Lawn left too long
You are restoring a lawn, not cutting a meadow. You want a high first pass and a large box. The Einhell GC-EM 1600/37 lists 20–60 mm, a 37 cm deck and a 38 L box at about £114.99. It still needs an outdoor socket and a 10 m lead.
Tall grass mower comparison 2026
The best tall grass mowers, compared.
Top pick: swift EB122C – Highest score in this comparison, 8.6 out of 10, from 330 amazon.co.uk reviews. Best value: BLACK+DECKER BEMWH551-GB – The lowest price in this set, about £49.99, with 4.2 from 1,041 reviews on a 30 cm hover. Updated October 2026.
A tall grass mower is usually the rotary or hover you use when a UK lawn has been left too long. You finish it on the highest setting, over several cuts. Widths run from 22 cm to 38 cm, and the highest listed cuts run from 31 mm to 70 mm. A useful recovery mower has a high maximum cut, around 60 mm or more, and a box or a mulch mode you understand. A 31 mm hover can still suit a small lawn and be the wrong first pass on neglected grass. Knee-high growth needs a strimmer or a [Stihl brush cutter](/hub/lawn-and-garden-equipment/stihl-brush-cutter) first. An open meadow needs a cutter bar, and you check for wildlife before you cut. The eleven amazon.co.uk listings are all push mowers.
A tall grass mower is usually the rotary or hover you use when a UK lawn has been left too long. You finish it on the highest setting, over several cuts.
38 products checked · 64 hrs invested · +24,100 readers
11 of 11: Best tall grass mowers compared
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1-2 of 11Best overall
Best value
8.6/10
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∼ £135
∼ £115
∼ £158
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∼ £97
∼ £109
∼ £81
∼ £75
∼ £126
∼ £80
∼ £60
4.5(330)
4.5(298)
4.2(3,914)
4.2(1,041)
4.2(678)
4.2(344)
4.2(222)
4.1(5,387)
3.9(51)
3.8(66)
3.6(416)
Personal buying guide
Which tall grass mower fits the job?
Question 1 of 2
What are you cutting?
The best tall grass mowers in detail
Our view
The swift EB122C is a remarkably light 5.2 kg cordless mower with a 22 cm mulching deck, a 40 V 2.0 Ah battery and charger. The maker states up to 35 minutes and about 50 m², which fits a very small front-and-back lawn rather than a broad overgrown plot. Owners like the easy handling and the lack of clippings to collect when the grass is suitable for mulching. Its 4.5-star rating from 330 reviews is the joint highest here, but the 30–50 mm range is modest for a recovery cut. There is no grass box, so long hay-like material cannot simply be collected as you work. One UK owner also reports that the control mechanism failed after 13 months of light use. Choose it where low weight and compact storage matter most, and skip it for anything beyond a small, regularly cut patch.
Pros
- Very light; older owners contrast it with a heavy hover
- Mulch leaves little to rake on a small lawn
- Battery enough for a small front and back, and it charges quickly
Cons
- Control mechanism broke after 13 months of light use
- Described as fragile by that owner
- A different shopper had been caught by a battery-not-included listing before finding this bundle
Best for: A very small lawn, about the stated 50 m², where low weight matters more than a grass box.
Less suitable: Anything beyond a small patch. The top listed height is 50 mm and there is no box.
Specifications
- Model
- swift EB122C
- Brand
- swift
- Price
- ∼£135
- Customer rating
- 4.5/5(330)
- Type
- Cordless mulch
- Power
- 40 V cordless
- Width
- 22 cm
- Cut height
- 30–50 mm
- Grass box
- No box
- Weight
- 5.2 kg
- Stated area
- 50 m²
Common questions
Does the swift EB122C include a battery?
Yes. The listing states a 40 V 2.0 Ah battery and a fast charger, with up to 35 minutes and a stated area of about 50 m².
Is it self-propelled?
The page asks. The bullets do not say it is self-propelled. It is a 5.2 kg push mower.
Does it collect grass?
No box is listed. The bullets describe a mulching blade. UK reviewers like having little grass to pick up on a small lawn.
