Top 8 Lawn Mowers Under $300 in 2025: Affordable and Reliable Choices

Finding a quality lawn mower on a budget is challenging when you’re looking for reliability, performance, and affordability. Many manufacturers strike a good balance between quality and cost, offering mowers suited for big lawns, small lawns, and tight spaces ¡ª all for less than $300. Whether you’re looking for a powerful gas engine or an eco-friendly electric option, this list highlights the best lawn mowers under $300 for 2025, compiled from expert reviews and real-world testing.

Top 8 Lawn Mowers Under $300 for 2025

Below is a curated list of the top eight lawn mowers under $300, featuring gas, electric, and manual options for various lawn sizes and terrains. Each model has been tested for performance, durability, and ease of use, ensuring you get the best value for your money.

1. Yardmax YG1650 Gas Lawn Mower

The best gas-powered lawn mower under $300 is the Yardmax YG1650. It’s the perfect pick for homeowners with yards ? to ? acre, and it’s the only budget gas mower with 3-in-1 cutting capability ¡ª side discharge, rear bagging, and mulching. Its 170 cc OHV Yardmax engine performs better than any other budget model’s gas engine. The mower gets up to 7 ft.-lb. of torque. Its 21¡å blade spins rapidly, making lawn care quick for yards under ? acre. Additionally, the MaxFlow deck increases airflow for superb mulching and fast bagging. The mower is lightweight and easy to use; it instantly starts, and changing the mow height is simple. The all-terrain tires glide over flat lawns with obstacles. The handle has a comfy foam grip and folds for compact storage. Its one-piece 16-gauge stamped steel deck is sturdy and rust-resistant. It also has a durable handle, and its wheels have 1.5¡å, long-lasting tread.

• Pros: Powerful 170 cc engine, 3-in-1 cutting options, easy to maneuver, sturdy deck.
• Cons: Not ideal for very small yards due to its size, requires regular gas engine maintenance.

Shop Yardmax YG1650 on Amazon

2. Greenworks 25022 Corded Electric Mower

The Greenworks 25022 is a corded electric mower that offers surprising power for its price. It’s designed for small to medium lawns and provides one of the most consistent cuts among budget battery options. The 19¡å cutting deck is slightly larger than other corded models, allowing you to cover more ground per pass. Its 12-amp motor delivers reliable performance, though you’ll need to manage the cord. The lightweight plastic deck makes it easy to maneuver but is less effective on uneven terrain, often leaving patches of longer grass behind. The mulching performance is subpar, with the blade clogging in longer grass, particularly as the battery drains. If you trim your lawn consistently, this is less of an issue.

• Pros: Powerful 12-amp motor, consistent cuts, lightweight design.
• Cons: Cord management required, struggles with uneven terrain, subpar mulching.

Shop Greenworks 25022 on Amazon

3. Sun Joe MJ403E Corded Electric Mower

The Sun Joe MJ403E is the best corded electric mower under $300 and one of the most affordable rotary mowers. Its potent 13-amp motor fuels its 17-inch steel blade for superior cutting performance. It’s lightweight and easy to maneuver around landscaping. The mower has a no-load speed of 3,500 rpm and works great for light to medium-duty mowing. Covered by a 2-year warranty, it has a lightweight polymer mower deck and body. The mower’s reliable and sturdy, but debris, like rocks, can damage it. All-terrain wheels make it easy to push, even over rugged terrain. The cutting height ranges from 0.98 to 2.87 inches, and the maximum extension cord length is 100 feet.

• Pros: Affordable, lightweight, powerful 13-amp motor, easy to push.
• Cons: Limited by cord length, polymer deck vulnerable to debris.

Shop Sun Joe MJ403E on Amazon

4. Ryobi RY401017BTL Battery-Powered Mower

The Ryobi RY401017BTL is a battery-powered mower recommended for lawns under a quarter acre. Its 20-inch blade cuts more grass with each pass, and the mower uses advanced battery technology for efficiency. It features a turbo button for leaf cleanup and dual-port charging to charge both batteries simultaneously. The batteries also have USB ports to charge a phone or tablet. The mower is quiet, low-maintenance, and emission-free, but its runtime is limited, and long-lasting lithium-ion batteries can be pricey.

