Best Lawn Mowers 2024: The Definitive New Zealand Guide

Find the best walk lawn mower with our definitive guide, including four of the best models from Bosch, Greenworks, Hyundai and Husqvarna.

Updated 3 January 2024

There are occasions where using a walk-behind mower is simply not an option. Whether it's because your lawn is large or because of the physical effort required, ride-on lawnmowers are often a necessity rather than a luxury. That's why we've put together this guide to help you choose the best ride-on lawn mowers available in New Zealand.

Our Ride-on Lawn Mower Buying Guide Covers:

Types of Walk Lawn Mowers

When it comes to Walk Lawn Mowers, you have two options:

Manual Powered Mowers (Push Mowers)
Power Lawn Mowers, including:
1. Electric Powered Mowers (Battery-Powered Mowers and Corded Electric Lawn Mowers)
2. Gas-Powered Mowers (Petrol Lawn Mowers)
3. Robotic Lawn Mowers

Each Lawn Mower has its pros and cons, which we will discuss in detail below:

Manual Powered Lawn Mowers

These mowers, also known as push mowers or push reel mowers, require you to "push" them across the lawn to cut the grass, hence their name. Although they are simple and very economical, their most obvious disadvantage is that they require considerable physical effort, especially if the area to be mowed is medium to large.

Push Lawn Mowers, What We Like

Compact dimensions. There is no doubt that one of the greatest advantages of this type of lawnmower is that it is easy to handle due to its lightweight. In addition, its small dimensions allow it to be stored without taking up too much space.
Straightforward usage. Many New Zealanders prefer these mowers for their ease of use. Just push in the desired direction, and you're ready to go. It doesn't take much experience or knowledge to operate it efficiently.
Little maintenance. Since there is no motor or electrical parts, this type of mower is very easy to maintain. Just make sure that the blades are in good condition, and replace them when necessary.

Push Lawn Mowers, What We Dislike

Manual operation. Although the idea of getting out and doing some exercise while mowing the lawn seems like a good idea, this could become a strenuous task, especially in summer. For this reason, this type of mower is not recommended for medium to large areas.
Limited cutting ability. The design of push reel mowers makes them impractical for uneven terrain, as the blades do not cut the grass evenly. Additionally, depending on the type of grass and terrain, their blades may not be suitable for cutting brush.

Power Lawn Mowers

The biggest disadvantage of push mowers (physical effort) is solved in this type of mower. As the name suggests, power lawn mowers have at least one motor to do the heavy lifting of cutting the grass and weeds. In fact, depending on the model, some lawnmowers are equipped with a transmission that moves the wheels to make the job even easier. Below we will explore the different types of power lawn mowers available in New Zealand.

Power Lawn Mowers: Corded Electric Lawn Mowers

This is one of the most popular types of mowers in New Zealand. Unlike petrol-powered lawnmowers, this type of mower is quieter, much lighter, and therefore easier to manoeuvre. All in all, they are the ideal type of lawnmower for small to medium-sized areas.

Corded Electric Lawn Mowers, What We Like

Compact design. Like push mowers, one aspect that makes electric lawnmowers so popular in New Zealand is how compact and lightweight they are.
Easy to manoeuvre. Their lightweight and small dimensions make this type of lawnmower very easy to manoeuvre, which means that anyone, even inexperienced, can obtain good results.
Low maintenance. Although they require more care than push mowers, this type of mower is one of the least maintenance-intensive.

Corded Electric Lawn Mowers, What We Dislike

Power cord limitations. Since they require a power outlet for operation, the range or radius of use of these mowers will depend on the length of the power cord.
Electrical shock hazard. This is possibly the biggest drawback of this type of electric mower. You must be very careful not to accidentally step over the power cord when the mower is in use.

Power Lawn Mowers: Battery-Powered Mowers

Cordless Lawn Mowers add great convenience to electric lawnmowers. By not requiring a constant connection to a power supply, cordless mowers are more versatile than their corded counterparts. However, this also means that you will be dependent on the capacity of its battery, meaning that you will need to estimate whether the battery life is sufficient to cover your entire lawn.

