‘What Size Lawnmower Do I Need?’ and Other FAQs

Our guide to choosing the best lawnmower for your garden

It stands to reason that a well-maintained lawn requires a reliable lawn mower.

And since MowDirect is the UK’s leading online lawnmower and garden machinery retailer, you could say that we’re lawn-care experts!

In this article, we’ll share our tips on replacing your mower by providing answers to your lawn-related questions, including:

• Is it time to replace my lawn mower?
• What types of lawn mower are available?
• What size lawn mower do I need?
• What is the best lawn mower for my garden?

When to buy a new lawnmower

These are the tell-tale signs that it might be time to replace your lawnmower:

1. Excessively frequent repairs and maintenance
Finding that the cost of repairs and maintenance is out of line with the overall value of your machine? This is an indication that replacement is the wisest option. It could be more cost-effective to invest in a new model, instead of continuously paying for expensive labour and costly replacement parts.

2. Poor performance
If you’ve noticed an unreliable starting mechanism, deteriorating cutting-quality or reduced power, then this could be a sign that your mower is on its way out. Patchiness and irregular grass heights result when your mower is performing below its optimum level – if this is the case with your machine, it’s advisable to replace it.

3. Safety-concerns
Safety should always be a priority. Blunt – or malfunctioning – blades, a worn-out cutter deck or unstable wheels can all pose a safety risk. To reduce the risk of accident or injury, replacement is the best option.

Essentially, if your lawnmower is showing signs of a steady decline in performance, then investing in a new one is the smart move.

hat size lawn mower do I need?

The right size and type of mower largely depends on the how big – or small – your lawn is. As a rule of thumb, we recommend:

1. Small lawns (50-200 m2)
A hand-propelled cordless battery mower offers more manoeuvrability and better control in small lawns, especially those with awkward corners.

2. Medium-sized lawns (200-500 m2)
A mower with a larger-sized cutting deck will cover ground more efficiently.

3. Larger lawns (+500 m2)
A self-propelled mower with a wider cut will save time and effort across a more substantial lawn.

Our four-wheel rotary lawnmowers are amongst the most versatile available. They can be used on everything from fine, manicured lawns, through to outlying areas of rough. In addition, many of our petrol-powered four-wheel rotary lawnmowers offer a mulching capability, which will naturally fertilise your lawn. For larger expanses, it’s worth considering a ride-on mower or garden tractor.

What type of lawnmower do I need?

There’s no ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution to this question, which is why we offer so many different options.

As well as the size of your lawn, you should consider these factors when searching for the right lawn mower:

• Lawn terrain
  The terrain – or ‘topography’ – of your garden is a key factor. If your lawn has tussocky areas, or is quite hilly, we recommend a self-propelled mower, which will easily handle slopes, without you having to expend too much energy.

• Grass type
  If you have thick, coarse or tough grass to tame, then that’s something to bear in mind when selecting your new mower. Petrol-powered field & brush mowers are ideal for clearing overgrown areas of brush, borders and woodland.

• Power source
  Consider whether it’s practical to choose a mains-electric mower; to go cordless with a battery-operated model; or to go for the tried-and-tested option, petrol.

• Time and commitment
  Be honest: are you a garden perfectionist?! If so, you’ll be happy to spend a little extra time on your lawn to get it ‘just so’. A petrol rear-roller lawn mower can be used to create a traditional striped effect, and will also enable the mower to cut along the very edge of your lawn without it tipping sideways into your flowerbeds or veg plot.

When you’re looking for the best lawnmower for you, think about whether or or not you want additional features, For example, the ability to vary the ground-speed, to side-discharge cuttings, or to start the engine via an electronic push-button system.

What is the best type of lawn mower to buy?

Here’s a run down of the different types of mower, along with their pros and cons:

• Petrol Mowers

Suitable for: all sizes and textures of lawn, including bumpy and/or hilly terrain.

Pros: powerful and efficient – handles rough ground, slopes and coarse grass with ease.
Cons: a bit noisier than other models, requires regular maintenance and produces exhaust emissions.

• Mains-Electric Mowers

Suitable for: small- to medium-sized lawns.

Pros: lightweight and environmentally friendly (no emissions)
Cons: must have access to power outlets, and the cord poses a potential safety issue.

• Cordless Battery-Powered Mowers

Suitable for: small to medium-sized lawns

Pros: quiet-running, low-maintenance and emission-free, plus not restricted by a mains cable.
Cons: battery needs to be charged; may lack the power for adverse grass conditions and demanding terrain.

• Traditional Manual/Hand Cylinder Mowers (No Engine)

Suitable for: smaller, flatter lawns comprising fine grass.

Pros: environmentally friendly, low maintenance and quiet in operation.
Cons: requires a little more effort to use; may be unsuitable for large lawns, uneven terrain and tougher grass types.

• Robotic Mowers

Suitable for: small to medium-sized lawns with regular maintenance-needs.

Pros: consistent, convenient and effortless once installed
Cons: a slightly higher price-point compared to ‘regular’ lawn mowers; requires set-up, including boundary wires, so may not be suitable for irregularly-shaped lawns

Looking for the best lawn mower range?

If you need a new lawnmower, you should assess your needs with reference to our list of considerations in order to establish what’s the best type of machine to buy.

When it comes to your budget, sometimes it’s better to invest a little more to get hold of a high-quality lawn mower that won’t let you down in both the short- and long-terms.

Maintaining a healthy, neatly-groomed lawn is easy once you’ve chosen the best lawnmower for the job.

If you need any more advice, please don’t hesitate to call our team on .

Alternatively, please email our team at customercare@mowdirect.co.uk.