Skip to content   Skip to footer navigation 

Petrol lawnmower reviews

Buy smarter with CHOICE membership

Join CHOICE

Or Learn more

Last updated: 12 January 2024
Fact-checked

Fact-checked

Checked for accuracy by our qualified fact-checkers, verifiers and subject experts. Find out more about fact-checking at CHOICE.

For a healthy-looking lawn, a mulcher mower that returns the cut clippings back to the lawn could be the right choice for you. But a catcher mower can also be a good option as you can use the clippings as compost.

We put petrol-powered catcher and mulcher lawnmowers to the test on short, medium and long grass to show you which models:

  • perform best in mulching and catcher modes
  • are easiest to use
  • have the features and specifications to suit your needs.
 
Read more

Most petrol mowers we test are excellent at cutting grass and are quick to refuel, so they're a good option for mowing big areas. But if you just have a typical-sized lawn, or would prefer to avoid using petrol, check out our battery-powered lawnmower reviews – there are plenty of good models there too.

Show less

Brand

Expand to view more details.

List of brands we tested in this review.

    Price

    Expand to view more details.

    Recommended retail price at time of testing.

    enter value/s in increments of 1 between 269 and 2309

    Recommended products

    Remove product

    Member only

    This test score is for members only. Join now to unlock our expert results.

    Already a member?

    Drive type

    Expand to view more details.

    Push: The lawnmower is pushed manually.

    Self-propelled: The motor also drives the wheels to make pushing easier – useful for large lawns or hilly areas. These are usually single-speed but some allow you to select between two or three speeds.

      Cut type

      Expand to view more details.

      Catcher: No mulching option.

      Catcher/mulcher: Can be used in either mode.

        Width of cut (cm)

        Expand to view more details.

        The width of the cutting blades – the wider the cut, the fewer passes needed to mow the lawn.

        enter value/s in increments of i between 37 and 76

        Year tested

        Expand to view more details.

        The scores between tests in different years are not always strictly comparable due to the need to use different testing sites. However, the test method is same, so a model that performs well at one test site would be expected to perform similarly at a different site.

          Included in this review

          Members-only access
          • CHOICE Expert Rating
          • Reliability score
          • Origin
          • Satisfaction score
          • Recommended
          • Cutting score with catcher
          • Cutting score mulching
          • Ease of use score
          • Vibration score
          • Pushing score
          • Handle score
          • Controls score
          • Height adjustment score
          • Starter score
          • Catcher score
          • Noise at 7.5 metres (dB)
          • Noise level at user's position (dB)
          • Closeness of cut to a vertical edge (mm)
          • Good points
          • Bad points
          • Price
          • Year tested
          • Drive type
          • Cut type
          • Main body material
          • Starter toggle location
          • Motor
          • Cutting positions
          • Lowest cutting height (mm)
          • Highest cutting height (mm)
          • Width of cut (cm)
          • Wash nozzle
          • Quick release handle
          • Blade control lever
          • Rear deflector
          • Key start
          • Self start
          • Snorkel for air filter
          • Chipper
          • Extra chute
          • Tilt adjustable deck
          • Fuel tap
          • Weight (kg)
          • Warranty

          Product selected for a detailed comparison

          Clear all

          Get full access to all our tests and reviews

          or Log in