Lawn mower grass box. Best lawn mowers to buy in 2023

Best lawn mowers to buy in 2023

Our round up of the best lawn mowers, as tested by our experts.

Choosing the best lawn mower can be a tricky task, with so many models on the market and such a wide range of brands. There are five main types of mower available at hugely varying and all with different features that need to be considered.

To make things easier, we FOCUS on some of the key points to look for when choosing a lawn mower and explain some of the benefits and drawbacks of the different types.

We’ve also listed our best lawn mowers across the board, as tested by our experts. There are a range of styles on the list including corded, cordless, robotic, and push mowers, all of which offer various functions and additional features.

All the models on our list have been awarded Best Buy status after being thoroughly put through their paces. Every one of them has scored a minimum of 4.5 out of 5 overall, so you can be assured that you’re looking at one of the best machines in its category. To make things as clear as possible, we’ve included a list of pros and cons for each model, so you can make an informed choice on the best lawn mower for you. For more detail, take a look at our full list of individual lawn mower reviews.

How to choose a lawn mower

There are a number of factors to take into consideration when choosing the right lawn mower for you. Firstly, you need to decide whether you want a corded electric, petrol, battery-powered cordless or push mower.

• Corded electric mowers are generally in the mid-price range and are relatively light and quiet. You will need a charging point and possibly an extension cord and the electric cable can get in the way. Take a look at our pick of the best electric lawn mowers.
• Battery-powered cordless lawn mowersare the newest type of mower and are the most lightweight and manoeuvrable. You need to remember to keep the battery charged and they can be expensive, although are starting to come down. Check out our pick of the best cordless mowers.
• Push mowers are cheap and manually powered, so they are the most eco-friendly mower you can buy but, they can be hard work for the user, particularly if strength and mobility are an issue. Read our rundown the best hand push mowers.
• Robotic mowers automatically mow your lawn. Whenever the lawn gets a little long, a robot mower will nip out and clip it, saving you the job. However, bear in mind that this is the most expensive type of mower on the market. even budget options will set you back about £500. Learn more with our tests of the best robotic mowers.
• Petrol lawn mowers are powerful but tend to be loud, heavy and are less environmentally-friendly. They need an annual maintenance check up and a supply of petrol and oil.

Once you’ve decided which type of mower is right for you, think about what extra features you might need:

• Check the size of the mower. The wider the cutting width, the more area of lawn can be covered in one go.
• The capacity of the grass collector will dictate how often you need to stop mowing to empty it and although larger bags mean fewer trips to the compost heap they will make the mower heavier to operate as they fill up, which is worth bearing in mind.
• Some models require assembly when you first get them. Cheaper models particularly, often need handles and grass bags assembled before use, which can be fiddly.
• If you are particularly tall or small, check whether the handle can adjust for different user heights and if storage space is an issue, if it can be folded down and easily tucked away.
• Other features like the range of cutting heights, whether a fast charger is included and inevitably, price will need to be taken into consideration, too.

Find out how to maintain your mower in our easy to follow, step-by-step guide, and for more advice, check out our budget lawn mowers Buyers’ Guide.

For other help with lawn care, take a look at our reviews of the best strimmers and the best aerators, or check out our guide to the best lawn edging.

Best lawn mowers to buy in 2022

Browse some of our top-rated Best Buy lawn mowers on test below.

Yard Force LMG37A 40v 37cm cordless lawn mower

Our rating: 4.8 out of 5

• Rear roller
• Double folding handle for easy storage
• Quickest charge time
• Part of the Yardforce GR40 cordless range

This sturdy mower has a 37cm cutting width and useful features including a rear roller for those much desired stripes. Awarded a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy for small to medium lawns, clippings are collected in the large 40 Litre fabric grass bag, it offers a wide range of seven cutting heights, from 25-75mm and is easy to fold away at the end of the day. The 40V battery is quick to charge, taking just 50 minutes and when full it has the capacity to cut a 400m2 lawn.

Buy the Yard Force LMG37A 40V 37cm cordless mower from Yard Force, Amazon and Wickes

Worx WG779E cordless lawn mower

Our rating: 4.75 out of 5

• Easy assembly and storage, long warranty
• Turbo and Eco modes
• Robust, light and easy to manoeuvre
• Battery and charger interchangeable with other Worx 20V tools

Our testers found this lawnmower easy to assemble and it handily folds away for storage when not in use. There’s a 30 litre ready-made grass bag and six cutting heights to choose from. It’s ideal for smaller lawns and we were impressed with the amount of features it packs in, considering the price. It also comes with a generous three-year warranty.

