Cheapest lawn mower bunnings. 9 Best Petrol Lawn Mowers in Australia (2023)

Best Petrol Lawn Mowers in Australia (2023)

While petrol lawnmowers will require more maintenance than electric options, they typically run for much longer and offer much more power than electric lawn mowers, making them an excellent investment for larger lawns.

We’ve researched the best petrol lawnmowers available to purchase in Australia, and we list our picks in order of how much they cost. You can also explore further our comprehensive guide on the best models on the market in Australia and battery-powered lawn mowers available in Australia.

The bargain self-propelled petrol lawn mower under 300

The Baumr-AG 720SX lawn mower is an ideal best budget lawn mower for lawn owners with moderate lawn area. It features a 139cc 4-stroke engine that cuts through grass effortlessly, leaving your lawn neatly mowed.

The petrol mower has a height between 25 and 75 cm in seven height adjustments that let you determine the level at which your lawn is mowed. It packs a 45-litre grass catcher and a 1-litre oil tank to ensure you can get more done in one round. Baumr-AG’s 41 cm cutting width is ideal for smaller lawns and offers excellent manoeuvrability around obstacles such as trees and stones left on the lawn for decoration. Baumr-AG’s 139cc mower weighs 21 kg, making it lightweight. Additionally, its oversized back wheels allow it to glide smoothly over your lawn surface.

There’s not much to complain about if you’re looking for a lawn mower that just gets the job done. The 12-month warranted lawn mower offers no extra perks and functionality and is an ideal, compact option for anyone working on a budget.

The high-performing mulching petrol lawn mower under 400

For a powerful petrol lawn mower that won’t break the bank, look to the Ryobi 160cc 18 Lawn Mower. It features a 4-stroke engine that meets the Australian Emission Standards and operates far more efficiently and with less noise.

Its foldable, adjustable, and soft grip handles ensure comfort when lawn mowing and compaction for storage or movement. Mowers can catch up to 55 litres of grass before the mower needs to be emptied. The machine’s mulching plug also means grass clippings can be used as a natural fertiliser instead of being caught.

Some innovative features include a deck wash adaptor for easy cleaning of the underside of the deck and blades, and four swing-back blades can deliver the most delicate cut to your grass. It comes with a two-year replacement warranty.

The bargain mulching petrol lawn mower under 400

The Makita 140CC 4 Stroke Mulch Catch Lawn Mower (460mm) is an excellent value investment, thanks to its Briggs Statton 550EX series engine with a dual swing-back blade system.

With a torque indication of 6.8Nm at 3,060RPM and a generous 460mm cutting width, this model can process a lot of grass at a decent rate. It also features a five-stage height adjustment to ensure grass of varying levels can be caught and cut.

This mower is reasonably lightweight for easy mobility and has a substantial 60-litre grass catcher which allows mowers to cover plenty of ground before emptying. This makes it an appropriate model for pretty large areas of grass. It comes with a two-year domestic use warranty.

The most efficient mulching petrol lawn mower under 550

Masport is well-known for offering excellent ranges of Australian lawn mowers, the 470 2n’1 Mulch Catch Petrol Lawn Mower is no exception.

This model is well-equipped to power through tough grass in reasonably large lawn areas. Its swing-back four-stroke blades offer catching and mulching capabilities, whether wet or dry grass and feature an indicator that alerts you know when the catcher is full.

With a reinforced foldable handle with PVC grip, you can expect comfortable usage, while the 460mm blade length and cutting width will mean a much quicker mowing time around the lawn. It comes with a 4-year warranty on the chassis, and the engine has a 2-year warranty.

The best self-propelled petrol lawn mower under 600

The Victa Classic Cut 18” Cut and Catch Lawn Mower is a great value petrol lawn mower, especially for less complicated lawns. It boasts an easy-to-start ignition system, a quiet Briggs Stratton 500E Series USA-built OHV engine, and a dual swing-back blade cutting system for robust and steady performance.

With a blade length of 450mm and a cutting width of 457mm, it can cover larger lawns quicker than the model above. Victa Classic Cut 18 is ideal for lawns that are not overgrown and offers no mulching capabilities.

Australian manufactured, the steel chassis is optimised for its catching efficiency, and the model’s comfortable grip, foldable handles and ball-bearing wheels ensure comfortable and manoeuvrable mowing.

The powerful mulching petrol lawn mower under 650

Featuring an impressive 140cc Rover OHV 480 engine, the Rover Duracut 420 Lawn Mower is a great value mulching model that’s perfect for smaller lawn areas.

With a 46cm (18”) steel deck, it’s robust enough to handle harsh conditions of grass, and its four swing-back blades are perfect for slicing grass for a thorough cut. The model boasts a ball-bearing wheel for smooth manoeuvrability. Its catcher, with a 45-litre fill indicator, is great for emptying or providing organic fertilisation to the lawn, thanks to its mulch plug.

There’s also a safe stop engine brake for controlled lawn mowing. And just like the Blaxland, the Duracut has a massive 5-year domestic use warranty.

The cross-over self-propelled mulching lawn mower under 1,300

At this price point, we are starting to look at models that could be used by professional lawn mowing services.

The Honda 21” (530mm) Self Propelling Lawn Mower with Clip Director Mulching is a silent yet efficient model from a top brand. Its key features include Honda’s impressive Mow-Safe engine brake technology, low fuel consumption, and quiet operation ideal for residential usage. The model’s powerful 160cc engine and MicroCut twin bar blades allow for a thorough cut.

A generous 66-litre fabric grass catcher allows for an extended mow without stopping, and mulching capabilities enable lawn fertilisation at the same time if desired. Mowers can also achieve shortened mowing times thanks to the wide 530mm blade length and cutting width.

While it’s designed for professionals, it is still classed as a domestic grade mower. This lawn mower comes with a 2-year domestic warranty.

