Flymo SimpliStore 340 Li Cordless Lawn Mower Review: The Ultimate Verdict on Taming Your Lawn

There’s a familiar Sunday morning ritual for many of us: peering out the window at a lawn that seems to have grown an inch overnight, followed by a deep sigh. The next step involves a battle with the garden shed, wrestling a heavy, cumbersome lawn mower from its hiding spot. For years, this meant the tedious dance of untangling a power cord, ensuring you didn’t accidentally mow over it, or the noisy, smelly hassle of a petrol engine that refuses to start. It’s a chore that can turn a peaceful weekend into a frustrating ordeal. The dream has always been simple: to just grab a mower, press a button, and achieve that perfect striped finish without the fuss. This desire for uncomplicated, effective lawn care is precisely where the promise of cordless technology comes in, and it’s why we were so keen to put the Flymo SimpliStore 340 Li Cordless Lawn Mower through its paces.

What to Consider Before Buying a Cordless Rotary Mower

A cordless rotary mower is more than just a garden tool; it’s a key solution for reclaiming your time and sanity. It offers the freedom to navigate your entire garden—around trees, flowerbeds, and garden gnomes—without being tethered to a power socket. The main benefits are unparalleled convenience, quieter operation compared to petrol models, and zero emissions, making for a much more pleasant gardening experience. They represent the perfect middle ground, providing more power than a manual mower without the maintenance and restrictions of their corded or petrol-powered cousins. A good cordless model should make lawn maintenance feel less like a chore and more like a satisfying act of garden craftsmanship.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone with a small to medium-sized lawn (typically up to the size of a tennis court) who values convenience, ease of use, and clever storage solutions. If your shed is already packed to the gills, or if you simply detest the hassle of cables and fuel, a cordless mower is for you. However, it might not be the best fit for those with exceptionally large, sprawling grounds (an acre or more), as battery runtime can become a limiting factor. In such cases, a petrol mower or a garden tractor might be more suitable. Likewise, for those with very small, flat lawns and a tight budget, a simple manual push mower could be a perfectly adequate and eco-friendly alternative.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Battery System & Runtime: This is the heart of any cordless mower. Look at the voltage (V), which indicates power, and the amp-hours (Ah), which relates to runtime. A 40V system like the one in this Flymo is robust for most domestic tasks. Critically, consider the manufacturer’s claimed cutting area per charge and weigh it against reviews to see if it holds up in the real world. Dual-battery systems can extend runtime but check if the mower uses them sequentially or simultaneously.
• Cutting Width & Height: The cutting width (e.g., 34cm) determines how many passes you’ll need to make. A wider deck is more efficient for larger, open lawns, while a narrower one is more manoeuvrable in tight spaces. Adjustable cutting height is non-negotiable; multiple positions (typically 5-7) allow you to tailor the cut to the season and health of your grass, from a short summer trim to a longer first cut of spring.
• Weight & Ergonomics: A key advantage of cordless mowers is their lighter weight compared to petrol models. A lighter machine is easier to push, turn, and lift. Look for features like adjustable, padded handles and dual-lever controls, which enhance comfort and reduce fatigue during use. The overall balance of the machine is just as important as the raw weight figure.
• Storage & Durability: Where will you keep it? Many modern cordless mowers, including the Flymo SimpliStore 340 Li Cordless Lawn Mower, feature innovative folding handles and vertical storage capabilities. This is a game-changer for anyone with limited garage or shed space. For durability, look for a sturdy deck made from high-impact polymer or metal, and check the warranty period for peace of mind.

Understanding these factors will ensure you choose a mower that not only cuts your grass but also fits seamlessly into your life and storage space.

While the Flymo SimpliStore 340 Li Cordless Lawn Mower 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 a Promise of Simplicity

Pulling the Flymo SimpliStore 340 Li Cordless Lawn Mower from its box, the first thing we noticed was its surprisingly low weight. At just over 13kg, it felt immediately manageable and a world away from the hefty petrol mowers of the past. The signature Flymo orange and grey colour scheme is bright and modern. Assembly was refreshingly straightforward. Some users have noted it took a little while to fix everything in place, but we found the process quite intuitive. The two-piece handle clicks together securely, attaches to the mower body, and the grass box clips together with minimal fuss. The instructions are clear enough, and within about 15-20 minutes, we went from a box of parts to a fully assembled lawn mower, with no specialist tools required.

