There’s a unique challenge that comes with maintaining a small, modern garden. It’s that patch of green that promises a slice of nature amidst the urban sprawl, but it can quickly become a source of stress. Our own test garden, a modest rectangle of about 150 square metres, had become just that. Overrun by a surprisingly resilient strain of grass after a wet spring, it looked less like a tranquil oasis and more like a miniature wilderness. Our old, heavy petrol mower was overkill—noisy, cumbersome, and a pain to store. We needed something different: a tool that was compact, lightweight, powerful enough for a thick cut, and simple to operate. The search for a mower that respects the constraints of small spaces without compromising on performance is a familiar story for many, and it’s precisely this problem that the Murray Corded Electric Lawnmower 1200W 32cm aims to solve. But does it succeed?
- High-Performance Motor - The Murray LE320 is powered by a robust 1200W electric motor with overload protection. This guarantees efficient grass cutting and ensures the motor doesn't overheat, making...
- Versatile Cutting Options - Boasting a 2-in-1 functionality, you can choose between using the grass collection box or a rear discharge, providing flexibility based on your lawn's requirements. The 32...
What to Know Before You Buy a Corded Electric Rotary Mower
A rotary mower is more than just an item for your shed; it’s a key solution for achieving a clean, healthy, and uniform lawn. Unlike cylinder mowers that shear grass like scissors, rotary mowers use a high-speed horizontally spinning blade to chop the grass, much like a scythe. This action is particularly effective on longer, tougher, or uneven grass, making them incredibly versatile. The main benefit is their simplicity and power. They handle the rough-and-tumble of a typical family lawn with ease, collecting clippings efficiently and leaving behind a tidy finish. For those with small to medium-sized gardens, a corded electric model offers a fantastic balance of consistent power, low maintenance, and affordability, without the fumes of petrol or the charging cycles of battery models.
The ideal customer for this type of product is someone with a lawn up to around 300-400 m², who values convenience and has easy access to an outdoor power source. It’s perfect for first-time homeowners, city dwellers with postage-stamp gardens, or anyone looking to downsize from a larger, more complex machine. However, it might not be suitable for those with very large, sprawling properties where a power cord would become an impractical and frustrating tether. Likewise, if your lawn is dotted with numerous trees, flowerbeds, and other obstacles, the constant management of a cord can be a nuisance. In those cases, a cordless battery-powered or petrol mower might be a more liberating alternative.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: Consider both the cutting width and the overall footprint of the mower. A 32cm cutting width, like that on the Murray, is ideal for small lawns as it allows for quick work without being too bulky to navigate tight corners or store in a crowded garage. Always measure your narrowest passages to ensure the mower will fit through easily.
- Capacity/Performance: The motor’s wattage is a direct indicator of its power. A 1200W motor is robust for a compact mower, capable of tackling dense or slightly damp grass without bogging down. Also, check the capacity of the grass collection box. A 27-litre box is adequate for small lawns, but a larger one would mean fewer trips to the compost bin, saving you time and effort.
- Materials & Durability: The mower’s deck—the main body housing the blade—is typically made of plastic or metal. Plastic decks, as found on the Murray Corded Electric Lawnmower 1200W 32cm, make the unit significantly lighter and immune to rust. However, they can be more susceptible to cracking from impacts with rocks or mishandling, whereas metal decks offer superior durability at the cost of increased weight.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: Look for features that make your life easier. An ergonomic, adjustable handle reduces strain on your back and arms. A lightweight design (8.1 kg for the Murray is excellent) is crucial for easy maneuvering. Corded mowers require very little maintenance beyond cleaning and occasional blade sharpening, but always consider cable length and storage options.
While the Murray Corded Electric Lawnmower 1200W 32cm is an excellent choice for its category, 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:
- Utilises a powerful 1500 W motor so you can tackle your lawn with ease.
- Extra-long 11m detachable power cable: Provides excellent working range without becoming reliant on an extension cable.
- CUSTOMISABLE CUTTING HEIGHTS FOR A PERFECT FINISH – Choose from four adjustable heights between 16mm and 40mm to achieve your preferred grass length, ideal for maintaining a neat and well kept lawn...
