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Mowing and maintaining is a tough job if you have a garden with corners and hurdles. But it can be handled easily with the right mower.
Every garden or lawn is unique in its way, and they all come with a different set of requirements. If you can find the perfect mower, the work becomes a lot easier. We know the search can be tough and so we decided to come up with a list of the best products that are available today.
After thorough research, we noted down the different kinds of lawnmowers and their functionalities. There are critical differences between most of the models, and you will get a varied range to choose from.
What’s more, all of them are budget-friendly options and would not make a hole in your pocket. Read on to solve all your lawn maintenance problems in a jiffy.
Best Inexpensive Lawn Mowers
Here's the list of the 7 best inexpensive lawn mowers to help you achieve a picture-perfect lawn without draining your wallet.
1. American Lawn Mower 1204-14 - Best for Cool-Season Turfgrass
Imagine if mowing the garden was as simple as taking a walk in your backyard as the sun sets for that day. With the American Lawn Mower 1204-14, the feeling is similar. Specially made to clear off cool-season turfgrass, this product is so light and easy to use that an older woman can easily take the mower out on a walk.
American Lawn Mower Company 1204-14 14-Inch 4-Blade Push...
Why Did We Like It?
With smooth-spinning blades and easy-roll wheels, the mower is swift and does not need to be pushed hard while using. You can take it on a walk and get your garden cleaned up with ease.
Also, the machine is quiet, and we could use it even when the kids were sleeping after school. Loud devices are a hindrance not only for your family members but also for your next-door neighbors. This did not cause any problems for us and we enjoyed using it.
Additionally, the device comes with a 14-inch cutting width and three cutting height adjustments from 0.5″ to 1.75″. This means it can be used for cutting low-grown grass, which is soft and easy to pull out of the ground.
Lastly, we were thrilled that the device is not expensive. It performs all the essential functions without burning a hole in your pocket. What more could we ask for?
What Could Have Been Better?
The device is suitable to cut thin and fine grass, but it will not work with dense, thicker, and tougher grass and reeds. So know your requirements before purchasing the mower. If your garden does not have thicker grass, you can choose this device without a second thought.
Pros
- Lightweight and extremely quiet
- 4-blade system and smooth spinning blades
- Durable
- Ideal for cool-season turfgrass
Cons
- Not for thicker, more robust grass
Cutting Width: 14 inches | Cutting Height Adjustment: 0.5 - 1.75 inches | Operation Mode: Manual | Weight: 20 pounds
2. Sun Joe MJ401E - Best for Dense, Thick Grass
If the garden is overgrown with all kinds of grass, and you need a robust machine to clean it up, the Sun Joe MJ401E Mow Joe will work efficiently. We had a backyard full of reed and tall hard grass after the rainy season, and a simple mower was not doing the job; that's when we decided to shift to this powerful machine.
Sun Joe MJ401E 14-Inch 12-Amp Electric Lawn Mower...
Why Did We Like It?
Being an ETL-approved corded mower, it meets North American safety standards and is a great choice to go with when it comes to difficult mowing. It is not at all complicated to use and assures high quality. We were surprised that the machine while being lightweight and compact, can be used to clip all types of grass.
Adding to the features, if your lawn is sized 1/4th of an acre or smaller, this machine should suit you well. This is because the length of the cord is 100 ft, and it is appropriately sized for this kind of lawn.
Moreover, the machine comes with all-terrain wheels, which make it easy to maneuver and take around places. It can easily be pulled up on rocky surfaces as well as plain ground.
Lastly, the product comes with a 10.6-gallon hard-top rear bag, which is big enough to store grass until the end of the mowing session. You will not have to empty it time and again while mowing.
What Could Have Been Better?
The product has some great features and comes with handles for ease of pulling it around. The only issue we had with it was that the cutting width was too narrow. This increases the amount of time you would take to mow, but if you like to do your work at your own pace, this should not be a problem.
Pros
- Compact and lightweight
- Comes with all-terrain wheels
- 100 ft long cord
- 10.6-gallon hard top bag for collection
Cons
- Narrow cutting width
Cutting Width: 14 inches | Cutting Height Adjustment: 1.18 - 2.52 inches | Operation Mode: Electric | Weight: 28 pounds
3. Greenworks 25052 Lawn Mower - Best 2-in-1 Lawn Mower
If you are concerned about not interfering with the growth of new grass while also being able to leave grass clippings in some places to supply nutrients, go for this. The Greenworks 25052 – 2-in-1 lawn mower can be used for both mulching and rear bagging grass.
