Flymo Speedi-Mo 360C
A capable lawn mower (corded electric mower, 36cm cutting width, 1500W motor) for a well-kept lawn.
Lawn Mower Buying Guide: How to Choose (UK 2026)
Choosing a lawn mower comes down to a few decisions driven by your lawn: the mower type, the power, the cutting width, your lawn size, and how you want clippings handled. This guide walks through each so you can pick the right mower for your garden and how you like to work.
Mower type
This is the first and biggest choice. Robot mowers cut automatically for a hands-off, always-neat lawn. Cordless battery mowers are quiet and low-maintenance - the sweet spot for most gardens. Petrol mowers give the most power for large or rough lawns, often self-propelled. Corded electric mowers are light and cheap for small lawns. Hover mowers glide for slopes and edges. Manual push mowers are silent and eco for tiny lawns. Pick the type for your lawn size and terrain.
Power and cutting width
Power is measured differently by type: petrol by engine cc, cordless by battery voltage (and amp-hours for run time), corded by motor wattage. More power suits longer grass and bigger lawns. Cutting width sets how much you mow per pass: a wider deck (around 40cm+) finishes big lawns faster, while a narrower deck (30-34cm) is nimbler around borders and easier to store. Match both to your lawn.
Lawn size and collection
Size guides everything: small lawns suit light corded, hover or manual mowers; medium lawns suit cordless; large lawns want petrol, self-propelled or high-capacity cordless, or a robot rated for a big working area. Then decide how to handle clippings - a grass box for a clean finish (check the capacity), mulching to feed the lawn and skip emptying, or a rear roller for a striped finish.
Convenience and running costs
Think about how you'll live with it. Cordless and corded electric need almost no maintenance; petrol needs fuel, oil and annual servicing. Cordless bare-tool deals exclude the battery, so check what's included. Look for adjustable cutting heights, fold-flat storage if space is tight, self-propelled drive for large or sloped lawns, and electric start on petrol to skip the pull cord. Robots need occasional blade changes and a charging base.
Our top picks
#1
#2 
Makita
A capable lawn mower (cordless mower, 18V battery) for a well-kept lawn.
#3 
Makita LXT
A capable lawn mower (cordless mower, 38cm cutting width, 18V battery) for a well-kept lawn.
#4 
Eufy E18 Robot Lawnmower
A capable lawn mower (robotic mower) for a well-kept lawn.
#5 
Eufy Robot Lawnmower E15
A capable lawn mower (robotic mower) for a well-kept lawn.
#6 
Makita LXT
A capable lawn mower (cordless mower, 43cm cutting width, 18V battery) for a well-kept lawn.
Frequently asked questions
How do I choose a lawn mower?
Start with your lawn size and terrain, then pick the type (cordless for most gardens, petrol or self-propelled for large lawns, corded or hover for small ones, robot for hands-off). Match the power and cutting width to the lawn, decide how to handle clippings, and factor in maintenance and storage. Match the mower to your lawn and how you like to work.
What size lawn mower do I need?
Match the cutting width to your lawn: around 30-34cm for small lawns and tight spaces, 34-40cm for medium lawns, and 40cm and up for large lawns where a wider deck finishes faster. Bigger isn't always better - a width that's too wide is harder to manoeuvre around borders and to store.
Bottom line
Our top pick is the Flymo Speedi-Mo 360C (our score 9.6/10) - A capable lawn mower (corded electric mower, 36cm cutting width, 1500W motor) for a well-kept lawn..