swift 40V Cordless Lawnmower Review: The Tiny Titan That Transformed My Small Garden

For years, I endured what I call “the small lawn paradox.” My patch of green is barely larger than a generous living room rug, yet the ritual of mowing it felt like preparing for a major landscaping project. I’d have to navigate the crowded garage, heave out my heavy, cumbersome corded mower, untangle a seemingly possessed extension cable, and find an accessible outdoor socket. The whole process took longer than the actual five minutes of cutting. It was loud, awkward, and I’d often put it off until the grass was embarrassingly long. This procrastination only made the job harder, with the mower choking on the overgrown turf. I knew there had to be a better way, a tool designed not for sprawling estates, but for the compact reality of modern urban gardens. The chore was disproportionate to the task, and the search for a simple, effective solution became my primary garden mission.

What to Consider Before Buying a Compact Rotary Mower

A rotary mower is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for maintaining the health and appearance of the quintessential British lawn. Unlike cylinder mowers that scissor-cut grass for a pristine, striped finish, rotary mowers use a high-speed spinning blade to chop the grass, much like a scythe. This makes them incredibly versatile, capable of handling longer, tougher grass and uneven terrain with ease. Their primary benefit lies in their simplicity, robustness, and effectiveness for the vast majority of residential lawns. They are the workhorses of garden care, designed for practicality over perfection, and for many, a cordless rotary model represents the pinnacle of convenience, freeing them from the tether of a power cord.

The ideal customer for a product like the swift 40V Cordless Lawnmower is someone facing the exact problem I had: a small to medium-sized lawn (up to 50 square meters) where convenience and storage are paramount. This includes homeowners with city gardens, townhouse residents, or elderly gardeners who can no longer wrestle with heavy, petrol-powered machines. It’s for the person who values speed and simplicity. Conversely, it might not be suitable for those with expansive lawns exceeding 100 square meters, as the narrow cutting width and battery life would turn mowing into a multi-day affair. It’s also not for the lawn purist who demands a perfectly manicured, sub-30mm striped finish. For them, a larger, heavier mower with a rear roller or a traditional cylinder mower would be a better, albeit more cumbersome, choice.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: The most important factor for a small mower is its cutting width and storage footprint. A narrow width, like the 22cm on this Swift model, is a huge advantage for navigating tight corners, garden paths, and around flowerbeds. Equally important is how it stores. Models that can be stored vertically, like this one, are a godsend for those with limited shed or garage space, tucking away neatly against a wall.
• Capacity/Performance: For cordless mowers, performance is a triangle of battery voltage, amp-hours (Ah), and motor type. A 40V system provides significant power for a small unit. The 2.0Ah battery is a measure of its fuel tank—determining runtime. A brushless motor, a key feature here, is more efficient, quieter, and requires less maintenance than older brushed motors, translating to a longer product lifespan and better performance.
• Materials & Durability: Most compact mowers feature a plastic deck or body. While this might not feel as premium as a steel deck, the benefit is a massive reduction in weight, making the mower incredibly easy to lift and manoeuvre. High-quality, durable plastic can withstand the rigours of garden use for years, resisting rust and dents far better than its metal counterparts.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: Look for features that simplify the task. A single-lever height adjustment is far superior to changing the height on each wheel individually. A mulching function, which this model features exclusively, eliminates the need for a grass collection box, saving you the time and effort of constantly emptying clippings. Cordless operation and a brushless motor mean no fuel to mix, no oil to change, and no cord to accidentally sever.

While the swift 40V Cordless Lawnmower is an excellent choice for its intended purpose, 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: Is it a Lawnmower or a High-Tech Toy?

Upon unboxing the swift 40V Cordless Lawnmower, the first thing that struck me was the sheer lack of weight. At a mere 4 kilograms, it felt lighter than my vacuum cleaner. One user aptly described it as feeling “more like a Hoover than a lawn mower,” and I couldn’t agree more. Assembly was refreshingly simple. The unit arrives almost fully built; all that’s required is to unfold the handle, align two notched shafts—a clever design to prevent twisting the internal wiring—and tighten a couple of screw collars. The whole process took less than five minutes, with no tools required. The white plastic construction is clean and modern, and while it doesn’t exude the ruggedness of a traditional steel-decked mower, it feels solid and well-engineered for its purpose. Clicking the 40V battery into place gives a satisfying thunk, and the machine feels balanced and ready for action. It’s a world away from the intimidating, heavy machinery I was used to.

