Flymo EasiGlide 330 V Hover Lawn Mower Review: The Ultimate Test for Small, Tricky Gardens

There’s a unique kind of frustration that comes with mowing a small or awkwardly shaped garden. You’re constantly fighting against a heavy, cumbersome machine, trying to pivot around flowerbeds, navigate slopes, and avoid scalping the uneven patches. I remember spending a Saturday afternoon with a traditional wheeled mower on my parents’ terraced garden, a battle of pushing, pulling, and lifting that left me more exhausted than the lawn looked manicured. The dream isn’t just a tidy lawn; it’s achieving that result without the back-breaking labour. For many, especially those with less-than-perfectly-flat terrain, the search is on for a lawn mower that is lightweight, agile, and powerful enough to make garden maintenance a pleasure, not a chore. This is the exact problem the hover mower was designed to solve, and Flymo is the quintessential name in that space.

What to Consider Before Buying a Rotary Hover Mower

A rotary mower, particularly a hover model, is more than just an item for garden maintenance; it’s a key solution for achieving a pristine lawn with minimal effort, especially in challenging environments. By using a powerful motor to create a cushion of air, it glides across the grass, making it exceptionally easy to push in any direction. This technology is a game-changer for sloped, bumpy, or irregularly shaped lawns where traditional wheeled mowers struggle to provide an even cut and can be physically demanding to manoeuvre. The main benefits are unparalleled agility, reduced physical strain, and the ability to cut close to edges and obstacles without difficulty.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the challenges of a small to medium-sized garden with slopes, terraces, or complex layouts. It’s perfect for homeowners who value speed and ease over a perfectly striped finish, and for those who may find heavier mowers difficult to handle. However, it might not be the best choice for those with very large, flat lawns where a wider, self-propelled wheeled mower would be more efficient. Similarly, gardeners seeking that classic, striped lawn effect will want to look at mowers with a rear roller, a feature hover mowers lack. For those users, a robust cylinder mower or a heavy-duty rotary mower with a roller would be a more suitable alternative.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: Consider the cutting width (like the 33cm on the Flymo EasiGlide 330 V Hover Lawn Mower) in relation to your lawn size. A wider deck covers more ground faster but is less nimble in tight spaces. Also, evaluate the mower’s storage footprint. Models with folding handles are a significant advantage for those with limited shed or garage space.
• Capacity/Performance: The motor’s power, measured in Watts (W), dictates how well the mower can tackle dense or long grass and maintain its air cushion. For collection models, the grass box capacity (e.g., 20 litres) determines how often you’ll need to stop to empty it. A larger box means fewer interruptions, but also more weight to handle when full.
• Materials & Durability: The mower’s deck and handles are typically made from high-impact plastic to keep the weight down. While this is essential for a hover mower, the quality of this plastic can vary significantly. Look for sturdy, well-fitting components that don’t feel brittle, as this will impact the machine’s longevity and overall user experience.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: Key features here include the length of the power cable, the simplicity of adjusting the cutting height, and the ease of assembling and disassembling the unit. For long-term care, check how easy it is to access and replace the blade. A durable metal blade will require less frequent sharpening and replacement than lower-quality alternatives.

Understanding these factors will help you choose a mower that not only suits your lawn but also your physical needs and storage capabilities, ensuring a satisfying purchase for years to come.

While the Flymo EasiGlide 330 V Hover Lawn Mower is an excellent choice for its target audience, 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: Unboxing the Flymo EasiGlide 330 V Hover Lawn Mower

Pulling the Flymo EasiGlide 330 V Hover Lawn Mower from its box, the first thing we noticed was its signature bright orange and grey colour scheme—unmistakably Flymo. The second, and more critical, observation concerned the build materials. Assembling the mower, which involves attaching the two-part handle and fitting the blade, was straightforward and tool-free for the most part, a definite plus. However, we couldn’t ignore the feel of the plastics. As some user feedback suggests, the main orange housing felt lighter and more flexible than we’ve experienced on older Flymo models. The lid for the grass box, in particular, required a bit of careful alignment to clip securely into place, confirming reports that the fit isn’t as seamless as one might hope. While it doesn’t impede function once assembled, it does raise initial questions about long-term durability compared to the rugged, tank-like Flymos of the past. That said, at just 8.3 kg, its lightness is immediately apparent and is, of course, central to its appeal.

