Summary
What Does A Variable Speed Mower Mean?
A variable speed mower means that you can adjust the speed of the mower to suit your walking pace and specific needs. For example, if you have a self-propelled mower without this option, you may feel that the mower is too slow or is running away from you. This will not create a pleasant or desired mowing experience.
With variable speed you can adjust the speed of either the front or rear wheels (depending if your mower is front or rear wheel drive) to match your pace or the speed at which you want to mow the lawn. Also, if you are mowing steep inclines you are likely to want to reduce the speed further to provide more stability and better grip, resulting in a safer mowing session.
There is another self-propelled method that some higher end petrol mowers use, that basically senses the speed at which you are walking and adjusts the mower’s speed accordingly. This can be seen, for example, on some Hayter Harrier mowers.
Best Variable Speed Petrol Mower
| Image | Mower Name | Deck | Features | More Details | Mower-cutting-heights | Mower-cutting-features | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Fox 21"/53cm Review Petrol Turbo Lawn Mower | 53 | Folding Handles Grass Box Full Indicator Larger Rear Wheels Self Propelled Variable Speed | Check Best Price Full Review | 8 (25mm - 75mm) | Cut and Collect Mulching Rear Discharge Side Discharge | 89 |
 | Frisky Fox PLUS 20" Review - 5.5hp Self Propelled Petrol Lawn Mower | 51 | Folding Handles Grass Box Full Indicator Hose Wash Port Larger Rear Wheels Self Propelled Variable Speed | Check Best Price Full Review | 8 (25mm - 75mm) | Cut and Collect Mulching Rear Discharge Side Discharge | 81 |
 | P1PE P5100SPE Review | 51 | Folding Handles Grass Box Full Indicator Larger Rear Wheels Safety Key Self Propelled Variable Speed | Check Best Price Full Review | 7 (25mm - 85mm) | Cut and Collect Mulching Rear Discharge Side Discharge | 89 |
 | Cobra MX484SPCE Review - 48cm Petrol Rotary Lawnmower | 48 | Grass Box Full Indicator Hose Wash Port Larger Rear Wheels Self Propelled Variable Speed | Check Best Price Full Review | 6 (25mm - 75mm) | Cut and Collect Mulching Side Discharge | 88 |
 | Hyundai HYM510SPE Review | 51 | Folding Handles Grass Box Full Indicator Hose Wash Port Larger Rear Wheels Safety Key Self Propelled Variable Speed | Check Best Price Full Review | 6 (25mm - 75mm) | Cut and Collect Mulching Rear Discharge Side Discharge | 89 |
 | Titan Pro Zero Turn Review - TPKH822 | 56 | Folding Handles Larger Rear Wheels Self Propelled Variable Speed Zero Turn | Check Best Price Full Review | 5 (20mm - 95mm) | Cut and Collect Mulching Side Discharge | 82 |
 | Honda HRX537HY Review - Hydrostatic Petrol Lawnmower | 53 | Folding Handles Self Propelled Variable Speed | Check Best Price Full Review | 7 (20mm - 100mm) | Cut and Collect Mulching | 87 |
 | Cobra MX534SPH Review - 53cm Petrol Rotary Lawnmower | 53 | Grass Box Full Indicator Hose Wash Port Larger Rear Wheels Self Propelled Variable Speed | Check Best Price Full Review | 6 (25mm - 75mm) | Cut and Collect Mulching Side Discharge | 88 |
 | Hyundai HYM510SPEZ Review - Self-Propelled ZERO-TURN Lawnmower | 51 | Folding Handles Grass Box Full Indicator Hose Wash Port Larger Rear Wheels Safety Key Self Propelled Variable Speed Zero Turn | Check Best Price Full Review | 6 (17mm - 75mm) | Cut and Collect Rear Discharge | 87 |
 | ParkerBrand 21" (53cm) Petrol Lawnmower Review | 53 | Folding Handles Grass Box Full Indicator Larger Rear Wheels Self Propelled Variable Speed | Check Best Price Full Review | 5 (25mm - 75mm) | Cut and Collect Mulching Side Discharge | 90 |
 | Hayter Harrier 56 Review | 56 | Folding Handles Hose Wash Port Rear Roller (Stripes) Self Propelled Variable Speed | Check Best Price Full Review | 7 (13mm - 60mm) | Cut and Collect | 87 |
