Looking for the seven best self-propelled petrol lawnmowers under £300 in the UK? You’re in the right place. These mowers are proof that you can tame your lawn without emptying your wallet and you don’t have to settle for something feeble and flimsy, either. With a bit of clever shopping, you can get a machine that’s affordable, robust, and packs the kind of cutting muscle that makes your neighbours do a double-take.
Power, Price, and a Dash of Help
Ever had that moment when you glance at your lawn, sigh, and brace yourself for a workout only for your mower to nudge forward and practically say, “You put your feet up, I’ve got this”? That’s the joy of a self-propelled petrol mower. No gym membership required, no heroic pushing just steady, petrol-powered progress up and down your garden stripes.
Under £300 When Tested
And don’t worry, you won’t need to raid your holiday savings. Every mower on this list was under £300 when tested, and each one is tough enough to take on unruly grass without taking a bite out of your budget. Forget batteries, tangled cords, or crossing your fingers that it’ll start these mowers run on good old-fashioned petrol, delivering that satisfying engine purr as they power through the rough stuff.
Why Go Self-Propelled?
If you’ve ever tried muscling a heavy mower up a hill on a humid afternoon, you’ll know why self-propelled models are a gamechanger. These mowers do the heavy lifting, rolling forward on their own so you can simply guide them or, if you’re feeling fancy, steer with one hand and sip your tea with the other. Whether your lawn’s steep, sloped, or just plain stubborn, these machines make mowing almost enjoyable.
How We Chose Our Winners
To separate the champions from the pretenders, we considered engine grunt, build quality, ease of use, and how well each mower handled tough grass. We also paid attention to the little features because a clever design or comfy handle can make all the difference when you’re spending your Saturday behind the wheel. Each pick on this list delivers more than you’d expect for the price, showing that power and value can go hand in hand (or should we say, handle in hand).
Whether you’re out to reclaim a neglected patch or keep your stripes looking sharp, these seven petrol mowers are up to the job. Ready to see which models made the cut? Let’s put the first three through their paces and find out who earns their stripes.
TOP 7 SP PETROL MOWERS UNDER £300
#1, Yard Force 40cm Self Propelled Petrol Lawnmower 127cc
Meet the dependable workhorse of the bunch. If the Yard Force were your mate, it’d be the one who always shows up on time, cracks on with the job, and never complains. Its 127cc 4-stroke engine has all the muscle you’ll need for a typical suburban patch, gliding through medium-sized lawns with impressive ease and accuracy.
The self-propelled feature means you can finally ditch the idea of mowing as a weekend workout, this mower handles the heavy lifting, so you just steer it along. With a 40cm cutting width and five different height settings (from 2.5 to 7.5cm), you can go from a sharp, tidy finish to a deliberately rugged look without breaking a sweat.
A generous 45-litre grass box means fewer stops to empty out clippings, while the three-year warranty shows Yard Force backs their kit to last. The metal blade is sturdy and reliable, and at 23.9kg, the whole thing feels satisfyingly solid but not a pain to manoeuvre. For under £250, you’re getting a mower that’s no-nonsense, wallet-friendly, and ready to get to work, no motivational speeches needed.
#2, Einhell 40cm Self-Propelled Petrol Lawn Mower 132cc
Meet the German-engineered garden commander: the Einhell GC-PM 40/2 S. This mower doesn’t just cut grass, it practically marches across your lawn with purpose. Under the hood, it’s got a 132cc OHV 4-stroke engine that delivers a punchy 2kW of power, so instead of gently trimming, it confidently powers through whatever’s in its path. Designed to handle lawns up to 1,000m² (yes, that’s about the size of your garden plus a couple of neighbours’), it’s ready for whatever you throw at it.
One of the real joys here is the 7-stage height adjustment, ranging from 25mm up to 75mm. Whether you want that freshly-mown, golf-green look or you’ve let things get a little wild, you can easily dial in the perfect cut. Rear-wheel drive keeps the ride steady, and thanks to the lightweight plastic housing, manoeuvring around flower beds or corners is actually a breeze, no awkward shoving required.
The 45-litre grass box is thoughtfully designed, with a fill-level indicator so you don’t have to keep guessing when it’s time to empty it. And because it’s self-propelled, mowing feels more like a stroll than a slog. When you’re finished, the handle folds down easily, making storage in a cramped shed or garage much less of a headache.