A Deep Dive into the Flymo EasiGlide 330 V’s On-Lawn Performance

A lawn mower’s true worth is only revealed on the turf. Initial impressions about plastic quality fade into the background if the machine delivers a superb cut with effortless handling. We put the Flymo EasiGlide 330 V Hover Lawn Mower through a series of tests on different types of terrain—a moderately sloped front garden, a lumpy back lawn with tree roots, and tight patches around a patio—to see if its performance lives up to the iconic Flymo name.

Assembly and Build Quality: A Story of Compromise

Getting the Flymo EasiGlide 330 V from box to lawn is a relatively simple affair. The instructions are clear, and the main components—the mower deck, the blade, spacers, and the multi-part handle—come together logically. You’ll need to install the metal blade, which is the most critical step, ensuring the spacers are correctly placed to achieve your desired cutting height. There are four heights to choose from, ranging from a very low 10mm up to 30mm, adjusted by adding or removing these plastic spacers. While simple, it’s not as convenient as a single-lever system found on many wheeled mowers, requiring you to flip the machine and unscrew the blade to make changes. This is a typical design for hover mowers to save weight, but it’s a trade-off to be aware of.

However, it was during this assembly that our findings aligned closely with some of the more critical user reviews. The primary materials are plastic, which is necessary to achieve its feathery 8.3kg weight. But the quality of this plastic gives pause. The main orange housing exhibits noticeable flex, and the grass box lid, as mentioned, doesn’t inspire confidence. We found it required a firm, deliberate push to get the clips to engage properly, feeling like it could warp or become difficult over time. One user described it as “flimsy and cheap,” and while we might not go that far, we can certainly understand the sentiment. It feels like a clear area of cost-cutting. While the machine holds together and functions, it lacks the robust, reassuring solidity of premium garden tools. You get the sense it needs to be handled with a degree of care, rather than being a tool you can casually toss into the shed.

The Hover Experience: Where It Truly Shines

Once you plug in the 10-metre cable and squeeze the dual-lever controls, any concerns about plastic quality are immediately challenged by the mower’s core strength: the hover action. The 1700W motor roars to life, and the machine instantly lifts onto a cushion of air. This is where the magic happens. Pushing the Flymo EasiGlide 330 V Hover Lawn Mower is almost effortless. It glides, floats, and pivots with a responsiveness that wheeled mowers simply cannot match. On our test slope, where a conventional mower would require significant effort to push uphill and control on the way down, the Flymo moved with consistent, minimal resistance. It’s this “EasiGlide” feature that is the product’s entire reason for being, and in this, it delivers spectacularly.

Manoeuvring around flower pots, garden furniture, and the awkward corners of the patio was incredibly intuitive. Instead of awkward three-point turns, you can simply move the mower side-to-side or pull it backward with ease. For gardens with complex shapes or numerous obstacles, this drastically cuts down on mowing time and physical strain. The 33cm cutting width strikes a good balance, being wide enough to cover a small-to-medium lawn efficiently but narrow enough to navigate tighter spots. While we did notice the vibration mentioned in one user review, it wasn’t excessive to the point of discomfort during a typical 20-30 minute mowing session. It’s present, but for the price point and power, we considered it within an acceptable range.

Cutting Performance and Grass Collection

A mower that’s easy to move is useless if it doesn’t cut well. Thankfully, the Flymo EasiGlide 330 V is equipped with a sharp, 33cm metal blade that delivers a clean and consistent cut. We tested it on grass that was slightly longer than ideal, and the 1700W motor didn’t bog down, powering through with confidence. The resulting finish was neat and tidy, leaving the lawn looking healthy and well-maintained. The four cutting heights, while fiddly to adjust, offer a good range for seasonal lawn care, from a very short summer cut (10mm) to a more conservative trim (30mm).

The grass collection system is another area where this model performs surprisingly well for a hover mower. Historically, collection on hover mowers could be patchy, with many clippings being blown out from under the deck. The EasiGlide 330 V, however, does a commendable job of lifting and depositing the clippings into its 20-litre grass box. The box fills up quite effectively, and its vision window is a genuinely useful feature, allowing you to see when it’s getting full without having to stop and check. Of course, at 20 litres, it fills quickly on a dense lawn, but it’s well-suited for the smaller gardens it’s designed for. We did observe a small amount of clippings escaping the collection system, especially during sharp turns, which confirms some user observations. It’s a minor annoyance rather than a major flaw, but it means you might need to do a tiny bit of raking for a truly perfect finish. The convenience and overall performance make this a feature that really sets it apart in its category.

