If you’ve ever hauled a petrol mower out of the shed, you know the drill: fill the tank, check the oil, pull the cord and hope. Electric mowers change that equation entirely – they’re quieter, cleaner, and far less hassle. But with so many corded and battery-powered models on the market, picking the right one for your UK lawn can feel like a puzzle. We’ve sifted through expert reviews and lab tests to give you a clear, honest guide to the best electric lawn mower for your garden and your budget.

4 related posts

Market share of electric mowers in UK (2025): 27% of lawn mower sales ·
Average noise level of electric mowers: 75 dB (vs 95 dB for gas) ·
Typical battery runtime per charge: 30–60 minutes ·
Corded electric mower average power: 1200–1800 W ·
Consumer Reports top-rated electric mower score: 86/100 ·
Electric mower weight range: 9–25 kg

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Long-term battery degradation rates vary by brand and usage.
  • Exact market share of electric vs gas in UK (estimates only).
  • Which model will be most reliable over 5+ years (lack of long-term studies).
3Timeline signal
  • 2025–2026 sees a wave of new cordless models with improved battery tech (Expert Reviews).
  • Bosch, Ego and Ryobi have released updated 2025 versions in the UK.
  • UK regulations increasingly favour low-noise gardening equipment.
4What’s next
  • More affordable brushless motor mowers with longer warranties.
  • Integration with home battery systems (e.g., Ego’s 56V platform).
  • Growing second‑hand market for battery‑powered mowers.
Key facts about electric lawn mowers
Spec Value
Average price range (corded) £100 – £250
Average price range (battery) £200 – £600
Most common battery voltage 40V – 80V
Warranty typical 2–3 years
Noise level comparison (dB) Electric 75, Gas 95
Weight range 8–30 kg

What is the best electric lawn mower to buy in the UK?

Top picks for UK lawns in 2026

  • Webb WEER33 – best corded mower for UK gardens (Easy Lawn Mowing (tier3 specialist)). 33 cm cut, 1200 W motor, under £150.
  • Bosch EasyRotak 32 – Golden Shed Award winner for small lawns (Expert Reviews (UK testing authority)). Lightweight 8.5 kg, £129.
  • Ego Power+ LM2236E-SP – best all‑round cordless mower per Expert Reviews, priced around £1,200.
  • Cobra GTRM34 – solid value at under £150.

Best electric mowers for different lawn sizes

  • Small lawns (under 150 m²): Bosch EasyRotak 32 or AL‑KO 18V Bosch Easy 3.82 Li R (includes free trimmer, Just Lawnmowers (UK retailer)).
  • Medium lawns (150–400 m²): Webb WEER33 (corded) or EGO Power+ LM1701E (battery, delivers petrol‑like power).
  • Large lawns (400+ m²): Ego LM2236E‑SP or Bosch AdvancedRotak 750.

Where to buy: UK retailers and price ranges

  • Amazon UK – wide selection, often with free delivery.
  • Argos – good for Bosch and Flymo models.
  • B&Q – stocks Webb, Mountfield, and Ego.
  • Mitre 10 MEGA Upper Hutt – New Zealand readers can check stock online (store review).

The pattern: corded models dominate under £200, while cordless mowers that can handle a whole medium lawn cost £350–1,200. For most UK buyers with a small‑to‑medium lawn, a quality corded mower like the Webb WEER33 offers the best value for money.

What is the best electric lawn mower according to Consumer Reports?

Consumer Reports testing methodology

Consumer Reports (CR) tests electric mowers on cutting quality, battery runtime (for cordless), ease of use, and noise. They assign a score out of 100 based on lab and field tests. CR’s top pick is the Ego Power+ LM2236SP, scoring 86/100. However, CR only tests major brands – smaller UK‑specific models like Webb are not included.

Top-rated models from CR lab tests

  • Ego Power+ LM2236SP – 86/100, best overall battery mower.
  • Ryobi 40V HP 21‑inch – best value, according to Popular Mechanics.
  • Greenworks Pro 80V – strong alternative, under £350.

How Consumer Reports ratings compare to other experts

CR and Popular Mechanics both put Ego at the top. Expert Reviews also names the Ego LM2236E‑SP as its best all‑round cordless mower. The consistency across these major testers gives high confidence in the Ego platform.

The implication: if you want the safest, data‑backed choice, the Ego LM2236SP is the one to beat – especially if your lawn fits its 60‑minute runtime.

Are electric lawn mowers any good?

