The best lawn mower for small gardens 2024

This compact Bosch Rotak 34 R Corded Rotary Lawn Mower cuts right to the edge and the Powerdrive motor ensures reliable cutting performance, even in difficult situations, such as in long grass.

It is very lightweight, only 11.1 kg, making it easy to manoeuvre around objects and your garden. The fact that it is so simple to handle gets it many plaudits from reviewers, especially those that would find a heavier machine hard to manage. Thanks to the integrated grass combs this mower creates clean results along edges, driveways, fences, and walls. Reviewers are so impressed with the ability to cut to the edge of lawns, that they state they no longer need their strimmers.

Tested by Simon Caney, Group Editor for Bauer's gardening brands: "The Bosch Rotak 34R corded lawn mower is quick to assemble and a great solution for a small lawn. When you get it out of the box it’s reassuring to see there are not too many parts and the instructions only have a handful of steps – I hate assembling anything but it took less than half an hour and was ready to go.

"It’s pretty nimble and easy to manoeuvre, and its grass combs design means you can get right to the edge of your lawn, so no need to go along later with a strimmer. It only has a 10-metre cable, so it needs an extension cable for anything above a small lawn, but its 40-litre collection box is more than reasonable for a mower of this size.

"The cut itself was neat and tidy, and it got through a couple of ‘clumps’ of grass with no problem. Bosch has fitted an integrated rear roller into the Rotak 34R to give lawns a striped finish but I sadly didn’t get that effect on mine! The mower folds down easily, making it hassle-free when it comes to storage. For a small lawn, it gets the job done with a minimum of fuss."

This powerful Flymo Chevron 32VC Electric Wheeled Lawn Mower is ideal for smaller lawns and first-time lawn mower buyers. It packs in an impressive 1,200-watt motor for efficient grass cutting with reviewers sharing that it can even cut damp grass well.

This mower compacts the grass cuttings as it collects them, meaning you’ll spend less time emptying the 29-litre grass box. The rear roller can help you add a stylish striped effect to your lawn as well as provide stability over edges.

It’s easy to switch between the five cutting heights thanks to the central height adjuster lever, and when you’re done, the mower is simple to pack away thanks to the lightweight build, convenient carry handle, and handy cable storage system.

Simple, quick, and easy for mowing small areas, the Bosch AHM 30 Manual Garden Lawn Mower is a traditional push-along mower that works in the most basic way to trim grass as you move it. Reviewers rate this as excellent for tiny lawns.

This pushable lawn mower doesn't need electricity or petrol to be powered and features an efficient cutting system cylinder with four blades curved in hardened steel. Reviewers are impressed with the results this manual mower produces, saying it cuts grass well.

This mower has large wheels that can cope with uneven terrain and a simple handle design that makes it easy to push along.

Said by reviewers to be very good quality for the price, this mower is ideal for anyone looking for great value. Petrol lawn mowers are known for being big and fierce but this Hawksmoor 127cc Petrol Lawn Mower will not only work wonders in a larger garden but smaller ones too.

This has a cutting width of 40cm which should make short work of smaller gardens. There's a choice of five cutting heights from 25mm to 75mm, you’ll always be sure of a neat finish whatever the effect you're trying to create.

Unlike heavier petrol lawn mowers this has a robust but lightweight polypropylene deck to make it more manoeuvrable. The 45-litre collection box should have enough capacity to manage a small lawn in one go, although if you do need to empty it part way through mowing it's super simple to detach.

Designed with smaller gardens in mind, the Flymo Turbo Lite 270 Corded Hover Mower has a 27cm cutting width. This electric hover mower utilises a powerful 1,400W motor which floats on a cushion of air whilst cutting the grass, making it very easy to manage.

The mower features dual lever handles so you can operate it with either hand. It easily folds down for storage and can be wall-mounted for a space-saving solution.

Weighing in at just over five kilograms, we, and many reviewers, love how lightweight the Flymo Turbo Lite is - perfect for those who don't want to, or can't, lug around a heavy lawnmower.

When you've got a small garden or outdoor space, having to work around power cables can cause anxiety, but this WORX Cordless Lawn Mower, with its rechargeable batteries, will make sure you'll never have to worry, something reviewers concerned about damaging cables really appreciate.

As far as the batteries go, you get a dual port charger so you can juice up the two required batteries in around two hours. Once those batteries are at full capacity, you should be able to mow a 200-square-metre lawn on a single charge.

This mower can achieve cut-to-edge designs and there is a super simple-to-use six cutting height adjustment that lets you pick the right height to accommodate different seasons and different preferences super easily. This comes as a set with WORX's handheld grass strimmer, so you get all the tools you need to maintain your lawn.

If your small garden is mainly lawn, you may want to invest in a lawnmower and a trimmer to keep things looking tip-top. The Einhell GE-CM 18/33 Li Cordless Lawnmower and Grass Trimmer is a wise investment, a budget bundle that gives you all the tools you need to keep your garden looking great.

The lawn mower is powered by a brushless motor and is made from high-grade, impact-resistant plastic. It has a 33cm cutting width and can trim your grass to five different heights. This can mow a 200 square metre lawn on one charge with a full charge taking less than an hour to complete.

The grass trimmer uses the same battery as the lawn mower. It is lightweight for fatigue-free operation and comes complete with 20 plastic blades to keep you stocked up for many seasons to come.

The Flymo EasiMow 300R Electric Lawn Mower is powered by a 1,000W engine and weighs in at just 8.5kg. This mower creates a clean and even cut and achieves close-edge cutting along borders so no separate trimming is required.

Reviewers appreciate the large 30-litre grass box for fewer trips to the garden waste bin or compost heap. An integrated back roller can help you create a desirable striped effect on your lawn.

As far as usability goes, this mower's start lever spans the entire top of the handlebar, making it easy to use for left and right-handed users. The power cable is ten metres long, so gives plenty of reach for smaller outdoor spaces.

Another electric option, this McGregor 32cm Corded Rotary Lawnmower may be compact but it boasts powerful performance with a 1,200W motor, a 32cm cutting width, and five cutting heights which reviewers say are easy to change.

In addition, the carbon steel cutting blade is powered by Torque Drive which makes short work of dense or longer grass. Plus, the rear roller adds a professional striped finish to lawns of any size.

The collapsible 33-litre grass collector box has an indicator to alert when it's complete, while the soft grip handle provides ergonomic comfort. This affordable lawn mower is perfect for those on a budget looking for a powerful, versatile mower with some great features.