How to Choose a Lawn Mower | Lawn Size & Grass Type

With so many choices available in Australia, selecting the right lawn mower may seem daunting. If you’re looking for tips on how to select a lawn mower that will actually work well on your yard, you’re in the right place.

Not all lawns are the same. A small, suburban backyard in Morisset is a far cry from an acreage estate in Port Stephens. Throw in hardy local varieties of grass buffalo, couch, and kikuyu are popular hereand the wrong mower can cower quickly. 

This ultimate lawn mower buying guide Australia will help you:

• Right mower for the right lawn size
• Choose the right machine for your type of grass
• Choose between petrol and electric options
• Avoid common buying mistakes

At the end, you’ll know which one is the best lawn mower for home use and, though decide on the right option for your lawn.

The Basics of Buying a Lawn Mower, What Do You Need

Here are the most important factors to consider before you buy:

1️⃣ Lawn Size

The size of your yard directly affects what mower will work for you. It’s manoeuvrability for small yards and power and efficiency for larger properties.

2️⃣ Grass Type

If you're in Australia, though, our lawns are tougher than most. Thick buffalo and fast-growing kikuyu take more cutting power than softer varieties.

3️⃣ Terrain

Flat lawns = average push or self-drive mower
Sloping or uneven lawns = increased traction, adjustable wheels, or self-propelled drive

4️⃣ Power Source

One of the larger decisions that’ll affect your lawn mowing experience is choosing the right one:

Petrol lawn mower Australia
Electric lawn mower Australia

We’ll compare these shortly.

5️⃣ Storage & Maintenance

Electric = lower maintenance
Petrol = need servicing, fuel and oil changes

Buying the right lawn mower isn’t always about buying the most expensive model, but matching it to the conditions of your lawn.

Lawn Mower: Size of Your Lawn

Best Lawn Mower for Gardens & Smaller Lawns

Best For: Townhouses, small home, units

If you are searching the best lawn mower for small lawn, then:

• Lightweight push mowers
• Compact electric lawn mowers
• Small petrol models

Why?

Cutting Deck and Size: A small yard doesn’t require a large cutting deck for the mowing task. Manoeuvrability matters more than power.

Best choice:

Battery-powered mower for quiet, low-maintenance use

If your grass is thicker, you'll want a compact petrol mower.

For users that possess a small-sized courtyard or tight space, any lawn mower for small garden should always be lightweight and easy to store.

Best Mower for Medium & Suburban Lawns

Ideal for: Standard suburban homes

For a medium lawn, efficiency is an important aspect of best lawn mower.

Recommended features:

• Wider cutting deck (18–21 inches)
• Self-propelled drive
• Adjustable height settings

A home self-propelled mower decreases effort and increases speed of mowing.

For people residing in a normal Australian suburb, something like a mower for suburban lawn with a hardy petrol engine is often the best compromise between power and convenience.

Lawn Mower for Large Lawns & Acreage

Best suited to: Big blocks, country estates, acreage

The best lawn mower for large lawn could be a ride-on if you're chomping at the bit to get mowing.

Best options:

• Lawn mower for large property
• Lawn tractors
• Zero-turn mowers (for faster cutting)

A lawn mower for acreage needs to:

• Have a wide cutting deck
• Provide strong engine power
• Reduce mowing time significantly

In large areas beyond about 2,000–3,000 sqm a ride-on is often necessary. 

A Close Look at Lawn Mowers for Australian Grass Types

Best Lawn Mower for Thick Grass & Rapid-Growing Lawns

Buffalo, kikuyu and neglected lawns can thicken up quickly.

If you want to find a lawn mower for thick grass, pay attention to:

• Strong engine power
• High-quality steel blades
• Adjustable cutting height

A common question among homeowners: what mower is best for thick grass?

In most cases:

• Petrol mowers cope better on thick grass
• Higher torque prevents stalling
• Self-propelled helps maintain control

Top 10 Lawn Mowers for Buffalo Grass

Buffalo grass tends to be thick and scalps easily.

Here’s what to look out for when selecting the best buffalo grass mower:

• Higher cutting height options
• Sharp blades
• Smooth power delivery

Don't cut too low, buffalo like a bit more height on the finish.

Best Lawnmower for Couch Grass

Bermudagrass grows low and spreads aggressively.

The mower best suited for couch grass should deliver:

• Lower cut height settings
• Precision adjustment
• Consistent cutting performance

Mow regularly for a healthy, dense couch.

Kikuyu Grass & Uneven Lawns Mower

Kikuyu is a robust grass that performs well under harsh circumstances.

Here are the Mowers if you have kikuyu grass:

• Strong engine output
• Durable blade system
• Reliable traction

If you’re looking for a lawn mower for uneven lawn, here are the things you should prioritize:

• Adjustable wheels
• Self-propelled drive
• Stability and control

Petrol or Electric Lawn Mower. Which Is Better?

The petrol vs electric mower debate is one of the most common questions that can arise.

For tougher Australian grass or a larger yard, petrol often comes out ahead. 

Electric may be perfect for you if you have a small yard and you want convenience.

Quick Lawn Mower Selection Guide

That makes the answer easier: Which lawn mower is best for my lawn? 

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Buying a Lawn Mower

• Investing in low-powered mowers for dense grass
• Ignoring grass type
• Choosing the wrong cutting width
• Not considering servicing needs

Many homeowners just care about the price, which can be deceiving as the wrong mower will end up costing you more in the long run.

How to Maintain Your Lawnmower in Good Condition

Proper maintenance ensures long-term performance.

Lawn mower service tips:

• Sharpen blades regularly
• Clean underside after use
• Change oil (petrol models)
• Check spark plugs

When your mower struggles or stalls, do-it-yourself lawn mower repair might be in the cards.

Routine maintenance prolongs the life of mowers and gives clean cuts.

Are You in the Market for a Lawn Mower?

Not sure which lawn mower Australia is best for your garden?

Here are the models and our team can help you choose one, from:

• Lawn size
• Grass type
• Budget
• Maintenance preferences

Visit us in:

• Morisset
• Kurri Kurri
• Port Stephens

We end up servicing, spare parts and most important to keep your mower at combat operation mode.

Frequently Asked Questions

You will need a lawn mower of what size?

You need lightweight push or electric mowers for small lawns. Self-propelled models were very helpful with medium lawns. Ride-on mowers are often necessary for large lawns or acreage.

Which mower will be best for my lawn?

It does depend on how big your lawn is, the type of grass you have, and what your terrain is like. Thick Australian grass tends to do better with petrol mowers.

Which is better petrol or electric mower?

For thick grass and larger lawns we recommend petrol. Electric is also quieter, requires less maintenance and is best for small to medium yards.

Which mower is best for thick grass?

For thick grass (like buffalo or kikuyu), a petrol mower that has a powerfull engine and sharp blade system is usually the better option.