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Best petrol lawn mowers 2025: tried, tested and reviewed

Petrol lawn mowers are typically heavy, powerful, and effective. They do have their drawbacks, but they're excellent for managing large lawns.
Andrew LaughlinPrincipal researcher & writer

In this article

Our experts have uncovered the best petrol lawn mowers on the market right now, so you can trust that your model will be a cut above the rest. In our expert buying guide, we explain which features to look out for and share our Best Buy recommendations.

Though they come with some drawbacks, petrol mowers still remain the go-to choice for a lot of gardeners with larger lawns, due to their powerful engines and extended run times. They excel in tackling tough, uneven terrain where high performance is a necessity.

Read on to find out which petrol lawn mowers impressed us in our tests.

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Best petrol lawn mowers for 2025

All of the lawn mowers in the tables below have been put through our rigorous field testing, so you can be sure they’re the best of the bunch for cutting grass while also being easy to use.

Every year we rigorously test lawn mowers - from how well they handle long grass to how they cope on uneven lawns - to find the right model for you. Only logged-in members can see our full list of the best petrol lawn mowers in our table below. Join Which? to get instant access to our Best Buys and expert reviews.

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Are petrol lawn mowers going to be banned?

The use of petrol-powered gardening tools, particularly lawn mowers, has been widely criticised for its environmental impact. Governments around the world have started to take notice of these issues, and some have begun implementing measures to limit or ban the use of petrol-powered gardening tools. 

Although there are currently no UK-wide regulations banning petrol-powered gardening tools, local councils can impose restrictions based on noise or air-pollution concerns. It’s safe to say that these types of concerns aren’t going anywhere, so it’s likely that future regulations will be proposed to phase out or limit their use in favour of more sustainable alternatives.

How do I start a petrol lawn mower?

Most commonly, petrol lawn mowers start with either a pull-start or an electric start mechanism.

For a pull-start, you'll need to ensure the mower has enough petrol and oil, check that the spark plug is connected, and set the choke if the engine is cold. You then hold the handlebar lever, and pull the starter rope sharply until the engine fires up.

Electric start mowers are more straightforward. They typically require a charged battery. After checking the fuel and oil levels, you simply turn a key or push a button to start the engine. This method is generally easier and requires less physical effort compared to a pull-start.

Both methods have their advantages: pull-start mowers are often lighter and less complex, while electric start mowers provide convenience and ease of use, especially for those who might find the physical pulling action challenging.

What fuel should I use for a petrol lawn mower?

It's generally recommended that the ethanol content in the unleaded fuel used for lawn mowers isn't higher than 10%, as ethanol attracts water which can cause corrosion if fuel is left in the mower for long periods. E10 fuel is fine to use, but super unleaded with an ethanol content of 5% is better and what we'd recommend.

At the end of each mowing season, it's best to run the mower until it uses all the fuel. Fuel that has sat in the mower for an extended period – over winter, for example – can become stale and may prevent the mower from starting. Alternatively, you can use a fuel stabiliser to prevent the fuel from degrading. This will slow down the evaporation of water, and effectively maintain the freshness of your fuel so that it doesn’t corrode your engine or leave behind any gunky deposits.

It's worth keeping in mind that due to recent market shifts, we're seeing fewer launches of petrol-powered gardening tools, as manufacturers appear to be focusing their attention on cordless tools. These offer a better alternative for the environment and our health as they’re quieter and produce zero emissions, while still being flexible and powerful enough to rival petrol tools.

Jonny MartinResearcher / Writer

Find out more about how to properly look after your petrol mower in our guide to lawn mower maintenance.

Why you can trust our petrol lawn mower reviews

Unlike many other reviewers, we buy every lawn mower that we test. In other words, you can be sure our in-depth, expert reviews are honest and impartial.

For every lawn mower we test, we pay attention to the features that are important for your garden. We take a look at how well the mower will cut your grass and whether or not it leaves grass clippings behind.

We also measure lawn mowers on ease of use, which means checking their weight, how easy they are to assemble and disassemble, plus how convenient the controls are. 

Find out more about the lengths we go to in our test lab by visiting how we test lawn mowers.

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