10 Best Lawn Mowers For Uneven Ground UK 2021 (An Expert Buyer’s Guide)

A bumpy lawn can be a nightmare to get on top of. Finding a lawnmower that can handle lumps and hills is tricky. You need to weigh up the size of your lawn, the length of grass and many other factors to ensure you end up with a model that can handle the task at hand.

To help you find the best lawnmower for your uneven lawn I’ve put together this list of top-quality options that will handle bumps like a pro. There’s an option for everyone here from small lawns of 150m2 to massive areas up to 6000m2 there’s a mower that can tackle it.

This article covers the top five best options available and then I’ve included a complete buyers guide to help you to figure out which option will work best for you. After this, we have five more great options that haven’t quite made the top five. I’ve also included some common FAQs to hopefully answer any questions you may have.

Top 5 Best Lawn Mowers For Uneven Ground

• Top Choice – Hyundai HYM510SPE
• Runner Up – Cobra MX534SPH
• Best Ride-On – Husqvarna TS 138
• Best Budget Option – Einhell GC-PM 40 S
• Best Electric – Greenworks G40LM35K2X

1. Top Choice – Hyundai HYM510SPE

If you have a large garden with an uneven lawn then a self-propelled, petrol mower is a must. The lawnmower drives itself over uneven ground and the petrol engine is powerful enough to cope with the tasks at hand.

This petrol rotary lawnmower by Hyundai is a powerful and versatile option. It comes with an electric start and recoil back-up so you’ll never have an issue getting it going. To cope with uneven terrain, it has a six-step adjustable cutting height up to 75mm so can cope well even with long grass.

The large diameter rear wheels can manoeuvre well on any surface and are designed to leave no mark on your lawn. The drive function has variable speed settings and this lawnmower has an economical, low emissions engine.

It’s soft grip and a very user-friendly petrol lawnmower but at 43kg some people may struggle a bit with the weight. The steel deck is durable but steel can be prone to corrosion so make sure you clean it after every use. Hyundai has made this a simple task by adding in a hose connector to the deck so this becomes a very simple task.

2. Runner Up – Cobra MX534SPH

Stealing second place we have this Cobra lawnmower which is also a petrol engine and self-propelled. It has a Honda engine which are widely regarded as the best lawnmower engines for reliability and longevity.

The cutting deck height adjustment on this model has 6 steps and is controlled by a single lever so you have full control of the finish. This is essential if you have an uneven lawn as you may need to set the cut higher to navigate dips and bumps.

It has 4 speed drive settings and can be set to side discharge the cut grass or mulch to speed up the job and nourish your lawn.

This mower really takes all the hard work out of mowing uneven ground and although it weighs 38kg this is due to the heavy-duty jobs this lawnmower can handle. It’s a great option for large lawns where a ride on mower isn’t required.

3. Best Ride-On – Husqvarna TS 138

For very large gardens, with thick grass and uneven terrain, a riding mower is required. They are expensive to buy but these lawnmowers last well (if looked after and regularly serviced). This model by Husqvarna does a lot more than just mow. Being a lawn tractor you can use this for plenty of other jobs like ploughing snow, general landscaping and towing trailers.

It comes with a reliable Briggs & Stratton engine and choke-less start so all you have to do is turn the key and off you go!

It has a powerful air induction system that effectively gathers grass clippings and leaves and directs it all to the grass box. The cutting deck can be easily set to different heights between 38 and 102mm and is easy to clean thanks to the hose pipe connector.

The front wheels are on a pivoting axel to give superior traction on uneven surfaces and ensures you’ll always experience a smooth ride. The seat is fully adjustable to suit you and it even has headlights so you can mow any time.

This mower really brings the fun back into cutting the grass and the only downside is that it’s far too big to use on a narrow or small lawn.

4. Best Budget Option – Einhell GC-PM 40 S

If your budget is tight yet you still need a powerful lawnmower then this option will not disappoint. With disengable rear wheel drive it can handle slopes and uneven ground without complaining. When you let go of the handlebar the drive turn off but the motor keeps turning which allows you to decide when you need assistance or not.

The height adjustment is central so easy to move and it can be set to 7 different levels. The handle is a soft grip, ergonomic design and thanks to the durable plastic housing it only weighs 21.5kg which is very lightweight for a petrol mower.

Foldable handles make this a compact mower to store and the 45 litre grass collection bag will leave a tidy finish for any lawn.

