Even if you don’t have the budget for a premium lawn mower, you can still get a reliable machine to meet your lawn’s needs. Many manufacturers strike a good balance between quality and affordability. We searched America’s leading lawn care retailers — Home Depot, Lowe’s, Amazon, and Walmart— to find the best lawn mowers under $300.
Whether you’re looking for a powerful gas engine or an eco-friendly electric option, this list has affordable picks for you. We’ve got mowers suited for big lawns, small lawns, and tight spaces — all for less than $300.
Our Top Picks
Top 2 Gas Lawn Mowers – Reviews
1. Yardmax YG1650
YARDMAX YG1650
3.6 – 70 Reviews
The YARDMAX YG1650 is also powerful with variable cutting heights, but it also has adjustable handle positions for comfort.
The best gas-powered lawn mower under $300 is the Yardmax YG1650. It’s the perfect pick for homeowners with yards ¼ to ½ acre, and it’s the only budget gas mower with 3-in-1 cutting capability — side discharge, rear bagging, and mulching. Mulched grass clippings are among the best lawn fertilizers because they’re natural and nitrogen-rich.
Ease of Use: The YG1650 has 7″ front wheels and 11″ rear wheels with double-ball bearings, making it very easy to maneuver. It’s simple to change the mowing height with its single-lever height adjustment, and the heavy-duty deck reduces vibration. The mower handle folds for simple storage, and its height can be adjusted to three positions.
Performance: Its 170 cc OHV Yardmax engine performs better than any other budget model’s gas engine. The mower gets up to 7 ft.-lb. of torque. Its 21″ blade spins rapidly, making lawn care quick for yards under ½ acre. Additionally, the MaxFlow deck increases airflow for superb mulching and fast bagging.
Durability: Its one-piece 16-gauge stamped steel deck is sturdy and rust-resistant. It also has a durable handle, and its wheels have 1.5″, long-lasting tread. Yardmax backs the mower’s durability with a 2-year consumer warranty.
Specifications
- Cutting heights: 1.25 – 3.75 in.
- Cutting height positions: 7
- Cutting width: 21 in.
- Engine: 170 cc
- Fuel tank capacity: 0.21 gal
- Warranty: 2 years
- Weight: 60 lb.
| Bagger | Yes |
| Mulching Capability | Yes |
| Side Discharge | Yes |
Pros and cons
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✓ Excellent airflow ✓ Durable ✓ Easy to maneuver ✓ Mulches, bags, and can side discharge |
✗ Air filter cover sometimes falls off |
2. Yardmax YG1550
Yardmax YG1550
4.3 – 145 Reviews
Single-lever height adjustment, heavy-duty steel, double-ball-bearing wheels, adjustable handle, space-saving foldable design.
If you never bag grass clippings, you can save a little money by purchasing the Yardmax YG1550. It provides the same durability, ease of use, and performance as the YG1650, but it doesn’t come with a rear bagger. Since mulched clippings are great for the grass, bagging is only handy for lawns that are overgrown, diseased, or overtaken by weeds.
Ease of Use: Since it doesn’t have a bag, the YG1550 weighs slightly less than the YG1650 and maneuvers just as easily. It has the same high rear wheel design and user-friendly features, including an adjustable handle, single-lever mow height adjustment, and a vibration-reducing cutting deck.
Performance: Like the YG1650, it has a 170cc OHV Yardmax engine, a 21″ blade, and MaxFlow Deck technology. It does a great job of cutting grass and mulching the clippings.
Durability: Like the YG1650, it has a rust-resistant one-piece stamped steel deck, a durable handle, and a 2-year consumer warranty.
Specifications
- Cutting heights: 1.25 – 3.75 in.
- Cutting height positions: 7
- Cutting width: 21 in.
