Cobra MX534SPH Review – 53cm Petrol Rotary Lawnmower

Cobra MX534SPH Review
Cobra MX534SPH
Performance/Quality
92
Features
86
Durability
89
Value
88
Warranty/Support
86
What I Like
Powerful Honda GCV170 Engine
3 in 1 mowing options
Four-speed drive
Easystart function
Large 65L grass bag
What I Don't Like
No roller
No rear discharge
88
My Overall Rating

Summary

Cobra MX534SPH Review

The Cobra MX534SPH is a self-propelled petrol mower fitted with the powerful 167cc Honda GCVX170 engine and has 3-in-1 cutting options. These options include cut and collect, mulching and side discharge. This mower has a 53cm cutting width, steel deck, 6 cutting heights from 25mm to 75mm and a 65 litre soft mesh, solid top grass collection bag.

The Cobra MX534SPH is a great lawn mower for many reasons; if the 3 in 1 function wasn’t impressive enough for you, you might be swayed by the 4-speed self-propelled drive which gives you massive freedom when mowing.

In terms of power, you would be hard-pushed to find anything quite as powerful as this thanks to the superior Honda 167cc GCV170 engine that comes as standard with this model.

If you have a larger lawn, you will appreciate the time it takes to get things looking perfect, but this mower has been specially designed to make light work of more significant lawned areas, and the wealth of functions just make this so much easier.

Petrol mowers in the past have been incredibly challenging to start, but with the no choke, EasyStart function of this model, it will power up the first time, every time.

But surely it can’t be all good? Well in this Cobra MX534SPH review we will take a look at all the features and functions of this petrol mower and any negatives or issues you should be aware of.

Main Features

  • 53cm cutting width
  • Six adjustable cutting heights
  • 65-litre grass collection bag
  • 3 in 1 mowing
  • Self-propelled drive
  • Powerful Honda engine
  • Rotary Blade

Engine

As I mentioned earlier on, the Cobra MX534SPH comes with the incredible force of a Honda GCV170 engine which has been designed to be extremely efficient where fuel is concerned and has a long lifespan.

Furthermore, this motor will run quietly, and the excellent four-stroke nature will contribute to the durability of this type of engine.

But perhaps what is most interesting is that it has an EasyStart feature. In the past, starting a petrol mower was one of the most awkward gardening tasks, but with this simple recoil pull handle, you give it a tug, and you’re on your way, no priming, no effort.

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Cobra MX534SPH Video

To get a visual representation of the Cobra MX534SPH petrol lawn mower see the video below.

Performance

Of course, the incredible power of that Honda engine will deliver excellent performance and cutting results like no other. However, on top of that, you have the freedom to mow your way thanks to the 3 in 1 design.

You have a mulching mode, side discharge as well as the traditional bag collection method of mowing.

You will get the best results every time in a way that suits you best.

Self-Propelled Drive

Cobra MX534SPH Performance

One of the most impressive things about this Cobra MX534SPH is the self-propelled drive. Yes, we have looked at various self-propelled mowers, and they’re all great, but when you consider that this one has four speed settings, it isn’t hard to see why it is a cut above the rest.

For larger and more open areas, you will need a higher speed, and you have a choice of four; 2.5kmph, 3.2kmph, 3.6kmph and 3.9kmph but when you need to tackle a more difficult or intricate area, you can bring that speed down and do it with ease.

Features In Detail

Blade And Deck

The wide deck on the Cobra MX534SPH is ideally suited to large gardens, and the rotary blade provides a very good standard of cutting.

However, this design might only be suited to flat ground without any obstacles. If you are tackling uneven terrain with things like rocks, tree roots and other things, a swing tip blade might be better suited.

But don’t run off looking for another mower just yet – one of my favourite things about this model is that it comes with an optional swing tip blade that can be easily installed when you need it.

It boasts four strong steel blades that will bend out of the way if the mower meets an obstacle. This will prevent damage to the machine whilst allowing you to get the job done.

