Hyundai 1600W Electric Lawnmower with Rear Roller Review: The Lightweight Contender for a Pristine Lawn

For years, my weekend lawn routine felt more like a battle than a therapeutic chore. It involved a heavy, fumes-belching petrol mower that was a nightmare to start and even harder to manoeuvre around the flowerbeds. It was overkill for my small-to-medium-sized lawn, and storing it was a constant headache. I then flirted with a hover mower, only to be frustrated by its patchy, uneven cuts and its refusal to get close to the edges. I knew there had to be a better way—a machine that offered the power to tackle a week’s growth without the weight, the maintenance, or the noise. The goal was simple: find a mower that was easy to lift, simple to use, and capable of leaving a clean, professional finish. That search led me directly to the corded electric market, and specifically, to this promising blue machine.

What to Consider Before Buying a Rotary Mower

A rotary mower is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for achieving a healthy, well-manicured lawn with relative ease. Unlike cylinder mowers, which use a scissor-like action, rotary mowers employ a high-speed rotating blade that slices through grass like a scythe. This makes them incredibly versatile, capable of handling everything from neat lawns to slightly longer, tougher grass. Their primary benefits lie in their simplicity, power, and effectiveness on typical British lawns. Whether you’re collecting clippings, mulching them back into the turf, or aiming for those classic stripes, a good rotary mower is the workhorse of garden maintenance.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone with a small to medium-sized garden (up to around 225 square metres) who values convenience, low maintenance, and consistent performance. If you’ve struggled with the weight and upkeep of petrol models or found battery mowers to be too expensive or limited in runtime, a corded electric rotary like the Hyundai 1600W Electric Lawnmower with Rear Roller is often the perfect middle ground. However, it might not be suitable for those with very large, sprawling lawns where a power cable would be impractical, or for professionals who require the go-anywhere capability of a petrol or high-end cordless model.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Power & Cutting Width: A motor’s power (measured in Watts for electric models) dictates how effectively it can handle dense or damp grass. A 1600W motor is robust for most domestic needs. Cutting width (e.g., 38cm) determines how many passes you’ll need to make; a wider deck saves time on larger lawns, while a narrower one is more manoeuvrable in tight spaces.
• Weight & Ergonomics: The weight of the mower directly impacts how easy it is to push, turn, and carry. At 12.5kg, this Hyundai is remarkably lightweight. Look for features like adjustable handles and a central carry handle, which significantly improve the user experience during operation and storage.
• Cutting Heights & Adjustment: The ability to change the cutting height is essential for adapting to different seasons and grass conditions. A single-lever adjustment system is far superior to fiddly individual wheel adjustments. A range of 5 heights provides excellent flexibility, from a short summer trim to a longer first cut of the season.
• Special Features (Roller, Mulching, Collection): A rear roller is designed to create lawn stripes. A mulching function finely chops clippings and returns them to the lawn as a natural fertiliser. The grass box capacity (e.g., 40 litres) affects how often you’ll need to stop to empty it. Consider which of these features are “must-haves” for your desired finish. You can see its full feature set and specifications to assess if it meets your needs.

Ultimately, choosing the right rotary mower is about balancing the size of your lawn with the features that will make your life easiest.

While the Hyundai 1600W Electric Lawnmower with Rear Roller is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: A Surprisingly Robust and User-Friendly Build

Unboxing the Hyundai HYM3800E was a refreshingly simple affair. Unlike many flat-packed garden tools that require an engineering degree and a full toolbox, this mower was almost entirely pre-assembled. Lifting it out of the box using the integrated central handle, the first thing I noticed was its weight—or lack thereof. At just 12.5 kg, it felt substantial enough to be durable but light enough to be carried one-handed without strain. The main body is made from a tough, thick polypropylene plastic, which feels resilient and less prone to rust than the steel decks of old.

Setup was intuitive and took less than five minutes. It involved unfolding the handles, tightening two quick-release clamps, and clipping the 40-litre grass collector together. As one user noted, you barely need the manual. The vibrant Hyundai blue and orange colour scheme gives it a modern, capable look that belies its budget-friendly price point. The 10-metre power cable felt thick and durable, though I immediately recognised it might be a stretch for some gardens. Everything about the initial experience, from the solid click of the height adjustment lever to the smooth roll of the wheels, suggested a product that was designed with user convenience firmly in mind. It immediately felt like a significant upgrade in quality compared to some budget brands I’ve tested in the past. You can check the latest price and discover more about its design.

