Cutting the grass doesn’t have to be expensive. Some of the best lawn mowers cost less than what you’d pay a lawn care service for a summer of mowing.
To prove it to you, we rounded up the twelve best lawn mowers under $300. Let’s take a look at what they can do out in the yard.
PowerSmart DB8620 20-Inch 3-in-1 Gas Self-Propelled Mower
Yes, PowerSmart is a Chinese company. One glance at their DB8620 mower will show you that it’s a little different from its American competitors. Namely, it only has one front wheel. While that may seem odd at first, the design makes it highly maneuverable.
The DB8620 is one of the few self-propelled lawn mowers sold for less than $300. It has a rear-wheel drive that powers up slopes like nobody’s business. That fact plus the 20-inch cutting width, mean that you’re going to finish the lawn in no time flat.
No matter what kind of grass you have, this mower can handle it. The eight cutting heights range from 1.18 to 3.15 inches, or from Zoysia to Bluegrass. But there’s even more to love. The mower offers side discharge, rear bagging, and mulching, too.
In conclusion, PowerSmart offers a 2-year warranty on their gas mowers. And the DB8620 qualifies because it has a 196cc 4-stroke OHV engine with a pull start.
Remington RM120 Trail Blazer 3-in-1 Push Mower
Remington’s Trail Blazer RM120 is a push mower with extra bells and whistles. It has a 21-inch cutting deck powered by a 120cc OHV MTD Powermore engine. And it’s a true 3-in-1 mower, which means it can mulch, discharge, and bag clippings. It even comes with a rear-mounted bag.
There are six cutting heights controlled by two levers. And the wheels are large enough to handle bumpy terrain. Plus, it’s covered by a 2-year limited warranty.
Poulan Pro 961120130 PR450N20S Push Mower
Did you know that Poulan Pro is owned by international giant Husqvarna? That’s why you might find similarities between their products. And the PR450N20S is quite the favorite for a basic gas-powered push mower.
First, it has a 125cc 450E Briggs & Stratton engine with a top speed of 3mph. That’s the main highlight as this brand of motor is known for power and reliability.
Then, there are five cutting heights available, but you’ll need to set them on each wheel. And the only option is side discharge. But the 20-inch deck helps you cover the lawn quickly.
Finally, the mower should arrive fully assembled. You’ll only need to add the oil and gas.
Greenworks Corded Lawn Mower 25022
Lots of homeowners are switching from gas to electric mowers. There are several benefits to doing so. For one, electric mowers cost much less to run, both short-term and long-term. That’s because not only is electricity cheaper than gasoline but also because electric mowers require less maintenance than gas models.
Next, electric mowers like the Greenworks 25022 are very quiet. They don’t release fumes either. The only downside to corded mowers like this one is the cord. The user needs to plan around obstacles and make sure they have a long enough extension.
The 25022 is a 3-in-1 push mower that bags, mulches, or discharges grass clippings and leaves. You can adjust the blade height to seven positions with a single lever. And it’s lightweight, has large wheels, and a 20-inch deck, too.
To sum up, we almost forgot to tell you two more things that might sway you. One is that there is a push-button start on this mower. And two, the handles fold down for storage.
Greenworks 16-Inch Corded Lawn Mower 25142
Why might you choose the Greenworks 25142 over the 25022 we reviewed above? That’s because the 25142 is smaller. If you have a little yard, a 16-inch wide deck is easier to manage.
The 25142 offers mulching or rear discharge, plus five cutting heights from 5/8 to 2-5/8-inches. And it has a push-button start and a folding handlebar.
Sun Joe MJ401E Mow Joe 14-Inch Electric Lawn Mower
Sun Joe’s Mow Joe MJ401E is even smaller than the Greenworks 25142, but it has a more powerful motor. It’s perfect for a quarter acre lawn or less. Plus, it weighs only 29 pounds. You can fold down the handle and put it in your trunk.
There are three blade heights plus a button start. And it comes with a ten-gallon grass catcher and a two-year warranty.
