I’ve personally had dreams of my lawn growing wild and unruly. Yeah, sad, I know, but I’m obsessed with my garden.
To ensure it looks pristine, I’ve collated and tested a strong selection of the best rotary lawnmowers to ensure you don’t wake up in sweats like I did.
Every dad obsessed with their lawn needs a reliable way to maintain its tidy appearance, but finding the right lawn mower can be challenging with so many options.
Should you opt for robotic, electric, or petrol? Do you need a cylinder, rotary, or hover mower?
How large should it be, and what should your budget be? And most importantly, what will give you those perfect, stadium-like stripes?
I rated the Flymo EasiMow as my best overall. It is a fantastic rotary lawnmower that suited my needs to the tee and gave me the best experience when cutting my lawn to a Wembley ESQ standard.
Scroll down to review my findings.
A quick shout-out to the Flymo Ultralife Lawnmower. I’m not one for robotic rotary lawnmowers, but this one truly impressed me. It was incredibly fun using it, not only for me but also for my 2-year-old son.
Right, let’s get into it. Your lawn isn’t going to cut itself!
The 5 Best Rotary Lawmowers - At A Glance
- Best Overall – Flymo EasiMow
- Best Electric – Bosch Rotak Electric Lawnmower
- Best Petrol – Webb Push Petrol Lawnmower
- Best Battery Powered – Greenworks 24V Cordless Lawnmower
- Best Robotic – Flymo Ultralife Lawnmower
How Did I Test The Lawnmowers?
I’ve spent the last couple of months testing the best rotary lawnmowers listed below in my garden, and on a fresh piece of land, I own with an abundance of grass.
I wanted to find the right rotary lawnmower to suit my garden lawn. One that is within my budget and easy to manicure. Lightweight (as a lawnmower could be!), and how well it does its job and cuts my grass.
You also want to look at the amount of grass the mower’s storage box holds and decide whether a petrol mower is superior or if the tried and trusted electrical lawnmower is the way to go.
The Top 5 Rotary Lawnmowers To Turn Your Lawn Into A Carpet
After testing the below, I have reviewed my experience, ensuring I include the key positives of the machine and my personal experience of how it worked for me.
Best Overall – Flymo EasiMow
- Ambidextrous Design: Dual lever handles allow comfortable use with either hand, allowing good manoeuvrability.
- Lightweight & Portable: With a convenient top handle, the EasiMow 340R is easy to carry to and from your lawn.
- Compact Storage: Foldable handles ensure the mower can be stored neatly.
- Grass Disposal: The grass box features a tongue design for easy removal and disposal of the grass clippings.
- Weight - 11KG
- Cutting Width - 34cm
- Bag Volume - 35 litre
- Cutting Height - 20-60mm
- Dad Satisfaction - 10/10
What's Good?
- Easy Maneuverability: Dual starters and large rear wheels.
- Compact Storage: Foldable handles.
- Efficient Grass Collection: 45-litre grass box with a full indicator.
- Versatile Height Adjustments: Ranging from 20 to 60 millimetres.
- Stability and Edge Cutting: Large rear wheels and grass cones.
- Solid Build Quality: Durable construction and easy-to-clean deck.
What Could Be Better?
- Assembly Challenge: Locking the grass collection box can be tricky.
- Limited Cutting Options: Fewer height settings compared to some competitors.
So, to start off, The EasiMow 380R arrived well-packaged, including clear instructions, nuts, bolts, and, obviously, the grass collection box.
Assembling it was straightforward, although I found locking in the grass collection box a bit fiddly. Nevertheless, it went well together.
This mower is designed for convenience and has dual starters. It makes it an easy kit to manoeuvre, and foldable handles make storage even easier.
The 45-litre grass collection box, complete with an indicator, is perfect. The central carry handle also makes walking to and from the garden with the mower easy.
The mower offers height adjustments ranging from 20 to 60 millimetres, allowing me to quickly achieve low and high cuts.
I also loved the fact that it has a rear roller, which added that Wembley effect mentioned above to my lawn as I mowed in lines.
The mower’s large rear wheels provided a nice feeling of stability, and the grass cones allowed for close-edge cutting, allowing you to get close to your edging. The deck design is also easy to clean, which is great.
