Spending time in a pristinely kept garden is a highly satisfying pastime for many people. But, unfortunately, as people get older and have more time to spend in their gardens after retiring, their ability to care for their gardens diminishes.
As you get older, your strength and mobility slowly decline. It can be hard to stand for long periods of time, making regular lawn maintenance a challenge.
There’s a wide range of lightweight lawn mowers for elderly users that are easy to manoeuvre, won’t cause strain and provide all the added benefits of heavier ones.
We have reviewed the leading lawn mowers that we believe to be the best for older people to help guide you in selecting the best lawn mower for your requirements.
Our TOP Picks of Lawn Mowers for Seniors to Buy in 2023
Best Easy to Use Lawn Mowers for the Elderly
We consider the following eight lawnmowers to be the best lawn mowers for the elderly, they include electrical corded, cordless, petrol, self-propelled, robotic and ride-on models.
- Bosch Rotak 32R Electric Rotary Lawn Mower
- Flymo Hover Vac250 Electric Hover Collect Lawn Mower
- Webb Classic WEER33 Electric Lawn Mower
- Einhell Power X-Change 18V Cordless Lawn Mower with Battery and Charger
- Mountfield SP41 Petrol Lawn Mower
- Bosch AHM 38 G Manual Garden Lawn Mower
- Lawn King RC125 76CM Cut Ride on Lawn Mower
- Worx WR 142 E M700 Landroid Robotic Mower
Bosch Rotak 32R Electric Rotary Lawn Mower
Features
- Type – Corded Electric
- Power – 1200W
- Weight – 6.8kg
- Cut Width – 32cm
- Cut Height – 20mm to 60mm
- Collection Bag – 31L
The Bosch Rotak 32R electric rotary lawn mower is the best lightweight lawn mower for senior gardeners who may struggle to push heavier models around their garden. It weighs just 6.8kg and is ideal for small to medium-sized gardens.
The Rotak 32R is an electric corded mower with a 10-metre power cord that must be connected to an electrical power point. For medium-sized lawns, an extension cable may be required.
This mower operates with 1200W of power, allowing you to cut grass efficiently with minimal effort. It is a decent-sized motor that will easily cut through reasonably long grass but it won’t have the power to contend with thick grassy areas.
It has three cutting heights ranging from 20mm to 60mm and no lever to adjust the cutting size. Most models have five adjustable cutting heights. The cutting height is adjusted by turning the mower over and adjusting each wheel into a slot.
Although more complex than some competitors, it is not necessary to continuously alter the cutting height. The first cut is usually done on the highest setting of 60mm, but for the remainder of the cutting season (March to October), the lowest setting of 20cm can be used.
The Rotak 32R features grass combs on either side of the cutting deck, designed to achieve a neater finish along the edges.
It has a 31L capacity grass box, which, although small, helps keep the weight down and is large enough for smaller gardens.
I rate the Bosch Rotak 32R at the top of my list of lawn mowers for elderly users because it automatically cuts clean edges along flower beds, walls and walkways. In addition, it’s lightweight, easy to manoeuvre around objects and easy to store and take out.
Pros:
- Weight of 6.8 kg. Easy to lift with one hand when putting in or taking out of storage
- Grass combs allow the mower to cut close to the edges, reducing the need for extra trimming
- Lightweight and compact
- Easy to manoeuvre around objects
- Durable metal cutting blades
Cons:
- No lever to adjust cutting height
- Only three cutting heights
Flymo Hover Vac250 Electric Hover Collect Lawn Mower
Features
- Type – Hover Corded Electric
- Power – 1400W
- Weight – 6.9kg
- Cut Width – 25cm
- Cut Height – 11mm to 31mm
- Collection Bag – 15L
The Flymo Hover Vac 250 is compact, lightweight and easy to manoeuvre as it floats on a cushion of air while cutting and collecting the grass into its 15L grassbox. It is ideal for small to medium-sized lawns.
A 1400-watt motor powers the blade and runs off the mains supply via a 10-metre power cable. For medium size gardens, an extension cable may be required.
The blades are made from hardened steel for efficient and easy cutting. The Flymo Hover Vac250 has a cutting width of 25cm. Spacers can be added or removed to set one of four cutting heights from 11mm to 31mm.