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Ego LM1701E cordless lawn mower

Our rating: 4.75 out of 5

Our testers found the Ego mower sturdy and easy to handle and manoeuvre. It has a range of seven cutting heights and comes with a 55 litre capacity grass bag. The mower charges in just 30 minutes but the run time with the included battery is relatively short at 20 minutes. Larger batteries are also available to buy separately. The battery power level is clearly visible when mowing. This mower comes with a five year warranty.

• Easy to assemble and folds for storage
• Adjustable handle height for different users
• Sturdy and easy to handle
• Clear visibility of battery power level
• Wide range of cutting heights
• Battery and charger interchangeable with other Ego Power tools

Mountfield Princess 34 electric corded lawn mower

Our rating: 4.75 out of 5

This mower is powerful yet surprisingly quiet and our testers found a number of the additional features useful. There’s a mulching option, rear roller, vision window in the grass collector to check levels and more. There’s also a choice of six cutting heights and our experts found that the mower handles well on the job.

• Light, quiet and manoeuvrable
• Cut, collect or mulch
• Rear roller and anti-scalp plate
• Easy to adjust

Webb WEER 33 electric corded mower

Our rating: 4.8 out of 5

• Comfortable and easy to use
• Cable relief clip for safety
• Great features
• Cuts efficiently
• Cuts to the edge

This mower is well thought out with excellent features. It’s easy to assemble and folds for storage with a comfortable, foam handle which can be adjusted to a variety of heights. There are five cutting heights to choose from and these are easily changed by a single lever. The grass collection bag has a generous 35L capacity and a full indicator that lets you know when it needs emptying. The mower is relatively quiet and it cuts well, right up to the edge. It’s lightweight and comfortable to manoeuvre and our only quibble is the black mower cable, which could be a brighter colour so it’s easier to see. For just £99.99, this is a great value mower.

Gardena Handymower

Our rating: 4.5 out of 5

• Small and light to carry and store
• Pivoting handle very easy to manoeuvre
• Easy to check battery charge
• Part of the Power For All Alliance
• Battery and charger are purchased separately
• Cuts out if handle pushed into upright position

This great little mower was awarded a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy for very small lawns. It’s light, compact and easy to manoeuvre around the lawn and is ideal for the regular cutting of small areas of grass. There’s minimal assembly needed, you just screw the handle into the body and once the battery is charged it’s ready to go. There are three cutting heights to choose from and rather than collecting the clippings, this mower mulches, dropping them back onto the lawn where they break down and fertilise the grass – so you don’t need to spend time emptying a grass bag and your grass gets fed. A pivoting handle helps it get into tight spots really easily and it also copes surprisingly well with bumpy ground. While you’re mowing the battery charge is clearly displayed on the mower. The battery and charger come separately, which does push the price up but this mower is part of the Power for All Alliance, which includes Gardena, Flymo and Bosch battery tools and will save you money if you invest in cordless tools in the future.

Buy the Gardena Handymower from Currys, Amazon and Tooled-Up

Best Buy review video – the Gardena Handymower

In this in-depth video review, Kay Maguire explains why the Gardena Handymower was awarded BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy status.

Can You Use A Lawn Mower Without A Bag? Clearly Explained!

As springtime approaches, grass cutting every week is a ritual that helps to maintain the cleanliness and attractiveness of a gorgeous lawn and yard.

If you have cleaned your yard with a bag put over the clippings, it may be more challenging to mow. So, can you use a lawn mower without a bag?

This article will show you the correct answer. Let’s read on to discover in detail!

Can You Use A Lawn Mower Without A Bag?

The answer is yes! It’s possible to use your lawn mower without a bag because clippings will decompose when left in the yard and provide necessary nutrients like potassium, phosphorus, or nitrogen for the lawn.

After cutting the grass, you can compost the clippings, utilize them as fertilizers in your garden beds, or scatter them over the yard.

However, mowing without a bag comes with both advantages and disadvantages.

• You don’t need to work much with bagging or disposing of the clippings since grass is fertilizer.
• You can grass cycle the clippings throughout your yard to offer nutrients and retain moisture in the soil.
• Clippings won’t leave on the yard. You can mulch large pieces into small ones to have a clean and uniform appearance.
• Your machine must work more and require time to complete the task.
• Cutting wet grass is challenging if you don’t use a bag due to grass clumps, which may cause damage to the mower deck.

