Petrol and push lawn mower reviews

Results table

Full results for all models are shown in the table below 

Using the table

Scores The overall score for both types of mowers was made up of:

• Cutting score: 50%
• Ease of use: 50%

** Price Approximate retail, as of September 2008

How we tested

Our tests were performed in Far North Queensland where, thanks to a consistent climate, there’s plenty of grass to cut all year around. All 18 mowers were weighed, their cutting height range was assessed and they were all checked to see how close each model could cut next to a vertical wall at the front and the sides.

Petrol mowers

• Performance Our CHOICE testers put the all the lawnmowers through their paces to check their ability to cut short and medium length grass with a catcher, and long grass without a catcher. They also assessed the appearance of the lawn after the short and medium grass cutting tests.
• Ease of use They rated them for vibration through the handle bar, ease of pushing and manoeuvring, handle comfort, and convenience of controls, ease of adjusting the cutting height, catcher convenience and ease of starting.
• Noise was also measured noise at a 7.5 metre distance and at ear level too.
• Safety They checked the blade stopping time and conducted foot probe safety tests.

Push mowers

• Performance Our CHOICE testers cut short grass with the catcher attached (where there was one) and medium length grass without the catcher. Again, they assessed the appearance of the lawn after both tests.
• Ease of use They checked the ease of pushing and maneuvering, handle comfort and cutting height adjustment of each mower.
• The testers also checked how easy it was to adjust the bottom blade, which controls the gap between the reel and the fixed blade.