Buyers Guide to Purchasing an Electric Lawn Mower

 

Use the information below to guide you on your journey to purchasing the perfect electric mower to create a healthy and attractive looking lawn.

What Are The Advantages & Disadvantages Of A Corded Electric Lawn Mower?

If you’re in the market for the best electric lawnmower in the UK, the first decision you’ll need to make is how you want it to be powered. There are several options available, including electric corded, cordless, and petrol. Each option has its own pros and cons, such as suitability for various lawn sizes, cost, maintenance, features, and convenience.

When it comes to electric mowers, they are generally quieter and more environmentally friendly than their petrol counterparts, and they require less maintenance. They also tend to be easier to start and operate, and they don’t emit any harmful fumes. However, they do require a power source, whether that’s an electrical outlet or a rechargeable battery, which can limit their mobility. Additionally, corded electric mowers can be limited by the length of their cords, while cordless models may have limited battery life.

If you’re looking for the best electric lawnmower in the UK, you’ll want to consider factors such as cutting width, cutting height, grass collection capacity, and ease of use.

Ultimately, the decision to choose an electric mower will be down to your personal preference and what you’re trying to achieve with your lawn. Understanding the advantages and disadvantages of electric mowers can help you make an informed decision about whether or not it’s the best power source for your needs.

 

 

Electric are probably the most common and versatile lawn mowers as they are easy to use, good value for money and highly effective. They work well even with damp or longer grass as long as you have a more powerful motor that will provide an effortless cut, that is neat and tidy. Electric corded mowers use mains electricity and are ideal for small to medium lawns. Whilst it is advantageous to have an unlimited supply of power, you do need to ensure that you either have a long enough cable or extension lead, or have multiple external sockets around the garden to reach the entire lawn.

In summary, I believe that the electric lawn mower, whilst not suitable for everyone, has some real positive characteristics that make them an excellent choice in certain situations. This is why they are still the most popular power source for lawn mowers used in UK gardens. Once you have made the decision that an electric lawn mower is what you want, you then have the task of choosing between hundreds that are available on the UK market.

Fear not, I am here to help you find the perfect electric lawn mower that suits you and your lawn. I have created several resources that I am sure are going to make this process a whole lot quicker and easier.

How Do I Choose The Best Electric Lawn Mower?

In order to choose an electric lawn mower that best suits your exact requirements, you need to ask yourself a number of questions. These answers will guide you in what you should be looking for and what is important to you when choosing your next electric mower. For your convenience, I have listed the questions below with an explanation guiding you in relation to your answer. Once you have been guided to the specifications, you can then use my lawn mower selection tool to shortlist the best electric mower that meets your specific circumstances.

How Big Is The Lawn You Will Be Mowing?

The size of your lawn will dictate to some extent the size of the deck, power and collection box that will be needed. As a guide see my detailed table above, but in general if you have a smaller lawn up to 200m² you should be looking for a deck size of up to 34cm. A medium lawn of up to 350m² would benefit from a deck size of up to 40cm, and any larger lawns will require a deck size of over 40cm. Remember, this is a general guide but you will need to consider any narrow passages or strips of lawn that will need to be navigated, as this may reduce the deck size of the mower you choose.

You will not have much choice in terms of the size of the grass collection box, as manufacturers provide a size that normally corresponds well to the deck. While power doesn’t directly relate to the size of the lawn, I am making the assumption that a larger lawn may not be as well tended as a smaller lawn. You will therefore benefit from an electric lawn mower that has the increased power to deal with longer and perhaps more dense / demanding lawn.

If you are not sure what size lawn you have and how to measure it, you can use my video guide showing how you can measure your lawn using Google maps.

What Cutting Options Will You Be Using When Mowing Your Lawn?

Just to be clear, there are four cutting methods that a lawn mower can offer. These include cut & collect, mulching, side and rear discharge.

All lawn mowers will provide at least the ability to cut & collect the grass cuttings. However, only some electric lawn mowers will provide additional options such as mulching, which is becoming particularly popular due to its green credentials. I am not going to cover the benefits of mulching in this article, but should you want to find out more, see my article – The Benefits of Mulching Lawn Mowers – Complete Guide.

It is very unusual to see side and rear discharge on an electric mower, but there are a very few models available such as the Cobra MX46SPE Review.

Will You Want To Have Stripes On Your Lawn?

Whilst I am not going to pretend that electric lawn mowers are the best at producing long lasting stripes on lawns, due to them being lightweight, you can still achieve that traditional striped lawn appearance with an electric corded mower. All you will need is an electric mower that has the addition of a rear roller. It is always a good idea to check the width of the roller to ensure it covers, as much as possible, the entire width of the mower. This will prevent you from having to overlap excessively on each pass.