The Professional Grade self-propelled petrol lawn mower under 1,300

One of Australia’s most powerful self-propelled mowers, the professional Victa Commercial 19 850 I/C Lawn Mower is suitable for the toughest types of grass and large lawn areas. With a durable Die-Cast Alloy Chassis with Commercial Warranty and four-stroke blades, it takes much less time to get the job done – powered by a robust Briggs Stratton Commercial Series 850 I/C engine.

The 8-inch double ball bearing pro wheels allow for a convenient mowing experience. Additionally, the self-propelled variable speed gearbox makes mowing effortless. The Victa Commercial 19 lawn mower also features a foldable handle for compact transportation and storage and commercial-grade mulching for a much quicker job of natural lawn fertilisation.

This lawn mower comes with a 2-year domestic product and engine warranty and a 3-year limited chassis warranty.

The Professional Grade petrol lawn mower under 1,700

The Masport 19 Contractor is a professional mower, just like the 21 models; it features a commercial-grade Kawasaki 179cc OHV Series FJ 180V IC 4-stroke engine. The mower is designed for tough-going conditions and regular mowing. Its high arch heavy duty steel chassis can withstand sandblasting and hard impacts and is combined with the 4-blade cutting system, resulting in a supreme cutting, mulching, and catching performance.

The cast alloy wheels are extremely tough and are designed to operate under commercial conditions limiting possible downtime for repairs. It has an open rear chute to allow great grass flow and catcher full performance in a hard High-Density Poly Ethylene (HDPE) catcher. It features a wide diameter professional grade heavy duty cast aluminium Front 200mm (8) and Rear 200mm (8) wheels with synthetic rubber tyres and precision 6202 sealed ball bearings.

Why Buy a Petrol Lawn Mower?

Because petrol is synonymous with power, petrol-powered lawn mowers continue to be popular. They are an excellent choice for dense lawn growth and tougher species, and they are mostly more durable than battery-powered and electric lawn mower models. The latter two, however, are ease-of-use and environmentally friendly.

Petrol lawn mowers also come in a wide range of models. With the same powerful engine, you can purchase a tiny, lightweight model, a self-propelled or manually powered mower, or even a riding mower. They have no cable, no charging time, and can operate as long as they have fuel, allowing them to go anywhere and work for as long as you require. This is important if you have a large lawn or a landscaping business and need to make sure the mower can go farther from an outlet and still work through many tasks.

But they are not without disadvantages. Petrol mowers require regular maintenance and fueling. They emit fumes during operation and require fossil fuels, both of which are harmful to the environment. They can also be very noisy during operation, and they are heavier to manage due to the engine weight.

Summary

Hopefully, you’ve been able to choose your perfect petrol lawn mower from our comprehensive guide to the best models available in Australia. Once you’ve purchased your ideal petrol mower, see the maintenance guide from Bunnings below on the practical ways you can maintain your lawn mower.

Keep in mind that regardless of your lawn mower’s build quality, poor maintenance would gravely affect its durability in the long run.

Maintaining your petrol lawn mower

Best Makita Lawn Mower Reviews – Updated for 2022

Having already published our best lawn mower reviews article and also one on the best electric lawn mowers, we know mowers. We’ve spent countless hours cutting with them and testing them on our property. So what if you’ve already decided on Makita as your manufacturer of choice? You still have over a half dozen models to choose from! We polled our best Makita lawn mower reviews for many different applications to help you decide. We’ve reviewed nearly every model and have the testing, data, runtime, and more to help you make an informed decision.

Best Makita Lawn Mower Review Overall

Makita XML08 21″ Self-Propelled Lawn Mower Review

If you want the best Makita lawn mower review we did all year, we have to recommend the XML08 we first reviewed in 2021. This model gives you the goods without quite going overboard. In fact, we’ve seen the mower and batteries on sale for 699. You can also buy just the mower and add your own set of batteries. For commercial Pros or anyone on a 1-acre lot or less, this Makita lawn mower should do the trick.

Testing during the summer, we set the deck to 3-inches and loaded up four 6.0Ah batteries. We didn’t exactly take it easy—cutting Bermuda, Bahia, and St. Augustine. About 2/3 of our cutting area was pre-cut to 5 inches. The other 1/3 hadn’t been cut at all in two weeks. We had a runtime total of 47 minutes. On a regular maintenance cut, we would have easily cut for more than an hour.

Commercial self-propelled mowers run more than 1000. Sticking with battery competitors, STIHL’s self-propelled model with a similar battery loadout is 879. That may seem expensive compared to residential mowers, but you get much more in terms of build quality and cutting power. The Makita XML08 self-propelled lawn mower is a good solution when your crew needs a solution for where gas mowers are unwanted or unwelcome.

Aside from perhaps making the battery switch automatic, there’s not much to complain about with this mower. Take a look at the XML09 if you want a true aluminum deck that adds a bit more weight as a tradeoff for better weather resistance and a higher price point.

Our Favorite Makita Lawn Mowers for Pros

Makita XML09 21″ Self-Propelled Lawn Mower

We already declared the XML08 the best Makita lawnmower we reviewed so far. However, if you want to kick it up a notch, the nearly-identical XML09 adds an all-aluminum deck that makes this mower even more weather-proof. It does add some weight, but nothing you wouldn’t get from a commercial gas model. Of our Makita lawn mower reviews, the XML09 really stands apart (it’s also the most expensive model Makita makes).

You get the same power and runtime as the XML08, but it eliminates the plastic on the front of the deck. Instead, the aluminum (not steel) deck extends all the way front with a metal guard out front as well to avoid damage from obstructions, stone borders, etc.

Look for the Makita XML09PT1 lawn mower to run about 999 with a set of four 5.0Ah batteries.