Deep Dive: Performance Under Pressure

A lightweight design and easy setup are wonderful, but the true test of any lawnmower is how it performs on actual grass. Does its diminutive size compromise its cutting power? Can it truly replace a conventional mower? We put the swift 40V Cordless Lawnmower through its paces on different lawn types and in various conditions to find out precisely what this compact powerhouse is capable of.

Unboxing and Assembly: From Box to Lawn in Minutes

The experience of getting the swift 40V Cordless Lawnmower ready for its first cut is, frankly, a joy. It stands in stark contrast to the often frustrating assembly process of larger garden tools. Inside the compact box, the mower is neatly folded. As noted by several users, the instructions are clear and concise. The main task is simply unfolding the multi-part handle and securing it. We paid close attention to the small notches on the shafts, which must be aligned before tightening the plastic collars. This is a thoughtful piece of engineering that protects the internal power cable from being damaged by over-twisting, ensuring longevity. The entire setup is intuitive and tool-free. We had it assembled and the battery on charge within three minutes of opening the box. This ease of assembly is a massive selling point, particularly for those who may be intimidated by complex instructions or lack the physical strength for more demanding setups. We saw this confirmed in feedback from a user who purchased one for their 76-year-old aunt, who found it perfectly manageable. It immediately establishes the product’s core identity: effortless convenience.

Cutting Performance and the “Super-Mulching” Magic

This is where the swift 40V Cordless Lawnmower truly shines and sets itself apart. It does not have a collection bag. Instead, it relies entirely on its specially designed “super-mulch and high-lift blade.” The theory is simple: the blade spins at a high speed (6000 rpm) within the enclosed deck, cutting the grass clippings multiple times into tiny particles before dropping them back onto the lawn. These particles are so fine they disappear into the turf, acting as a natural, nitrogen-rich fertiliser. In our testing, this worked remarkably well. We tackled a lawn that was, admittedly, a bit overdue for a cut. The mower sliced through it with a quiet whir, leaving a clean, even finish. As one user delightedly reported, “it cuts it up so finely that I don’t need to rake it,” and our experience was identical. There were no messy clumps, no trails of clippings, just a neat lawn.

The single-lever height adjustment offers three settings from 30mm to 50mm. We found the highest 50mm setting was perfect for a first cut on longer grass, while the lower settings were great for subsequent maintenance cuts. However, a word of caution that aligns with some user feedback: on extremely long (10cm+) and damp grass, the deck can clog. We experienced this once and had to stop and clear the blade housing by hand. For best results, and to avoid this issue, it’s best to mow when the grass is dry and to tackle very long lawns in two passes, first at the highest setting, then at a lower one. For its intended use on regularly maintained small lawns, the cutting performance is nothing short of brilliant, completely eliminating the chore of emptying a heavy grass box. This mulching feature really sets it apart in the compact mower category.

Manoeuvrability and Handling: The “Hoover” Experience

The combination of its 4kg weight and the cleverly designed ball joint connecting the handle to the mower body gives the swift 40V Cordless Lawnmower an unparalleled level of agility. Pushing it feels less like mowing and more like vacuuming the lawn. It pivots and turns on a dime, making it incredibly easy to navigate around garden furniture, swing sets, and intricate flower beds. We tested it on a sloping lawn with some uneven patches, and as one user who reviewed it for their older sister noted, “we are amazed how the mower copes.” It glides over bumps and dips without scalping the grass, and its light weight means pushing it uphill requires minimal effort. This is a game-changer for anyone who has struggled with the sheer physicality of mowing.

However, this nimble design does come with a small trade-off. We confirmed the observation from one user that the wheels are quite wide set from the blade. This means it doesn’t cut right up to the edge of walls or raised beds, leaving a small, uncut strip of about an inch or two. This is a common characteristic of most rotary mowers, but it’s worth noting. We found that a quick pass with a strimmer or hand shears was still necessary for a perfectly manicured edge. But for the 95% of the lawn, its ability to get into tight nooks and crannies is superb, and the overall reduction in effort is a more than acceptable compromise.

Battery Life and Power System: The Heart of Cordless Freedom

The freedom from a cord is the primary reason many people seek out a battery-powered mower, and the swift’s 40V system delivers. The included 2.0Ah battery and fast charger form a potent combination. The manufacturer claims a runtime of up to 35 minutes, suitable for lawns up to 50 square meters. In our tests, this proved to be a conservative estimate. We easily mowed a 40 square meter lawn twice over on a single charge, with power to spare. This aligns perfectly with user reports, one of whom stated they cut their “whole back yard and only use one of the four bars of power.” The four-light LED indicator on the battery is a great feature, allowing you to see the remaining charge at a glance. The brushless motor clearly plays a role here, efficiently converting battery power into cutting force without waste. For those with slightly larger areas, the fast charger is a huge asset. As one user happily commented, even when they needed to recharge near the end of a large job, it “doesn’t take long to charge giving you time for a cup of tea.” This reliable and efficient power system solidifies the mower’s credentials as a truly convenient and effective tool, letting you check the latest price and availability for this complete kit.

