The 9 best lawn mowers I'd recommend to any gardener as a Gardens Editor – my favourite tried-and-tested models

Looking for the best lawn mower for your garden? With so many models out there, we know how difficult it can be to choose one.

That's why we made it our mission to track down the cream of the crop. A panel of reviewers and I have tried and tested these nine mowers from leading brands in our own gardens, from dry, bumpy lawns to small, even ones. We've taken notes on performance, ease of use, design and reliability, and broken the categories down by mower type (cordless, petrol, and even self-propelling mowers feature on this list!). With the right model, you'll have those lawn ideas shaping up in no time.

Once you've chosen your lawn mower, you can expand your lawn care kit further with one of the best cordless strimmers we've tried. But first, these are the lawn mowers we rate highest on the market right now.

Quick list

What are the different types of lawnmowers?

How to choose the best lawn mower

We all love the smell of a freshly cut lawn, but first, you'll need the right mower for the job.

Best lawn mowers – tried and tested by the IH team

Best lawn mower overall

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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 Joanne Lewlsey 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 mean 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

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I was really impressed with the Gtech Cordless Lawnmower CLM50 when I tested it a few months ago, because it made cutting a small lawn a breeze. If you're trying to decide between a corded and cordless lawn mower, the benefits of the latter are huge: for one, there's no lead, which means there's no trip hazard; and I find them so much easier to manoeuvre around the garden than their corded counterparts.

The design is sleek, and what I really loved was the easy-to-use cutting height toggle on the front of the mower. It's so easy to adjust the cutting height, and with six different options to choose from, it's suitable for a wide range of mowing needs.

I managed to mow my small lawn in no time at all, and it was really easy to navigate across the grass. The battery lasted more than enough time, and it included a handy power level light on the front. The collection box was easy to attach and detach and bigger than other cordless mowers we've tested in the past, providing plenty of room for grass clippings.

The only downside is that it's slightly pricier than other cordless models when it isn't on sale. It's also a little heavier to lift when moving it into storage, which could be difficult for users with limited mobility.

That said, the performance, design and overall user experience made the Gtech Cordless Lawnmower CLM50 well worth the price tag.

Our Gtech Cordless Lawnmower CLM50 review has the full details.

Best lawn mower for small lawns

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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. Joanne found that the 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 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 manoeuvrability 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 that 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

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While it may not be suitable for rough terrain or large lawns, Joanne found that 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 clean cut. It features a single mulching blade, and there's no grass clipping bag or box to clean out, since the clippings are small enough to fall back into the grass.

Our Gardena Handymower review has the full details.

Best hover lawn mower

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I've got a new prospective favourite hover mower: the Flymo EasiHover 300.

Joanne previously reviewed the Flymo EasiGlide 300 Lawn Mower, which was an earlier version of the EasiHover and, at one time, our favourite budget mower, but this new model is the first cordless version. Hover mowers are renowned for their ease of use – they float on a cushion of air, which means you can ditch restrictive wheels and move the mower freely around your lawn and make light work of slopes, tight corners and bumpy areas.

My Flymo EasiHover has just arrived, and I can't wait to try it out – but from the impression I got seeing the mower in-person at a recent press event, I feel confident that it's set to be the best hover lawn mower on the market. It's ideal for small lawns up to 100m², and the quick-hold handles mean it's easy to store, too.

The only downside, as with the other hover mowers we've tested, is that the Flymo EasiHover only has a narrow cutting height range of 10-30mm – so if you prefer longer grass but want to go for the cordless aspect of a lawn mower, it's best to look at our favourite cordless mower, the Gtech CLM50 Cordless Lawn Mower, that we mentioned earlier on.

Best petrol lawn mower

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This large-based self-propelled petrol lawn mower from Hyundai takes all the years of experience and quality of previous models and makes it even better. And it replaces the previous Ideal Home Approved HYM510SPE.

Equipped with a powerful 196cc engine, it offers six adjustable cutting heights and four grass disposal options, including mulching and various discharge methods. During testing on two distinct lawns, the mower demonstrated impressive cutting performance, even in damp conditions. It has a huge 70L collection capacity,

Joanne remarked that assembly was straightforward, making it accessible for users familiar with petrol mowers. However, its substantial size and weight make it less suitable for smaller gardens or those with multiple levels, as manoeuvring can be a bit of a challenge.

The mower’s large footprint means you'll also need ample storage space. However, overall, for gardeners with large lawns seeking a powerful and efficient mowing solution, the Hyundai HYM510SP packs a punch.

Our Hyundai HYM510SP Petrol Lawn Mower has the full details.

Best budget lawn mower

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If you're looking for a powerful hover motor on a budget, the LawnMaster 1800W Electric Hover Lawn Mower is the best we've tested. Our reviewer Joanne found it a smart, space-saving choice for medium to large-sized gardens – and at just £150 full-price, it's a steal.

One of the most impressive things about this mower is that it makes light work of bumpy, uneven lawns (thanks to the fact that it floats on a cushion of air above your grass), and it effortlessly handled tough, dry grass in Joanne's garden. It even includes a mulching function for the collected clippings. The generous 15-metre cable also means that the LawnMaster Electric Hover Mower can cover medium to large-sized gardens without restriction.

The only pain points Joanne found were that assembly was a bit fiddly solo, and you can't adjust the size of the handlebars to suit different heights. The mower also struggled slightly on rutted ground at points during testing – but overall, it provides a smooth cut over a bumpy, compacted lawn.

Read more in our LawnMaster 1800W Electric Hover Mower review.

Best quiet lawn mower

Thanks to new ProSilence tech, this 1,700-watt mower is 75 per cent quieter than previous models at a meagre 89 dB.

