Toro mowers : our opinion and best deals in the UK 2022

"Count on it": a slogan that's full of promise to customers: that they can count on Toro mowers that won't fail, that will serve for years and that won't compromise on quality. Do Toro mowers really live up to the brand's reputation? Find out what we think.

Toro Recycler® gas-powered walk-behind mower 1
9/10

Editor's Choice

Toro Recycler® gas-powered walk-behind mower

The best Toro walk-behind lawnmower

This Toro self-propelled walk-behind lawnmower is designed for large yards. Power, precision and efficiency combine in this model that will automatically follow your stride.

868 £ on Manomano

This Toro thermal mower has a lot to offer. For starters, it features the Recycler® cutting system, which offers an environmentally friendly way to dispose of grass clippings. You can choose to collect them in the 74-liter bin that comes with the mower. You can also use the mulching function to crumble the clippings and scatter them on the lawn to fertilize the soil.

When it comes to power, this Toro petrol mower has a Briggs & Stratton 675EXi series engine with a 163cc cylinder. Simply fill the 0.9L fuel tank and start the machine with the starter. The highlight of this Toro mower is the AutoMatic Drive System with Traction Assist, which allows it to drive itself. That's why it's recommended for large lawns, whether they're on slopes or not. However, you should know that the speed will adjust to your pace for added comfort.

Bosch CityMower 18 lawnmower 2
8/10

Inexpensive alternative

Bosch CityMower 18 lawnmower

The best Bosch electric lawnmower at a low price

If you're looking for a thermal alternative to Toro mowers, try this Bosch model. Designed for small lawns, it offers a cutting width of 18 cm.

198 £ on Amazon

If you don't have a Toro electric mower, you can turn to an equally reputable brand: Bosch. Thanks to its 18V battery, this Bosch cordless electric mower has a very acceptable autonomy: users report that they manage to mow 200 m² of lawn. Beyond this surface, it will be necessary to provide spare batteries or take a break for the 2 to 3 hours needed to recharge the battery.

Weighing less than 10 kg, this Bosch push cordless mower has 32 cm blades. While this may not seem like much, it does the trick for a small garden. When it comes to mowing height, you can adjust the lever between 3 and 6 cm. It's also worth remembering that this model has a grass guide that allows you to access the areas closest to the fence or wall.

Alpina tractor-mower AT4 98HA 3
9/10

High-end alternative

Alpina tractor-mower AT4 98HA

The best high-end riding lawnmower

This Alpina tractor mower is an excellent alternative to a Toro mower of the same type which is often more expensive. This model is designed for individuals with a lawn of more than 1000 m².

2 179 £ on Agrieuro

Mowing a large lawn is easy with this tractor mower that's as efficient as a Toro mower. Just sit in the operator's station, turn on the starter, and set the mowing height to one of 7 levels. Then you use the two foot pedals. The first one on the right allows you to advance, slow down and reverse: that's the beauty of a hydrostatic transmission! The second is an electromagnetic clutch to operate the two tilting blades of 98 cm amplitude.

The power of this tractor mower lies in its STIGA ST500 engine with a 452 cc cylinder. With a power output of 17.8 KW, the performance is not in doubt. When mowing, you can choose to suck up the clippings in the large 200 l bag or crumble them with the mulching mode and eject them at the rear. Another major advantage of this self-propelled mower is the anti-scratch feature of the wheels, which allows you to drive without leaving any marks on your beautiful lawn.

Toro tondeuse manuelle à essence Recycler® 4
8/10

Best for small garden

Toro tondeuse manuelle à essence Recycler®

The best Toro manual lawnmower for a small garden

If you have a lawn of less than 300 square meters, invest in this Toro manual mower with a cutting width of 46 cm and a mowing height of 2.5 to 7 cm.

436 £ on Manomano
Buying guide • November 2023

Best Toro mower

Any specific needs?

