Choosing the Right Mower 

Choosing the right lawnmower can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t need to be. Whether you’re taming a tidy back garden or managing an expansive lawn, finding the right mower will save time, effort, and help you achieve the perfect finish. This guide walks you through key considerations to help you make the right choice.

What should you consider?

• What size is your garden? (See our size guide below)
• Do you prefer a walk-behind or ride-on mower?
• Would you like to side discharge, mulch or collect clippings? (Learn more about mulching below)
• Do you need special features? (e.g. rear roller for stripes, electric start, variable speed)

Once you’ve answered these, choosing your mower becomes simple. At Farol, we stock a wide selection from trusted brands including John Deere, Cobra, STIHL and more, available from our 7 depots. Whether it’s a battery-powered walk-behind or a fully featured ride-on, we have the perfect mower for you!

Ride-on Lawn Mowers

For large gardens or faster mowing, ride-on mowers are the top choice. Ideal for lawns up to the size of a football pitch, these mowers offer collection, mulching, or side/rear discharge capabilities.

Models like the John Deere X127 offer excellent value, combining hydrostatic transmission with a 42” cutting deck and integrated collection system which is ideal for homeowners upgrading from a walk-behind mower.

Advanced machines like the John Deere X584 feature 4-wheel steering for navigating around trees, while the John Deere X350R includes rear collection and ergonomic controls, making it a popular choice for formal lawns.

Looking for a commercial-grade option? The John Deere X940 Series offers diesel performance, high-capacity decks, and durability for larger estates or professional use.

ZTrack Zero Turn Mowers

If you need the speed of a ride-on with exceptional manoeuvrability, John Deere Zero-Turn mowers are the ultimate choice. These machines offer unmatched agility thanks to intuitive dual-lever steering and caster front wheels, making them ideal for gardens with flower beds, trees, or irregular borders.

The John Deere Z320M is perfect for homeowners looking for precision and speed at an affordable price.

Stepping up, the John Deere Z370R is a cutting-edge battery-powered model offering zero emissions, low maintenance, and quiet operation without compromising on performance, ideal for residential users who want a sustainable solution.

For larger areas or more intensive use, the John Deere Z545R delivers premium features such as a high-capacity deck, heavy-duty frame, and powerful petrol engine. With forward speeds up to 14.5 km/h and cutting widths up to 122 cm, the ZTrak range is built for productivity.

Side discharge comes as standard across the range, with optional mulching kits and collection systems available for added versatility.

Walk-behind Lawnmowers

Perfect for small to medium lawns, our walk-behind range covers everything from entry-level battery units to professional-grade petrol models.

The range starts with models like the STIHL RME 235.0, a quiet but powerful battery-powered model ideal for smaller gardens.

For slightly larger gardens, the Cobra M40SPB is a self-propelled petrol mower with a robust 4-stroke engine, capable of covering areas up to around two tennis courts.

If you’re after a professional finish, the Cobra RM53SPH offers both self-propulsion and a full-width rear roller to create classic lawn stripes with ease.

Most models support optional mulching kits, which include high-lift blades and deck inserts for even finer clippings.

Should I choose a mulching mower?

Mulching is a smart and environmentally friendly way to keep your lawn healthy. Instead of collecting grass clippings, mulching mowers finely chop them and return them to the soil, acting as a natural fertiliser.

For smaller gardens, the Cobra MM51B is a dedicated walk-behind mulching mower with a specially shaped deck and mulching blades designed to produce ultra-fine clippings.

If you’re managing a larger area, the John Deere X350 with a 42” MulchControl™ deck offers the flexibility to switch between mulching and collecting at the push of a lever.

Another excellent option is the STIHL RM4 RT, purpose-built for mulching with a wide cutting width and ergonomic design that makes regular mowing easy and comfortable.

To get the best results from mulching, it’s important to mow more frequently and avoid removing more than one-third of the grass blade in a single pass. This prevents clippings from clumping and helps maintain a lush, even lawn.

Quick Garden Size Guide:

Tennis Court = 0.10 acre / 400m2

1/2 Football Pitch = 0.88 acre / 3550m2

Football Pitch = 1.76 acres / 7100 m2

Click here to browse residential lawn mowers on John Deere UK