Cutting Diameter

With a cutting diameter of 53cm – that’s 21 inches, you are getting a very generous cut on each pass. This is a mower that will make light work of bigger lawns but would also work perfectly well on something smaller provided that you have the space to operate and store it.

If you are looking for a Cobra with a slightly smaller cutting deck at 48cm, you could consider the Cobra MX484SPCE. For more information see the comparison table below.

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Cobra Comparison Table

Cobra MX484SPCE
MX484SPCE 48cm (19in) Petrol Lawnmower with 4 Speed Drive, Electric...
Cobra MX534SPH
MX534SPH 53cm (21in) Petrol Rotary Lawnmower powered by a Honda GCV170...
Product
MX484SPCE 48cm (19in) Petrol Lawnmower with 4 Speed Drive, Electric...
MX534SPH 53cm (21in) Petrol Rotary Lawnmower powered by a Honda GCV170...
Deck Size
48cm
52cm
Engine
Cobra Y173V 173cc
Honda GCVX170 167cc
Cutting Heights
6 positions: 25mm to 75mm
6 positions: 25mm to 75mm
Weight
35kg
38kg
Collection Box Size
65 Litres
65 Litres
Start Type
Electric/Recoil
Recoil
Cut & Collect
Rear Discharge
Side Discharge
Mulching
Self Propelled
Variable Speed
Larger Rear Wheels
Price
Price not available
Price not available
Prime Benefits
-
-
Full Review
Cobra MX484SPCE
MX484SPCE 48cm (19in) Petrol Lawnmower with 4 Speed Drive, Electric...
Product
MX484SPCE 48cm (19in) Petrol Lawnmower with 4 Speed Drive, Electric...
Deck Size
48cm
Engine
Cobra Y173V 173cc
Cutting Heights
6 positions: 25mm to 75mm
Weight
35kg
Collection Box Size
65 Litres
Start Type
Electric/Recoil
Cut & Collect
Rear Discharge
Side Discharge
Mulching
Self Propelled
Variable Speed
Larger Rear Wheels
Price
Price not available
Prime Benefits
-
More information
Full Review
Cobra MX534SPH
MX534SPH 53cm (21in) Petrol Rotary Lawnmower powered by a Honda GCV170...
Product
MX534SPH 53cm (21in) Petrol Rotary Lawnmower powered by a Honda GCV170...
Deck Size
52cm
Engine
Honda GCVX170 167cc
Cutting Heights
6 positions: 25mm to 75mm
Weight
38kg
Collection Box Size
65 Litres
Start Type
Recoil
Cut & Collect
Rear Discharge
Side Discharge
Mulching
Self Propelled
Variable Speed
Larger Rear Wheels
Price
Price not available
Prime Benefits
-
More information
Full Review

Last update on 2024-03-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Handles

A comfortable handle is essential in any lawn mower, and you certainly won’t be disappointed by this one. It features a super-comfy foam padded grip so that mowing the lawn becomes an extremely comfortable job.

What’s more, the controls are located close to the main handlebar giving you one of the easiest to operate machines on the market at the moment.

Height Adjustment

Cobra MX534SPH Blade And Deck

The Cobra MX534SPH has an impressive six cutting height options that run between 25mm and 75mm, giving you plenty of versatility when it comes to how long you want to keep the grass.

What’s more, the height adjustment is as simple as operating one handle, as opposed to having handles located at both the front and rear of the mower, so there aren’t any complicated actions required to adjust this.

Mowing Features

I am really overwhelmed by the diversity of this machine – if there is one thing that is important, it is being able to source a product that will deliver on every aspect of mowing. Of course, this saves you having to invest in additional tools and is massively convenient.

The 3 in 1 nature of the Cobra means you get the ability to mulch, use read and side discharge as well as take advantage of the enormous grass bag that comes with this Cobra MX534SPH.

Mulching

Cobra MX534SPH Mulching

If you spend a lot of time trying to maintain your lawn, then mulching might be an option. This method of mowing allows the clippings to be spread back across the lawn as you mow.

