A cut above: Time to get the perfect lawnmower for you

Looking for a new mower this spring? Let us help you swot up on the many types available and which is the best for your garden.

There are so many lawnmowers on the market these days: rotary and cylinder, corded electric, cordless petrol, batterypowered and state-of-the-art robotic types. But which one is right for your budget, and right for your lawn?

Lawnmower prices range from under £100 to thousands for elaborate sit-on types, but expect to pay at least a few hundred if you have a fair-sized lawn and want something that will last.

Petrol, corded electric or battery are the main options and each has its own pros and cons.

In our environmentally-conscious world battery-powered options – once dismissed by lawn lovers because of the batteries’ dubious staying power and the need to replace them after a winter in storage – have become more sophisticated as lithium-ion batteries don’t lose power like the old ones.

In the last 12 months, sales of cordless electric lawnmowers at Homebase have increased by more than 700% compared with the previous year.

Bosch stopped manufacturing petrol mowers in 2010 to go eco-friendly and has long been extolling the virtues of lithium-ion batteries which, it claims, perform as petrol equivalents but with low noise, low vibrations and savings on running costs.

Battery-operated mowers are generally lighter machines, don’t pump out carbon monoxide and are much quieter than their petrol counterparts.

You don’t have to worry about a cable or expend energy pulling a cord to get them going either, as they start at the touch of a button.

Other than following battery care instructions and annually sharpening the blades, cordless mowers need no other kind of maintenance.

The disadvantages of battery mowers are that you have to remember to recharge the batteries and they won’t stripe your lawn as effectively as a heavier machine.

Petrol-driven motors may be better for bigger lawns and where you need plenty of power on slopes or uneven surfaces.

There are push and self-propelled varieties, where the throttle control eases the pushing ability of the user.

Petrol mowers give a good striped effect as they are heavier and, although they need servicing, it could be argued that a well-maintained, good quality petrol mower will outlast most electric ones.

Users also won’t encounter the cumbersome cables of electric models and the need for safety cut-out plugs.

A corded electric mower is fine for a smaller suburban garden, if you’re not bothered about keeping the cable out of the way of the blades.

Electric “hover” mowers are the cheapest, but can produce a disappointing finish, often require a spanner to adjust the mowing height and don’t always collect grass efficiently.

Ultimately, your choice should depend on your lawn type and size.

If you have a small or medium-sized lawn, a battery-operated mower or light electric type should be fine for your needs.

So, cylinder or rotary? Cylinder mowers are for the lawn perfectionist who wants a finer cut and bowling green finish. They are ideal for flat lawns and short grass, but struggle with long or wet grass.

If you want the exercise, opt for a push variety. If you don’t, self-propelled is the way to go.

Rotary mowers are better all-rounders, cut better in wet or long grass and cope well with uneven, bumpy surfaces. Their blades can be easily changed to boot.

Picture: PA. Sit-on lawnmowers: Powerful and very popular... but are they the best option for your lawn?