In-Depth Analysis: How the Hyundai 1600W Performs in the Real World

A mower can look great out of the box, but its true value is only revealed on the lawn. Over several weeks, I put the Hyundai 1600W Electric Lawnmower with Rear Roller through its paces on different grass lengths, in varying conditions, and tested every one of its advertised features. My goal was to see if its real-world performance could live up to its promising specifications.

Power and Cutting Quality: Slicing Through the Challenge

The heart of this mower is its 1600W electric motor, and I was keen to see how it would cope with my lawn after a week of rain and sun had left it looking rather overgrown. I set the cutting height to its second-highest setting (a process that takes one second with the brilliant central lever) and got to work. The motor spun up with a reassuring hum—noticeably quieter than a petrol engine but with a sense of purpose. It powered through the long grass without bogging down or stalling, leaving a clean, even cut in its wake. This experience was echoed by numerous users who replaced underpowered or older models and were delighted with this mower’s ability to handle tough jobs. The 38cm cutting width felt like the sweet spot for my lawn, wide enough to cover the ground efficiently but narrow enough to navigate between obstacles.

However, the cutting system isn’t without its quirks. One of the most common criticisms we found, and which I experienced myself, is that the cutting blade is slightly narrower than the wheelbase. This means you must overlap each pass carefully to avoid leaving thin, uncut “mohawk” lines of grass. It’s a minor annoyance that you quickly adapt to, but it does mean you can’t cut perfectly flush against a wall or fence line. Furthermore, a few users have raised concerns about the long-term durability of the blade, with one noting it became blunt surprisingly quickly. While my blade held up perfectly during testing, it’s a reminder that blades are a consumable part, and keeping them sharp or replacing them when needed is crucial for a clean cut and preventing torn, unhealthy grass.

Ergonomics and Usability: A Joy to Handle

This is where the Hyundai 1600W Electric Lawnmower with Rear Roller truly excels and wins over those of us tired of heavy machinery. At 12.5kg, pushing it feels almost effortless. I could guide it with one hand, making tight turns around trees and garden furniture a simple task. This lightweight nature, confirmed by countless satisfied owners, makes it accessible to a wider range of users who might struggle with heavier petrol mowers. The central carry handle isn’t a gimmick; it’s genuinely useful for lifting the mower up steps or into the shed.

The single best ergonomic feature, without a doubt, is the cutting height adjustment. Described by one user as a “wonderful change from the regular hassle,” the large, gear-stick-like lever allows you to switch between five cutting heights in an instant. It’s a premium feature on a budget-friendly machine and eliminates the frustrating task of adjusting spring-loaded wheel shafts. The handles are comfortable, and the quick-release clamps make folding it down for storage a 30-second job. It collapses into a very compact unit that can be stored vertically, saving precious floor space. The only minor ergonomic gripe I share with another reviewer is that the 10m power cable, while of good quality, can feel restrictive and loves to tangle. For all but the smallest lawns, an extension cable is an almost essential accessory.

The Triple Feature Test: Collection, Mulching, and Striping

A mower’s core job is to cut grass, but its extra features often determine whether it’s a good tool or a great one. I tested the Hyundai’s three main selling points with mixed, but revealing, results. First, the mulching plug. It’s a simple piece of plastic that blocks the exit to the grass box, forcing the finely chopped clippings back onto the lawn. In dry conditions, it worked beautifully. The clippings were small enough to disappear into the turf, providing a natural, free fertiliser. For those who mow frequently and hate emptying the grass box, this mulching feature is a standout benefit.

Next, the much-vaunted rear roller. Its purpose is to press the grass down after cutting to create the classic striped effect seen on bowling greens. In practice, the results were subtle at best. While it does create some definition, the lightweight nature of the mower and the plastic roller mean it doesn’t produce the deep, contrasting stripes of a heavy, professional-grade machine. If professional-style stripes are your number one priority, this may not be the mower for you.

Finally, the most controversial feature: grass collection. This is where the machine divides opinion. The 40-litre hard-top collector is a good size and easy to attach. However, I found, as many users have reported, that its performance is highly dependent on conditions. When the grass was perfectly dry, it collected reasonably well, filling up to about two-thirds before needing an empty. But the moment there was any moisture in the lawn, the system struggled. The airflow seems insufficient to propel damp, heavy clippings forcefully into the back of the box. Instead, they clog the chute, starving the blade of air and causing clumps of grass to be left on the lawn. Several users noted they had to stop and clear the chute or shake the mower to get the grass to settle in the box. This is the mower’s most significant weakness and something potential buyers must be aware of—it demands a dry lawn for effective collection.

