Flymo SimpliMow 320 Electric Lawnmower Review: The Ultimate Test for Small UK Gardens

There’s a unique kind of frustration that comes with owning a small garden. The sprawling, ride-on-mower-worthy landscapes get all the attention, but for many of us, the reality is a compact patch of green that still demands care. For years, I battled my small lawn with a cumbersome, heavy mower that felt like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut. It was a chore I dreaded. Dragging it out of the shed was a workout in itself, manoeuvring it around the bird bath was an exercise in frustration, and the results were often mediocre. The alternative, letting the grass grow too long, meant facing the disapproving glances of neighbours and the slow takeover of weeds. This is the precise problem the Flymo SimpliMow 320 Electric Lawnmower promises to solve: to make small lawn care simple, efficient, and dare I say, almost enjoyable.

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 minimal fuss. Unlike cylinder mowers that cut with a scissor-like action, rotary mowers use a single, high-speed blade that spins horizontally, chopping the grass like a propeller. This makes them incredibly versatile, capable of handling everything from neat, flat lawns to slightly longer, rougher grass that might choke other mower types. The primary benefit is their sheer effectiveness and simplicity. They are the workhorses of the garden world, designed to cut, collect, and leave a tidy finish, turning a weekend chore into a quick and satisfying task.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the regular upkeep of a small to medium-sized lawn. This includes new homeowners, city dwellers with postage-stamp gardens, or older gardeners seeking a lightweight, manageable solution. If your primary concerns are ease of use, effective grass collection, and straightforward operation, a corded electric rotary mower is an excellent choice. However, it might not be suitable for those with very large, sprawling estates where a power cord would be a significant hindrance. In such cases, petrol or high-capacity cordless models would be more appropriate. Similarly, for those seeking a bowling-green-perfect striped finish, a traditional cylinder mower with a rear roller would be a better, albeit more specialised, investment.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: Consider both the mower’s cutting width and its storage footprint. A wider cutting width, like 40cm or more, covers ground faster but is harder to manoeuvre in tight spaces. The Flymo’s 32cm width is purpose-built for navigating smaller lawns with flowerbeds and obstacles. Also, think about where you’ll store it; models with foldable handles, like this one, are a godsend for crowded sheds and garages.
• Capacity/Performance: Power (measured in Watts for electric models) and grass box capacity are your key metrics here. A 1000W motor is ample for small lawns, providing enough torque to cut through grass without bogging down. The grass box size, in this case 30 litres, dictates how often you’ll stop to empty it. A larger box means fewer interruptions, but also a heavier machine to push as it fills up.
• Materials & Durability: Most modern electric mowers feature a durable plastic deck and components. While metal is traditionally seen as more robust, modern polymers are lightweight, rust-proof, and surprisingly tough. Pay attention to the feel of the plastics; some budget models can feel flimsy. We’ve found that even well-known brands can make compromises here, particularly with components like the grass box, so it’s worth checking reviews from long-term users on this point.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: Features like a central carry handle, soft-grip handles, and simple height adjustment mechanisms can transform the user experience. For corded models, integrated cable storage is essential for tidy, tangle-free storage. Maintenance for electric mowers is minimal—simply keep the underside clean and check the blade for sharpness periodically.

Understanding these factors will ensure you choose a rotary mower that not only fits your lawn but also your lifestyle, making garden maintenance a pleasure rather than a pain.

While the Flymo SimpliMow 320 Electric Lawnmower 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: Unboxing the Flymo SimpliMow 320

Opening the box of the Flymo SimpliMow 320 Electric Lawnmower, we were greeted with the familiar, bright orange of the Flymo brand. Everything was neatly packed, and the main body of the mower felt solid and reassuringly well-constructed. The promise of a lightweight design was immediately fulfilled; lifting the 11.7kg unit out of the box using the integrated central carry handle was effortless. The instructions are clear and concise, covering everything from assembly to troubleshooting in a simple ten-page booklet.

Assembly took us approximately 20 minutes, requiring only a standard Phillips screwdriver. Attaching the multi-part handle was straightforward, and the soft-grip finishing felt comfortable in hand. The only part of the process that gave us pause was the grass box. As noted by several users, the two plastic halves require a bit of forceful persuasion to click together securely, feeling somewhat flimsy during the process. While it holds together fine once assembled, it doesn’t inspire the same confidence as the mower’s main chassis. Once built, however, the machine looks smart and purposeful, ready for action. The overall design is compact and thoughtfully laid out, with practical features like the cable storage hooks being a welcome touch for preventing a tangled mess in the shed.

