Choosing the right lawn mower power type is more important than you might think. Your lawn mower’s power affects everything from how easily you can cut your grass to how much maintenance you’ll need to do, and how much noise and emissions you’ll deal with.
In the UK, you’re most likely to come across three different lawn mower power types: battery-powered mowers, corded electric mowers, and petrol mowers. There’s no ideal power type for everyone, but you’ll probably find that one or two are practically the better choice based on factors like your garden size, how often you mow, and what you personally prefer.
Here, I’m breaking down everything you should know about different lawn mower power types and ratings, so you can make the best decision for your lawn and your budget.
Table of Contents
🔋 Battery-Powered Lawn Mowers
Battery-powered mowers have come a long way in the last decade, with improvements in lithium-ion battery technology meaning that they’re now a practical choice for mowing your lawn.
Battery mowers are completely cordless, so you can mow without having to navigate around a power cable. They’re usually much quieter than petrol models, too, and they don’t produce emissions during use. Plus, you don’t need to deal with petrol or oil, so they’re cleaner and easier to store by design.
🔌 Run Time & Charging
A cordless mower’s run time depends on the battery capacity, which is measured in amp-hours (Ah), and the voltage.
Most batteries will give you 20 to 45 minutes of mowing time, which is usually enough if you’ve got a small or medium-sized garden. If your garden is bigger or you’re guilty of waiting until your grass is knee-high before you cut it, you’ll either need a second battery or plan to recharge mid-job.
The charging time for a mower battery generally takes anywhere from 45 minutes to a few hours, depending on the size of the battery and the quality of the charger. Some brands offer fast chargers, and it’s worth getting one of these i you don’t want the inconvenience of waiting ages for the battery to charge.
👍 👎 Pros & Cons
The biggest advantage of battery-powered models is their convenience. You’ve got no cord to deal with, plus no petrol, low noise, and less maintenance. But the mower’s batteries do, of course, wear out over time, usually after three to five years. So, it’s worth checking the price and availability of replacement batteries before buying.
Battery mowers are best if you want a cleaner, quieter mowing experience and have a small to medium lawn. They’re especially good if you don’t want to store petrol or deal with the hassle of maintaining an engine (which is honestly unnecessary for a small lawn size).
🔌 Electric Corded Lawn Mowers
Corded electric mowers are usually the most affordable option, and they work well for small lawns where you have easy access to an outdoor plug (or can do the old “cable through the window” trick). They deliver consistent power, so you don’t need to worry about running out of battery or petrol mid-way through cutting.
Read our guide on the best corded electric mowers for UK lawns here.
💪 Corded Mower Performance
These mowers offer a cutting performance that’s generally good for everyday mowing, especially if you’re just mowing dry grass that’s no longer than ankle height.
Most corded mowers are wheeled, but you can also buy hover mowers that use an electric cable. The majority have a glass collection box or bag to collect grass clippings as you mow.
Keep in mind that cheaper corded models can struggle with long or wet grass, so look for one with a decent wattage if your lawn gets overgrown now and then.
👍 👎 Pros & Cons
Corded electric mowers are usually lightweight and compact, so they’re naturally easy to carry and store, especially if you’ve got limited shed space. Most models are also easy to start with a button or trigger, and you won’t need to worry about engine oil or refuelling.
The main downside of these mowers is their defining feature: the cord. You’ll need to keep the cable out of the way as you mow, and it limits how far you can go. Most people end up using an extension lead, but you’ll still need to manage the wire as you work. For this reason, corded mowers aren’t ideal for gardens with a lot of obstacles or awkward corners.
If your lawn is small, flat, and easy to access, corded electric mowers offer reliable cutting without the cost of batteries or petrol. They’re also a good option if you’re new to mowing and want something simple to use.
🛢 Petrol Lawn Mowers
Petrol mowers are the most powerful type of lawn mower available, and they’re ideal for larger lawns or cutting grass that often gets overgrown. They run as long as you need them for and don’t rely on cables or charging, so you can mow as long as needed without interruption.