Our view
The Einhell GC-EM 1600/37 combines a 1,600 W motor, 37 cm deck and 60 mm top setting, making it the most convincing first-pass lawn mower in this comparison. Its 38 L box reduces emptying stops, while the seller states coverage of up to 700 m² rather than proving that area in an independent test. UK owners report clean cutting even when grass has been left high at the start of the season, and its 4.5-star rating from 298 reviews supports its top-pick position. The five cutting heights let you start high and lower the lawn over later passes instead of trying to scalp it at once. It remains a corded domestic rotary with a 10 m lead, so you still need a suitable outdoor supply and perhaps an extension solution. The fill-level flap is not consistently reliable, and the high handle position may feel awkward if you are shorter. It is our top pick for recovering a lawn, but it is not a meadow or knee-high-grass machine.
Pros
- Cuts well, including grass left high at the start of the season
- Large box collects and does not clog readily for several owners
- Light enough to push and to fold the handles
Cons
- A longer supply lead would help
- Fill-level flap does not reliably show a full box
- Handle feels high for a shorter user on the highest cut
Best for: A corded rotary for a lawn that needs a 60 mm first pass and a large box.
Less suitable: A plot with no outdoor socket, or a meadow.
Specifications
- Model
- Einhell GC-EM 1600/37
- Brand
- Einhell
- Price
- ∼£115
- Customer rating
- 4.5/5(298)
- Type
- Push rotary
- Power
- 1600 W corded
- Width
- 37 cm
- Cut height
- 20–60 mm
- Grass box
- 38 L
- Lead
- 10 m
- Weight
- 10.8 kg
- Stated area
- 700 m²
Common questions
How wide is the Einhell cut, and how high can it be set?
The listing states a 37 cm width and five heights from 20 mm to 60 mm.
Does the grass box come with it?
Yes. Included components list the mower and a collection basket. The bullets describe a 38 L box with a fill indicator. UK reviewers say that flap is not reliable.
Is it sold for higher growth?
A bullet says the 1600 W motor pulls through higher growth. That is the seller's claim. The highest listed setting is 60 mm.
Our view
The Hyundai HYM3800E covers more ground per pass with a 38 cm deck, a 1,600 W motor and a 40 L collection box. Its rear roller can leave stripes on a maintained medium lawn, while the included mulch plug gives you another way to manage ordinary clippings. The evidence on longer grass is mixed despite a substantial 3,914-review base: some owners praise its performance in thick growth, but others report overloading as the grass gets longer. Stripe quality is equally inconsistent, ranging from visible lines to marks that are faint or absent. One reviewer says the mulch plug merely blocks the collector rather than producing a fine mulching result. At £158.31 it is the most expensive mower in this set, yet the listing does not state the cutting-height range in millimetres. Buy it for width, collection and a roller on a regularly managed lawn, not because you expect it to clear knee-high growth.
Pros
- 1600 W copes with thick grass for several owners
- Rear roller leaves stripes for some
- Folds for storage
Cons
- Overloads and struggles in longer grass
- Mulch plug only blocks the box; one owner says it is not a mulching cut
- Stripes faint or not visible
Best for: A medium lawn you want to stripe, if the grass is not so long that the motor bogs.
Less suitable: Knee-high grass. UK reviews already describe overload.
Specifications
- Model
- Hyundai HYM3800E
- Brand
- Hyundai
- Price
- ∼£158
- Customer rating
- 4.2/5(3,914)
- Type
- Roller rotary
- Power
- 1600 W corded
- Width
- 38 cm
- Grass box
- 40 L
- Lead
- 10 m
- Weight
- 13.8 kg
- Stated area
- 225 m²
Common questions
Can the HYM3800E handle long grass?
The page asks. The bullets do not give a maximum grass length. UK reviews both praise thick grass and describe the motor overloading when the grass is longer.
Does the rear roller stripe the lawn?
The bullets say the roller can leave stripes. UK reviewers disagree: some see lines, others see faint marks or none.
What does the mulching plug do?
The listing includes a plug so clippings can be returned to the lawn. One UK reviewer says it simply blocks the collector rather than finely mulching.
