If you love the power, speed, and efficiency of a petrol-powered mower but hate having to crank a pull cord, an electric start petrol lawn mower is the obvious solution.
In this guide, we’ve shortlisted the best-value, most capable electric start petrol lawn mowers, based on their price, ease of use, performance capabilities, and more.
Brand: Hyundai
Price: £££
Power source: Petrol
Cutting width: 51cm
Cut height range: 25-75mm
Weight: 43.8 kilograms
Grass box capacity: 70 litres
Engine power: 196cc
Brand: Hyundai
Price: £
Power source: Petrol
Cutting width: 42cm
Cut height range: 25-75mm
Weight: 31 kilograms
Grass box capacity: 45 litres
Engine power: 139cc
Brand: Cobra
Price: ££
Power source: Petrol
Cutting width: 48cm
Cut height range: 25-75mm
Weight: 44 kilograms
Grass box capacity: 65 litres
Engine power: 176cc
Brand: Cobra
Price: ££
Power source: Petrol
Cutting width: 46cm
Cut height range: 17-75mm
Weight: 37 kilograms
Grass box capacity: 55 litres
Engine power: 135cc
Table of Contents
Best Lawn Mowers
Best Overall: Hyundai 20″/51cm 196cc Electric-start Self-propelled Petrol Lawnmower
Best Budget: Hyundai 17″/42cm 139cc Electric-Start Self-Propelled Petrol Lawnmower
Best For Larger Lawns: Cobra MX484SPCE 48cm (19in) Petrol Lawnmower
Best With Rear Roller: Cobra RM46SPCE Electric Start Self Propelled Rear Roller Petrol Lawn Mower
📊 Comparison Chart of Electric Start Petrol Lawn Mowers
| Product | Brand | Price | Power Source | Cutting Width | Cut Height Range | Weight (kg) | Grass Box Capacity | Engine Power |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hyundai HYM510SPE 196cc Electric-start Self-propelled Petrol Lawnmower | Hyundai | £££ | Petrol | 51cm | 25-75mm | 43.8 | 70 litres | 196cc |
| Hyundai 17"/42cm 139cc Electric-Start Self-Propelled Petrol Lawnmower | Hyundai | £ | Petrol | 42cm | 25-75mm | 31 | 45 litres | 139cc |
| Cobra MX484SPCE 48cm (19in) Petrol Lawnmower | Cobra | ££ | Petrol | 48cm | 25-75mm | 44 | 65 litres | 176cc |
| Cobra RM46SPCE Electric Start Self Propelled Rear Roller Petrol Lawn Mower | Cobra | ££ | Petrol | 46cm | 17-75mm | 37 | 55 litres | 135cc |
⭐ Reviews – Best Electric Start Petrol Lawn Mowers of 2024
If you’re looking for the best value electric-start petrol lawn mower, offering superior performance features at a better price than the competitors, we think the Hyundai HYM510SPE can’t be beaten.
We love this mower because it has a wide 51cm cutting width, a powerful 196cc engine, and a large 70-litre grass box, and it’s also self-propelled, so it’s quick and easy to cut a medium-to-large lawn in no time at all. Plus, the electric start is reliable, starting the mower with a press of a button – no need to waste time and energy pulling a cord. Hyundai recommends charging the starter battery for 6 hours before use, but ours worked straight out of the box.
Quick Specs:
Brand: Hyundai
Price: £££
Power source: Petrol
Cutting width: 51cm
Cut height range: 25-75mm
Weight: 43.8 kilograms
Grass box capacity: 70 litres
Engine power: 196cc
Best For:
Anyone looking to invest in the best, most capable electric start petrol lawn mower, with better features than competing models, sold by a reliable name in the industry.
What Customers Think:
The HYM510SPE is one of the best-rated electric start petrol mowers on Amazon, with (at the time of writing) an average rating of 4.5 stars out of 5. Customers said that the mower is a “brilliant workhorse” and a “very efficient mower”, commenting that the electric start is “outstanding” and “a game changer”. Some customers complained that the mower is heavy.
Pros:
We think the HYM510SPE is an all-rounder for anyone looking for a reliable electric start petrol lawn mower that can do it all. Not only does it have the elusive electric start function, but it also boasts variable speed self-propulsion (most similar mowers offer a single speed only), and different grass collection options, including the option to mulch straight onto your lawn and avoid the hassle of emptying a grass collection box.
The mower’s wide 51cm cutting width and large 70-litre grass box make it ideal for medium-to-large lawns, meaning you can cut in fewer passes and in less time – plus the self-propulsion takes the pushing effort quite literally off your hands.
