The Flymo Microlite is a compact and light weight mower. The problem is that however light and easy to use it is, if it doesn't cut your grass, then its no use.

There are a number of problems with it.

First of all, the blade is made from plastic. My 4 year old daughter uses plastic scissors because they are safer than steel ones. I use metal scissors because they cut more cleanly and stay sharper for longer.

Secondly, the motor is not very powerful. Its a 1000W motor, which means it draws more power than the motor you might get with a rotary mower that has wheels. However, a large fraction of that power is spent on keeping the mower hovering above the grass, and this doesn't leave much to actually get the blade to move quickly. This means that if you try and cut grass when its long or damp, the blade will not have enough power to slice through the grass. Instead of the grass getting cut, it just gets a bit mangled.

Thirdly, the design of the motor is not ideal. It has most of its power at high speeds. An induction motor works much better and has a lot of power at low speeds. However, induction motors cost more and so are only found on electric mowers you might find at a specialist at a list price of £150+ or so.

Fourthly, there isn't a grass box. This means that the clippings are left on the lawn. If you cut your grass frequently, then the clippings will be small and they will fall between the rest of the grass and it won't be a problem. However if you leave the grass until its 10cm long, you will have clumps of cut grass left and if you sit on the lawn, they will cover your clothes. Sweeping up bits of cut grass from the lawn with a rake or broom takes a _long_ time and is to be avoided if at all possible.

Finally, the build quality leaves a something to be desired. When they do go wrong, theres not much that can be done and you just have to buy another one. It ends up being cheaper to
spend more money in the first place on something that will last longer. The fact that a better quality mower performs so much better too is a bonus.

Its not all doom and gloom. Because they are small, they might be good if your lawn has a lot of little corners. Being light also helps on steep slopes when a heavier mower might be difficult to control.

If you have a very small garden (less than the size of a double garage), you can wait until the grass is bone dry before cutting it, you don't want to sit out on the grass, and you want a new mower for as little money as possible, then one of these might just about be OK.

I don't have one of these mowers, but my neighbour did. He used it for a few months before he had to go out and buy a replacement. The money he spent of both of these together would have bought a much better mower.