Archie Rich/DIY Works
DIY Works is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Find out more.
A petrol lawn mower is the best option for tackling medium to large gardens as it gives you more power and freedom. When compared to the electric alternatives, they don’t have the drawback of requiring a power supply, which isn’t always possible, and it’s the main reason why most people choose to use a petrol-powered lawn mower.
To assist you in selecting a petrol lawn mower, our handpicked selection lists top-performing models, chosen based on our first-hand experience using multiple mowers to cut various-sized lawns. Our testing and up-to-date research further ensure the quality of our recommendations.
Best For Large Gardens: Hyundai HYM510SPE Lawn Mower
Best Budget: Mountfield HP41 Petrol Lawn Mower
Best All-Rounder: Murray EQ2-500 Self-Propelled
Best With Roller: Cobra 500 Series Petrol Lawn Mower
Best For Small Gardens: Hyundai HYM400P Petrol Lawn Mower
Best With Front Swivel Wheels: NAX 1000S Petrol Mower
How The DIY Works Team Tests & Rates Petrol Lawn Mowers
Over the years, we’ve tried and tested several petrol lawn mowers in a range of garden sizes. Due to the fact that we have a relatively large garden in our personal home, we prefer using petrol lawn mowers as opposed to electric or battery-powered alternatives. This is primarily due to the extra power and freedom to roam anywhere. However, for other properties that we manage with smaller gardens (rentals & Airbnb’s), the petrol lawn mower is still more than usable and it’s the most versatile type of mower and in some cases, it’s often cheaper too.
Archie Rich/DIY Works
Archie Rich/DIY Works
During our testing, we analyse the lawn mower’s performance, height adjustments, ease of starting, build quality, self-propelling capabilities and ease of assembly.
Archie Rich/DIY Works
Archie Rich/DIY Works
To keep up our commitment to reviewing and testing the latest petrol lawn mowers (for this article), we are continually testing the latest machines from top brands in the UK. This means that when we notice a brand has released a new and improved model, we will attempt to buy it and put it to the test where applicable.
As well as our testing and experience using multiple petrol lawn mowers, we also based our recommendations on the latest research and several factors. Some of the factors that we took into consideration included the mower’s type, cutting width and height options, grass collection, engine performance, additional accessories, warranty and value.
Petrol Lawn Mower Buying Guide
Petrol lawn mowers have been the go-to choice for many people for years. They allow you to roam freely without the worry of finding a power supply or finishing the job before the battery runs out.
If you have a medium to large garden with banks or slopes, investing in a petrol-powered mower is a great investment. The additional power allows you to achieve a far better cut with very little effort. They are also known for being far more durable than alternative-powered lawn mowers too.
To help you make an informed buying decision, we have produced the below guide regarding petrol lawn mowers.
Electric vs Petrol-powered
Choosing between an electric or petrol lawn mower is difficult as they each have benefits and drawbacks. The benefits of using a petrol powered mower include:
- Free to roam without being tied to a power supply
- No risk of cutting through a power cable
- No need to constantly move the power cable out of the way
- More readily available power
- More durable
However, they do have drawbacks that include:
- Much heavier
- Usually more expensive
- Harder to push without being self-propelled
- Requires petrol to run and servicing
- Much noisier
Another alternative that can also be considered is a cordless battery-powered mower. These remove the hassle of a power cable but instead have the drawback of having to remember to charge the battery. Nothing is worse than getting halfway through cutting the lawn and running out of battery.
For tackling medium to large gardens, the petrol lawn mower is by far the best option.
Push vs Self-Propelled Petrol Lawn Mower
Cutting your lawn can become fairly tiresome for those with medium to large gardens. Therefore, to help reduce fatigue, many manufacturers offer a self-propelled lawn mower, with some premium examples having multiple speeds to choose from.
Push mowers are the cheapest option and are ideal for flat gardens under half an acre. However, the ease of using a self-propelled lawn mower is highly desirable as they push themselves with power usually being sent to the rear wheels.
For tackling medium to large gardens, they are perfectly fine, but for multiple acres of grass, you would probably require a ride on lawn mower.
The Engine
Petrol-powered engines that are used in lawnmowers have improved massively over the years. Improvements include a reduction in fuel consumption, lower levels of noise and less emissions.
Older petrol lawn mowers were mostly 2-stroke engines, but due to emissions, they have been phased out. The majority of petrol lawn mowers use 4-stroke engines, which have the benefit of not having to mix oil and improved fuel economy.
Cutting Width and Height
Due to the extra power that comes with a petrol lawn mower, you can cut grass more easily using a wider pass. For large gardens, in particular, you will want to be as efficient as possible. Therefore, opting for the widest opening will help speed up the cutting task of mowing your lawn. However, if you have a relatively small garden with lots of curves, it would be advised to go for a smaller width.
Grass Collection
Although not essential, most lawn mowers will come with a grass collection container. This is either constructed of a lightweight mesh material or a plastic container. Depending on the size of your garden, you will want to choose the appropriate-sized grass collector.
If you prefer not to collect the cut grass, some lawn mowers have the functionality known as mulching. In short, the lawn mower cuts the grass even further into even smaller pieces, which are then outputted back onto the grass. This has the added benefit of keeping the grass green and healthy but also avoiding the task of emptying the grass collector.
Starting System
Some petrol engines have integrated an electric start button to get the engine up and running more easily. However, not every lawn mower will have this feature, and they may use a recoil start system, which may not be suitable for some people.
Maintenance Tips
One factor that some people worry about regarding petrol-powered mowers is the maintenance that comes with them. However, it really isn’t too bad, and it will only ever need servicing once every season, depending on its usage.
Below are serving tasks that you should carry out after every season:
- Change oil
- Replace the fuel filter
- Replace the spark plug
- Clean cooling system
Unlike a car engine, serving your lawn mower is far easier and can be completed within an hour. Before using the petrol lawn mower, you should always check the oil level beforehand. It will take less than 30 seconds to check, and it avoids any expensive damage. Briggs & Stratton has an excellent guide that goes through each step in detail.
Conclusion
Petrol lawn mowers are highly desirable for many due to their powerful engines and durability. However, the main benefit is the fact that you can roam freely without having to worry about battery charge or a power supply.
All of the recommendations within our roundup cover a range of mowers that are suitable for all budgets. However, before purchasing, we strongly recommend that you ensure the lawn mower you choose meets your requirements.
If you require further information regarding our petrol lawn mower recommendations, feel free to get in touch and we will try to provide our assistance where possible.
