If you’re about to invest in a new electric lawn mower, there are lots of things to consider. How will you choose a model to suit your lawn? How much are you prepared to spend? And however much it costs, how do you know that your mower is built to last?
We’re going to help you find the answers to all those questions and more! Join us as we review seven of the best electric lawn mowers on the market right now. And check out our buying guide to help you match their features to your mowing needs.
So without further ado, step this way to find out what’s on offer!
The best electric lawnmower UK
The best electric lawn mower on UK Market 2023
1. Bosch Rotak 32R electric lawn mower (Our Top Pick)
The Rotak 32R from Bosch is the most economically priced electric mower on our list. But that doesn’t mean you have to compromise on performance.
This impressive little workhorse offers a 1,200-watt motor and a cutting width of 32 centimetres. It’s best suited to small and medium-sized gardens. And if you have paths or fences to mow along, you’ll love the grass comb. That enables you to get a neat cut right up to the edge.
This is a mower that’s lightweight enough to be easy to manoeuvre. At under 7 kilograms, you’ll be able to steer it around corners and obstacles without breaking a sweat.
You’ll get plenty of torque, and the steel blade will slice cleanly through the grass. You can choose from a cutting height of between 20 and 60 millimetres. There are five different options in all. So whether this is the first cut of the growing season or the last, this mower will take it in its stride.
One thing to be aware, of though, is that changing the cutting height is a bit fiddly. To do it, you’ll need to turn the mower on its side.
It comes with a generous grass box, able to hold up to 31 litres of cuttings. So you won’t need to worry about heading out with the rake when you’ve finished mowing.
This is a fairly chunky mower, so make sure that you have space to store it. Although the handles will in theory fold down to make this easier, in practice it’s awkward to do. So if you need to squeeze your mower into a tight spot in the garden shed, there are better options.
Some assembly is required before the first use, but it’s not too much of a challenge. You’ll need to fix together about half a dozen parts. Expect it to take around 15 minutes.
Pros:
- Plenty of torque from the 1,200-watt motor
- Choice of five different cutting heights, from 20 to 60 millimetres
- Comes with a grass box capable of holding up to 31 litres of cuttings
Cons:
- You’ll need to tip the mower on its side to change the cutting height
- The handles are supposed to fold down for storage, but getting them to do so isn’t easy.
2. Flymo Speedi-Mo 360VC Electric Rotary Lawn Mower
The Flymo Speedi-Mo 360VC is a step up from the Bosch in terms of cost. But you do get extra power and capacity for your money.
First up there’s the motor. Here, you’ll get an output of 1,500 watts – 25 per cent more than the Bosch. The grass box is considerably larger too, at 40 litres. And because it compacts the grass as it cuts, you’ll have to empty it less often.
For an extra few pounds, you can get a window in the grass box. We think it’s well worth the money to see how full it’s getting. You’ll be able to head to the composter before it starts spitting the cuttings back out.
In comparison to the Bosch, you’ll also get an extra few centimetres on the cutting width. This mower will give you a 36-centimetre cut.
There’s plenty of choice when it comes to the cutting heights. Go as high as 60 millimetres, or take it down all the way to 20. The height is controlled by a simple lever near the wheels, so it’s easy to adjust.
There’s a 12-metre power cord, enabling you to cover plenty of area without worrying where the socket is.
The mower weighs 11.5 kilograms, so it’s not the lightest model out there. Bear that in mind if you’ll need to carry it any distance from your lawn for storage. There is, however, a useful secondary handle to make the job easier.
You’ll have a choice of two handle heights, helping you get a comfortable mowing experience whatever your height.
When you’ve finished, the handle folds down smoothly, so the mower doesn’t take up too much space. With the handles folded and the grass box removed, you’ll need about 70 centimetres by 40 centimetres of storage space.
This is another mower that requires some assembly before the first use. It’s mostly easy with the exception of the grass box, which comes in two sections. They’re pretty lightweight, making it somewhat awkward to put together.
Pros:
- Choice of five cutting heights, with a simple lever to move between them
- Choice of two handle heights for a comfortable mowing experience
- Handle folds down flat for easier storage
Cons:
- Fairly heavy if you need to carry it any distance
- The grass box is in two pieces and is a bit of a faff to put together.
3. Flymo EasiLife 200 Robotic Lawn Mower
If you’re looking for a mower that will cut your grass with the least possible effort, check out the Flymo EasiLife 200. This is one of Flymo’s range of robot mowers. It requires a bit of set-up – but once done, you can sit back and watch the mower do the work!
The set-up involves installing a perimeter wire to mark out the area you want the machine to cut. Once that’s done, the EasiLife will nip out as and when required, mowing your lawn in random directions to avoid creating track marks.
It has sensors to tell it when a cut is due. Or you can instruct it to get mowing using an app on your smartphone.
It’s powered by an 18-volt battery, so there are no cables. You will, though, need to run a power supply to its charging station. The mower will take itself off there to recharge its battery when required.
The EasiLife 200 is designed for lawns with a surface area of up to 200 square metres. There are six other models in the range, covering areas between 150 and 800 square metres. The bigger the area, the more expensive the mower.