I tested the 38-centimetre model on my lawn, which had quite long grass and was ready to cut at the time. The mower didn’t disappoint; it handled the long grass impressively, mainly thanks to its powerful 1600-watt motor.
The cut was excellent and even and remained stable over certain lumps and bumps. The height adjustments worked well, preventing any scalping of the lawn. It was a nice, easy glide when walking up and down.
Some pros of the Flymo EasiMow 380R include its relatively lightweight and easy mobility, compact storage with foldable handles, efficient grass collection with a 45-litre box and full indicator.
It also has easy height adjustments ranging from 20 to 60 millimetres, stability, and edge cutting with large rear wheels and grass cones.
Its solid build quality and easy-to-clean deck are also noteworthy. However, there was a minor challenge in locking the grass collection box during assembly, limited cutting options compared to other rotary lawnmowers, and a solid grass collection box, which could benefit from a more flexible design.
Despite those few minor cons, the Flymo EasiMow 380R’s performance, ease of use, and other features make it my best overall choice for use on my lawn.
Best Electric – Bosch Rotak Electric Lawnmower
- Lightweight electric rotary lawnmower for small to medium-sized lawns.
- Unique grass combs cut right up to the edge.
- Integrated rear roller for stripes and stability, preventing scalping.
- Ergonomic fold-down handle and stackable grass box for easy control and storage.
- A sizeable 40-litre grass box with a carry handle reduces the need for frequent emptying.
- Adjustable cutting height from 20 to 70 mm.
- Weight - 12KG
- Cutting Width - 36cm
- Bag Volume - 40 litre
- Cutting Height - 20-70mm
- Dad Satisfaction - 9/10
What's Good?
Even Cut: Delivers a clean, even cut every time, ensuring a pristine lawn.
Compact and Easy to Store: A sleek profile simplifies storage and reduces clutter.
Comfortable: Comfortable to use for extended periods, transforming lawn maintenance into a more enjoyable task.
Great Value for Money: Offers exceptional value compared to similar rotary lawnmowers.
What Could Be Better?
Assembly Challenges: Minor difficulties with assembly due to plastic quality.
Plastic Quality: Some concerns about the quality of the plastic components.
The Bosch Rotak 36 R Electric Lawnmower was an absolute pleasure to use in my garden.
It has a powerful 1350 W motor and a 36 cm cutting width. That alone makes it outshine many of its competitors in the electric lawnmower range. When given its first test run, it handled thick grass and uneven terrain efficiently, delivering a clean, even cut.
Setting up the mower was straightforward despite some minor assembly challenges due to the plastic quality. My son (who’s 2) and I assembled it quickly. Doing that with a toddler obviously means the design is very user-friendly.
The Bosch Rotak 36 R offers various settings, allowing for customisation to suit your lawn’s specific needs, making it versatile and adaptable.
One of the standout features is its design, which makes storing it straightforward. I hate bulky equipment cluttering my tool shed, but this lawnmower’s sleek profile is a welcome change. It’s also easy to manoeuvre, efficiently tackling tight corners and narrow pathways.
For the price, the Bosch Rotak 36 R offers exceptional value for money. Thanks to its design, I found it comfortable and easy to operate after a few hours. This rotary lawnmower transformed a somewhat mundane task into a more enjoyable activity, proving that quality and affordability can go hand in hand.
A heartwarming aspect of my experience was assembling the lawnmower with my son. It turned a routine task into a fun bonding experience.
There were a few things I didn’t enjoy regarding the mower, such as the plastic quality. Overall though, the Bosch Rotak 36 R is reliable, efficient, and user-friendly.
Best Petrol – Webb Push Petrol Lawnmower
- Lightweight: Ideal for navigating paths, trees, and flower beds, it cuts a broad 41cm swathe for faster mowing of both rough and smooth grass.
- Easy-Start Engine: The DVO130 engine, designed by Webb, offers outstanding performance, minimal vibration, low fuel consumption, and long life.
- Adjustable Cutting Heights: A single lever adjusts blade height from 25mm to 75mm, with 7 settings.
- Efficient Grass Collection: The 45-litre mesh grass box fills completely before emptying, reducing trips to the compost heap.
- Peace of Mind: comes with a 3-year guarantee and a UK-based customer service team for aftercare support.