The best Toro walk-behind lawnmower

The best Bosch electric lawnmower at a low price

The best high-end riding lawnmower

The best Toro manual lawnmower for a small garden

Your guide : Samuel

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Comparison table of the best Toro mowers

BEST CHEAP TOP OF THE LINE EXCELLENT
Toro Recycler® gas-powered walk-behind mower 5
9/10
Bosch CityMower 18 lawnmower 6
8/10
Alpina tractor-mower AT4 98HA 7
9/10
Toro tondeuse manuelle à essence Recycler® 8
8/10
OUR SELECTION
Toro Recycler® gas-powered walk-behind mower
Bosch CityMower 18 lawnmower
Alpina tractor-mower AT4 98HA
Toro tondeuse manuelle à essence Recycler®
This Toro self-propelled walk-behind lawnmower is designed for large yards. Power, precision and efficiency combine in this model that will automatically follow your stride.
If you're looking for a thermal alternative to Toro mowers, try this Bosch model. Designed for small lawns, it offers a cutting width of 18 cm.
This Alpina tractor mower is an excellent alternative to a Toro mower of the same type which is often more expensive. This model is designed for individuals with a lawn of more than 1000 m².
If you have a lawn of less than 300 square meters, invest in this Toro manual mower with a cutting width of 46 cm and a mowing height of 2.5 to 7 cm.
Blade width
55 cm
32 cm
98 cm
46 cm
Mowing height
2.5 to 10.2 cm
3 to 6 cm
2 to 8 cm
2.5 to 7 cm
Mower type
Thermal
Cordless electric
Thermal
Thermal
Traction
Self-propelled
Push-pull (31 l)
Autoported
Pushed
Features
Tray collection, mulching, side scattering
Tray collection, mulching, rear dispersion
Binned, mulching, rear dispersion

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Our opinion on the Toro mowers

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Our review of Toro mowers

Toro is not a young brand - quite the contrary! With years of experience, innovation and customer satisfaction at the forefront of their business, this American company has built a solid reputation since its inception in 1914. Do Toro mowers live up to the brand's reputation? What are they really worth?

A wide selection of Toro mowers

The first good thing about Toro mowers is that they offer a very wide range of mowers, with thermal and electric models alongside tractor mowers.

Toro riding mowers

Toro's walk-behind mowers come in a variety of models to suit different needs. Typically, they allow you to choose a mowing width between 40 and 76 cm, making them ideal for large areas. There are a few good points to mention, in addition to this plurality of choices:

  • Toro mowers, when thermal, are particularly green and designed to be environmentally friendly;
  • They all come with a grass catcher to leave a clean, neat lawn;
  • Some Toro mowers have a mulching function, which means the grass clippings are crumbled and then returned to the lawn as organic fertilizer.

Toro Electric Mowers

For those lucky enough to have a small to medium-sized lawn, Toro's electric mowers offer a mowing width of 30 to 76 cm. And there's a choice: from simple, functional models to sophisticated, efficient versions.

The best thing about this type of Toro mower is its maneuverability: compact weight, easy to handle, simple to use and easy to maintain. All with great results!

Toro Tractor Mower

For larger properties, nothing beats tractor mowers, the type of Toro mowers that make lawn care a breeze. The only adjustment you need to make is to set the mowing height! All you have to do is get in the driver's seat and walk across your lawn.

Of course, this type of Toro mower offers the option of using the grass catcher or mulching function. You can choose to dispose of the clippings or use them as fertilizer to enrich your garden soil.

Toro Lawnmowers: The brand's commitment to its customers

The brand reassures us that all Toro mowers are designed to be easy to use and cost effective over the long term. In other words, the brand is committed to quality, to offering mowers that will last for years.

Typically, Toro mowers come with a 2 to 5 year warranty. However, it is unfortunate that this warranty cannot be extended when other brands offer this option. Toro's customer service is also lacking, with addresses and contacts that can't be found, and a contact form that doesn't work every time... At least the quality of Toro lawnmowers means you don't have to call for service very often.

Toro Mower Parts Availability

Replacement parts, accessories and tools for Toro mowers are available on the Toro website under "products" and "parts and manuals. All authorized Toro mower dealers also have them available. Parts are available for 10 years, which is reassuring because even if the mower breaks down, it can still be repaired.

