The best budget lawn mowers are an excellent option for those who want to maintain a neat and tidy lawn without breaking the bank. There are so many affordable and high-performing models available on the market - each with unique features and benefits - however, with so many options, it can take time to figure out which is the best lawn mower to buy.
When considering a budget lawn mower, there are several factors to consider. These include the size of your lawn, the terrain you'll be mowing, the cutting width and height, and whether you want a corded or cordless model. The best electric lawn mowers, around £100, are mains-powered. Unfortunately, anything battery-powered pushes the price tag up significantly, so consider whether this is a dealbreaker for you. In this case, it’s important to look for a decent power cable, ideally 10 to 12 metres long. Most cordless lawn mowers will be around the £200 mark.
Best budget lawn mowers at a glance:
• Best for overall performance: Bosch Rotak 36R Electric Lawnmower - view on Amazon UK
• Best for lightweight build: Flymo EasiMow 300R Electric Rotary Lawn Mower - view on Amazon UK
• Best for small gardens: Webb Classic WEER33 Electric Rotary Mower - view on Amazon UK
• Best for medium gardens: Flymo Speedi-Mo 360C Electric Wheeled Lawn Mower - view on Amazon UK
Additionally, it's also important to consider the maintenance requirements of each mower, such as blade sharpening and grass box emptying.
To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a guide to the best budget lawn mowers available to buy in the UK. So whether you're out in your garden every day or need to keep your lawn from getting unruly - here is everything you need to know about the best budget lawn mower for your needs.
The best budget lawn mowers
Best budget lawn mower for overall performance (Editor's choice)
Bosch/AmazonThe Bosch Rotak 36R Electric Lawn Mower delivers power and performance beyond its budget price. Its 1350 W Powerdrive motor and grass combs make it suitable for long and damp grass. It features five adjustable cutting heights, a height-adjustable handlebar, and a rear roller to offer flexibility and ease of use. The mower is also compact and easy to store.
Its narrow cutting width makes this model suitable for small lawn spaces plus, it is lightweight, requiring minimal push effort. Overall, this mower is a top choice for those looking for a quality and affordable option.
Customer review: "We love this lawn mower. Easy to use, and it even gets the edges of the grass next to the wooden border planks, which the old one never did. No need to use a strimmer for those anymore."
Pros
- A high performing 1350 W Powerdrive motor suitable for long and damp grass
- Five adjustable cutting heights ranging from 20 – 70 mm and height-adjustable handlebar
- Folds down to a compact size
Cons
- The grass collection box is not the easiest to empty
- The carry handle is in a slightly awkward position, so can be tricky to transport at times
Best budget lawn mower for lightweight build
Flymo/AmazonSmall but mighty - the Flymo EasiMow 300R Electric Lawn Mower is powered by a 1000 W engine and weighs just 8.5kg. This mower creates a clean and even cut, especially around the edges. It may not be the most powerful option on the market, but this mower is excellent for smaller lawns or medium-sized gardens. The start lever, which spans the entire top of the handlebar, makes it easy to use for left- and right-handed users.
Customer review: "Was very easy to assemble, no tools required. It is so light you can pick it up with one hand and go for a little walk to the end of your garden. Good for small to medium gardens. Would recommend this lawn mower."
Pros
- Great edge-cutting abilities
- Lightweight and compact design
- Easy to use for both left and right-handed users
Cons
- Only three cutting heights with no easy way to adjust the height
Best budget push lawn mower for non-electric use
Bosch/AmazonConsider this push-along model if you're looking for a no-fuss, budget-friendly manual lawn mower that will only take up a little space. It's lightweight, easy to manoeuvre, and much less expensive than its electric-powered counterparts. With a 30cm cutting width, you can adjust the height from 1.2cm to 4cm for a custom finish, and the five helical steel blades make quick work of even the toughest grass. It's ideal for small lawns and requires no cords or power outlets.
Customer review: "Love this lawnmower. It’s ideal when the grass is a bit damp rather than using the electric lawnmower easy to push too"
Pros
- Very lightweight
- Easy to manoeuvre
- Quiet and easy to operate without the need for electricity
- Environmentally-friendly option
- Can use on wet grass
Cons
- Only suitable for small lawns
- There may be difficulties with tougher or thicker grasses without electricity
Best budget lawn mower for small gardens
Webb/AmazonThe Webb Classic WEER33 Electric Rotary Mower is an excellent choice for small gardens. Its pull-to-start lever and foam covering provide a clean cut, easy manoeuvrability, and comfortable operation. Although it can cut through tall grass, you may need to walk slower, as the manual recommends, to achieve the best results. At 8.8 kg it's easy to carry in and out of storage and manoeuvre in tighter areas. It offers good value for money with a decent 1300W motor and five cutting heights.
