Best Budget Push Mowers for Your Small Yard Today
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
The best budget push mower for a small yard is the one whose listing gives you a cutting width that fits the lawn, a power source you can run without extra purchases, and the fewest ongoing costs. This guide does not rank by price, because prices are not part of the listing data behind it. Instead it compares eight push mowers on the parts that drive what you spend after checkout: whether a battery and charger come in the box, how much maintenance the listing describes, and how wide a cut each mower gives you.
Quick answer
- For the lowest running cost in this set, a corded or cordless model that includes its battery and charger avoids buying fuel, oil and a separate pack.
- For a small yard, a 16-inch to 18-inch deck is usually enough. The listings here include 16-inch and 17-inch decks from several makers.
- For a manual option with no motor at all, the Scotts 20-inch reel mower has no fuel, battery or cord to pay for.
- Check whether the battery is included. Some listings state that a battery and charger come in the box, and others do not.
What “budget” means for a push mower
A budget buyer is really buying a running cost, not only a sticker figure. A gas push mower needs fuel, oil and an occasional tune-up. A battery mower needs a pack and a charger, and a second pack doubles the battery cost if you want longer sessions. A reel mower needs blade sharpening and no fuel at all. Each route has its own cost pattern, and a budget choice is the one that matches your yard and your tolerance for upkeep.
Cutting width is the next factor. A wider deck finishes a lawn in fewer passes, which saves time and battery. A narrow deck is easier to push and store. For a small yard of a few thousand square feet, a 16-inch to 18-inch deck covers the lawn without much extra effort. The listings here range from about 15.67 inches to 21 inches, so you can match the width to the size of your lawn.
Finally, look for what is included. Several Greenworks and MZK listings include a battery and charger, and the EGO listing includes a 56V 4.0Ah battery and charger. The PowerSmart and SENIX listings are gas mowers, so they need fuel and oil but no battery. The Scotts listing is a manual reel mower with no battery, cord or fuel.
The eight push mowers side by side
The table uses only the values in each listing. “Not stated” means the listing did not give that figure in the bullets reviewed.
| Mower | Power source | Cutting width | Battery included | Height range per listing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PowerSmart EasyCut 18-Inch Gas Push Mower | Gas, 144cc 4-cycle | 18 inches | Not applicable | 1.5 to 3.9 inches |
| Greenworks 40V 16-Inch Push Mower | Battery, 40V | 16 inches | 4.0Ah battery and charger | 1.25 inches to 3.75 inches |
| Greenworks 40V 17-Inch Push Mower | Battery, 40V | 17 inches in title | 4.0Ah battery and charger | Six cutting heights |
| Greenworks 48V 17-Inch Push Mower | Battery, 48V (24V x 2) | 17 inches in title | Two 4.0Ah batteries | 1 3/8 inches to 3 3/4 inches |
| EGO Power+ LM2112 Push Mower | Battery, 56V | 21 inches | 56V 4.0Ah battery and charger | 1.25 inches to 4 inches |
| Greenworks 60V 21-Inch Push Mower | Battery, 60V | 21 inches in title | 5.0Ah battery and charger | Not stated in bullets reviewed |
| SENIX 20-Inch Gas Push Mower | Gas, 144cc 4-cycle | 20 inches | Not applicable | Not stated in bullets reviewed |
| MZK 40V 16-Inch 2-in-1 Push Mower | Battery, two 20V 4.0Ah packs | 16 inches | Two 4.0Ah batteries listed | 1.4 inches to 3 inches |
The table has eight powered mowers, and the Scotts reel mower is covered separately below. Notice that the battery mowers differ on what is in the box. Two Greenworks models and the EGO include a single pack, the MZK lists two, and the 48V Greenworks includes two 4.0Ah packs. Those differences change what you pay on day one.
Roundup: the budget options
PowerSmart EasyCut 18-Inch Gas Push Mower
The PowerSmart is a gas mower with an 18-inch cutting width, narrower than the 20-inch SENIX and a 144cc 4-cycle engine. Its bullets describe an easy-start engine with auto choke, a steel deck and a side-discharge chute. The listing gives a five-position height range from 1.5 to 3.9 inches.
