For large gardens, you need a lawnmower that is up to the task. They need to be robust, powerful, and have a good-sized blade otherwise mowing can take all day. There’s a lot to consider when choosing the right model for your lawn.
If you have a lovely flat, smooth, square lawn then your option comes down to which mower best suits you. If you have a thick lawn that slopes or has uneven patches then you need a powerful petrol mower, ideally with self-drive.
To help highlight the best available options, I’ve put together this in-depth review article that allows you to compare the top of the range models as well as read a bit about them. I’ve started with the 5 very best options out there and then I’ve included a handy buying guide.
This covers everything you need to know when choosing the right lawnmower for your larger garden. Next up are some common FAQs and finally, I’ve added some other models that are definitely worth your consideration.
I’ve continued testing out lawnmowers myself and have updated this article in 2023 with the latest and greatest. To keep you informed about the newest products I have done additional updates in 2024.
I’ve kept the links mainly to Amazon because prices are cheapest but you can also buy these at Mowers Direct, B&Q, or Curry’s.
Top 5 Best Lawn Mowers for Large Gardens
- Top Choice – Hayter Harrier 48 Petrol Lawnmower
- Runner Up – Bosch Rotak Advanced 650 Corded Electric Mower
- Best Petrol Lawnmower – Mountfield SP53 Elite
- Best Electric Lawnmower – Einhell GE-CM 43 Cordless Mower
- Best Robot Lawnmower Option – Husqvarna Automower 430X
1. Top Choice – Hayter Harrier 48
Brand: Hayter Harrier
Cutting Width: 48cm
Power: 163cc Petrol Engine
Grass Collector Size: 70L
Cutting Height Options: 13-60mm
Pros
- Large cutting width for a faster finish
- Sturdy Briggs and Straton engine
- Electric start so no pull cord
- Large grass container for fewer trips to the bin
Cons
- Pricey
- Quite heavy
If you have a large garden that takes hours to mow then consider this Hayter Harrier to give you a helping hand. With a 48cm cutting width, this mower can manoeuvre smaller lawns whilst still coping extremely well with large lawns. It has a powerful 163cc Briggs & Stratton engine so works well in all conditions.
It has a 70-litre grass box which hardly ever needs emptying. It’s not only the grass collection that causes this mower to leave such a professional finish. The rear roller means you achieve a perfect striped lawn with ease.
The cutting deck is made out of corrosion-resistant aluminium, it is easy to clean due to a hose attachment and it automatically adjusts itself for optimum airflow. This allows it to effectively cut long grass and no grass clippings escape the collection bag.
It has an electric start so no struggling with a pull cord. It’s auto-drive and has variable speed settings so anyone can use it.
Yes it’s expensive but I could talk about this lawnmower all day, the features it has are too many to list! Of all the mowers I’ve tested none compare to the quality of this Hayter. You get back way more than you pay for and it comes with a lifetime crankshaft and cutter deck warranty so you won’t need to worry about accidentally hitting a solid object when mowing.
2. Runner Up – Bosch Rotak Advanced 650 Corded Electric Mower
Brand: Bosch
Cutting Width: 40cm
Power: 1700 watts
Grass Collector Size: 50L
Cutting Height Options: 25-80mm
Pros
- Lightweight
- No need for pricey fuel
- Good cutting width
Cons
- Will likely require an extension cable
- Doesn’t feel as sturdy
I had to include a great budget option for those who hate petrol lawn mowers. This Bosch Rotak push mower is technically better for medium lawns but can also cope with larger gardens too up to about 650m2.
It’s extremely lightweight at only 16kg and the ergonomic handle has a height adjustment option which makes this mower very pleasant to use.
It will give you a clean finish due to grass combs that direct the grass towards the blade ensuring a close to edge cut even without using a trimmer. It is also fitted with a rear roller for a beautifully striped lawn. The cutting height has 7 height options between 25 and 80mm so you’ll get a perfect cut all year round.
With a decent-sized cutting width and collection box, this mower should cope with large lawns but the cord length is only 10 meters. You will need an extension cable to cover larger areas with this option.
This is a great budget option and perfect for anyone who struggles with heavy lawnmowers.
3. Best Petrol Lawn mower – Mountfield SP53 Elite
Brand: Mountfield
Cutting Width: 51cm
Power: 167cc Petrol Engine
Grass Collector Size: 60L
Cutting Height Options: 27-90mm
Pros
- Very wide cutting area
- Lots of cutting heights
- Honda engine
- Large back wheels for stability
Cons
- No rear roller for lines
- Lowest cutting height not as low as some people like
If you’re looking for a high-quality petrol lawnmower that comes with a low price tag then this Mountfield Elite is worth consideration. It comes with a Honda 167cc engine so you get all the cutting power for much less money. The engine has an auto-choke feature which makes for an easy start in all conditions.
