This superbly engineered steel-deck machine from US-based manufacturers Snapper offers the sort of premium features and superior build-quality that are vital for the more discerning gardener. It’s equipped with a powerful and smooth-running 190cc Briggs & Stratton OHV engine that features ReadyStart for fast, hassle-free ignition; and it benefits from the incorporation of a variable-speed power-drive; a high-spec feature that not only improves manoeuvrability, but also ensures you’ll be able to operate at the most appropriate pace for the grass conditions. The Snapper NX-100 has four cutting-modes (bag; mulch; rear/side-discharge), so it’s capable of tackling everything from formal lawns through to infrequently mown rough-grass areas. Its self-propelled drive and very generous 53cm cut make it possible to cover substantial areas quickly and with minimal effort expended; while its hugely capacious 80-litre collector (the largest in this model’s class) ensures you’ll be able to get much more done between each trip to the compost heap. Other benefits include convenient single-lever selection of the four cutting-heights; ball-bearing mounted wheels for longevity; and a height-adjustable handlebar for enhanced user-comfort.

Thanks to its self-propelled drive and Multiclip mulching system, the Stiga Multiclip 547 S will enable you to get the job done with impressive speed and efficiency. Its dependable 2.5hp Stiga engine employs OHV technology, which delivers a desirable reduction in noise and fuel-costs; while its ball-bearing mounted wheels and steel cutter-deck serve to maximise durability (Stiga offer a 5-year warranty). This model has a mid-sized 45cm cut and boasts five-stage height-of-cut adjustment.