The running cost is fuel and oil rather than a battery, and the listing does not include a battery. For a small yard that you cut once a week, fuel is the main ongoing cost to plan for.
Greenworks 40V 16-Inch Push Lawn Mower with Battery and Charger
The Greenworks 16-inch listing includes a 4.0Ah battery and a charger. Its title and bullets say it cuts up to one-third of an acre on a full charge, though the listing adds that results vary with grass and technique. The mower weighs 37.5 pounds, and the bullets describe it as 35 percent lighter than steel-deck mowers.
It has a single-lever height adjustment with five positions, and a mulch and rear bagging option. For a small yard, the included pack means you can start mowing on the day it arrives.
Greenworks 40V 17-Inch Push Lawn Mower
The 17-inch Greenworks listing includes a 4.0Ah battery and charger. The bullets say the mower runs up to 35 minutes on a single charge, has a brushless motor that is described as quieter than gas mowers, and offers mulching or bagging. The listing says it is suited to small to medium yards.
Its height adjustment uses one lever with six cutting heights. The brushless motor is the feature to note for long-term upkeep, because the listing says there is no oil and no fumes to manage.
Greenworks 48V 17-Inch Push Lawn Mower with Two 4.0Ah Batteries
This Greenworks model uses two 24V 4.0Ah batteries for a 48V system. The listing says it runs up to 45 minutes on two fully charged packs. Its deck is a 17-inch poly deck that the listing describes as rust-resistant and about 40 percent lighter than steel decks. It has five cutting positions from 1 3/8 inches to 3 3/4 inches.
Two packs in the box mean a longer session without waiting, which is the main reason to choose this over the single-pack Greenworks models. The trade-off is a heavier mower at 42.5 pounds.
EGO Power+ LM2112 Electric Push Mower with 56V Battery
The EGO LM2112 includes a 56V 4.0Ah battery and charger. Its listing gives a 21-inch cutting width, up to 35 minutes of runtime on one charge, and seven height settings from 1.25 to 4 inches. The bullets describe 6.0 ft-lbs of cutting torque and a brushless motor.
It is the widest battery mower in this set that includes a battery. The listing describes long runtimes and low vibration, and the battery is part of the EGO Power+ platform. If you already own EGO batteries, the cost of this mower is the mower itself.
Greenworks 60V 21-Inch Push Lawn Mower with Self-Sharpening Blades
The Greenworks 60V listing includes a 5.0Ah battery and charger. Its 21-inch title ties the EGO for the widest battery deck in this set. The bullets describe dual self-sharpening blades that adjust power for tall, wet or thick grass, and they say the mower has a steel deck and an IPX4 waterproof rating.
The listing also describes oversized rear wheels and LED headlights. It is the largest and heaviest battery mower in the group at 59.5 pounds, which makes it a better fit for a flat, small yard than for a steep one.
SENIX 20-Inch Gas Push Mower with 144cc Engine
The SENIX is a gas mower with a 20-inch cutting width and a 144cc 4-cycle engine. Its bullets describe a lightweight, slim body for tight spaces and small yards, and a 7-inch wheel design that the listing says helps traction on hills and rugged ground. The listing says the engine starts on the first pull for most users, which the bullets attribute to customer feedback rather than a test.
Fuel and oil are the running costs. For a small yard that includes narrow areas, the 20-inch deck and light body are the features to weigh.
MZK 40V 16-Inch 2-in-1 Brushless Cordless Push Mower
The MZK listing is a 16-inch cordless push mower with a brushless motor that the listing says reaches up to 3400 RPM. It is powered by two 20V 4.0Ah lithium batteries, which the listing says give up to 45 minutes of runtime on a full charge. It has five cutting height settings from 1.4 to 3 inches and a 40-liter removable rear grass bag.
Two packs are a useful buy for a small yard, because one can be charging while the other runs. The listing names the 2-in-1 use as cutting and bagging.