Consider and evaluate all benefits and drawbacks before mowing your yard. You can see how a lawn mower works with a bag via this video:

• Replacement part number：964-04154A 964-04154. Note: This product does not include grass catcher frame. Our bag is rolled up and packed in the box. After receiving the product, you can roll it up on the other side to restore its original form.
• Note. Please measure the dimensions of your bag frame before ordering this product. If you do not have a frame yet, we recommend ordering the bag frame first and check it’s dimensions to make sure it fits our product.
• Compatible with Crafstman Grassbag Asm-21′ Bla Part 964-04154A, for MTD Mower series 11A 12A- and 12B. Also fits Craftsman 247 Mower Series
• Compatible models include Craftsman 24737110, 24737034, 24737037, 24737030, 24737031, 247370310, 247370311, 247370340, 247370341, 247370370, 247370371, 24737124, 24737125, 24737126, 24737185, 247372370, 247374300, 247374301, 247374320, 247374330, 247374400, 247374401, 247377300, 24738821, 24738916, 24738917, 24738918, 24738923, 247388210, 247377870, 247374710, 247384380, 247374600
• Note. Not suitable for Craftsman Dust Blocker EZ Empty Frame Model GSG-58094, GSG-439330, 917.370921, This product does not include grass catcher frame. Please take a precise measurement of the length of your frame to avoid incompatibility with our bag, Please check your user manual to ensure this is the right part for you mower model.
• 964-04117B Part Number: 964-04117A, 96404117A, 964 04117A, 664-04117A, 964-04117, 664-04117, 96404117. Our bag is rolled up and packed in the box. After receiving the product, you can roll it up on the other side to restore its original form.
• Compatible with Troy Built Walk behinds Used Models TB210 TB260 TB280ES TB130 TB230 TB280 more, Fits for Troy Bilt Mower series 11A and 12A, Note. Not suitable for Troy Bilt TB110.
• Compatible Models Include: 12AVB2A3766 (TB 230)(2017), 12AVB2AQ715 (TB 240)(2017), 12AVB2M5766 (TB 220)(2017), 12A-A2BU711 (TB 200)(2018), 12A-A2BU766 (TB 200)(2018), 12AGA2A6711 (TB 280 ES)(2018). 12A-A2BU711 (TB 200)(2017), 12A-A2BU766 (TB 200)(2017), 12AGA2A6711 (TB 280 ES)(2017), 12AGA2M6766 (TB 270 ES)(2017), 12AVB2A3711 (TB 230)(2017), 12AVB2A3721 (TB 230)(2017), 12AVB2AQ711 (TB 240)(2017) more
• Note. Please measure the dimensions of your bag frame before ordering this product. If you do not have a frame yet, we recommend ordering the bag frame first and check it’s dimensions to make sure it fits our product.
• Note. Not suitable for Craftsman Dust Blocker EZ Empty Frame Model GSG-58094, GSG-439330, 917.370921, This product does not include grass catcher frame. Please check your user manual to ensure this is the right part for you mower model.

Is It Better To Mow With A Bag Or Without?

It’s advisable to mow the grass with a bag. Bagging is the most effective option since it will collect everything in your yard including picking leaves and keep it in a location.

over, you don’t need to consider the size of the clippings, like side discharge and munching.

If you live in close neighbors or a confined area, bagging might be a terrific solution to keep clippings from flying everywhere to reduce the frequency of maintenance.

However, after gathering the clippings, you will need to discard an entire catcher bag loaded with grass cuttings.

Your grass clippings have a few uses that you might choose from. Some people can compost them and use the substance as a natural fertilizer to provide their flower beds.

But bagging requires a lot of additional labor on top of the various ways to get rid of grass clippings.

You may additionally re-distribute your grass clippings across your backyard, but you must ensure they are the right size to prevent harm to the lawn.

You can merely dispose of these clippings in the trash, but it offers no advantages and is the least beneficial for the environment.

When Should I Mow My Lawn Without A Catcher?

You can mow your lawn without a catcher whenever you want as long as you consider specific things.

When mowing your yard without a bag, it’s advisable to distribute the grass evenly to avoid clumps.

Use sharp blades to cut the grass instead of dull ones as they may cause a brown appearance.

Ensure you won’t’ cut over ⅓ the grass blade as it’s vital to your grass health. Besides, don’t cut the lawn if it is misty. That’s because the clippings are easy to clump.

Why Do Lawn Mowers Have Side Discharge?

Using a side discharge configuration, you can blow the grass clippings many feet from the mower’s side.

The wet clippings leave a mess on your sidewalks, building, or other locations you run the discharge tube towards.

A lawnmower that throws clippings, twigs, and pebbles might be hazardous in locations with many people, automobiles, or Windows.