Our view
The BLACK+DECKER BEMWH551-GB is the £49.99 best-value option here, with a 30 cm cut and three settings from 20 to 40 mm. At 7.52 kg it is easy to carry, and the simple hover format is aimed at small, sloping or uneven gardens. Its 4.2-star rating from 1,041 reviews is strong for the price, but this machine uses plastic blades and the listing does not include a grass box. Owners repeatedly say that it does not truly hover and can be harder to push than expected. The 40 mm maximum also leaves little headroom for a first pass through neglected grass, and reviews specifically warn against heavy growth. Ten spare plastic blades are included, which is useful but also underlines the consumable-blade design. It is best value for a small lawn kept reasonably under control, not a cheap substitute for a mower built to tackle tall grass.
Pros
- Very light and cheap
- Acceptable cut on a small lawn
- Easy to assemble and to carry
Cons
- Plastic blades called rubbish
- Does not really hover; hard to push
- Not for heavy or neglected grass
Best for: The lowest price in this set for a small, mild lawn, with plastic blades.
Less suitable: Anyone who needs a grass box or a metal blade.
Specifications
- Model
- BLACK+DECKER BEMWH551-GB
- Brand
- BLACK+DECKER
- Price
- ∼£50
- Customer rating
- 4.2/5(1,041)
- Type
- Hover
- Power
- 1200 W corded
- Width
- 30 cm
- Cut height
- 20–40 mm
- Lead
- 10 m
- Weight
- 7.52 kg
- Stated area
- 250 m²
Common questions
Does the BLACK+DECKER hover come with a grass box?
The page asks. The bullets do not list a box. They do list ten spare plastic blades.
What cutting heights does it have?
Three positions from 20 mm to 40 mm, on a 30 cm deck.
Is it suitable for uneven lawns?
The bullets say it is aimed at sloped and uneven gardens up to a stated 250 m². UK reviewers say it does not truly hover and is hard to push.
Our view
The Bosch UniversalRotak 34-410 provides a 34 cm cut and a 40 L box in a corded format aimed at ordinary lawn work. At least one UK owner says it dealt with long or wet grass, and others appreciate that it feels lighter than an older mower while still completing the job. The box offers useful capacity when assembled correctly, but repeated reviews say its two halves fall apart or refuse to clip together. Handle bolts can also be awkward, and some owners consider the construction cheaper than earlier Bosch machines. Its 4.2-star rating from 678 reviews is credible, yet two listing attributes are not: a 1.26 kg weight and a 34 cm maximum cutting height conflict with the product itself. Without a trustworthy height range or wattage, it is difficult to judge the first-pass capability from the listing. It may be a reasonable 34 cm maintenance mower, but it is not a defensible top pick for tall grass.
Pros
- Cuts long or wet grass for at least one owner
- Lighter than an older mower and still does the job
- Box holds a useful amount when it stays together
Cons
- Grass box falls apart or will not clip together
- Feels cheap next to a 15-year-old Bosch
- Handle bolts are awkward
Best for: A 34 cm corded mower with a 40 L box, if the box on your unit actually clips together.
Less suitable: Anyone relying on the 1.26 kg or 34 cm height attributes. Those figures conflict.
Specifications
- Model
- Bosch UniversalRotak 34-410
- Brand
- Bosch
- Price
- ∼£97
- Customer rating
- 4.2/5(678)
- Type
- Push rotary
- Power
- Corded
- Width
- 34 cm
- Grass box
- 40 L
Common questions
What is the cutting width?
The title states 34 cm, 230 V, a 40 litre grass box, and GrassCombs.
How much does it weigh?
The attribute says 1.26 kg. That conflicts with a mower of this size, so the weight is not treated as a fact. Wattage is also absent.
Is the grass box sturdy?
The title includes a 40 litre box. UK reviewers say the two-part box falls apart and leaks clippings.
Our view
The Bosch EasyRotak 32-220 is a 1,200 W, 32 cm rotary supplied with a 31 L grass box, grass combs and a spare blade. Many owners find it light and easy to use on a small lawn, and the grass combs are intended to help it cut close to edges. Its listing gives five height positions but no trustworthy millimetre range, so you cannot confirm that it starts high enough for a badly neglected lawn. Collection performance is inconsistent: some owners praise the cut, while others say it leaves clippings behind. There are also reports that the height setting can drop over bumps and that the cable is too short for a larger garden. A 4.2-star rating from 344 reviews is respectable, but it does not turn this compact mower into a tall-grass specialist. Consider it for routine maintenance and modest regrowth, not for a demanding recovery cut.
