Choosing a cordless lawnmower
Consider the following points to help you choose the cordless mower that’s right for you
Where are you cutting? The type of lawn you’re cutting will dictate the mower features you’ll need. Push mowers require you to provide the momentum, so manoeuvrability is key, particularly if your lawn slopes or you have play equipment, beds and trees to navigate. A mower that cuts to the edge gives a neat finish and saves time with the shears or trimmer later. For a sharp, neat look opt for a low cut height, but if you lack time to mow regularly, a higher cut will tackle longer grass. A rear roller gives neat stripes, while a mulching plug lets you choose between collecting clippings or mulching them. It saves you emptying the collection box but mulching only works if the lawn is cut regularly.
What’s the battery charge and run time? Lithium-ion batteries vary in size, from 18V to 40V and from 2Ah to 5Ah in our test, and this determines the cutting power and run time on a single charge. Match the run time to the size of your lawn. Most mowers have a recommended maximum lawn size or run time (although this depends on the conditions on the day) and ideally a fully charged battery will last long enough for you to finish the job. Some models use two batteries at the same time so you can mow for longer and most brands also sell batteries separately. Fast charge times allow you to get mowing again quicker.
Is it easy to use? Most mowers should just need the handles attaching and the grass box assembling, with fabric bags simpler to construct than plastic box-style collectors. Switching between cutting heights should be easy. Some mowers need to be turned over and the entire axle moved, but a single lever simply moved through the range is ideal.
Is storage space limited? If you don’t have much room, check how far the handle folds down and how easily. Most can be partly unscrewed to fold over the body of the mower; others are designed to unclip and double fold completely flat or can be hung or stood up vertically. Fabric bags also collapse while plastic grass boxes are tricky to take apart. If you need to lift the mower up steps into storage or onto a shelf, check its weight and whether there are carry handles to make this easier.
What do you get for your money? The quality of materials often relates to the price. Budget models made from lightweight plastic as opposed to higher-end machines with metal decks are unlikely to last long. Brushless motors are powerful, efficient and longer lasting, and buying another mower later rather than one robust model now is bad for your wallet and the environment. Warranty length can vary – some brands require the mower to be registered to get the longest warranty period and some differ between the mower, battery and charger.
Where to buy
Cobra cobragarden.co.uk
Einhell einhell.co.uk
Flymo flymo.com/uk
Gardena gardena.com Greenworks greenworkstools.co.uk
Mac Allister diy.com Mountfeld mountfeldlawnmowers.co.uk
Powerbase homebase.co.uk
Ryobi uk.ryobitools.eu
Worx worx.com
Yardforce yardforce.co/uk