By the HMNDP Editorial Team, independent reporting on lawn care and the green-industry business.
Last reviewed: June 2026
Cheap Lawn Mowers: The Fast Answer for Small and Medium Yards
Cheap lawn mowers start around $70 for a reel (manual push) mower and top out near $200 for a corded electric or basic gas push model. For most yards under a quarter acre, a corded electric or 20-inch gas push mower in the $120 to $180 band is the best value. The trap is buying on sticker price alone, since a $99 mower can cost more over three years than a $170 one.
This guide ties yard size and terrain to the cheapest mower that actually works, then adds the true running cost and the clearance calendar that retailer listings skip.
Cheap Lawn Mower Types Ranked by Price
Seven mower types sell at budget prices: reel/manual, corded electric, push gas, cordless battery, self-propelled, and (rarely under $200) robotic. Reel mowers are cheapest to buy and run. Corded electric and gas push mowers dominate the $100 to $200 band. Self-propelled and battery models sit at the top of “cheap.” Robotic almost never qualifies as cheap.
| Type | Typical cheap price | Best for | Running cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reel / manual push | $70 to $120 | Flat yards under 1,500 sq ft | Near $0 (blade sharpening only) |
| Corded electric | $100 to $170 | Yards under 1/4 acre near an outlet | Low (a few dollars/year in power) |
| Push gas | $130 to $200 | Up to 1/2 acre, any terrain | $25 to $60/year fuel, oil, plugs |
| Cordless battery push | $150 to $220 | Small yards, no cord hassle | Low now, battery swap later |
| Self-propelled (budget) | $180 to $260 | Slopes or larger lawns | Fuel plus more moving parts |
| Robotic | $400+ (rarely cheap) | Set-and-forget small lawns | Electricity, boundary setup |
Cutting width matters as much as type. A 20-inch to 21-inch deck clears an average yard in fewer passes than a 14-inch reel or 13-inch corded unit, so factor mowing time, not just price.
Price Tiers: What You Get Under $100 and Under $200
Under $100 buys a reel mower or an entry corded electric with a 13-inch to 16-inch deck and no self-drive. Under $200 opens up 20-inch gas push mowers, corded electrics with side discharge and mulching, and some cordless battery models. Crossing from the $100 band to the $200 band roughly doubles cutting width and cuts your mowing time.
| Budget band | Realistic options | Yard ceiling | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under $100 | Reel mower, small corded electric | ~1,500 sq ft, flat | Narrow deck, more passes, manual effort |
| $100 to $150 | Corded electric (mulch), better reel | ~1/4 acre | Corded range limits, no self-drive |
| $150 to $200 | 20-inch gas push, entry cordless | Up to 1/2 acre | Basic warranty, fewer features |
Best Cheap Mower Type for a Small Yard
For a small yard (under 5,000 sq ft), a corded electric mower is usually the best cheap pick. It costs $100 to $170, starts with a button, needs no oil or gas, and stays light enough to push easily. If your lawn is under 1,500 square feet and flat, a reel mower at $70 to $120 works and costs almost nothing to run. Save gas for larger or uneven lots.
Match the tool to the terrain. Corded electrics struggle on tall or wet grass and tether you to an outlet, so a yard with obstacles or long runs from power leans toward a battery or gas push model. Our push lawn mower guide breaks down deck sizes and self-drive by lawn shape.
Cheap Gas vs Electric Mowers for Budget Buyers
For budget buyers, cheap electric wins on convenience and low running cost, while cheap gas wins on power and tall-grass handling. A corded or battery electric costs less to run, starts instantly, and needs no seasonal maintenance. A gas push mower handles thick, wet, or overgrown lawns and larger lots better, but adds fuel, oil, spark plug, and air filter costs every year.
| Factor | Cheap electric | Cheap gas |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront price | $100 to $200 | $130 to $200 |
| Power on thick grass | Weaker (corded better than battery) | Stronger |
| Yearly upkeep | Near $0 to $10 | $25 to $60 |
| Startup | Push-button | Pull cord |
| Range limit | Cord length or battery life | Fuel tank only |
For a deeper split on this choice, see our best electric lawn mower breakdown and the current gas lawn mower sale tracker.
Budget Brands Worth Knowing
The cheapest recognizable brands are Hyper Tough (Walmart house brand), Sun Joe (corded and cordless electric), and the Greenworks 20V and 40V entry lines. Murray, PowerSmart, and Craftsman also sell $150 to $200 push mowers. These brands trade premium build for a low price, so expect basic plastic decks and shorter warranties, not commercial durability.
- Hyper Tough: Walmart exclusive, often the lowest-priced gas push mower on shelves.
- Sun Joe: Strong on corded electric under $150, light and low-maintenance.
- Greenworks: Reliable entry cordless; batteries carry across their tool line.
- PowerSmart / Murray: Budget gas push mowers in the $150 to $200 range.
When Do Lawn Mowers Go On Clearance?
