Making the cut…

Wondering how batter-powered mowers compare with electric models? Hannah Stephenson tested three cordless models on a hilly lawn measuring around 400sqm. Read on to find out how they performed...

MOUNTFIELD S42R PD LI LAWN MOWER

The big plus for this model is that it was the only one out of the three to have a built-in roller, heavy enough to guarantee stripes for those who want their lawns to have a bowling green finish. It has plenty of oomph to go up a hill, with an 80V battery providing all the power you need, easy to slot into its compartment on the mower deck.

What I liked: The finish. The blade is designed to maximise airflow for a better cut with the roller and also made light work of border edges. The roller gives impressive stripes. An easy single lever changes cutting heights - there’s a choice of five heights, which can be set between 20-70mm. The powerful 80v battery will give you around an hour’s running time, depending on conditions, plenty of time to mow an average or larger lawn. It takes 75 minutes to recharge. The battery would suit larger gardens as its run-time is around an hour. What I didn’t like: It is heavy to turn. The lever to drive it can run away with you a bit and doesn’t have a variable speed.

£599 inc battery and charger, Gardenmachinerydirect.co.uk

EGO LM1701E-SP 42CM MOWER

In jazzy green and grey, this impressive self-propelled mower is robust in build, its polymer deck won’t rust, it’s easy to clean, and it comes with some funky gizmos including headlights. For those with limited space it will fold and stand upright in your shed. If you want stripes, you can fit an AR1700 rear roller kit for around £50 more.

What I liked: Easy to assemble - you only need to assemble the grassbox, which is straightforward. Solid, well-made piece of kit with a durable polymer deck. Mows the lawn with ease, taking hills and rough grass in its stride, with a 42cm cutting capacity. Its seven height positions, adjustable with one handle, can take you from a cut of 25mm-80mm. The battery can be used with other EGO Power+ tools and the handle arms slide down for easy storage.

What I didn’t like: The relatively short run time of the battery which comes in the package - 15-20 minutes - although it will recharge in 50 minutes on the standard charger (also included). With so many impressive features, this superior mower is suitable for lawns which would take much longer than 20 minutes to mow, but you’ll have to buy a more expensive EGO battery for that.

£529 Egopowerplus.co.uk

HONDA IZY HRG 416 XB CORDLESS LAWNMOWER

This new addition to Honda’s fleet of mowers is the only push mower I tried - and it didn’t disappoint. Its goodlooking pressed steel deck will resist corrosion and it cut through grass like butter, felt less cumbersome than its weighty competitors and is simple to use. Then all you need to do is push! With a smaller 4Ah battery, its run time is around 35 minutes. For around £60 more you can get a bigger battery which will run for approximately 55 minutes, depending on conditions.

What I liked: It’s a lovely looking machine - red and grey pressed steel, which required virtually no set-up at all. Simple to use, lightweight and easy to turn in small spaces. This machine is great for flat lawns you can mow in around half an hour and won’t take too much pushing. Batteries are interchangeable with other Honda tools. What I didn’t like: It’s a similar price to the selfpropelled mowers, so a little expensive. You’ll need to exert more energy to push it up hilly lawns than with self-propelled models - but if you need the exercise, it’s the one to choose.

£376 (was £451) excluding battery and charger; £575