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Greenworks 16-Inch Reel Lawn Mower with Grass Catcher...
Why Did We Like It?
We were very impressed with the two-in-one function. There were areas in the backyard where we wanted to leave grass clippings as nutrients for the soil. Here, we shifted to the mulching mode and removed the rear bag.
Whereas in our front yard, we wanted to clear off the grass to allow new ones to grow, and thus the rear bagging feature came into use. The rear bag of this product is big enough to store all the grass. It can hold all clippings till you complete mowing if you have a small to medium-sized place.
Contrary to the earlier device, this one has a full-cutting path, making it easy for us to clip grass quickly. This will save you a lot of time and effort and is a great benefit for all the homeowners-turned-mowers.
It also comes with four height options for the grass, ranging from 1.125″ to 2.25″, which helped us mow the different regions of grassy surfaces.
What Could Have Been Better?
This is a mechanical mower and is not supported by a power cord. Thus, it is not as powerful and would not work well with sturdy and thick grass. But no power cord ensures you can take it around quickly, and it does not make a sound. Note down your needs before going ahead and buying one.
Pros
- 2-in-1 mulching and rear bagging mode
- Wide cutting width
- Four types of height adjustments
Cons
- Not suitable for tough, thick grass
Cutting Width: 16 inches | Cutting Height Adjustment: 1.125 - 2.25 inches | Operation Mode: Manual | Weight: 26 pounds
4. Greenworks 40V Cordless Lawn Mower
If you are looking for a lawn mower that will cut off hard grass while being cordless and easily carryable over a large surface, we have the perfect product. The Greenworks 16-Inch 40V Cordless Lawn Mower is what you would want for convenience and efficient capability.
Greenworks 40V 16" Cordless (Push) Lawn Mower (75+...
Why Did We Like It?
Powered by a G-MAX 40V 2Ah Li-Ion Battery, which can give you up to 60 minutes of uninterrupted run time, this device is like a minibeast. No cords are pulling it back so you can take it around easily.
The mower additionally comes with a full cutting width of 16 inches, thus making cleaning off grass quick and convenient. We finished cleaning the whole backyard in half an hour without any issues.
The machine also comes with five levels of cutting height, which makes it easier to operate. You can change the height by merely pulling on a lever.
Lastly, the device comes with SMART CUT technology, which makes sure that the grass has been cut neatly and in equal lengths. This will work on turfgrass as well as thick and wet grass. We have a very neat, well-kept garden thanks to this device.
What Could Have Been Better?
The machine works well and has not caused any issues for us. It is just a little bulky and heavy, but the handles make it easy to pull around. Younger members of the family will not have any difficulty pulling this device around, but older members may.
Pros
- SMART CUT Technology provides clean cuts
- Wide cutting width for quicker sessions
- Five-position height adjustments
Cons
- Heavy and slightly bulky
Cutting Width: 16 inches | Cutting Height Adjustment: 1.5 - 3.5 inches | Operation Mode: Electric | Weight: 26 pounds
5. WORX WG779 Lawn Mower
If your lawn is pretty big and you are looking for a lawn mower that will function for more than 60 minutes, we have found the product for you. The WORX WG779 40V Lawn Mower is a golden choice to make with two batteries powering it simultaneously, providing it with extended runtime.
Worx WG779 40V Power Share 4.0Ah 14" Cordless Lawn Mower...
Why Did We Like It?
This device comes with a Twin Power Share module that utilizes two 20V 4.0Ah batteries. This is what makes it possible to have a longer run time. We liked this feature as it makes the process of cutting more relaxed and more convenient.
It also comes with a two-in-one feature, including mulching and bagging. You can leave the clippings out there or clean the surface thoroughly. This, like the previous devices, makes it easier for us to clean our yard, keeping in mind the varied requirements.
To add on, the Intellicut technology proved to be very beneficial for us as this increased the torque power when demanded. This made it easier to mow lawns, especially in difficult areas with dense growth.
Long hours of lawn work do not seem scary anymore with this machine in our house. Adding to the features, a 14-inch cutting width made the process very easy.
What Could Have Been Better?
This is an exceptional product to have in your house. It is near about perfect except for a slight glitch. It does not rate high on height adjustment features, and that can be a hindrance if you have grass of varying lengths in your lawn. If it is not a requirement, then the device is a great choice to make.