- Engine: 170 cc
- Fuel tank capacity: 0.21 gal
- Warranty: 2 years
- Weight: 57.8 lb.
| Bagger | No |
| Mulching Capability | Yes |
| Side Discharge | Yes |
Pros and Cons
| What We Liked | What We Didn’t Like |
| ✓ Excellent airflow ✓ Durable ✓ Easy to maneuver ✓ Costs less than the YG1650 |
✗ No collection bag ✗ Air filter cover sometimes falls off |
Top 2 Battery-Powered Lawn Mowers – Reviews
1. Ryobi RY401017BTL
Ryobi RY401017BTL
4.6 – 1456 Reviews
RYOBI 40V HP Brushless Push Mower: Gas-like power, push-button start, 48-min runtime, 7-position height adjustment, 3-in-1 functions, compact storage.
The best cordless electric lawn mower under $300 is the Ryobi RY401017BTL. It’s easy to push and has superb performance. Like the Yardmax YG1650, it has 3-in-1 cutting functionality, but the ability to mulch, bag, and side discharge is more common with budget electric mowers than their gas-powered counterparts.
Ease of Use: It’s easy to use with a push-button start, single-point height adjustment, and an easy-to-remove collection bag. The handle folds for compact storage, and the handlebar adjusts to seven height positions. It’s also easy to maneuver on flat or sloped lawns.
Performance: Its high-efficiency brushless motor combines with a 40-volt battery to give the mower as much power as a 150cc gas mower.
Durability: It has a durable motor, advanced electronics, and a sturdy fabricated deck that endures heavy-duty use. Ryobi backs the mower with a 5-year consumer warranty.
Battery Life: The RY401017BTL gets up to 48 minutes of runtime on a single charge, making it great for yards under ½ acre. Ryobi builds durable batteries with technology to monitor and balance cells for longer runtime and shelf life. However, the battery and charger do not come with this model. This might not be an issue if you have other RYOBI tools as you can use any 40V batteries they have on this lawn mower.
Specifications
- Battery: 40-volt
- Cutting heights: 1.5 – 4 in.
- Cutting height positions: 7
- Cutting width: 20 in.
- Motor: Brushless
- Warranty: 5 years
- Weight: 43 lb.
| Battery Included | No |
| Charger Included | No |
| Bagger | Yes |
| Mulching Capability | Yes |
| Side Discharge | Yes |
Pros and Cons
| What We Liked | What We Didn’t Like |
| ✓ Durable ✓ Easy to use ✓ Brushless motor ✓ Low-maintenance ✓ Mulches, bags, and can side discharge |
✗ Doesn’t come with battery or charger |
2. Greenworks MO40B411
Greenworks MO40B411
4.3 – 3016 Reviews
45 min run-time, 17″ poly deck, versatile 5-position height adjustment, maintenance-free, push-button start.
The best cordless lawn mower that comes with a battery and charger is the Greenworks MO40B411. Easily mowing yards under ¼ of an acre, this 17-inch mower is helpful to homeowners on a budget. It’s quiet, easy to push, and capable. It also mulches and collects clippings in its rear bag.
Ease of Use: It’s simple to use with a push-button start and single-lever mow height adjustment. It’s lightweight and compact, easily fitting into small spaces. This mower’s easy to push with its rear-wheel drive and comfy handle.
Performance: It cuts smoothly and can mow most yards under ¼ acre on a single battery charge. It doesn’t perform as well as the Ryobi RY401017BTL but costs less.
Durability: It’s well-built with a steel blade and a 3-year warranty, but it isn’t as tough as the previous mowers on our list. The high-quality plastic deck makes the machine lighter with a longer run time, but it’s less durable than steel decks. Also, its brushed motor has more moving parts to break, so it won’t last as long as its brushless counterparts.
Battery Life: It gets up to 40 minutes of runtime on a single charge with the included 4 Ah battery. The included charger fully refuels the battery in 120 minutes. The G-Max 40-volt battery is compatible with over 75 other Greenworks power tools, including trimmers and leaf blowers.
Specifications
- Battery: 40-volt 4 Ah
- Cutting heights: 1.25 – 3.375 in.