What Other Users Are Saying

Across the board, the sentiment for the swift 40V Cordless Lawnmower is overwhelmingly positive. Users consistently praise its game-changing lightweight design, with phrases like “fantastic little lawnmower” and “best item I’ve bought in a while” appearing frequently. Many, like us, compare the experience to using a lightweight vacuum cleaner, highlighting its effortless manoeuvrability. The mulching feature is another star attraction; one thrilled owner noted, “It doesn’t collect grass, but it cuts it up so finely that I don’t need to rake it.” The ease of assembly and compact, vertical storage also receive high marks, making it a favourite among those with limited space or physical strength.

However, the feedback isn’t without its critiques, which provides a balanced picture. A few users have noted, as we did, that its performance can be hampered by very long or wet grass, leading to the blade deck clogging. One user pointed out that the wheel placement prevents it from cutting flush against walls, requiring additional trimming for a perfect edge. While very rare, there was one report of a customer receiving a used item, which serves as a good reminder to always inspect a product upon arrival, regardless of where you purchase it. These minor criticisms, however, do little to detract from the overall glowing consensus.

How Does the swift 40V Cordless Lawnmower Compare to the Alternatives?

While the Swift mower is a specialist for small, simple lawns, the market offers other solutions for different needs and garden sizes. Here’s how it stacks up against three popular alternatives.

1. Flymo SimpliGlide 360 Hover Lawn Mower

The Flymo SimpliGlide 360 operates on a completely different principle, floating on a cushion of air. This makes it incredibly easy to move in any direction, perfect for oddly shaped lawns. Its main advantages over the Swift are a much wider 36cm cutting width and a powerful 1800W motor, allowing it to cover more ground, faster. However, it is a corded model, which means you’re still tethered to a power outlet. It also lacks the mulching function of the Swift, collecting clippings in a 26L box. This is a better choice for someone with a small-to-medium lawn that is bumpy or sloped, who prioritises speed over the ultimate convenience of cordless operation.

2. Makita DLM432Z Cordless Lawn Mower 43cm

The Makita DLM432Z represents a significant step up in both size and power. It’s aimed at the serious gardener with a much larger lawn. Its 43cm cutting width is nearly double that of the Swift, and it’s powered by two 18V LXT batteries for 36V performance. It offers a large 50L collection box and robust build quality synonymous with the Makita brand. The primary downside is that it is sold “body only,” meaning you must purchase batteries and a charger separately, making the initial investment much higher if you’re not already in the Makita ecosystem. This is for the user who needs professional-grade power and capacity for a substantial lawn, making the Swift look like a toy in comparison.

3. Greenworks 48V Self Propelled Cordless Lawnmower 46cm

The Greenworks 48V mower is the luxury choice for large lawns. Its standout feature is its self-propelled drive system, which takes all the effort out of pushing, a massive benefit on large or sloped gardens. With a huge 46cm cutting width, a large 55L collection bag, and power from two 24V batteries, it’s designed to tackle areas up to 460m². It offers multiple functions including bagging, side-discharge, and mulching, providing ultimate versatility. This is a direct competitor to petrol mowers, offering similar performance without the noise, fumes, and maintenance. It is significantly larger, heavier, and more expensive than the Swift, targeting a completely different user with a much larger garden and budget.

Final Verdict: The Perfect Tool for the Right Job

After extensive testing, our conclusion is clear: the swift 40V Cordless Lawnmower is a truly revolutionary product for a specific, yet very large, audience. It is not designed to compete with large, powerful mowers for sprawling country gardens. Instead, it masterfully solves the “small lawn paradox” by making the chore of mowing a small space quick, quiet, and genuinely effortless. Its feather-light construction, brilliant mulching system, and incredibly compact vertical storage make it an ideal choice for city dwellers, the elderly, or anyone who has ever felt their lawnmower was simply too much machine for the job.

While it has limitations—namely its narrow cut and struggles with excessively long, wet grass—these are acceptable trade-offs for its unparalleled convenience. It transforms lawn maintenance from a dreaded task into a simple, five-minute routine. If you have a small garden and value your time, space, and sanity, we can’t recommend it highly enough. It’s a specialised tool that executes its intended purpose with absolute perfection. If you’re ready to reclaim your weekend from the tyranny of the tiny lawn, you can find the best price and order your swift 40V Cordless Lawnmower today.