Looking for a mower that can collect both grass and leaves from your lawn? In this guide, we’ve shared our reviews of the best lawn mowers for shredding leaves, based on their performance capabilities, customer feedback, and overall value for money.
Brand: Bosch
Price: £££
Power source: Electric corded
Cutting width: 40cm
Cut height range: 25-80mm
Weight: 16 kilograms
Grass box capacity: 50 litres
Dimensions (DxWxH): 76 x 49.5 x 45cm
Power: 1,700 W
Brand: Hyundai
Price: ££
Power source: Electric corded
Cutting width: 38cm
Cut height range: 20-70mm
Weight: 12.5 kilograms
Grass box capacity: 40 litres
Dimensions (DxWxH): 42cm x 37cm x 107cm
Power: 1,600 W
Brand: Flymo
Price: ££
Power source: Battery
Cutting width: 34cm
Cutting height: 25-65mm
Weight: 11.2 kilograms
Grass box capacity: 35 litres
Dimensions (DxWxH): 47.5 x 39 x 95cm
Power: 40-V battery (2x 20V)
Brand: Murray
Price: £££
Power source: Petrol
Cutting width: 56cm
Cut height range: 25-70mm
Weight: 34.1 kilograms
Grass box capacity: 75 litres
Dimensions (DxWxH): 96cm x 38cm x 101cm
Engine power: 161cc
Brand: Einhell
Price: £££
Power source: Petrol
Cutting width: 53cm
Cutting height: 25-70mm
Weight: 40.2 kilograms
Grass box capacity: 80 litres
Dimensions (DxWxH): 170 x 75 x 103cm
Engine power: Not specified
- Brand: Webb
Price: £
Power source: Electric corded
Cutting width: 33cm
Weight: 8.8 kilograms
Grass box capacity: 35 litres
Dimensions (DxWxH): 47.6 x 14.6 x 42.5cm
Power: 1,300W
Table of Contents
Best Lawn Mowers For Shredding Leaves 2024
Best Overall: Bosch Lawnmower AdvancedRotak 650
Best Mulching: Hyundai HYM3800E 1600W 230V Corded Electric Rotary Lawnmower
Best Cordless Electric: Flymo EasiStore 340R Li Cordless Rotary Lawn Mower
Best For Large Lawns: Murray EQ2-500X Self-Propelled Petrol Lawnmower
Best Large Grass Bag Capacity: Einhell GE-PM 53/2 S HW-E Self-Propelled Petrol Lawnmower
Best Budget: Webb Classic WEER33 Electric Rotary Lawnmower
📊 Comparison Chart of Lawn Mowers
Scroll right on mobile to see the whole table chart
| Lawnmower Model | Brand | Price | Power Source | Cutting Width | Cut Height Range | Weight | Grass Box Capacity | Dimensions (DxWxH) | Power | Engine Power |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bosch Lawnmower AdvancedRotak 650 | Bosch | £££ | Electric corded | 40cm | 25-80mm | 16kg | 50 litres | 76x49.5x45cm | 1,700W | - |
| Hyundai HYM3800E 1600W 230V Corded | Hyundai | ££ | Electric corded | 38cm | 20-70mm | 12.5kg | 40 litres | 42x37x107cm | 1,600W | - |
| Flymo EasiStore 340R Li Cordless | Flymo | ££ | Battery | 34cm | 25-65mm | 11.2kg | 35 litres | 47.5x39x95cm | 40V battery (2x20V) | - |
| Murray EQ2-500X Self-Propelled Petrol | Murray | £££ | Petrol | 56cm | 25-70mm | 34.1kg | 75 litres | 96x38x101cm | - | 161cc |
| Einhell GE-PM 53/2 S HW-E Self-Propelled Petrol | Einhell | £££ | Petrol | 53cm | 25-70mm | 40.2kg | 80 litres | 170x75x103cm | - | Not specified |
| Webb Classic WEER33 Electric Rotary | Webb | £ | Electric corded | 33cm | - | 8.8kg | 35 litres | 47.6x14.6x42.5cm | 1,300W | - |
| Lawnmower Model | Brand | Price | Power Source | Cutting Width | Cut Height Range | Weight | Grass Box Capacity | Dimensions (DxWxH) | Power | Engine Power |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bosch Lawnmower AdvancedRotak 650 | Bosch | £££ | Electric corded | 40cm | 25-80mm | 16kg | 50 litres | 76x49.5x45cm | 1,700W | - |
| Hyundai HYM3800E 1600W 230V Corded | Hyundai | ££ | Electric corded | 38cm | 20-70mm | 12.5kg | 40 litres | 42x37x107cm | 1,600W | - |