Makita CML01 ConnectX 21-inch Self-Propelled Lawn Mower

For landscaping crews, the Makita ConnectX 21-inch self-propelled lawn mower takes direct aim at the problem of runtime. Its ConnectX 1200Wh backpack is like having a little more than thirteen (13) 18V LXT 5Ah batteries. Makita isn’t the first to have a backpack battery, but we really like their implementation. The backpack-style battery connects directly to the top of the ConnectX lawn mower. You don’t have to tether yourself to it with a cord.

When it comes to runtime, you can mow up to 3 continuous hours. For the way most professional crews use their walk-behind mowers to supplement their ZTs, it’s enough to get through an entire day.

As a professional-grade mower, the Makita CML01 runs 949 as a bare tool. The battery adds another 1399 for a grand total of 2348 if you buy them separately. Like Makita’s other lithium-ion tools, the warranty runs 3 years on both the mower and the power supply.

Best Makita 36V Push Lawn Mower for Homeowners

Makita XML11 21″ 36V (X2) Self-propelled Push Mower

If you don’t require a self-propelled mechanism, the Makita XML11 presents a great entry-level option for homeowners who still have a reasonably-sized property (up to 1/2-acre). The Makita XML11CT1 lawnmower kit includes four 5Ah batteries and typically out around 499. That includes a rear bag and dual-port charger.

Makita claims around 40 minutes of runtime with these batteries, and the self-propelled mechanism has a variable speed between 1.5 and 3 MPH. Single-lever height adjustment lets you set the blade to cut between 1-1/4″ and 4″. Lastly, the handle folds down to make garage or shed storage a breeze. Given the 499 price, this mower might be one of the best bangs for your buck in the 21-inch self-propelled range.

Best Makita 18V (X2) Lawn Mower for Really Small Yards

Makita XML03 18″ Push Mower

It may be that you want a self-propelled lawnmower for a bit less than the available commercial models from Makita. In that case, the Makita XML03 lawn mower provides an excellent compromise. This push mower runs just 399 for a kit that includes four 4.0Ah batteries and a dual charger. That’s an insanely low price for a fully-electric battery-powered mower.

Of our Makita lawn mower reviews, the Makita XML03 might seem diminished. It lacks a self-propelled motor, and you “only” get an 18-inch wide deck. However, it can cut up to a 1/3-acre in 43 minutes or less. The steel deck also provides commercial-level quality—letting it work just as well for a more maneuverable solution for landscapers.

With a folding handle for easy storage and a single-lever cut height adjustment (13/16″ – 3″), you have everything you need for a smaller yard or super-maneuverable commercial mowing tool.

Best Electric Push Lawn Mower (Not Self-Propelled)

Makita XML07 Push Lawn Mower

The Makita XML07 is essentially the same as the XML08 that we recommended above but without the self-propelled drive. Makita made huge improvements to this model compared to earlier versions to get it ready for commercial use.

You get the same steel deck commercial landscapers love. Like other Makita lawnmowers, the XML07 uses two 18V batteries to run (it’s a 36V mower) and has room for four packs so you don’t have to go back to the trailer or garage as often.

Makita also dialed in a Quiet Mode for its brushless motor. When you’re trying to conserve runtime or keep the noise level down in lighter cutting conditions, it keeps the blade at a lower—and quieter—RPM. Pick up this capable commercial-level push mower for 699 with four 5.0Ah batteries and a dual-port charger.

How We Make Our Best Makita Lawn Mower Picks

Deck Size and Material

When doing Makita lawn mower reviews we have to understand the deck size and material. Pros typically want steel decks (Makita even has a model with an aluminum deck to save on weight). While most insist on 21-inch deck size for cutting grass, many Pros need a solution that can get into tighter areas where the zero turn or stand-on cannot. For that, 17-inch and 18-inch models excel.

Runtime

How much runtime a battery-powered lawn mower has is only part of the equation. The best information is how much area you can cut on a charge. We recommend Makita mowers with an eye to the amount of cutting they can be expected to accomplish on a set of 4 batteries.

Build

The build quality largely includes the deck material, but also takes into account the other items consumers and Pros need for extended use. We’re looking for solid components that will last well beyond the warranty period, a rigid construction, and protection for the electrical components and batteries.

Other Features

In addition to any standout features, here’s a list of the standard items we look for:

• Drive type and function
• Height adjustment and range
• Handle positions
• Discharge options

Value

For our team of experts, value is much more than just price. It’s about what you get for what you pay. An expensive model may very well be the best battery mower value if it’s performing far enough ahead of the budget brands to justify it.

Best Makita Lawn Mowers Buying Guide

As you’re deciding on the best Makita battery-powered lawn mower for you in 2022, there’s a lot to consider. These electric mowers are a long way away from when we started with battery power.

What’s Your Budget?

While you can get a Makita battery lawnmower for less than 500, plan on spending at least 700 for a commercial kit with four batteries and more than 800 for the top models.

That can cause a bit of a conflict. When you look at what you can get for the same price on a gas mower, you get more power and features from that gas engine. It won’t have the noise, emission, and maintenance benefits, though.

Residential or Commercial Quality?

With many manufacturers, you don’t see a ton of differences between commercial and residential walk-behind battery lawn mowers. Makita mostly makes commercial lawn mowers.

These professional battery-powered electric mowers from Makita include a familiar design and features that match what professionals look for. Makita also has a pretty large dealer network that they should end up leveraging as they continue to expand into battery-powered outdoor power equipment.

Self-Propelled vs Push Drive

Considering a self-propelled drive doesn’t have a huge effect on your runtime, it’s a feature you should get if it’s in your budget. Look for variable speed control and try working it in the store before you bring it home. You can usually tell in just a few minutes if it’s comfortable and natural for your hands.

Look for a mower that disengages its drive easily when you want to pull the mower back. Some systems have a hard time letting go and force you to drag the drive wheels rather than allowing them to roll.

Let’s not completely rule out the classic push mower style, though. When you’re on a budget, you can easily save 100 or more without losing cutting performance if you’re willing to carry more of the workload.