The direction of a machine’s discharge should be effective in these locations.

Your mower may blow the clipping away the place you have mowed, and it’s an undesirable fertilization purpose.

Instead, these clippings should fall into the soil and spread across the lawn.

The short-term evacuation of the cuttings also makes them bigger, albeit they still decompose quickly in the soil.

If you mow in large, open areas where clippings may fly around, a mower with side discharge will be the best option.

You may proceed without being concerned about clogging thanks to the self-clearing mechanism internal of the mower deck.

A side discharge machine will be helpful when mowing in the rain and extremely wet or unusually tall grass.

Mower with side discharge

• Includes 40 lawn and leaf garbage bags
• Each bag holds 39 gallons
• Black trash bag with red drawstring closure for easy tying and carrying
• Strong and tear resistant
• Alexa voice shopping enabled: to place your next order, just say, “Alexa, reorder Amazon Basics Trash Bags
• LARGE LAWN AND LEAF GARBAGE BAGS—This package contains 38 Hefty Strong large, black, unscented, 39 gallon lawn and leaf bags
• SUPERIOR PUNCTURE RESISTANCE—Composed of signature Hefty quality and extra-thick 1.1 millimeter plastic, these large trash bags help contain sharp twigs and sticks
• TOUGHNESS YOU CAN TRUST—Collect leaves, grass clippings, twigs and sticks from your lawn or tidy up your basement or garage with these sturdy drawstring trash bags
• DEPENDABLE DRAWSTRING CLOSURE—Transport heavy loads with confidence all year round with these plastic garbage bags
• We want you to be happy with your purchase. If you have any issues with our garbage bags, contact us via the hotline number on the back of the package so we can help

Can I Add A Bag To My Side Discharge Lawn Mower?

The short answer is yes! You can opt to attach a bag to your side discharge mower if following the proper guides.

While installing a bag is simple, you may make some mistakes and cause hazardous consequences.

For instance, if you incorrectly install a bag to your machine, it may cause the blade to clog, which hampers the cutting ability of this mower.

over, remember to secure the bag properly and safely to the vent of your machine. Otherwise, you may make a terrible mistake.

How Do You Add Side Discharge To A Lawn Mower?

A side discharge can offer a suitable path for the flow of grass waste to prevent grass from accumulating in the cutter zone.

The grass clippings from your machine will be discharged to the sides, near its blades, if you attach a side discharge.

If you want to add this component, consider the following simple steps:

• Turn off the machine safely.

• Determine the location where you plan to install a side discharge.

• Take the bolts apart on the mower before adding a new chute.

• Pull the mulching plug up.

• Install a new side discharge on your lawn mower.

• Lower the mulching button.

• Recheck the part to ensure you’ve installed and attached it firmly.

Tips for adding side discharge

In A Nutshell

Can you use a lawn mower without a bag? If you want clippings to decompose in your yard to offer nutrients for plants, you should choose this method.

However, your machine will have to put on more effort and spend more time completing the task.

Consider both pros and cons before mowing your lawn with or without a bag. Thanks for taking the time to follow the post!

Mowing Without a Bag, what is the best way?

As soon as spring rolls around, lawn mowing becomes a weekly practice to promote the health and beauty of the grass. An eye-catching lawn always adds to the beauty of your home. Many people don’t know that it’s not always necessary to use a bag when mowing. Leaving grass clipping on your lawn offers several benefits. Mowing without a bag is an eco-friendly way to provide nutrients to your grass soil, saving you a lot of time and hard work as you don’t need to dispose of anything.

Mowing Without a Bag, what is the best way?

In general, adjust your mower to a suitable height to ensure that your grass clippings are mowed into smaller pieces (mulching). Mow your lawn frequently so that the mowed grass doesn’t turn into thatch. Mowing your lawn without a bag and leaving grass clippings on the lawn provides extra nutrients to your soil. Because when they decompose, the mowed grass releases nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus, which are required for the good health of your grass.

This article will provide you with information about mowing without a bag and the key points you must remember before mowing your lawn. This article will also learn the advantages of mowing without a bag and how it helps you keep your lawn healthy and fresh.

Removing the lawnmower bag

Mowing grass is a time-consuming task, especially when the grass is growing quickly and needs regular trimming. Mowing with the bag can be very tedious because you need to stop regularly to unload the grass clippings, adding a task to your work. Research shows that it’s not compulsory to put your grass clippings in a bag, as long as you follow some simple steps to keep your lawn healthy.