Pros
- Intelligent technology
- Twin power share with two batteries
- 2-in-1 mowing ability
Cons
- Limited cutting height
Cutting Width: 14 inches | Cutting Height Adjustment: 1.5 - 3.5 inches | Operation Mode: Electric | Weight: 29.1 pounds
6. Greenworks Electric Corded Lawn Mower 25022
Are you concerned about those small patches of grass which most mowers will miss and skim right over? The Greenworks Electric Corded Lawn Mower will do the job for you very easily. If you have a small yard, this product will take care of the mowing job without any issues.
Greenworks 12 Amp 20-Inch 3-in-1Electric Corded Lawn Mower,...
Why Did We Like It?
Being small and compact, this lawn mower was our choice to be used in tight spaces. Also, equipped with a strong electric motor, it can cut through grass easily, be it of any length. With seven built-in levels of height adjustment, the mower can easily tackle tall as well as tiny grass.
We could easily trim the grass to the desired length wherein it looked neat, yet there was enough grass for it to grow back quickly.
The other thing that fascinated us was the ease of storage. The device came with foldable handles and a removable rear bag. We have a smaller house, and storage is a big issue for us. So this feature was an excellent benefit for every time we wanted to store it away.
The rear bag could also be removed if you're going to shift to mulching mode. Not only that, but you could also use the side discharging mode to dispose of the grass. We needed different settings to work in the garden, and this product gave us all of them.
What Could Have Been Better?
The mower worked wonderfully for us, and we did not face any significant hindrances. The only thing which could have been better was that thick wide-blade grass could only be properly cleaned when the rear bag mode is on. It is difficult to trim thick moist grass in any other way, and this could be a slight issue for some.
Pros
- Small and compact
- Foldable handles
- Removable rear bag
- 3-in-one function
Cons
- Difficulty in removing thick grass if not on rear bag mode
Cutting Width: 20 inches | Cutting Height Adjustment: 1.5 - 3.75 inches | Operation Mode: Electric | Weight: 56 pounds
7. Great States 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower
We wanted a device that could be pushed around as we take our afternoon stroll in the garden. The Great States Push Reel Lawn Mower helped us in being active when we were too lazy to take a walk otherwise. The T-shaped handle makes it very easy to guide across gardens and push around.
Great States 415-16 16-Inch Reel Mower Standard Full Feature...
Why Did We Like It?
We loved the simplicity of this device. It did not need fuel or electricity to function and was a simple manual mower that could be taken around the lawn easily. It is equipped with five strong blades in the bottom, which efficiently trims grass as fast as you can push it.
The blades can further be adjusted to separate heights according to your needs. We all want our gardens to look a certain way, and with different seasons the needs change too. With this mower, you can rest assured that the grass can be trimmed to any length you desire.
Also, because there is no engine, the machine is super quiet and will not disturb house members as well as the neighbors. You could rise to be the best neighbors to have with a silent mower operating on your lawn early in the morning.
What Could Have Been Better?
This lawn mower meets our expectations in the most straightforward way possible. The only issue we had with this device is that it does not come with a rear bag, and thus you cannot store the grass to throw away later. This could make the process of clearing away the grass more time-consuming as you will need to use a separate product to do that.
Pros
- Adjustable cutting height
- Silent 5 strong blades
- Cuts as fast as you make it walk
Cons
- No rear bag
Cutting Width: 16 inches | Cutting Height Adjustment: 1 - 2.25 inches | Operation Mode: Manual | Weight: 25 pounds
Best Inexpensive Lawn Mowers Comparison Table
| Product | Cutting Width | Cutting Height Adjustment | Operation Mode | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Lawn Mower 1204-14 | 14 inches | 0.5 - 1.75 inches | Manual | 20 pounds |
| Sun Joe MJ401E | 14 inches | 1.18 - 2.52 inches | Electric | 28 pounds |
| Greenworks 25052 Lawn Mower | 16 inches | 1.125 - 2.25 inches | Manual | 26 pounds |
| Greenworks 40V Cordless Lawn Mower | 16 inches | 1.5 - 3.5 inches | Electric | 26 pounds |
| WORX WG779 Lawn Mower | 14 inches | 1.5 - 3.5 inches | Electric | 29.1 pounds |
| Greenworks 25022 Electric Corded Lawn Mower | 20 inches | 1.5 - 3.75 inches | Electric | 56 pounds |
| Great States 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower | 16 inches | 1 - 2.25 inches | Manual | 25 pounds |
Buying Guide For The Best Inexpensive Lawn Mower
Now that you have a fair idea about the types of lawnmowers and their crucial features, half your job is already done. But when buying a mower, you do need to keep in mind certain requirements and note down your preferences.