| Flymo EasiStore 340R Li Cordless | Flymo | ££ | Battery | 34cm | 25-65mm | 11.2kg | 35 litres | 47.5x39x95cm | 40V battery (2x20V) | - |
| Murray EQ2-500X Self-Propelled Petrol | Murray | £££ | Petrol | 56cm | 25-70mm | 34.1kg | 75 litres | 96x38x101cm | - | 161cc |
| Einhell GE-PM 53/2 S HW-E Self-Propelled Petrol | Einhell | £££ | Petrol | 53cm | 25-70mm | 40.2kg | 80 litres | 170x75x103cm | - | Not specified |
| Webb Classic WEER33 Electric Rotary | Webb | £ | Electric corded | 33cm | - | 8.8kg | 35 litres | 47.6x14.6x42.5cm | 1,300W | - |
⭐ Reviews – Best Lawn Mowers For Shredding Leaves of 2024
In our opinion, the Bosch Lawnmower AdvancedRotak 650 is the best overall lawn mower for a leafy lawn.
This corded electric Bosch model is the only mower we found that has a dedicated blade for shredding and collecting leaves, which means it collects leaves more efficiently than other mowers and limits the need to rake before or after mowing.
Plus, the AdvancedRotak 650 has several other features that we specifically look for in a mower for leaf collection, including a powerful engine that makes easy work of cutting thicker leaves, good wheel traction, and a decent 50-litre grass collection capacity.
Quick Specs:
Brand: Bosch
Price: £££
Power source: Electric corded
Cutting width: 40cm
Cut height range: 25-80mm
Weight: 16 kilograms
Grass box capacity: 50 litres
Dimensions (DxWxH): 76 x 49.5 x 45cm
Power: 1,700 W
Best For:
Anyone with a small-to-medium lawn who wants the best electric lawnmower with a dedicated leaf-cutting function that can efficiently collect grass cuttings and leaves.
What Customers Think:
The Bosch Lawnmower AdvancedRotak 650 has a 4.3-star rating on Amazon out of more than 650 reviews (at the time of writing). We looked specifically at customers who reviewed the mower’s ability to cut and collect leaves, and feedback was largely positive. One customer said that the mower’s power proved “more than adequate” for mowing longer grass, and that they had “no reason to doubt” that the mower could handle autumn leaf fall.
Pros:
The obvious benefit of the AdvancedRotak 650 is that it’s the only lawn mower on this list that has a dedicated blade for efficient leaf shredding and collecting. That means you can do a better job of joint grass and leaf collection and save the hassle of collecting leaves separately.
The mower’s powerful 1,700-watt engine is also ideal for cutting long, thick grass and leaves, and should drive the blades effortlessly with a reduced risk of clogging. In comparison, most mowers of this size have a smaller 1,300-1,500-watt engine.
The wheels are large and have good treads, so you should have decent traction even when mowing on surfaces made slippery by leaves.
There are a few other unique features of this lawn mower that we love, including the ProSilence Technology, which limits noise by around 75% compared to mowers with similar engines, and the grass combs, which allow you to mow right to the edge, reducing your strimming work.
Cons:
This upgraded design is around £100 more expensive than the base-level corded electric mowers, so it’s not the cheapest available.
Some customers said that the mower doesn’t collect small leaves.
Mulching leaves saves the hassle of emptying a grass box and feeds your lawn with nutrients for healthy grass growth. If you’re looking for a versatile lawn mower that offers collection and mulching, we think the Hyundai HYM3800E can’t be beaten.
