Best-Rated Lawn Mowers

Fact Checked

How we rate lawn mowers

Our review compares lawn mowers on customer satisfaction, so you can find out what other Aussies think about the compared brands before you go ahead with a purchase. Think of it as like asking hundreds of your closest mates which lawn mower they think is best!

Find more detailed information on our Most Satisfied Customer methodology.

Masport

Ratings result

Masport was rated five stars across all categories, including design, fuel economy & battery life, ease of use, maintenance & servicing, value for money, performance and overall satisfaction.

Editor’s notes

Founded just across the ditch in New Zealand, Masport has been operating for over 100 years, with its range consisting of petrol and electric push mowers, along with ride-on and specialised mowers for select jobs. Its petrol range includes a number of series, including the President flagship model. Other Masport petrol mowers include the Platinum, Contractor, Pro Power, Lawn Marshal and Boxer, with a number of models available in each series. The Platinum and Contractor ranges are better suited for those either constantly keeping their lawn in check, or have a big job ahead of them, while the Pro Power and Lawn Marshal models are suited for the weekend warriors or those who don’t need all the bells and whistles.

Masport also include a number of electric models, such as the Energy Flex, Power Flex and M-TECH ranges. The Energy Flex range features models such as the ST S 18, which includes a 42V battery and an 18inch cutting width, while the Power Flex S19 includes mulching capabilities, a heavy-duty chassis for tough terrains and 11 cutting heights to help you get that manicured look.

2. Honda

Ratings result

Honda was rated five stars for ease of use, value for money and performance, with four stars for maintenance & servicing, fuel economy & battery life, design and overall satisfaction.

Editor’s notes

Better-known for manufacturing cars, Honda also sells a variety of tools, including both electric and petrol-powered lawn mowers to help you cut through your weekend chores. Honda’s petrol-powered lawn mowers include the HRN, HRS, HRX and HRU models, with the HRG466 self-propelled petrol model featuring a 50L catcher, six cutting heights, mulching capability and 145cc engine. Other Honda petrol mowers include the HRU19, which includes a 19inch cutting width, 54L catcher, 11 cutting heights and a 0.91L fuel tank, with the top-of-the-line HRU216 coming with larger specs and a three-speed gearbox to help tackle the big jobs.

If you’re looking for an electric lawn mower, Honda offers the HRG416 and HRG466, both of which are compatible with Honda’s universal battery system, with the HRG466 including an 19inch cutting width, 50L catcher, self-propelled drive, mulching capabilities and 3-Phase brushless motor.

3. Ryobi

Ratings result

Ryobi was rated four stars across all categories, including performance, value for money, maintenance & servicing, ease of use, fuel economy & battery life, design and overall satisfaction.

Editor’s notes

Known for a wide variety of tools, Japanese manufacturer Ryobi has an all-electric line-up available, covering both push and ride-on models to help you tackle the lawn. Ryobi’s range can be further split into 18V and 36V models, with the ride-on mowers ranging in power from 48V to 80V to help you get the job done.

Those needing a bit of an extra hand with the lawn may be interested in the self-propelled 36V HP model, which includes an 20inch cutting width, the ability to mulch the grass clippings, seven cutting heights, fold-down handles for easy storage, along with a 60L catcher to help keep the lawn tidy.

4. Victa

Ratings result

Victa was rated five stars for ease of use and design, with four stars for fuel economy & battery life, maintenance & servicing, value for money, performance and overall satisfaction.

Editor’s notes

Founded back in the 1950s, the Victa lawn mower is an Australian icon, with the brand producing multiple series – which includes electric and self-propelled models – to help get the job done. For a quintessential Aussie mower, the Corvette, Mustang or Pace models may catch your eye, with a few limited editions model occasionally available. The Corvette 400 lawn mower features mulching capabilities, QPT technology to help cut down noise, in addition to a 19inch cutting width to make short work of the lawn.

For those after an electric lawn mower, Victa offers 18V models, including a number of Corvette models. The entry level 18V Single Battery Mower features a run time of 45 minutes, and includes a brushless motor and soft-grip handles, along with quiet operation and multiple cutting heights.

5. Ozito

Ratings result

Ozito was rated four stars for value for money, ease of use, fuel economy & battery life and design, with three stars for maintenance & servicing, performance and overall satisfaction.

Editor’s notes

Sold exclusively through Bunnings Warehouse, Ozito mowers have been on the market since 1993, with the brand offering electric and hand models only. Ozito’s electric mowers come in a range of motor sizes, including both corded and cordless models. The cordless models feature 18V or 36V engines, with the 2x18V model including six cutting heights, safety start, adjustable handles, a 15inch cutting width in addition to a 45L catcher. The corded models include the 1200W or 1500W models, with the 1500W mower including a 14inch cutting width, 38L catcher, safety start as well as a thermal overload protection function to prevent overheating while on the tools.

Ozito’s hand model, the Push Reel mower, would be a suitable option for those with a smaller yard, with the model containing self-sharpening blades, slip-resistant wheels to ensure easy use, an adjustable cutting height between 14-42mm for a close cut, with a 12inch width cut able to make short work of narrow areas.

6. Bosch

Ratings result

Bosch was rated three stars across all categories, including design, fuel economy & battery life, ease of use, maintenance & servicing, value for money, performance and overall satisfaction.

