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WHICH? REVIEWS: Lawnmowers
Our Best Buy lawnmowers are a cut above the rest.
We've tested a range of the latest electric and petrol mowers for small- to medium-sized gardens and found several that were a pleasure to use and will leave your lawn with a great finish.
We found mowers that dealt with a typical once-a-week mow quickly and efficiently, yet could cope with wet, long or short grass if required.
Mowers that needed complicated procedures to adjust the blade height or were just plain hard work to use got marked down.
You can find out our Best Buy recommendations by taking out a 30-day trial to www.which.co.uk. Below, we explain more about the features of lawnmowers.
What type of mower?There are three main kinds of mower, all available as electric or petrol powered.
Cylinder mowers
Cylinder mowers snip the grass against a fixed blade, like scissors. They are best on frequently cut short lawns and leave a very neat finish. They're not suitable for long grass.
Wheeled rotary mowers
These use a fast-moving blade which acts like a scythe, and are the best choice for a typical lawn.
Hover rotary mowers
These also have a rotating blade but they float on a cushion of air rather than resting on wheels. They're manoeuvrable and good for awkward-shaped lawns, but they don't leave as neat a finish and struggle on long grass.
Power source
There are two sources of power. The best type for you depends on the size of your garden.
- For small lawns, up to 50 sq m, an electric mower with a 30cm cutting width is suitable.
- For medium lawns, to 150sq m, go for an electric mower with a 35-40cm cutting width.
- For larger lawns, up to about 250 sq m or if your lawn is a long way from a power socket, a small petrol mower is the best option. They start at about 40cm wide.
- For lawns larger than 250sq m, look for a petrol mower with a cutting width of 46cm or more. Consider a self-propelled version which adds about £70 to the cost.
What to look for
Mulching
Mulching mowers recut the clippings into tiny pieces and blow them back on to the lawn, where they break down and feed the grass.
Long switch
A bar that runs the width of the handle allows you to use both hands and reduces wrist strain.
Pull start
If you find a pull start on petrol mowers hard, look for one with an electric start.
Folding handles
Look for handles that fold and sit neatly on top of the mower.
Adjustable handles
Check that the height is suitable for you. Some mowers are adjustable.
Striper
Some mowers have a rear roller to give a striped effect and to make it easier to balance it when you cut over lawn edges. Some other mowers have a plastic flap.
Grass collector
A big grass collector saves numerous trips to the compost heap.
Cutting height
A wide cutting range is useful for cutting lawns of varying qualities. A single height adjustment is easier than adjusting each wheel.
So what's the best lawnmower for you? By taking out a 30-day trial to www.which.co.uk can discover all you need to know about lawnmowers and find out our Best Buy recommendations.
(c) Copyright Which? Ltd 2008, all rights reserved.
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