The mower includes a handle that can be folded flat and it can be wall-mounted for compact, easy storage
Pros:
- Light and powerful for its size
- Easy to manoeuvre
- Compacting grass collector
- Folds flat and can be hung up for storage
Cons:
- Spacers need to be added or removed to adjust cutting height
Webb Classic WEER33 Electric Lawn Mower
Features
- Type – Corded Electric
- Power – 1300W
- Weight – 8.8kg
- Cut Width – 33cm
- Cut Height – 25mm to 65mm
- Collection Bag – 35L
Webb is one of the most popular lawn mower brands in the UK. The Webb WEER33 has been designed for small to medium-sized gardens.
Its small and compact design with a weight of 8.8kg and a 33cm cutting width makes it manoeuvrable and easy to navigate around tight corners, making it a better option for older people or those with reduced mobility.
It is a corded mower with a 1300W motor providing enough power for most lawn conditions. With five cutting heights ranging from 25mm to 65mm that can be adjusted using a simple lever, you can maintain a perfect lawn throughout the year.
It performs just as well on taller, thicker grass, but according to the manual, inclines of more than 15 degrees should be avoided. An exciting feature is that walking slowly with the mower produces better results than walking quickly, making it ideal for elderly gardeners.
The Webb WEER33 has a generous 35-litre grass collection bag with a mesh design for better airflow, allowing the bag to fill before emptying.
Pros:
- Quick and easy to assemble
- Trims close to raised borders, walls and fences so less strimming required
- Cuts damp and dense grass evenly with little effort required
- Easy to manoeuvre.
Cons:
- Slightly awkward to carry as the handle is vertical
Einhell Power X-Change 18V Cordless Lawn Mower with Battery and Charger
Features
- Type – Cordless
- Power – 4.0 Ah Lithium Battery
- Weight – 10.9kg
- Cut Width – 33cm
- Cut Height – 25mm to 65mm
- Collection Bag – 30L
The Einhell Power X-Change Cordless Lawnmower with Battery and Charger is powerful and versatile and designed to meet the needs of any garden enthusiast. It’s an excellent choice of cordless lawn mower for elderly gardeners with a small to medium-sized garden.
This lawnmower is powered by a brushless motor that provides a quiet and efficient performance, making it ideal for residential use. In addition, the lawnmower comes with an 18V Power X-Change battery which is compatible with a range of other Einhell tools.
The Einhell18/33 Corded Lawnmower has a cutting width of 33cm with a cutting height range of 25mm to 65mm, allowing you to adjust the height of the blades to suit your needs. It also includes a grass box with a 30-litre capacity and level indicator.
It has a height-adjustable handle with three settings for comfortable operation. This mower is designed to be compact, lightweight, easy to manoeuvre and easy to assemble, and will cover medium-sized areas without recharging in between.
Pros:
- Easy to assemble
- Lightweight and easy to move
- Grass box has a level indicator
- Adjustable cutting heights
- Battery is interchangeable with other Einhell Power X-Change tools
Cons:
- Not suited to big lawns
Mountfield SP41 Petrol Lawn Mower
Features
- Type – Petrol
- Power – 123cc 4-stroke
- Weight – 22.9kg
- Cut Width – 39cm
- Cut Height – 22mm to 80mm
- Collection Bag – 40L
The SP41 is a self-propelled petrol lawnmower powered by a Stiga 123cc ST 120 OHV (Overhead Valve Engine) Autochoke 4-stroke engine, renowned for its quiet, clean-running and economic performance. The machine is easy to start.
The Mountfield SP41 has a lightweight, sturdy polypropylene chassis with a 39cm cutting width, making it easy to manoeuvre and ideal for small to medium gardens.
The SP41 is a power drive or self-propelled lawnmower with a single speed that is slow enough to suit older people, with the added advantage of not having to push the mower.
Setting the mowing height consists of adjusting the levers. There is a lever for the rear wheels, the front wheels need to be adjusted separately. Five height adjustment settings range from 22mm to 80mm.
The textile grass collector has a capacity of 40 litres and is easily removed. In addition, the handle can be folded to make storage easy and compact.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Easy to start and use
- Self-propelled
- Five height settings, 22mm to 80mm
- Reliable engine
Cons:
- Doesn’t cut right to the edges. Strimming needed
- No mulching
Bosch AHM 38 G Manual Garden Lawn Mower
Features
- Type – Manual
- Power – Self-propelled
- Weight – 6.9kg
- Cut Width – 38cm
- Cut Height – 12mm to 40mm
- Collection Bag – 25L
The Bosch AHM 38 G manual self-propelled garden lawn mower is a great choice if you are on a budget and relatively fit. They are ideal for small lawns for those who want to take care of the grass but still want the precision and convenience that a powered mower would give.