And price is really the main downside of this one. It’s spectacularly expensive, costing well over four times as much as the next priciest model on our list.
The other thing to note is that it doesn’t have a grass box. The little mower will simply leave the cuttings on the lawn as mulch.
That’s fine if you don’t mind getting them on your shoes when you walk across the lawn. But if you prefer your cuttings in the composter, you’ll have to rake them up. That does rather defeat the purpose of the zero-effort design.
But that aside, this is a great little gadget – and it really works. It will handle gradients of up to 35 per cent. And there are tilt, lift and collision sensors to keep you – and it – safe during use. If you don’t mind spending a fortune on a mower, you’ll be getting a brilliant talking point too.
Pros:
- Once set up, this will keep your lawn in excellent condition with zero effort from you
- Runs from a rechargeable 18-volt battery, so you won’t have cables trailing over your lawn
- Handles gradients of up to 35 per cent – so a bumpy lawn presents no difficulties
Cons:
- No grass box, so you’ll either need to use the cuttings as mulch or get raking
- Very expensive – though you’ll be getting a conversation piece as well as a mower.
4. Hyundai HYM3800E Electric Lawn Mower
With its 1,600-watt motor, Hyundai’s HYM3800E is one of the most powerful mowers on our list. And it’s reasonably priced too.
It’s kitted out in Hyundai’s distinctive blue and black livery, and it’s a substantial machine, weighing 12.5 kilograms. When it’s time to store it, though, the folding handles and a collapsible grass box minimise space requirements. It requires space of just 71 centimetres by 35.5 centimetres.
There are five different cutting heights on offer, from 20 to 70 millimetres. They’re selected using a simple lever, so it’s no hassle to do.
There’s a rear roller to create an attractive striped finish. And you can either collect your cuttings in the 40-litre grass box, or return them to the ground as mulch. A mulching plug can create extra-fine cuttings and drop them onto the lawn as you go.
The cutting width here is 38 centimetres, a good choice for lawns up to around 225 square metres. And there’s a grass comb, allowing you to cut right up to the edges of fences or paths. It comes with a standard UK plug and a 10-metre power cord.
There’s not much here to find fault with. The only real niggle is that the grass collection is sometimes hit and miss. If the grass box isn’t slotted correctly into the grooves, you’ll find cuttings spray out at the top and sides.
And note that, as with most mowers, some straightforward assembly is required before the first use.
Pros:
- Powerful 1,600-watt motor
- Folding handles and a collapsible grass box minimise the storage space required
- Rear roller to create an attractive striped lawn
Cons:
- It can be awkward to fit the grass collection box correctly – and if it’s not in quite the right place, the cuttings can escape
- At 12.5 kilograms, this is one of the heavier mowers on our list.
5. Murray EC370 Electric Corded Lawn Mower
If your lawn is heading towards the 600 square meter mark, the EC370 from Murray is well worth a look. This handsome mower is finished in black and silver with green accents. And it’s a good, mid-priced performer.
The cutting width is 37 centimetres, and there are grass combs on the sides of the mowing deck. These steer the grass at the edges towards the blade, meaning less edge trimming is required. If your lawn buts up against a fence, path or wall, it’s a very convenient feature.
It also has one of the biggest ranges of cutting heights out there. You can choose from no fewer than seven different positions. Start at 75 millimetres for the first cut of the season, then gradually reduce the height all the way down to 25 millimetres.
There’s a powerful 1,600-watt motor with soft start technology, so it’s easy to get it going. And there’s a generous 40-litre grass box. It’s easy to detach when it’s time to empty it out.
The handle is well-designed, with a cushioned grip so it’s comfortable to push. And when you’ve finished mowing, it folds down to minimise the space required for storage.
The whole thing comes with a reassuring 5-year warranty too.
So is there anything not to like?
Well, the power cable is only 10 metres long. That may be a little restrictive for a mower designed for lawns up to 600 square metres. And there’s no roller, so you won’t get stripes on your grass.
But if those aren’t deal breakers for you, this is a great mower at a very reasonable price.
Pros:
- Grass combs enable you to get a clean cut right to the edges of fences or paths
- Choose from seven cutting heights between 27 and 75 millimetres
- Comfortable cushioned handle folds down for easier storage
Cons:
- The 10-metre power cable isn’t as long as we’d like for a mower designed for lawns up to 600 square metres
- There’s no roller, so you’ll need to roll the grass after mowing if you want to create stripes.
6. Greenworks G24LMSTK2 battery-powered lawnmower
With this package from Greenworks you get two appliances – a lawn mower and a trimmer to get neat edges. And the combined price is comparable to a mid-priced corded electric mower.
Both the mower and trimmer run on a rechargeable 2Ah lithium-ion battery. And the battery and a charger are included in the package, making this excellent value for money.
The design means you’ll never have to worry about power cords trailing over your garden. But unless you buy a spare battery and keep it charged, you will need to be mindful of battery life.
That means this is a mower that’s best suited to smaller lawns. You’ll be able to cut up to about 250 square metres of grass on a single charge.
