In order to keep your lawn looking neat, you need a mower. But just what type of lawnmower should you buy? There are many different models on the market including petrol and electric options, ride-on mowers and push mowers, and compact mowers and wide-cut mowers. While factors like the cost, noise levels and ease of use are important to consider, you also need to consider what type of mower is best suited for your garden. The following guide offers a few tips to help you make the right selection.
How large is your lawn?
One of the most important factors to consider is the size of your lawn. This will determine how much power and portability you require. Work out how many square meters your garden is and this will give you a good idea as to what is appropriate.
<100 square metres
Smaller gardens typically benefit from lightweight electric mowers. Plug-in options should have cords that are able to stretch the entire length of the garden, so you don’t have to charge up your mower after each use. These mowers are also easy to manoeuvre around tight spaces and won’t make a lot of noise, making them a considerate option for densely packed urban areas.
100 to 250 square metres
In medium sized gardens, a battery lawn mower tends to be a good solution. These mowers are cordless, giving you more range. Self-propelled mowers are recommended to make mowing less of a workout – these typically have buttons on the handle to propel themselves forward so you’re not having to manually push them. Lightweight petrol options could also be worth exploring.
250 to 500 square metres
For larger gardens, petrol mowers often end up being better as they can deliver more power. You can get high-end electric options that have enough battery life, but petrol mowers will make lighter work of these big gardens. Again, choose a self-propelled mower to avoid exhausting mowing marathons. A wider cut mower could also help to make cutting such lawns easier by reducing the number of cuts needed.
>500 square metres
When it comes to expansive country gardens and large suburban plots, a ride-on mower becomes a necessity. These sit-on machines can cover ground quickly and often deliver much wider cuts. They do come at a much higher price and you’ll need a large shed or garage for storage, but they’re the best solution if you don’t want to be spending all day cutting the lawn.
How flat is your lawn?
On top of considering the size of your garden, you should consider how flat it is. The gradient and evenness of your lawn can impact whether to opt for a petrol or electric mower, and whether to choose a rotary mower or cylinder mower.
Electric mowers tend to be best suited for flat lawns. They may not have the power to handle steep slopes without putting in a lot of pushing – petrol mowers can glide much more easily up hills and make mowing less tiresome. Be wary that even petrol mowers have their limits when it comes to steepness. In fact, it’s recommended that you avoid using any mower on banks of more than thirty degrees, unless it’s a purpose-built model designed for slopes (such as some low-gravity ride-ons).
When it comes to cutting mechanisms, consider choosing rotary mowers for uneven lawns. These consist of a single blade rotating horizontally at speed – you can often adjust the height of this blade to get the perfect cutting length and to provide easier moving over bumpy surfaces. Cylinder mowers use a scissor-cutting action instead, which can provide a more precise cut that is excellent for creating stripes and patterns. However, this mechanism isn’t suited to uneven terrain – only choose a cylinder mower if you have a flat lawn.
How many obstacles are there?
Some lawns are obstacle courses. There could be plant beds, trees, paths, furniture, play equipment and all kinds of other objects to contend with. In these cases, you need a nimble mower that can navigate easily around these obstacles.
Zero-turn mowers are made for these environments. They are designed to pivot on the spot, allowing you to easily mow around objects. Opt for lighter models that can be easily lifted and turned. When it comes to narrow strips, you may need to consider a mower with a very narrow cut width. You can buy electric push mowers with a narrow cut and even compact ride-on mowers that are suitable for this job. Cordless mowers will stop you getting all tangled up.
If your lawn has no obstacles and is quite wide, consider instead looking into wide-cut mowers. These will reduce the amount of stripes needed to cut the lawn. Ride-on options are the best choice for huge empty lawns.
When it comes to grass near the edge of lawns or directly around obstacles, strimmers may be a more efficient option than mowers. These allow you to get closer to the edge without causing damage to lawnmower blades.
Robot lawnmowers are also worth mentioning when it comes to lawns with obstacles. These lawnmowers have in-built sensors that allow them to detect obstacles, allowing them to automatically negotiate these gardens. They are a good option for garden owners that want to take all the effort out of mowing. However, it is important to consider that robot mowers do have a limited battery life and some may not be able to negotiate hills well, making them less suitable for large and sloped lawns.
Choosing a mower
To find the right mower, start by considering the size. Go electric if your lawn is relatively small, but consider a petrol option for bigger gardens. If there are slopes or lots of bumps, consider a rotary mower. If your lawn is flat and you want to experiment with stripe patterns, choose a cylinder mower. When it comes to obstacles, try to choose compact mowers with a narrow width for obstacle-heavy gardens and choose wide-cut mowers for emptier lawns.
