Mains Powered Electric Mowers
Tested and Reviewed by Fred-in-the-shed
Updated 6th March 2025
Stay on this page for mains powered electric mowers
Click here for my page on cordless mowers
Over the last 24 years I have been testing and reviewing garden products and many electric mowers for this website.
In the UK many people like a striped lawn so many of these mowers will have rear rollers.
On this page I will review the best mowers I have used, starting from the smallest.
All of the links on my site are affiliate links that pay a small commission from the retailer on completed sales.
If you find my information to be useful and you buy a mower you can help this site by using the links provided when you make your purchase,
thanks, Fred
On This Page
Best Small/Budget Price Mowers
Best Electric Mowers for Larger Lawns
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Best Electric Mower For Small Lawns Golden Shed Award Winner
The small Bosch Rotak mowers are designed to be powerful enough for rough-ish lawns, but light enough to be carried in and out of your shed. The smallest is the Rotak 32 also known as the ARM3200. It is simple, light, strong and reliable, so should not burn out a week out of warranty like some cheaper models. It weights 9kg and has a 1200W motor, variable cutting heights, a simple, cheap blade, that can be easily sharpened or replaced. Flymo make the smallest mower (30cm cut) which even has a roller so is ideal if you want a nice looking, but very small lawn. Flymo EasiMow 300R (30cm cut 1000w motor)
Bosch Rotak 32 and Rotak 32R - and ARM3200 Just to confuse people Bosch make 2 very similar mowers, with very similar names. The Rotak 32 is the entry level model with no roller and is also called the ARM3200. The Rotak 32R is the same but with a rear roller, so it makes stripes on your lawn. The Rotak ARM 3200 is a special version made for large DIY stores. Only the R versions have the rear roller for stripes
The Flymo Chevron 32V is similar and has a rear roller.
If you can afford to spend a little bit more a mower with a larger motor like the 1350 W one below will be more robust and cut your lawn faster. Bosch Rotak 36R with 1350 W motor and rear roller
There are also 2 mowers that I have not tested that have high power motors for a low price. The Hyundai has a rear roller and the Flymo has a 12m cable which is 2m longer than most. The Flymo Speedi-Mo 360 with 1500 W motor The Hyundai HYM3800E with 1600 W motor
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Small Electric Mowers
Which Brands To Consider
When Bosch made mowers in Suffolk I was a big fan and even visited the factory. Production has moved abroad and some models are, in my opinion very overpriced.
Flymo (now owned by Electrolux) also ended UK production after a
long history in the UK and being famous for its Hover mowers. Flymo also make small rotary mowers that offer
an alternative to Bosch. Flymo model numbers and
specifications change so quickly that I am unable to keep up so please
excuse the lack of info here. Flymo parts are easily available online but what you won't find
easily is service and repairs as sadly most lower priced electrical
goods are now seen as disposable if they go wrong. Like most well known brands the mowers are now made in China and have little to distinguish them from cheaper brands. Lawnmaster are a new brand with a selected range of mowers that I
have tested for 2 seasons. Buy Lawmaster Mower Direct from Manufacturer with a 10% Fredshed discount Use code Fred10 at checkout
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Mid Size Mowers 34cm -36cm Cut If you have a small lawn but want a faster cut, and more power for thicker grass, these mowers have larger motors. The Bosch Rotak 34 is a powerful, (1300w) quality mower at a reasonable price. It has all the necessary features and no gimmicks. It has a 340mm cut and wide, well made wheels, and the required roller for our beloved stripes. Any manufacturer who supplies mowers without a roller should be aware that Brits love stripy lawns and a mower without a roller to some of us is like a car without wheels. (or tea without milk)
Bosch Rotak 34 R Corded Rotary Lawnmower
Replacement Blade for Rotak 34R The Bosch Rotak 36R is not much more expensive but has more power (1350 W) and the more comfortable Ergo handles
The feedback from my readers is very good, saying good value for money and very durable.