If that’s the direction you’re heading, look for a poly deck to help reduce weight and wheels with low rolling resistance to make your job a little easier.

Self-Propel Drive Adjustment

Our testing team generally prefers a variable speed control separate from the presence bar. The Makita XML03 also includes a “Whisper Mode”. This tells the brushless motor to maintain 2500 RPM to keep the noise down and your battery efficiency up.

The Makita XML11 uses an easy-to-use speed control on the left to set the speed between the minimum and maximum extremes.

Steel vs Aluminum vs Poly Deck

In the gas-powered world, there are really no poly decks—most are either steel or aluminum. The cordless lawn mower world is much different with poly decks in every direction.

Steel is more durable, but it’s very unlikely you’re going to wear through a poly deck over the life of your battery-powered lawn mower. Poly also has an advantage in design. It’s much easier to make subtle changes in the shape that optimizes airflow for better lift, mulching, and bagging than a steel deck.

And, while steel is more durable, aluminum saves weight and resists corrosion. If you have a lot of small rocks you kick up when you’re mowing or perhaps your 15-year-old doesn’t pay quite as much attention as you’d like, then a steel or aluminum deck can extend your mower’s life!

Bag, Mulch, or Side Discharge?

You probably already know whether you prefer to mulch or bag. Here in central Florida, we usually mulch to return nutrients to the lawn and avoid stopping every 10 minutes (literally) to dump the bag.

Sometimes, however, you go on vacation or the weather prevents you from hitting your normal mowing day. That’s when side (or rear) discharge becomes helpful.

Instead of keeping the grass up in the deck for finer mulching, it kicks it out. You could bag it, of course, but you’d spend a lot of time emptying. For the sake of getting your cut back under control, side discharging can help keep you moving along when your grass gets long.

Some Makita mowers give you all three options. That way, you can keep that side discharge chute somewhere handy just in case you need it.

Deck and Blade Size

Most of the best electric lawn mowers have 20 or 21-inch deck sizes with slightly smaller blades (Makita is one brand that lists the actual blade diameter rather than the deck diameter).

Makita also provides smaller models appropriate for smaller lawns or areas with a lot of landscaping to work around.

The larger deck sizes are most helpful on lawns over 1/4-acre where they offer more significant time savings. For lawns 1/4-acre or less, even a 17-inch deck works well. Those smaller decks also work for taking care of limited areas where zero turns cannot fit.

Height Adjustment and Range

This one is really about what your preference is. We find most people set their height once and leave it, so just make sure the mower you choose has the cutting height you need.

The majority of electric lawn mowers have all the height range you need to cover a wide variety of grass species. If you prefer to cut at heights over 3-1/2 inches or under 2 inches, just double check that the mower you’re looking at covers it.

Multiple Battery Ports

If you have a lawn that’s more than 1/3 of an acre, there’s a good chance you can benefit from multiple battery ports. There are three possibilities: a second storage port, a second active port with a manual switch, and a second active port with automatic switching.

Automatic switching is the most convenient and usually comes on higher-priced mowers. Manual switching and simple storage take some extra effort, but not as much as going back to the garage or trailer for another battery. With four battery ports onboard, Makita at least ensures you have plenty of runtime available on their 18V X2 (36V) mowers.

Why Buy an Electric Lawn Mower?

The best Makita electric lawn mower for you should get your lawn cut on one charge. No matter which model that is, they all share some common characteristics. There are no gas emissions and no gas engine to maintain. You still need to clean it off when you’re done, but the maintenance is much easier and takes less time.

Makita lawn mowers also dramatically cut down noise compared to gas mowers. The early bird gets the worm and if you want to start mowing at 7:00 on Saturday morning, your neighbors can probably sleep through it. of a night owl? While many battery-powered mowers have headlights, Makita’s do not—so no night mowing for you!

Our favorite reason to buy a Makita electric battery lawn mower is that you can just insert the batteries and mow. There’s no cranking, no choke, and no fuel cut-off valve. As long as you have enough batteries to get the entire lawn cut, it’s an easier system to work with than gas.

Why You Can Trust Pro Tool Reviews

Ever check out a “review” site and you can’t tell if they actually tested the tools or if they’re just “recommending” the Amazon top sellers? That’s not us. We won’t recommend anything unless we’d actually use it ourselves and we don’t really care who the primary retailer is. It’s all about giving you a legitimate recommendation and our honest opinion of each product.

We’ve been in business since 2008 covering tools, writing reviews, and reporting on industry news in the construction, automotive, and lawn care industries. Our Pro reviewers work in the trades and have the skills and experience to know whether tools can perform well in the field.

Each year, we bring in and review more than 250 individual products. Our team will put our hands on hundreds of additional tools at media events and trade shows throughout the year.

We consult with innovators in the technology and design of tools to gain a broader grasp of where these products fit and how they work.

We work with more than two dozen professional contractors around the United States who review products for us on real job sites and consult with us on testing methods, categories, and weighting.

We’ll provide more than 500 pieces of new content this year absolutely free for our readers—including objective evaluations of individual tools and products.

The end result is information you can trust because of the editorial, scientific, and real-world professional experience we collectively utilize each and every time we pick up and test a tool.

Clint DeBoer

When he’s not playing with the latest power tool, Clint DeBoer enjoys life as a husband, father, and avid reader—especially the Bible. He loves Jesus, has a degree in recording engineering, and has been involved in multimedia and/or online publishing in one form or another since 1992.

Clint’s career has covered nearly the entire realm of audio and video production. After graduating at the top of his class with an Associates Degree in Recording Engineering, he began working for the famed Soundelux studios in 1994, one of the largest post-production companies specializing in audio for feature films television. Working on a myriad of feature films, Clint honed his skills as a dialogue editor, foley editor, and sound designer. Years later, he moved into the expanding area of video editing, where he served as the company’s senior AVID video editor for three years.

