10 Best Petrol Lawn Mowers UK 2020 – An Expert Buyer’s Guide

Petrol lawnmowers are great for larger gardens. They are more powerful and can reach a lot further than corded electric ones. They also last a lot longer than battery lawnmowers so get the job done quicker.

The downsides to a petrol mower are that they are heavier, louder and require upkeep (like any petrol engine!).

If you feel that your lawn would benefit from the cutting power of a petrol mower then I’ve got a treat in store for you. This article looks in-depth into the best petrol lawnmowers available to buy in the UK. There’s a large range of options and prices to suit every budget and you’re sure to find the one that best suits you.

Alongside these 10 fantastic mowers, I’ve included a handy buyers guide and some F.A.Q.s I’ve been asked along the way. To kick this review off, we have the 5 top options so read on to find out the top choice.

Top 5 Best Petrol Lawn Mowers

• Top Choice – Honda Izy HRG 416 SK Petrol Self Propelled Rotary Lawnmower
• Runner Up – Cobra M46SPC 18″ 46cm Petrol Self Propelled Lawnmower
• Best Budget Option – Einhell GC-PM 40 S Petrol Lawnmower
• Best Petrol Push Mower – Murray EQ 400 18″/46 cm Petrol Push Lawnmower with Briggs & Stratton 450E Series Engine
• Best For Large Gardens –Hyundai Self Propelled ZERO-TURN 360 degree 51cm Cut Petrol Lawnmower, Electric Start

1. Top Choice – Honda Izy HRG 416 SK Petrol Self Propelled Rotary Lawnmower

For our top choice, it has to be the Honda Izy (or easy) self-propelled mower. The main reason this one has stolen the top spot is due to Hondas powerful engines and longevity of the mowers. You can expect a good 10 years or more from these mowers.

The lawnmower is self-propelled so this speeds up mowing as well as making the job a lot easier. It’s a good-sized mower for medium to large lawns and the 6 position height adjustment means you’ll get the perfect finish all year round.

The starter is a recoil start but the auto-choke ensures a smooth start even in cold weather.

The main issues with these mowers is that the steel deck will rot after many years of use. To help minimise this make sure you clean the mulch off the mower before you stash it away for winter storage.

2. Runner Up – Cobra M46SPC 18″ 46cm Petrol Self Propelled Lawnmower

Next up we have Cobra with their self propelled mower. The engine utilises powerful OHV technology which ensures an easy start (it’s a pull start mower) and smooth running even in cooler conditions.

The huge 60 litre grass box means this mower will cover a large area without you needing to stop and empty the collection box very frequently. It’s designed to optimise airflow as the grass is bagged so you end up with the grass clippings stored in a really compact way which makes great use of the space.

The height adjust is operated by a single lever so is quick and simple to use. It is highly controllable with 10 different cutting heights so perfect for a smooth finish. This mower is not as powerful as the Honda and the price reflects this. It copes well with larger lawns due to the 46 cm cutting blade size so is a more cost-effective option for larger gardens.

3. Best Budget Option – Einhell GC-PM 40 S Petrol Lawnmower

If your budget is tight then don’t worry! Einhell has developed this powerful little 1 cylinder 4 stroke engine with OHV technology. It’s not the biggest or toughest mower out there but it can handle a medium-sized lawn with ease.

The rear-wheel drive takes all the hard work out of mowing and it’s easy to disengage when you need to manoeuvre tight corners.

The collection bag has a handy fill level indicator on it so you can see when it is needing to be emptied and the ergonomic folding handle allows easy and compact storage.

The cutting deck is made from a strong plastic which is lightweight and avoids the issue of rust or rot setting in.

4. Best Petrol Push Mower – Murray EQ 400 18″/46 cm Petrol Push Lawnmower with Briggs & Stratton 450E Series Engine

If self-drive is not a requirement then a push mower can be a great option. These are much lighter and easier if you have a lot of small areas to mow rather than a big sweeping lawn.

The Murray push mower with Stratton engine is the best petrol lawn mower without self-drive. The Briggs and Stratton engine is a powerful make of engine that starts easily. It has an easy height adjust and the 60 litre grass bag is perfect for medium to large gardens. It can also function as a rear discharge mower as well.

The steel deck is of superior build quality and protected against corrosion. Alongside the cutting height adjustment the handlebar also has various height settings so you can set it to the right level for you. They are also foldable handles so storage is no bother.

This mower is a really superior option if you don’t require self propulsion and just about the only downside is that it does require engine oil which you need to buy separately.

