Best Budget Mowers by Price Range: Push, Self-Propelled and Rider

If your budget is under 300 dollars, the SENIX 21-inch gas push mower is the best all-round pick for a flat quarter-acre or smaller lot, and the KraftSense 21-inch 40V cordless is the better choice if you would rather skip gas and oil. Step up to the mid-range and the SENIX 22-inch self-propelled gas mower or the EGO Power+ LM2112 cordless push mower covers hills, bigger lawns and quieter mowing. If your budget is closer to 2k and your lot is an acre or more, an entry lawn tractor such as the Husqvarna TS 120 is where “new riding mower” searches usually begin. This guide sorts new mowers by what a budget actually buys, from corded and reel models up to entry riders, with the trade-offs that decide whether a cheap mower is a bargain or a repeat purchase.

This guide is research-based. We did not personally use these products. Specifications come from listing details and maker or dealer pages, and anything we could not confirm is marked “not listed.” Prices move with sales and stock, so we use tier words (Budget, Mid-range, Premium) and describe price bands instead of quoting a number for any product. Check the current price yourself before you buy, and do not read any budget band here as a promise of a discount.

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Top Picks at a Glance

• Best Budget Gas Push Mower: SENIX 21-inch 144cc gas push mower with a steel deck and six cutting heights.
• Best Budget Cordless: KraftSense 21-inch 40V cordless push mower with two 4.0Ah batteries and a charger.
• Cheapest to Run (Small Yards): LawnMaster MEB1216K 16-inch, 12-amp corded electric mower.
• Best No-Engine Pick: Great States 815-18 18-inch 5-blade push reel mower.
• Best Mid-Range Self-Propelled: SENIX 22-inch 201cc variable-speed self-propelled gas mower.
• Best Premium Cordless Push: EGO Power+ LM2112 21-inch cordless push mower.
• Best Entry Riding Mower: Husqvarna TS 120 42-inch, 19 HP Briggs lawn tractor.

Quick Comparison Table

What a Budget Actually Buys

Budget searches come in a few clear bands. Under 300 dollars, you are looking at corded electric mowers, reel mowers, basic gas push mowers and entry cordless push mowers. Between roughly 300 and 500 dollars you start to see self-propelled gas models and name-brand cordless push mowers with larger batteries. Around 2k dollars is where entry riding mowers and lawn tractors begin, and zero-turn models usually sit above that. These bands shift from season to season, so treat them as a guide to categories, not a price list.

The better way to budget is by lawn size and effort. A flat quarter-acre mows comfortably with a push mower in under an hour. Past half an acre, or on hills, a self-propelled model saves your legs. Past an acre, riding becomes the practical option, and a cheaper push mower stops being a saving if it takes three hours every week. For outdoors-minded owners with a cabin lot, a campsite lawn or a few acres to keep tidy, the right question is usually “what is the smallest machine that does the job without becoming a chore?”

1. SENIX 21-Inch 144cc Gas Push Mower: Best Budget Gas Pick

• 144cc 4-stroke engine
• 21 inch steel deck
• Six cutting height positions, 1.25 to 3.75 inches, as listed
• 3-in-1: mulch, bag and side discharge, per the listing
• Weight and warranty length: not listed in the title

Best for: Flat lots up to about a quarter acre where you want a simple, repairable gas engine. Skip if: you dislike pull-starting or storing gas, or your yard has real slopes.

A 144cc push mower is the standard entry size, and a steel deck is the feature that separates it from the cheapest plastic-deck options. The three-way design lets you mulch in the growing season and bag in autumn leaves. For under-300 shoppers, this is the classic compromise: more cutting width than a corded 16-inch mower and no battery to replace later.

The trade-off is upkeep. A gas engine wants fresh fuel, an oil change once a season (follow the manual for the oil weight), a clean air filter and a new spark plug when the manual says so. If you only mow twelve to twenty times a year, that is manageable. If you tend to leave the mower unused for months, use a fuel stabilizer or drain the tank as the manual advises.

Pros: Low entry cost; more power than corded or small cordless units; steel deck; three discharge modes. Cons: Gas and oil upkeep; newer brand with limited service networks; pull start.