Hyundai has thought through every feature of this mower, from the simple push-button start to changing the mowing settings, even down to adjusting the 6 cut height settings, which is quick and easy to do. The HYM510SPE is sturdily built, with no flimsy parts, so you should hopefully get plenty of use out of this machine, and the 3-year warranty is a promising sign of longevity.
Cons:
As expected given its larger design and the extra weight of self-propulsion and electric start, the HYM510SPE is heavier and bulkier than similar models, weighing 43.8 kilograms.
You’ll struggle to do tight spaces and corners with this mower due to its larger size – it’s definitely intended for bigger lawns with lots of open space.
If our top pick Hyundai model is a bit too big, bulky, and expensive for your lawn size, the smaller HYM430SPE model should be better suited to your situation.
This affordable mower boasts many of the same features as the larger Hyundai HYM510SPE, including self-propulsion, and, of course, the necessary electric start, making lawn mowing quicker and easier. But it also has specific benefits for using on smaller lawns, including a narrower 42cm cutting width that makes it more maneuverable and easier to get into tight spots, and a lighter 31-kilogram design that’s less of a challenge to get in and out of storage. Plus, it’s almost half the price of our top-pick mower.
Quick Specs:
Brand: Hyundai
Price: £
Power source: Petrol
Cutting width: 42cm
Cut height range: 25-75mm
Weight: 31 kilograms
Grass box capacity: 45 litres
Engine power: 139cc
Best For:
Folks with medium-sized gardens looking for a budget-friendly petrol-powered electric start lawn mower that offers all the best features at an affordable price.
What Customers Think:
More than 450 customers have rated the Hyundai HYM430SPE 4.4 stars on average, saying that the mower is a “beautiful piece of kit” and calling the electric start a “key feature”. Some customers said they were disappointed not to be able to adjust the self-propulsion speed.
Pros:
Affordability is the obvious benefit of the Hyundai HYM430SPE. Considering that it’s a petrol mower with electric start and self-propulsion, it’s an absolute steal at less than £300 (at the time of this review). If you don’t need the biggest mower but you still want to enjoy all the best features for easy mowing, this Hyundai model is the obvious choice.
The HYM430SPE is ideal for anyone looking for a lighter, easier-to-manoeuvre lawn mower for a smaller lawn. It’s 12 kilograms lighter and 9 centimetres narrower than the HYM510SPE, making it easier to navigate in smaller spaces, without the unnecessary bulk.
Most smaller petrol mowers aren’t self-propelled, so we appreciate seeing this feature on the HYM430SPE. That means you can coast along with very little effort, right from pressing the start button all the way until you finish up.
The 45-litre grass box capacity is adequate for mowing smaller spaces – or you can bypass the grass box and use the mulching plug instead (our personal port of call).
Cons:
The HYM430SPE only has one set self-propelled speed, and there’s no side discharge option here – just rear discharge and mulching. If you specifically want any of these features, you’ll need to upgrade to one of Hyundai’s larger models.
If you do plan to collect grass, the 45-litre grass box isn’t the biggest we’ve seen for a self-propelled petrol mower. That means more empties than if you had a larger grass capacity.
In our opinion, the best budget electric start lawn mower for larger lawns is the Cobra MX484SPCE.
This self-propelled mower is just slightly smaller than our top-pick Hyundai model, with a 48cm cutting width and a roomy 65-litre grass box. Its 176cc engine isn’t quite as powerful, but it has the advantage of being around £150 cheaper than the Hyundai HYM510SPE, making it better suited to people with smaller budgets.
Quick Specs:
Brand: Cobra
Price: ££
Power source: Petrol
Cutting width: 48cm
Cut height range: 25-75mm
Weight: 44 kilograms
Grass box capacity: 65 litres
Engine power: 176cc
Best For:
People with large lawns who want to spend as little as possible on a capable electric start petrol lawn mower without significantly compromising on size, power, or performance features.
What Customers Think:
The Cobra MX484SPCE has an average 4.3 star rating on Amazon, with customers saying it’s a great mower for the price. One customer said the mower was “extremely reliable and hard-working”, and another called the electric start a “game changer”. There were a few minor customer complaints: some found the mulching plug difficult to extract, and others said the mower was a bit heavy.
Pros:
The Cobra MX484SPCE proves that you don’t have to spend a whole lot of money to enjoy many of the best features of a petrol mower. It’s cheaper than its competition, while still offering a reliable electric start, a roomy grass box capacity with a handy full indicator, and a sturdy, durable design.
While this 196cc mower isn’t quite as big or powerful as our top-pick Hyundai model, it’s still well-suited to mowing large lawns. The mower’s 48cm deck lets you cover more ground in every pass, and the engine has enough drive to cut through thicker, longer grass with no struggle.
