Searching for a high quality lawnmower that is going to be reliable and easy to work with? No doubt on your search you will have come across Qualcast lawnmowers. Qualcast have been creating lawnmowers sine 1920 – so over 100 years worth of knowledge and manufacturing goes into each model! If this doesn’t speak for itself in terms of the quality then we don’t know what does!
They have a range of different lawnmowers to suit all sizes and types of gardens, so you can be sure that you are going to find a model that will be right for you, with a durable engine, substantial amounts of power and enough features to help you get the job done easily.
So if you have set your heart on a Qualcast lawnmower then look no further – here is all you need to know to choose which model is going to be right for you!
Only Got 5 Minutes?
Looking to treat yourself to a new lawnmower? Or purchasing your first? This section of the guide is where you will be able to find the key pieces of information needed to help you purchase a mower that is right for you!
As we know, a lawnmower is not something that we buy on a regular basis! Therefore, the process of actually purchasing one can appear quite daunting! Equally, we want one that is going to be long-lasting and able to efficiently complete the job that it has been bought for so that we don’t have to go through the process of buying another anytime soon! We hope to be able to make this a reality!
There are 10 main models that Qualcast currently have on the market, all with completely different features and suited to different jobs.
Electric Qualcast Mowers
There are currently only two electric corded Qualcast models available on the market – the Qualcast 400W Cylinder Lawn Mower and the Qualcast 1600W Electric Rotary Lawn Mower. Both of these lawnmowers are at the cheaper end of the spectrum, ranging from £65 to £100.
Petrol
Qualcast have designed three different models of petrol mowers, some of which are self-propelled (which we discuss in more detail below). These are the:
- Qualcast 41cm B&S 300 Mower
- Qualcast 41cm Push Petrol Rotary Lawn Mower
- Qualcast Self Propelled Petrol Rotary Lawn Mower (this model comes in varying sizes: 41cm, 46cm, 51cm and 53cm)
The prices vary considerably for these models – but in general range between £170 and £450 depending on exactly what you are looking for and the amount of work that you need your lawnmower to complete!
Cordless
Following the recent “theme” for all modern tech to now be offered with a cordless counterpart, Qualcast have also created two cordless models:
- Qualcast 36v 2.5A 38cm Cordless Lawn Mower
- Qualcast 20v Cordless Lawn Mower
These models can usually be purchased between £90 and £200.
We appreciate that all of this can appear a bit confusing – with lingo that doesn’t necessarily make sense! Therefore, we have provided more information below on the different models and features to help you make the best purchase!
Last update on 2024-04-20 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Who owns the Qualcast brand – and why does this matter?
In 1995 the Qualcast product was purchased by Bosch (a name everyone knows in the residential and commercial world). However, in recent years, the brand name has also been leased by Argos and Homebase. Although there is nothing wrong with either of these brand names, you will tend to find a better quality model from the original Qualcast/Bosch manufacturers – so it is always worth shopping around for one if possible.
What does the ‘cm’ size refer to?
When you look online you will see that many of the models have ‘cm’ measurements in their name. This simply refers to the size of the cutting width of each model. The bigger the cutting width the quicker you should be able to cut your lawn (in theory!) – as you are covering more of the lawn each time you move up and down it. However, a larger cutting width will make getting into tighter areas of the garden more difficult, so it is important to consider the shape of your garden.
If you have a large square or rectangular shaped lawn then it is likely that a bigger cm size will be better for you. But, if you have a shaped lawn, or a lawn with bedding areas/paving stones in, for example, then you could be better with a smaller cutting width as you made need another tool to get into the more intricate areas!
How Do I Choose Between Electric, Cordless and Petrol?
There are many benefits and negatives to each of the power types – which means that each will be better suited to different people and gardens.
Electric models, as a general rule, will be cheaper than petrol and cordless models for the initial purchase. But then you do have the issue of the electricity usage whenever you are wanting to mow your lawn (which could be quite considerable if you have a large garden). Another issue with corded electric models is that if you have a particularly long garden, you may struggle to reach the end with the cord provided – on average cords are around 10m. This means adding an extension cable on, which can cause additional safety issues. There is also the practical issue of choosing a corded electric model, in that you have to be sure not to mow over the cord.
The issues of the cord are avoided with cordless models – but you do still have the issue of electricity usage when charging the battery. Qualcast claims that the battery should last to mow any average to moderate-sized garden, however as the battery starts to lose power you will likely experience a reduction in the efficiency of the lawnmower. Obviously, there is always the option of changing the battery to continue mowing your lawn, but models only come with one battery – so this would be an additional cost added onto an already expensive model!
The model that alleviates all of these problems is the petrol mower. No battery to recharge, no added cost onto electricity bills and no cord to combat while mowing the lawn! Perfect, right? Sadly not! Qualcast petrol lawnmowers do have many benefits. They are fitted with high-quality engines so will cope with particularly large gardens and you don’t need to worry about being close to an electricity source. They are also fuelled on normal unleaded petrol – so a fuel source that is easy to obtain. However, these models do require more maintenance, and with unpredictable fuel prices they could end up costing more to run than their electric counterparts!