All things considered, this is a mower that feels like it was put together by someone who genuinely cares about the details. For under £250, you get a sturdy, well-equipped machine that’s happy to take on the tough stuff, no fuss, just results.
#3, Mountfield SP41 Self-Propelled Petrol Lawnmower
Small mower, big heart (and even bigger savings). At first glance, the Mountfield SP41 might not look like the heavyweight champion of the garden shed, but don’t let that fool you, the real magic happens the moment you fire it up. The 123cc Stiga ST120 Autochoke engine is surprisingly eager, making this mower perfect for small to medium-sized gardens (up to about 250m²). And honestly, it handles the basics better than some of those models that cost twice as much.
Its 39cm cutting width is just right for weaving around flower beds, and with five height settings (from 22 to 80mm), you can choose whether you want a tight, tidy finish or just a quick trim. The polypropylene chassis keeps things light and nimble, yet it still feels reassuringly sturdy you won’t get that wobbly, flimsy sensation as you steer. The self-propelled drive is a game changer too, letting you glide along without breaking a sweat. Plus, the 40-litre collector means fewer trips to the compost heap, and the rust-proof design is a real bonus for Irish weather.
Storage is a breeze: the handle folds down neatly, so it’ll easily squeeze into tight sheds, garages, or even beside the bikes you keep meaning to dust off. Bottom line? For around £200, this is a brilliant entry-level mower for smaller lawns that seriously outperforms expectations. It’s not flashy but it gets the job done, and does it well.
#4, Webb WER410SP 16”/41cm Self Propelled Mower
The Webb WER410SP is a real gem for anyone after a mower that just gets the job done and looks good doing it. There’s something a bit posh about it, even though the price tag is anything but. Powered by a 132cc 4-stroke engine, it starts up easily and hums along without a fuss, so you’re not left wrestling with a stubborn machine or feeling like you’ve had a full workout before you’ve even started. The self-propelled drive is a blessing for tired arms; just guide it along and let it do the hard work.
It’s built from alloy steel, which means it feels solid and sturdy, but at 26kg it’s not a beast to manoeuvre whether you’re weaving around flower beds or powering up and down the garden, it handles with reassuring ease. The 41cm cutting width is just right for most lawns, and with seven different height settings (from 25mm to 75mm), you can go from a close crop to something a bit wilder, depending on your mood or the weather.
One of the handiest features is the choice of either collecting your clippings in a generous 45L mesh bag (which fills efficiently thanks to clever airflow) or using the rear discharge to leave the cuttings on the lawn perfect if you’d rather feed the grass and skip emptying the bag every five minutes. The Webb’s classic green finish gives it a polished look, and with a 3-year guarantee, you know it’s built to last. For under £200, it’s a mower that punches well above its weight and gives you a finish you can be proud of. If you want something reliable, practical, and just a little bit classy, this one’s well worth a look.
#5, Cobra M40SPCVX 16" Self-Propelled Petrol Lawnmower
The red rocket with a bite. If the name Cobra M40SPCVX makes you think of a sports car, you’re not far off – this mower has all the attitude and none of the nonsense. Fitted with a punchy 145cc DG450 OHV engine, it’s got the muscle to power through your garden, but without the deafening racket of old-school petrol mowers. The self-propelled drive honestly feels like it’s doing most of the work for you, making mowing less of a chore and more of a glide.
Its 16” (41cm) cutting width is just right for smaller lawns, yet it still has the guts to tackle thicker patches without breaking a sweat. With seven cutting heights (from 25mm to 75mm), you can switch up your style depending on your mood – from a close shave to a wild, meadow look. The 50-litre grass bag, paired with that clever Vortex Airflow System, means fewer stops to empty clippings – so you can actually finish before the next ad break.
Built on a solid steel deck, the Cobra feels reassuringly sturdy, and the edge-cutting design means you can get right up to borders and fences without having to go back with a trimmer. Throw in a two-year warranty, and you’ve got a mower that’s big on performance, precise on the details, and just plain fun to use. For around £200–£250, it’s a speedy, efficient machine that makes mowing feel less like punishment and more like a win.
