Whether you prefer cordless convenience, petrol power, precision cylinder cutting, the productivity of a ride-on mower, or the hands-free operation of a robotic mower, there’s a machine that's perfect for every garden. In this guide, we highlight five of our favourite lawn mowers for 2026 and explain why each one stands out in its class.
The Best Five Lawn Mowers to Buy in 2026
Summer is the season when lawns are at their busiest. Warm temperatures and regular rainfall create ideal growing conditions, meaning grass can quickly get out of hand if it isn’t maintained properly. Choosing the right lawn mower can make all the difference, helping you achieve healthier, more attractive grass while making the task of mowing quicker and more enjoyable.
At Ron Smith & Co, we understand that every garden is different. Some homeowners want the convenience of cordless technology, others prefer the power of petrol, while keen lawn enthusiasts may seek the striped perfection provided by a cylinder mower with rollers. Larger properties often call for a ride-on mower, and those looking for the ultimate in convenience may find a robotic mower irresistible.
To help you find the perfect machine, we’ve selected five outstanding mowers to care for your lawn this summer, and beyond. Each represents a specific category on our website and caters to different garden sizes, lawncare goals, and personal preferences.
Cordless Lawn Mowers – Freedom from Fuss and Fuel
Battery-powered mowers have become increasingly popular in recent years, and for good reason. They offer the freedom to mow without trailing cables, while eliminating the noise, fumes, and maintenance requirements associated with petrol-powered machines. Lightweight, easy to use, and economical to run, they are particularly well suited to smaller gardens where convenience is a priority.
Best Cordless Mower: STIHL RMA 235.3 Cordless Lawn Mower (Promo Kit)
One of the standout cordless options this summer is the STIHL RMA 235.3. Designed specifically for smaller lawns, this compact mower combines practicality with the renowned build quality that has made STIHL one of the most trusted names in garden machinery.
Its 13-inch (33 cm) cutting width is ideal for navigating tighter spaces, while flow-optimised blades reduce resistance to maximise battery efficiency and extend running times. The centrally adjusted cutting height can be set between 25 mm and 65 mm, allowing you to tailor the finish to suit the season and conditions.
Despite weighing only 14 kg, this battery mower feels reassuringly robust thanks to its durable polymer housing, which resists UV damage, heat, and impacts. Easy-running wheels improve manoeuvrability, while the adjustable and foldable handlebar enhances both comfort and storage convenience.
Our promotional kit includes two AK 20 batteries and an AL 101 charger, providing everything needed to get mowing straight away. For homeowners seeking a lightweight, reliable, and highly efficient mower for a smaller garden, the STIHL RMA 235.3 is a compelling choice.
Find out more about this superb cordless lawnmower here.
Petrol Lawn Mowers – Power to Tackle Tough Conditions
For many gardeners who want dependable performance and unrestricted mowing time, petrol lawn mowers remain the go-to option. They are particularly useful for medium-sized lawns where battery runtime may be a consideration and where extra power can help tackle thicker grass with ease.
Best Petrol Lawn Mower: Honda Izy HRG 416 SK
The Honda Izy HRG 416 SK is an excellent example of why petrol mowers continue to be so popular. Suitable for lawns up to around 800 m2, it delivers the performance, reliability, and ease of use that Honda owners have come to expect.
At its heart is Honda’s advanced GCVx engine, which is quieter, lighter, and more efficient than previous generations. Starting is straightforward thanks to the automatic choke system, allowing you to get to work quickly regardless of conditions.
As a self-propelled mower, the HRG416 SK takes much of the effort out of mowing, making it particularly appealing for users who want to cover larger lawns comfortably. Its compact design and outstanding manoeuvrability also allow it to work effectively around flowerbeds, trees, and garden features.
The pressed steel cutter deck combines strength with relatively low weight, while its powder-coated finish provides excellent resistance to corrosion and UV exposure. A generous 42-litre grass box, coupled with an efficient airflow system, helps maintain efficient grass collection and reduces the number of trips required to empty clippings.
For homeowners looking for a versatile, reliable petrol mower from one of the industry’s most respected manufacturers, the Honda Izy HRG 416 SK is hard to overlook.
Discover more about one of our favourite Honda mowers here.
Cylinder Lawn Mowers – For Presentation Perfectionists
For lawn enthusiasts who dream of immaculate presentation and crisp, even stripes, a cylinder mower remains the gold standard. Unlike rotary mowers, which cut using a horizontally rotating blade, cylinder mowers use a scissor-like cutting action that produces an exceptionally clean finish. This makes them ideal for fine turf, ornamental lawns, and sports surfaces.
Best Cylinder Lawn Mower: Cobra Fortis 25B
A brand-new offering from Cobra, the Fortis 25B is a professional-grade cylinder mower designed to deliver outstanding results across larger lawns and premium turf areas. It combines commercial-level performance with the flexibility required by serious gardeners and grounds professionals.