This mower isn’t the biggest or most powerful but it is a reliable little machine and copes well on rough ground. It’s a really effective for lawn care and the price makes this one a fantastic option.

5. Best Electric – Greenworks G40LM35K2X

If petrol isn’t your thing, maybe you hate the fumes or the maintenance or you just find the machines too heavy then a cordless, battery powered lawnmower is the next best thing. They give you the freedom of petrol and are much quieter and easier to get going.

This lightweight lawnmower is only 15kg and comes with two lithium ion batteries so you can charge one as you mow. The batteries are compatible with all Greenworks power tools so this is a major plus if you own some of these.

The cutting deck can be set to five different cutting heights by the use of a single lever and this mower can collect grass or can be set to an option for mulching.

This push lawnmower will last about 25 minutes on a single battery charge but this also depends on conditions. Thick grass, rain etc can lessen the expected runtime.

It’s not as powerful or long lasting as a petrol lawnmower but it does perform well for an electric cordless lawnmower.

Lawnmower Buyer’s Guide

Height Settings

If you’re looking for a lawnmower that can handle lumps and bumps then you need to know that you have the freedom to easily adjust the cutting height. If the cutting height is too low then the blade can end up cutting down to the soil level and tearing bald patches in your lawn whenever it meets a dip. Look for a model with a good range of cutting heights and ideally choose one that can handle the height differences found across your lawn.

Self Propelled

Manually pushing a heavy mower over uneven terrain is hard work. If you have a lawn set on an incline then this can also slow the job way down and make for a lot of tough labour for you. A self-propelled lawnmower takes the effort out of mowing. It drives itself over all the potholes and uphill and all you need to do is direct it. These lawnmowers speed up the job but one downside is that they do tend to be a lot heavier than push mowers. This can make them difficult to turn or to move in and out of storage.

Power

The power of the lawnmower dictates how well it can handle long and thick grass and how well it will manage slopes and uneven ground. The more powerful the mower, the quicker and easier the job will be. Power is often stated in cc for petrol lawnmowers and watts of volts for electric.

Blade

The cutting blade size and material affects how well the mower will perform. A tough steel blade will be more durable and resistant to damage. A wide cutting width needs a powerful engine to support it. If the cutting width is very wide and the engine is less powerful then the blade will not be as effective as a shorter one with a more powerful motor. Try to find a good balance between a powerful engine and optimal blade size to get the lawn cut quickly and efficiently.

Area Of Lawn

The size of your lawn is really important when choosing a new lawnmower. If you choose a model that’s too small then it’ll take ages to cut all the grass or, if it’s an electric mower then the power cord won’t reach far enough.

If you choose a model that’s too big then you may find that navigating a small narrow lawn is impossible with a big heavy mower.

Try to get a good estimation of the area of your garden and choose a mower that suits it for best results.

Petrol Vs Electric

Battery-powered lawnmowers are quiet, lightweight and don’t emit nasty fumes. They give you freedom like a petrol mower but they do have issues. They are nowhere near as powerful as petrol and struggle on the rough ground. They don’t tend to last much longer than 30 minutes so only suitable for smaller gardens.

A corded electric mower is lightweight and easy to use like a battery mower. They are the cheapest option to buy. They tend to be more powerful than battery options and do a better job overall. The issue is that you’re limited by cable length so they can only cut lawns that stretch as far as the cable reaches.

A petrol lawn mower is powerful and can handle any lawn. They give you the freedom to roam and are superb on uneven terrain. The issue with petrol is they are very expensive, heavy, difficult to use and require maintenance and upkeep.

It’s a balancing act between which mower suits you best and which model will tackle your garden without a fuss.

F.A.Q.s

Why is my lawn uneven?

There are many different reasons for a lawn ending up uneven. It can be due to poor drainage or overuse of sprinklers causing soil erosion. Moles can burrow under lawns and leave molehills causing bumps in the lawn surface. If you’re unsure what is causing the issue then it’s best to hire a professional to diagnose the problem so you can work to fix the issue.

Why choose a petrol lawnmower?

Petrol lawnmowers are powerful and solid. They resist damage better than electric ones and cut through grass quickly and efficiently. They give you the freedom to cover a large area without rapidly running out of charge like a battery mower.

Can I use a rear roller on a bump lawn?

Lawnmowers with a rear roller are best suited to flat lawns as the added weight for the roller can struggle to navigate over rough terrain. They don’t leave as neat a finish on uneven ground.

How often should I take my lawnmower for a service?