5. Best For Large Gardens- Hyundai Self Propelled ZERO-TURN 360 degree 51cm Cut Petrol Lawnmower, Electric Start

Bigger isn’t always better except for when it comes to mowing! If you’ve ever tried to mow a huge lawn or long grass with a tiny grass collector you’ll know the pain.

Hyundai is a premium choice when it comes to petrol engines. It’s an extremely powerful mower due to the OHV, four stroke engine and the durability is fantastic. This mower also comes with a full UK spares back up and is covered with the Hyundai platinum 3 year warranty so if you’ll be all set for spares and repairs.

The height is adjustable by a single lever so is quick and simple to switch between cutting options. The lowest setting is 17mm which will produce a bowling green smooth lawn! 70 litres of grass collection will keep you mowing without stopping all the time.

The soft grip handle is foldable so easy to store and the mower has a hose attachment so cleaning is really easy. Once you finish cutting the grass, simply attach a hose to the cutting deck and this washes away all the mulch.

The mower is electric push-button start and has a backup recoil start so you’ll never fail to get it going.

The thing I usually hate about mowing is turning the mower around when you reach the edge of the lawn. Trees or hedges can make this really difficult. Hyundai has come up with the perfect solution as this mower has 360 degree swivel front wheels so can turn in its own footprint!

This lawn mower offers so much more than simple grass cutting and you’ll get a large area covered in less time than ever.

Things To Consider When Buying A Petrol Lawnmower

Size Of Lawn Vs Cutting Width

The size of your lawn needs to be measured or estimated when you’re setting out to buy a lawnmower. You need to select a mower that is suitable for the job at hand otherwise it will take ages to cut the grass. There are lots of different opinions when it comes to mower size but the guide I’ve found to be the most useful is as follows.

For small lawns (up to 100sqm) you should be ok with a cutting width of around 30 cm, medium lawns (100-250sqm) will need 35-40 cm and larger lawns (250sqm+) will need 40 cm+.

Grass Bag Size

If the grass bag is too small you’ll forever be stopping to empty it which will slow down the job. It can also get clogged up quickly if you don’t notice it’s full and may cause the mower to stall.

For a larger, thicker lawn make sure you have an adequate sized bag for the mower. For hand-propelled mowers, it’s also worth considering that a larger bag will add weight to the mower. If you struggle to push the mower then opt for a medium-sized rather than a large grass catcher.

Power

The power of the mower gives you an idea as to how well the machine will handle rough, uneven areas and longer or thicker grass. I’ve listed the power here in either cc or watts with the higher the number, the more the mower can handle.

Push Vs Self Propelled

A self-propelled mower will cut the lawn in less time and take less manpower than a push mower. They are a bit more expensive and not ideal if you have lots of small patches of grass as they’re heavy to lift between areas.

Weight

The weight of your lawnmower is really important as it defines how tough the job will be. If you can’t manage to move the mower out of your shed then it’s not a good option. Push mowers vary a lot in weight so make sure you choose one you can manage. Self-propelled ones are heavier but drive themselves so that’s less of an issue. You do still have to push them over to the lawn and turn them so even a self-drive mower shouldn’t be too heavy for you to move.

F.A.Q.s

Why get a petrol lawnmower?

A petrol lawnmower is much more powerful and better for a rough, uneven or very large lawn. They are heavier and louder than electric mowers and require more maintenance.

Why choose a cordless lawn mower?

If your garden is more than 10 meters in any direction then a corded lawnmower will struggle to reach the edge of the garden. You can use an extension cord for medium-sized lawns but for very large areas a cordless mower is needed.

Why won’t the engine start?

The most common reasons for the mower not starting is one of three things. You don’t have enough fuel, the air filter is clogged or the spark plug needs replaced. If you don’t feel comfortable checking these components then it’s best to bring the mower to a repair shop.

What is a mulching lawnmower?

A mulching lawnmower cuts the grass clippings into a very fine consistency and allows this to fall back onto the lawn. It does this using a side discharge route. This helps nourish the lawn and is an eco-friendly way to get rid of grass clippings. Some mowers come with a mulching plug which allows the mower to double as a mulcher as well as using the grass collector.

What are the different starter options for a petrol mower?

Most petrol lawnmowers use a recoil start where you pull a cord to get it going. These can be temperamental to get going and do require some technique.

An easier option is electric start or key start lawnmowers which work a bit more like starting a car so people tend to have less issues with them.