This 1,600-watt mulching mower has a 38cm cutting width and is ideal for small to medium-sized lawns. The 40-litre grass box isn’t anything special size-wise, but we think the mower’s mulch function really allows it to shine for leafy lawns. Plus, the mower is cheaper than most other mulching mowers we’ve reviewed, costing under £150 (at the time of writing).
Quick Specs:
Brand: Hyundai
Price: ££
Power source: Electric corded
Cutting width: 38cm
Cut height range: 20-70mm
Weight: 12.5 kilograms
Grass box capacity: 40 litres
Dimensions (DxWxH): 42cm x 37cm x 107cm
Power: 1,600 W
Best For:
Anyone looking for the best mulching lawn mower that they can use to shred and disperse leaves back onto their lawns, eliminating the hassle of emptying a grass box.
What Customers Think:
More than 3,000 customers have rated the Hyundai HYM3800E mulching mower 4.3 stars out of 5, commenting that it’s easy to use and delivers a powerful performance for small-to-medium lawns. Customers agreed that the mulching function is better than the grass collection function, which isn’t as efficient at picking up grass.
Pros:
The key benefit of this Hyundai mower for leaf collection is its mulch function. When the conditions are right, you can switch to using the mulch plug, which shreds leaves and grass clippings into tiny pieces and feeds them back onto your lawn. Leaves provide extra nutritional value to your grass as they decompose, and they do so at a much faster rate when they’re mulched.
Most mulching mowers are petrol-powered, but the HYM3800E is a conventional corded electric model. That means it’s more affordable, quicker and easier to use, and easier to maintain for folks with a smaller lawn who don’t need a petrol mower.
The 1,600-watt engine is just 100 watts less powerful than our top pick Bosch model, and should still provide plenty of drive to keep the blades spinning when you’re cutting thicker grass or leafy areas.
Cons:
We question the durability of this mulching lawn mower because it has quite a few plastic parts.
The rear roller isn’t worth including. It’s too light to leave noticeable stripes.
If you want a powerful lawn mower that can handle leaf cutting but you don’t want the hassle of a power cord or a petrol engine, you need a cordless electric lawn mower.
Based on our testing, the Flymo EasiStore 340R Li Cordless Rotary Lawn Mower is the best cordless mower for leafy lawns that you can buy today. It’s sold with two 20-volt batteries, giving it enough power to efficiently cut through leaves and longer grass, as well as a built-in rear roller for those oh-so-satisfying lawn stripes.
Quick Specs:
Brand: Flymo
Price: ££
Power source: Battery
Cutting width: 34cm
Cutting height: 25-65mm
Weight: 11.2 kilograms
Grass box capacity: 35 litres
Dimensions (DxWxH): 47.5 x 39 x 95cm
Power: 40-V battery (2x 20V)
Best For:
People who prefer the convenience and portability of a battery-powetred lawn mower but still want to prioritize leaf collection and don’t want to compromise on power.
What Customers Think:
The Flymo EasiStore has a 4.2-star average rating out of more than 4,300 ratings on Amazon. Several customers said that the mower can pick the grass and leaves perfectly, and most customers agreed that they were pleased with the finish of their lawn – especially given that the mower has a rear roller that leaves noticeable stripes on your lawn.
Pros:
You get all the benefits of a cordless lawn mower with the Flymo EasiStore Mower. There’s no fuel tank to top up, and you can mow as far down your garden as you like without having to fuss about with an extension cord.
Battery mowers aren’t as powerful as corded electric mowers, and some can struggle with blade stalling and clogging when mowing leaves and thick grass. But the Flymo EasiStore handles leaves well, with numerous customers praising the mower for its “perfect” grass and leaf collection.
Grass collection aside, there are a few other features that we love, including the rear roller that’s weighty enough to leave visible stripes for a beautiful finish and the full grass box indicator that means you don’t have to guess when the collector needs emptying.
Cons:
The 35-litre grass box isn’t the biggest we’ve seen, so if you’re collecting a lot of leaves, you’ll probably have to stop frequently to empty it.
The battery charging time is long. At least you can swap one battery for the spare if needed.
We think the Murray EQ2-500X Self-Propelled Petrol Lawnmower is the best leaf-shredding lawn mower that’s currently available for large lawns.