2. KraftSense 21-Inch 40V Cordless Mower: Best Budget Cordless Pick

• 40V cordless push mower, 21 inch deck
• Includes two 4.0Ah batteries and a charger, as listed
• Described as lightweight
• Runtime per charge and cutting height range: not listed in the title
• Motor type: not listed in the title

Best for: Small to mid-sized lawns where quiet, no gas and no oil matter most. Skip if: your lawn is large, overgrown or very thick, where battery runtime becomes the limit.

The two-battery kit is the reason this ranks well. Many cheap cordless mowers sell with a single battery, which limits you to one short mow. Two 4.0Ah batteries let you swap mid-job. Cordless mowers cost less to run, since you charge at home, and they start with a button. The cost is that the batteries wear and eventually need replacing, so when you compare against a gas mower, include that in your math.

A simple runtime check helps. Add up the amp-hours you have (here, two batteries of 4.0Ah) and compare to your lawn: thick, tall grass drains batteries much faster than dry, regularly cut grass. If you plan to mow once a week and keep the cut short, a kit like this is usually fine for a quarter-acre. If you let the grass grow tall between mows, set the deck higher and mow in two passes.

Pros: Two batteries; quiet; no gas upkeep; push-button convenience. Cons: Lesser-known brand; battery wear; some key specs not listed.

3. LawnMaster MEB1216K Corded Electric Mower: Cheapest to Own

• 16 inch deck, 12 amp motor, corded
• Lightweight design for small lots
• Collection bag: included per the product name suffix “K”; confirm on the product page
• Cord length required: you supply the extension cord
• Height settings: not listed in the title

Best for: Small townhouse yards, patios with a lawn strip and anyone who wants the lowest running cost. Skip if: your lawn is far from an outlet or has obstacles that snag a cord.

Corded mowers are the bargain of the category. They have no battery, no oil and no gas. The limits are the cord and the deck width: a 16 inch deck takes more passes than a 21 inch deck. Use an outdoor extension cord of the gauge the mower’s manual calls for, keep the cord behind you as you mow, and plug into a ground-fault protected outlet. Never mow in wet grass or rain.

The LawnMaster 19-inch 12-amp ME1218X and the Craftsman 20-inch 13-amp corded mower are wider alternatives if your yard allows. Both still need an outlet within cord reach.

Pros: Lowest cost to buy and run; very light; no fuel. Cons: Cord limits reach; smaller deck; not for large lawns.

4. Great States 815-18 Reel Mower: Best No-Engine Pick

• 18 inch cutting width, 5 blades, manual push
• Scissor-style reel cut
• No fuel, no battery, no cord
• Maximum grass height and height settings: not listed in the title
• Collection bag: not listed

Best for: Small flat lawns kept short, and owners who like quiet exercise. Skip if: your grass is coarse, tall, weedy or patchy.

A reel mower cuts grass between a spinning reel and a fixed bar, which gives a clean cut when it is set properly. It struggles with sticks and tall stems, and it works best on weekly mowing. The LawnMaster LMRM1801 18-inch and the American Lawn Mower 14-inch models are similar tools at the same price tier.

The ownership reality is maintenance: the reel and bed knife need occasional adjustment, and dull blades give ragged tips. This is a “small lawn, regular schedule” mower.

Pros: No fuel or electricity; quiet; simple. Cons: Not for rough lawns; needs adjustment; narrower cut.

5. SENIX 22-Inch 201cc Self-Propelled Gas Mower: Best Mid-Range Self-Propelled

• 201cc engine, 22 inch deck
• 3-in-1 design, as listed
• Variable-speed self-propelled drive
• Drive type (front or rear wheel): not listed in the title
• Cutting height range: not listed in the title

Best for: Half-acre lawns and gentle hills where pushing becomes tiring. Skip if: your lawn is small and flat, where the extra weight is unnecessary.

The step up from a push mower to a self-propelled model is the single best comfort upgrade at a mid-range budget. Variable speed lets you match your walking pace, and it cuts effort on slopes. Rear-wheel drive generally gives better traction on hills, while front-wheel drive makes it easier to tilt and turn, but the drive type for this listing is not stated in the title, so check the product page if slopes matter to you.

