Homeowners on a budget often need help finding a quality mower, so we researched and found the best lawn mowers under $500. We searched the nation’s top lawn mower retailers (Home Depot, Lowe’s, Walmart, and Amazon) and compared all the mowers priced under $500. Ultimately, we found the best mowers for small, medium, and large yards that are flat or sloped.
Our top picks
| 3 best self-propelled lawn mowers |
| — Toro Recycler 21462 |
| — Greenworks MO48L4422 |
| — PowerSmart PSM2022 |
| 4 best rotary push mowers |
| — Yardmax YG1650 |
| — Ego Power+ LM2114 |
| — Sun Joe MJ403E |
| — Worx WG779 |
| 2 best reel mowers |
| — Remington RM3100 |
| — Scotts 615-16S |
Top 3 self-propelled lawn mowers under $500 – Reviews
1. Toro Recycler 21462 – Best gas self-propelled mower
The best gas-powered self-propelled lawn mower under $500 is the Toro Recycler 21462. It has a potent 163-cc Briggs & Stratton engine, a durable steel deck, and an extra wide 22-inch blade. As a result, homeowners can quickly manicure flat or sloped lawns up to one-half acre.
The Toro Recycler makes lawn mowing quick and easy with the following helpful features:
- Personal Pace Auto-Drive: Toro’s intuitive self-propelled drive system doesn’t require knobs or levers.
- Vortex Technology: The deck has increased airflow for better cutting and finer mulching.
- Easy maintenance: It never needs an oil change; just top off the oil as needed.
- High-traction tires: Its wheels have a special tread design that adds traction. This makes the 21462 excellent for sloped yards.
Specifications
- Engine displacement: 163 cc
- Cutting width: 22 inches
- Cutting heights: 1 – 4 inches
- Warranty: 2 years
- Fuel tank capacity: .25 gallons
- Weight: 83 pounds
- Max lawn size: ½ acre
Cutting features
| Mulch grass clippings | Yes |
| Bag grass clippings | Yes |
| Discharge | Side discharge |
| Cutting height options | 9 |
Pros and cons
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✓ Great for sloped yards ✓ Easy to control ✓ Many cutting height positions ✓ No oil changes ✓ High-performance | ✗ Struggles with very thick grass |
2. Greenworks MO48L4422 – Best battery-powered self-propelled mower
The best cordless electric self-propelled mower under $500 is the Greenworks MO48L4422. It has enough battery life to efficiently care for flat or sloped lawns up to one-half acre. It gets up to 70 minutes of runtime with the four included 24-volt 4 Ah batteries and fully charges in 2 hours with the included four-port charger. And when you’re done mowing, the handles fold for storage.
You get a reliable, high-quality cut with its durable steel deck, brushless motor, and these additional features:
- Powerall technology: It uses two batteries at once for 48 volts of power.
- Turbo mode: Get the extra force you need for leaf cleanup or unruly grass.
- LED headlights: You can mow at night.
Specifications
- Battery: 24-volt, 4 Ah Li-ion (4)
- Cutting width: 21 inches
- Cutting heights: 1.375 – 4 inches
- Warranty: 3 years
- Max runtime: 70 min.
- Weight: 84.3 pounds
- Max lawn size: ½ acre
Cutting features
| Mulch grass clippings | Yes |
| Bag grass clippings | Yes |
| Discharge | Side discharge |
| Cutting height options | 7 |
Pros and cons
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✓ Includes 4 batteries plus charger ✓ LED headlights ✓ Good for sloped yards ✓ Turbo mode ✓ No gas fumes | ✗ Sharp turns are challenging |
Where to buy:
3. PowerSmart PSM2022 – Best for large yards
If you are looking for a lawn mower under $500 that can handle flat and uneven lawns up to one acre, consider the PowerSmart PSM2022 22-inch gas lawn mower. It’s powerful with a 200-cc engine and 8.85 foot-pounds of torque, but it has a compact design that is easy to maneuver around landscaping.
Additional features include:
- Tool-less air filter access: It has a pleated paper filter that can be cleaned or changed without using tools.
- Single-lever height adjustment: Use a single lever to adjust the mowing height.
- High-quality blade: It comes with a sharp, high-lift blade.
- Deep metal deck: Deeper decks have better airflow for a high-quality cut.