It’s a really good sized mower with a 51cm blade and 60-litre grass collector. It also comes with a mulching plug option to help keep the lawn healthy.
It’s pretty heavy at 35kg but thankfully this mower is self-propelled so you won’t struggle to push it uphill. Although it’s pretty bulky the foldable handles mean storage isn’t an issue.
The rear wheels are larger compared to the front ones. This helps give this mower stability and prevents it from marking up your lawn. If you let go of the handles the mower cuts out immediately which is a good safety feature.
This mower doesn’t come with a rear roller so won’t give a perfect striped lawn but you can always buy these separately if you like.
4. Best Electric Lawnmower – Einhell GE-CM 43 Cordless Mower
Brand: Einhell
Cutting Width: 43cm
Power: 36V Of Lithium Batteries
Grass Collector Size: 63L
Cutting Height Options: 6 Levels
Pros
- LED lights indicate charge
- Lightweight
- Cordless for further reaching
- Cuts 600sqm per charge
Cons
- Doesn’t do well with wet grass
- Works a little better for medium lawns
- Need to remember to charge batteries
If petrol isn’t your thing then a mower powered by lithium-ion batteries is a great option. These mowers are better for small gardens but can be used in larger areas as well. This is a cordless lawnmower of great build quality and one of the best cordless lawnmowers on the market.
It has a good-sized cutting width of 43cm and a spacious grass collector at 63L. This cordless mower comes with two 4Ah batteries which should give you 600 sq meters of mowing per battery charge. It takes 80 minutes to recharge the batteries so you can take a break for lunch and then finish mowing your larger lawn. That’s why I personally prefer a petrol mower but many of you have requested more battery lawn mowers.
This mower is lightweight at 16.5kg and the large wheels are soft on your lawn. The batteries have 3 LED lights that indicate charge level so you know when it’s time to plug them in.
The downside with these types of lawnmowers is that they don’t have a very long runtime. If the lawn is very thick, has longer grass, or wets the batteries run out sooner. That can be frustrating if you have a large lawn area to cover, they’re better for medium gardens. Electric mowers are only good if really can’t manage a heavy mower or you hate the petrol fumes and general mower upkeep.
5. Best Robot Lawnmower Option – Husqvarna Automower 430X
Brand: Husqvarna
Cutting Width: 23cm
Power: Li Battery Robot Mower
Grass Collector Size: Self Mulching
Cutting Heights: 20-95mm
Pros
- Covers up to 5000sq meters
- Including uneven lawns
- GPS tracks your garden
- 145 minute run time
Cons
- Very pricey
- Sometimes sold out
This lawnmower review list wouldn’t be complete without a robot lawnmower! For those of us who hate mowing the lawn, this is the perfect solution. It can mow an area up to 5000 sq meters and can cope with slopes up to 45% gradient.
It can mow for 145 minutes before it needs to recharge and this takes 75 minutes. It does need an accessible charging station installed as well as a boundary wire. This is time-consuming but is a one-off task as once it’s complete the mower will do all the hard work for you!
With smart GPS navigation, it knows which areas still need to be mowed and it even comes with a smartphone app so you can monitor it. It’s weatherproof and has a rain sensor so you don’t need to worry about it in the rain.
It has tilt and lift sensors so the blades stop turning if it’s lifted up which prevents injury.
It is expensive but it handles large gardens and complex terrain with ease and it’s self mulching so no cleanup is required. It’s a great option if you’re fed up with tending to the lawn.
Large Lawnmower Buying Guide
Size Of Lawn
The area of your lawn is the first thing you need to consider when choosing a new lawnmower. Large gardens need a mower with an adequate cutting width otherwise it can take hours to mow the lawn. Unless it’s a Robot Lawnmower, for medium gardens you need a cutting width of at least 40cm and larger gardens need a cutting width of 50cm+.
Petrol Vs Electric
Electric mowers come in 3 different types. There are corded electric, cordless batteries, and robotic lawnmowers. They all have their plusses and minuses. For a quick summary, we will leave out robotic mowers as they do the job for you! Corded mowers are lightweight and very easy to use but not very powerful and you are always limited by the length of the cord.
Battery mowers give you more freedom to roam and are still pretty lightweight and easy to use. The issue is that the batteries don’t tend to last very long, with battery life of about 30 minutes being the best they can manage. They are a good option for smaller lawns or if you struggle to manage a petrol mower.