Depending on the problem, the customer service section of the Toro website will gradually guide you to a store or authorized dealer near you.

Verdict

Can we recommend Toro mowers or not? The answer is YES. There's plenty to choose from, from mowers for small lawns to large gardens. In addition, the quality is well and truly there, which means that we don't have to resort to an after-sales service that is not very present. It has to be said, though, that the brand makes sure that we don't have to go there.

Toro mowers are high quality, spare parts are available, and the customer service section has a wide range of articles to guide us. If you still can't find answers, the site will lead you to a list of authorized dealers near you who you can turn to.

Toro or Bosch mower?

Toro and Bosh mowers compete for market share: both brands are associated with high reliability and are well known for the quality of their products. If a duel were to be launched between Toro and Bosch, which brand would win?

Toro Mower

Toro is a U.S. company founded in 1914 that, in its more than 100 years of existence, has built a strong reputation among homeowners, large corporations, park and grounds managers, landscapers and farmers. Indeed, the brand works to "enhance the beauty, productivity and sustainability of the landscape," according to what Toro says on its website.

The various appliances, tools and equipment the company sells, like Toro mowers, serve that purpose. They have models designed for a small lawn behind a fence as well as for a golf course or rugby field. In addition, there are some very practical features, such as a mulching function that turns grass clippings into natural fertilizer and a collection option.

Bosch mower

Bosch is a name that inspires confidence and respect! This is not only because the brand has over 125 years of history or because it is a jack-of-all-trades, but also because it is known for the extreme quality of its products where innovation and technology are combined. This is why Bosch lawnmowers are so popular with the general public.

When it comes to lawnmowers, the Bosch brand has something for everyone. From cordless, battery-powered mowers to classic electric models and thermal mowers, the choice is vast. As with Toro mowers, the ones that come out of the Bosch shop are designed to be environmentally friendly with a reduced carbon footprint.

Verdict

Choosing between a Toro mower and a Bosch mower isn't easy. Both brands have strong arguments for each model, but the fact is that Toro specializes in everything that affects the grounds, from maintenance to productivity to design. Bosch, on the other hand, invests in many areas.

How to choose your Toro mower

When choosing your Toro mower, there are a few things you should consider to make sure you're investing in the right model for your needs. Consider the size of your lawn and the height of cut you want, the type of Toro mowers you need, and the features that will help you get the best results.

Criterion 1 : The size of your lawn

To avoid spending more hours than you need to on your lawn, choose a Toro mower that's right for the job. On this type of mower, the width of the blade determines the width of the cut in one pass. To help you understand this, here's a quick guide to the area of your lawn and the recommended blade width:

  • Less than 500 m² : 33 to 41 cm,
  • Between 500 m² and 1000 m² : 41 to 46 cm,
  • Between 1000 m² and 2500 m² : 48 to 55 cm,
  • More than 2500 m² : more than 66 cm

Criterion 2 : Toro walk-behind or electric mower

Toro mowers come in two main types of engines: thermal and electric.

Toro Thermal Mower The gasoline engine is the most common type of engine on board. Today, 4-stroke engines have replaced 2-stroke engines, which means that gasoline (unleaded) and oil are poured into two separate tanks. With power ratings between 1800 and 2600 watts, this type of Toro mower is recommended for larger gardens. The main drawback is that regular maintenance is required to check the oil and fuel levels, clean the spark plugs and filters, and winterize the unit in winter.

Toro Electric Mower can be corded or cordless (with a battery to recharge). Of course, the corded model is cumbersome and cannot be used too far from a power source. On the other hand, Toro's battery-powered mower has a limited range. These disadvantages aside, the unit is particularly efficient and low on energy consumption.

Criterion 3 : Toro push or self-propelled mower

Toro mowers can be push or self-propelled, so consider the level of your lawn when choosing. If you have a flat, level yard, you can afford a Toro push mower, provided the area you're mowing isn't too large.

On the other hand, a Toro ride-on mower moves on its own, and is recommended for sloping ground and large lawns. It makes the job easier because you don't have to push anything. Of course, it's up to you to control the path of the mower.

