Whether you are purchasing your first mower or are looking to upgrade and get the best lawn mower under $500, choosing the right mower is necessary for your yard. To make the best choice, you will need to familiarize yourself with the types of lawn mowers in the market, the size of your lawn, terrain type and the type of grass you have.
Lawn mowers are generally expensive, but it doesn’t mean you won’t find some budget-friendly options in the market. So, if you have to spend $500 purchasing the best lawn-mower, you need to ensure you get the best. Notably, there are different types of lawn mowers in the market, and we have included the best in five types of mowers.
At a Glance:
Best Lawn Mower Under $500
Greenworks 48V 17″ Brushless Cordless Lawn Mower
- Three cutting modes
- It can cut most types of grass well
- Variable speed self-propelled rear-wheel-drive to offer maximum traction
- Spring-assisted battery removal
- Off-set trimmer head that helps a user mow and trims the hard to reach areas
- Easy to assemble
- Quiet and nice
Best Lawn Mower Under $500
Greenworks GLM801601 80V 21-inch Cordless Push Lawn Mower
So let’s get started.
- What Are the Best Lawn Mowers Under $300?
- Greenworks 48V 17″ Brushless Cordless Lawn Mower
- Black+Decker 140cc Gas Powered Lawn Mower
- Greenworks GLM801601 80V 21-inch Cordless Push Lawn Mower
- Makita XML03Z 36V Cordless Lawn Mower
- EGO Power+ LM2021 20-Inch Cordless Mower
- Factors to Consider Before Purchasing the Best Lawn Mower Under $500
- 1. Deck Size
- 2. Cutting Width
- 3. Engine Power
- 4. Performance
- 5. Power Source
- 6. Battery Life
- Frequently Asked Questions on the Best Lawn Mower Under $500
- 1. What are the types of self-propelled lawn mowers?
- 2. How is a push mower different from a self-propelled lawn mower?
- Summary of the Best Lawn Mower Under $500
What Are the Best Lawn Mowers Under $300?
| Award | Design | Lawn Mowers | Retailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Lawn Mower Under $500 | Best Pick | Check Price | |
| Best Lawn Mower Under $500 | Staff Pick  | Check Price | |
| Best Lawn Mower Under $500 | Budget Pick | Check Price | |
| Best Lawn Mower Under $500 |  | Check Price | |
| Best Lawn Mower Under $500 |  | Check Price |
Greenworks 48V 17″ Brushless Cordless Lawn Mower
Best PickBest Lawn Mower Under $500
Pros
- Three cutting modes
- It can cut most types of grass well
- Variable speed self-propelled rear-wheel-drive to offer maximum traction
- Spring-assisted battery removal
- Off-set trimmer head that helps a user mow and trims the hard to reach areas
- Easy to assemble
- Quiet and nice
Cons
- Limited runtime
- The battery port is not the best
- The narrow cutting width means more will pass.
- The small bag of grass clippings means you will need to empty it frequently.
Greenworks lawn mower is one of the best lawn mowers in the market today, and it is perfect for small yards so that it won’t be a great mower for larger yards. It is lightweight, portable, easy to use and quiet, making it a part of the Powerall battery platform of household products.
The battery-powered lawn mower is among the best electric mowers, thanks to the swappable Powerall battery. It comes with adjustable handles and 8-inch rear wheels to give you a smooth pushing experience and easy storage. In addition, the electric lawn mower batteries have USB slots, which allows portable charging making it the best self-propelled lawn mower under $500.
The Greenworks mower has a 4-in-1 mulching and bagging system with a turbo function speeding up the mulching function. Also, the two 24V batteries are quiet than the regular mower engines, which are not common in most electric lawn mowers in the market today.
Black+Decker 140cc Gas Powered Lawn Mower
Staff PickBest Lawn Mower Under $500
Pros
- Offers great value for your money
- Easy to start and assemble
- Recoil start.
- Lightweight and easy to maneuver
- It has a self-propel feature
- 3-in-1 grass handling
- Solid build quality
- It has lots of power, and the bar-treaded wheels can handle even uneven terrain.
