Best cordless lawn mower for eco-friendly mowing

The best cordless lawn mower will make short work of cutting the grass. Ditch your petrol mower - a cordless model is much lighter, quieter and more eco-friendly. In addition, it's easy to manoeuvre because it doesn't have a cord, which makes it ideal for small and medium-size gardens.

Also known as a battery lawn mower, this mowing machine is powered by a lithium-ion battery. Thanks to the absence of fuel, they are usually a lightweight and quiet alternative to other mowers. Some brands, such as Ryobi, have batteries that can be used interchangeably across their range of garden and power tools. Do note that the battery life and charging time of cordless lawn mowers vary from spec-to-spec, so it's worth factoring that into your purchasing decision. Alternatively, corded electric lawn mowers are a good option for smaller gardens. Electric lawn mowers need to be plugged into a power socket - you'll probably need an extension cord, too.

Last chance Black Friday deals on cordless lawn mowers

We interrupt the regularly scheduled content to let you know that although Black Friday is over, there's still time to grab some last chance Black Friday deals on lawn mowers. These are the retailers that still have deals available, or keep scrolling to continue reading our buyer’s guide.

Shop the best cordless lawn mower Black Friday deals: Amazon UK | B&Q | Appliances Direct | Just Lawn Mowers

45% off: Flymo EasiStore 300R Li Cordless Lawn Mower WAS £284.99 NOW £211.51
26% off: Flymo SimpliStore 340 Li 34cm Cordless Rotary Lawnmower, WAS £280, NOW £230
Big savings: Yard Force 40V 32cm Cordless Lawnmower, WAS £199.99, NOW £159.99
£30 off: Hyundai HYM40Li380P 40V 380mm Cordless Roller Lawnmower WAS £239, NOW £209

When choosing the right lawn mower for your garden, take into account the size, shape and gradient of the grassed area. For example, if you have a large garden - say, half an acre - cordless, robotic and rotary lawn mower simply aren't going to have the battery life to be able to cover the area. And it's impractical to have a trailing extension cable from a corded electric lawn mower. So, for large lawns opt for a petrol or ride on lawn mower.

Other features to look out for are the capacity of the grass box and the cutting height and width of the blades. Most lawn mowers have a variable cutting height, so you can give your lawn a gentle trim or a severe buzz-cut depending. Scroll down to the FAQs for more tips and advice to help you decide which lawn mower is right for you.

Best cordless lawn mower shortlist:

• Best compact cordless lawn mower: Ryobi OLM1833B 18V ONE+ Cordless Lawn Mower
• Best small cordless electric lawn mower: Gardena Battery Lawn Mower HandyMower
• Best for larger gardens: Yard Force 40V 37cm Cordless Lawn mower
• Best value cordless lawn mower: Powerbase 40V Cordless Lawn Mower
• Best for space-saving storage: Flymo EasiStore 300R Li Cordless Lawn Mower

Best cordless lawn mowers

FAQs

Are lawn mowers safe?

Any machine that uses sharp objects, like blades, comes with a safety risk. It's estimated that around 6,500 people around the UK are injured every year by lawn mowers.

Heed the following precautions at all times to ensure your safety:

• Pick up anything left in your grass that might be an obstruction before mowing. This includes sticks and stones.

• Don't use your lawn mower in bad weather conditions.

• Remember to always push your mower - don't pull it under any circumstance.

• Ensure the mower is in good condition before use.

• Wear appropriate clothing and protection.

• If you hit something, turn off the mower immediately and inspect the damage.

• Always keep children and pets away from the lawn mower.

Is a cordless lawn mower right for me?

Cordless lawn mowers are great for smaller-sized lawns and are generally easier to operate. They are also quiet and reduce pollution. Alternatively, if you have a small lawn you might want to consider a robotic lawn mower. Control this high-tech gadget with your phone. Although the battery life isn't long, they typically charge quickly, so it should cover a lot of ground in minimal time. Or, keeping it low-tech, opt for a rotary lawn mower. Perfect for all types of grass, this mower uses a single blade that rotates like a plane to cut your lawn.

Does a cordless lawn mower require much maintenance?

The blades should be cleaned regularly and sharpened when necessary. Make sure the battery is fully charged but be careful not to overcharge it.

How long will a full charge last?

It really depends on the model of lawn mower you have. The manufacturers' specifications will give you an idea of how long to expect from each charge. It can vary from 20 minutes to as much as an hour.

Can a cordless mower tackle long grass?

A cordless mower will cut long grass, but it won't be happy. It'll use more battery power meaning a shorter run time. It's better to trim any long grass first, then use your cordless machine to keep it under control.

What to read next:

Best budget lawn mowers around £100

Cordless strimmers to neaten up your lawn and garden borders

Robot lawn mowers worth investing in to make grass cutting easy