Performance Deep Dive: Putting the Flymo SimpliMow 320 to the Test

A mower can look great out of the box, but its true worth is only revealed on the lawn. We put the Flymo SimpliMow 320 Electric Lawnmower through its paces on a typical British lawn—slightly damp, a little overgrown, and with a few tricky edges—to see if its performance lives up to the Flymo name.

Assembly and Build Quality: A Tale of Two Halves

Our experience with the assembly process perfectly mirrored the feedback from the user community. The core of the mower, the motor housing and the deck, feels robust. The handle assembly is logical, with screws and knobs that fit well and create a sturdy, ergonomic steering column. It took us no more than 15-20 minutes from unboxing to being lawn-ready, a pace we appreciate. However, the recurring point of contention is, without a doubt, the 30-litre grass box. It arrives in two large, moulded plastic pieces that must be clicked together. We found this required considerable force and a bit of plastic “manipulation,” as one user aptly put it. The clips feel delicate, and we were concerned about snapping one off during the process. Once assembled, it feels adequate, but it lacks the premium, solid feel of the rest of the unit. This seems to be a common compromise in budget-friendly mowers, but it’s a noticeable one. Another user mentioned misaligned screw holes for the arms, which we did not experience, suggesting some minor inconsistencies in manufacturing might exist. Despite the grass box, the overall build is fit for purpose, particularly given its lightweight design brief.

Cutting Performance and Power: Small Mower, Big Bite

This is where the Flymo SimpliMow 320 Electric Lawnmower truly shines and exceeded our expectations. The 1000W motor is the heart of this machine, and it beats strongly. We started on the highest cutting setting (60mm) to take the top off some longer grass and the mower ploughed through without any hesitation or audible strain. The real test came when we lowered the deck. Adjusting the cutting height is brilliantly simple; there are no fiddly levers on each wheel. Instead, you just apply pressure down on the mower body and the spring-loaded axle system clicks between its three heights (20mm, 40mm, 60mm). On the lowest 20mm setting, it delivered a sharp, clean, and impressively uniform cut. We were particularly impressed with its performance on slightly damp grass, a condition that can often cause electric mowers to clog up. As one user happily reported, it cuts well even when wet. The 32cm cutting width is the sweet spot for small gardens, wide enough to reduce the number of passes required but narrow enough to navigate garden paths and weave between rose bushes. The finish was excellent, and contrary to what some might expect from a wheeled mower, it left no discernible track marks, just a neat, tidy lawn.

Usability and Ergonomics: Designed for Real-World Gardens

Flymo clearly designed this mower with user comfort and practicality at the forefront. Weighing just under 12kg, it’s a featherweight in the world of lawnmowers. The central carry handle isn’t a gimmick; it’s a genuinely useful feature that makes transporting the mower from the garage to the garden an easy, one-handed job. This was highlighted by a user who noted it was “just right for women to carry,” and we agree it’s a great feature for anyone who doesn’t want to wrestle with heavy equipment. In use, the mower is incredibly nimble. It glides over the lawn, and the soft-grip handles reduce vibration and make pushing it feel comfortable, even on longer mowing sessions. The ability to get tight to edges was another standout feature we confirmed from user feedback, reducing the amount of follow-up work needed with a strimmer. When the job is done, the handles fold down over the main body, creating a very compact package that can be stored on a shelf or tucked into a small corner of the shed. The integrated hooks for wrapping the power cable are simple but effective, solving the age-old problem of a tangled cord nest. For anyone with a small, cluttered storage space, these design choices make a world of difference and are a key reason to consider this model.

Grass Collection and Maintenance: Good, But Not Flawless

The grass collection system is arguably the most critical and, in this case, the most compromised aspect of the Flymo SimpliMow 320 Electric Lawnmower. The 30-litre box is, as users point out, best suited for small lawns, as it fills up quickly. On our test patch of around 80 square metres, we had to empty it three times. The connection to the mower is simple and secure; it clips on and off easily. However, we did notice that as the box approaches two-thirds full, its collection efficiency can drop, sometimes leaving small trails of clippings behind. This corroborates the most critical user review which stated, “the basket doesn’t collect the grass.” We found this was only an issue when we tried to push it past its effective capacity. Emptying the box itself presented the ergonomic challenge described by one user. The shape, with protruding top sections, can make it awkward to empty cleanly into a garden waste bag without some spillage. It’s a minor annoyance but one that detracts from an otherwise smooth user experience. Maintenance, on the other hand, is as simple as it gets. A quick wipe-down and scraping grass from the underside of the deck after use is all that’s required to keep it in prime condition.