Battery-Powered Mowers, What We Like

Cordless design. The biggest advantage of this type of mower is that you don't have to worry about any cables. Just charge the battery to full capacity and start mowing.
Easy to manoeuvre. As a further consequence of their cordless design, these mowers are often easier to manoeuvre, especially in confined spaces.
Low maintenance. One advantage this design shares with its corded peers is that it requires very little maintenance.

Battery-Powered Mowers, What We Dislike

Heavier than corded counterparts. As you would expect from a battery-powered machine, cordless mowers are heavier than their corded counterparts, which can be a drawback on steep slopes.
Limited area coverage. The major disadvantage of these convenient lawn mowers is their limited working area. Depending on factors such as slope, type of grass, and time of year, battery life may force you to leave part of your lawn uncut.

Power Lawn Mowers: Gas-Powered Mowers

This is possibly the most widely used type of walk-behind power lawnmower in the world. Their powerful engine allows these mowers to cut grass and weeds with greater ease, especially when it comes to rotary lawnmowers. It is also thanks to their design that these mowers can cut tall swards without difficulty. Their great autonomy, cutting power and ease of use make petrol lawnmowers ideal for medium to large terrains.

Gas-Powered Mowers, What We Like

Powerful. These mowers are ideal for cutting dense, thick, or tall grass and weed with ease, thanks to their powerful engine.
Versatile. These mowers are not restricted by the length of a cable or battery life, only by their fuel tank, which usually provides sufficient range for mowing large areas. Moreover, since these mowers can come with rear, front, or all-wheel drive, they are ideal for terrain with different types of topography.
Fast. Because of their powerful motor, these mowers do their job much faster than their electric counterparts.

Gas-Powered Mowers, What We Dislike

Heavy. Of all the types of walk mowers, that is, without doubt, the heaviest. While they are still manoeuvrable thanks to their self-propelled wheels, the weight can be a drawback when it comes to storage and maintenance.
More expensive. This type of power mower not only has a higher starting price. Additionally, it requires continuous maintenance of the engine and other moving parts to ensure optimum performance.

Power Lawn Mowers: Robotic Lawn Mowers

This is certainly a very novel type of lawnmower. Formally, robotic lawnmowers are neither walk mowers nor ride-on mowers. Instead, you can think of robotic mowers as a special type of battery-powered walk mower. Most of these curious lawn mowers have an integrated control panel or an app that allows configuration via smartphone. What makes this type of mower stand out from the rest is that once programmed, it requires no further intervention from the user, providing the convenience of saving time and effort.

Robotic Lawn Mowers, What We Like

Convenient. Smart home robotic lawnmowers represent the ultimate expression of convenience. Most feature GPS that allows them to "map" your lawn, a useful feature when you only need to mow one area and not your entire yard. Additionally, more advanced models feature obstacle detection sensors, voice interaction, and more.
Safer. Safety is a fundamental pillar of this type of mower. Almost all are designed with LED lights and emergency shut-off mechanisms to prevent injury to people.
Help the grass grow stronger. All robotic lawnmowers are mulching mowers and therefore cut the grass into small pieces that serve as nutrients for the lawn.

Robotic Lawn Mowers, What We Dislike

Expensive. While a battery-powered lawn mower can cost between 200 USD and 800 USD, smart mowers can easily cost more than 1,200 USD.
Limited range. The battery of this type of lawnmower is usually limited. Depending on model and capacity, you can expect a working area of 0.4 acres to 0.9 acres.