This delivers a wealth of nutrients and acts as an additional fertiliser – why do the two jobs separately when you can do them together?

This Cobra MX534SPH comes with a mulching plug so you can mulch as often as you like. Some similar priced petrol mowers from other brands either do not have the mulching option, or charge extra for the mulching plug.

If you would like to learn more about the benefits of mulching why not read my complete guide.

Rear Roller

The Cobra MX534SPH does not have a rear roller, so therefore will NOT produce a striped lawn appearance. This is normal for a mower that has a mulching ability. If you simply have to have a striped lawn, then take a look at the Best Petrol Lawn Mowers For A Striped Lawn.

Grass Collection Box

For a large lawn, it stands to reason that you will need a large grass collection bag and this is precisely what you will be getting with this model.

At 65 litres, there is plenty of room for lots of clippings and the handy full flap indicator will let you know when it is time to empty – not that that will be very often thanks to the decent size!

When it does come to emptying, it is effortless. Simply lift the grass bag off the mower, release the top and empty your grass cuttings.

Practicalities

Cobra MX534SPH Practicalities

This has got to be one of the easiest mowers to use, especially in terms of petrol-powered ones. The EasyStart feature is indispensable, and once you have used it, you’ll never go back to a manual start.

But there are so many other things that make this an incredibly practical machine. Take, for example, the wash port which allows you to connect your garden hose and wash away the grass clippings whilst running the mower’s blade. It’s no secret that mowers can become dirty quickly, but this is not an issue here.

Furthermore, it features much larger rear wheels than some other models. This gives you far better stability when moving around the garden.

Cobra MX534SPH User Manual

Click here to access the Cobra MX534SPH User Manual

What’s Included In The Box?

  • 1 x Cobra MX534SPH petrol lawnmower
  • 65-litre grass bag
  • Mulching plug
  • Side chute
  • User guide

Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Powerful Honda GCV170 Engine

  • Large 65L grass bag

  • 3 in 1 mowing options

  • Four-speed drive

  • Powerful yet quiet engine

  • Wash port

  • Easystart function

  • 52cm cutting width

  • Six adjustable cutting heights between 25mm and 75mm

  • Grass bag full flap

  • Optional swing tip blade

Cons
  • No roller

  • No rear discharge

 

Should You Buy This Cobra MX534SPH?

Cobra MX534SPH Conclusion

If you have a large garden that has many obstacles, then this would be an excellent mower for you thanks to the various speeds and 3 in 1 mowing options that make this a diverse piece of equipment.

It would be great for anyone who wants a powerful mower that is going to be easy to use and easy to start as well as being quiet and efficient. You won’t find anything else that compares, at least not in this class of mower.

Conclusion

There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that the Cobra MX534SPH is an incredible piece of kit and will deliver time and time again. It is one of the most easy-to-use petrol mowers I have ever seen.

It is as though the manufacturer has put together all of the most important mowing features and combined them into a simple yet sophisticated machine that is totally unrivalled.

You will get a 2 year warranty with this mower should anything go wrong, just remember this is a domestic warranty and will not be covered if used for commercial purposes.

With four speeds, six cutting heights, the option to switch over the blade and three cutting modes plus so much more, it is evident that this is an amazing garden tool.

Where Should I Purchase This Cobra MX534SPH?

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MX534SPH 53cm (21in) Petrol Rotary Lawnmower powered by a Honda GCV170...
  • 53cm (21in) Cutting width petrol lawnmower, designed for the larger lawn
  • Powered by the quiet, but powerful Honda GCV170 easy start engine, for effortless starting time after time
  • The 4 Speed drive system allows you easily change the power drive speed depending on the circumstance. For complex areas around borders and trees a slow speed is helpful, but on straight runs select a faster speed.
  • The large capacity 65 litre fabric grass collector has a grass full bag indicator system. Easily switch to mulching with the included mulch plug, or use the side discharge option
  • 2 Year warranty (domestic)

Last update on 2024-03-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Cobra MX534SPH FAQs

Does the Cobra MX534SPH have a single lever to adjust the height?