- Weight - 24.5KG
- Cutting Width - 41cm
- Bag Volume - 45 litre
- Cutting Height - 25-75mm
- Dad Satisfaction - 9/10
What's Good?
Adjustable Cutting Heights: Controlled by a single lever.
Mulching Option: Enriches lawn with nutrient-rich clippings.
Robust Design: Solid steel blade and vortex-enhancing deck.
User-Friendly: Foldable handles and bearing-equipped wheels for easy storage.
What Could Be Better?
Assembly: Some people might find the initial assembly challenging.
Plastic Quality: Certain components feel less sturdy than the overall build.
The Webb Push Lawn Mower was the next rotary lawnmower to test. This mower might be the solution if your lawn needs some serious TLC.
It’s a perfect blend of quality construction and affordability, making mowing efficient and enjoyable.
With a robust 132cc Webb-specific 4-stroke engine, the mower delivers power all over the lawn. Starting the engine is simple: press the primer button three times, hold the safety lever, and you’re ready to go.
The engine’s reliability ensured a decent cut, giving my lawn the attention it deserves.
The adjustable cutting height ranges from 25mm to 75mm and is controlled by a single lever, which I found refreshing. This feature allowed me to customise the mower to suit the length I wanted to cut my lawn.
The 45-litre mesh grass collection bag is solid. It’s spacious, easy to attach, and excellent at collecting grass clippings.
Suppose you prefer not to use the bag. In that case, the mower also functions as a mulching mower, enriching your lawn with nutrient-rich clippings, which was fantastic.
One of the things I love most about the Webb 41cm Push Lawn Mower is its design. The solid steel rotary blade creates a vortex within the deck, improving grass collection and delivering a cleaner cut.
The handles are easily foldable for convenient storage, and the wheels are equipped with bearings for smooth manoeuvrability, allowing you to glide effortlessly across the lawn.
This mower offers value for money. If you’re looking for a reliable, efficient, and affordable lawn mower, the Webb 41cm Push Lawn Mower is a fantastic choice.
Best Battery Powered – Greenworks 24V Cordless Lawnmower
- Cuts small garden lawns up to 140m² on a single charge, with petrol-mower power and performance but without the mess, noise, and environmental impact.
- Brushless motor for reliability, low maintenance, and longer lifespan.
- Lithium 24V 2Ah Battery compatible with all Greenworks 24V tools.
- Quickly adjustable cutting heights from 25mm to 70mm with a single lever.
- 2-in-1 mulching or collection: 30L bag for grass clippings.
- Weight - 11KG
- Cutting Width - 33cm
- Bag Volume - 30 litre
- Cutting Height - 25-70mm
- Dad Satisfaction - 8/10
What's Good?
- Durable Construction: Steel chassis ensures longevity and resilience.
- Versatile Cutting Options: Turbo mode for thick grass, adjustable cutting height.
- Battery Powered: No annoying cord in the way, plug and play.
- Efficient Operation: Large cutting deck and various disposal options (mulching, side discharge).
- Battery Versatility: Compatible with other Greenworks 60V tools.
What Could Be Better?
- Quickly Filling Collection Bag: A 55-litre grass box fills up fast during long mowing sessions.
- Initial Cost: Higher initial investment due to battery-powered technology.
- Battery time: approx 35 minutes running time, only useful for medium or small gardens.
The Greenworks 60V Self-Propelled Lawnmower packs impressive battery power, rivalling petrol-powered models, thanks to its 60-volt battery system and dual slots for extended mowing sessions.
It has a durable steel chassis that handles tough conditions nicely and adjusts self-propulsion speeds to tackle my garden’s gradients with relative ease. The mower has a turbo button for dense grass, adjustable cutting heights from 25 to 80 millimetres, and a wide 51-centimetre cutting deck ideal for medium and small gardens.
While the 55-litre collection bag filled up quickly during longer cuts, its mulching and side discharge reduced the need for frequent emptying.
It also seamlessly integrates with other Greenworks 60V tools, making it a practical addition if you’re a keen Greenworks enthusiast.
Having never used a battery-powered mower before, I wasn’t sure what to think. However, I was pleasantly surprised at how it glided around my garden and showed no sign of reducing power compared to a petrol or electrical lawnmower.