✂️ Petrol Lawnmower Types
For domestic use, most petrol models are rotary lawn mowers (meaning they use a horizontally spinning rotary blade to cut grass with a chopping action). There are also petrol cylinder mowers (which use a scissor-like cutting action with vertically spinning cylinder blades against a fixed cutting bar), but these are more common for professional settings, like mowing a football pitch.
You can learn more about the differences between rotary and cylinder lawnmowers in our comparison guide.
In terms of drive, you can get both push and self-propelled petrol mowers. Self-propelled models have a motor that drives the mower forward, and some also have variable speed control, so you only need to steer. This helps a lot if your lawn has slopes or is quite big.
You can also get roller mowers that use an electric engine. These have a rear roller, so you can create stripes as you mow.
👍 👎 Pros & Cons
Petrol-powered mower models come with a lot of power, so they’re ideal for tougher jobs. If your lawn has uneven ground or long grass, it’s just bigger than average, a petrol mower won’t slow down like some electric models might.
But a key setback of petrol lawn mowers is their bulk. They’re heavier and louder, making them impractical for small-to-medium-sized lawns, and they need more upkeep because of their engines. You’ll need to check the oil and fuel levels and keep the air filter clean, as well as occasionally replacing the spark plug.
Starting a petrol lawn mower can also take more effort, especially if you’re using an older model that has a pull cord. That said, many modern petrol mowers are now easier to start with a push button or electric key. Check out our guide to the best electric start petrol mowers here.
You’ll also need to factor in a petrol lawnmower’s ongoing fuel costs. Depending on your mower and how often you cut the grass, this can actually get pretty expensive (we’re talking £60-£100+ for an average servicing). But if you want a powerful machine that can tackle big jobs, petrol will still give you the best performance.
📊 Lawn Mower Power Ratings
When you’re comparing different mowers, you’ll see power measured in watts (for corded models), volts (for battery models), or engine size in cc (for petrol mowers). Generally, the higher the number, the better the cutting strength, but it’s not the only factor you’ll need to think about.
If you’re looking at a battery model, you’ll need to check both voltage and amp-hours. A 40V 4.0Ah battery will last longer than a 20V 2.0Ah battery and run more powerful motors.
For a petrol mower, the power you’ll get depends on the engine size, but you should also pay attention to brand quality and blade design.
Some mower manufacturers also include torque ratings in their specs lists, which measure how much force the blade generates. This can help when you’re cutting thicker grass or mowing in difficult conditions.
🤷♂️ Which Power Type Is Best for You?
As I mentioned at the start of this article, the best lawn mower power type for you depends on your situation. This isn’t the sort of situation where you should just go for the most powerful option—there’s no point in buying a mower with a petrol engine if your garden is the size of a postage stamp.
Instead, think about the most convenient and practical choice for your setup.
If your lawn is small and easy to reach with a cord, an electric mower will save you money and hassle.
If you want more freedom and less noise, battery models are a great middle ground.
For bigger or tougher lawns, petrol still offers the best cutting performance and longer run time.
It really comes down to how much grass you need to cut, how often you mow, and what you’re comfortable maintaining.
⁉️ FAQ
Can I mow wet grass with an electric mower?
No, mowing wet grass with an electric mower isn’t recommended. Wet grass can clog a mower’s blades and affect your cutting results. For mains electric mowers, there’s also an increased risk of electric shock if water gets into the motor.
How long does a battery mower battery last?
Most mower batteries last between 3 to 5 years, depending on use. Some brands warranty their batteries for a certain period.
Is a petrol mower overkill for a small garden?
Usually, yes, using a petrol mower on a small lawn is overkill. You’ll spend more and deal with more maintenance than necessary. Plus, petrol models are usually bigger and heavier, with a wider cutting width that makes them more of a hassle to lug around a small space. A battery or corded model will be easier and cheaper in the long run. These are the best mower types for a small lawn.
Do electric mowers need servicing?
No, an electric mower doesn’t need servicing as a petrol model, so they’re a good low-maintenance choice. You’ll just need to keep the blade sharp and check for wear or damage, but you won’t need to change the oil, top up the fuel, change the spark plug, or make engine checks.