Mowing your Lawn Without a Bag

Mowing without a bag and leaving the grass clippings on your lawn usually means mowing once or twice a week because the grass grows very rapidly during spring and early summer. You should adjust your lawn mower’s blades to a height that will cut no more than 1 inch or 1/3 of the total blade height. This ensures speedy decomposition, as well as maintaining the health of the grass.

If you don’t mow your grass frequently, it can cause damage to the grass, as when you do mow. You may end up removing too much at once. With regular mowing, the grass clippings decompose quickly, recycle the nutrients, and re-enter the soil.

When mowing your lawn without a bag in a cool season, the lawnmower should be set at the height of 2.5 to 3.5 inches. If you set the mower to a taller height, the need for extra water is decreased because the grass develops an efficient root system. Mowing at this height also helps in removing weeds.

During warm seasons, your mower should be set between 1.5 to 2.5 inches for mowing. Setting your mower at a lower height during this season reduces the accumulation of grass. The mowing height should be increased as the season progresses, to cut to 2 to 2.5 inches by September. Increasing the height of your mower over the progression of the season will result in a stronger turf.

When mowing without a bag, you should keep in mind that the clippings should be evenly distributed rather than left in clumps. Cutting the grass when the lawn is dry with a sharp blade will spread the pieces evenly. Using dull blades causes damage to the grass, resulting in a brownish appearance. Trimming grass during a drought or mowing when the grass is under heat stress can also damage the grass blades.

Be careful when you are removing the bag from any lawn mower because many mowers have bagging attachments that affect the safety of the mower. You must read and understand the machine’s guidelines before removing the bag.

When using a mower without a bag, measures must be taken to cut the grass evenly. For this purpose, using a sharp blade with teeth aimed towards the point of contact is essential. This ensures the effectiveness of the mower and also speeds up the decomposition rate. It also helps in reducing the risk of grass and insect diseases. Healthy grass encourages an environment that doesn’t allow for weed invasions.

Also, make sure you never cut more than a third of the grass blade. This is crucial to the health of your grass, as doing so can lead to scalping. Avoid cutting the grass when it’s misty. The grass clippings will clump, no matter how hard you try to avoid it.

At first, mowing your grass without a bag may feel like you’re creating a lot of mess, as the grass clippings remain on the lawn. But remember that the clippings are organic matter and will quickly decompose. This means it’s messier to mow with a bag, as the clippings aren’t being decomposed, thus creating waste that needs to be disposed of.

Thatch Control

There is a common myth where some believe that mowing your lawn without a bag and leaving the mowed grass on your lawn causes thatch under the grass. But that is not true. Thatch is a layer of plant material, including stems of grass, dead grass, leaves, and roots caused by overuse of fertilizers or pesticides, irrigation, poor flow, and poor aeration.

A thin layer of thatch is acceptable, but more than 0.5 inches of thatch can kill the grass. Thatch can be removed through raking, using a core aerifier, and vertical cutting.

It’s important to remove the thatch before mowing without a bag due to the level of damage it can cause to the grass. Remove the thatch in cool-season grass in early fall and warm-season grass in early and mid-summer.

Tips to Mow Without a Bag

If you’re mowing your lawn without a bag, you need to follow certain tips for effective mowing and to prevent diseases.

• Size of Grass clippings: The size of grass clippings depends on the type of grass you are mowing and the season in which you are mowing. If you are mowing your lawn during spring, you need to make sure that you cut your grass at least once a week, and the size of the grass clippings should not be more than an inch. If the size of your clippings is larger than that, then be sure to trim your grass regularly to break them down and keep them from accumulating. During spring, mowing your grass to a shorter height prevents thatch formation, promoting a green and healthy lawn.
• Blade Height: As spring passes, adjust the blade height of your lawn mower because the growth of the grass increases, and your grass clippings will be longer. Finally, during fall, the grass clippings should be around 2 to 2.5 inches. Remember to check for dull blades. Otherwise, your grass won’t be cut evenly.

The Reason Behind Mowing Without a Bag

Bagging is probably the most common way to cut grass. It’s a great option for homeowners because it picks up everything in your yard and puts it in one place. Plus, using this method means you don’t have to worry about making sure that your clippings the correct length as it doesn’t affect your grass.

However, collecting the grass clippings in a bag creates the problem of disposing of them. After mowing the lawn, you can either put them in a compost bin, use it as fertilizer for the flower beds or distribute them in the yard, but if the cut is not of the right size, it can damage your lawn. You can also throw them away, but this isn’t eco-friendly and doesn’t have any advantages.

