Cylinder Mowers vs. Rotary Mowers: Why Cylinder Mowers Are the Best Choice for a Perfect Lawn

What is a Cylinder Mower?

A cylinder mower uses a set of cylindrical blades that rotate in a circular motion, creating a scissor-like action against the fixed bottom blade that cuts the grass as it passes. It’s often favoured for its clean, precise cut. Cylinder mowers are most commonly used on fine lawns, sports pitches and golf courses 

Pros of Cylinder Mowers

  Clean, Precise Cut
Cylinder mowers provide a level of precision that rotary mowers simply can’t match. Their cutting action is like a pair of scissors, ensuring each blade of grass is sliced cleanly without tearing. This clean cut promotes healthier grass by reducing the chances of disease and stress on your lawn. Tearing grass, as is common with rotary mowers, weakens the plant and can leave it vulnerable to pests and diseases. With a cylinder mower, your lawn will not only look better, but it will also be healthier in the long run.

 

The Best Stripes
If you’re after that signature striped lawn look, cylinder mowers are the clear winner. The mower’s grass rake combs the grass in one direction before the cutting cylinder snips the blades at the perfect height. Combined with the rear roller, the result is a beautifully striped lawn that lasts. The heavier the cylinder mower, the longer the stripes will stay intact, creating that perfect professional-grade finish. No other mower can deliver stripes with the same intensity and precision as a cylinder mower.

 

 This image shows use of the grass rake v no grass rake

 Less Stress on Grass
Because the cylinder mower cuts grass cleanly, it puts less stress on the plants. This helps prevent the browning and rough edges that often result from the tearing action of rotary mowers. Over time, the less invasive cut of a cylinder mower allows the grass to grow stronger, reducing the risk of disease and encouraging healthier root development. The result is a lawn that thrives rather than just survives.

 

 Environmentally Friendly
You can buy cylinder mowers that are manual (without an engine), which means they don’t require petrol. Electric mowers are available which are a quiet, eco-friendly option.

 

Versatile

One of the unique advantages of cylinder mowers is their versatility. Many models offer interchangeable cartridges that allow you to transform your mower into a variety of tools, such as a scarifier, verticutter, or dethatcher. These attachments help you maintain your lawn’s health by removing thatch, lifting lateral growth, and improving soil aeration. With a cylinder mower, you're not just getting a mower — you're getting a multifunctional lawn care tool.

For an example of a high-quality cylinder-mowed lawn, see the above image of an Allett Stirling cut lawn by Josh Staunton.

 

Cons of Cylinder Mowers

1. Not Suitable for Long grass and uneven lawns
   Cylinder mowers struggle with long, thick grass. They are best for finely-manicured lawns, so if your lawn is overgrown or untidy, a cylinder mower is not the mower for you. Your lawn needs to be relatively flat to use a cylinder mower as you are cutting down at very low heights of cut so you will scalp your lawn.
2. More expensive than rotary mowers- Cylinder mowers are often considered luxury products. They require more precise engineering, better materials, and more complex assembly than rotary mowers. These mowers are crafted for lawn care enthusiasts who value quality, precision and performance. The higher cost reflects the durability and advanced features of the mower, as well as the ability to add versatile attachments. While they are an investment, the results and long-term benefits justify the price. Our mowers are proudly made in Britain using over 130 UK suppliers for our materials.
3. Grassbox on the front - Many cylinder mowers have the grassbox positioned at the front, which can make it difficult to mow around tight corners. However, this issue is easily solved by removing the grassbox when navigating hard-to-reach areas, ensuring you can still achieve a clean, professional finish in every corner of your lawn.

What is a Rotary Mower?

A rotary mower uses a high-speed rotating blade/s that cuts grass more like a machete, chopping through the grass in a rougher, less precise manner. Rotary mowers are widely used for general-purpose lawn care, especially for lawns with thick, coarse or untidy grass. However, they do come with their own set of limitations.

 

Pros of Rotary Mowers

  1. Great for All Grass Types
Rotary mowers can handle a wide range of grass, from fine lawns to thicker, coarser types. They’re perfect for lawns that are overgrown or haven’t been maintained regularly.

 

 2. Tolerates Rough Terrain
Rotary mowers are more versatile when it comes to uneven or rough ground. They can handle tall or wet grass more easily than cylinder mowers, making them ideal for lawns with some bumps or slopes. They can generally cope with small stones/light debris.

 

  3. Mow less often

 If you find mowing a chore and only want to mow once a week the rotary mowers are perfect for you.

   

 4. Lower Cost

Many rotary mowers on the market are manufactured in China using lower-cost materials, which helps keep their price point lower for the end user. Additionally, the cost savings from cheaper materials and cheaper manufacturing processes directly contribute to the lower price points of rotary mowers. This, combined with lower staff wages makes rotary mowers more affordable compared to the higher-quality, precision-engineered cylinder mowers.

 

 

Cons of Rotary Mowers

1. Rougher Cut
   The rotary mower’s blade spins quickly and can cause grass to tear instead of being sliced cleanly. This can lead to a rougher cut, especially on fine grass types, and may create a browning effect on the edges of the grass blades- this can also lead to disease.
2. Messy Grass Clippings
   Because of the way the blade works, rotary mowers tend to throw grass clippings around. This can make clean-up more time-consuming and you may end up with clumps of grass on the lawn.
3. More Power-Hungry
   Rotary mowers typically require more power than cylinder mowers. If you're using a petrol-powered rotary mower it can consume a fair amount of fuel. 

 

4. Can be heavy and hard to manoeuvre

Rotary mowers can be hard to manoeuvre around the lawn being longer in length whereas cylinder mowers have innovative drive systems and are more compact.

 

Which Mower Is Best for You?

If you value a professional-looking lawn with clean, sharp stripes and are willing to invest the time and money into maintaining it, a cylinder mower is by far the best choice.

Cylinder mowers are ideal for:

• Fine, well-maintained lawns that require a clean, precise cut.
• Lawn enthusiasts who want beautiful stripes and a manicured look.
• Those who prefer a mower that reduces the risk of disease and promotes stronger, healthier grass.
• People who want an environmentally-friendly, quiet mower with added versatility (thanks to interchangeable cartridges).
• Smaller lawns or lawns that are regularly maintained and kept at low cutting heights.

While rotary mowers may be suitable for people with larger lawns, rough terrain, or overgrown grass, they don’t offer the same level of precision or care for your lawn’s health. A cylinder mower might require more attention and investment upfront, but the results — both in terms of aesthetics and the health of your lawn — are worth it. A lot of people own both a cylinder mower and a rotary mower as they both have their uses. Rotary mowers can be used for the first cuts of the year to get the height of cut down to a manageable height- however Allett now have a set of auxiliary wheels that you can fit to your mower in place of the front roller for cutting longer grass.

Need more advice? Give us a call 01889 271503 or check out our website www.allett.co.uk