Greenworks 25322 Cordless Lawn Mower, 4.0 AH Battery Included
Is there a way to get the freedom of a gas mower with the quiet convenience of an electric mower? Yes, in this 40V cordless model from Greenworks. It comes with a 4.0Ah rechargeable lithium-ion battery and charger. On a full charge, the mower can run up to 45 minutes.
The 25322 has a 16-inch wide cutting deck ideal for a small year with trees, flower beds, or bushes. There are five cutting heights for a variety of grasses. And it bags or mulches, too.
Worx WG779 2x20V Cordless 14″ Lawn Mower
The small but mighty Worx WG779 may only be 14-inches wide, but it can cut up to 5000 square feet on a charge. That’s because it uses two 20-volt batteries at a time. And the amount of power it uses is managed by IntelliCut technology. That way it only consumes extra when it hits a rough patch.
There are some other user-friendly touches that owners appreciate, like the padded handlebar. And besides the button start, there’s a single lever to adjust between three cutting heights. Finally, the mower comes with a bag, and it mulches, too.
BLACK+DECKER MTE912 12-Inch Electric 3-in-1 Trimmer/Edger and Mower
Why might you want a tiny foot-wide corded mower? When it’s a trimmer and edger, too! The MTE912 from Black + Decker is the perfect tool for trimming up that strip along the side of the house. Just press the foot pedal, and the mower releases its trimmer/edger tool.
Instead of the loud buzz of a gas-powered trimmer, you’ll experience the quiet hum of the electric motor. And the auto feed system advances the line without needing a bump. Plus, you can adjust the handle and the height.
Scotts 415-16S 16-Inch Elite Push Reel Lawn Mower
We’ve reached the ultimate money-saving style of cutting grass. It’s very low maintenance and costs nothing more than a hearty breakfast. And yes, it’s a push reel lawn mower.
The Scotts 415-16S Elite is 16 inches wide with 10-inch wheels. The blades are heat-tempered alloy steel that won’t need sharpening every year like a conventional mower. And the cutting height raises from 0.5 to 2.5 inches tall. Owners who tried it for the first time were surprised at how easy it is to push the mower.
Great States 415-16 16-Inch Reel Mower
Another benefit of using a push reel mower is that it snip the grass; it doesn’t tear it. You’re less likely to have ragged brown tips as a result.
The Great States 415-16 reel mower adjusts to cut grass from ½ to 2-1/2 inches in height. It has ten-inch ball-bearing wheels for smooth movement. And the powder-coated finish keeps rust at bay.
Greenworks 16-Inch Reel Lawn Mower with Grass Catcher 25052
There’s a downside to reel mowers, and that’s because most can’t bag the clippings. But the Greenworks 25052 comes with a grass catcher that does a pretty good job. It also has a set of rollers on the back to support the grass bag.
Three other features make the 25052 stand out from the crowd. One is that it mulches. The second is that it has four cutting heights from 1-1/8 to 2-1/4 inches. And the third is that it comes with a 4-year warranty.
How to choose the right lawn mower for your yard
The paramount question when shopping for a mower is how big a lawn you’ll cut with it. Anything under a quarter acre is ideal for a push mower unless you have limited mobility. And a self-propelled mower will certainly make the job more pleasant, especially if you have slopes.
Next, decide how you want to dispose of the clippings. Will you bag them to keep everything tidy, or will you mulch them and leave them on the lawn? Leaving mulch can save you money by reducing the amount of fertilizer you need to apply. And bagging is excellent if you want to clean up leaves in the fall.
After those two decisions, it’s time to decide between manual, corded electric, cordless, or gas. Gas, manual, and cordless make it straightforward to range as far as you need to, and it’s a breeze to cut around obstacles. On the other hand, corded mowers need planning.
But electric and especially push reel mowers will save a lot of money compared to gas mowers. Gas mowers need seasonal maintenance, and they require fuel, too. Meanwhile, electric corded and cordless need pennies to run. Of course, there’s also the long-term view of how your mower affects the environment.
With those thoughts in mind, we hope we helped you find the perfect lawn mower under $300.
Conclusion
The best lawn mowers for a budget price may differ in the details, but they all have something in common. They prove that you can take care of your yard at a much lower cost than you could by paying someone else to do it.
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