If you’re looking for the best self-propelled petrol mower for your UK lawn, you’ve come to the right place.
Here, we’ve reviewed the most popular petrol-powered mowers with self-propulsion, ranking them based on their quality of performance, durability, features, and value for money.
Brand: Murray
Price: ££
Power source: Petrol
Cutting width: 46cm
Cut height range: 25-75mm
Weight: 26.56 kilograms
Grass box capacity: 50 litres
Dimensions (DxWxH): 96cm x 38cm x 101cm
Engine power: 140cc
- Brand: Webb
Price: £
Power source: Petrol
Cutting width: 41cm
Cut height range: 25-75mm
Weight: 26 kilograms
Grass box capacity: 45 litres
Dimensions (DxWxH): 72cm x 52cm x 43cm
Engine power: 132cc
Brand: Hyundai
Price: £££
Power source: Petrol
Cutting width: 42cm
Cut height range: 25-75mm
Weight: 31 kilograms
Grass box capacity: 45 litres
Dimensions (DxWxH): 103cm x 50cm x 135cm
Engine power: 139cc
Brand: Mountfield
Price: £
Power source: Petrol
Cutting width: 39cm
Cut height range: 22-80mm
Weight: 21 kilograms
Grass box capacity: 45 litres
Dimensions (DxWxH): 53.2cm x 19.3cm x 41.3cm
Engine power: 123cc
Brand: Murray
Price: £££
Power source: Petrol
Cutting width: 56cm
Cut height range: 25-75mm
Weight: 34.1 kilograms
Grass box capacity: 75 litres
Dimensions (DxWxH): 96cm x 38cm x 101cm
Engine power: 161cc
Table of Contents
Best Self Propelled Petrol Lawn Mowers
Best Overall: Murray EQ2-500
Best Budget: Webb WER410SP
Best Electric Start: Hyundai HYM430SPE
Best For Small-Medium Lawns: Mountfield SP41
Best For Large Lawns: Murray EQ2-700X
📊 Comparison Chart of Self-Propelled Petrol Lawn Mowers
Scroll right on mobile to see the whole table chart
| Model | Brand | Price | Power Source | Cutting Width | Cut Height Range | Weight (kg) | Grass Box Capacity (litres) | Dimensions (DxWxH) | Engine Power (cc) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Murray EQ2-500 | Murray | ££ | Petrol | 46cm | 25-75mm | 26.56 | 50 | 96cm x 38cm x 101cm | 140cc |
| Webb WER410SP | Webb | £ | Petrol | 41cm | 25-75mm | 26 | 45 | 72cm x 52cm x 43cm | 132cc |
| Hyundai HYM430SPE | Hyundai | £££ | Petrol | 42cm | 25-75mm | 31 | 45 | 103cm x 50cm x 135cm | 139cc |
| Mountfield SP41 | Mountfield | £ | Petrol | 39cm | 22-80mm | 21 | 45 | 53.2cm x 19.3cm x 41.3cm | 123cc |
| Murray EQ2-700X | Murray | £££ | Petrol | 56cm | 25-75mm | 34.1 | 75 | 96cm x 38cm x 101cm | 161cc |
| Model | Brand | Price | Power Source | Cutting Width | Cut Height Range | Weight (kg) | Grass Box Capacity (litres) | Dimensions (DxWxH) | Engine Power (cc) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Murray EQ2-500 | Murray | ££ | Petrol | 46cm | 25-75mm | 26.56 | 50 | 96cm x 38cm x 101cm | 140cc |
| Webb WER410SP | Webb | £ | Petrol | 41cm | 25-75mm | 26 | 45 | 72cm x 52cm x 43cm | 132cc |
| Hyundai HYM430SPE | Hyundai | £££ | Petrol | 42cm | 25-75mm | 31 | 45 | 103cm x 50cm x 135cm | 139cc |
| Mountfield SP41 | Mountfield | £ | Petrol | 39cm | 22-80mm | 21 | 45 | 53.2cm x 19.3cm x 41.3cm | 123cc |
| Murray EQ2-700X | Murray | £££ | Petrol | 56cm | 25-75mm | 34.1 | 75 | 96cm x 38cm x 101cm | 161cc |
⭐ Reviews – Best Self-Propelled Petrol Lawn Mowers of 2024
In our opinion, the Murray EQ2-500 is the best overall self-propelled petrol lawn mower you can buy today.