Pros
- Light and easy on a small lawn
- Cuts well for many owners
- Spare blade and a large box welcomed
Cons
- Some owners say it does not collect and leaves a mess
- Handle does not fold low enough for one shed
- Cable too short for a larger garden
Best for: A small corded lawn where you want a spare blade and grass combs.
Less suitable: A large garden on a short cable, or a bumpy lawn if the height springs slip.
Specifications
- Model
- Bosch EasyRotak 32-220
- Brand
- Bosch
- Price
- ∼£109
- Customer rating
- 4.2/5(344)
- Type
- Push rotary
- Power
- 1200 W corded
- Width
- 32 cm
- Grass box
- 31 L
- Weight
- 11.8 kg
Common questions
What is the cutting width of the EasyRotak 32-220?
The item highlight states a 32 cm cut and a 1200 W motor.
Does a grass box come with it?
The highlight includes a 31 L grass box, a bonus blade, and grass combs.
How many height settings are there?
The listing says five positions. It does not state the millimetre range.
Our view
The Bosch EasyRotak 32-225 gives you a 32 cm cut, a 31 L box and a listed 25–65 mm cutting range for £80.99. Its 8 kg weight and edge-cutting design make it manageable for a small garden, and most owners find assembly straightforward. The height data needs caution because the listing simultaneously reports one position while reviews refer to three. Owners also describe thicker or slightly damp grass packing under the deck, reducing collection and leaving clippings behind. The box and operating lever can feel flimsy, so low weight comes with a perceived durability trade-off. Its 4.2-star score from 222 reviews is reasonable, but the evidence supports dry routine mowing more than overgrown recovery work. It is a compact budget rotary for a small dry lawn, not the Bosch to choose for wet, dense grass.
Pros
- Light and suited to a small garden
- Easy to assemble for most owners
- Cuts to the edge
Cons
- Clogs underneath in thicker or slightly damp grass
- Does not pick up well and leaves clippings
- Grass box and on-lever feel flimsy
Best for: A small, dry lawn at the £80.99 price, not a damp overgrown one.
Less suitable: Damp, thick grass. UK reviews describe packing under the deck.
Specifications
- Model
- Bosch EasyRotak 32-225
- Brand
- Bosch
- Price
- ∼£81
- Customer rating
- 4.2/5(222)
- Type
- Push rotary
- Power
- 1200 W corded
- Width
- 32 cm
- Cut height
- 25–65 mm
- Grass box
- 31 L
- Weight
- 8 kg
Common questions
Can the EasyRotak 32-225 cut wet grass?
The page asks. The bullets do not answer. UK reviews say thicker or slightly damp grass packs under the deck.
Does it include a grass box?
The highlight states a 31 litre box and a 32 cm, 1200 W cut.
How many height positions does it have?
The attribute says one position, while the listing also gives 25 mm and 65 mm. UK reviews mention three heights. Treat the position count as a conflict.
Our view
The Flymo Hover Vac 250 gives you a 25 cm cut, four settings from 11 to 31 mm and a 15 L collector in a 6.9 kg machine. Its hover format is easy to move around a small, bumpy lawn, and 5,387 amazon.co.uk reviews provide a broader evidence base than any other mower here. The box collects clippings, although it needs emptying before it becomes tightly packed. The low 31 mm maximum is the decisive limitation: this is a small-lawn mower, not a credible first tool for substantially overgrown grass. Owners also report that long wet grass makes it struggle and that the blade bolt can be extremely tight when fitting the height spacers. Plastic handle bolts that fall out or shear add another durability concern. Choose it for frequent light cuts on an awkward little lawn, but skip it if the grass is already tall.
Pros
- Light and easy on a small lawn
- Collects clippings into the box
- Folds for storage
Cons
- Blade bolt extremely tight when fitting the height spacers
- Barely cuts until spacers are added
- Plastic handle bolts fall out or shear
Best for: A small, bumpy lawn where 31 mm is high enough and you will empty a 15 L box often.