This large mower is self-propelled, so mowing any terrain – including thicker grass or grass with a top coating of leaves – is easier because you don’t have to physically push the mower with the extra resistance. Its 56cm cutting width covers more ground, so you can get the job done with fewer laps, and the 75-litre grass box has plenty of space for holding grass and leaves (although you can always switch to the built-in mulching function for convenience).
Quick Specs:
Brand: Murray
Price: £££
Power source: Petrol
Cutting width: 56cm
Cut height range: 25-70mm
Weight: 34.1 kilograms
Grass box capacity: 75 litres
Dimensions (DxWxH): 96cm x 38cm x 101cm
Engine power: 161cc
Best For:
Anyone with a larger lawn who’s looking for a powerful, self-propelled petrol mulching mower that quickly cuts grass and leaves.
What Customers Think:
The Murray EQ2-500X has an average star rating of 4.3 out of 5, from more than 700 customer reviews. Customers said that the mower cuts “very well”, leaving a good, tidy finish, and reviewers were impressed with both the mower’s collection and mulching abilities.
Pros:
We think people will large lawns will appreciate that the Murray EQ2-500X has self-propelled drive, making it around 10-20% quicker on average (not to mention much easier) to mow a lawn compared to a conventional push mower.
The 161cc engine is powerful enough to shred anything in the mower’s way, including thick grass and leaves, proving that as far as power is concerned, petrol is best.
The 75-litre grass box is a really decent size and should fit plenty of grass clippings and shredded leaves. But if you don’t want the extra hassle of emptying clippings, switch to the mulching plug – conveniently included as a built-in feature.
Cons:
Cost is an obvious disadvantage for one of the best lawnmowers for larger lawns. This mulching mower will set you back over £400.
We’d like to see an electric start function to speed up the starting process, but unfortunately, it’s old-fashioned cord-pulling only.
Our top recommended leaf-shredding lawn mower with a large grass collection capacity is the Einhell GE-PM 53/2 S HW-E Self-Propelled Petrol Lawnmower.
This large lawn mower has a bigger grass box than any lawn mower we’ve reviewed – 80 litres – so you can collect more grass clippings and leaves and minimize your emptying frequency. The mower’s self-propelled drive means you don’t have to exert any additional push power when mowing over leaves, and the large back wheels give you more manoeuvrability and stability on leaf-littered terrain.
Quick Specs:
Brand: Einhell
Price: £££
Power source: Petrol
Cutting width: 53cm
Cutting height: 25-70mm
Weight: 40.2 kilograms
Grass box capacity: 80 litres
Dimensions (DxWxH): 170 x 75 x 103cm
Engine power: Not specified
Best For:
Anyone who wants to collect leaves and grass clippings on a medium-to-large lawn and prefers a large grass collection bag capacity that reduces the time and effort of regular empties.
What Customers Think:
The Einhell GE-PM 53/2 S HW-E might not have hundreds of reviews like the other mowers in this guide, but the reviews are largely positive, averaging a 4.3-star rating out of 5. Customers agreed that the mower is efficient for mowing large lawns thanks to its large grass box and self-propulsion. There weren’t any specific comments on leaf collection so far.
Pros:
The large 80-litre grass collector is a reason to love the Einhell Self-Propelled Petrol Lawnmower mower for cutting leafy lawns if you like to get the job done as quickly and efficiently as possible. There’s plenty of room for grass and leaves, so you can mow for twice as long compared to mowers with standard 40-litre grass boxes.
Plus, it’s easy to see when the grass does need emptying – the handy level indicator will tell you at a glance.
The ball-bearing mounted drive wheels mean business, and the back wheels are larger than the front, so have more traction and control on slippery ground.
There are a few other features that make this mower efficient and simple to use, including the electric start that eliminates the need for cord pulling, and the self-propulsion, which means you don’t have to put in the physical pushing effort when mowing rougher, leaf-strewn terrain.
Cons:
We don’t know how powerful the engine is because this information isn’t listed anywhere online.
The wide cutting deck and large grass box mean this mower takes up a lot of room. It’s not ideal for small storage spaces.