Specifications
- Engine displacement: 200 cc
- Cutting width: 22 inches
- Cutting heights: 1.2 – 3.5 inches
- Warranty: 3 years
- Fuel tank capacity: .34 gallons
- Weight: 93 pounds
- Max lawn size: 1 acre
Cutting features
| Mulch grass clippings | Yes |
| Bag grass clippings | Yes |
| Discharge | Side discharge |
| Cutting height options | 5 |
Pros and cons
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✓ Great for tall grass ✓ Fast for large yards ✓ Excellent airflow | ✗ Difficult to push uphill |
Top 4 rotary push mowers under $500 – Reviews
1. Yardmax YG1650 – Best gas push mower
The best gas-powered push mower under $500 is the Yardmax YG1650 21-inch 3-in-1 mower. This heavy-duty machine has advanced features you won’t find in most budget mowers. It has a 170-cc OHV engine and a rust-resistant one-piece steel deck for premium cutting power, making it ideal for flat yards up to one-half acre.
It’s easy to achieve a pristine lawn with its advanced features, including the following:
- Maxflow Deck Technology: The deck gets superb airflow for quality cutting and fine mulching.
- Heavy-duty wheels: Its high rear wheels have 1.5-inch treads and double-ball bearings, so it moves smoothly and has excellent traction.
- Single lever height adjustment: Quickly switch between the mower’s 7 cutting heights.
- Adjustable handlebar: The handle adjusts to comfort.
Specifications
- Engine displacement: 170 cc
- Cutting width: 21 inches
- Cutting heights: 1.25 – 3.75 inches
- Warranty: 2 years
- Fuel tank capacity: .21 gallons
- Weight: 60 pounds
- Max lawn size: ½ acre
Cutting features
| Mulch grass clippings | Yes |
| Bag grass clippings | Yes |
| Discharge | Side discharge |
| Cutting height options | 7 |
Pros and cons
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✓ Excellent airflow ✓ Easy to push ✓ Reduced vibration ✓ High performance | ✗ Sometimes the air filter falls off |
Where to buy:
2. Ego Power+ LM2114 – Best battery-powered for medium yards
Ego is an industry-leading manufacturer of battery-powered outdoor tools that run on the world’s top-rated battery platform. So, it’s no surprise that the meagerly priced Ego LM2114 is the best cordless electric push mower under $500. It’s potent and easy to maneuver with a premium mulching blade, making it ideal for flat lawns with obstacles that are up to one-half acre.
You’ll enjoy the mower’s high-performance technology, including:
- ARC Lithium-ion batteries: Ego batteries are the most durable and efficient. They have a shock-resistant design, cutting-edge cooling technology, and Ego’s intelligent power management system that optimizes performance.
- Brushless motor: It has a high-efficiency brushless motor for low vibration, extended runtime, and a long life span. With over 6 foot-pounds of cutting torque, it’s mightier than many gas mowers.
And convenience features, including:
- Bright LED headlights: You get excellent nighttime visibility.
- Adjustable handlebar: Comfortably mow even if you’re not average height.
- Push button start: Quickly starts so you can begin mowing.
Specifications
- Battery: 56-volt, 6 Ah ARC Li-ion
- Cutting width: 20.5 inches
- Cutting heights: 1.25 – 4 inches
- Warranty: 5 years
- Max runtime: 55 min.
- Weight: 60.25 pounds
- Max lawn size: ½ acre
Cutting features
| Mulch grass clippings | Yes |
| Bag grass clippings | Yes |
| Discharge | Side |
| Cutting height options | 7 |
Pros and cons
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✓ Brushless motor ✓ High-performance ✓ Easy to push ✓ No gas fumes ✓ Bright LED headlights | ✗ Batteries are expensive |
3. Sun Joe MJ403E – Best corded electric push mower
The best corded electric lawn mower under $500 is the Sun Joe MJ403E, our list’s lowest-priced rotary mower. This 17-inch mower is lightweight and easy to use with a mighty 13-amp motor and a sharp mulching blade. It’s a great budget buy for one-quarter acre or less flat lawns, where the entire mowing area is within 100 feet of a power outlet.
Its features include:
- Big bag: A large grass collection bag means you don’t have to stop to empty it.
- All-terrain tires: The mower moves easily over rugged terrain.
- Easy adjustments: The mower includes single lever height adjustment and easy conversion from mulching to bagging.
- Foldable handles: A compact design with foldable handles means it fits easily into storage.