What Other Users Are Saying

Scouring feedback from a wide range of owners confirms our own findings, painting a picture of a mower that is loved for its convenience but criticised for its collection system. The overwhelming majority of positive comments centre on its lightweight design and ease of use. One user, who switched from a heavy petrol model, was “thrilled with this little machine,” celebrating that she could now easily lift and manage it on her own. Another praised it as a “game changer” after struggling with a heavy hover mower, highlighting the “precise, adjustable cutting.” The single-lever height adjustment is a consistent point of praise, with one owner calling it a “wonderful change.”

On the other hand, the negative feedback is almost entirely focused on the grass collection. One frustrated user stated it “seems to lack the blow power to throw the grass into the grass box properly,” a sentiment echoed by another who found it “unable to fill up the catchment.” This issue is frequently linked to cutting damp grass. A more critical review also mentioned the striping effect was non-existent and that the mower left lines of cuttings on the lawn, requiring a second pass. This balanced feedback is crucial: the Hyundai 1600W Electric Lawnmower with Rear Roller is a fantastic mower for ease and cutting power, but its finishing touches—collection and striping—can be inconsistent.

How Does the Hyundai 1600W Compare to the Alternatives?

No product exists in a vacuum. The Hyundai 1600W Electric Lawnmower with Rear Roller faces stiff competition from established brands, each offering a slightly different blend of features and performance.

1. Flymo Speedi-Mo 360VC Electric Rotary Lawn Mower

The Flymo Speedi-Mo is a direct competitor with a slightly less powerful 1500W motor and a narrower 36cm cutting width. Its key advantage is its even lighter weight, making it exceptionally nimble. However, it lacks the rear roller for striping and the dedicated mulching plug that comes standard with the Hyundai. While it shares a 40L grass box, some users find its collection more reliable. This mower is an excellent choice for those who prioritise maximum manoeuvrability and weight savings over the striping and mulching features of the Hyundai.

2. Einhell GE-CM 36/36 Li Cordless Lawnmower 36cm

The Einhell represents a step up in both price and technology. As a cordless model powered by two 18V batteries, its primary benefit is the complete freedom from a power cable. This is a game-changer for gardens with complex layouts or those far from a power source. It offers a similar 36cm cutting width and 40L grass box but gives you six cutting heights. The trade-off is a higher initial cost, the need to manage battery charging, and typically a heavier overall weight. The Einhell is for the user who is willing to invest more for the ultimate convenience of cordless mowing.

3. Flymo EasiStore 380R Electric Rotary Lawn Mower 38cm

The Flymo EasiStore 380R is perhaps the Hyundai’s closest rival. It matches the 38cm cutting width and also includes a rear roller for stripes. Its main selling point is its innovative and extremely compact storage design, folding down even smaller than the Hyundai. It also boasts close-edge cutting, a feature the Hyundai lacks due to its wheel placement. However, its motor is slightly less powerful, and it comes with a 45-litre grass box. This is the mower for someone who values clever, space-saving storage and edge-to-edge cutting above all else.

Final Verdict: A Lightweight Powerhouse with One Key Caveat

After extensive testing, the Hyundai 1600W Electric Lawnmower with Rear Roller has proven itself to be a formidable contender in the corded electric mower market, especially given its competitive price. Its greatest strengths are undeniable: a powerful 1600W motor that chews through tough grass, an incredibly lightweight and manoeuvrable body, and a fantastically simple single-lever height adjustment system. For anyone transitioning from a heavy, cumbersome petrol or an ineffective hover mower, this machine will feel like a revelation. The assembly is a breeze, and its compact, foldable design makes storage simple.

However, it’s not perfect. The much-advertised rear roller produces only a subtle striping effect, and the grass collection system is its Achilles’ heel, struggling significantly with even slightly damp grass. If you are diligent about mowing only in dry conditions, this may be a non-issue. But for those who have to seize any dry moment the British weather allows, it could be a source of frustration. Ultimately, we wholeheartedly recommend this mower for owners of small to medium-sized lawns who prioritise ease of use, power, and low maintenance. If you value a lightweight design and convenient features over perfect grass collection in all conditions, this mower offers outstanding value for money. For a powerful, user-friendly machine that makes lawn care less of a chore, you can find the best price and order the Hyundai 1600W Electric Lawnmower here.