Summary
The Bosch UniversalRotak 550 Electric Rotary Lawnmower is a new premium model from Bosch known for their durable mowers. With a 37cm cutting width and large 40 litre grass box, it can handle lawns up to 550 square metres. Powered by a powerful 1300 watt motor, the hardened steel blade uses Bosch’s innovative “Leaf Collect” system for efficient cutting and collection. Height is easily adjusted between 20-70mm using the central button.
I also tested the almost identical but slightly larger Bosch UniversalRotak 650. In my video review, I found that both the 550 and 650 models have some key upgrades that make them excellent choices for medium to large lawns. Cutting and grass collection is improved. Bosch has also made environmental and durability enhancements.
My full written review of the Bosch UniversalRotak 550 goes into detailed analysis of its new features and functions. I evaluate how well it performs the core tasks of mowing and collecting clippings. The review aims to help you determine if this mower is right for your specific needs and lawn size.
Main Features
- Rating: 9.6/10
- Lawn Size: medium to large
- Power: 1300 Watt
- Cable Length: 10 metre cord, mains power
- Blade Length: 37cm, metal
- Number of Cutting Heights: 6 (from 20mm to 70mm)
- Grass Box Capacity: 40 Litres
- Weight: 15 Kg
Power System
The blade is spun by a 1300 watt electric motor housed in the front top area of the deck. Because this machine has wheels, all the power goes towards cutting the grass. There is enough torque to help the blade through long grass.
With a 1300 watt motor that has a PowerDrive motor that produces exceptional torque due to clever reduction gearing.
All in all, you will not be disappointed with the power this mower delivers, it has enough power and torque to cut thick, overgrown lawns with no problems. Just remember to start at a higher setting and work your way down if cutting really long grass.
Power Cable
Bosch has installed a cable, far shorter than the area that the mower can cut, at 10 metres. The mower is rated to cut 550 square metres, for example a 10×55 metre lawn. So, a shielded extension cable will need to be bought if you do not have one already.
As with any lawn mower if the cord becomes damaged, it is recommended to replace the cable with one of similar size and strength from Bosch and not a cheaper third party replacement.
Even though a 10 metre power cable on this Bosch UniversalRotak 550 does seem a little short, it is pretty much standard on most electric mowers.
Features In Detail
Blades
The Blades on the Bosch UniversalRotak 550 are made from hardened steel, coated to keep them sharper for longer and prevent corrosion. Though the blades are sharp, it is recommended that the operator keeps the blades clean and free from dead grass.
The Bosch UniversalRotak 550 is assembled here in the UK so blades and other spare parts are readily available and reasonably priced. Blades can also be removed and sharpened with basic tools and DIY skills.
Height Adjustment
For some extra convenience and safety, there is a height adjustment button on the top of the machine to control the whole deck. This means that there is no need to flip the mower over and remove the blade to add spacers as required with some mowers.
This is a spring-loaded mechanism on the Bosch UniversalRotak 550 with a height indicator. The user pushes the height button down on the machine to lower it and then unloads the machine to raise it. With this system, there is no need to walk around the unit, adjusting each wheel.
This really is the easiest and smoothest height adjustment I have used and wish all lawn mower brands adopted this mechanism. You can see this innovative height adjustment in my video of the very similar Bosch AdvancedRotak 650 below.
Cutting Diameter
The cutting diameter is a wide 37 centimetres, or 0.137 square metres, for each rotation. This is marginally increased due to the grass combs that follow behind the front wheel and guide grass to the underside of the deck and into the blade.
This is a mid-range cutting width for the Bosch Universal and Advanced Rotak models.
The 37 centimetres cutting width seems to hit the sweet spot between being too small (increasing time and number of passes) and too large (difficult to manoeuvre and store).
Roller (Stripes)
The Bosch UniversalRotak 550 does have an integrated rear roller for a stripy lawn appearance.
Grass Box Capacity
The Bosch UniversalRotak 550 has a very respectable 40 litre grass box. Though this may not be enough for the full 550 square metre rating, it will reduce the number of emptying trips that you will need to do.
The box is composed of a solid base and top shell with mesh making up the side walls. This means that the grass box will collapse into a truly flat panel for ease of storage. Then when it is needed, its hinged arms will lock into place and slot into the rear of the mower.
There is a mechanical indicator on the grass box to view when the grass has reached such a level that it needs emptying.
The grass box is easy to attach securely and remove from the mower; the compacted grass clippings empty easily with no obstructions (see my video above).