The electric start has all the usual benefits: no need to waste time and effort pulling a cord when you can press a button for a guaranteed immediate start.
Plus, you get the same variety of grass-cutting options, including the time-saving option of mulching, thanks to the built-in mulching plug.
Cons:
At 44 kilograms, the MX484SPCE is on the heavier end. Keep this in mind if you have mobility issues, and you might struggle to lug a heavy mower in and out of storage.
Squeezing the self-propulsion bar takes an unnecessary amount of finger strength.
We think the Cobra RM46SPCE is the current best electric start petrol mower with a rear roller for UK lawns.
This durable alloy steel lawn mower has a sturdy rear roller that flattens grass as you mow, giving the desirable striped lawn effect. It has a slightly different start than the other mowers on this list (key start rather than push-button start), but the outcome is exactly the same: instant start without the hassle of pulling a cord.
Quick Specs:
Brand: Cobra
Price: ££
Power source: Petrol
Cutting width: 46cm
Cut height range: 17-75mm
Weight: 37 kilograms
Grass box capacity: 55 litres
Engine power: 135cc
Best For:
People looking for a quality electric start petrol lawn mower for medium-to-large lawns that’s easy to use and produces lawn stripes.
What Customers Think:
The Cobra RM46SPCE isn’t as widely reviewed as other electric start petrol mowers on Amazon, but it’s still popular with customers, with an average 4.5 star rating. Reviewers said the mower is easy to assemble and commented that the rear roller produces good stripes. Some complained about the mower’s weight and the fast speed of the self propulsion.
Pros:
Once again, you get all the features you’re looking for in a quality petrol mower for larger lawns, including electric start, self propulsion, and multiple cutting/collection options.
The unique benefit of the RM46SPCE is its sturdy rear roller, which is weighty enough to leave visible stripes after just one mow.
If you love the look of an ornamental lawn, you’ll appreciate that this Cobra model has a sightly lower minimum cut height of 17mm (most mowers have a minimum cut height of 25-30mm).
Cons:
The 135cc engine is slightly less powerful than the other models on this list, so don’t expect it to have quite the same drive.
Weight is another disadvantage of this mower. It’s not the easiest to manoeuvre, as you’d expect given the added weight of the electric start battery and self drive system.
✅ What Are The Benefits Of Electric Start Petrol Lawn Mowers?
Wondering what makes an electric start petrol lawn mower better than the classic petrol mower with a starter cord? Some of the benefits of a mower with electric start are:
They’re quick to get started. No need to waste time cranking a cord – the main benefit in our eyes!
They’re easy to use. You only have to turn a key or press a button to start the engine.
They’re suitable for people with mobility issues and older gardeners. There’s no physical effort involved in getting the engine going.
They offer a 100% reliable start. On the other hand, a pull-start petrol mower often takes two or three good pulls to get it going.
They have backup start options. If the easy-start battery has died, you can still start to mower by pulling the cord.
They eliminate one of the main setbacks of petrol mowers for many people: the pull cord hassle
🧾 7 Things To Consider When Buying The Best Electric Start Petrol Mower
If you’re struggling to choose between the best petrol mowers with electric start, take some time to consider the following things – it should make your decision easier.
💰 Your Budget
First, make a note of how much you can afford to spend on an electric start petrol lawn mower.
The average price for electric start petrol mowers is £320-£550. Electric start mowers are more expensive than pull-start mowers because of the additional expense of the battery start and the convenience it provides.
Generally, the bigger the mower and the more features it offers, the more expensive it is. We’ve discussed mower sizing and features later in this section.
📐 Your Lawn Size/Mower Deck Width
Once you have a budget in mind, make sure you can afford to buy the right-sized electric start petrol mower for your lawn size.
Most petrol lawn mowers are designed for medium-to-large lawns. The average deck width for a petrol mower with electric start is 46-52 centimetres.
The wider the mower’s deck, the more ground it’ll cover per lap, and the faster you can mow. But a wider deck also affects your ability to manoeuvre the mower and get it into tight spaces, so make sure to choose the right mower for your lawn size.
Don’t know the size of your lawn? It’s easy: Just measure your lawn’s length in metres, then its width in metres. Multiply these numbers together to determine your lawn size in metres squared (m²). Or use our lawn size calculator for fast results.
| Lawn Size (m²) | Mower Cutting Width (cm) |
|---|---|
| Less than 50 | 22-25 |
| 50-100 | 26-30 |
| 100-250 | 30-36 |
| 250-500 | 36-40 |
| 500-650 | 42-46+ |
💪 Self-Propulsion Vs Push Mower
Electric start might be the main feature you’re looking for in a new petrol mower, but another big consideration to make is whether or not you want the mower to have self-propulsion.