Petrol mowers are heavy, emit fumes, and can be very loud. They require a lot of upkeep and some people struggle to start them. When it comes to larger gardens though, they perform well. They’re powerful and the self-drive can speed up the task at hand.
It’s worth weighing up your needs and the size and layout of your lawn to ensure you choose the model that’s right for you.
Power
The power of the lawnmower tells you how well it functions on thick, longer grass and uneven ground. A less powerful machine will struggle to cope in these conditions and damp grass or rough ground can make them stall. If you have a complex lawn with slopes, thick grass, and rough patches then you’ll need a more powerful lawnmower. Power is often measured in cc for petrol engines and wattage or volts for electric models.
Self Drive
A self-propelled lawnmower not only saves time but also saves a lot of effort when it comes to cutting grass, especially if you have a sloping lawn. Petrol lawnmowers are very heavy and produce a lot of sweat and tears if manually pushed over a large area. Unless you are looking for an army Bootcamp style workout every week then I’d recommend getting a self-propelled model to mow a large lawn.
Yes, a self-propelled petrol is more expensive but having tested out dozens of mowers of different styles you can trust me when I say it is worth every penny.
Cleaning/Servicing
To preserve the life of your lawnmower it needs to be cleaned after every use. This can be done by hosing it down or using a sponge and bucket of water. Make sure you empty the fuel tank before winter storage and get your lawnmower serviced at least once a year or more if it is very heavily used. A lot of manufacturers will not uphold the warranty if the mower isn’t serviced so make sure you check over the manual before you set out to use your new mower.
Lawn Finish
How you ultimately want your lawn to end up is decided when you choose your mower. If you want a perfect striped finish you need a mower with a grass collector and rear roller. If you want a thick and healthy lawn then a mower with a mulching option is great. If you hate emptying the grass collector but don’t mind raking the lawn then a side or rear discharge option works well.
F.A.Q.s
Which lawn mower is best for uneven gardens?
A rotary mower with self-drive will navigate uneven ground better than a rear roller can manage.
What is the widest lawn mower?
At 56cm (22 inches) the Einhell GC-PM 56 S HW is the lawnmower with the largest cutting width on our list.
What is the easiest lawn mower to use?
A corded electric mower is simple to use. Plug it in, press the button, and off you go! Battery and robotic lawnmowers are also very user friendly and petrol mowers are definitely the most tricky to use.
Which lawn mower engine is better Briggs & Stratton or Honda?
Honda is widely regarded as one of the best manufacturers of lawnmower engines. Briggs and Stratton engines are cheaper than Honda but still very well made. If well maintained they can last almost as long as a Honda engine.
What size lawn mower do I need per acre of lawn?
A half-acre lawn is fine to use a mower with a deck of 40cm or less. 0.5 – 2 acres will need a deck between 40-50cm and 3 acres or larger needs 50cm+.
More Large Lawnmowers Reviewed
Hyundai HYM510SPE
Brand: Hyundai
Cutting Width: 51cm
Power: 196cc Petrol Engine
Grass box Size: 70L
Cutting Heights: 25-75mm
This self-propelled lawnmower by Hyundai is a rear-wheel drive and has four-speed options so can go at the pace you require. It is an electric start with a backup recoil so easy to get going. The engine is extremely economical and designed to be low emission and low maintenance.
The 51cm blade is perfect for medium lawns to very large lawns (2000 sq meters and above) and it has a simple lever that works to adjust the cutting heights between 25 and 75mm. This lawnmower also has a safety feature where the engine cuts out when you let go of the handle.
It can be set to rear discharge, side discharge, mulch or direct clippings to the large 70-litre grass box.
With a durable steel deck, this mower isn’t light at 43kg and it is not suitable for smaller gardens. It’s well designed, comes with a 3-year warranty and Hyundai has even included a cup holder on the handlebar!
Webb WER18HW
Brand: Webb
Cutting Width: 46cm
Power: 148cc Petrol Engine
Grass Collection bag Size: 60L
Cutting Heights: 25-75mm
Finally, last but not least, we have this petrol lawnmower by Webb. It features an impressive Briggs & Stratton engine that is compact, lightweight, quiet, and easy to operate. The Hi-wheel feature has easy manoeuvrability and is perfect to get a clean finish whilst not marking up the lawn.
The 4 in 1 cutting system can be set to collect, rear or side discharge or mulching option so you can achieve the perfect finish every time. This coupled with an easy to use, central lever that allows a 7 step height adjustment from 25-75mm will give you a lovely cut all year round.
