How to buy a lawnmower

Petrol
Petrol mowers have the advantage of being cordless, so they are ideal for large lawns. You don’t run the risk of accidentally mowing through the cable and they are powerful enought to cut through rough patches. However, they are relatively expensive, with prices starting at around £120 for the cheapest option, and going up to around £500 for brands like Qualcast. They are also noisy, so you may want to wear ear defenders.

Electric
Electric mowers are often cheaper, lighter and easier to maintain than their petrol counterparts. They also tend to be quieter. But they do lack the power of petrol mowers. They are well-suited to smaller lawns, where you can get an extension lead to stretch. If you opt for an electric mower, you're best advised to keep your lawn trimmed regularly so that it doesn’t get out of hand. A neat, electric rotary mower from a trusted brand name, like Bosch or Black & Decker, should cost around £100.

Push along or hover
You could save money by opting for a push-along mower, which you can probably get for under £50. However, this could be falsely tempting, as the extra effort required could well put you off mowing the lawn until it is quite overgrown! Instead, go for electric mowers that hover, like a Flymo, which are very light to push around and cheap, at around £60 for a basic model. They work by pushing out air out from under the skirt so that the mower actually hovers above the surface of the ground. Unfortunately, although these types make for easy mowing and offer flexibility, in that you can mow in all directions, you can't produce a striped lawn with them.

Blade type
Rotary and cylinder bladed mowers can both come with either petrol or electric power. Rotary blades act like a rotating scythe. They are great for tackling longer growth, but create a slightly rougher finish. Cylinder blades create a neater finish, as they comprise several moving blades that cut against a fixed blade - like scissors. If you want to achieve a classic striped lawn, you'll need to choose a mower with a back roller.

Robotic or ride on
For a really easy ride, why not put your feet up and get a robotic model which works by remote control? Bear in mind though that this type of mower is only good for smaller lawns, and cost at least £780. If you are lucky enough to own a huge garden, a ride on tractor removes all the hassle, but will set you back over £1,000.

Grass collection
Finally, you could save money by opting for a mower that does not have a built-in grass collector, but this does mean a lot more work. Remember, the larger the grass collector, the fewer the trips to the compost heap. Opt for a mower with a window or light to tell you when the collector is full. A mower with a mulching device is ideal – but more expensive – because it re-cuts the clippings into tiny pieces and blows them back on to the lawn, where they break down and nourish the grass.