Specifications
- Amps: 13
- Cutting width: 17 inches
- Cutting heights: 0.98 – 2.87 inches
- Warranty: 2 years
- Weight: 31.5 pounds
- Max extension cord length: 100 feet
- Max lawn size: ¼ acre
Cutting features
| Mulch grass clippings | Yes |
| Bag grass clippings | Yes |
| Discharge | Rear |
| Cutting height options | 7 |
Pros and cons
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✓ Big grass collection bag ✓ Easy to maneuver ✓ Low price ✓ Easy adjustments ✓ Unlimited runtime | ✗ Not good for tall grass ✗ Narrow range of cutting heights ✗ Have to be 100 feet or less from an outlet |
Where to buy:
4. Worx WG779 – Best battery mower for small yards
The best battery-powered lawn mower for small yards is the Worx WG779 14-inch lawn mower. Worx proves great things come in small packages. It’s compact and lightweight, yet potent, with 40 volts of power derived from two Lithium-ion batteries. You can easily maneuver the mower around landscaping or through unkempt grass.
Its features include:
- IntelliCut: Worx’s patented technology increases cutting torque in tough conditions.
- Battery gauge: The batteries indicate how much juice is left.
- Dual port charger: Fully charge both batteries in less than an hour.
- Single-lever height adjustment: It’s quick and easy to adjust between 6 cutting heights.
- Foldable handle: It folds to store in tight spaces.
Specifications
- Battery: 40-volt, 4 Ah Li-ion (2)
- Cutting width: 13 inches
- Cutting heights: 1.5 – 4 inches
- Warranty: 3-year mower, 1-year battery
- Max runtime: 240 min.
- Weight: 29 pounds
- Max lawn size: ¼ acre
Cutting features
| Mulch grass clippings | Yes |
| Bag grass clippings | Yes |
| Discharge | Rear discharge |
| Cutting height options | 6 |
Pros and cons
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✓ Easy to maneuver ✓ No gas fumes ✓ Easy to use ✓ Long runtime | ✗ Not good for grass that is thick and tall ✗ Handlebar is high for short users |
Top 2 reel mowers under $500 – Reviews
1. Remington RM3100 – Best overall
The best reel lawn mower and the lowest-priced mower on our list is the Remington RM3100. It’s an excellent budget buy for homeowners with small flat lawns who don’t mind rolling up their sleeves to achieve a quality cut. Unlike most reel mowers, the RM3100 has both mulching and bagging capability.
Additional perks include:
- Ergonomic handle: It has a foam grip and nine possible handlebar positions.
- High-quality blades: Its 18-inch reel has five alloy steel blades that give your grass a precision manicure.
- Eco-friendly: Manual mowers are the most eco-friendly. They don’t emit harsh fumes, don’t require fossil-fueled electricity, and don’t require lithium to be mined by gas-guzzling heavy equipment.
Specifications
- Cutting width: 18 inches
- Power type: Manual
- Cutting heights: 0.75 – 2.5 inches
- Warranty: 2 years
- Weight: 28.4 pounds
- Max lawn size: ¼ acre
Cutting features
| Mulch grass clippings | Yes |
| Bag grass clippings | Yes |
| Cutting height options | 9 |
Pros and cons
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✓ High-quality cut ✓ Cuts low ✓ Ergonomic handle ✓ Eco-friendly ✓ Low price | ✗ Small grass catcher bag ✗ Takes effort to operate |
2. Scotts 615-16S – Best for sloped yards
If you have a small sloped lawn, consider the Scotts 615-16S. It’s small and lightweight with 10-inch composite wheels, making it easy to push, even uphill. In addition to its superb maneuverability, the mower’s built to last with durable construction and a 3-year consumer warranty.
The mower also has the following features:
- Comfortable handle: It has a cushioned handle for improved hand and wrist comfort.
- High-quality reel: Its heat-treated alloy-steel blades stay sharper for longer, and the ball-bearing reel makes it easy to cut the grass evenly.
Specifications
- Cutting width: 16 inches
- Power type: Manual
- Cutting heights: 1.5 – 2.75 inches
- Warranty: 3 years
- Weight: 25 pounds
- Max lawn size: ¼ acre
Cutting features
| Mulch grass clippings | No |
| Bag grass clippings | No |
| Cutting height options | 5 |
Pros and cons
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✓ Easy to push uphill ✓ Easy to maneuver ✓ High-quality cuts ✓ Eco-friendly | ✗ Doesn’t mow as low as most reel mowers ✗ Takes a lot of time to mow ✗ Doesn’t mulch ✗ No grass catcher |
Buyer’s guide to lawn mowers under $500
Cost-conscious shoppers focus on the following lawn mower basics:
- Type of lawn mower
- Power source
- Cutting capability
- Added features
- Price
Type of lawn mower
If you are looking for a lawn mower under $500, you can choose from the following types of walk-behind mowers:
- Self-propelled lawn mowers have a drive system that moves them forward, making them quicker and easier to mow. There are gas-powered and electric models, and some self-propelled mowers have front-wheel drive, while others have rear-wheel drive. See our top picks for the best self-propelled lawn mowers.
