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In days gone by, purchasing a lawn mower was a relatively simple task. You either bought a standard push along cylinder rotary model or, for a little more money, a petrol alternative could be chosen. The modern consumer though faces a baffling array of equipment, all capable of trimming your lawn.

In this article I will look to help you wade through the ever growing number of lawn mowers available; providing information on their relative strengths and weaknesses and looking to pinpoint which will work best for you.

Hover Mowers

Hover mowers have been growing in popularity for UK households over the past decade or so. Flymo is one brand that has become synonymous with this form of mower, which is renowned for gliding over the surface of a lawn and using a metal blade to slice through grass.

They are renowned for being lightweight and are available in both petrol and electric forms. The petrol versions are particularly useful for larger areas of grass or areas that are not located near a power source. As they 'hover' they are easy to move around and are extremely lightweight, although many don't feature a box for grass so this makes them far more appropriate for smaller lawns.

Four Wheeled Lawnmowers

Predominantly petrol by design, four wheeled lawnmowers are often bulkier than hover mowers, but provide fantastic agility and usability as a result. They make light work of mowing and are suitable for larger lawns, helping you to save time and avoid trailing cables. A four wheeled lawnmower is highly effective and can be found for almost any budget thanks to their versatility; this makes them one of the most popular models available.

Rear Roller Lawnmowers

If you want to provide your lawn with an immaculate finish, consider a petrol lawnmower with a rear roller. As the name suggests these models feature a standard blade, along with a set of front wheels and a roller at the rear. This helps to steer, cut the lawn impeccably and leave the grass looking fantastic once you've finished.

These models are also usually found in petrol models. They are a little more weighty and cumbersome than the aforementioned designs, mostly due to the rolling plate and engine; however they will ensure a far better finish than most others. They're efficient too so you won't spend hours going over areas cutting and finishing your lawn. Once again, due to their size and effectiveness, these are particularly good lawn mowers for larger lawns.

Cylinder Push Lawnmower

The most affordable option available, the cylinder lawnmower has no expensive parts and is powered solely by you. As they are push along you need to be physically fit, particularly for larger expanses of grass, in order to get the very best out of it. Grass bags aren't always provided as standard, but many models will have them as an optional extra; this can prevent having to do too much manual work. They are better for smaller areas, purely because of the physical demands, although they are also incredibly environmentally friendly for those with a green conscience.

Recycler Lawnmowers

Rather than storing all of your grass cuttings and throwing them into the waste or compost heap, you could instead cut them finer and mulch them in your lawn. A recycler lawn mower will do exactly this. Rather than having long blades distributed all over the place, a recycler lawn mower will slice the grass into tiny fragment and distribute as you cut. This is good for your lawn and the environment; it'll also mean that you don't have to empty the bag all that often, making it ideal for lawns of all sizes.

Tractor Lawnmowers

No introduction necessary. These sit-on lawnmowers are exactly what the name suggests, they cut grass whilst being driven over the lawn. This is ideal for people with massive lawns and are regularly used by greenskeepers. They aren't as fuel efficient as most and their upkeep can be expensive; however, if you have to cover acres of lawn, or are otherwise less mobile, they are a fantastic solution.

So whatever kind of lawn you have, there is a mower for you. Costs may vary, as may designs, but there's something for everyone when it comes to modern lawn care.

Derek Rogers is a freelance writer who represents a number of UK businesses. For gardening machinery, he recommends Classic Lawns, one of the UK's leading suppliers of Lawn Mowers.

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