Cons
- Single-speed propulsion
- Needs maintenance
- Loud
Black Decker is one of the best gas mowers under $500, making it among the most affordable options powered by a 140cc engine. The gas lawn mower has a basic design, and the features are limited, but the 21-inch cutting deck allows a user to cut more ground at once.
The gas mower comes with six height settings, and you can adjust them using dual levers found on the front wheels. This push mower model is among the lawn-mowers under $500 that can side-discharge clippings, bagging and a mulching option.
Black Decker gas mower under $500 features a traditional recoil start with a single-speed propulsion lever. Thanks to the 8-inch bar tread tires on the back and front of the gas lawn mower, the push mower can handle uneven terrain on your lawn.
Greenworks GLM801601 80V 21-inch Cordless Push Lawn Mower
Budget PickBest Lawn Mower Under $500
Pros
- Great battery life
- All-wheel drive to get a smooth ride and a comfortable lawn mowing
- Lightweight for a battery mower
- Easy to use
- Mulch, bag and side discharge clippings
- Quick charge time with two batteries
- Quiet
- SmartCut technology that optimizes the runtime
Cons
- The quality of the hardware could be better
- Wire usually gets caught on its rear panel
- The bag is difficult to empty
The Craftsman 16-Inch Bar and Automatic Chain Oiler is another perfect option you can go for if want the
Greenworks GLM801601 push mower is a top choice and one of the most popular electric lawn-mowers thanks to its slick design that is attractive to look at. It has a convenient push start button that will give you 45-minute battery life.
It uses Smartcut Technology, and it is a feature that will help speed up the cutting blade by automatically detecting when more power is needed. In addition, the electric mower includes two batteries in the package, each having 60 minutes of run time, so you won’t have to worry if one battery runs out of juice because you will swap the batteries out.
Makita XML03Z 36V Cordless Lawn Mower
Best Lawn Mower Under $500
Pros
- It comes with four batteries
- It will cut grass exceptionally well
- Steel cutting deck
- Great build quality
Cons
- The 36-volt model battery mowers drain their juice quickly.
Makita XML03Z walk-behind mowers are well-built and weigh the same as the Greenworks model, but it is not as attractive. The electric lawn mower is well built and lightweight even while carrying the batteries.
The Makita lawn mower comes with a steel cutting deck that will work well if you often run over little stones, rocks, or other debris. Unlike most mowers, one of the best things about this mower is that it comes with four batteries. However, the battery mowers will drain fast than the 60 or 80-volt mower.
Makita cordless lawn mower is suitable for small lawns, but it will deliver effortless mowing for mid-sized lawns. It has high-quality cuts, the same as a heavy gas mower, to give you a crisp and clean finish. Also, it features an easy height adjustment and folding handles to give you easy yet compact storage.
EGO Power+ LM2021 20-Inch Cordless Mower
Best Lawn Mower Under $500
Pros
- Rugged and weather-resistant construction
- It has a decent run time
- Small storage footprint
- Lighter lawn than most
- Easy to push
Cons
- It is not the best for leaves
Ego Power LM2021 is among the best cordless lawn mowers if you want a good-looking lawn mower because it gives futuristic vibes. It is a battery-powered model meaning the energy source it uses is progressive like some battery mowers around the same price range.
This 21-inch lawn mower model differs from others because it is lightweight, has a rugged build, and weighs a few pounds lighter. As a result, it qualifies among the best walk-behind mowers. In addition, it delivers an even and nice cut, making it perfect for most lawns, but it might not work the best if you are dealing with a large deck with thick grass.
Ego Power Push electric lawn mower features bright led headlights that allow you to mow in the night. It has six cutting height positions and a 45-minute runtime on fully charged 56-volt lithium-ion batteries. Also, it folds up well and compactly for vertical storage thanks to its size when not in use.
Factors to Consider Before Purchasing the Best Lawn Mower Under $500
1. Deck Size
Also known as the deck, it is the area below your lawn mower where your blades are located. The larger the deck, the larger the blades on your lawn mower will be and therefore, the size matters.
Wider decks cut wider paths on your lawn, which means you will spend less time cutting grass in your yard. Decks usually range from 20 inches to over 70 inches, but most homeowners have up to an acre to mow, so 42 inches to 48 inches is a great size.