We love this mower because it’s powerful, durable, and versatile, with an easy-start 500E 140cc Briggs & Stratton engine, a 46cm cutting width, 4 cutting functionalities, and a sturdy alloy steel deck. It has all of the best features of a petrol mower – and at a great value for money, too.
Quick Specs:
Brand: Murray
Price: ££
Power source: Petrol
Cutting width: 46cm
Cut height range: 25-75mm
Weight: 26.56 kilograms
Grass box capacity: 50 litres
Dimensions (DxWxH): 96cm x 38cm x 101cm
Engine power: 140cc
Best For:
Anyone who’s keen to invest in the best petrol lawn mower with self-propulsion for a medium-sized lawn, with a range of features to enhance and simplify the mowing experience.
What Customers Think:
More than 700 customers have awarded the Murray EQ2-500 4.3 stars out of 5 on Amazon, commenting that the mower is a “reliable mower” that “feels like it’s really well made”. Customers said that the mower is easy to start and use, with a good self-propulsion speed, but several complained about the quality of the assembly instructions.
Pros:
For a mower of its size, the Murray EQ2-500 is more powerful and capable than its competitors. It has a heavy-duty 140cc engine that offers plenty of drive for effortlessly cutting grass and powering the self-propulsion system, taking you as far as you need at a consistent walking pace.
The 46cm cutting width is ideal for medium-sized gardens.
There are a few features of the EQ2-500 that help to enhance its performance and provide a better mowing experience for you. We particularly love the 4-in-1 cutting functionality, so you can choose between collection in the 50-litre grass bag, side or rear discharge, and mulching – great if you want to avoid the hassle of emptying the grass collection bag and raking up grass clippings after mowing.
At 26.56 kilograms, this Murray mower doesn’t weigh a tonne. While you won’t be able to pick it up with one hand, most people will find it easy enough to get the mower in and out of storage without breaking their backs.
Cons:
The assembly instructions are poorly written.
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly self-propelled lawn mower that won’t break the bank but still offers the performance power and quality of a petrol-powered model, we think the Webb WER410SP can’t be beaten.
This affordable lawn mower has a robust 132cc engine and a 41cm cutting width, making it another great contender for a medium-sized lawn. It’s slightly smaller than our top pick Murray model, with a 45-litre collection bag, and it doesn’t have a mulching plug – but for £100 less, we’re not complaining.
Quick Specs:
Brand: Webb
Price: £
Power source: Petrol
Cutting width: 41cm
Cut height range: 25-75mm
Weight: 26 kilograms
Grass box capacity: 45 litres
Dimensions (DxWxH): 72cm x 52cm x 43cm
Engine power: 132cc
Best For:
Anyone with a smaller budget who wants to spend less upfront on a self-propelled petrol lawn mower without compromising on durability or performance quality.
What Customers Think:
The Webb WER410SP has a 4.4-star rating from more than 550 customers on Amazon. Reviewers said that the mower is small enough for good manouverability and starts well from cold, calling it a “solid mower” and “exceptional quality”. Several customers said that the mower’s self-propulsion speed is too fast (you can reduce the speed by pressing the handle really gently).
Pros:
We think price is the obvious selling point of the Webb WER410SP. It costs just £250 (at the time of reviewing), which is on the lower end of the price scale for a petrol mower with the all-important self-propulsion function. It’s the cheapest mower we found by a quality, trusted British brand name.