This manual mower with scissor-like blades gives a precise, clean cut that allows the grass to grow more evenly, resulting in a lusher-looking lawn. Manual mowers are easier to operate than most might imagine.
The BOSCH ahm38 G has been designed to make mowing your lawn an enjoyable experience as it glides effortlessly around the garden, requiring minimal hard work from you. Its cutting width is 38cm which is perfect for small gardens.
Bosch is renowned for producing quality products and the blades on this mower are some of the best on the market. If positioned correctly, they will remain sharp for a long time, producing a crisp cut. In addition, the five-blade cylinder will lightly brush against the bottom blade, ensuring they remain sharp.
The cutting height can be adjusted between 12mm to 44mm, and height adjustment is achieved by simply turning a knob.
This manual mower is fitted with two side wheels that are highly geared for greater control and manoeuvrability across all parts of the lawn. In addition, the wheels on this mower make this an easy manual mower to push.
A 25-litre grass collection box is supplied and is easy to attach if you intend to use this mower for medium lawns.
The fitted rear roller acts as a stabiliser in the rear, allowing you to achieve the striped lawn look.
Pros:
- Precise cut
- Easy to push
- Good range of cutting heights. Easy to adjust
- Lightweight
- 25L grass box
Cons:
- Not suitable for large lawns
- No foam grip on handles ( would have made mower more comfortable to push)
Lawn King RC125 76CM Cut Ride on Lawn Mower
Features
- Type – Ride-on
- Power – 382cc
- Weight – 185kg
- Cut Width – 76cm
- Cut Height – 30mm to 95mm
- Collection Bag – 200L
A ride-on lawn mower is best suited to expansive gardens, so it will not be suitable for people with small lawns. For those who cannot walk or older people who struggle to move around and have extensive grounds to cut, a ride-on mower is ideal.
The Lawn King RC125 has a single-cylinder 382cc electric start engine with a cutting width of 76cm and a small turning radius, making it easy to mow around bushes and flower beds.
The mower has five cutting heights ranging from 30mm to 95mm and comes with a 200-litre grass collection bag.
It has an adjustable seat and a step-through frame, making it safe and easy to get on or off.
Pros:
- Machine comes fully assembled
- 200L grass bag
- You can sit while mowing your expansive garden
- A small turning radius makes going around bushes and corners simple
Cons:
- Not suitable for small or medium-sized lawns
- Rather expensive
Worx WR 142 E M700 Landroid Robotic Mower
Features
- Type – Robotic
- Power – Worx Power Share 4.0Ah battery
- Weight – 17kg
- Cut Width – 180mm
- Cut Height – 20mm to 50mm
- Collection Bag – No collection bag
The Worx Landroid range uses all the latest technology to mow your lawn efficiently. Worx WR 142E M700 is excellent for yards up to 700 square metres. It can handle obstacles and odd-shaped properties and will neatly cut to the edge of your lawn.
This Worx Landroid Robotic Mower is powered by a 20V 2.0Ah Lithium-ion battery that can also be used with other Worx products.
The charging station is compact, so you need a small flat area near a power outlet to place it. In addition, the charging function is automatic, so as soon as the Landroid is running low on power, it will automatically go back to the station to recharge when necessary.
The Landroid has a sophisticated navigation system powered by AIA (artificial intelligence technology). Once you have downloaded the app, you can use your mobile phone to walk the lawn area and it will calculate the site and the best way to cut it.
Three ultra-sharp blades fixed to a disk can spin in both directions. Cutting heights can be adjusted from 20mm to 50mm, with a cutting width of 180mm.
When setting up the control panel, it is necessary to study the lawn layout logically to plan the installation for the Landroid operation. Consider obstacles, flower beds, the driveway, slopes and depressions when planning.
To set up the WR142E M700, run and peg or bury the boundary cable along the perimeter and connect the wires to the charging base. Connect the Landroid to your Wi-Fi, download the app, create an account and then walk the garden with your smartphone.
Once set up, the Worx WR142E M700 needs to be plugged in and it will cut your lawn effectively with no effort required making it an ideal mower for older people.
Pros:
- AIA technology
- Easy to maintain
- Affordable robotic mower
- Easy to use once set up
- Charges quickly
Cons:
- Potentially challenging to install
- Does not perform well with grass more than three inches long
How to Buy the Best Lawn Mower for the Elderly
Mowing the lawn can be physically demanding, and as you become older, your mobility becomes more limited than it once was. It’s important to make the task as easy and safe as possible.
There are many factors to consider before deciding which lawn mower would be most suited to your specific needs:
Type of Mower
There are a few mower types for older people to choose from:
Cylinder Lawn Mowers
These are lightweight and cost half the price of an electric mower, but they rely on push power and may be more challenging for an older person to use.