Disadvantages of Mowing without a Bag:

Final remarks

Through this article, you have learned how to mow your lawn without a bag, using the grass clippings to benefit your lawn. The grass clippings provide extra nutrients to your soil, and after they decompose, they release essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Like everything, this method has its pros and cons, but it’s important to weigh these and decide which method is most suited to you. Mowing without a bag can mean less work overall, and it’s also eco-friendly because there is no need to dispose of the grass clippings.

The height of your lawnmower depends on the season. Your mower should be adjusted to a shorter height during spring, and grass clippings should not be more than 1 inch. As the season progresses, increase the height of your mower because the growth of grass also increases. This ensures that the clippings are being distributed evenly, avoiding clumping, which can damage your lawn.

The best cordless lawn mowers in 2023

Looking for the best cordless mower? Browse our experts’ pick, from budget to premium models.

A lawn mower may be one of the first purchases we make when getting a garden of our own, but that doesn’t mean finding a good quality one is easy. There are so many models and brands on the market to choose from, including corded electric and petrol, but as their range increases and fall, cordless, battery-powered models are an increasingly popular option.

Light and compact compared with traditional petrol models, cordless mowers are simple to use, easy to manoeuvre around the garden, and have none of the maintenance and servicing needs or costs of petrol lawnmowers. Powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which charges up quickly and won’t lose power in storage, they’re also quiet and emission free.

To compare these cordless mowers against other types of mower, we’ve reviewed the best lawn mowers, robotic lawn mowers, electric lawn mowers and push mowers, too. And if your lawn needs a bit of attention, our experts have tested a range of the best manual and powered aerators and scarifiers.Keep edges looking neat with our pick of the best strimmers, the best garden shears and the best lawn edging, and if you’re thinking about somewhere to store your new mower, our comprehensive guide to choosing the best garden shed will be helpful.

For your next DIY project, have a look at the best cordless drills.

The best cordless mowers to buy at a glance

Cordless mowers. Buyer’s Guide video

Many thanks to Rosie Yeomans and Sparsholt College for their help in making this video.

Getting the best cordless lawn mower for you means ensuring it has the correct cutting width, range of cutting heights, and weight plus a battery run time that matches the size of your lawn. We’ve tested a range of cordless push mowers, putting them through their paces across a range of grass and terrains, to help you find the right one for your garden.

Each mower has a detailed list of pros and cons for clarity and has been rated according to set up and storage, handling, mowing and value for money. Every mower in our round up below has scored a minimum of four out of five stars, so you can buy with confidence.

In every review we award outstanding products our coveted Best Buy award. To see these and the others we recommend, browse our pick of the best cordless lawn mowers, below.

By entering your details, you are agreeing to our terms and conditions and privacy policy. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Best Buy cordless mowers

Husqvarna Aspire LC34-P4A

Our rating: 4.9 out of 5

• Quiet
• Cuts even long grass with ease
• Battery level visible while mowing
• Small and compact for easy storage
• Part of the POWER FOR ALL cordless range

Part of the new Husqvarna Aspire cordless range, which includes a hedge trimmer, pruner and leaf blower, this 34cm mower is powered by an 18V POWER FOR ALL ALLIANCE battery and charger. These are interchangeable with tools in other leading brands such as Flymo, Gardena and Bosch so if you also invest in tools in these ranges, you’ll only need to buy the bare tool and won’t have different batteries and chargers taking up space in the shed.Great for small gardens the mower comes ready to go, there’s no assembly or handles to attach, and it folds down to a compact size when you’re finished, with a telescopic handle that folds completely flat over the body of the mower. It can then be stood up against a wall or hung up, and even comes with a handy hook. The 30l grass bag also flattens down to take up very little room and can be hung on the mower. The Aspire is light, with a carry handle so that lifting it up steps or into other areas is easy and it has an adjustable handle to suit different height users. It’s comfortable and easy to manoeuvre around the garden and has just four cutting heights to choose from, ranging from 25-65mm and changed easily with a single lever on the body of the mower. It cuts grass quietly and smoothly and has an automatic boost that increases blade speed when you’re mowing in tougher, longer areas that works well. You can hear it kick in when you push the mower into longer grass and unlike other cordless mowers that can cut out, just carries on cutting the grass. While you mow the battery charge level is always clearly visible so you know how much battery you have left and when it needs charging. It comes with a two year warranty and we awarded it a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy in 2023 for ease of use.

Specs: Battery: charge time. 95 mins; run time. 500sqm. Cutting: width. 34cm; height. 25-65mm. Grass box. 30 litre.

