Worx WG761E

What’s the story?

This self-propelling mower is top of Worx’s new Nitro range. It has a variable speed and an unusual battery system: four 20V batteries team up to deliver 80V. They sit in a removable Basecamp charger and the whole thing clips into the mower. No separate charger is needed, just a power cable.

The entire Basecamp can also be used, Ghostbusters-style, to power the Worx 80V backpack leaf blower. The 20V cells work with Powershare-compatible tools too… although on test we found that the mower only worked with all four batteries in place.

Is it any good?

Assembly is minimal: just clip the mesh grassbox to its wire frame. It also comes with a side discharge chute, to clip on if you’re mulching instead of gathering your clippings.

The Worx is a large and powerful piece of gear, but it’s easy to store. Press a button and the handle folds forwards and locks into place. Then you can securely tip the mower up to wheel it around or stow it vertically (this thing is heavy but you rarely need to lift it). The same button sets the handle height for mowing, from three options.

Pushing the mower, your fingers pull a black wire handle to the main handle to mow and your thumbs push an orange wire handle to engage self-propelling. You can do one or both. A control in easy reach sets the speed, from a crawl to a brisk walk that blitzes lawns fast. There’s also a button on the dash to turn on its four

LED headlights, while a lever on the body selects from seven cutting heights – and there’s a safety key too.

Mowing performance was very good for us, but not the best on test. It didn’t stall with the grassbox but did stall occasionally when mulching, and lawn edges were slightly tufty. Cornering was a bit hard but its power made mowing long lengths a breeze, even over bumpy ground. Overall, the Worx lived up to the promise of petrol-like lawnmowing performance.

£900 / go.stuff.tv/wg761e Key specs ● 51cm mowing width ● 1000m2 mowing area ● 35kg