Customer review: "I had a Bosch lawnmower for 7 years and thought I was just bad at mowing lawns until the Bosch broke and I bought this mower. Had I know how bad the Bosch mower was, I would have replaced it years ago! The Webb lawnmower works very well and makes for rapid progress, it’s easy to know when to empty the clippings out and it is easy to fold away for storage, unlike the previous one. Would recommend this mower without hesitation."
Pros
- Powerful motor
- A stylish, compact design
- Capable of cutting tall grass
Cons
- Grass collector is smaller than others
Best budget lawn mower for medium gardens
Flymo/AmazonThe Flymo Speedi-Mo 360C Electric Lawn Mower is an excellent choice for medium to large gardens with its adjustable cutting heights, decent power and 36 cm cutting width. It also features a 40 L grass box capacity, dual-control handles and a 12 m power cable, making it easy to use.
Additionally, reviewers have stated that the mower performs well around edges, resulting in a neat finish. However, the size and weight of this mower make it less manoeuvrable than others on the market so keep that in mind if you require something more lightweight.
Customer review: "Easy to put together, easy to use, superb cutting capability. Used on the first cut of the season, very long and thick. I didn't struggle at all"
Pros
- Dual-sided controls can be used by left or right-handed users
- The high-powered engine can cut long and thick grass
- Large grass box capacity
- Performs well around edges
Cons
- Not as manoeuvrable as others on this list due to the size
- Reviews say that the base of the mower can have the tendency to get stuck on the grass while pushing it
Best budget lawn mower for fertilising your garden
Challenge/Argoswww.argos.co.uk
The Challenge 900W hover mower is a lightweight, manoeuvrable choice for small gardens, with a compact design that allows it to fit in even the smallest of spaces. This mower mulches grass into fine particles, helping to fertilise your lawn and make it more vibrant. You can check out our full fertiliser guide here.
With no grass box to empty, this mulching mower is quick and straightforward to use on a small lawn. The impact-resistant polymer safety blades are easy to replace, and eight spare universal blades are included in the pack.
Customer review: "Easy to assemble. Easy on the back when using and excellent results. The perfect choice for small lawns."
Pros
- The mulching feature helps fertilise your garden
- Lightweight and manoeuvrable design
- Compact and easy to pack away
Cons
- Plastic blades may not be as strong as metal blades
Best budget lawn for versatility
McGregor/Argoswww.argos.co.uk
The compact McGregor 32cm lawn mower provides effortless cutting for small to medium-sized lawns, with five adjustable cutting heights and a powerful 1200W motor. Made with a robust carbon steel blade, this appliance is perfect for tough grass, and the rear roller adds a professional striped finish.
The collapsible 33L grass box has an indicator to alert when it's complete, and the soft grip handle provides added comfort. Simple yet effective, this affordable lawn mower is perfect for those on a budget looking for a powerful, versatile mower with many handy features.
Customer review: "Really pleased with the lawnmower. Quite lightweight and easy to use. Quick height adjustment. Straight forward to put together. Hope it lasts as long as the Flymo it’s replacing!"
Pros
- Powerful motor with Torque Drive
- Five adjustable cutting heights
- Collapsible grass box with indicator
- Comes with a rear roller for a striped finish
Cons
- Charger not included
- The metal blade may require more maintenance than plastic blades
Best budget lawn mower for cordless use
LawnMaster/AmazonThis LawnMaster model is an excellent choice if you're on the market for a low-value cordless lawn mower. It offers versatility and many attractive features, such as a rear roller for creating a striped lawn and a mulching plug, saving you the need for fertilisers.
Another great feature is its impressive running and charge time, considering its price point. With just a one-hour charging time, the mower delivers up to an hour of mowing time with the fully charged batteries. The auto-adjustable power adjusts according to the cutting conditions; a fab value mower for those who prefer the flexibility of a cordless.
Customer review: "Great lawn mower, very light and easy to use. I had a Hayter, which I have had for years mainly so I could put strips in the lawn; this mower has a roller so stripes all around; the unit has an indicator to inform you when the grass box is full, the bonus being two batteries to charge, I purchased a strimmer at the same time."
Pros
- Comes with a spare battery
- Cordless with powerful batteries
- 2-in-1 mowing
- Rear roller for stripes
- Fast charger included
Cons
- Only one charger provided for two batteries
- There is no battery charge indicator while mowing
How we chose the best budget lawn mower
All of these budget lawn mowers have been hand-selected by our team of Modern Gardens shopping experts. We carefully considered cost, power, and functionality in our selection of the best. Our team has spent hours investigating and researching budget lawn mowers to make it easier for you to find the very best, and we'd never recommend a product we don't believe in.