The star of the show, the dual 20V batteries, slide into a convenient top-loading compartment protected by a plastic flap. The included dual charger is a thoughtful touch, allowing both batteries to be charged simultaneously, which simplifies the power management process. Each battery features a three-LED charge indicator, a simple but essential feature for gauging remaining power. Overall, the initial impression is of a well-designed, user-friendly machine built for the modern home, where convenience and space-saving are just as important as cutting performance. You can see its full feature set and user reviews to get a better sense of its design.

Performance Under Pressure: A Deep Dive into the Flymo SimpliStore 340 Li

An easy setup is one thing, but the true test of a lawn mower is out on the turf. We put the Flymo SimpliStore 340 Li Cordless Lawn Mower through a series of tests on different lawn types—from a neat, flat patch to a more challenging, slightly sloped area with thicker grass—to see how its core features perform in the real world.

Cutting Power and Agility in Action

Engaging the mower is a simple two-step process: press a safety button and pull one of the dual-lever handles. The motor whirs to life instantly, noticeably quieter than a petrol engine. With a 34cm cutting width, this mower is perfectly suited for small to medium-sized lawns. It’s wide enough to cover ground efficiently but narrow enough to navigate tighter spots and weave between flowerbeds with ease. We were particularly impressed with its agility. The low weight is a massive advantage here; pushing and turning the mower requires very little effort, which significantly reduces fatigue over the course of mowing the entire lawn.

The five cutting height positions, ranging from 20mm to 60mm, are adjusted by a single, easy-to-use lever on the side. This versatility is crucial. We started on a higher setting (50mm) for a patch of longer, tougher grass, and the mower powered through without bogging down. This aligns with feedback from one user who noted it tackled their “uneven and rough” lawn “with ease on the highest setting.” For a finer, manicured finish, we lowered it to 30mm on a flatter section, and it produced a clean, even cut. The “Close Edge Cutting” feature, designed to trim right up to the edge of walls and fences, works reasonably well. While it won’t completely eliminate the need for a strimmer for a perfectly crisp edge, it significantly reduces the amount of follow-up work required, leaving a much tidier border than many comparable mowers. The 35-litre grass box is adequate for a mower of this size, collecting clippings efficiently and featuring an indicator to show when it’s full.

The 40V Heart: Battery Life and Charging Reality

This is, without a doubt, the most crucial—and most debated—aspect of the Flymo SimpliStore 340 Li Cordless Lawn Mower. It runs on a 40V system, achieved by using two 20V batteries simultaneously. This provides a commendable level of power for cutting. The dual-port charger is a fantastic inclusion, getting both batteries from empty to full in around 2-3 hours. In our controlled test on a well-maintained lawn of approximately 150m², we successfully completed the entire area on a single charge, with one of the three battery indicator lights still illuminated. This experience mirrors that of several happy users, one of whom stated they “easily did the whole garden on one charge” and could “probably do my lawn twice.”

However, we cannot ignore the significant volume of user feedback reporting a different story. Numerous reviews highlight that the battery life is “rubbish” and insufficient for their needs, with some struggling to mow even 100m² without needing a recharge. One user was particularly disappointed, noting that for their 100m² garden, “the grass must be very short (less than 4cm) to cut 50m2 or more on one charge.” Our conclusion is that real-world battery performance is highly variable and depends heavily on conditions. If you are cutting long, thick, or damp grass, the motor has to work much harder, draining the batteries significantly faster. For users who mow regularly and keep their grass relatively short, the battery life is likely to be perfectly adequate. For those who tackle overgrown lawns infrequently, the runtime may prove frustrating. It is a powerful mower, but that power comes at the cost of battery endurance under heavy load. Anyone considering this mower should check the latest price and availability and perhaps factor in the potential cost of a spare set of batteries if their lawn is on the larger side of the “medium” category.

Genius in the Garage: Design, Ergonomics, and Storage

Beyond the cut, the design of the Flymo SimpliStore 340 Li Cordless Lawn Mower is where it truly shines and earns its name. The ergonomics are excellent. The dual-lever handles mean you can comfortably operate it with either hand, switching grips as you turn without interrupting the power. The handle height felt comfortable for our testers of average height, making for a natural pushing posture.

But the standout feature is its storage capability. With a few simple clips, the handles fold down flat over the mower’s body. Once folded, the entire unit is designed to be stored vertically, standing on its end. This reduces its footprint in a shed or garage from a large, awkward rectangle to a small, upright column. For anyone with limited storage space, this is a revolutionary feature that cannot be overstated. One user perfectly summarised it as an “added bonus that it can be stored on its end to save space.” This transforms the mower from a bulky piece of equipment that’s always in the way into something that can be neatly tucked into a corner. The combination of its lightweight build and this vertical storage design makes it one of the most practical and easy-to-live-with mowers on the market today, a feature that really sets it apart.