- Cutting height positions: 5
- Cutting width: 17 in.
- Motor: Brushed
- Warranty: 3 years
- Weight: 39.25 lb.
| Battery Included | Yes |
| Charger Included | Yes |
| Bagger | Yes |
| Mulching Capability | Yes |
| Side Discharge | No |
Pros and Cons
| What We Liked | What We Didn’t Like |
| ✓ Low-maintenance ✓ Easy to use ✓ Good price ✓ Lightweight ✓ Mulches and bags |
✗ Brushed motor ✗ Not as durable as other mowers on our list |
Top 2 Corded Electric Lawn Mowers – Reviews
1. Sun Joe MJ403E
Sun Joe MJ403E
4.2 – 1060 Reviews
This mower has a push-button start and adjustable cutting deck. It can also bag or mulch.
The Sun Joe MJ403E is the best electric lawn mower with a cord that costs less than $300. It’s a 17-inch lawn mower with a 12-gallon detachable grass bag and mulch plug. You can choose between mulching the clippings to fertilize your lawn or bagging the clippings for disposal.
It’s also the lowest-priced rotary mower on our list. If your yard is less than ½ acre and your grass is all within 100 feet of a power outlet, the MJ403E is a terrific budget buy.
Ease of Use: The mower is lightweight and easy to use; it instantly starts, and changing the mow height is simple. The all-terrain tires glide over flat lawns with obstacles. The handle has a comfy foam grip and folds for compact storage.
Performance: The MJ403E has a potent 13-amp motor and a no-load speed of 3,500 rpm. It works great for light to medium-duty mowing.
Durability: Covered by a 2-year warranty, this mower has a lightweight polymer mower deck and body. The mower’s reliable and sturdy, but debris, like rocks, can damage it.
Specifications
- Amp: 13
- Cutting heights: 0.98 – 2.87 in.
- Cutting height positions: 7
- Cutting width: 17 in.
- Max extension cord length: 100 ft.
- Warranty: 2 years
- Weight: 32.9 lb.
| Bagger | Yes |
| Mulching Capability | Yes |
| Side Discharge | No |
Pros and Cons
| What We Liked | What We Didn’t Like |
| ✓ Mows low ✓ Very lightweight ✓ Easy to use ✓ Low maintenance ✓ Mulches and bags |
✗ Not good for tall grass ✗ Not as durable as other mowers on our list |
2. Kobalt KM 211-06
Kobalt KM 211-06
4.1 – 194 Reviews
Kobalt 21″ Corded Electric Mower: 3-in-1 design, 13-amp motor, 7-position height adjustment, durable steel deck, cord retention system, 5-year warranty.
Priced just a few dollars more than the Sun Joe MJ403E, the Kobalt KM 211-06 is our list’s second most affordable rotary mower. It has a 21-inch cutting width, making it great for lawns up to ¼ acre. This mower mulches, bags, and can side discharge. Although it’s heavier than the Sun Joe mower, it’s more durable.
Ease of Use: It starts in seconds with the push of a button. This mower is easy to push with its 10-inch rear wheels and a foam-padded handle. Mow height adjustment is quick with a single lever, and the cord retention system keeps the mower plugged in.
Performance: It has a powerful 13-amp motor and sharp blade. It quickly completes high-quality cuts on lawns up to ¼ acre.
Durability: The KM 211-06 is durable with a steel cutting deck and a 5-year consumer warranty.
Specifications
- Amp: 13
- Cutting heights: 1.375 – 3.75 in.
- Cutting height positions: 7
- Cutting width: 21 in.
- Warranty: 5 years
- Weight: 53 lb.
| Bagger | Yes |
| Mulching Capability | Yes |
| Side Discharge | Yes |
Pros and Cons
| What We Liked | What We Didn’t Like |
| ✓ Durable ✓ Low-maintenance ✓ Easy to use ✓ Sharp blade ✓ Mulches, bags, and can side discharge |
✗ Heavy for an electric mower |
Top 2 Reel Lawn Mowers – Reviews
1. Remington RM3100
Remington RM3100
3.8 – 449 Reviews
Effortlessly tackle your yard work with this eco-friendly lawnmower. It has an 18-inch cutting path, adjustable height, and 2-in-1 mulching feature.
