Timing the purchase of a new lawn mower is a wise move, strategically. The best savings occur during the off-season when retailers clear inventory; the best selection is available just before mowing season starts.
Best Times to Buy a Lawn Mower
Understanding seasonal patterns is key when it’s time to buy a new mower. Retailers tend to follow predictable cycles based on demand, inventory management, and seasonal transitions. These cycles create optimal buying opportunities throughout the year.
Fall and Winter (September-February): Prime Savings Season
As mowing season starts winding down, and shortly after it ends, is the golden opportunity for savings. Retailers are eager to clear their inventory to make room for snow blowers, holiday merchandise, and new models. Because of this, consumers who are planning ahead see the most significant price reductions — discounts may start about 20% off regular prices.
As you head into the winter months, you’ll often see additional markdowns as retailers are more aggressive about moving inventory. While selection becomes more limited, the remaining stock typically features the deepest discounts of the year, especially in January and February. You may see up to 30%-50% off the purchase price of select models during post-holiday clearance events.
This timing is great if you’re not in immediate need of a new mower. You can research what you want and purchase without the pressure of an overgrown lawn.
See Related: 11 Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Lawn Mower
Early Spring (March-April): Prime Selection
Early spring is a good time to buy if you’re looking for a balance between selection and pricing. As the days start warming up, manufacturers release their newest models with the latest features and technology. Retailers stock their showrooms to capacity, giving you access to everything from budget-friendly push mowers to premium zero-turn models.
While discounts are typically smaller than winter clearance sales, many retailers offer early-bird promotions that might include 10% to 15% discounts, free accessories, or extended warranties.
I spoke with Deagan King, a manager at East Idaho Power Equipment, and he recommended buying at the beginning of the season when there are more mowers available. They offer sales and discounts often, but the most popular, well-liked models sell out quickly.
The used mower market is also hopping during early spring, as homeowners upgrade equipment and dispose of their old mowers. Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and OfferUp see increased listings, giving budget-conscious buyers more pre-owned options.
Worst Times to Buy a Lawn Mower
Knowing when not to buy is equally important to maximizing your savings and finding the best selection for your needs.
Late Spring and Early Summer (May-July): Peak Demand, Peak Prices
Late spring to early summer is the worst time to buy a new mower. You’ll see the highest prices with virtually no negotiating power or promotional offers. Retailers know that customers buying now are often in a bind, purchasing a mower because of equipment failure. They have a captive market willing to pay premium prices.
Limited inventory is also a problem during peak season. Popular models sell quickly in the spring, leaving you with fewer choices and potentially forcing you to settle on a model that doesn’t perfectly fit your needs.
Pro Tip: If you’re in a bind, hire a LawnStarter pro to take mowing off your back for this growing season.
Factors to Consider Beyond Seasonal Timing
While seasonal patterns are a good guideline to follow when buying a new mower, several additional factors can influence purchase decisions.
Regional Climate
Your local climate will significantly impact the timing of optimal pricing and selection.
Northern regions with shorter growing seasons may see different patterns than areas where grass is cut year-round. Southern states might maintain higher demand longer into fall, so their clearance sales won’t start as early as northern retailers.
Sales Days (Memorial Day, Labor Day, Black Friday, etc.)
Major holidays often come with lawn and garden sales, especially Memorial Day weekend, which kicks off peak lawn care season. Labor Day sales may offer reasonable transitional pricing as retailers are starting to think about winter, and Black Friday deals sometimes include power equipment.
Pro Tip: Even though you may not pay full price for a lawn mower during holiday sales events, holiday sales during peak season rarely match clearance pricing in the off-season.
LawnStarter’s Guides to the Best Lawn Mowers
FAQ About the Best Time to Buy a Mower
Beyond timing your purchase to coincide with pricing discounts, consider buying the previous year’s models, comparing online versus in-store prices, looking at package deals that include accessories (striping kits, tow-behind sweepers, tank sprayers), taking advantage of trade-in discounts, and look at buying quality used equipment from reputable dealers.
Online retailers generally follow similar seasonal patterns to brick-and-mortar stores, though they may extend sales longer because they have lower overhead costs. However, consider the shipping costs on heavy equipment and the inability to physically inspect a specific mower before buying.
If your mower is still functional, waiting until the off-season, or at least the next big holiday sale, is highly recommended. The money saved can be substantial, often hundreds of dollars on quality equipment. Use the waiting period to research models, read reviews, and plan your purchase carefully.
Different mower categories follow varying seasonal patterns. Walk-behind mowers typically see the most dramatic seasonal price swings. Riding mowers — especially expensive zero-turn and tractor models — maintain more stable pricing year-round. You might see a slight reduction on riding mowers during clearance periods, but $100 or $200 off the purchase price isn’t much compared to the total cost.
Need Lawn Mowing Help Now?
Equipment failure never seems to happen at the optimum time, and when you’re in the middle of peak season, you need to act quickly. If you’re in this situation, focus on finding the best deal rather than waiting for perfect timing and the lowest price.
You can also look into borrowing equipment from a friend or neighbor, or hire a pro through LawnStarter to get you through until off-season sales bring mower prices down. We’ll warn you, though, after hiring a pro, you may not want to cut your own grass again.
Main Image: A man looks at lawn mowers. Photo Credit: Serhii / Adobe Stock
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