TOP TIP: If you do opt for a petrol model then adding a fuel stabiliser will protect the engine from corrosive effects in the fuel so improves engine life and performance.
- 1200w electric mower.
- Steel blade - 32cm blade width.
- 3 grass cutting heights from 2 to 6cm.
- 30 litre grass collection box.
- Lightweight and easy to use.
Last update on 2024-04-20 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Why Purchase a Self Propelled Model?
Self-propelled Qualcast lawnmowers are basically just what they say they are! They move forward without you having to push them. This is a feature that we would highly recommend – particularly if you have a hilly or large garden! Although none of the Qualcast lawnmower range is particularly heavy, the effort of pushing a lawnmower, especially in long grass, can be considerable. A self-propelling feature will massively reduce this hard work for you. Simply use the throttle and handle to control the lawnmower.
It is important to note though that some models can only be used in self-propelled mode and come in with one set speed of movement (a steady walk of around 2-3mph). However, if you reduce your hold on the throttle then this will reduce the power to the engine and will then automatically slow the motion down if this speed is too far for you for any reason.
Why choose a rear roller model?
Some Qualcast Lawnmower models come with front rollers, whereas others come with rear rollers. The difference this makes is that a front roller will leave your lawn looking very natural, whereas rear rollers will leave straight lines on your lawn (like you would see on a football pitch!). Obviously, some people would love a Wembley lookalike in their back-garden – others would be better suited to a royal lawn – the choice is yours!
Additional Features to Consider
- Noise level – Modern technology has massively reduced the noise level in lawnmowers from what they used to be. However, they are still not the quietest of household devices! If this is something that is of importance to you then make sure to check the dB figure for each model (usually around the 95dB level for most models).
- Cutting height – Almost all mid-high spec Qualcast lawnmowers come with the optional cutting lengths – depending on the exact look that you want for your lawn. Most models will offer around a 20-40mm range, varying from 20mm to 80mm.
- Bag size and design – This is something that varies massively from model to model. The bigger the bag, the more grass cuttings you can collect before needing to empty and start again. Some bags also come with additional sealing strips to avoid any grass clippings escaping, for that extra polished finish!
- Mulching feature – This is where the grass clippings are cut down small enough to be reused on the grass to provide extra nutrients.
- Power – always check the power (in watts) of your mower. The stronger the motor the better your Qualcast lawnmower will be at tackling your garden!
Frequently Asked Questions
One of the models mentions a B&S engine – what is this?
B&S stands for Briggs and Stratton – an engine manufacturing company. Specifically creating high-quality lawnmower engines. This make is of particularly high quality so you can be sure of a product that is going to be long-lasting and effective at getting the job done.
What type of oil do the petrol lawnmowers need?
Most of the Qualcast lawnmowers use 5W30 oil, however, we would recommend checking in the manufacturer’s information for each individual model.
Can you purchase spare parts for Qualcast lawnmowers?
Yes! There is a wide range of spare parts that you will be able to purchase for Qualcast lawnmowers should anything go wrong. Most of these parts you are going to be able to purchase from Qualcast directly which will help to ensure that you are still going to be able to expect the high quality from your lawnmower! Simply contact their customer service department and normally they will sort this for you!
how do i purchace a new battery for my Qualcast 20v Cordless Lawn Mower
I’ve searched the web but can’ find one anywhere
I can’t seem to find one myself, have you tried contacting Qualcast themselves or calling into a local HomeBase store?
Hi Andrew, we are searching for a charger as ours has a split terminal. It is still under guarantee but we can’t find one anywhere.
The reason is, CORONA VIRUS, as they are made in china and all stock has dried up, imports are slow and limited. We may have to wait while winter when nobody wants a lawnmower.
Available on Ebay
We have a large lawn and am considering a qualcast 625exi. Would you recommend this mower
Thanks
Andy
Hi Andy, Yes it has a Briggs and Stratton engine on that one. Good solid engines. Whilst Qualcast doesn’t have the name it once did, the engine is the main thing that matters. So whilst the body might be a little more flimsy than ones of old, I think for the price point it is a good mower. Hope that helps.
Hi Mike, I need a Qualcast blade spanner but am unable to find anywhere. Any ideas?
Hi Lawrence, what model of Qualcast mower are we talking?
Im unable to remove the battery from my lawnmower.. has anyone else had this issue?
Hi Adeline, Which model do you have?
I have a Qualcast mower with a Briggs and Stratton engine. With the change from E5 to E10 petrol can I use E10 in it?
Briggs and Stratton suggest that E10 will be final in all of their lawnmower engines. The shift of ethanol content from E5 to E10 isn’t too severe. Once it starts getting to E15 is when corrosion is more likely to occur. Hope that helps.