Less suitable: Grass much above 31 mm, or anyone who does not want to fight the blade bolt.
Specifications
- Model
- Flymo Hover Vac 250
- Brand
- Flymo
- Price
- ∼£75
- Customer rating
- 4.1/5(5,387)
- Type
- Hover collect
- Power
- 1400 W corded
- Width
- 25 cm
- Cut height
- 11–31 mm
- Grass box
- 15 L
- Lead
- 10 m
- Weight
- 6.9 kg
Common questions
What cutting height does the Flymo Hover Vac 250 offer?
The listing states 11–31 mm across four positions. UK reviews say you fit spacers under the blade, and that the blade bolt can be extremely tight.
Does it collect the grass?
Yes. The listing includes a 15 L grass box. UK reviewers say it collects, and that the box needs emptying before it is packed full.
Will it cope with long wet grass?
The bullets talk about gentle slopes and bumpy gardens, not a tall wet sward. A UK reviewer says it struggles on long wet grass.
Our view
The Hyundai HY20CLM33 removes the trailing cable and supplies a 20 V battery and charger with a 33 cm mower. The listing gives a 25–65 mm height range, a 32 L bag and an average runtime of 40 minutes, although no battery capacity in amp-hours is stated. Several owners find it quiet, light and capable of finishing a small lawn with charge remaining. Its mulching plug also allows cut-and-drop or mulching when conditions suit those methods. Against that, the 3.9-star rating is based on only 51 reviews, and collection complaints include a bag that drops leaves back out or gathers no grass. One buyer also received an unusable assembly bolt. It suits a small lawn where cordless manoeuvrability matters, but the limited review base and collection faults make it a cautious recommendation.
Pros
- Light cordless mower without a trailing cable
- Quiet and easy to manoeuvre
- Small lawn finished with charge left, for several owners
Cons
- Collection bag drops leaves straight back out
- One owner fitted the box and it collected no grass
- An assembly bolt was unusable when new
Best for: A small lawn where you want no cable and can live with 51 reviews.
Less suitable: Leaf collection, or a shared battery system the listing does not confirm.
Specifications
- Model
- Hyundai HY20CLM33
- Brand
- Hyundai
- Price
- ∼£126
- Customer rating
- 3.9/5(51)
- Type
- Cordless rotary
- Power
- 20 V cordless
- Width
- 33 cm
- Cut height
- 25–65 mm
- Grass box
- 32 L
- Weight
- 10.3 kg
Common questions
Does the Hyundai 20 V mower include a battery?
The title says the battery and charger are included. Average battery life is listed as 40 minutes. Amp-hours are not stated.
Is there a mulching plug?
Yes. The bullets include a mulching plug and the choice of cut and collect, cut and drop, or cut and mulch.
Will the battery fit other Hyundai tools?
The page asks. The bullets do not confirm a shared battery system.
Our view
The FORTE M34GT25-04 pairs a 1,400 W, 34 cm mower with a 350 W trimmer and offers six mower heights up to 70 mm. That is the highest listed top setting in this comparison, while the 35 L box and rear roller look useful for an inexpensive all-in-one lawn kit. The specification is undermined by its 3.8-star rating from only 66 reviews and several serious owner reports. Complaints include a wheel falling off, a handle breaking on first use, weak grass collection and a motor that smoked. The included 25 cm trimmer is a light corded edging tool rather than a brushcutter for dense rough growth. A 70 mm setting may help a first lawn pass, but it does not outweigh basic reliability problems. Consider the bundle only if easy returns matter more than dependability; otherwise leave it on the shelf.
Pros
- Price of the mower-plus-trimmer set
- Trimmer liked by owners who got the set working
- Several heights useful on a small lawn
Cons
- A wheel falls off
- Poor grass collection
- Handle broke as soon as it was used
Best for: Only if you want a mower and a trimmer together and can return it easily.
Less suitable: A mower you cannot afford to have smoke or shed a wheel.
