Best lawn mower deals of summer 2024

Common lawn mower types include push cylinder mowers, electric mowers (corded and cordless), petrol mowers, self-propelled mowers, and robotic lawn mowers. Each type is suited to different lawn sizes and requirements.

If your budget is limited but you want a well-kept garden, there are some essential factors to consider before buying a lawn mower.
Cutting width: refers to the blade's width and the area it can cover in one pass. Generally, lawn mowers have cutting widths ranging from 30–36cm. This is ideal for small to medium-sized gardens. If you have a garden with narrow areas, consider a narrow cutting width to ensure you can manoeuvre around obstacles. If you have a larger garden, opt for a wider cutting width to make the job quicker; but you can still achieve good results with a smaller mower.
Cutting height: Seek out a lawn mower that has a variety of cutting heights, usually within the range of 3 to 5cm. When dealing with overgrown grass, consider a mower with a higher maximum cutting height, around 70mm, to prevent overwhelming the mower. If your grass grows quite tall, opt for a mower that can handle longer grass. It's crucial to adjust the cutting height according to the length of the grass. Also, avoiding cutting too short too quickly, which can harm your lawn.
User-friendly: Regardless of your budget, make sure to prioritise a convenient and comfortable lawnmower. Go for a lightweight mower that's effortless to manoeuvre. Electric mowers are generally lighter than petrol mowers, making them easier to push, and are widely available. Also, check for mowers with adjustable handlebars so you can adjust it for your height.
Grass catcher: Think about the size and style of the grass collection container on the mower. A bigger capacity means fewer trips to empty it, but it can make the mower heavier. Aim for a 30-40 litre grass collector for small to medium lawns. Some mowers have plastic containers that are simple to clean but can be bulky, while others have mesh bags that are more compact but trickier to clean and may let grass clippings spill out.
Grass combs: Side grass combs can assist in achieving a tidier finish near edges, fences and walls.
Rear roller: To create classic lawn stripes, go for a mower equipped with a back roller. The quality of the stripes improves with a heavier machine and roller.
Mulching feature: Some mowers cut grass so finely that you can leave the clippings on the lawn. This feature saves you time and effort while giving your lawn essential nutrients.

The best way to mow a lawn involves several key steps to ensure a well-maintained and healthy lawn. Here's some simple steps to follow:
Clear the lawn of any debris, toys, or obstacles that could block the mower blades. Also, if you have a petrol-powered lawn mower check the oil and fuel levels.
Set the mower's cutting height to an appropriate level for your grass type. Different grasses have different recommended heights. Follow the one-third rule, which means you should cut no more than one-third of the grass blade's height in a single mowing.
Try to mow the grass when it's dry. Wet grass can lead to uneven cuts and may clog the mower.
Change the mowing direction with each mow. This helps prevent soil compaction and reduces the chance of grass leaning in one direction.
Mow at a consistent pace to ensure an even cut. Avoid rushing or going too slowly, which can result in uneven cutting. Slightly overlap each pass to prevent missed spots.
Decide whether to collect clippings in a bag or mulch them back into the lawn. Mulching can return nutrients to the soil.
Finally, use a trimmer or edger to clean up the edges along sidewalks, driveways and garden beds.