Buy the Husqvarna Aspire C34-P4A cordless mower from Husqvarna and Sam Turner

Greenworks GDG24LM33

Our rating: 4.5 out of 5

• Easy to assemble and use
• Comfortable padded handle
• Choice of mulching or collecting clippings
• Interchangeable battery with Greenworks 24V family

Ideal for smaller gardens this sturdy, great value cordless mower is easy to put together, well thought out and simple to use. Thanks to a padded handle it’s comfortable to push, although it did feel a little short for our taller tester, and it’s light and easy to manoeuvre around trees and beds and borders. There are five cutting heights to choose from, adjusted with the simple lift of a lever and it offers the choice of collecting clippings in the 30 litre fabric grass bag or inserting the mulching plug and leaving them on the lawn to break down and feed the grass. It mows well but doesn’t like very long grass, with the battery cutting out occasionally but its long lasting brushless motor offers a a decent run time of 46 minutes and it charges in two hours. Plus, as part of the Greenworks 24V family, both the battery and charger are interchangeable with all the other tools in the range, saving you money if you invest in more in the future. We awarded it a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy for the best budget cordless mower in 2023.

Specs: Battery: charge time. 120 mins; run time. 46mins. Cutting: width. 33cm; height. 25-70mm. Grass box. 30 litre.

Yard Force LMG37A 40v 37cm

Our rating: 4.8 out of 5

• Rear roller
• Double folding handle for easy storage
• Quickest charge time
• Part of the Yardforce GR40 cordless range

This sturdy mower has a 37cm cutting width and useful features including a rear roller for those much desired stripes. Awarded a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy in 2022 for small to medium lawns, clippings are collected in the large 40 litre fabric grass bag. It offers a wide choice of seven cutting heights, from 25-75mm, and is easy to fold away at the end of the day. The 40V battery is quick to charge, taking just 50 minutes and when full it has the capacity to cut a 400m2 lawn.

Specs: Battery: charge time. 50 mins; run time. 400sqm. Cutting: width. 37cm; height. 25-75mm. Grass box. 40 litre.

Buy the Yard Force LMG37A 40V 37cm cordless mower from Yard Force, Amazon and Wickes

This is the very best small lawnmower for smaller outdoor spaces

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If you only have a small yard, but it is too much to maintain with a weed eater, you need to invest in the best small lawn mower. Because let’s be honest: a heavy-duty mower is probably overkill — in price, noise, and size — for your tiny yard, but there are plenty of compact mowers designed to maintain smaller spaces. As we just said, this one we reviewed from Worx did wonders on our small yard.

While some small lawnmowers are gas-powered, this one works on two batteries to be kind to the environment — and so that you never run out of power. Small lawn mowers offer different mulching options so that you can feed your lawn as you mow, and this one that we love gives you the choice to either bag it up or mulch your grass back into the ground.

Yes, the Worx WG779.E Power Share from Amazon is pretty amazing. Our reviewer loved it and found it so easy to use to trim her unruly but small lawn. It’s a great option for people who have an ample lawn, but lack the space to store a larger machine as it folds, and even if your yard isn’t small (we’re jealous!) it can be used to mow up to 1/8 acre (AKA 5000 sq ft). Wow!

Reasons to buy

Reasons to avoid

The Worx Power Share 40-Volt 14-in Mower is small but mighty. At only 29 lbs, this mower is easy to move around, and even lighter when you remove the batteries for storage and transit.

Equipped with patented torque technology, you have the capability to increase the power of this mower to Turbo if you’re cutting thick grass (but remember, this will use up more battery). For regular use, we found Eco mode was competent, especially for regular trims. The cutting base is 14 inches across and there are six height adjustments that range between 2.5 to 3.5 inches with an easy-to-use lever for height adjustments. You can either mulch your grass or bag up to.85 bushels before a ‘full bag indicator’ alert notifies you it’s time to empty the bag.

To get started, simply insert the safety button, depress then pull the handle lever and you’re ready to mow. The Worx lawnmower runs on two 20V 4.0 Ah batteries. Power Share advertises that this mower can mow 5,000 square feet with just one charge. However, this wholly depends on various factors like the thickness or height of your grass. Just keep an eye on the battery meter to know when you need to juice up and keep spares on charge. We found it capable of doing a good half hour or more of mowing before it was time to recharge which is plenty for the average yard.

So while we think this is the best small lawn mower, as we’ve already mentioned: you could find it a good choice for a larger yard too.

You can read our full Worx WG779E 40V Cordless Lawn Mower review for more.