Practicalities
The Bosch UniversalRotak 550 is a very practical mower that has innovative features assisting in cutting your lawn that much easier. As I suggested earlier the size of this mower (37cm deck size), along with its foldable handles and collapsible grass collection box make it a compact and convenient mower.
Adjusting the height of lawn mowers has always been an issue for many users with difficult and fiddly to adjust mechanism. However, with the Bosch model the height adjustment button is extremely simple and takes a matter of seconds to get that perfect height that can be clearly seen from the indicator.
The inclusion of the side grass combs also makes this a practical mower as there will be less edge trimming required once the lawn has been cut.
The Bosch UniversalRotak 550 features Bosch’s unique ergonomic handles for comfort and better posture whilst cutting your lawn. There are 4 power buttons on each of the grips, and only 1 needs to be pressed in order to power the mower.
Another beneficial feature of this mower is the central carry handle, which is well positioned and balanced for transportation.
Safety Features
There is a safety button in the centre of the control handle that must be depressed before the operator may use the machine. This is standard with most electric lawn mowers.
Mulching
There is no mulching as standard on this machine, but it does have something called leaf collect. Leaf Collect, means that the blades cut and collect dead leaves from across your lawn. The suction from the blades will then send the leaves to the cutting box with the grass. Again you can see this in action from my video above.
To learn more about the benefits of a mower that has the ability to mulch the lawn, please see my article “The Benefits of Mulching Grass – Complete Guide with Pros & Cons“.
An optional mulching plug can be purchased to enable the mulching option on this UniversalRotak 550 mower.
- Bosch Universal Tools – flexible and powerful with intelligent solutions for diverse projects
- Mulching accessory MultiMulch for the Universal Rotak of the 5. Generation
- Suitable for the Universal Rotak fifth generation lawnmower.
- Item package quantity: 1.0
Last update on 2024-10-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Bosch UniversalRotak 550 User Manual
You can download the Bosch UniversalRotak 550 user manual guide here
What’s Included in the Box?
- UniversalRotak 550 Mower
- 40 L Grass Collection Box
- User Manual
Pros and Cons
Should You Buy This Model?
This mower’s ideal for those that:
- People with medium to large lawns in size (around 550m² – around 2 tennis courts).
- Those who want a premium brand built in the UK (Bosch).
- People that like a traditional stripy lawn appearance.
- Those who want a wide range, easy to adjust cutting heights (6).
- People who require a powerful 1300W electric motor for longer/thicker lawns.
- Those looking for a mid-size 37cm cutting width.
- Those who require a large grass collection box (40L).
Bosch Rotak Comparison Table
Last update on 2024-10-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Conclusion
Here is a rewritten conclusion for the review:
The Bosch UniversalRotak 550 is well-built for medium to large gardens, though the 10 meter power cord may be a bit short for some larger areas. Bosch’s direct drive electric motor means there are no belts or gears prone to wear down over time. Large wheels make it easy to maneuver, especially when the grass box is full.
Ergonomic handles provide comfort when pushing across a large lawn. Bosch clearly focused on safety, simplicity and useful features. After testing this model, I can confirm it delivers on Bosch’s reputation for reliability and performance. The 550 handles cutting and collection exactly as expected from a premium mower.
While more expensive initially, you truly get what you pay for with quality construction and components. After putting it through rigorous use on my lawn, I can highly recommend the Bosch UniversalRotak 550. It tackles the job efficiently without fuss, leaving me time on weekends to enjoy the healthy, freshly cut results. The mower lives up to Bosch’s high standards and will serve homeowners well for many seasons.
Where Should I Purchase This Bosch UniversalRotak 550?
- The Universal garden tools from Bosch - versatile and strong with intelligent solutions for bigger projects
- Easily adjust grass cutting height: Simply set grass length between 25 and 70 mm in 6 stages with just one click of a button
- Comfortable work: Healthy working posture for every body size due to ergonomically designed ErgoFlex handles
- Easy-to-store: Collapse the handles, fold the grass bag flat and put it on top of the mower
- Collecting and shredding leaves: Easily collect, shred and dispose leaves thanks to the LeafCollect blade
Last update on 2024-10-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Bosch UniversalRotak 550 FAQs
Do the handles fold down?
Yes, but only at the mid-way point.
Does the Bosch UniversalRotak 550 have a rear roller?
Yes, this mower does have a rear roller for a striped lawn effect.
How noisy is the Bosch UniversalRotak 550 lawn mower?
The mower's noise levels are around 94 dB(A).
How large is the cutting width?
It has a good 37cm cutting length blade, so there will be less going over your own footsteps.
