The Best Petrol Lawn Mower 2022

If you require a quick answer, the best petrol lawn mower is the Hyundai HYM510SPE, which uses a 4 speed self propelled drive system and a powerful 173 cc engine to effortlessly cut grass. However, if you don’t require the variable speed drive system, the Murray EQ 500X offers the best performance for the money and is ideal for large gardens. Alternatively, for those on a tight budget, the Mountfield HP41 is a great option to consider.

To rate the petrol lawn mowers within this article, we based our recommendations upon our experience of using multiple petrol mowers, research and a number of factors. The factors that we considered included the type, cutting width, cutting height options, grass collector, petrol engine performance, additional accessories, warranty and value for money.

Petrol Lawn Mower Comparison

The petrol lawn mower is an essential tool for those that are tackling medium to large gardens. Compared to the electric lawn mower alternatives, they don’t have the drawback of requiring a power supply, which isn’t always possible and its the main reason why most people choose to use a petrol powered lawn mower.

Below is a list of the best petrol lawn mowers that are powerful, easy to use and suitable for small or large gardens.

The Best Petrol Lawn Mower

1. Hyundai HYM510SPE Petrol Lawn Mower

This self propelled petrol lawn mower by Hyundai follows their excellent reputation for reliability and value for money. It’s known as the HYM510SPE model and is powered by a 4 stroke 173 cc engine, which returns excellent fuel economy.

In terms of the self propelled capabilities of this petrol lawnmower, it provides four different speeds where the power is sent directly to the rear wheels.

Other features of the Hyundai HYM510SPE include:

• Push to start button
• 6 cutting heights ranging from 25 to 75 mm
• Side discharge chute
• 510 mm cutting width
• 70 litre grass collector
• Tool free assembly
• Includes a 3 year warranty

The powerful 173 cc engine and 51 cm cutting width makes it perfect for medium to large gardens. The inclusion of a push to start button and grass level indicators are also a great addition that improves the usability of the lawn mower.

Compared to petrol lawn mowers with a similar specification, the HYM510SPE offers great value for money and is definitely worth the premium price tag.
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2. Murray EQ 500X Self Propelled Petrol Lawn Mower

The Murray EQ 500X is another high performing lawn mower that uses the popular Briggs & Stratton DOV engine. It has a displacement of 140 cc and it uses a self propelled single speed drive system for effortlessly cutting grass.

Murray also offer alternative versions of this model that use smaller engines but the EQ 500X is the best option.

Other features of the Murray EQ 500X Lawn Mower include:

• 460 mm cutting width
• Engine starts without manually priming
• Height is adjusts to 6 positions ranging from 28 to 92 mm
• 60 litre grass catcher
• Ergonomic handle bar that can be adjusted in 3 positions
• Suitable for medium sized gardens
• Includes a 2 year warranty

Overall, it’s an excellent all-round self propelled petrol lawn mower that’s perfect for medium sized lawns. It’s very similar to the Hyundai HYM510SPE model above but it lacks the desirable variable self propelled speed drive system.
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3. Flymo XL500 Petrol Hover Mower

Flymo is one of the largest brands in the gardening industry and for good reason. The XL500 model follows their great reputation and uses a powerful Honda 4 stroke engine, which has the largest displacement within this article at 160 cc.

Unlike the alternatives, the Flymo XL500 is a hover mower, which works by creating a cushion of air between the lawn mower and grass. Therefore, if you want to create the desirable stripes upon your lawn, the Flymo XL500 isn’t for you.

Other features of the Flymo XL500 include:

• 4 stroke 160 cc petrol engine
• 510 mm cutting width
• 3 cutting heights ranging between 10 to 30 mm
• Suitable for large gardens
• Designed for semi-professional use
• Includes a two year warranty

For those that often have to cut grass upon a wet lawn, the choice of lawn mower is vital. Choosing a hover mower instead of the rotary alternative allows you to cut grass without sinking into the ground. For this type of lawn cut, the Flymo XL500 is one of the best petrol mowers for the job and it won’t disappoint.

The only drawback is the expensive price tag. However, when you consider that it uses the highly reputable Honda engine, it’s worth paying the extra.
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4. Mountfield HP41 Petrol Rotary Lawn Mower

Mountfield is a popular garden tool brand that’s much loved by enthusiasts in the UK. The HP41 model is their most popular rotary lawn mower but they also offer a self propelled model for those tackling gardens with inclines.

In terms of its availability, the brand also offer a larger engine with the choice of a 100 cc or 125 cc displacement. However, if you are on a tight budget and have a small to medium sized garden, this HP41 is more than ideal.

Other features of the Mountfield HP41 include:

• 39 mm cutting width
• Hand propelled
• Recoil rope system start-up
• 5 height position that range from 25 to 70 mm
• 40 litre grass collector
• Corrosion free polypropylene cutter deck

Overall, if you require a petrol powered rotary lawn mower at an affordable price, the Mountfield HP41 is a great option. You will be required to assemble it upon arrival but it’s relatively simple compared to some of the alternatives.
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5. Einhell GC-PM 46-S Petrol Lawn Mower

Another affordable petrol lawn mower is the Einhell GC-PM 46-S, which is powered by a 4-stroke 1 cylinder engine. In terms of its cutting performance, the high torque motor spins the blade at 2,900 RPM and the cutting height can be adjusted nine times from 30 to 80 mm.