What Other Users Are Saying

Aggregating the wider user experience provides a clear and balanced picture of the Flymo SimpliMow 320 Electric Lawnmower. The sentiment is broadly positive, with most users praising its core function. One happy customer reported, “After cutting the grass for the first time… I’m very impressed with the results,” specifically noting the lack of wheel lines and the powerful motor. Another celebrated its user-friendly nature, calling it an “easy to use and lightweight mower” and a product from a “well known and trusted name.”

However, the critical feedback is strikingly consistent and focuses almost exclusively on the build quality of the peripherals. The most common complaint, which we experienced firsthand, is the grass box. Comments like “very flimsy to put together” and “the grass box doesn’t hold together very well” are frequent. One detailed review explained the difficulty in emptying it into a bin bag due to its awkward shape. This feedback is crucial for potential buyers: you are getting a machine with an excellent motor and cutting deck, but the trade-off appears to be in the quality of the plastic accessories. It’s a classic case of a product that excels in its primary function but has some notable secondary flaws.

How Does the Flymo SimpliMow 320 Compare to the Alternatives?

While the Flymo SimpliMow 320 Electric Lawnmower is a strong contender in its niche, the market offers diverse options for different needs. Understanding where it sits among its competitors is key to making the right choice for your specific garden.

1. Hyundai Electric-Start Self-Propelled Petrol Lawnmower

The Hyundai is a different beast entirely. It’s a petrol-powered, self-propelled mower designed for medium to large lawns where a power cord is impractical. With its 42cm cutting width and powerful 139cc engine, it will cover ground much faster than the Flymo. The self-propulsion and electric start features add a layer of convenience not found on the SimpliMow. However, it is significantly heavier, louder, requires more maintenance (oil, petrol, spark plugs), and comes at a much higher price point. This is the better choice for someone with a substantial lawn who prioritizes power and untethered freedom over the lightweight simplicity of the Flymo.

2. VonHaus 1800W Corded Electric Lawnmower 430mm

The VonHaus 1800W mower is a direct, up-scaled competitor to the Flymo. It remains a corded electric model but boasts a more powerful 1800W motor, a wider 43cm cutting width, and a much larger 52L collection bag. This makes it better suited for medium-sized lawns where the Flymo’s 30L grass box would require constant emptying. It also offers five cutting heights for greater versatility. The trade-off is that it’s larger, heavier, and likely less nimble than the Flymo in very tight or complex garden layouts. If your lawn is on the larger end of the “small-to-medium” scale, the VonHaus offers a significant step up in power and capacity for a modest increase in price.

3. Einhell GE-CM 18/30 Li Solo Cordless Lawnmower

The Einhell represents the third way: cordless, battery-powered convenience. It offers the ultimate freedom from cables, combining the mobility of a petrol mower with the low-maintenance, quiet operation of an electric one. Its cutting width (30cm) is similar to the Flymo’s, targeting the same small-garden demographic. The main drawback is the reliance on Einhell’s Power X-Change battery system (sold separately), which adds to the initial cost and introduces runtime limitations. This is the perfect alternative for someone who finds the power cord on the Flymo to be the single biggest drawback and is willing to invest in a battery ecosystem for total freedom of movement.

Our Final Verdict: Is the Flymo SimpliMow 320 Electric Lawnmower Worth It?

After extensive testing and careful consideration of user feedback, our verdict on the Flymo SimpliMow 320 Electric Lawnmower is a firm and confident recommendation, but with a crucial caveat. This mower is an outstanding performer where it counts the most: cutting grass. Its 1000W motor is punchy, the blade delivers a consistently clean finish, and its lightweight, ergonomic design makes it an absolute joy to use on small lawns. It transforms a tedious chore into a quick, simple task. For gardeners with limited space, its compact, foldable design is a significant advantage.

The compromise, and it’s an important one, lies in the build quality of the grass box. It feels flimsy, is awkward to assemble, and can be frustrating to empty. However, if you can look past this flaw, you are getting a mower with a fantastic core performance at a very competitive price point. It is the perfect tool for anyone with a small garden who values light weight, manoeuvrability, and a great quality cut above all else. If that sounds like you, then the Flymo SimpliMow 320 is not just worth it; it’s one of the best choices you can make. For those ready to simplify their lawn care routine, you can check the latest price and secure yours today.