You get all the essential features of a reliable, durable petrol lawn mower. The Webb WER410SP might not have all the frills of the Murray EQ2-500, but it has a powerful, easy-start 4-stroke engine, a decent grass box capacity, an effort-saving self-propelled drive, and the versatility of collecting or discharging grass clippings.
If you like to be super precise with your height of cut, this Webb mower is the one for you. It has 7 cutting heights – that’s one extra height increment than the Murray EQ2-500 – so you can precisely cut to your desired grass height between 25 and 75mm.
Cons:
There’s no mulching option, no rear roller, and no electric start. If you want any of these features, you’ll need to look elsewhere.
The 41cm cutting deck is on the smaller side for a petrol lawnmower. We don’t recommend this mower for larger gardens.
Conventional petrol mowers with a temperamental starter cord are gradually becoming a thing of the past. If you want to avoid the hassle of pulling a cord, the Hyundai HYM430SPE is the best self-propelled petrol mower for you.
This 42cm lawn mower has an electric start button with recoil backup, so you can get started with one press. Its 139cc 4-stroke engine is plenty powerful for reliable, efficient mowing, and the self-propulsion function helps you to get the job done faster and with less effort.
Quick Specs:
Brand: Hyundai
Price: £££
Power source: Petrol
Cutting width: 42cm
Cut height range: 25-75mm
Weight: 31 kilograms
Grass box capacity: 45 litres
Dimensions (DxWxH): 103cm x 50cm x 135cm
Engine power: 139cc
Best For:
Folks with a flexible budget who prefer to spend more money upfront on a self-propelled lawn mower with all the best features of a modern mower, including electric start, mulching, and a single-lever height adjustment.
What Customers Think:
More than 400 customers have rated the Hyundai HYM430SPE 4.4 stars out of 5, calling the mower a “solid piece of machinery” and a “decent mower which tackled long grass very well”. Reviewers said that the mower’s self-propulsion feature is “wonderful” and works well (no complaints about the forward speed being too fast, either).
Pros:
If ease of use is your priority when looking for a self-propelled lawn mower, we think the Hyundai HYM430SPE should tick your boxes. Not only is it self-propelled, eliminating the need for physical pushing, but its electric start feature means you can get mowing with a push of a button – no more cord-pulling!
We were pleased with the other features of this Hyundai mower, too. It’s great to have several options for what to do with the grass clippings, including collection in the 45-litre grass box, rear discharge, and – our personal favourite – mulching.
The 6 cut heights make it easy to achieve the perfect lawn – especially since the mower uses a single central wheel height adjustment lever, which saves time and effort by adjusting all four wheels simultaneously.
We’ve always been impressed with Hyundai’s mower quality, and the HYM430SPE is no exception. It’s made from high-quality components, with an all-metal solid deck that should stand the test of time.
Cons:
Price is the biggest setback of this Hyundai mower. It’s around £200 more than our budget pick Murray mower. Not everyone wants to spend £300+ on a mower regardless of its quality or features.
The wheel trims aren’t very sturdy.
With its 39cm cutting width and 123cc engine, we think the Mountfield SP41 is a great choice for small-to-medium lawns.
This self-propelled mower has a slimmer design, making it more maneuverable and easier to steer, turn, and mow in tight spaces of a smaller or unusually-shaped garden. It’s another budget-friendly lawn mower, too, so it’s ideal for folks who want the benefits of a self-propelled lawn mower without breaking the bank.
Quick Specs:
Brand: Mountfield
Price: £
Power source: Petrol
Cutting width: 39cm
Cut height range: 22-80mm
Weight: 21 kilograms
Grass box capacity: 45 litres
Dimensions (DxWxH): 53.2cm x 19.3cm x 41.3cm
Engine power: 123cc
Best For:
Anyone with a smaller lawn who’s looking for a maneuverable, compact petrol lawn mower with the added bonus of self-propulsion for ease of use.