Other features of the Einhell GC-PM 46 S include:

• Push or self propelled models
• 2.5 horsepower 4-stroke engine
• Hard wearing 50 litre grass catch bag
• Choice of 9 cutting heights (30 – 80 mm)
• Cutting width of 46 mm
• 2,900 RPM working speed
• Ideal for large gardens up to 1,400 square metres

Overall, the Einhell GC-PM 46-S is by far the best petrol lawn mower for the money that’s suitable for large gardens. Unlike similar priced alternatives, it’s backed by the reputable Einhell brand and it’s built to a much higher standard.
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6. McCulloch Classic Petrol Push Lawn Mower

McCulloch are a reputable brand and their petrol lawn mower is another affordable alternative to consider. It uses a fuel efficient 120 cc engine that provides great performance for its size and is ideal for small to medium sized gardens.

Other features of the McCulloch M40-120 Classic include:

• Steel cutting deck
• 400 mm cutting width
• Foldable handles for easy storage
• Lightweight design
• Rear discharge collection with a 50 litre grass bag
• 5 adjustable cutting heights that range from 20 to 75 mm

The McCulloch M40-120 Classic is a cheap petrol lawn mower for medium to small gardens that can be easily pushed around the lawn. It does lack some features found on the premium alternatives but the affordability and reliability make it a great option for those on a budget.
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How We Rated The Petrol Lawn Mowers

Over the years, we have tried and tested a wide range of petrol lawn mowers and as we have a relatively large garden, we continue to use petrol as opposed to electric or battery power. This is primarily due to the additional power and freedom to roam anywhere.

Therefore, along with our experience of using petrol powered lawn mowers, we also based our recommendations upon plenty of research and a number of factors. Some of the factors that we considered included the type, cutting width, cutting height options, grass collector, petrol engine performance, additional accessories, warranty and value for money.

Petrol Lawn Mower Buying Guide

Petrol lawn mowers have been the go-to choice for many people for years. They allow you to freely roam without the worry of finding a power supply or finishing the job before the battery runs out.

If you have a medium to large garden with banks or slopes, investing into a petrol powered mower is a great investment. The additional power allows you to achieve a far better cut with very little effort. They are also known for being far more durable than the alternative powered lawn mowers too.

To help you make an informed buying decision, we have produced the below guide regarding petrol lawn mowers.

Electric vs Petrol Powered

Choosing between an electric or petrol lawn mower is a difficult choice as they each have benefits and drawbacks. The benefits of using a petrol powered mower include:

• Free to roam without being tied to a power supply
• No risk of cutting through a power cable
• No need to constantly move the power cable out of the way
• More readily available power
• More durable

However, they do have drawbacks that include:

• Much heavier
• Usually more expensive
• Harder to push without being self propelled
• Requires petrol to run and servicing
• Much noisier

Another alternative that can also be considered is a cordless battery powered mower. These remove the hassle of a power cable but instead have the drawback of having to remember to charge the battery. There is nothing worse than getting halfway through cutting the lawn and then running out of battery.

For tackling medium to large gardens, the petrol lawn mower is by far the best option.

Push vs Self Propelled Petrol Lawn Mower

Cutting your lawn can become fairly tiresome for those with medium to large gardens. To help reduce fatigue, many manufacturers offer a self propelled lawn mower with some premium examples having multiple speeds to choose from.

Push mowers are the cheapest option and are ideal for flat gardens under half an acre. However, the ease of using a self propelled lawn mower is highly desirable as they push themselves with power usually being sent to the rear wheels.

For tackling medium to large gardens, they are perfectly fine but for multiple acres of grass, you would probably require a ride on lawn mower.

The Engine

Petrol powered engines that are used in lawnmowers have improved massively over the years. Improvements include a reduction in fuel consumption, lower levels of noise and less emissions.

Older petrol lawn mowers were mostly 2 stroke engines but due to emissions they have been phased out. The majority of petrol lawn mowers use 4 stroke engines, which have the benefit of not having to mix oil and improved fuel economy.

Cutting Width and Height

Due to the extra power that comes with a petrol lawn mower, you are able to cut grass easier using a wider pass. For large gardens in particular, you will want to be as efficient as possible. Therefore opting for the widest opening will help speedup the cutting the task of mowing your lawn. However, if you have a relatively small garden with lots of curves, it would be advised to go for a smaller width.

Grass Collection

Although not essential, most lawn mowers will come with a grass collection container. This is either constructed of a lightweight mesh material or a plastic container. Depending on the size of your garden, you will want to choose the appropriately sized grass collector.

If you prefer to not collect the cut grass, some lawn mowers have the functionality known as mulching. In short, the lawn mower cuts the grass even further into even smaller pieces, which is then outputted back onto the grass. This has the added benefit of keeping the grass green and healthy but also avoiding the task of emptying the grass collector.

Starting System

Some petrol engines have integrated an electric start button to get the the engine up and running more easily. However, not every lawn mower will have this feature and they may use a recoil start system, which may not be suitable for some people.

Maintenance Tips

One factor that some people worry about regarding petrol powered mowers is the maintenance that comes with them. However, it really isn’t too bad and it will only ever need servicing once every season depending upon its usage.

Below are serving tasks that you should carry out after every season:

• Change oil
• Replace fuel filter
• Replace spark plug
• Clean cooling system

Unlike a car engine, serving your lawn mower is far easier and can be completed within an hour. Before using the petrol lawn mower, you should always check the oil level beforehand. It will take less than 30 seconds to check and it avoids any expensive damage. Briggs & Sratton have an excellent guide that goes through each step in detail.

Conclusion

Petrol lawn mowers are highly desirable for many due to their powerful engines and durability. However, the main benefit is the fact that you are able to roam freely without having to worry about battery charge or a power supply.

All of the recommendations within this article cover a range of lawn mowers that are suitable for all budgets. Before purchasing, we strongly recommend that you ensure the lawn mower you choose meets your requirements.