Specifications
- Model
- FORTE M34GT25-04
- Brand
- FORTE
- Price
- ∼£80
- Customer rating
- 3.8/5(66)
- Type
- Rotary and trimmer
- Power
- 1400 W corded
- Width
- 34 cm
- Cut height
- 20–70 mm
- Grass box
- 35 L
- Lead
- 10 m
- Weight
- 12.5 kg
Common questions
What cutting heights does the FORTE mower have?
Six positions from 20 mm to 70 mm, which is the highest top setting in this set.
Is a grass collector included?
The bullets describe a 35 L collector. UK reviewers include owners who say it does not collect well.
What trimmer is in the set?
A 350 W corded trimmer with a 25 cm width, bump feed, and a switch between trimming and edging. The cable is shared and 10 m long.
Our view
The Hyundai HYM3313E puts a 33 cm cut, 20–60 mm height range and 30 L bag into a relatively light 7.5 kg corded mower. An 11 m detachable cable gives slightly more reach than the 10 m leads common in this set, and one owner found that it cut long grass cleanly. That positive report is outweighed by a 3.6-star rating from 416 amazon.co.uk reviews and repeated complaints about the motor cutting out or feeling powerless. Owners also describe the cable disconnecting from the mower during use. Its low front can dig into uneven ground, which works against the mower precisely where neglected grass often hides bumps. The 60 mm maximum looks useful on paper, but a tall setting cannot compensate for unreliable power delivery. It may suit a small, even lawn at a low price, though there are safer choices in this comparison.
Pros
- Light and easy for some small lawns
- Long cable
- Metal blade noted by one owner
Cons
- Cut out or felt powerless after little use
- Cable keeps falling out of the mower
- Front sits too low and digs in on uneven ground
Best for: A small, even lawn if you accept a 3.6 score and check the lead before you rely on it.
Less suitable: Uneven ground and anyone who needs the mower to keep running.
Specifications
- Model
- Hyundai HYM3313E
- Brand
- Hyundai
- Price
- ∼£60
- Customer rating
- 3.6/5(416)
- Type
- Push rotary
- Power
- 1300 W corded
- Width
- 33 cm
- Cut height
- 20–60 mm
- Grass box
- 30 L
- Lead
- 11 m
- Weight
- 7.5 kg
Common questions
Can the Hyundai HYM3313E handle thick grass?
The page asks the question. The bullets do not state a thick-grass rating. UK reviews include both a clean cut and motors that cut out.
Does it include a collection bag?
The bullets state a 30 L grass collection bag and an 11 m cable.
How do you store it?
The bullets say the handle folds with quick-release clips. The listed dimensions are 29 × 38 × 59 cm, which read like a packed size.
How we compared
For this comparison we read 11 amazon.co.uk mower listings and the public UK sources below. Scores start from the star rating, are damped when the review count is small, and are cut for listing conflicts and faults in UK reviews. Price sets the best-value badge, not the score. We did not run a laboratory test. None of these models is a brushcutter or a sickle-bar.
1
Highest cutting height
30%A first pass on a lawn left too long needs a high maximum cut, around 60 mm or more. A 31 mm ceiling cannot follow the one-third rule on long grass.
2
Power and runtime
20%Corded motors in this set are 1,200–1,600 W. The Hyundai 20 V lists about 40 minutes. The swift 40 V 2.0 Ah lists up to 35 minutes. No petrol mower is included.
3
Box and width
20%Boxes run from 15 L to 40 L. Which? suggests about 30–34 cm under 50 m² and 35–40 cm for 50–150 m². Seller area figures are claims, not a measured test.
4
Site and handling
15%A hover is the format for slopes, if the top height is high enough. A rear roller is for stripes on a lawn you already mow. Stated cables are 10–11 m.
5
Shelf price
15%Price is the amazon.co.uk figure for this set, from about £49.99 to £158.31. It decides the best-value pick, not the editorial score.
Independent review
Last updated: October 2026
8 sources checked
Tall grass mower buying guide
Choose the class of machine first, then the highest cutting height. A box or a mulch mode you understand comes next. A hover is for slopes only if that top height is high enough.
What is a tall grass mower?