What Customers Think:
The Mountfield SP41 has a 4.4-star rating out of more than 400 customer reviews. Customers said that the mower is a “very good self-propelled petrol lawnmower” and is simple, lightweight, nifty, and easy to use. Due to its lighter weight, customers also said they were able to use this mower for quick jobs without the self-propulsion.
Pros:
Many smaller petrol lawn mowers aren’t self-propelled, so it’s great to have the convenience of self-propulsion in a mower that’s designed for smaller lawns.
Despite being cheaper than many similar models, the Mountfield SP41 offers a few unique benefits that you won’t find on all larger mowers. One of these is its greater range of cutting heights – you can lower the height to 22mm, and increase it to 80mm, giving you more flexibility based on your situation.
There are a few conveniences of a smaller mower, including a lighter deck (the SP41 weighs just 21 kilograms, around 7 kilograms less than the other models on this list), and the narrower 39cm cutting width makes the mower better suited for lawns with tight spots or reduced turning room.
Cons:
The 123cc engine is on the lower end for a petrol lawnmower engine. The mower might struggle to cut very thick or long grass.
The mower is intended for use on lawns with a maximum size of 250m², so don’t buy it for a large lawn – it’ll take too long.
Based on our testing, the Murray EQ2-700X is the best self-propelled petrol lawn mower for a large lawn.
This mower is the larger, upgraded version of our top pick mower on this list, the Murray EQ2-500. It has a wider cutting width of 56cm and an ultra-powerful 161cc engine, helping you to quickly and efficiently mow a larger lawn with fewer passes.
Quick Specs:
Brand: Murray
Price: £££
Power source: Petrol
Cutting width: 56cm
Cut height range: 25-75mm
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 needs a self-propelled petrol lawn mower with a wider cutting width and a powerful engine to mow quickly and efficiently.
What Customers Think:
More than 700 customers have reviewed the Murray EQ2-700X, awarding it an average rating of 4.3 stars. Customers said that the mower is easy to assemble and quick to start on the second or third pull, and offers a smooth drive even without the self-propulsion.
Pros:
The Murray EQ2-700X is one of the most powerful and capable self-propelled mowers we’ve found for a large lawn. The robust 161cc engine provides plenty of power to drive the mower’s self-propulsion, and the 56cm cutting width means you can mow faster and cover more ground per lap.
Like the smaller EQ2-500 model, the EQ2-700X has four cutting functionalities. You can either collect grass in the grass box (which has a high capacity of 75 litres to reduce emptying frequency), or you can use the rear/side discharge or mulching function. It’s great to have the versatility of different options for different occasions.
A few other features of this mower that are worth mentioning are the 6 cut height positions (from 25 to 75mm) that can be adjusted with the central height lever and the steel deck for durability and damage protection.
Cons:
The EQ2-700X is the most expensive mower on this list due to its large size. It might be out of your budget.
📝 3 Features Of The Best Self Propelled Petrol Lawn Mowers
There are three features to specifically look for when shopping for the best self-propelled petrol lawn mower:
🔧 Adjustable Self Propulsion Speed
First, look for a mower that gives you at least some control over the speed of self propulsion.
While most self-propelled petrol mowers for domestic use don’t have variable speed control options, you can usually reduce the speed of self-propulsion by relaxing your pressure on the bar or lever.
Tightly squeezing the bar all the way up to the handle will deliver maximum speed, while slackening your grip so the bar isn’t at the maximum height should reduce the forward speed.
Being able to adjust the forward speed of your lawn mower even partially gives you extra flexibility and makes the mower better suited to you if you want (or need) to walk at a slower pace.
🏄🏻 Easy To Set Up & Use
Also make sure that your chosen self-propelled petrol lawn mower is easy to set up and use.
Using a self-propelled lawn mower should be easier by default because the self-propulsion will eliminate the need to physically push the mower’s handles. Activating the self propulsion should be as simple as squeezing a bar or lever against the handle.