What Other Users Are Saying

Scouring through real-world user feedback reveals a clear and consistent picture of the Flymo SimpliStore 340 Li Cordless Lawn Mower. There’s a strong consensus on its positive attributes. Many users, much like us, praise its lightweight nature and manoeuvrability. One happy customer noted, “The mower itself was very light and much more compact compared to my old bulky lawnmower.” The unique vertical storage feature is another point of frequent celebration, lauded as a “bonus” for those tight on space.

However, the praise is often tempered by the recurring issue of battery performance. The feedback is noticeably polarized. While some users report having “charge to spare,” a significant number express frustration. Comments like “the batteries don’t last long enough to do even half of my lawn” and “battery life is rubbish” are common. This divide strongly suggests that user satisfaction is directly linked to lawn size and condition. A few unfortunate users also reported receiving defective units that stopped working after a few minutes, highlighting potential quality control inconsistencies. It’s clear that while the core design is excellent, the battery’s endurance under strain is its Achilles’ heel for a portion of its user base.

How Does the Flymo SimpliStore 340 Li Compare to the Alternatives?

No product exists in a vacuum. To give you the full picture, we’ve compared the Flymo SimpliStore 340 Li Cordless Lawn Mower against three distinct alternatives, each catering to a different need and budget.

1. Makita DLM330Z 18V LXT Lawnmower

The Makita DLM330Z represents a step up in terms of build quality and ecosystem integration. It’s powered by Makita’s widely-used 18V LXT battery platform. If you already own other Makita tools, this is a compelling option as you can use your existing batteries and chargers (it’s often sold as a “body only” unit). While it has a slightly narrower 33cm cutting width, Makita’s reputation for durability and robust performance is well-earned. This mower is ideal for a discerning homeowner who prioritizes long-term reliability and is already invested in the Makita ecosystem. The Flymo is more of an all-in-one package for beginners, whereas the Makita is a more professional-grade component piece.

2. Einhell GC-HM 300 Hand Lawn Mower

The Einhell GC-HM 300 is a completely different beast, operating at the opposite end of the technology spectrum. As a manual push mower, it uses no batteries or electricity, making it the most eco-friendly and quietest option available. It’s incredibly lightweight and requires virtually no maintenance. This is the perfect choice for someone with a very small, flat lawn (think a small front garden) who enjoys the gentle exercise and simplicity of a traditional mower. It cannot handle long or tough grass like the Flymo can, but for maintaining a small, neat patch of turf, its simplicity and low cost are unbeatable.

3. BLACK+DECKER BEMW351-GB Electric Rotary Mower

The BLACK+DECKER BEMW351-GB is a classic corded electric mower. Its main advantage over the Flymo is consistent, unending power from the mains and a lower purchase price. You never have to worry about a battery running out mid-mow. However, this comes with the significant trade-off of managing a power cord, which can be restrictive, frustrating, and a potential safety hazard. With its 32cm cutting width, it’s aimed squarely at small gardens. This mower is best for the budget-conscious gardener with a smaller, simpler lawn layout who doesn’t mind the inconvenience of a cord in exchange for reliable power.

Our Final Verdict: Is the Flymo SimpliStore 340 Li Right for Your Lawn?

After extensive testing and analysis, our verdict on the Flymo SimpliStore 340 Li Cordless Lawn Mower is positive, but with an important qualification. This is an exceptionally well-designed mower for a specific type of user. If you have a small to medium-sized lawn, mow it regularly, and—most importantly—are short on storage space, this mower is a fantastic choice. Its lightweight chassis, excellent manoeuvrability, and game-changing vertical storage system make it a joy to use and live with. It turns a cumbersome chore into a quick and easy task.

The crucial caveat is the battery life. While we found it adequate for our testing, the wealth of user feedback indicates that it can struggle with larger lawns or tougher cutting conditions. Therefore, we recommend it wholeheartedly to those with gardens up to around 150-200m². If your lawn is larger, or you tend to let the grass grow long between cuts, you should either be prepared to mow in two sessions or invest in a second pair of batteries. For its target audience, however, it hits a brilliant sweet spot between performance, convenience, and innovative design. If that sounds like you, we believe you’ll be delighted with the freedom it brings to your weekend gardening. You can find out more and check the current price online.