 | Hayter Harrier 48 Review | 48 | Folding Handles Hose Wash Port Rear Roller (Stripes) Self Propelled Variable Speed | Check Best Price Full Review | 7 (13mm - 60mm) | Cut and Collect | 87 |
 | Hayter Harrier 41 Review | 41 | Folding Handles Hose Wash Port Rear Roller (Stripes) Self Propelled Variable Speed | Check Best Price Full Review | 7 (13mm - 60mm) | Cut and Collect | 87 |
Best Variable Speed Cordless Mower
| Image | Mower Name | Deck | Features | More Details | Mower-cutting-features | Mower-cutting-heights | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | WORX Nitro WG761E 80V Cordless Lawnmower Review | 51 | Folding Handles Grass Box Full Indicator Safety Key Self Propelled Variable Speed Vertical Storage | Check Best Price Full Review | Cut and Collect Mulching Side Discharge | 7 (20mm - 80mm) | 87 |
 | Cobra Fortis 17E Review 17" (43cm) Cordless 56v Cylinder Lawnmower | 43 | Folding Handles Larger Rear Wheels Rear Roller (Stripes) Safety Key Self Propelled Variable Speed | Check Best Price Full Review | Cut and Collect Mulching | 6mm - 30mm | 87 |
 | Warrior Eco Cordless 48cm 60v Lawnmower Review | 48 | Folding Handles Larger Rear Wheels Safety Key Self Propelled Variable Speed | Check Best Price Full Review | Cut and Collect Mulching Rear Discharge Side Discharge | 6 (25mm - 95mm) | 87 |
 | EGO LM1903E-SP Review - 47CM Cordless Lawnmower 56V | 47 | Folding Handles Grass Box Full Indicator Larger Rear Wheels Rear Roller (Stripes) Self Propelled Variable Speed Vertical Storage | Check Best Price Full Review | Cut and Collect Mulching Rear Discharge | 7 (20mm - 80mm) | 87 |
 | EGO LM1701E-SP Review - 42CM Cordless Lawnmower 56V (LM1701E) | 42 | Folding Handles Grass Box Full Indicator Larger Rear Wheels Rear Roller (Stripes) Safety Key Self Propelled Variable Speed Vertical Storage | Check Best Price Full Review | Cut and Collect Mulching Rear Discharge | 7 (20mm - 80mm) | 86 |
 | EGO Power+ LM2135-SP Review | 52 | Folding Handles Grass Box Full Indicator Larger Rear Wheels Safety Key Self Propelled Variable Speed Vertical Storage | Check Best Price Full Review | Cut and Collect Mulching Rear Discharge | 7 (30mm - 80mm) | 87 |
 | Hayter Hawk Review (36 - 43) 60V Cordless Mower | 36 | Folding Handles Rear Roller (Stripes) Safety Key Self Propelled Variable Speed Vertical Storage | Check Best Price Full Review | Cut and Collect | 7 (19mm - 70mm) | 84 |
 | Hayter Osprey 46 Review - Cordless 60v Mower | 46 | Folding Handles Hose Wash Port Larger Rear Wheels Leaf Collect Safety Key Self Propelled Variable Speed | Check Best Price Full Review | Cut and Collect Rear Discharge | 7 (25mm - 70mm) | 80 |
 | Hayter Harrier 41 VS (377) 60V Review - Cordless Mower | 41 | Folding Handles Hose Wash Port Leaf Collect Rear Roller (Stripes) Safety Key Self Propelled Variable Speed | Check Best Price Full Review | Cut and Collect | 7 (13mm - 60mm) | 85 |
 | Hayter Harrier 48 VS (477) 60V Review - Cordless Mower | 48 | Folding Handles Hose Wash Port Leaf Collect Rear Roller (Stripes) Safety Key Self Propelled Variable Speed | Check Best Price Full Review | Cut and Collect | 7 (13mm - 60mm) | 85 |
 | Einhell GE-CM 36/47 S HW Review | 47 | Folding Handles Grass Box Full Indicator Larger Rear Wheels Safety Key Self Propelled Variable Speed Vertical Storage | Check Best Price Full Review | Cut and Collect Mulching Rear Discharge Side Discharge | 6 (30mm - 65mm) | 88 |
 | WORX WG749E Review - Self Propelled Brushless Cordless 46cm Lawn Mower | 46 | Folding Handles Larger Rear Wheels Safety Key Self Propelled Variable Speed Vertical Storage | Check Best Price Full Review | Cut and Collect Mulching | 7 (20mm - 80mm) | 84 |