Criterion 4 : Cutting height

You should also pay close attention to the different cutting heights offered by the Toro mower. Usually this information is listed in the description of the model you choose. It's usually between 2 and 6.5 cm, but it can be as high as 10.2 cm. The most sophisticated Toro mowers have a feature that allows you to adjust the height of cut to the nearest cm using a lever next to the deck.

Criterion 5 : Features

Ideally, it's best if the Toro mower has a grass catcher. This way, the grass clippings are sucked directly into the bag, which usually has a capacity of 50 liters. This saves you from having to pick up the piles after the lawn is mowed. Alternatively, many Toro mowers have a mulching function, which means the grass clippings are sprayed onto the lawn and then spread as organic fertilizer.

The blade disengagement feature is also useful for momentarily stopping the Toro mower blade to allow you to empty the grass catcher without turning off the engine, or to quickly get around an obstacle.

How do I maintain a Toro mower?

The long-term durability and effectiveness of your Toro mower depends on proper maintenance, but this task varies depending on the type of mower you have. Nevertheless, aside from maintaining specific types of mowers, a few things are still required, such as sharpening the blades and cleaning the grass catcher.

How to maintain a Toro thermal mower

First, before each use, you should make sure the oil and fuel (usually unleaded gasoline) levels are adequate. Then, after use, clean the air filter. Blow it out effectively to remove any dust and debris that has become embedded.

.

Next comes the step of cleaning the housing. Use wood or plastic to remove the dirt, and if necessary, you can clean it with low pressure. When doing this, you'll need to tilt the mower slightly, but be sure to keep the air filter up so as not to flood the engine.

Finally, you should change the oil in your Toro thermal mower at least once a year. If you use your mower for several hours each week, changing the oil will be necessary 3-4 times a year.

How to maintain a Toro electric mower

The Toro thermal mower is not too much of a hassle when it comes to maintenance. After each use, you should unplug the power cable or battery, depending on the model, for safety. Next, use a brush or scraper to remove any plant debris that has become embedded in the housing. Finally, remove the blade and check its condition to see if it needs to be sharpened or not.

5 Benefits of a Good Toro Mower

Why trust a Toro lawnmower to maintain your garden and mow your lawns? Besides the fact that the name Toro is already a guarantee of quality, you'll discover in the following that it's in your best interest to choose a Toro mower.

Toro mowers are suitable for professional and home users

Toro mowers come in a wide variety of models designed to meet a variety of needs. Whether you're looking for home lawn care equipment for a few dozen square feet or need something that can mow lawns larger than 1,000 square feet, you'll find what you need in Toro's line of mowers. Even golf course and rugby field managers can find something to suit their needs with this brand that's not just for homes.

Toro Mowers Make Garden Maintenance Easy

Maintaining your yard, or at least your lawn, is easy with a Toro mower. You choose the height of cut, turn on the unit and start mowing. Plus, most Toro mowers come with 50-liter grassboxes, so you don't have to use a broom to collect grass clippings, because the mower does that tedious job for you.

Toro mower meets green commitments

What we like about the Toro brand is that they are truly committed to environmental preservation. Even Toro's thermal mowers are designed to reduce their carbon footprint. In the same vein, the brand introduces you to a technique that bypasses the use of chemical fertilizers on your lawn. Hence the mulching function, which crumbles plant debris before scattering it on the lawn to create organic compost to feed your lawns.

Toro mowers are more affordable in terms of price

While some Toro mowers cost more than others, most models designed for homeowners are still affordable. You can even find inexpensive models without compromising the quality of the mower. That affordability is one of the main attractions of Toro mowers.

Toro mowers are built to last

If there's one adjective that comes up time and time again with consumers who have used a Toro mower, it's "durable. The brand's mowers are known for their reliability and durability, which is why they back all of their lawnmowers with a 2-5 year warranty.

Our opinion on alternative brands

We believe these are the best alternative brands to the Toro mowers:

Bosch
Gardena
Einhell
Alko
Alpina

Bosch is an American brand with centuries of experience. It offers a range as varied as that of Toro mowers; in fact, it can be said that the two brands are the main competitors on the market. In terms of quality and reputation, Bosch and Toro are on the same level.