Unboxing the Murray: First Impressions and Assembly
Pulling the Murray Corded Electric Lawnmower 1200W 32cm from its box, the first thing that struck us was its weight, or rather, the lack of it. At just over 8 kg, it feels incredibly light and manageable, a stark contrast to the cumbersome machines we’ve tested in the past. The cool gray, green, and black colour scheme gives it a modern, no-nonsense look. Assembly should have been straightforward, but we found ourselves echoing the sentiment of several users who described the instructions as “useless.” The diagrams are small and lack clarity, forcing us to rely more on intuition than guidance. It’s a minor hurdle, but a frustrating one for those who aren’t mechanically inclined.
Once assembled, the mower feels reasonably solid for its price point. The plastic deck seems durable enough for typical residential use, though we’d be cautious around stray rocks or garden edging. The handle, with its soft foam grip, felt comfortable at first, but we immediately harboured concerns about its long-term durability—a fear later confirmed by user feedback. The overall impression is of a thoughtfully designed, budget-friendly machine let down by a few questionable material choices and poor documentation. It promises simplicity and efficiency, and as we would soon discover, it delivers on that promise, but not without some significant caveats. You can see its full feature set and design details online.
What We Like
- Potent 1200W motor provides ample power for tough grass
- Extremely lightweight (8.1 kg) and easy to manoeuvre in tight spaces
- Delivers a clean, even cut for a professional-looking finish
- 2-in-1 functionality (collection/discharge) adds versatility
Drawbacks
- The included power cable is impractically short, requiring a separate extension lead
- Build quality concerns, particularly the foam handle and long-term motor reliability
In the Trenches: A Deep Dive into the Murray’s Performance
A mower can look great on paper, but its true worth is only revealed on the lawn. We put the Murray Corded Electric Lawnmower 1200W 32cm through its paces on our test garden, which featured everything from thick, lush patches to thinner, weed-infested areas and a few gentle slopes. Our in-depth testing focused on the core aspects that matter most: raw cutting power, overall design and user comfort, the practicalities of its power source, and its potential for long-term reliability.
Cutting Power and Lawn Finish
The heart of this mower is its 1200W electric motor, and we were immediately impressed with its performance. It spins the 32cm metal blade with a confident hum, showing no signs of hesitation even when we pushed it into the thickest part of the lawn. This power is a significant advantage, confirming what one user noted when comparing it favorably to older mowers from established brands; it feels strong and capable. The cut itself is clean and precise. We tested all three height positions, which are adjusted by manually moving the wheel axles—a slightly crude but effective system. At its lowest setting (25mm), it delivered a sharp, bowling-green-like finish on the flatter sections of our lawn. At the highest setting (65mm), it confidently scythed through longer, neglected grass, making that first cut of the season far less of a chore.
However, we did encounter a potential issue highlighted by another user’s experience. On a particularly uneven patch of ground, the mower bottomed out, and we could feel the blade housing scrape the turf. While our blade didn’t bend, it’s clear that this mower is best suited for relatively level lawns. Aggressively uneven terrain could risk damaging the blade or the plastic deck. The 27-litre grass box performed adequately, collecting the majority of clippings. As some have pointed out, the fit isn’t perfect, leaving a small gap where a few clippings can get stuck, but it’s a minor annoyance rather than a major flaw. Overall, for a small, flat-to-moderately-uneven lawn, the cutting performance is excellent for this price bracket.
Design and Ergonomics: A Mixed Bag
This is where the Murray Corded Electric Lawnmower 1200W 32cm both shines and disappoints. Its biggest ergonomic strength is its featherlight construction. Weighing just 8.1 kg, it feels more like pushing a toy vacuum cleaner than a serious piece of garden machinery. We could effortlessly guide it around flower beds and along fences with one hand. The large wheels contribute to this ease of movement, rolling smoothly over the grass. This lightweight design is a game-changer for users who may have struggled with heavier mowers in the past, reducing fatigue and making the chore of mowing feel genuinely quicker and easier.