Advantages of electric mowers over gas

  • Quieter – 75 dB vs 95 dB for gas (cutting noise roughly halved).
  • Less maintenance – no oil changes, spark plugs, or fuel stabiliser.
  • Zero tailpipe emissions – important for eco‑conscious gardeners.
  • Instant start – no pull cord frustration.

Where electric mowers fall short

  • Battery runtime: 30–60 minutes per charge. If you have a large lawn, you may need a second battery or a corded model.
  • Power: corded electric mowers match gas for most UK lawns, but battery models can struggle with thick, damp grass.
  • Upfront cost for cordless: £200–£600 plus the cost of extra batteries (often £100+ each).

User satisfaction and reliability data

Most users report high satisfaction with modern electric mowers. Surveys on Expert Reviews indicate that 4‑ and 5‑star ratings dominate for Bosch, Ego, and Webb models. However, long‑term reliability data (5+ years) is scarce – battery degradation remains the biggest uncertainty.

The trade‑off: electric mowers are excellent for most UK gardens, but if you have more than half an acre of tough grass, a petrol mower might still be the better tool.

What are the top 5 electric lawn mowers?

Six models, one pattern: the best electric mowers combine a strong motor with a good cutting width and a battery system that doesn’t lock you into a single brand.

Model Type Cutting width Power / Voltage Weight Runtime Price (approx) Rating (expert)
Ego Power+ LM2236SP Cordless 56 cm (22″) 56 V 22 kg 60 min £1,200 86/100 CR, Best Overall PM
Webb WEER33 Corded 33 cm 1200 W 12 kg Unlimited £130 Best Corded (Gardener’s World)
Bosch EasyRotak 32 Corded 32 cm 1200 W 8.5 kg Unlimited £129 Best Small Lawn (Fred in the Shed)
Mountfield Electress 38 Corded 38 cm 1400 W 14 kg Unlimited £160 Good for medium lawns
Cobra GTRM34 Corded 34 cm 1200 W 10 kg Unlimited £140 Budget pick
Greenworks Pro 80V Cordless 53 cm (21″) 80 V 24 kg 45 min £340 Best value cordless

Why this matters: the table makes clear that corded mowers offer massive cost savings and unlimited runtime, but you’re tied to a cable. Cordless models cost more upfront but give you freedom to reach every corner of your garden.

Is it worth getting an electric lawn mower?

Cost comparison: electric vs gas over 5 years

  • Purchase price: Electric – £100–£600; Gas – £150–£500.
  • Annual running cost: Electric – £5–15 (electricity); Gas – £30–60 (fuel + oil).
  • Maintenance: Electric – blade sharpening only; Gas – oil changes, spark plugs, filters, carburettor cleaning.
  • Total 5‑year cost (including purchase): Electric – £150–700; Gas – £300–800.

Environmental impact

Electric mowers produce zero tailpipe emissions. A petrol mower running for one hour emits the same amount of VOCs as a 100‑mile car journey. According to the European Commission, replacing a petrol mower with an electric one saves about 50 kg of CO₂ per year.

Convenience and ease of use

No more trips to the petrol station, no oil puddles on the garage floor, and a button‑start that always works. Corded mowers require an outdoor socket and a heavy‑duty extension cord – a 15‑metre 1.5 mm² cable (H07RN‑F) is recommended for UK lawns.

The verdict for UK buyers: unless you’re maintaining a large, rough lawn, an electric mower is almost certainly a better investment than a petrol one – both financially and environmentally.

What is the best battery-powered lawn mower for the money?

Best value cordless mowers under £300

  • Ryobi 40V HP 21‑inch – around £280 (tool‑only) – compatible with Ryobi’s 40V system of 50+ tools.
  • Greenworks Pro 80V – £340 – higher voltage, dual‑battery compatible.

Best value cordless mowers under £500

  • Ego Power+ LM1701E – £480 (with battery) – petrol‑like power for medium lawns (Just Lawnmowers).
  • Stihl RMA 235 – £184 without battery – best value cordless mower per Expert Reviews.

Long‑term value: battery system compatibility

The battery often costs as much as the mower itself. That makes ecosystem lock‑in a real concern. Ego’s 56‑V system is shared across mowers, trimmers, blowers and chainsaws. Ryobi’s 40‑V One+ system has over 100 tools. If you already own tools in either system, buying the same brand mower saves you hundreds of pounds.

What this means: the best long‑term value isn’t just the mower’s price tag – it’s the cost of extra batteries and the versatility of the platform.

Comparison: corded vs cordless electric mowers

Three options, one pattern: if you value unlimited runtime and low cost, go corded. If you value freedom and quiet operation, go cordless.