Key Factors to Consider When Buying a Lawn Mower in New Zealand

The following aspects require careful consideration:

Size: Size and weight is a crucial factor when buying a lawnmower. The larger and heavier the mower, the more difficult it is to manoeuvre, especially in confined spaces.
Price: Price is undoubtedly a determining factor when choosing a lawnmower. A name brand lawn mower can cost anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, depending on the type.
Brand: Keep in mind that the brand name does matter in this type of machinery, as it will eventually need maintenance and replacement parts. Our suggestion is to favour brands that have a physical presence (authorised representative) in New Zealand.
Convenience: When shopping for a lawnmower, one aspect to consider is how much you are willing to pay for convenience. At one extreme are push mowers, and at the other are smart lawnmowers. A reasonable middle ground might be a cordless mower; however, the size of your lawn will affect this decision.
Range: The autonomy of the lawnmower is more important for models that rely on an internal battery. If your lawn is small or medium-sized, this may not be a problem, but if you have a larger lawn with a steep slope, you will need to consider it carefully.
Features: Some features could save you time and money. For example, a mower that mulches are more favourable for your lawn as it returns nitrogen-rich grass clippings into the ground.
Type of drive: Front-wheel drive mowers are best for relatively level terrain that has obstacles. Rear-wheel drive mowers, on the other hand, perform better on terrain with steep slopes. There are also all-wheel drive mowers that combine the benefits of the above.
Deck size: If the mower is too narrow, it will take longer to finish the job. This is why mowers with more than 21 inches of the deck are recommended for medium to large areas.

Four of the Best Lawn Mowers Available in New Zealand Right Now

We have compiled our list (in no particular order) based on average consumer reviews, specialist review sites as well as other sources both in New Zealand and overseas and cover all budgets and specs.

1. Best Budget Lawn Mower: Jobmate Hand Mower

More details: Jobmate Hand Mower
Pricing: From $99.98

Please note, this mower is currently out of stock as at December 2023. If you're looking for a hand mower, we suggest considering models from Ozito and Flymo. If the item continues to be out of stock, we will update this guide in due course.

What We Like	What We Dislike
Adjustable height Built-in tray 400 mm wide Great value	It is not as robust as Bosch models You need to sharpen the blades frequently

If you have a limited budget or a small garden, then a hand mower is all you need. There are plenty of models available on the market, but we chose the Jobmate Hand Mower for several reasons. For one thing, it's wide enough (400mm) to save you some time, plus it has an integrated grass catcher tray which also helps you to finish faster. Add to that its compact size and low price, and you have a winner.

Jobmate Lawn Mower Key Features

Recommended for: small gardens.
Construction: Steel frame and plastic wheels
Dimensions: 570 x 395 x 390 mm
Type: manual mower
Warranty: 2 years

Runner-up: Bosch Manual Garden Lawn 380 mm- From $146

You can buy a Bosch manual mower for a little more money; however, be aware that it is narrower and does not incorporate a tray like the Jobmate.

More details: B osch Manual Garden Lawn 380 mm

2. Best Corded Electric Lawn Mower: Bosch Electric Lawn Mower 370mm 1400 Watt

More details: Bosch Electric Lawn Mower 370mm 1400 Watt
Pricing: From $255

What We Like	What We Dislike
High quality Ergonomic handle Cut and catch design Excellent value considering the brand	Only recommended for small lawns due to its 370mm cut width.

Although this lawn mower is not self-propelled, its powerful Powerdrive engine and Bosch Ergoflex design make it very easy to operate. Its 10-metre cable allows you to cover a wide area without difficulty, and when storing it, its double-folding handle and stackable grass box will certainly save you a lot of space. Last but not least, being a Bosch product, you have the peace of mind of first-class technical support when it comes to regular maintenance.

Bosch Corded Electric Lawn Mower Key Features

Recommended for: small gardens.
Construction: Steel frame and plastic wheels
Dimensions: 400 x 375 x 610 mm
Type: electric lawn mower (corded)
Warranty: 3 years

Runner-up: Greenworks 40V 460 mm Cordless Mower- From $599

Do you prefer a cordless lawnmower? This model gives you a 460mm width and a cutting-edge brushless motor that will allow you to keep your lawn in perfect condition.
More details: Greenworks 40V 460 mm Cordless Mower