#6, ParkerBrand 17” Self‑Drive Petrol Lawnmower 150cc
The ParkerBrand Self-Drive 17” mower is a bit of a dark horse, it might not have the flashy branding of some rivals, but it’s got bags of character and plenty of surprises up its sleeve. With a price tag usually under £200, you’re getting features that often only show up in much more expensive models, and maybe even a couple you wouldn’t expect.
It’s powered by a gutsy 150cc 4-stroke engine that gives a reassuring growl when it gets going, but it won’t have you wrestling with it across the lawn. Thanks to the self-drive system, you can steer it around the garden with one hand (and, if you’re feeling daring, keep the other hand on your cuppa). The generously sized 17-inch cutting width gets through a good bit of grass with each pass, while the 45-litre grass collector means fewer trips to the compost heap. Adjusting the cutting height is a doddle, too, you’ve got the full range from a close-cropped look to letting things grow a bit wild if that’s the mood.
There’s a mulching port that quietly returns nutrients to your lawn, making your grass look healthy and well-cared-for (and maybe even a bit smug). The steel deck feels tough but not too heavy, and there’s a handy hose connector that makes cleaning up after a mow feel like less of a chore. For all its muscle, it’s surprisingly nimble and easy to move about, which is a real bonus for small and medium gardens.
In short, if you’re after a petrol mower that’s no fuss, packed with useful features, and doesn’t cost the earth, the ParkerBrand is a strong contender. It might just leave you wondering why you ever thought you needed to spend more.
#7, Hyundai 42cm Petrol Self Propelled Lawnmower
If you’re after a mower that feels like it could handle just about anything you throw at it, the Hyundai HYM430SP is hard to beat. This sturdy blue beast brings a real sense of quality and dependability to your shed, Hyundai’s known for solid engineering, and this model doesn’t disappoint. With a punchy 139cc engine and self-propulsion, it’s got more than enough power to cruise across your lawn, but it won’t leave you out of pocket; it manages to stay under £300, which is pretty impressive for what you get.
The 42cm cutting width hits a sweet spot for most small or medium gardens, you can cover ground quickly without feeling like you’re driving a tractor. Adjusting the cut is a breeze, too, with five height settings (from a tight 25mm all the way up to a lush 75mm), so whether you fancy a manicured look or want to let things grow out a bit, you’re sorted. The self-drive system is a real back-saver, and the powder-coated steel deck means this mower will take a few knocks and still look the part season after season.
Emptying the grass isn’t a hassle either, the 45-litre collector bag seems to swallow up clippings with ease, thanks to its clever airflow design, and when you’re done, the handles fold down to help it squeeze into even the most crammed garden shed. There’s also a handy safety touch: the Operator Presence Control stops the engine the moment you let go, so you don’t have to worry about accidents or runaway mowers.
All in all, the HYM430SP just feels like a proper, well-thought-out machine. It’s tough, smooth to use, and good value for money perfect for anyone who wants their mower to work hard without any fuss, whether you’re looking after a tidy patch out front or taking on a bit of a wild back garden.
Final Word – Cutting Through the Competition
If you reckon you have to splash out a small fortune for a decent self-propelled petrol mower, it’s time to think again. Every mower in this line-up shows you can get serious power, solid performance, and a bit of style all for under £300 without ending up with something flimsy that’s ready for the skip in a year or two.
For those who want the best bang for their buck, the Mountfield SP41 takes the prize. It’s lightweight, reliable, and just the ticket for tidier, smaller lawns. If you need a bit more oomph, the Cobra M40SPCVX and Webb WER410SP are up for the job, offering plenty of muscle, sharp cutting, and a smooth, no-fuss mowing experience.
3 Year Warranty
But if you want the full package, a mower that’s sturdy, well put together, and built to go the distance, the Hyundai HYM430SP really stands out. It’s solidly made, a breeze to use, and comes with a reassuring 3-year warranty. It’s the sort of mower that turns a Saturday mowing session from a dull chore into something you might actually look forward to (with maybe a bit of lawn pride thrown in for good measure).
So, whether you’re keeping the front tidy or tackling a bit of a wild jungle out back, these petrol mowers prove you don’t need to break the bank for a great-looking lawn. Sometimes, it’s just about picking the right machine and letting it do the hard work for you.
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