Choosing the Right Lawnmower: Expert Tips from Co-op Superstores Buyer, Derek Greaney
Choosing the right lawnmower can be challenging, with many factors to consider — including the size of your lawn, how you plan to dispose of clippings, and how much time you have for lawn maintenance. There are a variety of lawnmower types available to choose from, including robotic mowers, petrol mowers, electric and battery-powered options.
To help you make the right choice, Co-op Superstores Buyer, Derek Greaney, shares his expert advice on what to look for when buying a new lawnmower.
What to Consider Before Buying a Lawnmower
“There are quite a few things you need to consider carefully before deciding on what lawnmower will be best for you,” says Derek. “Price is always a big deciding factor, but remember, a lawnmower is not something you want to replace every year. Customers are equally concerned with buying good quality mowers that will last the test of time and make lawn maintenance as pain-free as possible.”
“At Co-op Superstores, we go out of our way to source products that offer excellent quality at an affordable price. That’s our goal for lawnmowers, just as it is for everything we sell," he adds.
While petrol lawnmowers remain the most popular choice, Derek notes a growing interest in battery/electric and robotic lawnmowers, and expects that trend to continue.
Electric vs Petrol vs Robotic – Lawnmower Pros At a Glance
| Type | Best For | Pros | Considerations |
| Petrol | Medium to large gardens | Powerful, reliable, long-lasting | Heavier, needs fuel & regular servicing |
| Electric | Small gardens | Lightweight, affordable, eco-friendly | Requires access to power outlet |
| Battery | Small to medium gardens | Cordless convenience, quiet, flexible, eco-friendly | Battery life limits run time |
| Robot | Don't enjoy or have time for gardening | Fully automated, eco-friendly, silent, now more affordable |
Initial setup can take time |
Electric/Battery Lawnmowers
Electric lawnmowers were once limited to small gardens only, but cordless battery models are suitable for small to medium lawns thanks to increased power and functionality.
Key Benefits of Electric Mowers:
- Eco-friendly: lower emissions and quieter operation.
- Lightweight and easy to store.
- Ideal for small-medium lawns or limited storage spaces.
Cordless Battery Powered Lawnmowers
Battery-powered mowers are an excellent alternative to corded electric and petrol models. They combine cordless convenience with impressive cutting power.
The Webb Eco cordless lawnmower range offers great flexibility.
| Cordless Mowers | Run-time | Cutting Width | Cutting Heights | Grass Collection |
| 20V Webb Eco: | 35 mins | 33cm | 5 | 35 litres |
| 40V Webb Eco: | 60 mins | 43cm | 6 | 50 litres |
Both models fold and store vertically, saving space and making them easy to manage.
“The big attraction is that the Webb Eco battery units are compatible with up to eight different garden tools, including hedge trimmers, pruners, blowers, and tillers,” says Derek. “Customers can add on extra tools year after year, as needed.”
“The range of jobs they complete makes them hugely attractive to gardening enthusiasts and the battery life and fast re-charge provides incredible range and flexibility,” Derek adds. “They save the bother of buying petrol too.”
Of course, going electric is the more environmentally-friendly choice, dramatically cutting down on harmful emissions and disruptive noise levels.
Corded Electric Lawnmowers
A corded electric mower may be the ideal choice for a small garden within the 10m cable range, provided the cable restriction on reach and mobility is not an issue. "The advantage with these is there’s no downtime to charge batteries," says Derek.
Featured Model: Webb 36cm (14″) Electric 1600W Lawn Mower
- POWERFUL 1600W MOTOR – with a long 10 metre mains lead for excellent freedom of movement
- COMPACT AND EASY TO MANOEUVRE FOR MEDIUM LAWNS – weighing just 11.5kg this lightweight mower has a wide 36cm cutting area to quickly and easily mow a small to medium lawn
- 5 CUTTING HEIGHTS – simply raise the single lever to lower the blade for cutting all lengths of grass from 20mm to 70mm
- Collapsible handlebar
- 36cm cutting width
- LARGE BAG NEEDS EMPTYING LESS OFTEN
- 1-Year Warranty included.