Since its acquisition in 2007, Gardena has quickly become the flagship brand of Husqvarna. This branch is in charge of all tools concerning gardening: this includes lawn mowers that, let's face it, often cost less than Toro's.

Einhell is a German brand that designs DIY and garden appliances. The duel between the brand's products and Toro's is not an easy one: German toughness versus American ingenuity...

It's also a German brand, and it's known for its extensive catalog of mowers. However, while some of the brand's lawn mowers appeal as much as Toro's, it is more known for its products in the automotive and air treatment worlds.

You could say that the Alpina brand is the Italian version of Toro. It also offers several tools, garden and agricultural equipment. Like Toro, it intends to enhance design while improving soil productivity.

Tips

Choosing the right fuel for your Toro thermal mower

Toro petrol mowers run on gasoline, preferably unleaded to preserve the engine. Note that you also need to choose the right oil; in fact, the brand also sells oil designed for 4-stroke engines found in the new generation of mowers.

Finding the right mowing frequency

Ideally, you want to have a dense, but well-maintained lawn. That's why it's recommended to mow lawns at least once a week. This will cause branching at the base of the plants and will result in a full effect. During the spring, the grass grows faster, so you'll need to use your Toro mower every 3-4 days.

Finding the right mowing height

The best way to find the right mowing height is to follow the rule of one-third. In practice, this means keeping at least one-third of the length of the lawn to preserve the growing point. This way, the grass will continue to grow and you won't have holes. So remember to adjust the mowing height of your Toro mower according to the height of your lawn.

Using your Toro mower in the best condition

To use your Toro mower in the best conditions, don't turn on your automatic sprinkler at least 24 hours before mowing. As you would expect, if it rained the night before and the grass is still wet, postpone mowing. Even though Toro mower blades are cut to take this into account, their sharpness levels and life expectancy will be extended if you follow this condition.

Maintaining your Toro mower

Toro mower maintenance depends on its engine. For a gas-powered model, it involves checking the oil and fuel levels, cleaning the spark plugs, cleaning the filters and winterizing the unit. For an electric mower, you'll need to clean the deck after each use and clear dust and debris from the area around the engine. In both cases, you must sharpen the blades and protect them from rust.

FAQ

What kind of gas should a Toro mower use?

A Toro mower runs on unleaded gasoline, which is one of the tricks to extending the life of combustion models. With the mower's on-board 4-cycle engine, the fuel tank is separate from the oil tank. So it's easy to measure out the fuel and check the level before and after each use.

How many hours of mowing can a Toro mower with mulching do? How does a Toro mower work? How do I learn to start a Toro mower?

The length of time you can mow your lawn depends on the area you need to maintain and the power of the Toro mower. Note that the mulching feature does not slow down the mower's action: the part that mulches the grass clippings does not affect the movement of the blades. If you're looking for a Toro mower with mulching, find the best model in this comparison.

A Toro mower works like any other mower: you turn on the engine, set the mowing height, and the blades take over. The clippings are either collected in a collection box or shredded and returned to the lawn to become organic fertilizer. Toro mowers come in both thermal and electric models.

To start a Toro mower, you either use the starter or activate the starter. However, remember to set the desired mowing height before starting the unit. Then all you have to do is walk across your lawn to maintain it. Then you can enjoy all the benefits that Toro's mower has to offer.

Sources

Note: Below are some of the sources we have consulted in writing this article. Links to other sites are not continuously updated. It is therefore possible that a link may not be found. Please use a search engine to find the desired information. See more

Updates

March 2022 : Translation of this buying guide from our partner meilleurtest.fr

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Our selection
Toro Recycler® gas-powered walk-behind mower 9
Toro Recycler® gas-powered walk-behind mower
Bosch CityMower 18 lawnmower 10
Bosch CityMower 18 lawnmower
Alpina tractor-mower AT4 98HA 11
Alpina tractor-mower AT4 98HA
Toro tondeuse manuelle à essence Recycler® 12
Toro tondeuse manuelle à essence Recycler®

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