The Best Petrol Lawn Mowers For Gardens Of Every Size
Petrol mowers for anything from a small lawn to a big family garden with slopes.
Our quick verdict
Our pick of the best petrol lawn mower is the Hyundai HYM510SPE Lawn Mower, a self-propelled 51cm machine that impressed us on medium and large lawns, with push-button starting and four drive speeds taking the effort out of a long mow. If you want neat traditional stripes, the Cobra 500 Series Petrol Lawn Mower lays them down with a rear roller that runs its full width.
DIY Works is reader supported. If you buy through our links we may earn a commission, which never changes what we recommend. How we make money.
Our Picks At A Glance
- Check price of Hyundai HYM510SPE Lawn Mower
Best For Large Gardens
Hyundai HYM510SPE Lawn MowerMedium to large lawns where self-propelled drive and push-button starting help
- Check price of Mountfield HP41 Petrol Lawn Mower
- Check price of Murray EQ2-500 Self-Propelled
Best All-Rounder
Murray EQ2-500 Self-PropelledMedium lawns where you want to switch between collecting and mulching
- Check price of Cobra 500 Series Petrol Lawn Mower
- Check price of Hyundai HYM400P Petrol Lawn Mower
Best For Small Gardens
Hyundai HYM400P Petrol Lawn MowerSmall lawns and sheds with little storage space
- Check price of NAX 1000S Petrol Mower
Best With Front Swivel Wheels
NAX 1000S Petrol MowerLawns with trees, beds and obstacles to mow around
Lawn size and slope decide most of this. On a flat, modest lawn a push mower with a narrower deck is easier to steer round borders and costs less, but a big garden or a bank makes self-propelled drive worth paying for, since all you do is steer. Starting matters too, and an electric start button takes the tug out of a pull cord.
If mains or battery power would do the job, our guide to the best electric lawn mowers covers those. The six here go from compact push mowers to wide self-propelled machines.
How We Tested These Petrol Lawn Mowers
The garden at one of our own homes is fairly large, so petrol is our first choice there for the power and the freedom to mow without thinking about a socket. The rentals and Airbnbs we manage have smaller lawns, and a petrol mower still handles those well, so we've used a fair few on very different gardens.
For each mower we looked at the quality of cut, the range of height adjustment, how easily it started, how well it was built, how the self-propelled drive behaved and how simple it was to put together from the box.
Alongside our own mowing, we compared the type of mower, cutting width, height options, grass collection, engine, accessories, warranty and value. When a brand brings out a new and improved model, we try to get one in and put it to the test.
The Best Petrol Lawn Mowers We Recommend
We've included push and self-propelled mowers, from the 39cm Mountfield to the 51cm Hyundai. Check your lawn size against the width before you buy.
Best For Large Gardens
Hyundai HYM510SPE Lawn Mower
Best for: Medium to large lawns where self-propelled drive and push-button starting help
Check Price On AmazonThe HYM510SPE is Hyundai's flagship petrol mower, and we were really impressed with how it handled both medium and large gardens in our testing. The self-propelled drive powers the rear wheels at four speeds, so you can match the mower to your walking pace, and a 173cc four-stroke engine drives the 51cm cut.
A push button starts the engine, so there's no wrestling with a pull cord. Six cutting heights run from 25mm to 75mm, and the 70 litre grass collector has level indicators that show when it's time to empty. There's a side discharge chute for long grass too.
Assembly was quick and needed no tools. Hyundai backs it with a 3 year warranty, though you'll pay more than for most mowers in this list.
What we like
- Impressive on medium and large lawns in our testing
- Assembled without tools in our testing
- Push button start
- Four self-propelled speeds
- 70 litre collector with level indicators
- Six heights from 25mm to 75mm
- 3 year warranty
What to know
- Dearer than most mowers in this roundup
Our verdict
Big lawns are where the HYM510SPE pays its way, since you only steer while the mower does the pushing, and the wide cut gets you round in fewer lengths. It's Hyundai's flagship and priced to match, so a small lawn is better served by the compact Hyundai HYM400P.