There are a few features that may affect a mower’s ease of setup and use, including its weight. Self-propelled petrol mowers are heavier than push petrol mowers because of the extra weight of the self-propulsion function. Still, look for a mower that’s as lightweight as possible to reduce the effort of getting it in and out of storage, turning it between passes, and maneuvering it into small spaces.
The best way to learn about a mower’s ease of setup and use is to check customer reviews. These will tell you how a mower has performed with real-life use by somebody in a similar situation to you.
🦾 Powerful Engine
Finally, look for a self-propelled petrol mower that has a powerful enough engine to handle grass cutting and drive the self-propulsion function.
The average power range for a self-propelled petrol lawnmower is 120-160cc. Engine size usually corresponds with the mower size, so mowers with wider cutting widths will have larger, more powerful engines.
For cutting a medium-sized lawn or larger, we recommend looking for a self-propelled mower with a minimum engine size of 132cc. This will provide plenty of power for effortless mowing, regardless of the thickness or height of the grass, as well as driving the mower forward on all terrain (including inclines and bumpy ground).
🧾 7 Things To Consider When Buying The Best Self Propelled Petrol Mower
As well as the essential features of a self-propelled petrol mower, we also recommend considering the following things when deciding on the best mower for your situation:
💰 Your Budget
Your budget is the first thing to consider when considering the best petrol mowers with self-propulsion. Make sure you can afford the upfront spend of one of these mowers.
The average price of a self-propelled petrol lawnmower is £250-£350. Price depends on the mower’s size, quality, engine power, and additional features.
Petrol-powered self-propelled mowers are around 20-30% more expensive than comparably-sized push mowers. If you have a larger lawn, we think the efficiency, speed, and convenience of using a self-propelled mower make it worth the extra cost.
You’ll also need to budget around £20 per year to top up your mower with petrol. The cost of petrol depends on how often you use your mower, and for how long per mowing session. Self-propelled mowers use slightly more petrol than conventional push mowers because of their self-propulsion function.
📏 Your Lawn Size/Mower Cutting Width
Also consider your lawn size, and make sure to choose a compatible mower size that best suits your situation.
Most petrol mowers with self-propulsion have cutting deck widths of between 40 and 55cm. The wider the mower’s cutting deck, the more ground it covers with every pass – so wider mowers are better for larger lawns because they mow more quickly and efficiently, helping you to finish the job faster.
However, if your lawn is on the smaller side, or it’s unusually shaped or has a lot of obstacles, it makes more sense to buy a mower with a narrower deck, which will be easier to turn and manoeuvre into tight spots.
Read More: What Size Lawn Mower Do I Need?
♻️ Grass Collection/Mulching/Discharge
Another consideration to make is what you want to do with your grass cuttings.
Most lawn mowers come with a grass collector at the very least. Grass collectors store around 30-60 litres of grass clippings, depending on the mower size.
When mowing a larger lawn, you may also want to look for a mower with a mulching plug. Mulching mowers are ideal for cutting large areas of grass because they feed mulch (small grass clippings) back onto your lawn as you mow. This eliminates the need for emptying the grass collection bag or box, so you can mow with fewer interruptions and finish the job faster. You don’t have to rake away the mulch after mowing because the grass clippings are small enough to quickly decompose.
Many petrol mowers also come with side or rear discharge, which shoots grass clippings straight out of the mower without mulching them first. You’ll need to rake or sweep the clippings off your lawn after mowing to prevent them from rotting on your lawn and making a smell.
We think it’s best to use your mower’s grass collector or a mulching plug (if your mower has one) when mowing larger gardens. Side/rear discharge isn’t practical because it’d take far too long to rake the clippings off a large lawn.
🛠 Design Quality & Durability
A high-quality, durable design is important for any lawn mower. It’s especially essential for a petrol self-propelled mower, which needs to be able to withstand long mowing sessions on large lawns.