Feature Corded Cordless
Power 1200–1800 W (constant) 500–1500 W (peak)
Runtime Unlimited (with cable) 30–60 min per charge
Weight 8–25 kg 15–30 kg
Noise 75 dB 70–75 dB
Price £100–£250 £200–£1,200
Mobility Limited by cable Full freedom
Maintenance Low (blade sharpening) Low + battery care

Upsides

  • Quieter operation – better for neighbours and wildlife.
  • Lower running costs – no petrol or oil.
  • Zero emissions at point of use.
  • Instant start, no pull cord.
  • Lighter and easier to manoeuvre.

Downsides

  • Battery runtime limited to 30–60 minutes.
  • Less power for extremely thick or long grass.
  • Higher upfront cost for cordless models.
  • Battery degradation over 3–5 years.
  • Corded models need a long, heavy‑duty extension cable.
The catch

Most UK buyers with small‑to‑medium lawns (under 400 m²) will be happy with either option. The real decision point is whether you want zero noise/hassle (cordless) or zero runtime limit (corded).

What’s confirmed and what’s still unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Electric mowers are quieter than gas mowers (fact).
  • Ego LM2236SP is top‑rated by multiple expert testing outlets.
  • Corded mowers offer unlimited runtime but require a cable.
  • Modern electric mowers cut as well as gas on most UK lawns.

What’s unclear

  • Long‑term battery degradation rates vary by brand and usage.
  • Exact market share of electric vs gas in UK (estimates only).
  • Which model will be most reliable over 5+ years – no long‑term studies.
  • Whether battery replacement costs will fall in the next 3 years.

What the experts say

“The EGO Power+ LM1701E delivers petrol‑like power for medium lawns. It’s the cordless mower that feels most like a petrol machine – but without the noise and fumes.”

Just Lawnmowers (UK specialist retailer)

“After testing dozens of mowers, the Ego Power+ LM2236SP is the best for most people, combining power, run time, and ease of use.”

Popular Mechanics (US testing authority)

“The Webb Classic WEER33 Electric Rotary Lawnmower is ideal for small lawns due to its compact design and manoeuvrability – a real winner for UK gardens under 200 m².”

Easy Lawn Mowing (UK garden advice site)

Summary: which electric mower should you buy?

For most UK homeowners with a lawn under 400 m², the Webb WEER33 (corded, £130) or the Bosch EasyRotak 32 (corded, £129) give you the best value and the least hassle. If you’re willing to spend more for cordless freedom, the Ego Power+ LM2236SP is the top performer across all expert tests – but at £1,200 it’s a serious investment. The Cobra GTRM34 (£140) is the budget choice that still cuts well. For the cash‑conscious Cordless buyer, the Greenworks Pro 80V (£340) offers excellent performance for the money. For UK buyers whose priority is long‑term value, the decision is clear: choose a corded mower if you have a medium lawn and an outdoor socket, or invest in a battery platform (Ego or Ryobi) if you already own compatible tools. Anything else and you’re overpaying.

Additional sources

youtube.com, telegraph.co.uk, easylawnmowing.co.uk, ukplanettools.co.uk

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Frequently asked questions

How often should I sharpen electric mower blades?

Every 6–8 cuts, or once a month during the growing season. Dull blades tear grass instead of cutting it, leaving a brownish edge.

Can electric lawn mowers handle wet grass?

Yes, but with caution. Wet grass clumps can clog the deck, and there’s a higher risk of electric shock with corded mowers. Wait for the grass to dry when possible.

Do electric mowers need special extension cords?

Yes – use a heavy‑duty outdoor extension cord (H07RN‑F rubber cable) rated for outdoor use, at least 1.5 mm² conductors for 15+ metres. Never use a standard indoor cable.

What is the difference between brushed and brushless motors in electric mowers?

Brushless motors are more efficient, generate less heat, and last longer. They also provide more torque per watt. Most modern cordless mowers (Ego, Greenworks, Ryobi) use brushless motors.

How do I store my electric lawn mower in winter?

Clean the deck, charge the battery to about 50%, and store both in a dry, frost‑free place. For corded mowers, inspect the cable for damage. Refer to your manual for specific storage recommendations.

Are robot electric mowers better than push mowers?

Robot mowers are great for hands‑off maintenance of small, flat lawns. But they don’t collect grass, they can’t handle very thick growth, and they cost £1,000+. For most UK lawns, a manual electric mower offers more control and value.

What grass type is best for electric mowers?

Electric mowers work well on all common UK grass types: perennial ryegrass, fescue, and bentgrass. Avoid very coarse or long grass (e.g., meadow grass) where a petrol mower would struggle less.

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