Skip to main content

HappySprout may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

These are the best mowers for small lawns

Lawn care can be a hassle, especially when it comes to choosing a mower. There are so many brands and bells and whistles to sort through — how do you know what features you actually need and which are just extra? It seems like there are endless lists of advice for large lawns, but what about smaller lawns? Do you still need all the same things, and do the same mowers work well for all lawn sizes? If you’re asking yourself all these questions, you can relax! We’ve done the research so you don’t have to, and here are all our recommendations for mowers for small lawns.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Push lawn mowers

The standard for small lawn mowing is a push mower, but even the standard has some variations. While it may be tempting to just buy the cheapest option, here are a few things that are worth paying extra for.

Recommended Videos

Make sure the mower you’re buying is durable. While a small lawn likely won’t add much wear and tear to your mower, a durable mower will last longer and cut down on long-term expenses. In addition, look to see what kinds of warranty or guarantees are offered with the mower.

If you have a home garden, having a mulcher attachment included with your mower is a great add-on. They make it easy to make your own leaf mulch at home. However, if you aren’t the gardening type, or would rather get mulch from elsewhere, then this is something you can live without.

Power source and engine strength are also important. Gas mowers tend to be more powerful and have stronger engines but also tend to be more expensive. For a smaller lawn, you can skip the gas mowers and get either a corded electric mower or a battery-powered mower.

The best inexpensive lawn mower for small yards is the

Sun Joe MJ401E

. It’s a durable, corded electric mower that will get the job done without any extra bells or whistles. This is a great option if you’re looking for just the basics.

If you want some extra features, such as a mulching attachment, direct your attention to the

Greenworks G-MAX 40V

. This is battery-powered, durable, and adjustable. It is a bit more expensive than the Sun Joe mower but still a great value.

Lunopark/Shutterstock

Riding lawn mowers

Of course, just because you have a small lawn doesn’t mean you have to have a push mower. While it isn’t the most efficient decision, riding lawn mowers are still a great option if you have mobility issues or lawns of differing sizes, such as a small front lawn and a larger backyard.

There are several different types of riding lawn mowers, but some are more useful for smaller lawns than others. Rear engine lawn mowers are smaller in size, making them more efficient for small lawns than some of the heavier-duty options. Since they are smaller and less heavy-duty, they aren’t as durable as some other types of riding mowers. However, small lawns usually mean less wear and tear on your mower, which means your mowers are likely to last longer than if they were mowing a large lawn.

If your lawn has a lot of trees or other obstacles, you might consider a zero-turning radius mower. They can make incredibly sharp turns and are typically faster than other mowers.

For smaller lawns, you can also skip the mowers with large cutting decks. Larger cutting decks are typically a good thing, making it quicker to cut large areas. However, if you have a smaller lawn it’s largely unnecessary.

The best rear engine riding mower we’ve found is the

Troy-Bilt 382cc 30-Inch Premium

. This mower is relatively inexpensive, compared to other riding lawn mowers, and is durable enough to handle a small lawn. The smaller size makes it easier to store, as well.

Mowing the lawn can be a chore, but with these lawn mowers at least it can be an easy chore! Whether you’re looking for the simplest mower to do the job, or something with a little more pizazz, hopefully you’ve found this simple guide helpful. Will you choose one of the specific mowers we’ve listed, or use the helpful tips we’ve provided to find a different mower? Either way, you can’t go wrong following this guide.

Cayla Leonard
Cayla Leonard is a writer from North Carolina who is passionate about plants.  She enjoys reading and writing fiction and…
Best trees for wet areas: Top 6 picks for your garden
Plant these trees if your garden has poor drainage
A line of birches beside a river

If you live in an area that gets a lot of rain regularly, or if you have sections of your yard that tend to collect or hold water, then you might be having some difficulty finding trees that will thrive in your yard. Many plants appreciate well draining soil, but there are still plenty of options if you have an area in your yard that drains more slowly. Whether you have clay-rich soils or a pond, these are some of the best trees for wet areas.
Pin oak

Pin oaks are a great option if you have clay-rich soil and a lot of room. They can grow between 60 and 70 feet tall, although their spread is not nearly as big. Additionally, they grow very quickly, especially for trees of their size. Plant your pin oak in full sun. They will tolerate clay-rich soil and some flooding, but not the shade.

Read more
The best bulbs to plant in spring for lasting beauty in summer and fall
Add these bulbs to your garden for summer flowers
Stargazer lily bloom

Early-blooming spring bulbs like crocus flowers are among the first flowers to bloom every year, followed closely by many other spring annuals and perennials. By the time summer arrives, many flowers have already stopped blooming, leaving your garden a sea of green. That doesn’t have to be the case, though. You can plant bulbs in spring for gorgeous flowers all throughout summer and sometimes even into fall. Here are some of the best bulbs to plant in spring to keep your garden looking vibrant and vivacious all year long.
Calla lily

Calla lilies, also called arum lilies, are known for their tall, narrow stems, broad leaves, and elegant, spiral, cup-shaped flowers. Whether seen growing in a garden or as part of a cut flower display, calla lilies are striking. While they are not true lilies, they do come in many of the same colors. They can grow in similar conditions to true lilies, although they are slightly less cold hardy and thrive in full sun to partial shade. You can even grow your calla lilies in containers and indoors, although you should take care not to let your pets chew on them.
Crocosmia

Read more
The best spring fruits to grow: Add these to your garden
Plant these fruits this spring for a tasty harvest
Ripe blackberries on the bush

Spring is a favorite season for many gardeners, and for good reason! The plants begin to wake up, the ground thaws, and you can begin planning and planting your next garden. There are plenty of plants to choose from, but there's nothing quite like fruit fresh from your own garden. From sweet figs to tart blackberries, there are many incredible fruits you can grow. To make the most of your garden, here are some of the best spring fruits you can plant today.
Blackberries

Ripe, juicy blackberries are a delicious treat, and they’re easy to grow. Plant these fruits in early spring and make sure they’re in full sun. Blackberries do best in rich, well-draining soil. Mixing compost into your soil can help significantly. Blackberries need roughly an inch of water each week, and they thrive in soil that is consistently moist but not soaking wet. Most blackberry varieties are ready for harvest in mid to late summer.

Read more