While electric start makes a petrol lawnmower easy to start, self-propulsion makes the mower easier to use – especially if you have a large lawn.
A self-propelled petrol lawn mower has a powerful engine that powers a self-drive system, which spins the mower’s wheels and carries it forwards when you engage the self-propulsion bar. That means you don’t need to put in the pushing effort. Instead, you can simply walk behind the mower and steer.
Many of the best petrol lawn mowers with electric start are self-propelled by default. But make sure to check for this feature if it’s another non-negotiable for you.
🔋 Battery Charging
Electric start petrol mowers use a petrol-powered engine, but the electric start system is powered by a rechargeable battery. Make sure you’re happy to charge the start battery when necessary before you spend your money on a new petrol lawn mower.
Generally, if you use your mower regularly (such as during peak grass growing season in the warmer months), you won’t need to charge the electric start battery because the mower will charge the battery while it’s in use – just like a car does with its battery components.
However, if you don’t use the mower for a long period, the battery will become flat, and you’ll have to charge it before you use the mower if you want to benefit from the electric start. We usually find that we have to charge the battery in an electric start petrol mower after a winter in storage.
The good news is that if you don’t have time to charge the battery, you can just use the pull start instead. You might still have to charge the battery after using the mower because it might be too dead for the mower engine to revive.
🧰 Assembly & Maintenance
Also consider your assembly and maintenance preferences for an electric start petrol lawn mower.
Most petrol mowers come partially assembled, so you’ll just have to do a few basic assembly tasks, like attaching the grass collection box. You’ll also need to fill the oil and fuel tanks. The assembly process varies from one mower to the next, so be sure to check your user manual for instructions.
Maintenance for an electric start petrol mower involves the same maintenance tasks as for a pull-start petrol mower, including:
Topping up the engine oil and fuel
Checking/cleaning the spark plug
Checking/cleaning the air filters
Cleaning the mower to remove soil and grass cuttings after every use
Sharpen the blade around once or twice per season
There’s one additional maintenance task for an electric start petrol mower that you might need to do occasionally: charging the electric start battery.
Like any mower, an electric start lawn mower will only run properly with regular maintenance. So, while spending time sharpening your mower blade or refilling the fuel tank might not be your idea of an exciting Saturday afternoon, accept that you have to do it! Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s maintenance instructions to get the best value from your investment.
📡 Additional Mower Features
You know already that you want your new petrol lawn mower to have an electric start function – but what other features would you prefer – and do you have any non-negotiables?
Some of the other features that you might find on an electric start petrol lawn mower are:
Rear roller – For a striped lawn
Edge combs – To help you mow right up to your lawn edges
Hose wash port – To make it quicker to wash down your mower after use
Side/rear discharge – Ejects grass cuttings out of the side or rear of the mower rather than collecting them in the grass box
Mulching plug – To allow you to bypass the grass collection box and feed the grass cuttings back onto your lawn
Self-propulsion – To drive the mower forward and reduce your physical pushing effort
You might be looking for a specific mower feature depending on your situation. For instance, if you have a large lawn and want to make your mowing job easier, you’ll want to look for a self-propelled lawn mower. Or, if you want to save time and avoid emptying your mower’s grass collection box, go for a mulching mower.
💬 Customer Feedback & Manufacturer Reputation
Finally, consider the mower brand’s reputation and read customer reviews before you click “buy”.
There are a few electric start petrol lawn mower brands that we’ve found to offer reliable models, including:
Hyundai
Cobra
Webb
Hayter
Customer feedback can tell you a lot about a manufacturer’s reputation because customers give an honest overview of a mower’s performance abilities with real-life use. We recommend looking on sites like Amazon for impartial reviews, often with real customer images.
It’s normal for customers to have different opinions on a mower’s performance based on their situation, but if the same negative feedback crops up again and again, you might want to reconsider your buying decision.
🧐 Is An Electric Start Petrol Mower Right For You?
If you answer “yes” to at least 5 of the following questions, an electric start petrol mower should be right for you:
Do I have a medium-to-large lawn?
Do I want to avoid the effort of pulling a cord to start my mower’s engine?
Am I specifically looking for a petrol lawn mower because of its more powerful engine and suitability for larger lawns?
Am I fine to make a slightly higher initial investment for the convenience of an electric start?
Am I capable of using a slightly heavier mower (due to the weight of the electric start battery)?
Am I prepared to occasionally charge the battery for the electric start to work?
Am I willing to commit to the general petrol lawn mower maintenance tasks, including topping up the petrol and fuel?
Important note: this review was last updated in June 2024. We apologise if pricing or availability has since changed for any of the products mentioned above.