If you’re on a budget but you still want a capable leaf-collecting lawn mower, we’ve found that the Webb Classic WEER33 Electric Rotary Lawnmower is the best available mower that fits this description.
This affordable lawn mower costs around £100 (at the time of reviewing) and does an excellent job of picking up grass and other debris, including leaves, small twigs, and acorns. Its 33cm cutting width and 35-litre grass box make it ideal for mowing a smaller lawn.
Quick Specs:
Brand: Webb
Price: £
Power source: Electric corded
Cutting width: 33cm
Weight: 8.8 kilograms
Grass box capacity: 35 litres
Dimensions (DxWxH): 47.6 x 14.6 x 42.5cm
Power: 1,300W
Best For:
Anyone with a small budget who’s looking for the best affordable leaf-collecting lawn mower that offers a capable performance at a fraction of the cost.
What Customers Think:
More than 1,200 customers have rated the Webb Classic WEER33 mower 4.3 stars out of 5 overall. One customer called the mower “good value” and said it offers good collection of grass cuttings and fallen leaves – even acorns. Another customer agreed that the mower can collect both grass and leaves on the grass surface rather than blowing them all over the garden.
Pros:
Price is the reason why we think so many people will be drawn to this Webb lawn mower. If you have a small lawn, you probably don’t want – or need – to spend a fortune on an expensive petrol mower. The Classic WEER33 mower is cheap even by electric mower standards, but the quality of performance is still there.
We think this nifty little lawn mower is ideal for smaller lawns. It weighs just 8.8 kilos, so it’s easy to manoeuvre and get into tight spots – brilliant for mowing around tree trunks and raised beds. The wheels have good traction and the back wheels are larger than the front, giving you that extra control at the handles.
The metal cutting blade tackles grass and leaves effortlessly, and the mower’s pickup capability is particularly efficient, so you shouldn’t have to rake leftover grass and leaves off your lawn once you’re finished.
Cons:
The 1,300-watt motor isn’t as powerful as others on this list, so it may struggle with collecting thicker layers of leaves (clogging of the blades is more likely).
The 35-litre grass box is a little small, so you’ll have to empty it frequently if you’re mowing longer grass or lots of leaves.
🍂 Can A Lawn Mower Collect Leaves?
Yes, a lawn mower can collect leaves – but only to some extent.
Most conventional lawn mowers create an updraft when they’re in operation. This allows them to cut the grass and suck the grass clippings into the grass collector as they mow.
Since leaves are usually positioned on top of a lawn, a mower with a sharp blade and powerful motor should be able to shred leaves as well as the grass. The mower’s updraft should also propel leaves into the grass box with the grass cuttings.
A mower’s ability to collect leaves depends on a few factors, including:
The volume of leaves on the lawn. Most mowers can handle cutting the occasional leaf, but if the volume of leaves is high, the mower blades may become clogged.
The mower’s power source & blade quality. Certain mower types, like petrol lawn mowers, are more powerful than others and are more capable of cutting thicker grass and leaves. Mowers with a sharp blade made from a strong, durable material (like steel) can cut tough leaves more efficiently than those with blunt or poor-quality blades.
The leaf size and moisture content. Larger leaves are generally more difficult to collect than smaller leaves. Damp or moist leaves are also more difficult for a lawn mower to cut, while dry leaves are easy to shred and bag.
🧾 7 Features to Look For In A Lawn Mower For Leafy Lawns
When you’re looking for the best lawn mower for shredding leaves on your lawn, prioritise these features:
✂️ Sharp Blade
A durable, sharp blade is essential for efficiently cutting grass and leaves as you mow.
A sharp blade cuts cleanly through tougher leaves. On the other hand, leaves are more likely to get tangled in a blunter blade that has reduced cutting abilities.
We recommend looking for a lawn mower with a metal blade for durability. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines on sharpening the blade (most mower blades need sharpening once or twice per season, depending on your use).
♻️ Mulching Ability
Another time-saving feature to look for in a lawn mower for cutting leaves is the ability to mulch.
Some lawn mowers have a built-in mulching plug, which means you can switch from grass collection to mulching without having to use a separate attachment.