Editor’s notes

Known for a variety of household appliances, German manufacturer Bosch has also ventured outdoors to offer a number of lawn mower models, including hand mowers and electric lawn mowers. Bosch’s hand mower, the AHM 38G, features a 15inch cutting width, multiple cutting heights as well as four cylinder blades to pair with the lower cutting blade to help you get that manicured look.

Bosch’s range of electric mowers includes the ARM 37, which includes an engine output of 1400W, 15inch cutting width and a 40L catcher, while other models include the CityMower, which features three cutting heights, Ergoflex handles, 12.5inch cutting width and a 31L catcher.

Other lawn mower brands

Not all brands in the market qualify for our ratings (based on minimum survey sample size), but that doesn’t mean they’re not worth considering. Here are several more brands to check out before making a purchase decision.

Lawn Mower buying guide

Like anything with a motor, there’s plenty to consider when it comes to buying a new lawn mower, particularly as it could transform your lawn from jungle to award-winner. But what exactly should you consider when it comes to buying a lawn mower, and what’s out there for you? Canstar Blue’s buying guide gives you all the intel to help cut through the masses.

Types of lawn mower

While they’ll all do the same thing – cut your grass – there are a number of different types of lawn mowers, including:

• Push mowers: What you’ll likely think of when it comes to mowing the lawn, push mowers are lawn mowers that you stand behind and push, and can be further categorised into self-propelled mowers, with electric and petrol-powered models also available.
• Ride-on mowers: Further categorised into lawn tractors and zero-turn mowers, ride-on lawn mowers are larger models that allow you to sit down while you mow, and are generally more powerful, and expensive.
• Hand mowers: A more vintage option for those with very small lawns, hand mowers are manual options in which pushing the mower forward propels a cage of blades to cut the grass, meaning there’s no need for a motor. They are also more affordable than traditional mowers.
• Robotic mowers: While not as common as other mower types, robotic mowers are available to purchase, and work similarly as a robot vacuum, in that you give it some parameters, and can leave it to cut the grass on its own.

What’s a mulching lawn mower?

A mulching lawn mower is a traditional lawn mower that has a built-in mulching function, which cuts up the grass clippings into smaller pieces that allow you to use as mulch on your garden. While a fairly common feature on more expensive models, not all lawn mowers have a mulching capability.

How to sharpen lawn mower blades

A mower only cuts as well as its blades allow it to, meaning keeping your blades sharp is essential for a well-kept lawn. If you’re looking to sharpen your push mower’s blades, follow the steps below:

1. Before you start anything else, ensure that your lawn mower has no chance of accidentally turning on while you’re looking at the blades. Some suggest removing the spark plug in the engine to ensure that there’s no way of the mower turning on.
2. Once it’s safe to do so, tip the mower on its side, and remove the blade. Most models will require a socket wrench to remove the blade from its hub, but this will vary between brands and models.
3. File the blade with light pressure to sharpen and remove any imperfections along the blade itself.
4. Safely and securely reinstall the blade into the mower, and take extra precaution starting the mower back up after fiddling around with its components.

If you’re not confident in your DIY ability, you can always get a professional to sharpen your blade for you the next time you take your lawn mower in for a service.

What to consider when buying a lawn mower

There’s plenty of options available in the lawn care market, but which lawn mower should you be looking at, and what factors are likely to influence your decision? Major areas to consider include:

• Size: In addition to the physical size of the mower (in which you’ll have to push around), the cutting width is important to note, as it’s how much your lawn mower will get through in each pass. So a larger cutting width will cut more in one go, but you’ll often have to sacrifice manoeuvrability, meaning larger cutting width models generally aren’t suitable for smaller spaces or gardens with plenty of obstacles.
• Fuel type: Mowers generally either come with a fuel or electric powered motor, with each having further subsections, such as 2-stroke or 4-stroke petrol models, along with cordless and corded electric models. Electric models are generally quieter, but may not have as much power as petrol models.
• Features: Some mowers come packed with features, such as mulching capabilities, larger catcher capacities, ergonomic handles for additional comfort along with adjustable wheel bearings, meaning it’s important to consider how comfortable you want to be actually mowing the lawn.
• Lawn & mowing frequency: What model you should walk away with will also be influenced by what you’re actually mowing. Larger spaces of grass will often need a larger or more powerful mower to get the job done, while smaller spaces may even be able to get away with a hand mower. Additionally, if you’re looking to keep your lawn freshly manicured, going for a mower with additional features can help you achieve your dream lawn.
• Cost: As with any purchase, the cost of the lawn mower may have a big say in your decision-making process. Mowers with more powerful motors or additional capabilities will likely cost more, while more basic models may be more affordable.

About our consumer experts

Dean Heckscher: Site Editor

This report was written by Canstar Blue’s Site Editor, Dean Heckscher. He’s our resident expert on all things automotive, health & fitness, streaming and more. Dean is also one of Canstar Blue’s customer research report producers, helping to turn complicated subjects into easily-digestible information for our readers. He’s passionate about helping consumers make better-informed purchase decisions on all manner of consumer goods and services.

Meet the Editorial Team

Samantha Howse: Consumer Research Specialist

Samantha Howse is Canstar Blue’s Consumer Research Specialist, coordinating the consumer research program behind our customer satisfaction awards across Canstar and Canstar Blue in Australia and New Zealand. Sam has earned a Bachelor of Business (Marketing) from Griffith University and, with seven years in market research and 2 years in marketing, she is experienced in survey design, implementation and analysis, coupled with an understanding of marketing principles and best practice.

Meet the Research Team