The best petrol lawnmowers with self-propulsion should have a corrosion-resistant metal deck, such as stainless steel, that’s stronger, sturdier, and more resistant to damage than plastic.
The mower’s other components, including the self-propulsion feature, blade, handle, and air filters, should also be built to withstand the general wear and tear of regular use.
Again, you can check customer reviews to learn about a lawn mower’s durability. Customers often update their reviews with positive or negative information about a mower’s continued performance. If multiple customers have reported breakdowns or broken parts after just a few months or years, it’s probably best to look elsewhere.
🧰 Assembly & Maintenance
Make sure you’re prepared for the assembly and maintenance commitments of a self-propelled lawn mower before you click “buy”.
The assembly process for a self-propelled lawnmower may vary in complexity depending on the mower you buy. Some mowers have a simple setup because they’re partially assembled already, so all you need to do is attach the handle and fill up the fuel and oil tanks. Others have a more intricate assembly process.
Check customer reviews and look for the user manual online if you want to learn about ease of setup before you buy a mower. You can also check to see if the manufacturer has shared an assembly video to support the instructions in the manual.
A petrol self-propelled mower requires the same maintenance as conventional petrol models. Top up the engine oil and fill the fuel tank when necessary. Make sure the self-propulsion cable stays lubricated (you can spray it with grease occasionally to achieve this).
📡 Extra Features
Self-propulsion is one of the most desirable features in a petrol lawn mower for medium-to-large gardens because it reduces the effort required to operate the mower.
But it’s not the only feature that you might be looking for when it comes to ease of use and quality of finish.
Some of the extra features to look for on a self-propelled lawnmower are:
Electric start – If you want to eliminate the hassle of pulling a starter cord to get the engine running, consider a self-propelled mower with an electric start function, which will start the lawn mower’s engine at the press of a button.
Rear roller – To achieve a striped lawn, you’ll need a self-propelled petrol mower with a built-in rear roller.
Hose wash port – Some mowers have a hose wash port, which makes it easier to clean the mower deck by enabling you to connect your garden hose to quickly and efficiently clean off the grass and soil while the mower is running.
These extra features are optional add-ons and can’t be found on all petrol lawnmowers. They also add to the initial price of the mower, so it’s worth considering just how badly you want these features, and how much use you would realistically get out of them.
💬 Brand Reputation & Reviews
Finally, consider the reputation of the manufacturer you’re planning to buy from, and read up on customer reviews before you spend your money.
Some of the manufacturers we recommend for self-propelled lawn mowers, which are known for their reliability, product quality, and good customer service, are:
Murray
Webb
Hyundai
Mountfield
Sprint
Einhell
Yard Force
Don’t just assume that a lawn mower is worth your money just because it’s sold by a well-known brand. See what customers are saying about a certain mower, and make sure reviews are largely positive. Amazon is a great place to find impartial customer reviews that can tell you a lot about a mower’s performance, ease of use, value for money, and longevity.
🤷🏻♂️ Is A Self-Propelled Petrol Mower Right For You?
If you answer “yes” to at least 5 of the following questions, a petrol mower with self-propulsion should be right for you:
Do I have a medium-to-large lawn?
Can I afford to spend at least £250-£350 on a lawn mower?
Am I happy to pay slightly extra upfront for the convenience and time- and effort-saving benefits of self-propulsion?
Can I comfortably keep up with the speed of self-propulsion? (Most petrol mowers with this feature operate at a brisk walking pace).
Am I physically capable of getting a self-propelled lawnmower in and out of storage, and can I handle the basic operation practices (pulling a starter cord, steering and turning the mower, etc.)?
Do I have enough storage space for a larger mower?
Will I commit to the extra tasks involved in maintaining a petrol lawn mower?
Am I willing to spend money on fuel and oil whenever top-ups are needed?
Important note: this review was last updated in July 2024. We apologise if pricing or availability has since changed for any of the products mentioned above.