The Battery lasted around 35 minutes, so depending on how big your garden is, this could be a problem. If you’re someone with a small garden, this is an ideal mower for you if you’re looking for a battery alternative.
Best Robotic – Flymo Ultralife Lawnmower
- Two Cutting Discs for Better Results: A larger disc for broad cutting and a smaller rear disc for precise edging.
- Immaculate Edges: Cuts precisely to the lawn edge, maintaining a neat appearance of just 1cm.
- Unlock Greater Control: Works with the GARDENA smart system Gateway and App, offering integration with smart irrigation products and advanced LONA mapping technology.
- No Need to Empty: Returns fine grass clippings to naturally fertilise your lawn.
- Fits Around Your Lifestyle: Additional functions like spot cut, override, park, and second area operation ensure convenient and flexible use tailored to your needs.
- Weight - 21KG
- Cutting Area - 1500m2
- Bag Volume - 0
- Cutting Height - 20-50mm
- Dad Satisfaction - 10/10
What's Good?
Precise Cutting: Two cutting discs ensure immaculate edges and broad cutting.
Smart Integration: Works with the GARDENA smart system for advanced control.
No Grass Box Needed: Grass clippings naturally fertilise the lawn.
What Could Be Better?
Complex Setup: Time-consuming boundary wire installation.
High Cost: Expensive initial investment.
Embarking on a side quest to cut my lawn with the least effort possible, I blew the bank and purchased a Flymo robotic lawnmower, which led me into the realm of automated garden care.
Unboxing my new toy was exciting. It contained various components, including boundary wires, pegs, and a base station—all essential for setting up my new futuristic mower.
The setup process was meticulous:
- Laying the boundary wires along the garden’s edges.
- Winding around flower beds and paving stones.
- Securing them with an abundance of pegs to ensure a secure fit.
My garden’s uneven terrain posed a small challenge, requiring extra care to keep the wires flat and taut so that the mower could work freely.
I looked forward to seeing how the robotic rotary lawnmower would handle the task. Moreover, my outdoor socket randomly packed up, meaning routing the power cable for the base station through a window.
Despite these initial setup hurdles and the initial investment being a bit expensive, the Flymo mower eventually hooked me.
Once set up and ready to roll, it autonomously mapped its boundaries, navigating around the garden while avoiding obstacles with impressive precision.
My dog was absolutely fascinated with this robot zooming around my lawn but quickly got bored of watching the mower’s routine. The mower’s set schedule produced a consistently trimmed lawn.
I’d say the cut is identical to an electric or petrol mower, and battery power has juiced left over after covering the miles around my garden and running for around 45 minutes.
Despite the initial setup challenges, especially over our garden’s uneven surface, the Flymo robotic lawnmower delivered on its promise of convenience and efficiency in maintaining a pristine lawn.
I was super impressed, and if it wasn’t for the price point, I’d make this a permanent addition to my tool shed’s arsenal.
Buyers Guide
I think some key things are important when shopping around for the best rotary lawnmowers for you.
Weight
Lugging around a rotary lawnmower can be heavy and not very friendly to your back, so weight is crucial. Lightweight mowers are the better go-to for easier manoeuvrability and transport, making them ideal for smaller lawns or those who struggle with heavy equipment.
Electric rotary lawnmowers generally weigh less than petrol models, which should be considered if you need to lift the mower for storage or navigate constant obstacles in your garden.
You will also find that lawnmowers on the heavier side, such as petrol models, often offer more stability and power. This can help tackle more prominent areas of your garden or tougher, thicker grass.
Cutting Width
The cutting width of a rotary lawnmower determines how much grass you can cut in a single run. Mowers with a wider cutting width, typically 40 to 50 cm, are better suited for larger lawns as they reduce the number of passes required to mow the entire area.
Mowers with a narrower cutting width, around 25 to 35 cm, are perfect for smaller lawns or gardens with narrower layouts and tighter spots to mow.
The size of your lawn should always be a factor. Choose a mower with a cutting width that matches your efficiency and ease of use needs.
Bag Volume
The bag volume of a rotary lawnmower refers to the capacity of the grass box. Petrol mowers usually have larger bag volumes. These can hold more clippings, reducing the frequency of emptying during use.