The best reel lawn mower is the Remington RM3100. It’s also our list’s lowest-priced lawn mower. Don’t let the price fool you; it’s loaded with handy features, including a grass catcher and mulcher. Homeowners with yards under ¼ acre can easily give their grass a low, crisp cut with this precision mower.
Ease of Use: It’s man-powered, so it takes effort to mow. Despite that, it’s comfortable to push on flat lawns. The handle height adjusts, and it has a soft foam grip.
Performance: The five-blade reel slices grass like butter, making clean, even cuts. It’s perfect for lawn care perfectionists.
Durability: The mower is sturdy with a durable alloy steel reel. Remmington backs its quality with a 2-year consumer warranty.
Specifications
- Blades: 5
- Cutting heights: 0.75 – 2.5 in.
- Cutting height positions: 9
- Cutting width: 18 in.
- Power type: Manual
- Warranty: 2 years
- Weight: 28.4 lb.
| Bagger | Yes |
| Mulching Capability | Yes |
Pros and Cons
| What We Liked | What We Didn’t Like |
| ✓ Mulches and bags ✓ Cuts low ✓ Durable ✓ Makes clean, even cuts ✓ Eco-friendly ✓ Lowest priced mower on our list |
✗ The grass catcher bag is small ✗ Not good for tall grass ✗ It takes more effort to use than a rotary mower |
2. Scotts 2010-20SG
Scotts 2010-20SG
3.0 – 31 Reviews
Scotts 20″ Reel Mower (2010-20SG) features grass-catcher bag, quick-snap height adjustment, cushioned handle, and dual wheel tracking for efficient manual lawn care.
The Scotts 2010-20SG is sturdy and maneuverable with a 20-inch cutting deck. Although it doesn’t mulch grass clippings, it catches them in the included rear bag. It works best on flat or slightly sloped lawns less than ¼ acre.
Ease of Use: Like the Remington, the Scotts 2010-20SG is man-powered. It runs off of your energy, so mowing with this model takes more effort than using a powered mower.
But it’s easy to push, even on slightly sloped lawns. It has 10″ front wheels with ball bearings and rear tracking wheels. It also features quick-snap height adjustment and a cushioned grip.
Performance: Its five-blade reel cuts grass evenly. The crisp cuts give lawns a pristine look and improve grass’s immunity to pests and diseases.
Durability: It has durable composite wheels with long-lasting traction. The rust-resistant deck houses heat-treated alloy steel blades that stay sharp for a long time. If you run into issues, don’t worry; Scotts backs the mower with a 3-year warranty.
Specifications
- Blades: 5
- Cutting heights: 1 – 3 in.
- Cutting height positions: 7
- Cutting width: 20 in.
- Power type: Manual
- Warranty: 3 years
- Weight: 30 lb.
| Bagger | Yes |
| Mulching Capability | No |
Pros and Cons
| What We Liked | What We Didn’t Like |
| ✓ Easy to push ✓ Durable ✓ Makes clean, even cuts ✓ Eco-friendly ✓ Has a grass catcher |
✗ Does’t work well on thick weeds ✗ Not great for tall grass ✗ Doesn’t mulch ✗ It takes more effort than using a rotary mower |
Buyer’s Guide
Before you buy a new lawn mower, please consider the following:
Power Source
The first thing to look at is a lawn mower’s power source:
- Manual Lawn Mowers: Manual push reel lawn mowers take a little extra work to push because your strength makes the blades turn. So, they tend to be mowers best for small yards. Reel mowers cut grass with scissor-like precision, improving your lawn’s health and appearance.