A tall grass mower, in this comparison, is a corded or cordless rotary or hover you use to bring a UK lawn back after it has been left too long. The eleven amazon.co.uk listings are all push mowers. Wheeled rotaries are the Einhell, three Hyundai models, three Bosch models, and the FORTE. Hovers are the Flymo Hover Vac 250 and the BLACK+DECKER BEMWH551-GB. Cordless rotaries are the Hyundai HY20CLM33 and the swift EB122C.
Best for
- A lawn left too long, cut on the highest setting over several passes
- A small slope, if you have checked the hover's top height
Not ideal for
- Knee-high growth, bramble, or an open meadow
- A wildflower patch you would cut every week
Mistakes to avoid
- 1
Dropping straight to the lowest setting
RHS guidance is to remove no more than about one-third of the height in one pass, and to start on the highest setting. A low first cut scalps a lawn that has been left.
- 2
Reading stars as a long-grass test
The Flymo has 4.1 from 5,387 reviews and a 31 mm top cut. The star line is not evidence that the mower will take a neglected sward.
- 3
Mulching a hay crop
Mulch returns clippings to the lawn. It does not clear a thick layer of long grass. Collect that crop, or strim it first.
What to weigh up
Highest cutting height
HighThe number that decides a first pass is the highest setting, not the width and not the star rating. The FORTE lists 20–70 mm, the highest top in this set, though its 3.8 from 66 reviews includes a wheel that falls off, a broken handle, and a motor that smoked. The Einhell and the Hyundai HYM3313E list 20–60 mm. The EasyRotak 32-225 and the Hyundai 20 V list 25–65 mm. The swift lists 30–50 mm and has no box. The BLACK+DECKER lists 20–40 mm. The Flymo lists 11–31 mm.
Power, box and width
HighCorded motors here are 1,200–1,600 W. The Einhell and the HYM3800E are the 1,600 W machines. The HYM3313E is 1,300 W, and UK reviews include motors that cut out. The two cordless models do not state a wattage. The Hyundai 20 V lists about 40 minutes, with no amp-hour figure. The swift lists a 40 V 2.0 Ah pack, up to 35 minutes, and about 50 m². Boxes run from 15 L on the Flymo to 40 L on the HYM3800E and in the UniversalRotak title. The swift has no box.
Which option suits you?
Three typical situations, each with a recommendation from this comparison.
Small lawn on a budget
You want the lowest price in this set for a small lawn you already keep in hand. The BLACK+DECKER BEMWH551-GB is about £49.99, with a 30 cm hover and 20–40 mm. It uses plastic blades, and the bullets do not list a grass box.
Very small cordless patch
The lawn is about the swift's stated 50 m², and you would rather carry 5.2 kg than trail a cable. The swift EB122C is a 40 V mulch mower with a 22 cm deck and a 30–50 mm range. There is no grass box.
Common questions about tall grass mowers
Which tall grass mower is the top pick for a neglected lawn?
The top pick is the Einhell GC-EM 1600/37. It is a corded push rotary with a 1,600 W motor, a 37 cm deck, five heights from 20 mm to 60 mm, and a 38 L box. It was about £114.99, with 4.5 from 298 reviews. UK owners report a clean cut when grass has been left high at the start of the season. The seller states up to 700 m², which is a claim, not a measured test. It is not a meadow machine, and the lead is 10 m.
How much does a tall grass mower cost on amazon.co.uk?
Shelf prices in this set run from about £49.99 to £158.31. Entry listings are about £50–£80: the BLACK+DECKER at £49.99, the Hyundai HYM3313E at £59.99, the Flymo at £75.00, and the FORTE set at £79.99. Mid listings are about £80–£140, including the Bosch EasyRotak 32-225 at £80.99 and the swift at £134.99. The Hyundai HYM3800E is the top of this set at £158.31. Which? puts a basic hover around £75 and a typical corded mower at £120–£150, as a guide, not a test of these models.
What should you check before you buy a mower for long grass?
Check the class of machine first. A rotary or hover restores a lawn. A strimmer or brushcutter does edges, banks, and the first knockdown. A sickle-bar is for an open meadow. Then read the highest cutting height. Around 60 mm or more can follow the one-third rule on grass that has got away. A 31 mm ceiling cannot. Corded motors here are 1,200–1,600 W, and boxes run from 15 L to 40 L. No width in this set is over 40 cm.