In-depth look: the Greenworks 40V 17-inch mower
If you want one battery mower to start with on a small yard, the 17-inch Greenworks listing is a clean place to begin. It includes the battery and charger, which removes the second purchase. Its runtime of up to 35 minutes covers a small to medium lawn in one session, and the listing says the brushless motor gives more power and longer motor life.
The height system is the detail to check against your grass. Six cutting heights from one lever cover most home lawns, and the listing describes the lever as the way to switch between manicured turf and rougher grass. The mulching and bagging choice is also built in, which saves buying a separate bag for a small yard.
The listing says the mower is quieter than gas models and needs no oil or fuel. For a budget buyer, that is the main running-cost advantage: no gas, no oil and no tune-up schedule. Keep a spare battery in mind for larger lawns, because a single 35-minute pack will not cover a big yard in one go.
Close alternatives: the Greenworks 48V model is the closer match if you want two packs in the box, and the MZK is the closer match if you want a 40-liter bag and a 2-in-1 mulch and bag system with two 20V packs.
The reel option: Scotts 20-inch push reel mower
The Scotts 2000-20S is a manual reel mower with a 20-inch cutting width, five blades and a ball-bearing reel. Its listing gives a height range of about 1 to 3 inches and describes quick-snap height adjustment. It has no motor, no battery, no cord and no fuel, so the running cost is blade sharpening and the effort of pushing it.
For a small flat lawn with fine grass, a reel mower can be the lowest-cost option in the whole set. It is less suited to tall, wet or thick grass, which a reel mower cuts poorly, so keep it for lawns you mow often.
How to choose for a small yard on a budget
Start with the lawn size and the width you need. A 16-inch or 17-inch battery mower covers a small yard in a session or two. A 20-inch or 21-inch deck covers more ground per pass, but it is heavier and takes up more room in a garage.
Then decide between gas, battery and reel. Gas gives you the most power for fuel and oil. Battery gives you no fumes and no oil, but you need a pack and a charger. A reel mower gives you no running cost but needs regular cutting and suits fine grass only.
Finally, count the packs. The MZK and the 48V Greenworks include two packs, which lets you mow longer. The 40V Greenworks, the 60V Greenworks and the EGO include one. If a single pack covers your lawn, you do not need a second.
Mistakes to avoid when buying a budget push mower
- Buying a wide deck for a small yard. A 21-inch deck is heavier and harder to store than a 16-inch one, and a small lawn does not need the extra width.
- Forgetting that battery mowers may not include a battery. Read the listing before you order.
- Choosing a reel mower for tall or wet grass. A reel mower works best on fine grass that you cut often.
- Ignoring the height range. A mower that does not go low enough will leave a lawn looking shaggy.
- Overlooking fuel and oil on gas models. Those costs add up over a season.
FAQ
Does this guide rank the mowers by price?
No. The listing data behind this guide does not include prices, so the ranking uses what is included, the power source, the cutting width and the maintenance the listing describes.
Which budget mower includes a battery?
The Greenworks 40V 16-inch, the Greenworks 40V 17-inch, the EGO LM2112, the Greenworks 60V 21-inch and the MZK are listed with a battery and charger or with two batteries. The PowerSmart and SENIX gas models do not use a battery.
Is a reel mower a good budget choice?
For a small flat lawn with fine grass, yes. The Scotts 20-inch reel mower has no motor, battery, cord or fuel. It struggles with tall or wet grass.
How wide a mower do I need for a small yard?
A 16-inch or 17-inch deck covers a small yard without much effort. The listings in this set range from about 15.67 inches to 21 inches.
How long does a battery mower run?
The listings give up to 35 minutes for the single-pack Greenworks 40V and EGO models, and up to 45 minutes for the two-pack Greenworks 48V and MZK models. Actual runtime depends on grass height and mowing conditions.
Bottom line
For a small yard on a budget, a battery mower that includes its battery and charger avoids a second purchase, and a 16-inch or 17-inch deck covers most small lawns. Choose gas if you want the most power for fuel and oil, and choose the reel mower only for fine grass you mow often. Check the battery line and the height range in each full listing before you order.
For more on this category, read Making a Cordless Mower Battery Last Longer and 13 in 11 Amp Corded Electric Walk Behind Push Mower Options.