This is useful for larger lawns, as you don’t want to stop and empty every 10 minutes. Smaller bag volumes, typical in electric mowers, are lighter and easier to handle but may require more frequent emptying.
Again, the size of your lawn is key when deciding on the appropriate bag volume you’d like your lawn mower to have
Cutting Height
Adjustable cutting height is a great feature we would always look for in a rotary lawnmower. This allows you to set the mower to different heights depending on your grass type and the desired lawn length.
Most lawnmowers offer several height settings ranging from 2 to 10 cm. Lower settings are ideal for a short, well-manicured lawn, while higher settings can handle longer, tougher grass.
Ensure the mower you choose provides easy adjustment mechanisms, allowing you to switch heights without any hassle.
Dad Satisfaction
Dad satisfaction is one of the most important metrics when choosing and evaluating the best rotary lawnmower. Overall, you need to be satisfied with your purchase.
Does it look cool? Do you like the colour? Is it compact for easy storage in your shed? There are many things to consider to ensure your overall satisfaction, aesthetically and spec-wise.
Always check the user reviews quickly, as this can help sway your decision; if it’s working for other lawn-care enthusiast dads, it could also work for you.
Petrol Lawnmowers or Electric Lawnmowers
When it comes to the best rotary lawnmowers, both petrol and electric have their own pros and cons.
Electric lawnmowers are much less expensive, costing 50-60% less than their petrol equivalents, making them ideal for a tighter wallet.
They require less care, and simple tasks such as blade sharpening and deck cleaning are straightforward. They are also lighter and easier to store.
However, using a power cord can be annoying and sometimes dangerous; having to flick the cord out of the way after every run becomes cumbersome, which limits its usefulness for bigger lawns.
Petrol lawnmowers have powerful engines that excel at cutting thicker and longer grass. These models are often more sturdy and durable and may include features like self-propulsion and mulching.
However, they will open your wallet up more, usually twice the cost of electric mowers. They also require much more upkeep, such as regular fuel and oil changes, spark plug cleaning, and air filter replacements.
Their enormous size can make them unsuitable for smaller lawns. Your choice between a petrol or electric lawnmower should be determined by your budget, lawn size, and upkeep preferences.
Mulching or Collecting
Mulching using a lawnmower is different from ordinary grass release.
Mulching involves finely chopping grass clippings with a specialised blade before returning them to your lawn. In contrast, grass discharge is usually just cutting the grass with the mower’s blade and then ejecting the clippings in piles rather than in your clippings bag.
If the mower you pick lacks a particular mulching function or attachment, don’t assume the grass discharge would deliver the same results. Depositing big clumps of long grass on your lawn can suffocate the grass beneath, resulting in moss and thatch.
You should only use the mulch option if your mower is equipped; otherwise, you must gather the grass cuttings after mowing.
FAQ's
A rotary mower is ideal for maintaining residential lawns and gardens. It’s perfect for mowing grass, weeds, and light vegetation. The rotary blade spins horizontally, resulting in a forceful cutting action effective on rough terrain.
A rotary mower can be used on damp grass, but it is generally not recommended. Wet grass clumps together, making it difficult to obtain a clean cut. Additionally, rainy circumstances might cause the mower deck to clog.
If you must mow damp grass, adjust the cutting height slightly to save stress on the mower and provide better results.
Various factors determine the longevity of rotary mower blades, including usage frequency, grass type, and maintenance. Blades typically last about one mowing season (about 20-50 hours).
Regular blade examination and sharpening are required. Dull blades rip grass rather than cutting it cleanly, resulting in an unhealthy lawn.
Rotary mower blades do need to be sharpened from time to time. Dull blades cause jagged cuts, stress the mower’s engine, and impair overall efficiency.
Sharpen the blades at least once a season or if you observe a drop in cutting performance. You can use a sharpening stone or bring them to a specialist.
Yes, regular lubrication is essential for sustaining your rotary lawnmower.
Take these steps:
Check the owner’s manual for detailed information on oil type and frequency.
Before each mowing season, change the oil and replace the oil filter (if necessary).
Monitor oil levels throughout the season and top them out as needed.
Proper lubrication promotes smooth engine functioning and extends the mower’s lifespan.
The Top 5 Rotary Lawnmowers To Turn Your Lawn Into A Carpet
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