The best mulching lawn mowers cut grass and leaves into tiny pieces, then feed them back onto your lawn. When they’re cut up small, leaves decay quickly, feeding your lawn with nutrients.
Mulching has benefits for lawn health, and it also saves you the time and effort of having to empty out a grass box, which you’ll need to do more frequently when dealing with the additional bulk of leaves.
🚜 Powerful Engine
A powerful mower engine is a must-have if you want to quickly and efficiently cut through leaves and grass with minimal clogging or stalling.
The more powerful the mower engine (or motor for non-petrol models), the more power that drives the blades to spin. That means the blades have enough force to cut through tougher leaves without getting jammed or clogged when they’re met with the additional resistance of a leaf-littered lawn.
If you want to buy an electric lawn mower for cutting leaves, aim for 1,600-1,700 watts of motor power.
If you prefer a petrol mower, look for a mower with an engine power of around 160cc.
🥅 Large Grass Catcher Capacity
Leaves take up more room in a mower’s grass collector, so if you do choose to collect, prioritize a lawn mower with a spacious grass box or bag.
The larger the grass box, the more room there’ll be for grass and leaves, and the less frequently you’ll need to empty it out. That means you can get the job done faster because you won’t have to keep stopping to make a trip to your compost heap or garden waste bin.
Our advice is to go for a mower with a grass box capacity of at least 50 litres if you’re mowing grass and leaves on a medium-to-large lawn.
Of course, it might not be best to buy a mower with the biggest grass box you should find. The mower should still be the right size for your lawn, and the bigger the grass box capacity, the bigger and heavier the mower, and the more difficult it is to manoeuvre.
⚪️ Good Wheel Treads
The tread pattern on a lawn mower’s tyres plays a role in traction. A mower with good traction can grip the ground better, allowing it to manoeuvre over leaves and uneven terrain more effectively.
So, if you’re mowing a lawn that’s slippery with leaves, make sure to buy a lawn mower with good wheel treads.
We also recommend looking for a mower that has bigger back wheels than front, which gives you better control over the mower when pushing it from behind – which, in turn, should reduce your risk of slips and falls when mowing on leafy ground.
🍁 Dedicated Leaf Collect Function
A few mowers have a dedicated leaf collect function or blade, which is specially designed for shredding leaves.
This isn’t an essential feature to look for on a mower, since a conventional sharp grass-cutting blade should be capable of cutting leaves without any special design features.
However, if you know you’ll end up cutting a lot of leaves with your lawnmower, it’s worth considering a mower with a leaf-cutting blade, like the Bosch Lawnmower AdvancedRotak 650 reviewed in this guide.
📏 Adjustable Cutting Height
Pretty much all conventional lawn mowers nowadays have an adjustable cutting height, allowing you to make the mower deck higher or lower based on the height of the grass you’re mowing.
The average lawn mower for domestic use has a cut height range of 25-70mm. Being able to raise your lawn mower’s height is useful when mowing a leaf-littered lawn because you can help the mower to gather leaves more effectively with a reduced risk of clogging.
Look for lawn mowers that have an easy-adjust cutting height, like those that use a single lever to adjust the mower deck height.
📝 8 Factors To Consider When Choosing The Best Lawn Mower For Shredding Leaves
Aside from the best features of a mower for leafy lawns, it’s also worth considering the following factors when you’re choosing a lawnmower for this purpose:
💰 Your Budget
Start by establishing a realistic budget for your lawnmower purchase.
If your budget is on the smaller side, you’ll be looking at electric lawnmowers. These cost around £100-£250, depending on their features and power.
Cordless mowers are the next step up, costing around £150-£300, again depending on their battery power and their features.
The most expensive mowers for domestic use are petrol lawnmowers. These mowers typically cost £250-£400+, depending on their size and other features (mulching, self-propulsion, rear roller, etc.).
The good news is that you don’t have to spend a fortune on a mower for shredding leaves. If you have a smaller lawn, most electric mowers should be powerful enough to handle a few leaves here and there.
🟩 📐 Your Lawn Size/Mower Cutting Width
Also consider the ideal mower size for your lawn, based on the size of the space you need to cut.