- Corded Electric Lawn Mowers: Corded lawn mowers require less physical exertion than manual mowers but aren’t as eco-friendly. However, electric mowers don’t emit toxic fumes while you mow like gas mowers do. They have an unlimited run time, but all your grass must be within reach of a power outlet.
- Battery-Powered Lawn Mowers: Battery models are convenient because they’re low-maintenance and cordless. But they have a limited runtime, and it can take hours to recharge the batteries. Although battery mowers don’t emit toxic fumes, they typically run on lithium-ion batteries; lithium mining is terrible for the environment.
- Gas-Powered Lawn Mowers: Gas mowers are the best mowers for big yards because they give you the most bang for your buck. Although some battery-powered mowers work well on large yards, they typically cost a pretty penny. However, keep in mind that gas mowers are high-maintenance, loud, and not eco-friendly thanks to the toxic fumes they produce.
Cutting Height
Consider your grass type when looking at a mower’s height adjustment options. The table below shows the ideal mow heights of common turf grasses.
| Grass Type | Ideal Mow Height (inches) |
| Bahiagrass | 3 – 4 |
| Bentgrass | 0.25 – 1 |
| Bermudagrass | 0.5 – 1.5 |
| Buffalograss | 2 – 4 |
| Centipedegrass | 1 – 2 |
| Fine Fescue | 1 – 3 |
| Kentucky Bluegrass | 2 – 3 |
| Perennial Ryegrass | 1 – 3 |
| St. Augustinegrass | 2 – 4 |
| Tall Fescue | 2 – 4 |
| Zoysiagrass | 1 – 2.5 |
Cutting Width
A mower’s deck width determines how wide it cuts. With a wider deck, you can cover more ground with each pass and finish mowing your lawn faster.
However, a smaller deck might be better for you if you need to maneuver through tight spots in your lawn or if you have limited storage space.
Weight
With a push mower like the ones on this list, weight is more important than you might think. If you buy a mower that’s too heavy for you to push around, it will be useless to you.
Pay attention to weight when shopping for a mower; don’t get one that will make mowing difficult and tiresome for you. Corded electric mowers and reel mowers are usually the lightest types of lawn mowers.
Mower Type
The mowers on our list are all push walk-behind lawn mowers and they are best for yards under ½ acre. Self-propelled lawn mowers take less effort than push mowers, but they cost more. The best self-propelled mowers make it easier to mow yards ¼ to 1 acre in size. If your lawn is over an acre, consider splurging on a riding lawn mower such as a lawn tractor or zero-turn mower.
Prices
Most lawn mowers cost $135 to $2,450, depending on the type of mower. The table below lists more details.
| Average Cost of Reel Lawn Mowers | $135 |
| Average Cost of Push Mowers | $365 |
| Average Cost of Riding Mowers | $2,450 |
FAQ About Lawn Mowers
1. Which brands make the best budget lawn mowers?
Yardmax makes the best budget gas lawn mowers, and Ryobi and Greenworks make the best budget model battery-powered lawn mowers. If you’re looking for a corded mower, consider a Sun Joe or Kobalt model.
2. What is a good cc for a lawn mower?
Most gas push lawn mowers range from 140 to 190 cc.
3. Are reel lawn mowers any good?
Yes, reel mowers will cut your grass well if you’re willing to put in the extra work to use one. They are great for small lawns but probably aren’t worth the effort if you have a large yard.
The advantages of reel lawn mowers include:
- Precision cutting
- Low mowing
- Affordable price point
- Eco-friendly
The disadvantages of reel mowers include:
- Takes a lot of energy to mow
- Takes longer to mower
- Doesn’t cut tall grass well
- Gets stuck on yard debris, such as rocks and twigs
When to Call a Lawn Care Pro
Did you know you can get affordable lawn care without doing any work? LawnStarter connects you with insured lawn care pros who have reasonable rates. Our pro network can help you with over 30 outdoor services. So, before you invest in a mower, get a free online quote today.
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