Best Budget
Mountfield HP41 Petrol Lawn Mower
Best for: Small to medium flat lawns on a budget
Check Price On AmazonThe Mountfield HP41 is a cheap and cheerful push mower that's light and easy to use, which is what stood out for us in testing. With a 39cm cutting width, it's sized for small and medium lawns where a bigger mower would be awkward to turn.
The polypropylene deck won't rust, and the build quality is good for the price. Five cutting heights run from 25mm to 70mm, and the 40 litre grass collector is about right for a lawn this size.
It isn't self-propelled, so you'll be pushing it yourself, which is fine on flat ground but harder work on a slope. Mountfield also sells versions with larger engines and self-propelled drive if you need more.
What we like
- Light and easy to use in our testing
- Good build quality for the price
- Rust-free polypropylene deck
- Five heights from 25mm to 70mm
- 40 litre grass collector
What to know
- Not self-propelled
- Narrow 39cm cut is slow on a bigger lawn
Our verdict
The Mountfield HP41 suits a small or medium flat lawn where you want petrol on a tight budget. It felt light and easy to use, and the build is good for the money. Slopes and bigger lawns are where it struggles, because you're doing all the pushing, so a self-propelled mower such as the Murray EQ2-500 is kinder on your legs.
Best All-Rounder
Murray EQ2-500 Self-Propelled
Best for: Medium lawns where you want to switch between collecting and mulching
Check Price On AmazonThe Murray EQ2-500 is a 4-in-1 mower, so it collects, mulches and discharges at the side or rear. Its mulching impressed us in testing, and mulching saves emptying the bag every few lengths.
It drives itself along while you steer, and the 46cm cut is a good match for a medium lawn. Power comes from a Briggs and Stratton engine, the steel deck is tougher than plastic and the six cutting heights are easy to change. The 50 litre collection bag has a level indicator and a dust shield.
We were impressed by the build quality and the range of features. It costs more than the budget models here, and Murray backs it with a two year warranty.
What we like
- Mulching impressed us in testing
- Collects, mulches and discharges at the side or rear
- Self-propelled with a 46cm cut
- Steel deck for durability
- 50 litre bag with level indicator and dust shield
- Briggs and Stratton engine
- Two year warranty
What to know
- Dearer than the Mountfield HP41 and Hyundai HYM400P
Our verdict
Versatility is the Murray EQ2-500's strong point. Mulching on dry summer days, collecting when the grass is long and side discharge for the rough corners all come from the same machine, and the build quality impressed us. It costs more than the budget picks, but on a medium lawn that range of options earns its keep.
Best With Roller
Cobra 500 Series Petrol Lawn Mower
Best for: Lawns where neat traditional stripes matter
Check Price On AmazonThe Cobra 500 Series is the mower for anyone after proper stripes. It has a rear roller that runs the full width of the mower, which flattens the grass in the direction you're walking and gives the light and dark bands you see in our photo. We liked that full-width roller in testing, as many roller mowers use a narrower one.
It runs on a Briggs and Stratton engine, and six cutting heights go as low as 17mm for a fine, close finish. A 55 litre fabric grass bag comes with it, and it went together from the box with no trouble.
The build quality is high for the price. You do pay extra for the roller over a wheeled mower, and Cobra backs it with a two year warranty.
What we like
- Full-width rear roller for clean stripes
- Easy to assemble from the box
- Cuts as low as 17mm
- 55 litre fabric grass bag
- Briggs and Stratton engine
- Two year warranty
What to know
- Costs more than a wheeled mower of a similar size
Our verdict
Stripes are the whole point of the Cobra 500 Series, and the full-width roller is what delivers them. The low 17mm cutting height suits a fine, well-kept lawn too. You do pay extra for the roller, and on bumpy or uneven ground a wheeled mower is the better choice.