What Other Users Are Saying

Our experience with the Flymo EasiGlide 330 V Hover Lawn Mower reflects a broader sentiment found among users. The feedback is often a tale of two halves: delight with the performance and disappointment with the build. Many users, like us, are impressed by its core function. They praise how light and easy it is to use, especially on difficult terrain. However, the most common point of criticism, which we can personally validate, revolves around the material quality. One user stated, “Plastic was so flimsy and cheap, shocked us for a flymo how cheap and tacky this build was.” They specifically mentioned the difficulty in clipping the grass box lid, an issue we also encountered. Another long-time Flymo user noted, “When first opening the box I could see that certain cuts had been made within the budgeting of this machine.” This balanced perspective is key: the mower performs its primary task of gliding and cutting very well, but it appears to be at the expense of the robust, durable feel that the brand was once known for.

How Does the Flymo EasiGlide 330 V Compare to the Alternatives?

No product exists in a vacuum. To make an informed choice, it’s essential to see how the Flymo EasiGlide 330 V stacks up against other popular options in the small mower market. We’ve looked at three distinct competitors to help you decide.

1. BOSCH ARM 3200 Electric Lawnmower

The Bosch ARM 3200 is a classic, corded electric wheeled mower and a direct competitor in terms of price. Its main advantage is the stability and traditional feel of a wheeled machine, which some users prefer for flat, straightforward lawns. It features grass combs for cutting closer to edges and a larger 31-litre grass box. However, its 1200W motor is significantly less powerful than the Flymo’s 1700W, and it will be far more difficult to handle on slopes or uneven ground. The Bosch is a better choice for someone with a simple, flat lawn who prioritises edge-cutting and a larger collection bin over the sheer manoeuvrability of a hover mower.

2. Greenworks 40V Cordless Lawnmower 41cm

The Greenworks 40V represents a significant step up in both features and price. As a cordless mower, its primary benefit is the complete freedom from a power cable, making it suitable for larger gardens (up to 500m²) or those with many obstacles. It boasts a wider 41cm cutting width and a huge 50L grass bag, making it far more efficient for bigger jobs. The trade-off is a much higher initial cost, the need to manage and charge batteries, and a significantly heavier build. This is the right choice for someone with a larger garden who is willing to invest more for the ultimate convenience of cordless operation.

3. Flymo Hover Vac 270 1400W Electric Hover Lawn Mower

For those with truly tiny gardens, the Hover Vac 270 is the EasiGlide 330 V’s smaller sibling. It offers the same hover principle but in a more compact package. It has a less powerful 1400W motor, a narrower 27cm cutting width, and a smaller 15L grass box. While it’s even lighter and more nimble, it’s best suited for postage-stamp-sized lawns. If your garden is anything more than a small patch, the more powerful motor, wider cut, and larger grass box of the EasiGlide 330 V make it a much more practical and less frustrating choice for a small extra investment.

Our Final Verdict on the Flymo EasiGlide 330 V Hover Lawn Mower

After extensive testing, the Flymo EasiGlide 330 V Hover Lawn Mower reveals itself as a highly effective tool with a notable compromise. On one hand, its performance in its intended environment is outstanding. The powerful 1700W motor creates an effortless glide that makes mowing slopes, bumpy ground, and complex garden layouts an absolute breeze. It cuts well, collects grass efficiently for a hover mower, and its lightweight, foldable design makes it incredibly easy to store. For anyone who has struggled with a heavy wheeled mower on a tricky lawn, this machine will feel like a revelation. On the other hand, the concerns about the build quality are valid. The plastics feel thin and less durable than one might expect from a brand with Flymo’s heritage. This is a mower that delivers on function but requires a more careful hand in its general use and storage.

We recommend it for users with small to medium-sized gardens that feature slopes, uneven terrain, or multiple obstacles. If ease of movement is your absolute top priority and you’re willing to overlook a less-than-premium build quality for a very reasonable price, then this mower is an excellent choice that will save you time and effort. If you’re ready to experience just how easy mowing a difficult lawn can be, we highly recommend you check the latest price and find out more today.