• Pros: Efficient battery technology, turbo mode, USB ports, quiet operation.
• Cons: Limited runtime, expensive battery replacements.

Shop Ryobi RY401017BTL on Amazon

5. American Lawn Mower Company 14-Inch Reel Mower

With a precise, compact, and lightweight design, the American Lawn Mower Company’s 14-inch reel mower is perfect for tiny lawns. It can skate on grass quickly thanks to the 14-inch cutting width and height adjustment of 0.5 to 1.75 inches. If you buy this tiny mower, you need no worries about fuel, maintenance, and repairs, which is very convenient. The 4-blade design creates a clean cut that’s better for lawn health. The quiet operation is another big plus, allowing mowing early morning or evening without disturbing neighbors. However, it requires more effort on thicker grass varieties and is less effective on taller weeds or bumpy areas.

• Pros: Eco-friendly, low maintenance, clean cut, quiet operation.
• Cons: Requires more effort, struggles with tall weeds or uneven terrain.

Shop American Lawn Mower 14-Inch on Amazon

6. Black+Decker 3-in-1 Electric Mower

The BLACK+DECKER 3-in-1 is a perfect budget-friendly solution for homeowners with small yards who need a versatile lawn tool that mows, trims, and edges without taking up much storage space. The 7-gallon grass bag collects about 98% of clippings, meaning less raking afterward and fewer stops to empty the bag. The adjustable handle height accommodates users of different heights, making lawn care more comfortable. While not built for tackling overgrown wilderness, this LawnMaster handles regular lawn maintenance admirably. The 10-inch polymer wheels roll smoothly across flat sections but can get caught on twigs or larger debris.

• Pros: Versatile 3-in-1 design, efficient grass collection, adjustable handle.
• Cons: Not suitable for overgrown yards, wheels catch on debris.

Shop Black+Decker 3-in-1 on Amazon

7. Worx WG779 Battery-Powered Mower

Greenworks uses advanced battery technology to make its lawn mowers more efficient than a standard electric mower. That means you get more power with a longer runtime. Like the Worx WG779, this mower is recommended for lawns under a one-quarter acre, but its 20-inch blade cuts more grass with each pass. It features a turbo button for leaf cleanup and dual-port charging. The mower is quiet, low-maintenance, and emission-free, but its runtime is limited, and battery replacements can be costly.

• Pros: Efficient battery, turbo mode, quiet operation.
• Cons: Limited runtime, expensive battery replacements.

Shop Worx WG779 on Amazon

8. Kobalt KM 211-06 Corded Electric Mower

Priced just a few dollars more than the Sun Joe MJ403E, the Kobalt KM 211-06 is our list’s second most affordable rotary mower. It features a 3-in-1 design, 13-amp motor, 7-position height adjustment, durable steel deck, and cord retention system. Covered by a 5-year warranty, it’s a reliable choice for small lawns within 100 feet of a power outlet. The 21-inch cutting deck covers more ground per pass, and the steel deck adds durability, though it makes the mower heavier than polymer-deck models.

• Pros: Durable steel deck, 5-year warranty, 3-in-1 design.
• Cons: Heavier than polymer models, limited by cord length.

Shop Kobalt KM 211-06 on Amazon

Comparison Table of Top Lawn Mowers Under $300

Model	Power Source	Cutting Width	Key Features	Price (Approx.)
Yardmax YG1650	Gas	21 inches	3-in-1 cutting, 170 cc engine, MaxFlow deck	$299
Greenworks 25022	Corded Electric	19 inches	12-amp motor, lightweight, consistent cuts	$199
Sun Joe MJ403E	Corded Electric	17 inches	13-amp motor, lightweight, all-terrain wheels	$149
Ryobi RY401017BTL	Battery	20 inches	Turbo button, dual-port charger, USB ports	$279
American Lawn Mower	Manual Reel	14 inches	Eco-friendly, low maintenance, quiet	$99
Black+Decker 3-in-1	Corded Electric	16 inches	3-in-1 design, efficient grass collection	$189
Worx WG779	Battery	20 inches	Turbo mode, efficient battery, quiet	$269
Kobalt KM 211-06	Corded Electric	21 inches	3-in-1 design, 5-year warranty, steel deck	$159