Best For Small Gardens
Hyundai HYM400P Petrol Lawn Mower
Best for: Small lawns and sheds with little storage space
Check Price On AmazonThe HYM400P is Hyundai's compact petrol mower, built for small and medium gardens with a 40cm cutting width. A 79cc four-stroke engine keeps fuel use down, and at 19kg it's light enough to lift into a car boot or carry down steps to a back garden.
There are six cutting heights, and it comes with oil in the box, so you can add petrol and start mowing straight away. The handle folds down for storage, which helps in a small shed.
The smaller engine isn't meant for large lawns or thick, overgrown grass. Hyundai backs it with a 3 year warranty, which is generous for a mower at this price.
What we like
- Light at 19kg
- Fuel-efficient 79cc four-stroke engine
- Oil supplied so it's ready to use
- Folds away for storage
- Six cutting heights
- 3 year warranty
What to know
- Not suited to large lawns or thick, overgrown grass
Our verdict
Small lawns and tight sheds are what the Hyundai HYM400P was made for. It's easy to lift, folds away small and runs economically, and the 3 year warranty is generous at the price. Anything large or overgrown needs more engine, and its bigger sibling the HYM510SPE adds self-propelled drive.
Best With Front Swivel Wheels
NAX 1000S Petrol Mower
Best for: Lawns with trees, beds and obstacles to mow around
Check Price On AmazonThe NAX 1000S has front wheels that swivel, which makes steering round trees, flower beds and garden furniture far easier. It took us a while to get used to in testing, as the front end moves more freely than you expect, but once we had the hang of it, it made a big difference.
Like the Murray, it's a 4-in-1 mower that collects, mulches and discharges at the side or rear, and it runs on a Briggs and Stratton engine. There are six cutting heights and a 45 litre collection basket.
Side combs help it cut cleanly along edges, and a deck washing system lets you rinse out clippings with a hose after each mow.
What we like
- Swivel front wheels made a big difference round obstacles in our testing
- Collects, mulches and discharges at the side or rear
- Briggs and Stratton engine
- Deck washing system
- Side combs for clean edges
- Six cutting heights
What to know
- Swivel wheels took us a while to get used to
- Smaller 45 litre basket than the Hyundai or Cobra
Our verdict
The NAX 1000S suits a lawn broken up by trees, beds and borders, where swivel wheels save a lot of shunting back and forth. If your lawn is a simple rectangle, the Murray EQ2-500 offers the same 4-in-1 cutting with conventional wheels, and the Cobra 500 Series is the choice for stripes.
Choosing A Petrol Lawn Mower
Petrol mowers suit medium and large gardens best, especially those with slopes or banks, where the extra power gives a cleaner cut with less effort. These are the things worth weighing up before you buy one.
Petrol Or Electric
Petrol mowers go anywhere, have no cable to cut through and keep going as long as there's fuel. They're also heavier, noisier and need servicing, and they cost more to buy than a corded mower. Cordless battery mowers avoid the cable but can run flat partway through a big lawn. Our comparison of petrol or electric lawn mowers goes through the trade-offs in more detail.
For medium and large gardens, petrol is still the strongest choice.
Push Or Self-Propelled
Push mowers are cheaper and lighter, and they're fine for flat lawns of a modest size. A self-propelled mower drives its own wheels, so you only steer, which makes a real difference on slopes and long lawns. Better models offer several speeds, like the four on the Hyundai HYM510SPE. For a lawn measured in acres, a ride-on is the better tool.
Engine And Starting
Modern petrol mowers use four-stroke engines, so there's no oil to mix into the fuel, and they're quieter and cleaner than the old two-strokes. Most start with a pull cord, which some people find hard work. An electric start button, as on the Hyundai HYM510SPE, takes that away. If a pull-start mower is giving you trouble, our guide on how to start a petrol lawnmower covers the common causes.
Cutting Width And Height
A wider deck covers a big lawn in fewer passes, so 46cm to 51cm makes sense for large gardens. On a small lawn with curves and borders, a 39cm or 40cm mower is easier to steer. Check the range of cutting heights as well, since a mower that sets low suits a fine, striped lawn while a high setting helps on long or damp grass.
