Best lawn mowers in 2025 – expert tried and tested models that guarantee perfectly manicured grass

A team of garden experts put nine to the test

four of the best lawn mowers on a pink and blue graphic background
(Image credit: Future)

When it comes to achieving a perfectly manicured lawn, investing in one of the best lawn mowers can make all the difference. For some, buying a new lawnmower is an exciting buy. The smell of freshly cut grass, the light exercise and delight at the pristine green afterwards, might make mowing a gardening task you relish.

For others, having battled with poor mowers in the past could mean you see this job as more of a hassle than a hobby. Whether you are the latter or the former, we want to help you find a product that means mowing the lawn is always enjoyable.

If you are due an upgrade, there are loads of mower options out there. Maybe moving the cable is your gripe and you want to embrace the latest battery tech with a cordless lawn mower? If budget is holding you back, you'll want to know what the most powerful and effective mower you can get for your money is.

We’ve tested and reviewed the very best lawn mowers on the market, from powerful petrol models to fuss-free electric and cordless options, ensuring that each one meets the highest standards of performance, ease of use, and reliability.

With cutting-edge technology, smart features, and ergonomic designs, these top-rated mowers take the hard work out of lawn care, delivering precise, even cuts every time. Anything that didn't make the cut (sorry) has been left off our shortlist so you know you can find a new mower that makes a necessary job one you actually look forward to.

Read on to see the best choices, and then for a really tidy garden, check out the best strimmers.

If you're wondering when to cut your lawn after winter, experts say this is the prime time to get your lawn mower out.

If you're looking for a new model, keep reading to find out which lawnmowers we rated as worthy as we looked out for cutting ability, ease of use and value for money.

Quick list

Best lawn mowers – tried and tested by the IH team

Why you can trust Ideal Home Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

Best lawn mower overall

Best overall lawn mower

Specifications

Type of lawn mower: Battery powered
Grass box: 30L
Cutting heights: 25 - 65mm

Reasons to buy

+
Great cutting
+
Easy assembly
+
Perfect for small to medium lawns
+
Cordless (battery-operated)
+
Folds down for compact storage

Reasons to avoid

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No tools to clean away clippings
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Not suitable for large lawns

Husqvarna's Aspire lawn mower is perfectly designed for those looking for a reliable cordless mower that can easily tackle even overgrown grass on small to medium lawns.

Our reviewer thought it was super easy to set up and quick and light enough to make light work of your lawn. It has excellent cutting quality, and its mulching option is super handy. And if you're worried about what time is acceptable to mow your lawn, worry no more as the Aspire is quiet enough not to disturb the neighbours.

Not only that but the Husqvarna Aspire LC34-P4A battery-powered lawn mower is also a great choice for anyone with storage issues. The mower's telescopic, fold-down handles, collapsible cutting collector and sturdy hook means it can be stored vertically, freeing up valuable floor space in your shed or garage.

Its 25-minute run time is ideal for small to medium gardens, and it features a genius automatic power boost when tackling long grass. Plus, our reviewer loved the fact that the battery can also be used on a host of other Husqvarna tools, as well as Flymo, Bosch and Gardena.

Our Husqvarna Aspire LC34 P4A lawn mower review has the full details.

Best cordless lawn mower

Best cordless lawn mower

Specifications

Type of lawn mower: Cordless mower
Grass box: 45L
Cutting heights: 20 to 80mm

Reasons to buy

+
It’s super-lightweight
+
Small footprint makes storage convenient
+
Great shape for mowing tight spaces
+
Easy cutting height configuration
+
Mower activation mechanism is suitable for smaller hands

Reasons to avoid

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Collection capacity and cutting width are too low for medium or large gardens
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May struggle over uneven ground

Our reviewer was wowed by Worx WG743E cordless lawn mower's robust cutting capabilities and user-friendly design. Tackling both long and short grass with ease, it offers seven adjustable cutting heights, making it versatile for various lawn conditions.

Assembly is straightforward, and the mower’s performance in edging is particularly noteworthy ensuring a pristine finish along our reviewer Amy's borders. Its lightweight build means it's super maneuverable, especially in medium to large gardens up to 500 square metres. The 45-litre grass collection bag gathers up a lot of clippings efficiently, reducing the need for multiple trips to empty it during extensive mowing sessions.

However, a few of the design elements could benefit from minor tweaks. The safety key mechanism feels somewhat awkward, requiring simultaneous handling with the main control, which might be challenging for some users. And while the handle’s collapsible feature aims to aid storage, the process is a bit fiddly, involving unscrewing wingnuts – a task that might get a tad tedious over time.

Despite these minor drawbacks, the Worx WG743E remains a solid choice for those looking for a reliable and efficient cordless mowing solution.

Our Worx WG743E Cordless Lawnmower review has the full details.

Best lawn mower for small lawns

Stihl lawn mower testingproduct badge

(Image credit: Stihl)
Best cordless lawn mower

Specifications

Type of lawn mower: Cordless mower
Grass box: 40L
Cutting heights: 20 to 70mm

Reasons to buy

+
It’s super-lightweight
+
Small footprint makes storage convenient
+
Great shape for mowing tight spaces
+
Easy cutting height configuration
+
Mower activation mechanism is suitable for smaller hands

Reasons to avoid

-
Collection capacity and cutting width are too low for medium or large gardens
-
May struggle over uneven ground

The Stihl RMA 239 Cordless Lawn Mower is a stellar choice for those with small to medium-sized gardens seeking efficiency without the hassle of cords. Its 37cm cutting width and six adjustable height settings, ranging from 20mm to 70mm, allow for a tailored mowing experience.

The 40-litre grass collection box is both spacious and easy to empty, ensuring a seamless mowing session. During our testing, the mower delivered an impressive performance, providing a clean and precise cut. The battery life is commendable, with its ample runtime to cover the intended lawn size without frequent recharges.

One of the standout features is its user-friendly design. The folding mono-handlebar not only enhances maneuverability but also makes storage a breeze, especially for those with limited space. While assembly might require an extra pair of hands due to its design, once set up, the mower is straightforward to operate. Its lightweight build further adds to the ease of use, allowing for effortless navigation around garden obstacles.

The one downside is assembling it can be a bit of a faff, often requiring two people to manage the fiddly bits. Additionally, it doesn’t come with a built-in cleaning tool for the cutting deck, which would have been a handy addition for maintenance.

Our Stihl RMA 239 Cordless Lawnmower review has the full details.

Best lightweight lawn mower

Best lightweight lawn mower

Specifications

Type of lawn mower: Electric cordless mower
Cutting heights: 30 - 50mm (3 height settings)

Reasons to buy

+
Lightweight
+
Easy to manoeuvre
+
Good run time
+
Compact for storage
+
No need to bin grass clippings

Reasons to avoid

-
Clogs easily if grass is moist
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Need to purchase battery separately

While it may not be suitable for rough terrain or large lawns, the Gardena Handymower is ideal for those with limited storage space and a small to medium-sized garden. Gardena says it makes mowing as easy as vacuuming your home and we're here for that.

Battery-powered, it's a great alternative to a hefty electric or gas-powered lawn mower. It's important to note though, that you have to buy the battery separately, making it a little pricier than first thought. However, as part of the Power For All Alliance, the universal battery you get will work across various garden appliances and brands.

With three cutting heights to choose from, we found it coped well with longer-growth grass, even when it was slightly wet, producing a great clean cut. And featuring a single mulching blade, it's super easy to clean with no grass clipping bag or box to clean out as the clippings are small enough to fall back into the grass.

Our Gardena Handymower review has the full details.

Best value for money mower