Best petrol lawn mowers in Australia

Image: Supplied/Finder

Pros

• Lifetime catcher warranty
• Suitable for large yards

Cons

• Oil capacity is only 440ml
• There are cheaper options in the market

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Our pick for the best overall petrol lawn mower is the Victa 18" Classic Cut Mulch or Catch Petrol Lawn Mower. On Bunnings, it has a rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars.

Featuring a Briggs & Stratton 500E series engine and 6.8Nm torque, this Victa petrol lawn mower is an overall workhorse for small and large gardens. It's got mulching functionality so you can use your grass clippings to enrich your lawn. Apart from dual-swing black blade cutting systems, this also has a rapid start ignition for convenience.

Customers praised the product's ease of use, durability and design. It has a foldable handle for easy storage, a minimum cutting height of 11mm and a 0.8L fuel tank capacity. And because this lawn mower isn't corded, navigating is quite easy, allowing you to cut grass in hard-to-reach areas. It also comes with a 5-year domestic warranty and a lifetime warranty on the catcher for peace of mind.

Cheetah 16inch 127cc Cut and Catch Lawn Mower

Best cheap petrol lawn mower

• Easy to use

Cons

• Not ideal for large lawns
• Struggles cutting thicker grass

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With a rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars on Bunnings, we recommend the Cheetah 16" 127cc Cut and Catch Lawn Mower as the best cheap model.

This Cheetah petrol lawn mower is a lightweight and compact option for small yards. It has a maximum cutting capacity of 17mm, a 16" steel chassis and a fabric bag catcher. Powered by a 127cc OHV engine, this model offers plenty of power to get your lawn perfectly manicured. Additionally, it comes with a 12-month warranty.

Due to being lightweight, this lawn mower is quite easy to manoeuvre, ensuring the grass is cut at an even height. Users said it is easy to use and empty, while others loved that it takes the cuttings from the yard without the need to clear it during mowing. It's also relatively quiet with a 69dB noise rating. However, this little beauty tends to struggle cutting thicker grass, according to some reviews.

Baumr-AG 720SX 17 Inch 139cc 4-Stroke Petrol Lawn Mower

Best petrol lawn mower for small lawns

• Value for money

Cons

• Too bulky for some
• User manual could be clearer

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For small lawns, we selected the Baumr-AG 720SX 17 Inch 139cc 4-Stroke Petrol Lawn Mower as the best petrol lawn mower. It has a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars on Amazon.

This Baumr-AG petrol lawn mower features a class-leading 139cc OHV 4-stroke engine, 7-stage central level height adjustment and oversized wheels for easy navigation. It also has a torque speed of 3000rpm, a 1L fuel tank capacity and a 400ml oil capacity.

Customers praised the product's heavy-duty performance and value for money. It's a bit of a challenge to start but this nifty equipment offers heaps of power to evenly cut grass in no time. It's got a cutting height of 25mm to 75mm, while the grass catcher can carry up to 45L of clippings. Some reviewers didn't like the bulkiness of the unit.

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• Heavy duty

Cons

• Some found the motor quite noisy
• Expensive

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Honda's 21" Push Mower is our pick for the best option for large lawns, garnering a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars on Bunnings.

Honda's 21" Push Mower is a heavy-duty yet easy-to-use lawn mower suitable for both small and large yards. It is easy to start and features a 21" durable steel deck to evenly cut grass. Additionally, it has a 3 in 1 clip director for mulching, bagging or discharging. It also has a maximum cutting height of 101mm and a 66L fabric grass catcher.

Honda was named the best rated petrol lawn mower brand at the Finder Retails Award 2020/21. This 21" push lawn mower possesses all the good features that make Honda a trusted brand among consumers. It is heavy-duty, durable and reliable. This model is also easy to navigate with an ergonomic handle for added comfort. A few customers added that it has minimal vibration when operated. However, some found the motor too noisy for their liking.

Toro 22inch Personal Pace All-Wheel Drive Lawn Mower

Best heavy-duty petrol lawn mower

• Durable design

Cons

• Bulky
• Pricier than competitors

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We chose the Toro 22" Personal Pace® All-Wheel Drive Lawn Mower as the best heavy-duty model. It has a rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars on Bunnings.

Toro's Personal Pace petrol lawn mower is an innovative piece of garden equipment, offering a 3 in 1 catch, recycle and utility discharge function. It features a 22" steel deck, automatic drive system and traction assist so you can mow at a comfortable pace. It comes with a 3-year engine warranty for peace of mind as well.

Customers gave positive feedback on the lawn mower's durable design, ease of use and versatility. It has more than enough power to cut through even the thicker grass to ensure your lawn is well-manicured. Others also mentioned that it is easy to navigate on hard-to-reach areas and rougher terrains. Additionally, it has a mulching capability, a 470ml oil tank capacity and a reinforced grass catcher bag.

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How did we pick this list

• Cheetah
• Fieldman
• Giantz
• Greenworks
• Honda
• Masport
• Ryobi
• Toro
• Victa
• Yardking

We narrowed down our choices based on customer ratings and reviews (as of May 2022). We also considered each model's key product features, including value for money, cutting width, ease of use and weight. We came up with what we believe are the 5 best petrol lawn mowers you can buy right now in Australia.

How to compare petrol lawn mowers

There are several important factors to take into account when choosing a petrol lawn mower, so make sure you consider the following:

Cutting width

Most petrol lawn mowers have a cutting width of between 16 and 22 inches. The larger the width, the more you'll be able to mow in a short time. However, wider cutting decks can make a mower difficult to manoeuvre in tight spaces and affect the amount of storage space a mower takes up.