- Rotary push lawn mowers have gas or electric-powered spinning rotary blades but require manpower to push forward. They take more time and effort than self-propelled models but less than reel mowers. The best push mowers are ergonomic and efficient.
- Reel push mowers cut grass like scissors, giving your grass a cleaner cut than rotary mowers, and they also mow the grass lower. However, they are typically manually powered, so it takes much time and effort to mow.
Riding lawn mowers are the best lawn mowers for big yards because they take the least time and effort, but we couldn’t find any under $500.
Power source
You have the following options for a lawn mower’s power source:
- Gas-powered lawn mowers: Gas engines are typically more powerful than electric motors, so more gas models are suitable for large yards. However, gas-powered mowers are loud and bad for the environment. The best gas lawn mowers are fast and powerful.
- Battery-powered lawn mowers: Homeowners looking for an eco-friendly cordless lawn mower often choose battery-powered models. They are low-maintenance, quiet, and don’t emit toxic gas fumes. However, they have limited runtime, and Lithium-ion batteries can be expensive. The best battery mowers have long runtimes and efficient motors.
- Corded electric lawn mowers: Unlike electric cordless mowers, corded electric mowers have unlimited runtime, but they also put you on a leash. The maximum extension cord length for most models is 50 – 150 feet.
- Manual reel mowers: They are the most eco-friendly and make the cleanest cuts, but they are best for small lawns because they take the most time and effort.
Cutting capability
When evaluating a lawn mower’s cutting capabilities, please consider the following:
- Cutting height adjustments: Ensure you can cut your grass to its ideal mowing height.
- Cutting width: Mowers with a wider cutting width get the job done quicker, but they’re more challenging to maneuver and typically cost more.
- Mulching capability: There are many ways to use grass clippings, including fertilizing your lawn.
- Bagging attachment: If your grass is overgrown or diseased, you may not want to leave the clippings on the lawn. You may also want to bag the clippings to add to a compost pile or fertilize plants.
- Cutting deck: Cutting decks with better airflow cut better, and heavy-duty decks better protect the blades.
Added features
Some lawn mowers under $500 include these helpful features:
- Foldable handles to fit easily into storage.
- LED headlights so you can mow at night.
- Adjustable handlebar, making the mower comfortable for operators of various heights.
- Single lever mowing height adjustment makes changes quick and easy.
- Toolless maintenance may include air filter access or oil changes.
Price
Most lawn mowers cost $115 to $3,000, but prices vary by lawn mower type, as shown in the table below.
| Average reel mower cost | $115 |
| Average walk-behind mower cost | $475 |
| Average riding mower cost | $3,070 |
| Average robotic mower cost | $1,320 |
FAQ about lawn mowers under $500
1. How long do cheap mowers last?
Most lawn mowers have a 2 to 5-year residential warranty.
2. How much does the cheapest lawn mower cost?
The cheapest lawn mower we found was the Great States Corporation 204-14-21 14-inch 4-blade reel mower. The cheapest rotary mower is the Sun Joe MJ401E-PRO corded electric-powered mower.
3. What are the best lawn mowers under $300?
The best lawn mowers under $300 include the Ryobi RYAC200 and Yard Force YF21-SD.
4. What are the best electric lawn mowers under $500?
The best electric lawn mowers under $500 are:
• Greenworks MO48L4422
• Ego Power+ LM2114
• Sun Joe MJ403E
• Worx WG779
5. What is the best budget leaf blower?
The best gas leaf blower for buyers on a budget is the Craftsman B215, and the lowest-priced leaf blower on our best battery leaf blower list is the Greenworks Pro BL80L2510.
When to call a lawn care pro
Even with the best budget mower, mowing takes time and effort. Factor in the sizzling summer sun, and the physical exertion is multiplied by a million. On the other hand, local lawn care pros have the expertise and quality equipment to give your lawn that professionally manicured look. Get a free quote from a Lawn Love pro today if you want a pristine property without breaking a sweat.
Main Image Credit: KatarzynaBialasiewicz / Canva Pro / License with Text Overlay using Canva Pro
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Michelle Selzer
Michelle Selzer is a witty writer with a passion for plants and outdoor power tools. When she's not out in the yard, Michelle enjoys fishing, hunting, and chasing waterfalls.
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