3. Best Petrol Lawn Mower: Hyundai Lawnmower 510mm self-propelled

More details: Hyundai Lawnmower 510mm self-propelled
Pricing: From $649

What We Like	What We Dislike
25mm - 75mm adjustable cutting height Powerful 196cc CDI engine Large ball bearing wheels Rear-wheel drive	Noisier than electric lawn mowers Requires more space than electric models

If you are looking for a powerful lawnmower capable of cutting your lawn and bush no matter how tall it is, then this Hyundai may be for you. Unlike the other models on our list, this mower is wide enough (510 mm) and powerful enough to mow your small, medium or large lawn in no time. Moreover, since it is self-propelled, you won't have to make any effort, even if your terrain has steep slopes. However, the only thing to consider before choosing this model is that it takes up more space and makes more noise than electric models.

Hyundai Petrol Lawn Mower Key Features

Recommended for: Small to large lawns.
Construction: Premium steel frame and wheels
Dimensions: 105 x 55 x 158 cm
Type: petrol engine
Warranty: 2 years

Runner-up: Hyundai Lawn Scarifier Aerator 400mm- From $949

Although this model is narrower, it has the advantage of revitalising your lawn thanks to its aerator function. Ideal for small to medium gardens.

More details: Hyundai Lawn Scarifier A erator 400mm

4. Best Robotic Lawn Mower: Husqvarna Automower 435X AWD

More details: Husqvarna Automower 435X AWD
Pricing: From $7,790

What We Like	What We Dislike
State-of-the-art robotic lawnmower Voice control through Google Home or Amazon Alexa 3500 square meter working area Charges in just 30 minutes	Quite expensive

We close our list with the most advanced mower currently available in New Zealand, the incredible HUSQVARNA Automower 435X. This particular model has all the features you would expect. We're talking voice recognition, obstacle detection sensors, built-in GPS, AWD capability to climb slopes up to 70%, fast charging in just 30 minutes, smartphone connectivity, pivoting blades and more. Put another way, if money is no object, you can think of the HUSQVARNA Automower 435X as the Ferrari of lawnmowers.

HUSQVARNA Automower 435X Lawn Mower Key Features

Recommended for: Any size of lawns.
Construction: Premium materials and wheels
Dimensions: 36.6 x 21.7 x 11.4 inches
Type: battery-powered
Warranty: 2 years

Runner-up: Husqvarna Automower 305- From $1,990

While it doesn't have all the amazing features of the 435X model, it's also true that this more compact version costs a fraction of the price.

More details: Husqvarna Automower 305

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you choose the right lawn mower for your needs?

When choosing a lawn mower, you should consider the size of your lawn, the terrain, and your budget. For small lawns, a manual or electric mower may be sufficient. For larger lawns, a gas-powered mower may be more efficient. You should also consider the height of the grass and whether you need a mower with multiple cutting heights or a bag to collect the clippings.

Can you use a lawn mower to cut weeds?

Most lawn mowers are not designed to cut weeds effectively, and they may not provide a clean cut. To cut weeds, you should use a weed trimmer or a string trimmer.

Some lawn mowers are equipped with a mulching feature that allows you to chop the leaves into small pieces and return them to the lawn as a natural fertilizing agent. However, not all lawn mowers have this feature, so you should check the manufacturer's recommendations before attempting to mulch leaves.

How do you maintain a lawn mower?

To maintain a lawn mower, you should follow the manufacturer's recommendations for regular servicing, such as changing the oil and spark plug, and cleaning the air filter. You should also sharpen the blade at least once a season and keep the underside of the mower clean to ensure it is cutting efficiently.

Can you use a lawn mower on a slope?

It is generally not recommended to use a lawn mower on a slope because it can be dangerous. The mower may slip or tip over, and you may lose control of it. If you have a sloped lawn, you should use a self-propelled mower or a mower with large wheels to make it easier to manoeuvre and take extra care when mowing.

How do you store a lawn mower?

To store a lawn mower, you should clean it thoroughly and remove any excess grass.

Related guides:

The Best Ride-On Lawn Mowers