Lawn mowers hit clearance from late August through October, when retailers clear inventory before new models arrive in early spring. The deepest markdowns land in September and around holiday sale weekends. Buying off-season, in fall or mid-winter, often saves 20% to 40% versus peak spring prices, when demand and full sticker prices return.
| Window | What happens | Buyer move |
|---|---|---|
| Late Aug to Oct | End-of-season clearance | Best time for deep markdowns |
| Nov holiday weekends | Black Friday / Cyber Monday deals | Good on electric and cordless |
| Jan to Feb | Quiet demand, leftover stock | Hunt open-box and clearance shelves |
| Mar to Jun | New models, peak demand | Worst time to pay full price |
Check Amazon, Walmart, Home Depot, and Lowe’s clearance sections during these windows. Big-box stores mark down floor models physically, so an in-store visit in September often beats online listings.
The True Cost of a Cheap Mower Over Time
A cheap mower’s sticker price is only part of the story. Over three years, a gas push mower adds $75 to $180 in fuel, oil, spark plugs, and filters. A cordless model may need a $40 to $90 replacement battery by year three or four. A reel mower runs essentially free, needing only occasional blade sharpening. The cheapest upfront pick is not always the cheapest to own.
| Mower | Upfront | 3-year running cost | 3-year total (est.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reel / manual | $90 | $0 to $20 | ~$90 to $110 |
| Corded electric | $140 | $10 to $30 | ~$150 to $170 |
| Cordless battery | $180 | $40 to $90 (battery) | ~$220 to $270 |
| Gas push | $170 | $75 to $180 | ~$245 to $350 |
The lesson: a $99 gas mower can cost more than a $150 corded electric by year three once fuel and tune-ups add up. Weigh how thick your grass is against how much upkeep you want to pay for.
Red Flags and Refurbished Risks
Some cheap-mower corners are safe to cut and some are not. Skip fancy LED headlights, app connectivity, and oversized decks you do not need. Do not skip a metal (not all-plastic) cutting deck, a real manufacturer warranty, and easily available replacement blades. Refurbished and open-box units can save 20% to 30%, but only buy them with a return window and a warranty.
- Non-negotiable: at least a 1-year warranty, stocked replacement blades, and a stated deck material.
- Skip to save: smart features, headlights, and a wider deck than your yard needs.
- Refurbished rule: buy only from the manufacturer or a major retailer with a warranty and 30-day returns.
- Walk away if: no listed warranty, no brand name, or reviews cite pull-cord or wheel failures in year one.
For more decision frameworks and tool comparisons, visit the HMNDP learn hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest type of lawn mower?
A reel (manual push) mower is the cheapest type, typically $70 to $120 upfront with almost no running cost. It uses a spinning cylinder of blades powered by you pushing it, so there is no fuel, oil, cord, or battery. Reel mowers suit flat yards under 1,500 square feet with regularly cut grass, but struggle with tall or thick lawns.
Can you get a good lawn mower for under $100?
Yes, under $100 you can get a solid reel mower or a small corded electric mower with a 13-inch to 16-inch deck. Both handle small, flat yards well and cost little to run. You will not get self-propulsion, a wide deck, or gas power at this price, so expect more passes and manual effort on anything over 1,500 square feet.
Are cheap electric or cheap gas mowers better for a small yard?
For a small yard under 5,000 square feet, a cheap corded electric mower is usually better. It costs $100 to $170, starts with a button, and needs no oil or fuel. Cheap gas mowers make sense only when grass is thick, wet, or the lot pushes past a quarter acre, where their extra power and cord-free range matter more than convenience.
When do lawn mowers go on clearance and what’s the best time to buy?
Lawn mowers go on clearance from late August through October as stores clear stock before spring models arrive. September and holiday weekends bring the deepest cuts, often 20% to 40% below spring prices. Mid-winter (January to February) is also good for leftover and open-box units. Spring, from March to June, is the worst time because demand and full prices return.
What is the best budget lawn mower brand?
The strongest budget brands are Hyper Tough for the cheapest gas push mowers, Sun Joe for corded electric under $150, and Greenworks for reliable entry cordless. PowerSmart and Murray also sell $150 to $200 gas push models. All trade premium build for low prices, so expect basic decks and shorter warranties rather than commercial-grade durability.
Are cheap lawn mowers worth it or do they break quickly?
Cheap lawn mowers are worth it for small yards if you pick a metal-deck model with a real warranty and stocked replacement blades. Failures usually come from all-plastic decks, weak pull-cord assemblies, and no-name brands. A $150 corded electric or reel mower can easily last five or more years, while the very cheapest gas units often show wear in year one or two.
How much should I expect to spend on a basic lawn mower?
Expect to spend $100 to $200 on a basic new lawn mower that suits a small-to-medium yard. Reel mowers run $70 to $120, corded electrics $100 to $170, and 20-inch gas push mowers $130 to $200. Buying during fall clearance can drop these prices 20% to 40%. Below $70, quality and durability usually drop off sharply.
Is a reel (push) mower a good cheap option?
A reel push mower is an excellent cheap option for flat yards under 1,500 square feet. It costs $70 to $120, has no fuel or battery cost, runs quietly, and lasts years with occasional blade sharpening. The catch: it needs frequent, regular mowing and struggles with tall grass, weeds, or sticks, so it fits owners who cut little and often.