The bigger your lawn, the bigger the mower should ideally be. Large mowers are bulkier and less capable of mowing tight spaces, which is why they’re not recommended for small lawns. But they’re ideal for medium-to-large lawns because they cover more ground per lap and help you to get the job done faster.
We recommend looking for a mower with a 30-36cm cutting width if you have a smaller lawn, or a mower with a 38-46+cm cutting width if your lawn is on the larger end.
🔌 Your Preferred Lawn Mower Type
You might have a preferred mower type that you want to buy for your lawn.
If you don’t like being tethered to a power supply but you want an eco-friendly alternative to a petrol mower, a battery-powered cordless mower is best for you.
If your lawn isn’t very big and you don’t want the hassle of charging batteries or topping up fuel before you can start mowing, a corded electric mower is your best choice.
If you have a large lawn or just want the most powerful mower that can shred through even thicker areas of leaves and grass, petrol mowers are the best option.
Note: We don’t recommend robot mowers for cutting leaves because they only have small blades, which will get easily clogged by leaves and will wear out faster if they’re always used for leaf shredding. We also don’t recommend manual mowers because of the resistance of mowing over leaves, which will make the mower too hard to push.
🌳 Leaf Volume
Do you plan to mow over the occasional leaf on your lawn? Or do you have a tree in your garden that sheds a high volume of leaves every year and you’re looking for a mower that can handle this?
The expected leaf volume on your lawn will determine the type of mower that’s best suited for the occasion.
If you do expect to mow a leaf blanket, we strongly recommend buying a petrol lawnmower. Petrol mowers are more powerful than any other mower type, so they’re the best at tackling tougher, thicker grass with lots of leaves.
If your lawn only gets a few leaves in the autumn, you can use any lawn mower to collect them with no hassle – as long as the mower is powerful enough and has good suction abilities.
🤼 Grass Collection Vs Mulching
Some lawn mowers offer grass collection only, while others have a built-in mulching plug, so you can switch between collection and mulching depending on your preferences.
You might want to buy a mulching mower if you prefer to speed up the grass cutting process and avoid wasting time emptying the grass box.
A dedicated mulching mower can expertly shred both grass and leaves into small pieces, so you can leave them on your lawn (they should decompose within a few days).
Mulching mowers usually cost around 20-35% more than non-mulching mowers. It’s worth considering a mower with a mulching feature if you can keep on top of mowing your lawn and you prefer to avoid the extra hassle of collection.
🛠 Assembly & Maintenance
Make sure you’re familiar with the assembly and maintenance required for a lawnmower for leafy lawns before you spend your money.
Most mowers arrive partially assembled, and assembly should take 10-30 minutes, depending on the mower type.
Petrol mowers tend to be the most difficult to assemble and require the most maintenance because of their petrol engines.
If you prefer a low-maintenance option, go for an electric corded or cordless mower. These mowers are easy to maintain – just sharpen the blade once or twice a year and (for cordless lawnmowers) charge the batteries when needed.
🏠 Available Storage Space
How much storage space do you have in your shed or garage? This may affect the type and size of lawnmower you can buy for cutting leaves.
Check the mower’s dimensions and make sure you have enough room to store the mower before you spend your money.
If you have limited space, make sure to look for a lawnmower with space-saving features, like foldable handles.
💬 Brand Reputation & Customer Feedback
Customer reviews tell you all you need to know about how a lawnmower lives up to user expectations, and how you can expect it to perform with regular use.
When we selected the mowers to review in this guide, we looked at those that had plenty of customer praise either for collecting leaves (ideal) or for cutting longer, thicker grass at the very least.
A few words of negative feedback are expected for any product, but if a lawnmower has lots of negative reviews that all say the same thing, you’re best spending your money elsewhere.
It’s also worth considering the reputation of a mower brand. We recommend buying a mower from a well-known brand, like Bosch, Einhell, Murray, Hyundai, Flymo, and Webb. These brands are reputable and known for their high-quality offerings and helpful customer service, so you know you’re spending your money safely.
Important note: this review was last updated in November 2024 We apologise if pricing or availability has since changed for any of the products mentioned above.