depending on the style you want. As it is robotic, there will be no wheel marks left behind.

Incredibly quiet, it emits almost no noise, so won’t disrupt your summer barbecue and socialising. You will have so much extra time on your hands that you won’t know what to do with it. It even takes itself back to its charging station when needed.

There is a DVD and easy to follow manual guide included, and the boundary wire is easy to install and ensures the appliance will not go off-course and end up in your flower beds.

It is easy and small enough to store away in the winter months, as recommended.

Even though being able to get out and cut the grass is a sign of summer, good weather and garden parties, it still is not a well-loved task by any means. You have to bring it out of the shed, clean it, plug it in/fuel it up, clean it again, pack it away… how fun.

But robotic lawn mowers are here to save the day. They do the manual work for you, and are as easy as anything to bring out and set up. ROB will automatically navigate his way around the garden, and the cuttings will be turned into mulch which then goes back into the ground to fertilise the ground. So you don’t even have any tubs to empty, no grass to get rid of and bag up, and no raking to be done.

We hear you saying “Yes, but what happens when ROB runs out of power? Do I have to keep my eye on him for when the time comes and then continue where he left off?” Well, he is clever enough to return himself to his docking station when he is low on power, so you won’t have to go and collect him or, worse, hunt for him.

And as he will likely have already been on the docking station when not in use, he will probably have had enough power in him to have done the grass anyway. There is a typical mow time on one charge of 65 minutes, and he only takes just under an hour to fill up anyway.

In terms of safety, there is an audible alarm when it is lifted, and a security pin alarm code, so nobody can use it without popping this in first. Operating at only 59dB, it isn’t going to be so loud that it disturbs the neighbours either.

Specifically designed for small lawns around 150m², this Robomow model features a solid 18cm stainless steel mulching blade which can cut all the way to the edge of the lawn.

It will run for up to an hour and a half, so you can leave it to mow all by itself once you select the settings. When the battery gets low, it will return to its charging dock automatically ready for the next time it is required.

There is a 70m perimeter wire and 100 pegs included, meaning that once the lawnmower is charged up and you’ve set up the wiring, you are good to go.

The Robomow isn’t as good as the Robotic Flymo lawnmower when it encounters an obstacle or on uneven ground/slight inclines but works very efficiently on flat even surfaces with few obstructions or shape changes. The battery does last for up to half an hour longer but does take around 16-20 hours to fully charge.

Really light and manoeuvrable, this Bosch hand lawnmower is easy to set up and quick to use.

Often, setting up a lawnmower can take just as much time as actually cutting the grass, by the time you get all of the extension leads sorted and safe. With no cords and plugs to worry about, simply bring the Bosch AHM 38 G out of storage and you are good to go.

You can choose a cut height setting between 15 to 43 mm, meaning the length you leave your grass is flexible.

The fitted rear roller leaves a nice striped effect on the grass you mow, and the underset of the wheels allows easier operation and pushing than some of its bulkier hand mower rivals.

The shear-cutting principle, along with the five hardened steel blades, give a high cut quality, especially with smaller lawns or difficult to reach areas.

One of the downsides is that it struggles with long grass, meaning you could have to go over your lawn a few times to get the right length and cut. This isn’t a rare problem amongst hand push lawnmowers but isn’t ideal for anybody who struggles to operate a lawnmower for a long amount of time.

It is perhaps best for anyone who wants a lawnmower appliance they can occasionally quickly use in between larger, more thorough cuts, or for anybody with a small urban garden who doesn’t want to use electricity and is happy to have a bit of a workout at the same time.

Despite its slight downsides, it is still one of the best hand push mowers on the market.

Smaller and lighter than the Bosch AHM, this Challenge mower is eco-friendly and simple to use.

Easy to put together, you can be using the mower in no time at all without the need to worry about wires, power sources or extension leads. This also makes it perfect for use in all-weather types.

The five metal cylinder blades give a close cut, and there are four height positions to choose from between 18 and 38 mm.

As a bonus (and rare amongst hand mowers), there is a rear roller to give your lawn an extra design finish.