Other self-propelled options include the YARDMAX 22-inch 201cc and the Greenworks 80V 21-inch battery model, the latter at a higher budget tier.

Pros: Less effort; larger engine; 3-in-1 flexibility. Cons: Heavier; more to maintain; newer brand.

6. EGO Power+ LM2112: Best Premium Cordless Push Pick

• 21 inch deck, brushless motor, per dealer listings
• 56V 4.0Ah battery and charger included, as listed
• Dealer pages cite up to about 35 minutes of runtime per charge on that battery
• Seven cutting heights from 1.25 to 4 inches, per dealer pages
• Push mower, not self-propelled

Best for: Buyers who want a battery mower from a well-known brand and plan to stay on one battery platform. Skip if: you need to mow more than a small yard on one charge, or you want the lowest purchase cost.

The runtime figure is why we mention the lawn math again. Thirty-five minutes of mowing is roughly a quarter acre for many users in normal grass, but dealer figures come from ideal conditions. Thick or wet grass cuts runtime. One consideration is the platform: EGO batteries also run other tools in the same line, so owners with a string trimmer or blower from the line get value from the shared batteries.

The warranty terms listed by dealers include a multi-year tool warranty and a shorter battery warranty. Check the current terms when you buy. The EGO LM2114SP self-propelled version and the Greenworks 80V options sit above this in price.

Pros: Well-known brand; strong battery platform; adjustable heights. Cons: Higher cost; extra batteries are expensive; push only.

7. Husqvarna TS 120: Best Entry Riding Mower

• 42 inch cutting deck
• 19 HP Briggs engine, as listed
• Lawn tractor format
• Transmission type and mulching kit: not listed in the title
• Slope limits: check the manual

Best for: One acre and larger lots with flat or gently sloped ground. Skip if: your lot is under half an acre, or you have no storage space for a tractor.

At the 2k-and-up level, you are paying for time saved. A 42 inch deck cuts about twice as much width as a 21 inch push mower, and sitting down removes the fatigue. Compare it with the Husqvarna TS 140X (48 inch) and TS 154X (54 inch) if you want a wider deck, or the Z242F zero-turn if you have many trees and obstacles to turn around. Riding mowers on slopes carry rollover risk, so follow the slope limit in the manual and never mow wet hills.

New tractors also come with ownership costs: a battery, belts, blades, oil, and a place to keep them dry. Think of the purchase as a seven-to-ten year tool, and ask a local dealer about service support before you buy.

Pros: Real time saver; known brand; wide dealer network. Cons: Large cost jump; needs storage; slope risk.

Also Consider

GIYI Electric Riding Lawn Mower

An electric rider with a 42 inch deck listed with six 40V 6.0Ah batteries and a charger. It is a lower-cost route to a battery rider, but the brand has a short history, so check support and warranty details.

Husqvarna Z242F Zero-Turn

A 42 inch zero-turn with a 21.5 HP Kawasaki engine. It is a faster cutter around obstacles but costs more than a lawn tractor in the same deck width.

Sunseeker X3 Plus Robot Mower

A wire-free robot mower listed for about 0.3 acre, RTK and vision navigation. Robot mowers cost more than basic push mowers and suit owners who want mowing to happen on its own.

Greenworks 80V 21-Inch Self-Propelled

A battery self-propelled model with a brushless motor and LED headlight, in a higher budget tier than the gas options. A good fit if you want self-propelled without gas.

How We Chose

We started with the real queries behind this topic: best new mowers, best mowers around 300 to 400, best budget cordless mowers, best non self-propelled push mowers under 300, best new riding mowers, new robot mowers and mowers at roughly 2k. We then picked products that are currently sold and nameable, one or two per budget band, with no more than two per brand. We read listing details and cross-checked the EGO LM2112 against dealer pages. We did not personally use these products, and this guide is research-based. We did not find Toro, Snapper, Spartan or Troy-Bilt models in the product set we used, so we do not rank them here; the comparison method below works for any brand. Skid-steer brush mowers and commercial units are outside this guide.