It’s easy to use thanks to the self-drive and also easy to clean as it has a deck washing port. This mower is a sturdy and powerful machine and is an excellent choice for a large garden.
Einhell GC-PM 56 S HW
Brand: Einhell
Cutting Width: 56cm
Power: 173cc Petrol Engine
Grass Box Size: 80L
Cutting Heights: 25-70mm
This is a monster of a machine. This mower has a 4 stroke OHV, 1 cylinder engine and a huge 56cm cutting width. The grass cuttings can be gathered in the huge 80-litre grass box, set to side or rear discharge or mulched.
It’s a rear-wheel-drive, self-propelled mower designed with high wheels for a superb finish. Grass combs direct everything towards the mower blades so give a neat edge against walls, fences and flower beds. It can cope with lawns up to 2200 sq meters and can handle uneven ground a thick grass.
With a 6 step central height adjustment, it will get your lawn beautifully manicured. It is cleverly designed so you can adjust the handlebar height to avoid backache and the folding handles make for easy storage. The grass box has an indicator so you can easily see when it gets full and double handles to make it easy to remove.
This is a very heavy machine at 43kg but is one of the largest and most powerful petrol model options. It’s a recoil start so may be tricky to get going, although the OHV engine is designed to minimise issues here.
Mcculloch M46-120R
Brand: Mcculloch
Cutting Width: 46cm
Power: 120cc Petrol Engine
Grass Collection Box Size: 50L
Cutting Heights: 30-80mm
Here’s another great option for medium to large gardens up to 1100m2. This Mcculloch petrol mower isn’t as big and powerful as some of the other ones on this list but the price makes up for this! For a petrol mower, 29kg isn’t too heavy and the self-drive means it’s easy to use on slopes as well.
The robust steel body will cope well with anything you throw at it and 5 different cutting heights make a clean and tidy finish. The collection bag is a lightweight fabric so easy to carry and this folds away as do the handles to make for space-saving storage.
As steel is prone to corrosion this lawnmower does need to be well cleaned after each use but it doesn’t have a hose connection so may need you to tip it to do so. It’s also a recoil start so prone to issues here if you find that you often struggle with these.
Honda Izy HRG536SD
Brand: Honda
Cutting Width: 53cm
Power: 160cc Petrol Engine
Grass Collector Size: 61L
Cutting Heights: 25-75mm
Next up we have Honda and their popular Izy rotary lawnmower. This is a self-propelled mower with a push-button start which gets it going without any hassle. The impressive 53cm cutting width will cover large lawns in no time.
You can set the mower to cut and collect in the grass bag, side discharge or mulch to help nourish the lawn.
The engine is designed to dull down vibrations so this mower isn’t as loud as some other petrol options. It also has a comfortable, soft-grip handle which makes mowing the lawn a lot more pleasant. This handle also folds down to allow space-saving storage.
It has ergonomically designed, sturdy wheels that won’t mark up your lawn and make it perfect for navigating uneven lawns. It has a sturdy, steel deck and is an extremely hard wearing and reliable lawnmower, perfect for large lawns.
The only downside with the Honda Izy is that the deck can end up suffering from corrosion. This doesn’t kick in until about 8-10 years of use and can be avoided if the lawnmower is washed and stored correctly.
Take Home
A lawnmower designed for a large garden needs a solid design, generous cutting width, and ideally a self-drive function. I’ve taken you on a whirlwind tour of everything lawnmower related. There are loads of great choices out there and I hope this review has helped you find the one that’s right for you. In the end, there’s no right or wrong choice. It’s up to you to decide the best fit and I wish you a happy mowing season! Here’s to the smell of freshly cut grass on your large lawn.
As a final tip if you don’t like any of these models. Go for a self propelled mower whether it’s a self propelled petrol mower or an electric one. If you’re dealing with a large lawn it’ll be worth it.
Related Reading
10 Best Self-Propelled Lawnmowers UK 2024 – An Expert Buyer’s Guide
10 Best Small Lawn Mowers For Small Gardens UK (2024 Edition)
9 Best Budget Lawn Mowers Under £100 UK (2024 Experts Guide)
10 Best Robot Lawn Mowers UK 2024 (An Expert Buyer’s Guide)
10 Best Lawnmowers with Roller for Stripes UK (2024 Expert’s Guide)
10 Best Lawn Mowers with Mulchers UK 2024 (An Expert Buyer’s Guide)
10 Best Cordless Electric Strimmers UK 2024(An Expert Buyer’s Guide)
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