Price

Most petrol lawn mowers designed for home use are generally priced somewhere in the $200–$1,200 range. Above this price point, most products you find will be commercial-grade mowers.

Catcher

A catcher will ensure that your lawn is neat and tidy when you've finished cutting the grass. Check the capacity of the mower's catcher to get an idea of how often you'll need to empty the grass clippings.

Mulching attachment

Many petrol lawn mowers come with a mulching attachment or plug, which is designed to mulch your clippings and distribute them as you go. This provides a natural fertiliser for your lawn and can promote future growth.

Ease of use

Head in-store to take a closer look at a mower and how practical it will be to use. For example, is the bail within easy reach? Are the handles at an acceptable height or can they be adjusted to suit you? Are all controls simple to use and understand? Is it simple to adjust the cutting height to suit different areas of your lawn?

Weight

Most petrol mowers weigh somewhere in the 30–40kg range. If you suffer from mobility issues or you're simply not as strong as you used to be, check the weight of the mower in the specs sheet. It needs to be light enough for you to comfortably manoeuvre in and out of the shed, and to push around your yard.

Height settings

Check how many adjustable height settings are available. The more options available, the more you'll be able to cut your lawn to suit your requirements.

Warranty

Before you buy, check the length of the manufacturer's warranty and read the fine print to find out exactly what it covers.

Starting mechanism

Check how easy the mower is to start. While some models come with a traditional pull-cord, others offer push-button or key starting.

Types of petrol lawn mowers

There are 2 main options you'll need to consider when buying a petrol lawn mower:

• Push mowers. If you choose a push mower, you need to be willing to do some hard work yourself. The motor works to spin the cutting blades on these models, but providing the power required to physically move around the yard is up to you. Push mowers are a good choice for flat yards that aren't too large, and for anyone who doesn't mind raising a sweat when mowing.
• Self-propelled mowers. As the name suggests, self-propelled mowers use the engine to send power to the front or rear wheels, or in some cases to all 4 wheels. To operate the mower, you simply need to squeeze the bail (a bar located on the handle) to engage the mower, and this causes the cutting blades to start spinning and the mower to start moving by itself – your job is to steer it around the yard. Self-propelled mowers make mowing the lawn less strenuous. They're a good choice for larger yards, sloping terrain and anyone looking to take the hard work out of mowing.

If you're searching for a ride-on mower, take a look at our ride-on mower buying guide.

Petrol lawn mowers vs battery and electric lawn mowers

Before choosing a petrol lawn mower, take some time to consider whether a battery-powered or electric lawn mower may be a better choice.

Electric lawn mowers

Electric lawn mowers are lighter and quieter than petrol mowers, and you don't have to worry about heading to the servo every time you run out of fuel. They also tend to require less maintenance than petrol models.

The downsides are that you'll need to be close to a power point, you'll have to deal with the hassle of dragging around a cord and electric mowers tend to have narrower cutting decks than petrol options.

Electric lawn mowers are best for relatively small yards within easy reach of a power source.

Battery-powered lawn mowers

Also known as cordless lawn mowers, battery-powered mowers remove the hassle of lugging around a power cord. They're lighter and quieter than petrol mowers, and battery running times have increased substantially in recent years. Another benefit is that you can often use the battery from your mower to power other garden tools from the same manufacturer.

However, you may need to deal with the annoyance of the battery running out before you've finished the job, and then (if you don't have a spare) cooling your heels while the battery recharges.

3 things to consider

1. Petrol mowers are best for large lawns. If you have a large lawn to mow, we're talking 400 square metres or more, the long running time and heavy-duty cutting power of a petrol lawn mower will typically make it the best choice.
2. Cutting width is key. When you're comparing mowers, a difference of a few inches in the cutting widths of 2 models may not seem like much. But when you're tackling a big lawn on a hot summer's day, you'll definitely appreciate the ability to cover a little extra territory with each run.
3. Don't forget about maintenance. Petrol mowers typically require more maintenance than electric and cordless mowers, and staying on top of these routine tasks can help prolong the lifespan of your machine. Things like changing the oil, cleaning the oil filter and cleaning the undercarriage are all important, so check the user manual for details of essential maintenance tasks.

If you're looking for other garden tools to help your home and yard look their best, check out our hedge trimmer buying guide and our guide to the best whipper snippers in Australia.

Frequently asked questions

How do I maintain a petrol lawn mower?

Here are a few tips to maintain your petrol lawn mower:

• Regularly clean the air filter and remove debris and dust.
• Occasionally check the carburettor. If it is clogged, you can use compressed air to clear out any obstruction.
• Regularly change the oil of your petrol lawn mower.
• Sharpen the mower's blades at least once a month.
• Make sure to store your equipment in a cool, dry place to avoid any weather damage.

Are petrol lawn mowers better than electric lawn mowers?

An electric lawn mower is designed to be lightweight and easy to move around your garden. It offers enough power to manicure smaller yards, ensuring the grass is cut evenly. It is also cheaper and easier to maintain compared to a petrol model.

A petrol lawn mower is designed to be a workhorse suitable for both small and large gardens. It can handle cutting thicker grass and navigating through steeper terrains, making it suitable for heavy-duty garden tasks. However, it's more expensive and quite high maintenance.

What kind of petrol should you use for a petrol lawn mower?

In general, unleaded petrol (ULP) is best suited for most petrol lawn mowers as this can help with winter storage problems that E10 fuel has. However, it is still best to check your user manual to know the recommended fuel for your lawn mower's specific model and make.