If you want a longer working period, you can upgrade the battery. Both appliances can also be used with the 4Ah battery from Greenworks. And the batteries are compatible with all the other garden appliances in the same range.
The cutting width is 33 centimetres, and it comes with a 30-litre grass box. You can choose from cutting heights from 20 to 60 millimetres, although there are only three increments. And when you’ve finished mowing, the handle folds down to take up less storage space.
Note that this is another mower that requires some assembly – and we’ve heard a few complaints about the instructions. Be prepared to spend some time on the task before the first use.
The trimmer has a cutting width of 25 centimetres. Without the battery, it weighs just over 2 kilograms.
Like the 9-kilogram mower, it’s lightweight and easy to manoeuvre. Use it when you’ve finished mowing to get a manicured finish at the edges of beds, borders and other obstacles. And when the edges are done, storage is easy. The shaft is in three pieces, so it can be folded down to take up minimal space.
Pros:
- Lawnmower and trimmer in one cost-effective package
- Battery and charger included as standard
- Lightweight and easy to manoeuvre
Cons:
- Not suitable for lawns over 250 square metres unless you upgrade the battery
- Some people have found assembling the mower rather difficult.
7. Flymo Hover Vac 260 Electric Lawn Mower
Flymo’s Hover Vac 260 is one of the most cost-effective electric lawn mowers on our list. If you’ve got a smaller lawn, it could be an excellent choice.
It’s powered by a 1,400-watt motor and has a cutting width of 26 centimetres. You’ll also be able to choose from four different cutting heights. The highest setting is 31 millimetres, while the lowest is just 11 millimetres. If you long for an ultra-short lawn, it’s a good option.
Just be aware that you’ll need to fiddle with spacers to change the cutting height. That means turning the mower upside down. It’s a very lightweight machine, however, so this is less hassle than it would otherwise be. It weighs just 6.5 kilograms.
When it’s switched on, it generates its own cushion of air which allows it to float above the surface of the lawn. That’s good for the grass, because it means it isn’t under pressure as it’s cut.
The downside, though, is that the air can cause the cuttings to blow about a bit. Although this comes with a grass box, you may find some grass escapes out of the top or sides instead. And the grass box here is rather small, with a capacity of 15 litres.
When you’ve finished mowing, the handles fold down flat so it’s easy to store. It’s even light and compact enough to hang on the wall of your shed. And if you need to transport it to other locations, it’s small enough to fit into the boot of most cars.
Pros:
- Very compact and lightweight – great for smaller lawns
- Hovers above the lawn to minimise stress on your grass
- Capable of a minimum cutting height of just 11 millimetres – perfect for a bowling green finish
Cons:
- You may find the air cushion helps some cuttings escape from the collection box
- That collection box is rather small, with a capacity of 15 litres.
Buying guide
If you’re still wondering which mower is right for your lawn – don’t despair! Here are a few questions to help you identify the features you need to get perfect results in your garden.
How big an area will you be mowing?
To start with, make sure you know roughly how big your lawn is. If you’ve got a bigger space to cover, mowers with larger cutting widths will get the job done quicker. And mowers with more powerful motors will be less likely to overheat if you’re working for longer periods.
If you want your mower to collect the cuttings, make sure the collection box is a suitable size. A 15-litre collection box will be light and easy to carry. But if you’ve got a big lawn, you’ll be emptying it every five minutes!
For corded mowers, check the length of the power cable. And for battery-powered mowers, check the battery life. You don’t want to have to stop cutting your lawn half-way through to go and recharge the battery.
What cutting heights do you need?
Most mowers will give you the ability to choose between different cutting heights. That allows you to start at the highest setting for the first cut of the spring. Then you can gradually reduce the height with subsequent cuts until you reach your desired level.
There’s a lot of variety, though, in the range of cutting heights offered by different mowers. Some, like the Murray EC370, will give you a generous 75-millimetre maximum cut.
That’s great if your grass is likely to have grown quite long before that first cut. And it also allows it to take lumps and bumps in your lawn in its stride.
Others, like the Flymo Hover Vac 260, will only go as high as 31 millimetres. That may make your first cut more challenging. But when that’s done, it goes as low as 11 millimetres. That will be perfect if you have a nicely level lawn and want to create a bowling green-like finish.
Where will you store your mower?
Last but not least, think about where you’ll store your mower. Lots of models have folding handles that allow them to take up less space. And some are even light enough to be hung from the wall of your shed.
And consider how you’ll move your mower from wherever it’s stored to the lawn. If it’s a considerable distance, a lighter weight model will make transporting it much easier.
On the other hand, if you want stripes on your lawn, a heavier mower will give you better results. Just make sure you choose one that incorporates a roller.
Ready to choose your new electric lawn mower?
That brings us to the end of our round-up of seven of the best electric lawn mowers out there! We hope it’s helped you in your search.
Our top pick is the Bosch Rotak 32R. The motor may only be 1,200 watts, but it generates plenty of torque. And we love the choice of cutting heights, good sized grass box and overall ease of use. All that, and it’s easy on your pocket too.
But whichever electric lawn mower is right for you, we wish you a green and pleasant lawn! Happy shopping.
