If you’re lucky enough to have a large garden, a good petrol lawn mower will make mowing the lawn much easier. Petrol mowers have greater cutting power and will allow you to quickly mow even the longest of lawns.
The best petrol lawn mowers have some great added features too, not always seen on corded or cordless lawn mowers, such as mulching and side dispatching as well as the ability to quickly refuel so you aren’t waiting to charge a battery.
If you’re looking to buy the best petrol lawn mower, this guide is for you.
Best Petrol Lawn Mower Reviews
Murray EQ500 18″ Petrol Lawn Mower
The Murray EQ 500 Self-Propelled Petrol Lawn Mower is powered by a Briggs & Stratton 500E series OVH 5.5HP 4-Stroke petrol engine which gives it the cutting power needed for even the most demanding mowing jobs.
With a wide cutting width of 18 inches (46cm) and a large 60 litre grass collection box, this petrol mower is ideal for medium to large gardens. It features 6 cutting heights so you can quickly select the height you prefer simply by using the single lever height adjuster. This feature combined with the lawn striper ensures that your lawn finish will leave the neighbours wishing they had a lawn that looks as good as yours.
Because this rotary mower is a 4 in 1 model, you can cut and leave, cut and collect using the large grass collector box, side dispatch and mulch too.
Finally, to ensure its very easy to move and manoeuvre, this mower features engine speed control, so you can control the drive speed of the mower which will allow you to cut the lawn at your own pace. The Murray EQ500 is the best self-propelled lawn mower we have reviewed thanks to its variable speed control.
SPRINT 410P 16″ Petrol Lawn Mower
The SPRINT 16″ 410P Petrol Lawn Mower, is perfect for those with medium to larger gardens that require a mower with a little cutting power. Designed with both, quality and performance in mind, this model is powered by a very powerful and reliable 4.5HP 4-Stroke Briggs & Stratton 300E Petrol Engine.
It has a wide cutting width of 16 inches (406mm) and has 6 adjustable height settings which can be set between 35mm and 85mm. These height settings are easily adjustable in seconds using a single level to set the cutting height that suites you. The large 60 litre collection bag ensures you spend more time mowing and less time stopping to empty the grass clippings.
It features a full steel mowing deck for extra durability and is a 4 in 1 mower, this means you can ‘cut’, ‘cut and collect’, ‘mulch’, which returns the grass cutting to the lawn which can help put a little goodness back to the lawn, and finally it also features side dispatch which dispatched the grass to one side of the mower. This is especially useful when mowing very long grass and cutting through tall weeds.
The central console ensures that all the main controls are at your fingertips, which also includes an electric push start button which is powered by a lithium-ion battery to ensure it starts first time, every time. No more bending down and having to pull the stiff cord. It does have a pull cord though just in case the electric start failed.
The model is self propelled and also features a drive speed controller so you can set the speed to your desired pace. Finally, it also features a lawn striper via the rear roller to leave those beautiful stripes on your lawn. The second best petrol mower we’ve reviewed.
Hyundai 16″ Lightweight 99cc Lawn Mower
Hyundai makes several models of mowers of all sizes, but this Hyundai 16″ 99cc Petrol Mower is their smallest petrol mower and is ideally suited for small gardens.
Although it lacks the self-propelled feature, which is fitted to nearly all the other mowers we have reviewed, its polypropylene rust free chassis ensure this mower is extremely durable and light weight at only 18.5kg. This means that it is very easy to manoeuvre around a small lawn, so lacks the need for self propulsion.
The compact design, which includes a soft grip handle, that folds over the engine, to ensure its easy to store in the smallest of spaces, whether in a small shed, garden storage box or corner of the garage.
Its powered by a 99cc 4-stroke OHV Hyundai engine, it’s very economical and has low noise levels which means it is unlikely to interrupt the neighbours when mowing the lawn.
It has a cutting width of 200mm (16″) and a 40 litre grass box which is large enough for most small gardens which minimises the time you need to spend emptying the grass collection box, without it being too large and bulky.
It has 3 cutting heights between 25mm to 75mm, which you can set to a height adjustment that suites your desired length.
Einhell GC-PM 46/1S Petrol Lawn Mower for Large Gardens
This German made Einhell GC-PM 46/1S Self-propelled Petrol Lawn Mower has been made to the highest standards with small, medium and large sized gardens in mind.
The mowing deck is made from powder coated steel which is scratch resistant and very durable. With reliability in mind, Einhell have fitted this mower with a very reliable 4-Stroke Briggs and Stratton 125cc – 450E series engine. This produces 2.6HP which provides all the power you need and provides a cutting speed of 2900 rpm.
Other features include self-propelled drive which makes mowing effortless as you simply walk behind the mower at your own pace. Large rear wheels provide maximum grip and the large 50 litre collection bag also incorporates a fill indicator so you know when to empty it.
This mower has 9 cutting positions of between 30-80 mm with the cutting heights easily changed to a height that suits you.
The wide 46cm cutting width and the self propelled feature make this mower very well suited to large lawns.
Finally, it also features adjustable padded handles for extra comfort that can be set to find the most comfortable position for your height. When you’ve finished mowing, they are easily folded down to make the mower more compact for storage.
All of these features make the Einhell GC-PM 46 the best petrol lawn mower for large gardens.
Mountfield SP164 Self Propelled Petrol Mower
If you’re looking for a mower that is easy to use, does the job well and is reliable, without costing the earth, the Mountfield SP164 is a great choice.
It is well built and is powered by a very reliable (and quiet) 123cc OHC petrol engine which started first time every time during testing.
The cutting width is 39cm with five cutting heights to choose from, ranging from 25mm to 70mm. It’s also a self-drive model which makes it perfect for lawns of up to 400sq meters in size.