Working for such clients as Universal Pictures, Hollywood Pictures, Paramount Home Entertainment, NASA, Universal Studios, Planet Hollywood, SEGA, NASCAR, and others, Clint DeBoer dealt extensively with client management as well as film video editing, color correction, and digital video MPEG compression. He also carries several THX certifications (Technician I and II, THX Video), and is ISF Level II Certified.

After founding the CD Media, Inc. publishing company in 1996, he went on to help start or grow several successful online publications, including Audioholics (as Editor-in-Chief for 12 years), Audiogurus, and AV Gadgets. In 2008, Clint founded Pro Tool Reviews followed by the landscape and outdoor power equipment-focused OPE Reviews in 2017. He also heads up the Pro Tool Innovation Awards, an annual awards program honoring innovative tools and accessories across the trades.

Crediting God and his excellent staff for the success of what is now the largest power tool review publication in the industry, Clint DeBoer hopes to see continued growth for the company as it rapidly expands its reach. Pro Tool Reviews critically reviews hundreds of hand tools, power tools, and accessories each year to help inform users about the best and newest products in the industry. Reaching everyone from the construction industry professional and tradesman to the serious DIYer, Pro Tool Reviews helps tool consumers shop better, work smarter, and stay aware of what tools and products can help put them at the top of their game.

We found the highest performers at the lowest to help you save money on a great lawn mower.

By Mark Wolfe | Updated Mar 10, 2023 11:08 AM

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs.

We use the word “cheap” in different ways to convey different meanings. In many instances, cheap either equates to rock-bottom or poor quality. But thrifty shoppers looking for a cheap lawn mower prefer to spend their hard-earned money on reliable equipment at an affordable price. A good cheap lawn mower gets the job done every time without breakdowns, slow starts, and constant repairs but lacks the branding and feature upgrades that often boost price without adding measurable value.

Whether your lawn consists of a few square feet or a few acres, a reliable rightsized lawn mower makes yard maintenance easier. Buying one doesn’t need to break the bank. If you’re shopping for a new mower and need a few suggestions, keep reading. This guide showcases one of the best cheap lawn mowers, as well as a few runners up, and makes it easier for you to make a good buying decision.

How We Chose the Best Cheap Lawn Mowers

We started by researching lawn mower purchasing trends to narrow our picks into a few cheap lawn mower categories: gas, electric, cordless, manual, push, self-propelled, and riding mowers. Of those categories, we determined that our top pick should be a gas-powered push mower because it would offer the best combination of low price, mowing power, maneuverability, runtime, and broad adaptability. We wanted to include suggestions for each of the other categories as well since there are so many great options.

When comparing lawn mower prices, we regarded “cheap” as a price no more than 15 percent higher than the lowest available in a given category. For instance, the absolute lowest price we encountered for any manual reel mower was 89, so our pick for that category had to be priced no higher than 102.35 (89 x.15 = 13.35 and 89 13.35 = 102.35).

A good cheap lawn mower must start reliably and mow well. To that end, we limited our search to trusted manufacturers with a proven record of quality. We searched popular, highly rated lawn mower brands and dug deep to learn about the manufacturer. In many cases, a manufacturer produces equipment for multiple brands with certain basic designs and quality attributes permeating the operation.

Through this process we identified 43 really good lawn mowers near the entry price point for their respective categories. Finally, we selected the picks in this guide by ranking according to price, followed by prioritized performance attributes.

Yard Machines 20-Inch 125cc Gas Push Mower

When looking for quality at a bargain price, sometimes there’s a hidden gem among the big manufacturers. The Yard Machines 20-inch gas push mower, manufactured by the same parent company as iconic lawn equipment brands Troy Bilt and Cub Cadet, is a great example. It’s a sub-300 push mower powered by a reliable 125-cubic-centimeter (cc) Briggs Stratton gas engine that stakes a strong claim as one of the best cheap lawn mowers around.

This cheap gas push mower offers dependable mowing capability for small to midsize yards without pricey branding or expensive feature upgrades. The mower conveniently arrives mostly assembled, with the exception of installing the discharge chute and tightening the handle. Engine oil is included and the spark plug is preinstalled. Users adjust the deck height by removing and reinstalling each of the 7-inch wheels at one of three positions on the deck. Add gas, and it’s ready to mow.

The California Air Resources Board (CARB)-compliant gas engine starts smoothly, runs quietly, and produces lower exhaust emissions than similar engines that do not meet this standard. At just 50 pounds, the mower maneuvers easily on flat or gently sloping ground. The simple side-discharge configuration spreads clippings evenly across the yard where they quickly degrade and protect the soil. The annual maintenance schedule is limited to sharpening the blade, changing the oil, and installing a new air filter.

As an inexpensive, easy-to-use, low-maintenance mower, this one is tough to beat. It comes from a respected brand with a long track record of producing quality equipment at competitive prices.

Product Specs

• Power source: 125cc Briggs Stratton gas engine
• Cutting width: 20 inches
• Discharge system: Side discharge
• Durable Briggs Stratton overhead-valve gas engine boasts a longer working life with less maintenance
• CARB-compliant engine produces fewer exhaust pollutants for a cleaner environment
• Lightweight 15-gauge steel deck and 7-inch wheels make it easy to push
• Side-discharge chute spreads clippings evenly across the lawn for Rapid decomposition
• Not enough power to mow overgrown grass and weeds easily
• Cannot mulch coarse grass clippings, and cannot collect clippings into a bag

Get the Yard Machines lawn mower at Amazon or The Home Depot.

Cheap Mowers Worth Your Money

Our best cheap mower pick may not be right for all shoppers. For more choices, including options for tiny yards, huge landscapes, and other special interests, check out these runners-up.