Robotic Lawnmowers
If you love your garden but not the work involved, a robotic lawnmower may just be the solution you’re looking for.
"Robotic mowers are the only choice for anyone who loves their garden but not the gardening!" Derek says. “Finding time to mow lawns can be challenging, especially at the rate at which grass grows here in Ireland! Robots free up your weekends, quietly maintaining your lawn while you can sit back and watch.”
At Co-op Superstores, we’re proud to offer an excellent range of robotic lawnmowers from trusted brands like Greenworks and Segway. According to Derek, these models hit the sweet spot perfectly between affordability and high quality — offering great value for anyone looking to take the effort out of lawn maintenance.
“Our entry- to mid-level Greenway robotic mowers come with a 3-year guarantee,” Derek points out, “which is a real standout when you consider that most other brands typically offer just a 1-year warranty.”
Featured Model: Greenworks 450m² Robotic Auto-Lawnmower
- Suitable for lawns up to 450m² (750m² model also available).
- Controlled via the Greenworks App from anywhere.
- Adjustable cutting height (20–60mm).
- Climbs gradients up to 30%.
- Ultra-quiet operation (only 61dB).
- Easy boundary wire installation.
- Obstacle-detection sensors.
- 3-Year Warranty.
Fun Fact: Most people end up naming their robotic lawnmowers within the first week of bringing them home! “It’s like they become part of the family,” Derek laughs.
Thanks to rapid advances in technology, robotic mowers are now available to suit gardens of all shapes and sizes — and they’ve become much more affordable too. Entry-level models are guided by wired boundary zones, while higher-end machines use GPS navigation and AI to map and manage their mowing areas.
“The wired setups might take a little more effort at the beginning, but once you have it in place, you can just sit back and watch your lawn be perfectly maintained — with no further work needed,” says Derek. He also notes that modern robotic mowers are much quieter, meaning you’ll hardly notice them at work.
Another big plus? You can schedule your robotic mower to trim your lawn daily, so it never gets out of hand. The grass clippings are cut so finely that they disappear back into the soil, naturally fertilising your lawn over time. This not only improves your lawn’s health but also means there’s no need for raking, collecting, or disposing of clippings ever again!
Top Tip:
"Some buyers find it more affordable and easier to set up multiple entry-level robots for different sections of their garden (e.g. one for the front and another for their back garden) than to invest in a more expensive model designed to manage larger/zoned areas."
Petrol Lawnmowers
Despite the advances in electric and robotic options, petrol lawnmowers remain a top seller.
“People like to stick with what they know works," Derek says. "A good quality petrol mower, once it’s well maintained, can last for years and consistently deliver excellent results.”
Featured Model: Webb Classic 41cm Self-Propelled 132cc Petrol Lawnmower
- Compact 41cm cutting width.
- Lightweight (26kg) yet powerful 132cc engine.
- Self-propelled – reduces physical effort.
- 7 adjustable cutting heights (25mm to 75mm).
- Large 45L collection bag with efficient airflow.
- 3-Year Warranty.
Co-op Superstores stock a wide selection of Webb petrol mowers (41cm to 53cm cutting widths) and Husqvarna petrol models, giving you plenty of choice.
Petrol mowers provide a more hands-on mowing experience, making them ideal for tougher or more varied terrain.
Derek’s 6 Top Tips for Buying a New Lawnmower
Finally, here are Derek's top considerations for buying your next lawnmower.
- Size and Area:
Match the mower size and engine strength to your lawn’s size and terrain. - Fuel Type:
Choose between petrol (more robust) and electric/battery (lighter and eco-friendly). - Lawnmower Width:
This is something people don't always consider - a wider cutting width (typically 40–53cm) means less walking! - Push vs Self-Drive:
Self-propelled mowers make lawn care far less strenuous. - Deck Type:
Steel decks are heavier and prone to rust; aluminium and plastic are lighter options, but plastic is less durable. - Time and Effort:
Consider carefully how much time and effort you want to invest in lawn and mower maintenance.
For more information about any of the lawnmowers featured, visit our website or speak with one of our in-store experts. At Co-op Superstores, we’re here to help you find the perfect match for your garden needs!