You have two options for managing grass clippings. You can either;
- Collect them in the 40 litre grass collector
- Rear discharge long grass out the back
The self-drive function automatically matches your walking speed which is a huge advantage, as many are single speed only.
Very well priced, very easy to use and leaves an excellent finish. All the lawn mower most gardeners will ever need.
McCulloch M40-124 Petrol Lawnmower
This McCulloch M40-125 petrol push mower offers quality, reliability but without all the fancy features you may not need. This helps keep the cost down, while providing a mower that performs exceptionally well and has been manufactured to the highest standards.
Powered by a 125cc Briggs & Stratton 450e engine, this provides the reliability you would expect from the best lawnmowers. It has a cutting with 410mm (15.75inches) and has 5 cutting heights that can be between 20mm and 75mm.
It incorporates a large, sturdy 50 litre grass collection bag and includes 1 year’s warranty.
If you’re looking for a very reliable rotary lawnmower which is made to last, and you’re not looking for a self-propelled model or most of the added features seen on more expensive models, then this McCulloch mower is worth taking into consideration.
It’s a basic mower that’s only designed to mow and leave or mow and collect, by keeping it simple, McCulloch have been able to produce a very high quality lawnmower at a very reasonable price. This mower the one of the cheapest models we have reviewed but it will not leave you disappointed if you’re looking for a basic simple lawnmower at a good price.
Petrol Lawn Mower Buying Guide
With such a large choice of petrol lawn mowers available at several price points, with various features and specifications, there are a few things to consider before purchasing a new petrol lawnmower.
Mower Size
Most petrol lawnmowers vary in size and most models have a cutting width of between 400mm and 510mm wide. For smaller gardens think about choosing a smaller cutting width as larger mowers can be difficult to turn in tight spaces and are generally much heavier. For larger lawns, consider larger models as they can mow for longer and cover larger areas faster.
The best manual lawn mowers have cutting widths of between 300mm to 400mm for comparison.
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Self-drive Mowers
Some mowers are self-propelled while others you need to push. This is not a problem for smaller lighter mowers, but you may want to consider a self-propelled mower if you’re going for a larger mower. Some models even have variable speed control so you can mow at your own pace.
Another favourite of ours is the hover mower. They’re lightweight and easy to push due to their floating design. We’ve reviewed the best hover mowers so take a look at that guide if this sounds like a good option.
4 in 1 Mowers
Some models will simply cut and collect or cut and drop. Some more advanced models can cut and collect, cut and drop and have the option to mulch and also have a side dispatch mode. Mulching is a great feature to have if you have a particularly dry lawn, as it can help retain moisture and add minerals back to the lawn. We recommend using the mulching feature frequently even if your lawn is not that dry as it will still put some healthy nutrients back into the soil. Regularly mulching your lawn combined with feeding your lawn with a lawn fertiliser will soon have it looking the best it ever has.
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Build Quality
High quality models are made from high quality materials. These materials will usually last longer and are less likely to get damaged during normal use. The most important part of a lawn mower is the mowing deck. In general, the highest quality models have steel decks for added strength and durability, but some models have plastic decks which is not always ideal as they can be damaged by stones being picked up by the mower.
Always look for a steel deck if possible, especially if you’ll be mowing rough terrain. Most mowers can easily mow through tough weeds such as brambles, but if you want to protect the deck, you can use some of the best and strongest weed killers to remove these weeds before cutting these grassed areas.
Spares & Replacement Parts
It’s important that you can easily find replacements parts, at least for major parts such as the engine, blades, spark plugs and pull cords. If you do find it difficult to source spare parts, there are several companies producing universal parts which may be suitable for use with your mower.
Warranty & Guarantees
Is a cast iron warranty important to you? If you plan on purchasing an expensive mower then it should be. All mowers come with at least a basic warranty. Most models include at least 1-2 years warranty. If possible, always try and find a 2 year warranty for added coverage.
The lack of longer warranties is down to the manufacturers having no control over how you maintain your mower. If you neglect to service it when required, few manufacturers will want to be held responsible for then having to fix it if the engine fails.
Advantages of Petrol Mowers
- Available in many sizes with small mowers suitable for small gardens and larger mowers suitable for medium and large gardens.
- Compact design, most models incorporate folding handles to make them easy to store even in small spaces.
- Powerful 4-stroke engines provide unmatched cutting performance that is rarely matched by electric models.
- Freedom of cutting the lawn without being restricted by power cords or battery run time, refuel and you can recommence mowing in minutes.
- Most petrol models are 4 in 1, this means they will ‘cut’, ‘cut and collect’, ‘side discharge’ and ‘mulch’.
- Portable, because they do not need a power outlet which means they can be used in areas where you might not have access to electric power sockets.
- With petrol lawn mowers starting at around £120, they are extremely affordable for most gardeners with a low entry price.
Final Verdict
I have used my fair share of petrol mowers over the years, both for personal use in my own garden and on a daily basis when I did garden maintenance for a living, so you could say I know my way around a good petrol mower.
What I will say is that there is rarely one mower that is suitable for every gardener. As you have probably noticed by now, there are many features not every gardener needs such as lawn stripers, side dispatch, mulching and electric start. In general, these features make lawnmowers more expensive, so if you don’t require them, why pay extra for features you don’t use?
When I started reviewing the best petrol lawnmowers, there were many that were crossed off the list early on, either because they simply had high numbers of bad reviews, weren’t quite up to standard or were simply disappointing. After many days of intensive research, we were left with 6 of the best petrol lawnmowers that we would be happy to recommend, from basic models for small gardens to advanced mowers for larger gardens.
You will be happy with any of the mowers on our list. If you’re still struggling to decide, we declare the Murray EQ500 the best petrol lawn mower for most gardeners.