Collecting, Mulching And Rollers
Most petrol mowers come with a grass collector, either fabric or plastic, and a bigger one means fewer trips to empty it. Mulching mowers chop clippings finely and drop them back on the lawn, where they return nutrients and save you emptying the bag. A rear roller gives you stripes and works well on a flat lawn, and our guide to the best garden rollers helps level a bumpy one first.
Looking After A Petrol Mower
A petrol mower needs servicing once a season, depending on how much you use it. Change the oil, replace the spark plug and air or fuel filter, and clean out the cooling fins and underside of the deck. It's a much simpler job than servicing a car and takes about an hour, and our step-by-step guide to servicing a petrol lawnmower walks you through it. Check the oil level before every mow, as running low can wreck the engine.
Questions About Petrol Lawn Mowers
Is a petrol lawn mower worth it for a small garden?
A petrol lawn mower can be worth it for a small garden if there's no handy outdoor socket or you want a mower that copes with long, damp grass. A compact model such as the Hyundai HYM400P is light and cheap to run. For a small, flat lawn near the house, though, a corded or cordless electric mower is quieter and needs no servicing.
What oil does a petrol lawn mower take?
Most four-stroke petrol lawn mowers take SAE 30 or 10W-30 engine oil, but always check the manual for your engine, as the type and quantity vary between makes. Never mix oil into the petrol on a four-stroke mower. Check the dipstick before every mow and change the oil at least once a season.
How long does a petrol lawn mower last?
A petrol lawn mower lasts many years with basic care, and the engine is the part that benefits most from it. Change the oil each season, keep the air filter clean, replace the spark plug when it's worn and store the mower dry over winter with the fuel run down or treated. Neglect is what shortens a petrol mower's life.
Should you empty the petrol from a lawn mower over winter?
Yes, run the tank dry or add a fuel stabiliser before storing a petrol lawn mower over winter. Petrol left in the tank and carburettor goes stale over a few months and can gum up the fuel system, which is one of the main reasons a mower won't start in spring. Store it somewhere dry, such as a shed or garage.
Is the Hyundai HYM510SPE worth paying more for than the Murray EQ2-500?
It's worth it on a large lawn, where push-button starting and four self-propelled speeds take the effort out of a long mow. The Hyundai HYM510SPE is dearer than most mowers in our list and comes with a 3 year warranty. On a medium lawn, the Murray EQ2-500 is the better all-rounder.
Will the Mountfield HP41 cope with a sloping lawn?
It's harder work on a slope, because the Mountfield HP41 isn't self-propelled and you do all the pushing. It suits small or medium flat lawns, where it felt light and easy to use in our testing. For slopes, a self-propelled mower such as the Murray EQ2-500 is kinder on your legs.
Is the roller on the Cobra 500 Series worth the extra cost?
If you want proper stripes, yes. The Cobra 500 Series has a rear roller running the full width of the mower, which flattens the grass in the direction you walk and gives the light and dark bands in our photo. It costs more than a wheeled mower of similar size, and bumpy ground suits a wheeled model better.
Are the swivel front wheels on the NAX 1000S hard to get used to?
They take a little time. The front end of the NAX 1000S moves more freely than you expect, and it took us a while to get the hang of it in testing. Once we had, the swivel wheels made a big difference steering round trees, flower beds and garden furniture.
Our Favourite Petrol Lawn Mower
The Hyundai HYM510SPE is the petrol lawn mower we'd choose for a large garden, as it handled medium and large lawns well in our testing and does most of the hard work for you. The Murray EQ2-500 is the better all-rounder for medium lawns, thanks to its excellent mulching.
For small lawns on a budget, the Mountfield HP41 and Hyundai HYM400P are both easy to live with, and the Cobra 500 Series is the one for stripes.
Archie is our gardening specialist. He started out as an apprentice at a gardening firm, built up his own knowledge from there and now writes most of our garden content.