lawnmower recommendation

cooper_lou

Hi - Im in the process of moving into my new home which has a lovely big garden.  Currently it is all laid to lawn, which I plan to change over time with a veg plot and flower beds, but right now I need a lawnmower to tackle the fast-growing grass! :-).  The surface is extremely uneven, both sloped and full of fissures (not sure yet if that is due to the large trees, or water run-off etc .. but will find out in time hopefully).   Im a female in mid 50's, so looking for a battery operated, self-propelling, not too heavy, manageable machine. Ideally budget £200 or under, but with some flexibility. I do have a couple of Bosch 18v batteries for power tools, but wasnt sure about the lawnmower in that Bosch 18v family, as sounds like its more suited to very small lawns.  Any recommendations? Many thanks in advance! 

BenCotto

Bosch Rotak models score pretty well in Which? reviews with the 43 Li Ergoflex the best of the lot. Unfortunately the price is close to £500.

Which Bosch models are compatible with your batteries?

cooper_lou

Thanks for your message BC. Doh!  Id be hoping for a sit-on mower to justify £500 :-).  Though I do want to find something that is going to prevent the lawn becoming a massive headache. The Bosch model Ive come across in the 18v battery family is the citymower 18.  Not sure about any others .. 

JennyJ

Maybe have a look on your local freecycle. I gave away my Bosch Rotak 32 (corded but otherwise looks similar to the citymower 18) earlier this year because I wasn't using it.

BenCotto

Whereas the Bosch Rotak 43 scored 82%, the Bosch City Mower 18 was in 78th place out of 165 with 65%. It did very well on standard lawns, was light and manoeuvrable but coped not so well with damp, rough and long grass.

cooper_lou

Hey BC - I wondered if you might easily know which cordless came out tops in the group costing circa £200 or less  (inc battery)?

KT53

Spear & Jackson S2434 CR is the only 'Best Buy' under £400 in the Which survey.  One of the negative points was struggling with long or rough grass.  It also only has a 35 cm cut which really isn't good for a large lawn.  I think your budget is much too low for a decent cordless mower.

cooper_lou

Hmm it's certainly seeming like my budget is coming in too low.  Problem is i have other priorities in the property itself - such as heating and window repairs! :-).  

BenCotto

Setting the parameters as cordless and under £350, these were the top 10

Spear and Jackson S2434 CR 74% £150
Worx WG74 3E1 71% £300
Cobra MX414 OV 70% £320
Stihl RMA 235 67% £300
Worx WG779E 67% £250
Gardena Powermax 18/32 66% £290
McGregor MCR 2132 66% £130
Einhell CE GM 18/33 66% £180
Spear & Jackson S3644X2CR 66% £320
Einhell CE GM 43 66% £330

I don’t know if these prices include batteries. Before choosing a cheaper model check that it can cope with the grass you have and the battery is powerful enough to mow the lawn in one go.

cooper_lou

Ahh you are a star!  Thank you so much for all this data and for the things to watch out for.  Very much appreciated.

LunarSea

cooper_lou said:

Thanks for your message BC. Doh!  Id be hoping for a sit-on mower to justify £500 :-).  Though I do want to find something that is going to prevent the lawn becoming a massive headache. The Bosch model Ive come across in the 18v battery family is the citymower 18.  Not sure about any others .. 

For info - the Rotak 43 uses a 36V battery. I use the 18V battery to power my hedge trimmer, strimmer & drill.

At first I loved my cordless Rotak but as the trigger mechanism is entirely plastic it eventually wears and starts repeatedly disengaging mid-mow. They may have corrected that in the Mk.2

I'd really like to replace mine but am not prepared to buy new batteries.