• Yardmax 21-Inch 170cc 2-in-1 Push Mower, available at Amazon, Lowe’s, or The Home Depot.
• American Lawn Mower Company 14-Inch 11-Amp Lawn Mower, available at Amazon or American Lawn Mower Co.
• Greenworks 21-Inch 40V Cordless Push Mower, available at Amazon or Greenworks Tools.
• Great States 14-Inch 5-Blade Reel Mower, available at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Mowers Direct.
• Craftsman M220 21-Inch 150cc Self-Propelled Lawn Mower, available at Lowe’s, Ace Hardware, or Blain’s Farm Fleet.
• Cub Cadet XT1 46-Inch 22 HP Riding Lawn Tractor, available at The Home Depot, Tractor Supply Co., or Blain’s Farm Fleet.

What to Consider When Choosing a Cheap Lawn Mower

Price is only one of several important factors in choosing a mower that will fulfill a shopper’s needs. Buyers will want to start by defining their other shopping criteria in order to make the best buying decision for their situation.

Power Source

Lawn mowers may be powered by gasoline, electricity, or human power. A manual reel mower may be an attractive option for those with smaller, mostly weed-free yards and few sticks, pine cones, or other debris. There is no fuel to buy, and the only required maintenance is an annual blade tune-up. Because of the physical effort required, these mowers are best for lawns under 10,000 square feet.

Those with moderately sized lawns that are up to about ½ acre, and who want to eliminate fuel handling while limiting air pollution and noise, may prefer a cheap electric mower. Traditional electric mowers require a long extension cord and an exterior power outlet. Or, consider a cheap cordless lawn mower that uses rechargeable batteries and won’t restrict movement.

Even with their noise and emissions, gas-powered lawn mowers are still the dominant force for mid-size and larger yards. If a yard is larger than ½ acre, consider buying a cheap self-propelled lawn mower or a cheap riding lawn mower. They provide ample power for all kinds of grass and weeds and are best suited for mowing weedy spots or overgrown areas that may only be cut a few times a year.

Those with the largest lawns may be interested in finding a cheap zero-turn lawn mower to get the work done faster. Due to the complexity of these machines, “cheap” is very much a relative term. Even the cheapest models will still set shoppers back several thousand dollars.

Cutting Width and Number of Positions

The size and configuration of a mower, specifically the cutting width, wheel positions, and handle height positions, play into both mowing capability and user comfort. A wider deck covers more ground faster than a narrower deck but also requires more energy to operate. For instance, manual reel mowers range from about 12 inches wide up to 20 inches wide. The 12-inch mower is easy to push but takes almost twice as long to mow. The 20-inch mower covers ground faster but requires significantly more pushing power.

Wheel height directly translates to grass-cutting height. Most users only need one or two options, even though many mower manufacturers provide six or eight. The key here is to know how high grass should be cut, including any likely seasonal adjustments, and to make sure the chosen mower can do so.

Handle height adjustability for push mowers and self-propelled mowers equate to operator comfort. Again, users only need one or maybe a couple of height options. Most of these mowers offer adjustability that is suitable for users within the average adult height range, but if buyers are taller or shorter than average, they may want to try it out in person before purchasing.

Additional Features and Accessories

Cheap lawn mowers often lack in the area of extra features, but not always. Some of the more popular features include various ways to manage the grass clippings. Conventional “one-way” mower decks discharge the clippings back onto the lawn. Two-way decks offer either mulching or bagging capability along with the side-discharge option. Mulching uses a special blade type and deck design to chop the clippings to a finer texture for faster degradation. Bagging sends the clippings into an onboard collection bag that the user can dispose of elsewhere, off the lawn. Three-way decks include all of these options.

A couple of other features to consider are a high wheel design and self-propelled capability. Mowers with rear wheels that are larger than the front wheels are easier to maneuver on varying terrain than those with all four wheels that are the same size. A self-propelled or walk-behind mower looks like a regular push mower but includes powered wheels to drive it while the operator steers. Self-propelled mowers sometimes include variable-speed technology that adjusts to the user’s preference.

Finally, don’t forget about maintenance. Thrifty buyers often wish to perform their own repairs and maintenance and keep old mowers running as long as possible to save money. This means they need cheap lawn mower parts. It pays to research the cost of parts at the outset. Make sure that the purchased mower is compatible with some of the cheap lawn mower batteries, blades, filters, and cheap lawn mower tires available online or through a local parts store.

FAQs

Still not sure about buying a good cheap mower? Read on for more buying info and reasons why it may be time to go ahead and make the move.

Q. How much is a good cheap lawn mower?

Good cheap mowers cost slightly more than the absolute cheapest in their class but far less than the big brand-name models. As of this writing, the best cheap reel mowers start just under 100, corded electric mowers start at 130, gas push mowers start at 200, gas self-propelled mowers start at 275, cordless mowers start at 400, and cheap riding lawn mowers start around 2,000.

Q. What time of year are lawn mowers the cheapest?

Late spring and summer often bring the cheapest on new lawn mowers, including those in our cheap lawn mower group of picks.

Q. How long do cheap lawn mowers last?

With average care and proper storage, a good cheap lawn mower can last 10 years or more.

Q. Is it cheaper to fix a mower or buy a new one?

If the mower is broken but still under warranty, ask a pro to fix it. Tuning up, sharpening or replacing worn blades, deep cleaning and lubricating, replacing batteries, and fixing small broken parts are straightforward tasks that are inexpensive and within reach for average DIYers. But when the mower passes the 10-year mark, repairs become more frequent and parts become harder to find. Then, it may be time to think about a replacement.

Why Trust Bob Vila

BobVila.com has been a trusted resource for DIY information since 1996. Our product reviews offer recommendations based on hours of thorough research by subject matter experts. Mark Wolfe is a writer with an extensive background in the nursery and landscaping industry. He kept his tool box well stocked in order to build or repair fences, walls, sprinkler systems, and lawn equipment on any given day. Now he tests and writes reviews about the latest hand tools, lawn care products, outdoor power equipment, and other outdoor-living goods.