It isn’t just subtle when it comes to noise, though. Even changing the height is a simple pleasure with a one-touch system that takes you between 20 and 80mm across seven steps.

The ErgoSlide control system is a welcome wonder that makes finding the right height and angle simple. There are also a few triggers to activate the lawnmower, so you can change hand positions as you need. The collection grass bag holds a hefty 50 litres, and there is also a LeafCollect system.

This makes collecting leaves – even in large amounts – a simple process. The 10-metre cable is long, but most people will still need an extension cord for true freedom of movement. But with a super-smooth action, working around the garden is a really easy task, making this perfect for larger and smaller gardens alike.

Best self-propelled lawn mower

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The Worx WG749E cordless self-propelled lawn mower is a great choice for those seeking efficiency and ease in lawn maintenance. Our reviewer Amy Lockwood found that its self-propelled feature significantly reduces the effort required, especially on sloped terrains, making it ideal for small to medium-sized lawns up to 500m².

The mower boasts a 46cm cutting blade, powered by two 4.0Ah batteries, ensuring a clean and precise cut. Assembly is straightforward, with adjustable handle heights and a simple mechanism to set the cutting height between 20mm and 80mm. The 55L grass collection bag is lightweight and easy to detach and reattach, though it lacks an indicator to signal when it’s full.

Storage is a breeze, thanks to its foldable handle, allowing the mower to be stored vertically, saving valuable space in your shed or garage. However, the battery compartment lid could benefit from a hinged design for easier access, and the battery charge indicator is not easily visible during use, which could be improved for better user experience.

Despite these minor drawbacks, the Worx WG749E offers excellent value for its price point, delivering strong performance and practical design features that make lawn care less of a chore.

Our WORX WG749E 46cm Cordless Self-Propelled Lawn Mower review has the full details.

Lawn mower comparison at a glance

How we test lawn mowers

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At Ideal Home, we believe that in order to give our verdict on the best lawn mowers, we need to have tested them ourselves. That's why we've tested the mowers on this list extensively, spending several hours on the first mow getting to know all of the features. There are several of us on the reviewing team, each with varying levels of strength and height (I'm on the taller side, so I can speak for the pros and cons of the handlebars, for example!).

We also tested the mowers in a range of different garden types and conditions, from Joanne's small, uneven lawn after a dry period to my own long, level grass in early spring.

Our expert testing process means you can trust that every mower in our roundup has been put through its paces, tackling real-life gardens to assess cutting efficiency, manoeuvrability, and battery life where applicable. We’ve also considered noise levels, storage convenience, and value for money to help you find the perfect fit for your outdoor space.

Where we can, we've also sought to keep hold of these lawn mowers for long-term testing over several months, so that we can provide feedback on just how well they deliver value after years of use. Below, you can find out more about exactly who has tested the lawn mowers in this buying guide.

Sophie

I'm Sophie, Ideal Home's Gardens Editor. My job involves putting a range of garden products through their paces to find the best recommendations for our readers. I write about all things lawn care, and I test and review lawn mowers from leading brands to find the top models.

Joanne Lewsley

I regularly test home and garden products for UK and US websites, including Ideal Home, Top Ten Reviews, and Live Science, evaluating the quality of home and garden gadgets by putting them through their paces in a natural home environment.

I tested the Gardena Handymower on a small lawn measuring 12.5 square metres (134 square feet) in wet and dry conditions.

Amy Lockwood

Amy is Ideal Home's Sleep Editor and Certified Expert in all things sleep-related, but she's also tested garden products like lawn mowers and some of the best BBQs during her time on the team. She found our favourite self-propelled mower, details of which you'll find above.

FAQs

Can you cut wet grass?

Every year, I find myself wondering if I should cut wet grass, but the short answer is that you shouldn't.

It can actually do exactly the opposite of what you're trying to achieve: give your grass an uneven cut, even tear it, rather than a smooth finish. It can also damage your grass out of season, leaving it vulnerable to a host of common lawn diseases.

How much should I spend on a lawn mower?

If you're wondering how much to spend on a lawn mower, the sweet spot is generally £250-400, but it depends on your needs (and there are, of course, exceptions, like the budget mowers on this buying guide).

Typically, more expensive models are bigger, with broader cutting widths, and therefore more suitable for larger gardens, but you can find affordable models which boast an array of impressive features, too.

Another consideration is the brand. In reality, you’re often going to get a longer lifetime from an established brand and, especially for petrol mowers like Hyundai's HYM530SPER, better performance.

Is an electric or petrol lawnmower better?

Electric and petrol lawn mowers both have their merits, but we asked Husqvarna UK's Ryan for his thoughts.

'While petrol mowers can house powerful engines, which are especially useful for cutting over long periods, developments in battery technology have made this a much closer conversation,' he said.

'Battery power mowers can now cater for small to large lawns, depending on the mower and battery power. They’re also much more sustainable, quieter to operate and more cost-effective in the long run.'

Battery-operated models can be easier to operate, too, not to mention quieter and better for the environment.

Which lawnmower is the best for a sloped garden?

If you're working with a sloped garden, it's worth investing in a hover mower, which can glide more easily over bumps and slopes, or a self-propelled mower.

'A self-propelled mower would be recommended as this can utilise the in-built drive system to help the mower tackle hills, slopes and undulations with ease,' says Ryan from Husqvarna UK.

Flymo's product director, Darren Feasey, also recommends certain robot mowers for a sloped garden.

'Some robot mowers can handle slopes of up to 35%, but if your garden has steeper hills, a hover mower may be for you,' he says. 'As they glide on a cushion of air while mowing, they do not carry weight in the front of the mower, making them easier to navigate down slopes.'

That's our pick of the best lawn mowers right now, but we'll be updating this guide throughout the year with our latest reviews.