Contrary to most people looking for the lightest mower, if you require longer lasting stripes, heavier in this case, is better.

How Do You Want Your Lawn To Look & What Cutting Heights Do You Need?

Whilst everybody wants a great looking lawn, some will want a bowling green cut, whilst others will want a more longer, lush look to their lawn. To achieve the look you desire, you are going to want to consider the range of cutting heights the mower has to offer. Some electric lawn mowers will have as little as 3 cutting heights, which may not be suitable for some. On the other hand, some higher end electric lawn mowers will have as many as 10 cutting heights with a larger upper and lower range, allowing you to achieve exactly the look you require. Not only this, but it is also part of good lawn maintenance, that you cut your lawn at different heights throughout the varying seasons of the year. A good range of cutting heights would be between 25mm and 70mm. If you like to keep things quick and simple, look for a mower with a single central height adjustment lever, that will adjust all four wheels simultaneously.

What Other Features Will Your Electric Mower Need To Have?

So, whilst all of the above need to be considered when considering purchasing your next electric lawn mower, there are a whole host of other features that may be useful. These include, but are not limited to –

• Leaf collect – a special blade fitted to the mower that allows for leaves to be picked up and finely chopped.
• Larger rear wheels – this provides greater stability and manoeuvrability on uneven lawns.
• Self-propelled – yes, believe it or not, there are a very few electric corded mowers with self-propulsion such as the Cobra MX46SPE.
• Grass box full indicator – it is always handy to know when the grass box is getting full and ready to be emptied.
• Hover – for certain types of lawn a hover mower may be the best option.
• Adjustable folding handles – as mentioned earlier, folding handles is a great space saving feature, but also consider adjustable handles for better posture whilst mowing.
• Ergonomic handles – great for comfort and better posture whilst mowing.
• Vertical storage – for those short of storage space, vertical storage reduces the footprint by up to 70%.

How Often And What Type Of Grass Will You Be Cutting? 

If you are going to follow a regular weekly or fortnightly lawn maintenance schedule, then you will not need to worry too much about the power of the electric motor. If on the other hand, the demands are going to be greater in terms of longer, thicker and more challenging terrain, then you will want to ensure your mower has enough power to deal with these conditions effectively. If you have an under-powered electric lawn mower with difficult terrain, you may need to make multiple passes, lowering the height on each occasion. This can be time consuming and frustrating.

For example, a 1200w motor is more than adequate to cut a well tended lawn, on the other hand, a larger mower that will be required to cut more demanding terrain would benefit from a motor in excess of 1800w.

How Much Storage Space Do You Have?

Corded electric lawn mowers are much lighter than the average petrol or cordless mower. This makes them much easier to not only push and operate, but also for storage i.e. hanging on a garage wall. Most electric lawn mowers will have foldable handles with some even having the ability to be stored vertically, this will massively reduce the storage foot print, and is an excellent feature for those short on space. Don’t forget that you not only have to store the mower, but also the grass collection box / bag. That is why I am so keen on the hybrid grass collection bag that enables it to be stored flat, whilst still providing excellent circulation during use.

How Much Do You Want To Pay For Your New Electric Mower?

On average, corded electric lawn mowers are less expensive than petrol or cordless lawn mowers and offer great value for money. The operating and maintenance cost of electric mowers is generally less expensive, as petrol mowers require regular servicing and consumables.

The cost between the top end electric lawn mower and that of a more budget friendly mower can be quite considerable. For example, the highly popular Bosch AdvancedRotak 750 will cost you around £300, where on the other hand the more budget friendly option, the Hyundai HYM3800E 1600W will cost almost half the price at around £160.

10 Questions You Should Consider Before Purchasing an Electric Mower

1. What is the size of your lawn? Corded electric mowers are best suited for small to medium-sized lawns.
2. How long is your lawn mower cord? Make sure the cord is long enough to reach all areas of your lawn.
3. What is the power rating of the mower? Look for a mower with sufficient power to handle the thickness of your grass.
4. How easy is the mower to manoeuvre? Consider the weight and design of the mower to ensure it is easy to push and manoeuvre around obstacles.
5. How easy is the mower to start? Look for a mower with a simple, push-button start.
6. What is the cutting width of the mower? Consider the size of your lawn to determine the optimal cutting width for your mower.
7. What is the cutting height range of the mower? Look for a mower with a wide range of cutting heights to ensure flexibility in cutting different types of grass.
8. What is the maintenance required for the mower? Consider the maintenance requirements of the mower to ensure it is easy to maintain and repair.
9. What is the noise level of the mower? Look for a mower with a low noise level to minimize disruption to your neighbours.
10. What is the cost of the mower? Consider the cost of the mower in relation to your budget and the features and benefits it provides.

Conclusion

I hope the above has guided you in deciding the specifications of your next electric lawn mower. In addition, consider the warranty, aftersales service, support and availability of spare parts.