Remember that a small deck is easier to maneuver, so homeowners with plenty of trees might go as low as 30 inches.
2. Cutting Width
Lawn mowing is often considered a tiresome and time-consuming task, but not if you have a wide cutting width and multiple height adjustment options in your lawn mower. The average cutting width is between 13 and 21 inches, allowing you to decide the grass length every season.
3. Engine Power
The engine size determines the cutting power for the regular gas mowers, but for a self-propelled lawn-mower, the more powerful the engine will be, especially for the up and down hills or bumps. A futile engine could be the final deal-breaker for your new mower, and therefore it is an important consideration.
Always choose a high-powered engine that won’t cost you expensive repairs and maintenance. Consider anything over 160cc engine if you want a powerful lawn mower. The lawn mowers mentioned above are either corded or cordless, and they feature a powerful engine that is easy to replace, maintain or store with no hassles.
4. Performance
Your lawn mower features determine the performance of different types of lawns. Lawn mowers are necessary for relieving extra effort, and they are easy to maneuver across your yard. In addition, the deck size, thatcher bag, mulching option, compact wheels, cushioned handles, and the lightweight body will contribute to the overall performance.
5. Power Source
The power option in your lawn determines your mowing experience from push, electric or gas. You should choose the best one for your preference. Some mowers will be efficient eco-friendly and may take up less power and wattage.
6. Battery Life
For cordless lawn and battery-powered mowers, the batteries drive the mowers and supply power to the engine to give you an effortless mowing. Not only will the battery be the perfect fit for your mower, but it will also be a burden in the long run.
However, lawn mower batteries can be quite expensive and therefore, before purchasing a battery-powered lawn mower, ensure you check on a few things like:
- Fast charging
- Easily swappable
- Long run times
- Doesn’t overheat
- Made of quality materials
- High voltage
Frequently Asked Questions on the Best Lawn Mower Under $500
1. What are the types of self-propelled lawn mowers?
A self-propelled mower is a machine type that uses engine power to make your wheels move to make the overall experience easier, especially when tackling a hilly lawn. These self-propelled lawn mowers are smaller than riding mowers and hence are easy to keep in your garage but still have enough room for your vehicle.
a). Front Wheel Drive Mower
For some reason, front-wheel drive mowers are the most popular, and most people start searching for them fast. Notably, most flat yard owners prefer this self-propelled lawn mower to deliver high performance and optimum satisfaction.
As its name suggests, it uses the front wheel with the whole mechanical system, but these self-propelled models will need a little tipping to lift the wheels off the ground. So, you will need to ensure it is firmly fixed on the ground.
b). Rear Wheel Drive Mower
Rear-wheel drive mowers use a back and forth process, and the type of self-propelled mowers was made with steep slopes in mind. Therefore, the rear-drive mowers of self-propelled lawn mowers make them easy to cut at different depths, especially where the terrain is not flat. Thanks to this, it features a higher power capacity.
c). Single Set vs. Variable Speed
The speed control system is an important feature differentiating one self-propelled lawn mower from another. Since you don’t need to operate at full pace, the adjustable options are necessary, and they will help you choose ones that fit your energy level. However, the self-propelled mowers perform well with a single-speed model, and their static nature makes them unsuitable for all usages.
d). All Wheel Drive Lawn Mower
This self-propelled mower is for different cases, and the other type works with all four wheels, and the power system evenly spreads around the four wheels. This self-propelled mower model is perfect for wet grass clippings because it gives additional traction.
2. How is a push mower different from a self-propelled lawn mower?
Self-propelled lawn mowers and push mowers are two popular walk-behind mowers, but the push mowers need more effort from the user. While the best self-propelled lawn mower needs the power to turn their wheels, you will need to physically push a lawn mower to move it around your yard. For this reason, check the mower’s weight when shopping for a push mower.
Summary of the Best Lawn Mower Under $500
| Award | Design | Lawn Mowers | Retailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Lawn Mower Under $500 | Best Pick | Check Price | |
| Best Lawn Mower Under $500 | Staff Pick | Check Price | |
| Best Lawn Mower Under $500 | Budget Pick | Check Price | |
| Best Lawn Mower Under $500 | | Check Price | |
| Best Lawn Mower Under $500 | | Check Price |