The Best Time to Buy a Lawn Mower

Sarah Scott is a fact-checker and researcher who has worked in the custom home building industry in sales, marketing, and design.

While you can’t always control when exactly you’ll need a new lawn mower, you can somewhat control the price you’ll pay. We polled lawn mower experts from retailers like Home Depot, Machinery Pete, Stotz Equipment, and Trevor’s Power Equipment to get their insight. The overall consensus was that timing is a factor worth considering when shopping for a new lawn mower, since the time of year you shop will dictate the price.

The optimal months to purchase a lawn mower are March, April, October, and December. During these months, there are more opportunities to purchase a lawn mower at a lower cost. And while there are the occasional deal or brand-dependent sales peppered throughout the year, these aren’t as dependable as following simple seasonal sales cycles.

Read on to learn more about when to purchase a lawn mower.

The Best Time to Buy

Savvy shoppers tend to time their purchases to coincide with supply and demand cycles. Nicole Weaver, a product analyst with Machinery Pete, a marketplace for used farm equipment says that Lawn mower sales skyrocket from April to September every year. These sales, she explains, then tank in October. This makes sense, as grass flourishes between the spring and summertime, and homeowners spend more time outdoors taking care of their lawns.

When supply is high leading into the busy season but demand is still relatively low, cream of the crop mowers are available, and it’s possible to score a deal. However, when demand spikes discounts are virtually nonexistent and top models can sell out. Once the demand dies down, it’s your best chance to score a significant discount on an older mower as dealers clear their shelves.

February to March

At the beginning of each year dealers tend to build their inventory, but units don’t move as quickly. This is why it can be wise to hold out and purchase your lawn mower between February and March. Trevor Carpenter owner and technician at Utah-based Trevor’s Power Equipment, affirms that pre-season sales and previous year models offer buyers the opportunity to purchase a quality mower at an affordable price during these months.

Matt Webster of Stotz Equipment, a Utah-based John Deere dealer agrees. “The best time would be the end of February, early March. That’s when you’ve got a chance of having the best available incentives to you.”

Big retailers run sales from the end of February through March, and shoppers may be able to save 10 to 20 percent.

April

As Weaver mentioned, demand begins to spike in April. However, particularly in the first half of the month, it’s worth visiting your local dealers. “Beginning of the season means companies are putting on specials to get people interested,” says Carpenter. He mentions that while you may not save as largely as you would in other months, April is still a great time to buy.

Thanks to the slow start of demand before summer you can potentially save up to 10 percent if you purchase in April.

October

Demand putters out in October, making it a great time for deal hunters to prowl the market. End-of-season deals clear up space for snowblowers and make way for next year’s new deals, says Carpenter. Keep in mind, you likely won’t find any brand new models around this time, but you might be able to get a great deal on last season’s standout.

You can likely save up to 10 percent if you purchase in October.

December

If a company still has mowers on deck come December, they will most likely want to get rid of them to make way for next year’s models, says Carpenter. But you shouldn’t depend on this month to be your best bet. Another possibility is that deals may materialize if the snow season is weak, business is slow, and they need the revenue, added Carpenter. On the flip side, you won’t be able to test out your new lawn mower until spring, so you won’t know if something is broken, missing, or askew upon purchasing.

The Worst Times to Buy

While April is still a decent time to shop, demand grows tall as switchgrass from May through the heart of busy season. Showroom floors can start to look sparse in summer, and discounts are nowhere in sight, aside from occasional sales. If you can time your purchase with a Fourth of July or Father’s Day sale, the more power to you. However, it’s best to let the busy season run on by.

Making Sense of Margins

It’s worth noting that because the mower market is competitive, you may not always find the high-percentage discounts you’d expect. “Typically, everyone comes in in the fall wanting some crazy, rock-bottom price,” says Webster. “And we don’t have big margins on these items anyways, so it’s not like we can knock thousands of dollars off.”

Keeping these small margins in mind is key when shopping for a new mower. According to Jeff Ovitt, an 18-year employee of Home Depot, lawn mowers typically don’t go on sale. In his nearly two decades at Home Depot, Ovitt claims he hasn’t seen a new mower discounted for more than 10 percent off.

Carpenter agrees, noting that sometimes, the best bet is to look for extra perks like warranty registration, assembly, free delivery, or a free tank of fuel.

The best way to get better margins is to look at used mowers. 60 to 70 percent of MSRP is possible from used dealers, while you may score mowers for significantly less from individual listers.

Lawn Mower Buying Tips

Know Your Local Repairman

Many dealers only service the mowers that they sell in-store, and some big box stores don’t service everything they sell, so it’s important to know your local repairman, says Carpenter. That way, you can make sure that if you need a repair you can get it done quickly, affordably, and professionally.

Stick to Big-Name Brand Motors

As someone who’s seen more than his fair share of mower motors up close, Carpenter advises you to choose a brand with recognition. He recommends Honda and Toro. “You may pay more, but the longevity of the unit will offset the cost of buying a new machine every couple of years.”

Other motor brands he likes are Briggs and Stratton, Kohler, and Kawasaki (the latter of which is less likely to be seen). A lot of the engines that are no-name or generic American words are made in China and are low quality, with hard-to-find or unavailable parts.”

Field Test

Carpenter recommends a thorough field test when purchasing a used mower. He says it’s important to make sure it cuts grass, the drive works, no abnormal clattering or squealing noises, and that there’s no excessive vibration in the handlebar.

Examine Everything Carefully

This is particularly important with regards to used mowers. “A few pictures can’t tell the whole story of the piece of equipment, and you want to know exactly what you’re spending your money on,” says Weaver. “Turn it on, listen to how it sounds, and look at all the important pieces. Buying a lawn mower can be an investment, and you want to feel confident in what you decide to purchase.”