Now you know exactly what you want, it is time to use my lawn mower selection tool to shortlist the best electric lawn mower. Here you can use the tick boxes on the left hand side to select the requirements you have gathered using the questions and answers above, and an appropriate electric mower matching your criteria will be shortlisted for you in seconds.

 

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Video Guide To Buying The Best Electric Lawn Mower

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Electric Lawn Mowers FAQs

What Size Electric Lawn Mower Do I Need?

Choosing an electric lawn mower means looking at the size of your lawn and comparing this to the cutting width and power of any particular product. For smaller lawns that are less than 200 square metres, you’ll need something with a 30 to 34cm deck. Medium sized lawns between 200-350 square metres will require a cutting deck between 34 and 40cm and finally a large lawn that exceeds 350 square metres will need a deck wider than 40cm.

Is There Any Maintenance On An Electric Lawn Mower?

While it’s true that an electric mower is far easier to maintain than a petrol one, you will still need to take good care of it. Regularly sharpening the blades will ensure a neat and clean cut, while cleaning any debris and grass from the deck will ensure that the metal doesn’t corrode and the mower has as long a life as possible. Also keeping the mower’s deck clean will ensure that the mower’s ability to collect the grass effectively is not negatively impacted.

What Happens If An Electric Mower Gets Wet?

We all know that water and electricity don’t mix, so it’s important to keep your mower away from moisture where possible. Failing to do this could cause water to get into the motor which will ultimately damage it. The good news is that most modern electric mowers have a good quality cover that protects the internal parts from a little moisture. Please consult your operator manual for safe use of your electric mower.

Can Electric Mowers Overheat?

Your electric lawn mower is fitted with air vents to ensure good airflow and this feature is there to prevent the machine from overheating. However, it is more than possible for these vents to become blocked with grass, which will then lead to problems. The best thing for this is to ensure that your mower is kept clean.

Can You Cut Damp Grass With An Electric Mower?

It is never a good idea to cut your grass when it is wet, especially not with an electric mower. Water and moisture can damage the mower’s motor, not to mention it’s potentially dangerous. Moreover, grass is more likely to clump when it is wet, which will make it more difficult for it to be propelled into the grass bag.

Are Electric Mowers Quiet?

One of the biggest advantages of using an electric lawn mower is that they are much quieter than their petrol-powered cousins. That said, different brands will run at different noise levels, so it’s still always a good idea to check this out before purchasing.

Are Electric Mowers Better Than Petrol?

Petrol mowers have always had a reputation for being the most powerful and this is true although modern corded electric mowers are beginning to rival this power. But whether they are better or not is a different thing entirely. A corded electric mower is ideal for smaller gardens and for convenience. However, they might not be as good as petrol for much larger lawns which require more power and freedom of movement.

Does An Electric Mower Need Oil?

The convenience of an electric mower is obvious and one of the best things about them is that you don’t need to top the engine up with oil or fuel in the same way that you would when using a petrol mower. This is ideal for people who want something low maintenance and easy to use.

Why Are Electric Mowers Bad?

Electric mowers cannot be called bad as a general term. For the most part, these are reliable and powerful machines that will make light work of cutting your lawn. However, they aren’t always suitable and it’s important to weigh up the features to make sure they’re right for you and your garden. For example, the cord can get in the way, and you may require an extension cable for bigger lawns. Moreover, since they don’t have as much power as petrol mowers, you may find them unsuitable for very challenging terrain or dense grass.

What Is The Difference Between An Electric And Cordless Mower?

When we talk about an electric mower, we are referring to those machines that feature a power cable that must be plugged into the mains. However, more conveniently, cordless mowers do not have a cord and instead run on rechargeable batteries. While many of the other features are the same, the way that they are powered is the key difference.

Do Electric Mowers Have Spark Plugs?

A spark plug is a component of a petrol-powered engine and is there to ignite the fuel and air within the engine cylinders in order to create power. However, since electric mowers have a power cable that connects to the mains, it is this that powers them, so spark plugs are not needed. This means that there is less maintenance, as with a petrol mower you would need to check and replace these spark plugs on a regular basis.

Can Electric Mowers Mulch?

One of the best things about modern electric corded lawn mowers is that they have many of the same features as petrol mowers. This often includes the ability to mulch the grass cuttings. Although it is important to keep in mind that not all corded mowers have this feature, so do check this before you buy.

Are Electric Lawn Mowers More Expensive?

No. Electric mowers are not as complex as petrol and cordless, so are cheaper to purchase from the off. What’s more, they don’t require replacement parts or heavy maintenance, so they’re much cheaper to run. Of course, you must also consider that they may not last as long and so you’ll likely need to buy a new mower more often than you would if you had a petrol-powered machine.