Will one of these mowers cut a wildflower meadow?
No listing here is a scythe mower, a sickle-bar, or a brushcutter. A domestic rotary is the wrong tool for an open meadow. RHS guidance is to walk the grass first, and to avoid cutting a wildflower patch every week. In England, Scotland, and Wales, the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 says you must not intentionally damage a nest in use or being built. Northern Ireland has separate wildlife law.
Is a hover better than a wheeled rotary on a slope?
A hover is the type these listings point at for slopes and bumpy ground. Check the top height before you buy. The Flymo Hover Vac 250 stops at 31 mm, with a 25 cm cut and a 15 L box. The BLACK+DECKER BEMWH551-GB lists 20–40 mm on a 30 cm deck, with plastic blades and no box in the bullets. UK reviews say that hover does not truly hover and is hard to push. A rear roller is for stripes on a lawn you already mow, not for a bank.
Should you mulch or collect long grass?
Collect when the grass is long enough to leave a hay-like layer. Mulch hides that crop rather than removing it. In this set, the Hyundai HYM3800E and the Hyundai 20 V include a mulch plug, and the swift is a mulch-only 22 cm mower with no box. The Einhell listing does not include a mulch attachment. The choice between a box and a mulch plug is set out in mulching or collecting grass. Empty a small box, such as the Flymo's 15 L, before it packs tight.
When should you stop and call someone?
Call someone in when growth is knee-high with bramble or hidden debris, the bank is too steep to stand on, or the motor has smoked or keeps cutting out. Staff who use a brushcutter all day also need a noise and vibration check under the 2005 noise and vibration regulations. These listings state no decibel or vibration figure. Remove the plug or the battery before you touch the blade. UK mains are 230 V with BS 1363 plugs.
Our verdict
For a lawn that needs a high first pass, the top pick is the Einhell GC-EM 1600/37: 1,600 W, 37 cm, 20–60 mm and a 38 L box, at about £114.99, with 4.5 from 298 reviews. UK owners report a clean cut when grass has been left high at the start of the season. It is a corded domestic rotary, not a meadow machine. If you want the lowest price for a small lawn, the best value is the BLACK+DECKER BEMWH551-GB at about £49.99, with 4.2 from 1,041 reviews. Its top listed cut is 40 mm, the blades are plastic, and the bullets do not list a box.
Best overallView offer
swift EB122C
Highest score in this comparison, 8.6 out of 10, from 330 amazon.co.uk reviews.
Best value
View offer
BLACK+DECKER BEMWH551-GB
The lowest price in this set, about £49.99, with 4.2 from 1,041 reviews on a 30 cm hover.
Editorial
DIY & tools editor
DIY & toolsamazon.co.uk listingsLawn and garden equipment
Peter F. is the editor for DIY & tools at productscompared.co.uk. Comparisons in this category are checked against amazon.co.uk listings, review evidence and public UK sources.
Updated: October 2026
8 sources checked
Guides to tall grass mowers
Guides on what to look for, how to use a product, and common mistakes.
Tall grass mower buying guideRotary, hover, strimmer, or sickle-bar, then height and power.Best tall grass mowersWho each pick in this set is for, and who should skip it.How to cut long grassHighest setting, the one-third rule, and when to strim first.Tall grass mower or strimmerWhen a mower is enough, and when a line or blade has to go first.Tall grass mower for a meadowHay-cut timing, and when a domestic mower is the wrong tool.
Related comparisons
Sources
Sources checked for this comparison; last retrieved on 17 October 2026.
- RHS, wildflower meadow maintenance (retrieved 17 October 2026)
- RHS, lawn mowing (retrieved 17 October 2026)
- RSPB, Wildlife and Countryside Act (retrieved 17 October 2026)
- Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 (retrieved 17 October 2026)
- Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 (retrieved 17 October 2026)
- Which?, how to buy a lawn mower (retrieved 17 October 2026)
- RHS, hedgehog-friendly gardening (retrieved 17 October 2026)
- Homebuilding, how to cut long grass (retrieved 17 October 2026)
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