It may seem simple, but if you buy a product based on its amazing features and then end up not needing most of them, it would be a waste of money. To avoid such nuances, we have compiled a list of requirements to keep in mind.
How It Is Powered
Different mowers work differently because of the variation in power, be it gas, fuel, or electricity. Choose according to your needs, and if you have a simple small lawn with not many obstacles, a manual mower may just do the trick.
A big garden with a lot of obstacles will need a cordless model. Also, if you are busy and do not have time for gardening, go for a robotic electric mower, which will do everything on its own after it is set up.
Cutting Width
This may seem like a small feature, but it is the most important when it comes to trimming. Wider cutting width will ensure that the grass is cut off quickly and efficiently. For smaller gardens with turfgrass, shorter width is enough, while for thicker or denser patches, wider cutting width is vital.
Rear Bag Capacity
Do you have massive amounts of grass to be trimmed, or do you have tight spaces with less grassy areas? If your answer is the former option, a big rear bag is a must. Otherwise, you will have to continually clean the bag while trimming, making the very process time-consuming.
If your answer is the latter, you may go with a smaller, more compact device with a small rear bag. This will save you space while storing as well as be sufficient for your garden.
Noise Level
It is best to go for a device that will make extremely little to no sound. Regardless of the situation, if the motor makes too loud a noise, not only will your house members be disturbed, but also your next-door neighbors can complain.
If you plan to use the device during common working hours, you could still choose a device that makes some amount of sound. But if you are a person who prefers uncommon hours to do the trimming, the device must be noiseless.
A budget lawn mower cost can range from $50 to $200, depending on the features, brand, and type of mower. The most affordable options are usually manual reel mowers, followed by electric mowers, and finally gas-powered ones. An electric mower is typically the better choice for a budget mower because it has lower operating costs, is quieter, and does not produce emissions. However, if your lawn requires a more powerful mower and you don’t mind the additional maintenance, then a gas-powered mower may be a better choice. Cordless mowers are a good option for those with smaller lawns and who prefer the convenience of not having to deal with cords. They are typically more expensive than corded mowers but can still be found at budget-friendly prices, such as the Greenworks 16-Inch 40V Cordless Lawn Mower. Consider factors like the size of your lawn, the type of grass you have, your budget, and any specific features you may need, such as multiple cutting height options, grass collection bags, or mulching capabilities. Some popular options for small lawns include the Sun Joe MJ401E Mow Joe and the Greenworks 25052 – 2-in-1 lawn mower. Proper mower maintenance includes sharpening the blades regularly, cleaning debris from the mower after each use, checking for loose nuts and bolts, regularly changing (or charging) the battery on electric mowers, and replacing spark plugs, air filters, and oil for gas-powered mowers as recommended by the manufacturer.Inexpensive Lawn Mowers FAQ's
How much should I spend on a budget lawn mower?Should I choose an electric or gas-powered mower on a budget?Are cordless mowers a good option for someone on a budget?How do I choose the best budget mower for small lawns?How do I properly maintain my budget lawn mower for the best results?How long should I expect my budget lawn mower to last?
Conclusion
A lawn mower may not be spoken about too much, but it is the need of every family. If you own a house with a backyard or a front porch, you are bound to need a mower sooner than later.
We know the importance of being able to have the best in our gardens to leave a lasting impression on any guest who visits us.
If you have a garden with cool-season turfgrass and are looking for an efficient, lightweight, and quiet lawn mower, the American Lawn Mower 1204-14 is an ideal option. It performs all the essential functions without breaking the bank, although it may not work well with dense and thicker grass.
For those with overgrown gardens that require a powerful machine to get the job done, the Sun Joe MJ401E Mow Joe is a good option. Its ETL-approved corded design provides efficient mowing without being too complicated to use. The downside, though, is that its cutting width is quite narrow, which may increase the amount of time it takes to mow your lawn.
Finally, if you need a lawn mower that can handle both mulching and rear bagging tasks, the Greenworks 25052 – 2-in-1 lawn mower is the right choice. Its versatile function and wide cutting path make mowing a breeze but keep in mind that it is a mechanical mower, so it may not be as powerful when dealing with thick and tough grass.
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