Just like you want to pop open the hood on a used car before you fork over the money, check the nuts and bolts of a used mower. “Be sure to check the oil and air filter before buying. Are they clean? Has the mower been repaired recently?” suggests Carpenter. “Buying a repaired unit is definitely better than buying someone’s old junker they’ve had around for years and hasn’t been used for a while.”

Final Verdict

The best months to purchase a lawn mower are March, April, October, and December.

The Best Zero-Turn Mowers of 2023

These achieve the rare feat of making lawn mowing fun.

By Roy Berendsohn Published: Mar 1, 2023

When it comes to yard work, zero turn mowers do the impossible. They make lawn mowing fun. They accomplish this by putting unprecedented speed, control and maneuverability at the disposal of the person mowing the lawn. The so-called “zero turn” feature of these mowers converts a grass cutting machine into something akin to an amusement park ride. You steer the machine with two levers—the left lever controls the left wheel, the right lever the right wheel. With that steering setup, you can zoom over the landscape cutting straight lines, curves, or pivot the mower into and out of a corner. What’s not to like?

Read on to understand how these agile grass cutters work, how we go about testing them, and see some candidates that we’ve recently tested as well as some that we haven’t but that we think look particularly promising.

How Zero-Turn Mowers Work

A zero-turn riding mower consists of an operator platform, a frame and wheels, an engine (or battery bank), transmissions (or motors), and a pair of control levers commonly known as lap bars. In gas mowers, the engine powers a pulley system. One group of pulleys drives the blades, another group powers a pair of transmissions–one at each rear wheel. When you move the lap bar forward or back, you are directing the transmission to go faster, slower, or even turn the opposite way. When one drive wheel turns clockwise and the other counter clockwise, the mower pivots. When the wheels rotate at different rates, the mower turns in an arc-shaped path. When the lap bars are in the neutral position, the mower stops. Aside from a parking brake, there’s no other braking mechanism. Battery-powered zero-turn mowers work the same way, but have separate motors to drive the rear wheels and one for each blade inside the mower deck.

When it comes to transmission, most mowers have a Hydrogear EZT—a well-known and cost-effective residential-grade transaxle with a reputation for durability.

Some mowers use a deck stamped from one piece of steel, others use a deck fabricated from multiple pieces and welded together. A fabricated deck can be built from thicker steel at a lower cost than it would be able to be built otherwise. Once you’re talking about stamping metal as thick as 10 gauge (about 1⁄8 inch thick), the cost of stamping such a deck would push up the mower’s price beyond what most people are willing to pay. The decks in the mowers below range from 42 to 52 inches, a typical size in this class of product. When powered by these engines and the Hydrogear, these mowers will deliver a decent cut quality at their rated top speed of 7 mph. Note, however, that cut quality declines steeply if you maintain that speed in very thick grass or on uneven terrain.

As to the electric mowers, they represent the leading edge of the technology in this category. These are remarkable and expensive mowers powered by large-voltage lithium-ion batteries. If you’re interested in reducing mowing noise and simplifying your maintenance routine by eliminating gas and oil, they’re worth a look.

Selecting a Zero-Turn Mower

Everyone would like to select the biggest possible zero-turn mower with the hope of whittling a big grass cutting job down to size as quickly as possible. Reality usually intercedes because these machines are expensive and the wide range of options available today quickly drive up the cost. Roughly speaking, you start somewhere in the range of a mower with a 42-inch deck costing in the vicinity of 3200 to 3500 and move up in increments of 1000 to 1500 until you reach entry-level commercial-grade equipment that costs 7000 to 8000.

Again, speaking in terms of approximation, a mower with a 42-inch deck will cut a two-acre lot (that takes into account that the house, driveway, outbuildings and various landscape features are taking up some of that space). Use a mower with a larger deck to cut anything over two acres. But here’s the caveat. That entry-level ZTR mower (3200, say) with a 42-inch deck will wear out faster and need more maintenance than a mower with a 50-inch deck, a heavier frame, larger engine and higher quality transmissions, and thicker deck with more robust blade spindles, costing 4500.

In the simplest possible terms, you can cut a smaller area with a larger mower and expect more longevity out of the machine (not to mention a nicer mowing experience) or you can cut a larger area with a smaller machine and encounter more maintenance and a mowing experience that will be, we might say, a bit more rugged.

But there are still other factors to consider, in selecting a mower other than deck size and your budget. Larger mowers take more space in a garage or outbuilding. And a mower with a 50-inch or even 60-inch deck, as useful as it might be in getting the job done more quickly, may not fit through a fence’s gate, and it might be more difficult to maneuver in tight spots without creating scalp marks on the lawn from a lot of close-quarter pivoting.

Carefully consider all these factors when shopping for a mower: your budget, maintenance and whether you will perform that work yourself, mowing speed and time, maneuverability and trimming in tight areas, the importance that you place on your comfort while mowing, cut quality, longevity, storage, and access to the landscape.

How We Select and Test

There’s only one way to test a mower, and that’s to cut grass with it. But we also do more than mow.

We raise and lower the deck and adjust the seat. We look at service point access (the air filter, the spark plug, and the oil filter) and how easy it is to remove the deck. We mow approximately an acre with each mower, considering cut and mulching quality while running uphill, downhill, across washboard, and along sidehills. (On sidehills, we’ll mow surfaces pitched up to approximately 20 degrees; manufacturers generally recommend not going steeper than 10 degrees, but we like to be thorough.) We evaluate power and speed relative to cut quality—we investigate whether the mower delivers a decent cut mowing at full speed. When mowing in damp conditions, we look at whether the mower’s tires accumulate grass and how effectively it discharges moist clippings. Finally, we test maneuverability (these machines are, generally, very nimble) and how readily they come to a stop when you back off the lap bar control levers.