Power comes from a dependable 163cc Briggs & Stratton XR750 engine, providing consistent performance across a variety of mowing conditions. The six-blade cutting cylinder delivers approximately 79 cuts per metre, creating the precision needed for beautifully presented turf.
The adjustable cutting height range of 6 mm to 30 mm provides plenty of flexibility, allowing you to maintain everything from bowling-green-style turf to slightly longer formal lawns. Steel front and rear rollers effortlessly create the traditional striped effect that many gardeners aspire to achieve.
One of this lawnmower’s particularly appealing features is the Fortis interchangeable cartridge system, which allows you to tackle additional lawncare tasks with optional attachments. Combined with its heavy-duty drive system and substantial 90-litre grass collector, this versatility makes the Fortis 25B an extremely attractive investment for people who are passionate about their lawns.
If you’re after professional-quality results at home, the Cobra Fortis 25B represents one of the finest cylinder mowing experiences on the market.
Learn more about this beautiful cylinder lawnmower here.
Ride-On Mowers – Make Largescale Lawncare Easy
When lawns become too large for a walk-behind mower, a ride-on machine can dramatically reduce mowing time while improving operator comfort. Ideal for larger domestic gardens and estates, riding mowers allow operators to cover significant areas efficiently while enjoying greater visibility and control.
Best Riding Mower: Husqvarna R 214TC Comfort Edition
The Husqvarna R 214TC is designed with both performance and operator comfort in mind. It offers a premium mowing experience that makes maintaining larger properties a breeze.
This ride-on mower’s twin-cylinder Husqvarna engine delivers smooth, reliable power, while the 37-inch (94 cm) Combi cutting deck offers outstanding versatility. Users can choose between BioClip® mulching and rear discharge, depending on grass conditions.
One of the most noticeable features of this riding mower is its front-mounted cutting deck. This design provides excellent visibility of the cutting area and allows the mower to reach underneath shrubs, benches, and other obstacles more effectively than conventional ride-on machines.
Comfort receives equal attention. The high-back seat, telescopic steering column, and soft-grip steering wheel all help reduce operator fatigue during longer mowing sessions. So too does the pedal-operated hydrostatic transmission, which delivers smooth and intuitive speed control.
Husqvarna’s articulated steering system further enhances manoeuvrability, allowing the mower to navigate around obstacles with remarkable precision. Combined with app connectivity and excellent service accessibility, the R214TC is a highly capable ride on mower for larger gardens that demand professional-quality results.
Find out more about this Husqvarna ride-on mower here.
Robotic Mowers – Leading the Revolution in Lawncare
Robot mowers have transformed lawncare by allowing homeowners to enjoy consistently well-maintained grass with virtually no effort. By mowing little and often, they promote healthier lawns while freeing up their owners’ valuable time for other activities. Modern robotic mowers are far more intelligent than earlier generations, offering advanced navigation, smart controls, and impressive reliability.
Best Lawn Robot: Segway Navimow X430E
The Segway Navimow X430E is one of the most advanced robotic mowers on the market. Designed for lawns up to 3,000 m2, it combines leading-edge technology with powerful mowing performance.
This lawn robot’s wide 17-inch (43 cm) working width, dual cutting discs, and automatic height adjustment ensure excellent mowing performance, while whisper-quiet operation and weather-resistant construction make it suitable for everyday use. An innovative Xero-Turn™ four-wheel-drive system and dual suspension give the machine exceptional capability across uneven terrain. It is able to manage slopes of up to 84 percent without losing stability.
Navigation is equally impressive. Tri-frequency RTK positioning works alongside 360-degree AI vision to deliver remarkable accuracy and reliable operation. The system can recognise more than 200 different obstacles in real time, helping the mower move safely and efficiently around the garden.
Installation is refreshingly simple thanks to wire-free mapping technology. Instead of laying perimeter cables, users can create virtual boundaries and manage mowing zones directly through an app. With support for up to 120 zones, the X430E robot mower is suitable for complex landscapes as well as large open lawns.
Smart connectivity features, voice assistant compatibility, and ongoing software updates complete a package that perfectly showcases the future of lawncare.
Discover more about this exceptional robotic mower from Segway here.
Welcome to the Home of Lawn Mowers
Whether you’re looking for the simplicity of a cordless mower, the dependable power of petrol, the precision of a cylinder mower, the productivity of a ride on, or the convenience of robotic mowing, you’re in exactly the right place to upgrade your lawncare equipment.
At Ron Smith & Co, we offer one of Britain’s most comprehensive ranges of walk-behind mowers, ride-on mowers, and robotic lawn mowers from the world’s leading brands. Equally importantly, we combine that outstanding selection with unrivalled lawnmowing expertise built over decades of helping customers find the perfect machine for their needs.
So, if you’re unsure which lawnmower is right for your garden, our friendly team is always on hand to provide expert advice and guidance. Browse our extensive range online or get in touch with us today to discover why so many home gardeners and professionals trust Ron Smith & Co for all of their lawncare needs.
