Stripes Guide · Updated May 2026
Petrol Mowers With a Rear Roller
If you want proper cricket-pitch stripes and you've got the garden to justify petrol, a rear-roller petrol mower is the gold standard. We've compared the three best options in the UK from specs and verified owner reviews.
Why petrol roller mowers stripe better
Petrol engines spin faster and heavier rollers flatten more consistently. Combine a high-RPM blade with a full-width steel roller and you get stripes that are visibly sharper than anything cordless can manage. The trade-off is noise, weight and annual servicing - but if stripes are your priority, nothing else comes close.
Three petrol roller mowers worth buying
1. Hayter Harrier 41 (£699)
The stripe king. Hayter's been making rear-roller mowers in the UK since 1946, and the Harrier 41 is the one professional groundskeepers recommend to homeowners. Briggs & Stratton 675iS engine, autodrive, and stripes that make neighbours ask what you're doing differently. Read our Hayter Harrier review Check price →.
2. Honda HRX 476 VK (£899)
Honda's flagship does everything - self-propelled, Versamow mulching, Roto-Stop blade brake, and a full rear roller. The stripes aren't quite as sharp as the Hayter (slightly lighter roller), but the overall mowing experience is the best in class. Read our Honda HRX review Check price →.
3. Mountfield SP46 Elite (£449)
The value option. Mountfield's roller models share the same Honda engine as the more expensive machines, and the stripes are perfectly respectable for a garden that isn't competing in Best Kept Village. Read our Mountfield review Check price →.
Rear roller vs cylinder mower
A cylinder mower (like an Allett or Dennis) gives even sharper stripes, but they cost £1,000+, hate long grass, and need regular sharpening. For 95% of UK homeowners, a rotary with a rear roller is the practical choice.