Yes, a single lever adjusts all 4 wheels.

Does the Cobra MX534SPH have an electric start option?

No, recoil start only.

Is oil supplied with this mower?

No, you will need to purchase around 0.5 litre of SAE30 4 stroke engine oil.

What speeds can the Cobra MX534SPH operate at?

Speed 1: 2.5km/h Speed 2: 3.2km/h Speed 3: 3.6km/h Speed 4: 3.9km/h


Not sure about this Petrol Lawn Mower? Click here for more Petrol Lawn Mower reviews.

Want to lean more about what’s involved in maintaining a petrol lawnmower? Check out my guide 10 Simple Steps to Maintaining Your Petrol Lawnmower

Lawnmower Product Expert, Reviewer and Author at EasyLawnMowing.co.uk | 01284 615144 | info@easylawnmowing.co.uk | Website | + posts

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.

6 thoughts on “Cobra MX534SPH Review – 53cm Petrol Rotary Lawnmower”

  1. Hi Mark, I am thinking of buying a Cobra swing tip blade for my mower as I managed to bend the crank on the last one when hitting tree roots. Can you please advise me on a couple of things? Firstly, if the swing tip hits an obstacle does it just bend back and then return to its normal position when the obstacle is passed? Will hitting an obstacle be likely to damage one or more cutting tips and then render the whole thing useless by being out of balance? I appreciate that the swing tip blade will avoid crank bending but I just want to understand if the swing tip blade is, in effect, a ‘sacrificial’ item.

    1. Hi John, I have never used the swing tip blade on a Cobra mower, so would be interested to hear how you get on if you do go ahead with it.
      My understanding would be that the blade would just return to its normal cutting position, after hitting an object. Yes it would be the blade that would bear the brunt of the damage.
      Thanks

  2. I cannot make my mind up between the Sprint 530 or the Cobra 534 petrol mower. Both will serve my purposes. I am driving my wife mad.

    Which would you buy ?

    Thank you,

    1. Hi James,

      We can’t have you driving your wife mad, so hopefully I will be able to help.

      They are both great machines and I can see why you are having difficulties in deciding.

      In summary, both engines are excellent, but the Honda engine on the Cobra would be my slight preference in terms of performance but both the Honda and the B&S are extremely reliable.

      The Sprint has the added rear discharge option, if that is something that you would use, however the Cobra does have the variable 4 speed drive.

      The build quality of both is pretty similar and both would make a great purchase for a large lawn.

      I can see that the Cobra is out of stock on Amazon, but can be purchase from the following link and is on offer at £425 (cheaper compared to the Sprint).

      https://www.paidonresults.net/c/52428/1/929/0/cobra-mx534sph-self-propelled-4-speed-mower-honda-engine-?search=Cobra%20MX534SPH&description=1

      You may also want to consider the Murray 750EX, link below, as this is an identical machine to the Sprint, normally it is more expensive than the Sprint (not the case today). Cost £479.
      https://amzn.to/3wMO0Wa

      Personally, I would go for the Cobra due to the Honda engine and variable speed drive.

      Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any further questions.

  3. It is very good lawnmower for me including the moving forward speed choices. But I wish to know that when you stop to empty the grass basket the engine is to be switched off automatically or choice to keep it running/on to save battery to restart engine. How we can keep it running/on while emptying grass basket ie mower hand free/untouched? Thanks and looking forward to hear 👂 from you. Mr. Zenas Mall

    1. Hi Zenas, unfortunately most petrol mowers operate in this way. However there are some that have a break blade clutch, that allows the engine to keep running whilst you disengage the blade.
      This can be found on the range of the larger Hayter Harrier mowers such as 48 and 56, that stops the cutting blade but keeps the engine running. For more information see my review of the 48 below
      https://easylawnmowing.co.uk/hayter-harrier-48-review/
      Hope this helps.

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