02.What to buy
Cordless (battery-powered) models
Enviromower Enviro 500 ECO500Y *
* The Enviro is now a Victa branded model (Victa Enviromower) which is mechanically identical to the model CHOICE tested but is now blue instead of yellow.
Price $599
Good points 
- Best cutting performance with catcher
- Very good at mulching
- The easiest to use: very little handle vibration, excellent controls
- It’s easy to adjust the cutting height
Bad points
- The heaviest mower tested
- Handle may be a bit low for taller people
- Control levers are a little narrow
- The catcher is fiddly to fit
Masport Phoenix Cordless
Price $499
Good points 
- Excellent cutting performance
- Very comfortable handle
- Very good controls
- The catcher is easy to use
Bad points
-
The equal noisiest model
-
The catcher is comparatively small
-
The worst handle vibration
-
Various problems changing and using cutting heights
Mains-powered models
Flymo RE370 U371EL
Price $299
Good points 
Bad points
Victa Tornado Electric EBP360A
Price $499
Good points 
Bad points
Victa Lawnkeeper Electric ESP360A
Price $179
Good points 
Bad points
-
Hard to push on lowest cutting setting
-
You have to turn the mower over to change the cutting height
-
The catcher is fiddly to fit
-
Only three cutting heights
Victa Lawnkeeper Electric ESP300A
Price $160 (Discontinued but may still be available in some stores)
Good points 
Bad points
-
Various problems changing and using cutting heights
-
The catcher is small and fiddly to fit
-
The narrowest cutting width (300mm)
Talon Eagle Cut & Catch AM2053
Price $199
Good points 
Bad points
-
Wobbly handle that some might find too low
-
The cutting height adjuster is difficult to use
-
High-pitched and annoying noise
The Enviromower and Masport are great for convenience, with no power cord to drag around, but they're pretty expensive. The Victa Lawnkeeper ESP300A, on the other hand, cuts just as well and is very good value, with the Victa Lawnkeeper ESP360A and Talon Eagle not far behind.