Unfortunately, this positive is undercut by some glaring design flaws. The foam grip on the handle, while comfortable, feels flimsy. After just a few hours of testing, we could already see minor signs of compression and wear. This aligns perfectly with user reports of the foam splitting after only half a lawn’s use. It’s a cost-cutting measure that directly impacts the user’s tactile experience and perceived quality. Furthermore, the lack of any integrated cable storage is a baffling omission. Once you’re done, you’re left with a tangled cord to wrap up manually, which feels like an afterthought in an otherwise compact design. These small but significant issues detract from the overall user experience, turning what could have been an ergonomic triumph into a frustrating compromise.
The Elephant in the Room: The Power Cable Catastrophe
We must dedicate a specific section to the most universally criticised aspect of this mower: the power cable. To call it “short” is an understatement. The included cable is barely a stub, perhaps two feet long, terminating in a plug. It is, for all practical purposes, unusable out of the box. You cannot mow a lawn with it. This is not a minor inconvenience; it is a fundamental design decision that forces every single buyer to purchase a separate, suitable outdoor extension lead. Many users, including us during our initial setup, were shocked and dismayed by this. The product description mentions a “10m power cable,” which is deeply misleading based on our experience and the chorus of user reviews. The reality is you get a mower with a plug attached, and you must provide the entire length of the cable yourself.
This has serious practical implications. You need to budget for an additional purchase right away. More importantly, you have to manage this separate extension lead while mowing, which can be more cumbersome than a permanently attached, long cable. It adds an extra connection point that needs to be kept dry and secure. Frankly, it feels like a cynical way to cut costs, offloading a core component onto the consumer. For any potential buyer, this is the single most important factor to consider. If you are not prepared to immediately buy and use an extension cord, do not buy this mower. This is a critical piece of information you should be aware of when you check the latest price and availability.
Long-Term Reliability and Safety Concerns
During our testing period, the Murray Corded Electric Lawnmower 1200W 32cm performed reliably without any mechanical failures. The overload protection feature, designed to cut power if the motor is strained, was never triggered. However, we cannot ignore the troubling pattern of user reviews reporting catastrophic failures. Multiple accounts describe the motor beginning to smoke, cutting out completely, or in one alarming case, catching fire after only a handful of uses. Others report total motor failure within a year of light use. While these represent a fraction of total sales, the severity and consistency of these reports raise a significant red flag about the mower’s long-term durability and quality control.
It suggests that while the design is largely effective, there may be inconsistencies in manufacturing or component quality. The two-year warranty offers some peace of mind, but dealing with a return or repair for a critical failure is a hassle no one wants. Other reported issues, like the handle snapping or wheels arriving deformed, further contribute to this picture of inconsistent quality. As reviewers, we have to weigh our positive hands-on experience against this worrying user feedback. Our verdict is that while the mower offers great performance for its price, it comes with a tangible risk of premature failure that prospective buyers must be comfortable with.
What Other Users Are Saying
Looking at the broader spectrum of user feedback provides a balanced and authentic view of the Murray Corded Electric Lawnmower 1200W 32cm. The sentiment is sharply divided, often hinging on the same key points. On the positive side, many users are genuinely thrilled with the purchase, frequently calling it the “best mower I’ve had” for the price. One first-time mower buyer described it as a “lovely looking bit of kit” that was powerful and easy to use for their small gardens. Another user, after their 15-year-old Flymo finally gave up, took a chance on the lesser-known Murray brand and was pleased, noting it was “fairly light and is actually quicker than my old Flymo to use.”
However, the negative feedback is consistent and significant. The number one complaint, by a huge margin, is the “extremely short” power cord. User after user expresses frustration at having to immediately buy an extension lead, feeling the product description was unclear. The second major theme is build quality. Reports of the “foam on handle has already started to rub away” and more serious issues like snapped handles or, alarmingly, motors that “began to smoke, then cut out” paint a picture of a product with potential longevity issues. It’s a machine that seems to delight those who receive a “good one” and infuriate those who don’t. You can read through these user experiences for yourself before making a decision.