Where possible, we also test and share the latest and best products you should know about. And with help from Modern Gardens Magazine, Garden News and Garden Answers, we share expert gardening knowledge to help you get the most from your product.
Buyers Guide
If you're on a tight budget but still want a lawn mower that can keep your garden looking fresh, you should consider some key factors before making a purchase.
Cutting width
A lawn mower's cutting width refers to the blade's width and the area it can cover in one pass. Budget electric lawn mowers typically have cutting widths ranging from 30 – 36 cm. This is usually suitable for small to medium-sized gardens. If you have a more extensive garden, you may want to opt for a wider cutting width to make the job quicker, but you can still achieve good results with a smaller mower. If you have a garden with narrow areas, consider a narrow cutting width to ensure you can manoeuvre around obstacles.
Cutting height
Look for a mower with a range of cutting heights, typically between 3 and 5cm. If your grass is overgrown, you may need a taller maximum cutting height (around 70 mm) to avoid overpowering the mower. If you tend to let your grass grow long, choose a mower that can accommodate longer grass. It's also essential to select the cutting height based on the grass's condition and avoid cutting too short too quickly, which can damage the lawn.
Ease of use
You should still prioritise an easy and comfortable mower, no matter the price. Look for a lightweight mower that is easy to push. Electric mowers are typically lighter than petrol mowers, easier to push, and more commonly sold today. Most lawn mowers should have adjustable handlebars to accommodate users of different heights too.
Grass collection bag
Consider the size and type of grass collection box/bag on the mower. A larger capacity will require less emptying but add to the mower's weight. Look for a size of around 30-40L for small to medium-sized lawns for best results. Some mowers have plastic grass boxes that are easy to clean but can feel bulky, while others have mesh bags that are more compact but harder to clean and may allow grass clippings to fall out.
So with that in mind, let's take a look at the best lawn mowers priced around £100 and below to help you keep your garden in fantastic condition time and again.
Best budget lawn mowers FAQs
How long do cheap lawn mowers last?
Taking care of your lawn mower is essential to ensure that it lasts longer and offers good value for money. Unlike petrol mowers, electric mowers require much less maintenance, but you still need to take care of them properly.
It's good to remember that cheaper mowers are likely to have less durable parts, so you'll need to be extra careful with maintenance. However, don't let that deter you from purchasing a budget-friendly mower - with proper care, it can last just as long as a more expensive model.
Therefore regularly cleaning the blades and oiling the moving parts are two key maintenance tasks that you should perform. Ensure to store your mower according to the manufacturer's instructions, taking into account the material of its parts. For instance, plastic parts may become brittle in freezing temperatures, while metal parts can rust if left damp. Following these tips will help you keep your budget mower in top condition and allow it to stand the test of time.
What features are important to consider when buying a budget lawn mower
Comfort handles: Soft, comfortable handles that can be adjusted to your height can make mowing less strenuous on your back and hands, especially when mowing for long periods.
Carry handles: Look for well-spaced carry handles that make the machine more balanced, lighter, and easier to carry.
Blade height adjuster: A good blade height adjuster should be easy to adjust and offer a range of cutting heights. For most lawns, a cutting height of 2.5-4cm (1-1½in) is recommended for much of the year.
Clippings collection: Grass collectors can significantly reduce the time needed to maintain your lawn. Larger collectors will require less frequent emptying.
Grass combs: Side grass combs can help ensure a neater result along edges, fences, and walls.
Rear roller: If you want those traditional lawn stripes, look for a mower with a rear roller. The heavier the machine and roller, the better the stripes will be.
Mulching function: Some mowers cut the grass so finely that you can leave the clippings where they fall. This mulching function can save you time and effort while returning valuable nutrients to your lawn.
Are electric mowers less powerful than petrol mowers?
Electric mowers have come a long way in terms of power and performance, and for small to medium-sized lawns, they are a great option. They are also the most accessible option too.
Are cordless electric mowers as powerful as corded electric mowers?
Corded electric mowers generally offer more power, but cordless mowers offer greater flexibility and convenience.
Can I use an electric mower on wet grass?
It’s generally not recommended to use any mower on wet grass, but some models are better equipped to handle it than others.
What to read next:
Robot lawn mowers worth investing in to make grass cutting easy
Cordless strimmers to neaten up your lawn and garden borders
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Ellen Kinsey was a Senior Health and Wellness Product Writer and has been a part of Bauer Media since 2020. She has left Bauer Media to study Ayurveda in India to expand her knowledge and skills in the health and wellness field, where she plans to continue making journalistic contributions.