How to choose a lawn mower for your small yard

If you have opted for a small lawn mower then it is likely your main concerns will be around how much power and ease of use you can get into a compact package. At one time, electric lawn mowers, including cordless battery-powered models were quite big and heavy to accommodate large battery packs for optimal run time. Luckily, technology has advanced and things like more efficient batteries and brushless motors mean you get greater run time in a smaller package.

Next, consider the cutting width. Most range from 12 inches to 21 inches. It might be tempting to go smaller for ease of movement and storage space limitations, but with edge-to-edge cutting, even the largest model on our list is a great choice if you are looking for a particularly compact lawn mower. That said, bigger will tend to mean weightier, so if you are concerned about lifting — perhaps due to a bad back — take the narrower model and be prepared for a couple of extra runs of your yard.

Finally, if storage is your main reason for buying the best small lawn mower, look at foldable options. Many compact lawnmowers have a foldaway handle and don’t forget the grass box. Our favorite one has a soft material grass box that flattens down. Some mulching mowers have no grass box at all.

Tips for getting the most from your small lawn mower

Lawnmowers aren’t as scary as you think. They’re easy to use if you know the right tips and tricks.

Energy reserve You don’t want to be halfway through mowing your lawn only to discover that you’ve run out of juice. If you purchase a gas-powered lawn mower, make sure you top up before each use and have a gas container with gas stored in your garage or shed in case you need more.

For those who buy a battery-powered lawn mower, you might want to consider buying a backup battery. The harder a battery-powered lawn mower has to work (like a lawn where the grass is higher or thicker), the quicker the battery will die out. If your main battery runs out of charge mid-way through mowing the lawn, just pop in the backup battery.

Never mow a wet lawn If your lawn is wet from morning dew or rain, make sure you wait until it’s dry before you mow the lawn. For one, wet grass is heavier so the lawn mower won’t be able to cut the lawn to the best of its ability. Dry grass stands straight up making it easier to cut. Secondly, wet grass clippings can damage the mower which is an easy way to ruin your day.

Clean the lawn mower deck Every once in a while, turn the lawn mower over and clean under the deck. Grass and grime can build up under there and on the blades, making your lawn mower less effective over time. If you have a gas-powered mower, make sure the gas tank is empty and the spark plug wire is disconnected if you decide to clean the deck with the garden hose. It’s not a bad idea to blow off the lawn mower with your blower after each use.

Be careful what you mow over Before mowing your lawn, try to pick up sticks and other debris that could ruin your lawn mower blades. It’s best to avoid stumps and vines as these can also damage or get wrapped around the blades.

Grass clippings are good for the yard Although some people hate the sight of grass clippings left on a yard, they can actually be beneficial to your yard’s health as they’re a natural fertilizer. A mulching feature on a lawn mower is a good option because it breaks down leaves and grass and helps it to decompose quicker. That said, bagging clippings – especially weeds or grass that’s really high – could be helpful at certain times.

How we review small lawn mowers

Yes, this small lawnmower has been tested by a Real Homes reviewer. Our Content Director of Lifestyle Ecommerce tested it for us in her backyard, and as you can already tell: she loved it.

Lindsey has been writing about homes since 2013, when she joined the Homebuilding Renovating team. Now, she spends her time reviewing and managing several homes titles, including Homes Gardens and Livingetc, helping with best practices for our ecommerce content.

Lindsey reviewed the Worx lawnmower back in 2023, and when speaking about it says With an impressive battery life, good range of movement, and edge-to-edge cutting, this cordless lawn mower is great value for money. Easy to use and store, I almost can’t wait to mow the lawn again.

What type of mower is best for small lawn?

Definitely go for a smaller size lawnmower, and one that’s cordless if you can for total convenience, otherwise a corded model will still work. just check its cord is long enough to reach around your lawn. Try and get one that folds if you don’t have much storage space for your lawnmower, and do consider its cutting width — the higher this number, the faster you’ll be able to mow your lawn. But remember, the bigger the width of the mower, the bulkier it will be to store. We’d always say to go electric over gas for the environment and for convenience and ease.

Can I use a trimmer instead of a lawn mower?

If you want to follow the won’t take up any room route to its logical conclusion, it may be tempting to just use your trimmer instead of a lawn mower. After all, if it’s just a small lawn, how hard can it be? Trust us, it’s very hard work, and you won’t get an even trim no matter how hard you try. Even tiny lawns need lawnmowers, although if yours is really very small, a hand-push one will probably suffice.

If you really don’t want to mow though, don’t! We love the look of a wildflower meadow — as do any garden visitors like bees and small creatures.