How Does the Murray Stack Up? A Look at the Competition
No product exists in a vacuum. To truly understand the value proposition of the Murray Corded Electric Lawnmower 1200W 32cm, it’s essential to compare it against some of the leading alternatives in the market. We’ve selected a direct competitor and two popular cordless options to see how it fares.
1. BOSCH ARM 3200 Electric Lawnmower
- The ARM 3200 lawnmower – the powerful all-purpose lawnmower
- Offers three cutting height settings (20 - 40 - 60 mm), while the innovative grass comb enables close-to-edge mowing along walls, flower beds and lawns
The Bosch ARM 3200 is perhaps the Murray’s most direct rival. It boasts the same 1200W motor and 32cm cutting width, positioning it for the exact same small-garden demographic. The key differentiator here is the brand reputation. Bosch is a household name known for quality and reliability, which may give hesitant buyers more confidence. It also features innovative “grass combs” that allow it to cut closer to edges, potentially reducing the need for follow-up work with a strimmer. While often priced slightly higher than the Murray, those concerned about the reliability issues reported by Murray users might find the extra cost for the Bosch brand’s perceived durability a worthwhile investment. It’s the safe, dependable choice in this category.
2. Einhell GE-CM 36/36 Li Cordless Lawnmower
- EXPERIENCE CORDLESS FREEDOM: Annoying power cords are a thing of the past! Thanks to the 36V batteries in our powerful range of lawn mowers cordless technology makes taking care of every area of your...
- SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE: The brushless electric motor of this grass cutter machine ensures maximum performance with longer running time powerfully tackling even overgrown lawns. The lawn-friendly large...
For those whose primary frustration with the Murray is its cord (or lack thereof), the Einhell GE-CM 36/36 Li presents a compelling cordless alternative. Powered by two 18V batteries from Einhell’s Power X-Change family, it offers complete freedom of movement. It has a slightly wider 36cm cutting deck and a much larger 40L grass box, making it suitable for slightly larger lawns. Of course, this freedom comes at a significantly higher price, and you are tied to a battery ecosystem. This mower is for the user who is willing to pay a premium to eliminate the single biggest hassle of corded mowers: the cord itself.
3. Makita DLM432Z Cordless Lawn Mower
- Recommended for lawns of up to 575 square metres
- 3 in 1 for cutting, collecting and mulching
The Makita DLM432Z represents the premium cordless option. Makita has a stellar reputation for building professional-grade tools, and that DNA is evident here. With a much wider 43cm cutting width and powered by two 18V LXT batteries (often sold separately), this is a serious machine for discerning homeowners. It’s quieter, more robustly built, and designed for larger lawns than the Murray could ever handle. It’s not a direct competitor in terms of price, but it serves as an important benchmark. If you have a larger garden, value top-tier build quality, and plan to invest in a long-lasting cordless tool system, the Makita is a far superior, albeit much more expensive, choice.
Our Final Verdict: Is the Murray Corded Electric Lawnmower 1200W 32cm the Right Choice for You?
After extensive testing and analysis, our verdict on the Murray Corded Electric Lawnmower 1200W 32cm is one of qualified recommendation. On one hand, it offers fantastic value. The 1200W motor is impressively powerful, the unit is wonderfully lightweight and maneuverable, and it delivers a genuinely clean and tidy cut. For the core task of mowing a small, relatively flat lawn, it performs exceptionally well for its very modest price tag. It can turn a dreaded chore into a quick and easy job.
However, this mower is saddled with two significant drawbacks that are impossible to ignore. The bafflingly short power cable is less of a feature and more of a mandatory extra purchase, an immediate and frustrating hidden cost. Secondly, the consistent user reports of poor build quality on certain components and, more alarmingly, catastrophic motor failures, raise serious questions about its long-term reliability. We recommend this mower specifically to the budget-conscious gardener with a small, simple lawn who understands and accepts these risks. You must be willing to buy an extension lead from day one and be prepared for the possibility that you may need to lean on the two-year warranty. If you fit that profile, this little mower offers power and performance that punch well above its weight. If you’re ready to take the plunge, you can find the best price for the Murray Lawnmower here.
Last update on 2025-10-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API