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Best Electric Rotary Mowers For Larger lawns BOSCH ROTAK 37 Ergoflex, Rotak 40 Ergoflex and Rotak 43 Ergoflex These Models Now Replaced By Advanced and Universal Rotak
BOSCH ROTAK 37 MOWER Ideal for mid size lawns, features compact storage of handles and box. The features I like about the Bosch Rotak range are Powerful but quiet motors, the Syneon chip makes sure power is delivered when needed. Solid, easy to empty grass box with minimal blow back of dust. One lever height adjustment - with cut height written in mm Cut right up to the edge with the grass combs and inset front wheels Sturdy wheels with small rear roller to help produce the stripes we love to see. The best feature of these Bosch mowers are the Powerdrive motors which are very robust. Electric mowers can suffer from overheating so make sure you keep the vents to your motor clear of dust and dead grass. I vacuum the vents on my electric mowers regularly to help the motors stay cool. The advantage with this type of motor is that it delivers the power instantly so that it is not so easily strained when started up on long grass. The Bosch Rotak Ergoflex range included 5 machines cutting up to 43cm with a 1700W motor.
NEW RANGE OF LARGER BOSCH MOWERS
Bosch has replaced the larger models with 3 new "advanced Rotak" models featuring quieter motors, height adjustable handles and folding grass boxes. Sadly these small improvements come at a considerable price increase. Bosch UniversalRotak 550 Electric Rotary Lawnmower, Cutting Width 37 cm Bosch AdvancedRotak 650 Electric Rotary Lawnmower, Cutting Width 41 cm Bosch AdvancedRotak 750 Electric Rotary Lawnmower, Cutting Width 45 cm
Turn Your Larger Bosch Mower into a Mulching Mower
The accessory above converts the mower to a mulching mower. This means you don't have to empty the grass box and that the finely cut clippings are absorbed back into your lawn and add nutrients to keep it healthy. This can save you time and money as you wont have to use as much lawn feed. The 2 larger Lawnmaster mowers come with a mulch plate included. Buy Lawmaster Mower Direct from Manufacturer with a 10% Fredshed discount Use code Fred10 at checkout
Bosch Multi-Mulch for Rotak Rotak 37 LI Bosch Multi-Mulch for Rotak Lawnmowers Rotak 40/ Rotak 43/ Rotak 43 LI
New Rotak mower blades with improved design to shred leaves from your lawn!
The latest Bosch Rotak blades have been improved by adding crenulated fins at the ends. These fins cut the grass as normal but have the advantage of also being better at smashing up leaves so they are collected better. This blade is only available for the largest models, Rotak 40 and Rotak 43.
Bosch F016800367 Sharpened Blade for Rotak 40 mower |
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Lawnmaster Electric Mowers - All with Rollers
Lawnmaster is a relatively new brand with a UK head office and UK staff. As with most brands the mowers are made in the far east but to UK specifications which is why they all have rear rollers for that striped effect. There are three 240v models with 34cm, 37cm, and 40cm blades. All have rear rollers, 10m cables, 2 year warranty, and the larger 2 have mulching plates. Buy Lawmaster Mower Direct from Manufacturer with a 10% Fredshed discount Use code Fred10 at checkout These mowers have powerful motors and all the features you need with no frills or gimmicks. |
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The Pros and Cons of the Hover Lawnmower
This is the Flymo vision, it was one of Britain's best selling lawnmowers and is now been remodelled as the Easi Glide and Glider. The idea is that it floats effortlessly on a cushion of air, and the plastic window allows you to see when the grassbox is full. Great.. However... Whilst cutting it may float on air but you might give yourself a hernia carrying it from the shed. As you start it and before it floats, the strain on the motor hitting the grass can be substantial and Flymo recommend that you tip it on its side. If your lawn is bumpy the machine will not float as well and could scalp your lawn leaving ugly patches. As the grass box fills up the weight will make it harder for the mower to float. Flymo tried to address this with the now discontinued Ultra Glide model with 2 motors, one for the blade and one to supply lift. The 2 motors proved very inefficient and made the mower over complicated and expensive. I think the hover mower should stay as it was originally designed and not have a grass box. Like my original petrol Flymo. I even attached one to my wheelchair to turn myself into a self propelled mower!