You should service your petrol lawnmower at least once a year. Usually, after the second year, things start to need attention like the blade may dull or the cables become stretched. It’s always best to check the manufacturer’s guidelines for confirmation on this as some warranties won’t be valid if the lawnmower hasn’t been appropriately serviced.

Can I use a hover mower on my uneven lawn?

Hover mowers are easy to manoeuvre but they tend to not be powerful enough to tackle long grass and uneven lawns. You won’t get a good finish with a hover mower and rotary options are a much better bet.

More Lawnmowers Reviewed

ParkerBrand Petrol Lawnmower

This is a powerful petrol model that makes lawn mowing day a breeze. The self propelled drive function means that the 40kg weight is not something you need to worry about. It’s made of heavy-duty steel and the fast spinning blade can power through long grass no bother.

It comes with a 70 litre collection box with easy grip handle so it won’t fill in a hurry and when it does, it’s no bother to empty. It can also be set to side discharge or mulching option to speed up the job and keep your lawn healthy.

The handle bar is soft grip and pleasant to use and the front of this mower has a carry handle to help you get it in and out of the shed. It’s also fitted with a cup holder so you won’t end up dehydrated as you work on the lawn.

It can be set to 8 different height levels between 25-75mm using a single lever. This mower has all the essential components that make for a powerful enough machine to handle rough ground.

Mountfield 2L0481023

For a medium sized lawn, you may not require the self propelled function but still need the freedom of a petrol mower. This Mountfield, hand propelled lawnmower is a great option. WIth a reliable, Briggs & Stratton engine it’s easy to start and runs well.

It comes with a 60 litre grass collector which will keep you mowing for ages or to save even more time, fit the mulching plug instead. It has 6 different cutting heights and the alloy steel deck is extremely hard wearing.

At 26kg it’s not lightweight but easy to push across flat lawns. You do need a bit more strength to use this on uneven ground.

The main benefits of this mower are the build quality and the price. It costs less than half the price of similar self-propelled mowers whilst still matianing the excellent durability and build quality. If you don’t mind a bit of a workout then this lawnmower will do you extremely well.

Bosch Rotak 32R

Uneven ground doesn’t just apply to large gardens. Small gardens can suffer just as much from rough patches. To tackle these types of lawn, a hover mower is just not powerful enough. Electric lawnmowers can actually be just as powerful as some smaller petrol ones and this rotary corded model by Bosch is a great option.

At just 6.8kg it’s one of the lightest options out there so anyone can use it. It’s designed with grass combs for close to edge cutting so you’ll get a tidy finish without needing a trimmer as well.

It has a hardened steel blade and this plus the 1200watt motor can power through weeds and long grass with ease. It has a nice sized 31-litre grass box for a tidy finish. It has a 10 meter power cable and an easy carry handle.

This mower is ideal for small gardens with rough patches or long grass but is not far reaching enough for medium to large lawns.

Flymo EasiStore 380R

Here’s another good option for electric mowers. A little bit heavier at 14.9kg this one does a bit more. It has a 5 step height adjust to get a clean finish and the 38cm blade will get the job done in no time.

Close to edge cutting gives you a neat finish and this mower has an integrated rear roller for a beautifully striped lawn.

It is really powerful with a 1600watt motor so long, or thick grass won’t be an issue. The 45 litre grass box had plenty of space to keep you going but the 10 meter power cable will limit the area you can cover.

It’s pretty powerful for an electric mower, and despite being a bit heavier it can be stored in an upright position, so it doesn’t take up much space in the shed. This mower does also have a cordless option avaliable if you need to cover an area that’s further away.

Murray EQ 500

Finally, we have one more great option for those larger lawns. This self-propelled lawnmower is actually pretty lightweight at 28kg but packs a punch with the 140cc Briggs & Stratton engine. It has a durable steel deck so can handle tough jobs.

It has a 6 level height adjust from 28-92mm so can tackle very uneven ground and long grass. The 60 litre grass collector is roomy enough to tackle a large lawn but to speed up the job this mower can also set to rear or side discharge and it also has a mulching option to nourish the lawn.

It has a recoil start so can be a bit tricky to get going when it’s cold. This mower is a good option for medium-sized, uneven lawns and is durable and well made.

Take Home

From tiny front lawns to paddocks, no-one is immune from the uneven lawn curse. If you suffer from bumpy ground then rest assured that these mowers will have your back. I hope this list has been helpful in setting you up with the right mower for your needs. In the end, it has to be one that suits you as well as the lawn to achieve the very best results with every mow.

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