How heavy is the Bosch UniversalRotak 550 lawn mower?
The net weight of this mower is 13.5 Kg, the gross weight is 15.5 Kg.
Does this mower cut right to the edge?
Yes, this mower has grass combs on each side of the mower to assist with edge cutting.
How long is the warranty on the Bosch UniversalRotak 550 lawn mower?
The warranty is 2 years and can be extended to 3 years when the product is registered.
Are the wheels the same size?
Yes, it has 4 good size wheels that will make travelling across wet grass easier.
Is the Bosch UniversalRotak 550 mower self-propelled?
No, this is not a self-propelled lawn mower.
How big is the grass collection box?
The grass collection box is 40 L, so there are going to be fewer unloading trips.
Does the Bosch UniversalRotak 550 mower really pick up the leaves from my lawn?
Yes, the Bosh UniversalRotak 550 has the “LeafCollect” system that does collect leaves from your lawn.
Not sure about this mower? Click here to see more Corded Lawn Mower Reviews.
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.
Hi Mark
Can you please advise which model Bosch should I buy and where is the best place to buy Bosch lawn mower in terms of price & offers (share links please) and also which retailer has the best warranty including extended warranty option
I have a large garden so need your best possible Advise.
Thanks Ash
Hi Ash,
If you are looking for a Bosch cordless mower and have a large garden, I would recommend the Bosch AdvancedRotak 36-650. It has a 42cm cutting width, 50L grass collection box and covers areas up to 660 squared metres. To read my full review of this mower, please click on the link below-
https://easylawnmowing.co.uk/bosch-advancedrotak-36-660-review/
In terms of price, it is not the best value for money mower at the moment. You can also consider one of the slightly older models that is better value for money, but equally as good. See link below for the Bosch 430 Li-
https://amzn.to/2YU6a9d
I would also recommend that you have a look at the Cordless Gtech mower 2.0, if you don’t mind mowing away from Bosch, that is currently on offer with 40% off. (this is the biggest discount Gtech have ever offered)
My full review for this mower is on the link below –
https://easylawnmowing.co.uk/the-gtech-cordless-lawnmower-2-0/
If you are interested in purchasing this mower, the discount code is GV526
To purchase simply click the “Get Deal Now” in my review.
In terms of the warranty Gtech offer 2 years on the mower and battery. If you are looking for an excellent 5 year warranty you may also want to consider the EGO range, link below to my review and video. I have tested one of these recently and it was excellent but costly.
https://easylawnmowing.co.uk/ego-lm1701e-review/
Hope this helps, let me know how you get on.
Mark
Hi Mark
I am considering buying a Bosch grassmower and weigh between the UniversalRotak 550 och the AdvancedRotak 650. We have a small garen, approx. 300m2. I am a bit worried that the Advanced model might be too heavy and sturdy for our purposes, yet I would love to have the leafcollect function. Can you give ma any advice?
Hi Clara,
Thanks for your message, both these mowers have the leaf collect function. For your sized garden, the 550 would be more suitable and is 2.5kg lighter.
Please note that the 550 does not have the pro silence feature and also, has 1 less cutting height and no ErgoSlide handle.
Link to my full review is below –
https://easylawnmowing.co.uk/bosch-universalrotak-550-review/
Please let me know if you need any further information.
Thanks
Mark
Hi Mark,
I read your review on the Bosch Universal Rotak 550 and decided to buy via Amazon as they have a deal on. I received yesterday but the machine says on the box and on the machine label 1300 Watt. I contacted Amazon and asked for the correct machine. They sent the same thing again today, 1300 Watts. I am assuming it should say 1400 watts on the machine label if that is what is said? Can you confirm this in any way, can send some pictures, but both wrong and both 550’s Your site sent me to Amazon but we use them a lot due to ease, just be interesting to know your thoughts. Good review, helps a lot.
Thanks
Steve
Hi Steve
Thanks for your message.
Please let me look into this for you and I will come back to you tomorrow.
Kind regards
Mark
HI Steve,
Just had a long conversation with Bosch. They have admitted that there is some confusion around the 550 model.
Bosch have confirmed that the 1400 Watt version is not available in the UK, and that the 1300 Watt motor is the only one that will be shipped.
I showed them the Amazon listing and it would appear that you are not the only one who had this issue.
Amazon have taken the wrong specification as even the deck size is incorrect. Bosch already have a case open with Amazon to update their details.
I will be updating my website later today, to provide the correct information to my readers.
Would you mind, if I added our conversation to the review, to highlight this to others until this has been resolved?
Many thanks
Mark