More Petrol Lawnmowers Reviewed

Mountfield SP164 Petrol Self Propelled 39cm Lawnmower

Continuing with lawn mower reviews we have this Mountfield self-propelled mower with OHV engine. It’s a medium-sized mower with a decent-sized cutting width at 39cm. The rust-resistant polypropylene deck is super lightweight and this helps make this mower really easy to manoeuvre.

You can set it to collect the grass clipping or it can set to rear-eject for an easier, although slightly more messy finish.

The handle folds up for compact and easy storage and the deck can be set to 5 different height positions for a perfect finish.

This mower is suitable for small to medium-sized lawns and comes with a 2 year warranty for peace of mind.

Webb Classic 41cm (16″) Petrol Rotary Lawnmower

This is a sturdy hand-propelled mower that will certainly be a noticeable upgrade from an electric lawn mower. It’s big enough to handle medium-sized lawns and at 24.5kg it isn’t too heavy to push on flat surfaces.

It has a pretty powerful engine and will handle long and thick grass with ease. It’s recorded as being clean-burning, quiet and cheap to run so emissions are low and you won’t be deafened as you cut the grass.

The wheels are designed to be highly manoeuvrable and it dodges obstacles with ease. The steel deck is very hard-wearing so this mower will last well.

Some people will find it a bit heavy for uneven or sloping lawns so if your garden fits this description then maybe best opt for a self-propelled mower.

McCulloch M40-125 Petrol Push Collect Lawn Mower, 1600 W, Black, 125 cc, 40 cm Cutting Width

If you have a small to medium lawn and are looking to upgrade from electric then this McCulloch mower is a good one to consider. With a 40cm cutting width it will get the job done really quickly and the 50 litre grass bag won’t fill in a hurry.

It’s a hand push mower with a pretty powerful Briggs and Stratton engine and it has a durable powder-coated steel body which will last a long time. It’s powerful enough to cut through long grass and weeds and the height adjustment makes for a perfect finish.

It’s not a lightweight mower and some people may struggle to manage the size of this model. However, it handles uneven lawns with ease and does a thorough job if you don’t mind putting in the manpower.

Hayter Harrier 48 Electric Start Rear Roller Petrol Lawnmower

This mower by Hayter Harrier is a cut above the rest. It has so many features it’s going to be difficult to cover them all in one article!

If a striped finish is what you’re after then you’ll love this mower. The rear roller is ribbed to give beautiful straight lines. It also provides traction and avoids marking up the lawn when you’re turning the mower.

The blade brake clutch mechanism means you can stop the blade turning but keep the engine running which is perfect for emptying the grass bag or moving to a new lawn. The mower also automatically adjusts the cutting deck to help maintain a good airflow when you’re cutting long grass.

You’ll never have an issue starting this mower as it is able to read the temperature of the engine and primes it accordingly.

Perfect for medium to large lawns this mower is really easy to use and gives a superior finish with its rear roller and close to edge cut.

It comes with a lifetime cutter deck warranty and lifetime crankshaft warranty which protects it from damage caused by accidentally hitting a solid object.

The downside with this mower is the price. It far exceeds the costs of our other mowers reviewed today and although you get a lot for your money it’s up to you to decide if these features are worth the price tag.

Yard Force 40 cm Hand Push Petrol Lawnmower with 125cc Briggs and Stratton 300 Engine GMB40

If you’re still reeling at the price of the Hayter Harrier mower then this one will soothe you. This Yard Force push mower is nowhere near as fancy as the last one but the quality you get for the price makes up for this.

It’s a decent size mower for a medium lawn and not too heavy to manoeuvre. The central height adjustment is easy to use and it has ergonomic, soft-grip handles to make the job a bit nicer. It also folds up for convenient storage.

Front grass combs make for better airflow which sweeps the clippings into the collection bag. This makes for a very tidy finish especially when cutting a short lawn.

The Briggs and Stratton engine is powerful and the custom air filter makes for a smooth start every time.

This is not the fanciest of lawnmowers but it works well, is efficient and gets the job done. For the low price tag, it’s a really good option.

Take-Home

So that’s been quite a whistlestop tour of all the best petrol mowers available in the UK. Although these mowers are big and heavy they can handle most lawns with ease. I hope this review has helped point you in the right direction and helped narrow down the available options to make it a lot easier for you to decide which mower is the best for your lawn.

Related Reading

Best Electric Lawnmower UK Reviewed – An Expert Buyers Guide

8 Best Cordless Lawn Mowers UK 2020 – An Expert Buyer’s Guide