Rotary Corded Lawn Mowers
Corded mowers run on mains power and are lightweight, powerful and easy to push. They usually have four wheels that give stability and can be used on uneven or sloped ground, which is ideal for older people whose mobility is not as good.
The only downside is that the cable can get in the way, causing you to trip, or you may accidentally cut the cord.
Rotary Cordless Lawn Mowers
Rechargeable batteries power cordless mowers. Battery technology has improved immensely, and cordless mowers can now deliver power and performance comparable to petrol and electric lawnmowers.
Although heavier than corded lawnmowers, they are still reasonably easy to manoeuvre. However, if you have a large area to cut, you may have to recharge the battery before mowing is completed, or you might have to purchase an extra battery.
Hover Lawnmowers
Hover mowers are usually lighter and easier to use than lawn mowers with wheels. They float on a cushion of air and are therefore easy to manoeuvre around obstacles and make mowing on slopes less taxing.
Petrol Lawn Mowers (self-propelled)
Petrol lawnmowers are heavier and more challenging to move around. Still, if you prefer petrol lawn mowers, then a self-propelled model that can be set to move the mower forward steadily without you exerting too much energy is recommended.
Robotic Mowers
A robotic mower is an excellent option for older people as it requires very little maintenance and allows you to cut your lawn without work.
A smartphone is required to open the app, and setting it up requires the ability to work with modern technology. It must be noted that robotic lawnmowers are somewhat expensive and not within everyone’s budget price range.
Ride-on Lawn Mowers
A ride on lawn mower is an option if you have an expansive garden and a good budget.
Weight of Lawn Mower
If you are a senior gardener, a lightweight and manoeuvrable lawn mower will be beneficial. The lighter the mower, the easier it will be to carry from your storage area to the lawn.
Ease of Use
Here are some factors to consider to make your mowing experience comfortable and straightforward:
- Starting mechanism: Look for lawnmowers with easy-to-start mechanisms that won’t place undue stress on your arms or back.
- Cutting width: Choose a lawnmower with a cutting width that matches the size of your lawn. A wider cutting width will allow you to complete the job quickly but may be more challenging to manoeuvre.
- Collection Bag: The bag should be light, making it easy to remove and empty. If you purchase a mower that has a large collection bag, you will have to empty the bag less frequently, however, it may be too heavy to empty.
A mower with a mulching plug is a good option as this eliminates the need to empty the bag and makes the mower lighter and easier to push. Mulching is also beneficial to your lawn, providing valuable nutrients.
Lawn Size
If you have a small garden, you won’t have much grass to cut. Look for the lightest, easiest-to-handle lawnmower to suit your needs without worrying about cutting width or grass bag size.
Medium to large lawns will need a mower with a wider cutting width of at least 34cm and a grass collection bag holding at least 35 litres.
Safety
Lawnmowers are legally required to meet specific safety standards with features to protect your feet from the blade and flying debris, plus stopping the motor from operating if you let go of the handle.
Maintenance
As an older person, you’ll need a lawn mower that’s easy to install with minimum maintenance requirements.
Manual push and corded lawn mowers come assembled with only the handles and grass boxes needing to be fitted. They don’t need the same level of maintenance as a petrol lawn mower.
FAQs
Can an elderly man with a wire catheter mow with a riding mower?
No, for safety reasons, driving is not permitted with a urinary catheter. The tubing may become entangled and obstruct you from the safe operation of your vehicle.
How safe is a riding mower for an elderly person to drive?
There are several ride-on mowers designed for older people with limited mobility. These are lightweight, have comfortable seats, easy-to-use controls and are safe for an older person to drive.
Conclusion
Staying active and getting outside is essential for all ages, but as we age, it becomes even more critical to maintain our activity levels, mobility and independence. With the right equipment, lawn mowing can be an enjoyable and healthy experience.
A wide variety of lawnmowers available are suitable for the elderly. We trust that you can choose the lawn mower most suited to your requirements after considering all the recommended lawn mowers and our how-to-buy guide.
Please let us know below if you have any comments or questions.
Share this article
Charl is a full-time writer with a range of passions and expertise in lawn mowers and other garden power tools. After many years in the corporate rat race, he decided to follow these passions. When not writing, Charl can be found in his garden, tending to or propagating plants, keeping the lawn near perfect, and enjoying the outdoors with his dogs. He is also fascinated by emerging technology and tries to squeeze in a round of golf as often as possible.