It had an extremely powerful motor, was ideal on rough grass and did not collect the cuttings. I take my hat off to Electrolux for superb marketing and innovation with electric, domesticated hover mowers but I am not a fan. Flymo spares are easy to get hold of as long as your machine is not too old. To be realistic expect budget price electric mowers to last about 4-5 years, anymore that that is a bonus. Originally Flymos never had grass boxes and I think these are still the best as the grass box adds weight when full and causes the mower not to float as well. The cheap and light microlite had plastic blades but now the smallest hover version is the Turbo lite 250 which has metal blades. Flymo Turbo Lite
250 Electric Hover Lawn Mower – 1400 W, 25 cm Cutting Width
As Flymo now outsource their manufacturing to China it can be argued that buying from a Chinese manufacturer directly makes more sense. Also the Chinese tend to select the best features and produce simple cheaper versions. Lawnmaster is a new company supplying hover mowers to the UK and I am testing this 1500w model below.
The Lawnmaster hover mower has a 33cm cut and 1500w motor. It is a no frills but well made machine that is easy to assemble and use. It has all the essential features and I am so far impressed with its performance. The Lawnmaster hover has a 10m cable and 4 cutting heights from its metal blade. The price is less than comparable Flymo models and there is a 2 year guarantee. Lawnmaster is supported by a UK based distributor with a dedicated UK office near Newcastle. Buy Lawmaster Mower Direct from Manufacturer with a 10% Fredshed discount Use code Fred10 at checkout
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Petrol Mowers
Cobra 46cm (18in) Petrol Lawnmower, self propelled drive As a fan of battery
powered mowers and not having a massive lawn I now have little involvement with petrol powered mowers. I did in the past and still keep an eye on the market and new developments.
If you can afford it go for a premium brand like Hayter or Honda and if you can't then I recommend Cobra. Cobra is designed in the UK but made abroad to lower costs. The brand is fully supported by people I know.
Petrol mowers do have the edge over
battery when it comes to self propelling and longer grass.
The big negatives are frequent servicing
and starting problems. Hyundai HYM510SP 4-Stroke Petrol Lawn Mower 173CC Self Propelled 51cm/20 inch Cutting Width
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How to Change or Sharpen a blade on a Rotary Mower
Tools required to sharpen a blade on my Bosch Rotak 37Li 1.
medium size screwdriver with round shaft 2.
17mm spanner, sharpening file (as shown above) (use a ring spanner if you can as it is less likely to slip)
The same procedure and tools will work for most Bosch mowers
1. Unplug or remove battery
2. Tip mower on side as shown 3.
Turn blade to 11 O'clock, insert screwdriver in hole to block blade movement 4.
Place spanner at approx 11o'clock to match blade
5.
Push spanner down, or tap with mallet or bit of wood if stuck
Don't forget to check your blade for balance before you re-fit after
sharpening
Multi-Sharp 1301 Rotary Mower/Garden Tool Sharpener
Brushcutter and mower Rotary Blade Balancer
Place blade in a vice or clamp, file at an angle across blade
When the blade is shiny again file the back side flat to make a sharp edge Refitting the blade is simply the reverse of removal. If you have taken off more than a smidgen of metal then your blade will need rebalancing
otherwise it can strain the motor. Blades can be checked for balance by spinning on a pencil or you can buy the
cone shaped gadget to do this. You may wish to wear gloves , and
spray a bit of lubricant on the bolt before putting it back. My favourite lube is lavender scented GT85 and UK made.
How to Sharpen a Blade on a Cylinder Mower
The easiest and cheapest way of sharpening as small cylinder
mower is the use a kit that is basically a strip of abrasive that fits above the
cutting plate and below the cylinder blades. You then lower the cylinder
slightly until there is some contact and then run the mower. I have used this
kit many times with good results.
Tried and Tested Push Mowers
WOLF-Garten 30cm Cylinder WPCM Hand Mower Webb 12in Push Rear Roller Lawnmower Bosch AHM 38 G Manual Garden Lawn Mower Electric Lawn Rakers and Scaryfiers Tested
See my new page - Lawncare Tools Tested
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