 | Greenworks GD24X2LM46SPK4X Review - 46cm Cordless Mower | 46 | Folding Handles Safety Key Self Propelled Variable Speed | Check Best Price Full Review | Cut and Collect Mulching Rear Discharge Side Discharge | 7 (25mm - 80mm) | 85 |
 | Greenworks GD40LM46SPK2x Review - Battery Cordless Lawn Mower | 46 | Folding Handles Larger Rear Wheels Safety Key Self Propelled Variable Speed Vertical Storage | Check Best Price Full Review | Cut and Collect Mulching Side Discharge | 7 (25mm - 80mm) | 86 |
 | Yard Force 108V Li Review - 46cm Cordless Lawnmower LMT46 | 46 | Folding Handles Grass Box Full Indicator Larger Rear Wheels Safety Key Self Propelled Variable Speed Vertical Storage | Check Best Price Full Review | Cut and Collect Mulching Rear Discharge Side Discharge | 7 (25mm - 75mm) | 81 |
How Do You Adjust The Speed On A Variable Speed Mower?
Is A Variable Speed Self-Propelled Mower Worth the Investment?
Once you have used a self-propelled mower with variable speed you will most probably never want to operate anything else. Self-propelled mowers remove the physical effort from each mowing session compared to push mowers, what’s more they are easy to operate. The variable speed will allow you to quickly and effortlessly change the speed up or down at the flick/push of a button/lever.
Can You Manually Push A Self-Propelled Lawn Mower?
The majority of self-propelled mowers will allow you to disengage the drive, meaning the mower will be freewheeling and can be pushed with little or no resistance or cause any damage. It is also worth noting that some self-propelled mowers will allow you to also disengage the blades, this allows you to manoeuvre the mower across paths without the blade spinning and without having to stop the engine.
Remember self-propelled mowers are heavier compared to non-self-propelled mowers, so if you are going to manually push them it will require more physical strength.
Which Is Better A Front or Rear Propelled Mower?
Most self-propelled rear roller mowers are powered by the ribbed roller itself. The powered rear roller is sometimes split in two parts to allow them to rotate in opposite directions for easy turning.
With rear-wheel-drive mowers, you can sometimes experience the front wheels lifting when you start mowing. This doesn’t happen with front wheel drive mowers.
In summary, a front or rear wheel drive self-propelled mower is a personal preference, as opposed to one being significantly better than the other, as the engine is normally centrally mounted on the deck.
Do You Need Help With Choosing The Perfect Lawn Mower?
If you are still unsure about what is the perfect mower for you and your lawn, why not head over to my best mower selection tool, by clicking the link below. It will select the perfect mower in seconds, based on your specific requirements.
As a seasoned expert in the field of garden power tools, I have dedicated over a decade to working with and reviewing a wide variety of lawn mowers. My extensive experience has allowed me to gain a deep understanding of the benefits and limitations of different types of mowers and garden tools.
Over the years, I have honed my skills in writing informative articles and creating helpful videos for various blogs and publications. This has given me the ability to not only recognise what makes a good lawn mower, but also to help you choose the perfect garden tool for your specific needs and requirements.
With my wealth of knowledge and expertise, I am confident that I can provide you with valuable insights and recommendations when it comes to selecting the right lawn mower for your lawn. So, whether you're looking for a battery cordless, electric, petrol, or robotic mower, you can trust in my expertise to guide you towards the best option for your garden.
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