Testing Scenarios and Performance Insights

To evaluate these mowers, experts conducted side-by-side tests in various conditions, mowing strips of grass down a 220-foot-long yard, including areas of thicker grass, divots, and a hill. Here’s how the top models performed:

• Yardmax YG1650: Excelled in yards up to ? acre, handling thick grass and obstacles with ease. Its 3-in-1 cutting options provided versatility, though it required occasional maintenance typical of gas mowers.
• Greenworks 25022: Performed consistently on flat lawns but struggled on uneven terrain, leaving patches of longer grass. Cord management was a minor inconvenience.
• Sun Joe MJ403E: Lightweight and easy to push, it handled light to medium-duty mowing well but was limited by its 100-foot cord range.
• Ryobi RY401017BTL: Ideal for small lawns, it offered powerful cutting with the turbo mode but required recharging after 30-40 minutes of use.
• American Lawn Mower Reel: Best for small, flat yards, it provided a clean cut but required more effort on thicker grass or bumpy ground.

Buying Guide for Lawn Mowers Under $300

When shopping for a budget lawn mower, pay attention to cutting width, power source, and height adjustment options. Gas mowers offer more power but require more maintenance, while electric models (corded or battery-powered) are quieter and easier to maintain. The cutting width determines how quickly you can mow, while height adjustment lets you customize the cut for your specific grass type and conditions. Here are key considerations:

• Power Source:
  • Gas: More powerful, ideal for larger lawns, but requires fuel and maintenance.
  • Battery: Quiet, eco-friendly, limited runtime, best for small yards.
  • Corded Electric: Unlimited runtime, cord management needed, affordable.
  • Manual Reel: Eco-friendly, low maintenance, requires physical effort.
• Cutting Width: Larger widths (19-21 inches) cover more ground, ideal for bigger lawns. Smaller widths (14-17 inches) are better for tight spaces.
• Height Adjustment: Look for mowers with multiple height settings to adapt to different grass types and seasons.
• Terrain: All-terrain wheels or high rear wheels improve maneuverability on uneven or sloped lawns.
• Storage: Foldable handles and compact designs save space in small garages or sheds.

For more tips on choosing the right mower, visit Consumer Reports Lawn Mower Buying Guide.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the best lawn mower under $300 for a small yard?

The Sun Joe MJ403E is the best choice for small yards due to its lightweight design, powerful 13-amp motor, and affordability. It’s ideal for lawns within 100 feet of a power outlet and handles light to medium-duty mowing effectively.

2. Are gas mowers better than electric mowers under $300?

Gas mowers, like the Yardmax YG1650, offer more power and are better for larger lawns or thick grass. Electric mowers, such as the Greenworks 25022 or Sun Joe MJ403E, are quieter, eco-friendly, and require less maintenance, making them ideal for smaller lawns.

3. How long do battery-powered mowers last on a single charge?

Battery-powered mowers like the Ryobi RY401017BTL or Worx WG779 typically last 30-40 minutes on a single charge, depending on grass thickness and terrain. They’re best for small lawns under a quarter acre.

4. Can a reel mower handle thicker grass?

Reel mowers, like the American Lawn Mower 14-Inch, work best on well-maintained lawns with shorter, softer grass. They struggle with thicker or taller grass and require more physical effort.

5. How do I maintain a budget lawn mower?

• Gas Mowers: Check oil levels, clean air filters, and sharpen blades regularly.
• Electric Mowers: Keep cords untangled, clean the deck, and store batteries properly.
• Reel Mowers: Sharpen blades annually and clean after each use.

Conclusion

The best lawn mowers under $300 in 2025 offer a balance of performance, durability, and affordability. Whether you need the power of a gas mower like the Yardmax YG1650, the convenience of a corded electric model like the Sun Joe MJ403E, or the eco-friendly simplicity of a reel mower, there’s an option for every lawn size and budget. Use the comparison table and buying guide to choose the right mower for your needs, and enjoy a well-maintained lawn without breaking the bank. For more lawn care tips, check out Popular Mechanics’ Lawn Mower Reviews.