Buying Guide

Match Deck Width to Lot Size

A quarter acre is about 10,900 square feet, so a 21 inch deck usually handles it in well under an hour. A 42 inch deck handles one to two acres comfortably. If you want to know whether a mower fits, divide your lot’s mowable area (in square feet) by the deck width in feet and your walking speed. At a brisk pace of about 3 miles per hour, a 21 inch deck covers roughly 27,000 square feet per hour in a perfect straight line. Real mowing is slower because of turns and overlap, so plan on about half that.

Gas, Cordless or Corded

Gas gives the most power for the lowest purchase cost but needs upkeep. Cordless is quiet and easy but depends on battery size and platform. Corded is cheapest to run but ties you to an outlet. For the new cordless mowers category, check whether the battery fits other tools you own.

Push, Self-Propelled or Ride

Push mowers suit flat lawns up to about a quarter acre. Self-propelled suits larger lawns and hills. Riding suits an acre or more. If your lawn has slopes, traction and weight matter more than horsepower.

New Versus Used

A used mower can be a good deal if it has been serviced, but ask for the model number, check the deck for cracks and rust, pull the starter, and look at the blade. For riding mowers, check the hours, the battery and the transmission. A new mower brings a warranty and current safety features, and a used riding mower with an unknown history can cost more to repair than you save. We cannot promise discounts or sale prices on either.

Comparing Brands and Dealers

When you compare Toro, Snapper, Troy-Bilt, Husqvarna or other brands, line them up on the same five facts: deck width, engine or battery size, drive type, warranty length and nearest service dealer. That comparison tells you more than the brand name or a headline price. Dealers and retailers run sales throughout the year, so check current offers instead of relying on a number printed in any guide.

Common Mistakes

• Buying a mower that is too small for your lot and then fighting the time cost.
• Choosing a cordless mower without checking battery size or runtime.
• Ignoring storage: a lawn tractor needs a garage or shed.
• Skipping safety gear: closed shoes, eye and ear protection, and a clear lawn free of stones and sticks.
• Mowing wet slopes with a rider.
• Judging a mower by horsepower alone instead of deck, drive and build.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best new mower under 300 dollars?

The SENIX 21 inch gas push mower and the KraftSense 21 inch 40V cordless mower are the two best picks in this class. Choose gas for power and low entry cost, or cordless for quiet and low upkeep.

What is the best non self-propelled push mower under 200 or 300 dollars?

For gas, the SENIX 21 inch 144cc is the pick here; for electric, the LawnMaster MEB1216K corded model is the cheapest. Pushing is fine on flat lots under a quarter acre.

What is the best new cordless mower?

For a budget buyer, the KraftSense 21 inch 40V kit. For a known brand and platform, the EGO Power+ LM2112. Check battery size against your lawn.

What is the best new riding mower for around 2k?

The Husqvarna TS 120 is an entry lawn tractor at this level. Electric riders such as the GIYI are another route, but check support and warranty first.

Are there good new robot mowers at a budget level?

Wire-free options like the Sunseeker X3 Plus cover about a third of an acre. They cost more than push mowers and need a fairly open lawn, so check your slopes and obstacles first.

Should I buy a new or used mower?

New gives a warranty and current safety features. Used can save money if serviced and inspected. For riding mowers, a service history matters most.

Does the brand name matter?

It matters most for service and parts. A newer brand can offer more mower for less, but check warranty terms and whether parts are easy to find.

Which One Should You Buy?

Pick by lot size first. Under a quarter acre and flat: SENIX 21 inch gas, KraftSense 40V cordless, or the LawnMaster corded model for the lowest cost. A small tidy lawn and a taste for quiet: the Great States reel. Half an acre or hills: the SENIX 22 inch self-propelled. Cordless with a known brand: EGO LM2112. An acre or more: the Husqvarna TS 120 at the entry rider level. Whatever you choose, read the manual’s safety section, wear eye and ear protection, and check the current price and warranty before you buy.

Sources

• EGO Power+ LM2112 product and dealer specification pages
• Husqvarna lawn tractor and zero-turn product information
• Listing and maker details for SENIX, KraftSense, LawnMaster, Great States and Greenworks mowers
• Mower owner manuals and safety guidance from the manufacturers

Last updated: October 2026