10 Best Lawn Mowers for Small Yards in 2024 [Reviews]

If your lawn is 10,000 square feet or less, you don’t need a fancy lawn mower. All you need is a reliable machine that’s compact and, most importantly, affordable. Instead of sifting through the thousands of lawn mowers on the market by yourself, check out these 10 best lawn mowers for small yards. 

While compiling this list, we focused on the mowers that would give you the most bang for your buck.

You won’t find any riding or self-propelled lawn mowers on our list as these mowers are more expensive and not particularly useful for a small space. What you will find is high-quality push mowers that will get the job done for your small yard without breaking the bank. 

1. American Lawn Mower Company 1204-14 push reel lawn mower

We’re starting off our list with an ultra-affordable and eco-friendly option, the 1204-14 push reel lawn mower from American Lawn Mower Company. Since this mower doesn’t have a power source to make the blades spin, it’s super lightweight and simple to use: All you have to do is push.

This reel mower makes the top of our list because of its durable construction and low price tag around $70. It features a 4-blade reel made of heat-treated alloy steel that stays sharp for years with no maintenance. Its 8.5-inch polymer wheels are maneuverable and can handle uneven terrain. 

One possible downside to the 1204-14 model is its 14-inch cutting deck, which is small compared to most lawn mowers. However, that 14 inches should be enough to mow your small lawn efficiently.

The 1204-14 can cut grass up to 4 inches tall, and you can adjust the cutting height between 0.5 and 1.75 inches. 

Specifications:

• Power source: None
• Power level: N/A
• Cutting width: 14 inches 
• Weight: 20 pounds

Pros:

✓ Cheap
✓ Lightweight
✓ Maintenance-free

Cons:

✗ Takes more effort to push than gas or electric mowers 
✗ Small cutting width 

2. Goplus 14″ 12-amp corded electric lawn mower

This 14-inch corded electric mower from Goplus is a great option for people who don’t want to put in the extra effort of using a reel mower but still want something lightweight and compact enough to maneuver around a small yard.

The Goplus model is even lighter than a reel mower, in fact, at only 15 pounds. It’s one of the lightest mowers on our list, which means it’s also one of the easiest to push. 

In addition to being small and light, this mower is affordable, costing around $110.

Even though this Goplus mower is relatively simple compared to many other electric mowers, it has plenty of features that make it convenient to use. Some of those features include a foldable ergonomic handle for easy storage, a push-button start, and a 30-liter, hard-top grass collection box. 

This Goplus mower has three cutting height options: 1-inch, 1.6 inches, and 2.2 inches. That’s fewer height adjustments than our top two picks, but it should still have you covered for any grass type. The 5.5-inch wheels are easy to push through thick, tall grass. 

Specifications:

• Power source: Corded electric
• Power level: 12 amps
• Cutting width: 14 inches
• Weight: 15 pounds

Pros:

✓ Cheap
✓ Lightweight
✓ Comes with grass collection box

Cons:

✗ Small cutting width

3. BLACK+DECKER BESTA512CM 3-in-1 mower, trimmer, and edger

The BESTA512CM corded electric lawn mower from BLACK+DECKER might be tiny, but it can have a big impact on your yard. Its 12-inch cutting deck easily converts from a mower to a trimmer to an edger and back. This is the only tool you’ll need to have your lawn looking neat and tidy. 

Even though it can do so much, the BESTA512CM is the lightest mower on our list at just under 10 pounds. It should be easy for anyone to push. The tradeoff is size, and yes, it will take longer to mow your lawn with only 12 inches of cutting width, but it shouldn’t be too much of a problem for small yards. 

This mower has an adjustable handle to make it more comfortable to use, and it features two cutting height options of 1.6 and 2.4 inches. It costs around $80, which is a steal for such a versatile little machine. 

Specifications:

• Power source: Corded electric 
• Power level: 6.5 amps
• Cutting width: 12 inches 
• Weight: 9.9 pounds

Pros:

✓ Converts to trimmer and edger
✓ Lightweight
✓ Cheap

Cons:

✗ Weak motor compared to other corded electric mowers
✗ Small cutting width

4. PowerSmart DB2321C gas mower

The best gas-powered push mower for small yards is the DB2321C model from PowerSmart. Its 21-inch cutting deck will get through your lawn in no time, and its 170 cc OHV engine can power through difficulties such as slopes and wet grass.

At 60 pounds, it’s relatively lightweight for a gas mower but much heavier than our electric and reel mower picks. 

Bonus points: The PowerSmart DB2321C folds easily for compact storage.

Cutting details: This model has more cutting height options than the other mowers we’ve listed so far, with five heights ranging between 1.18 and 3 inches. It has a standard side-discharge chute and mulching capability for grass clippings. 

If you’re looking for an affordable gas mower with enough power to handle a small yard, you’ve found it in the PowerSmart DB2321C. For less than $200, you can’t beat this model’s ratio of value and quality. 

Specifications:

• Power source: Gas 
• Power level: 170 cc
• Cutting width: 21 inches
• Weight: 60 pounds

Pros:

✓ Powerful engine
✓ Large cutting width

Cons:

✗ Much heavier than the electric and reel mowers on our list
✗ Have to purchase fuel separately 

5. Sun Joe ION16LM-CT cordless lawn mower

When it comes to battery-powered electric lawn mowers, the ION16LMCT from Sun Joe gives you the most for your money.

At around $200, this mower is more affordable than many comparable models from other brands, and it doesn’t sacrifice quality. Its brushless motor is powerful, quiet, and gets the most possible efficiency out of the battery. 

Speaking of the battery, this model runs on a 40-volt lithium-ion battery that runs for up to 40 minutes on one charge. The battery and charger are sold separately, so keep that in mind for your budget. 

The ION16LMCT is ideal for small yards, with its 16-inch cutting deck that’s large enough to mow the lawn in few passes but small enough to maneuver around tight spots. Plus, it’s convenient to use because of its push-button starting mechanism and all-terrain wheels that easily traverse thick grass. 

Specifications:

• Power source: Battery-powered electric
• Power level: 40 volts
• Cutting width: 16 inches
• Weight: 34.6 pounds

Pros:

✓ More affordable than many cordless mowers
✓ Easy to use

Cons:

✗ Battery run time less than an hour
✗ Battery and charger sold separately 

6. Sun Joe MJ401E corded electric lawn mower

Sun Joe makes another affordable mower that’s perfect for small yards, and this one is corded, so it’s lighter and cheaper than the battery-powered model. The MJ401E has a powerful 13-amp motor and a 14-inch cutting deck, which we’ve already established is small but should work well for a yard of less than 10,000 square feet. 

Like our cordless pick from Sun Joe, the MJ401E features an easy push-button start and all-terrain wheels. It also comes with a detachable 10.6-gallon rear bag for grass clippings. The deck has three cutting height positions for different types of grass between 1.18 and 2.52 inches. 

While the MJ401E doesn’t have many bells and whistles, it will start smoothly and give your lawn a consistent cut every time. For a small yard (and a mower that only costs about $120), that’s really all you need. 

Specifications:

• Power source: Corded electric
• Power level: 13 amps
• Cutting width: 14 inches
• Weight: 28 pounds

Pros:

✓ Cheap
✓ Lightweight
✓ Easy to use

Cons:

✗ Small cutting width

7. Sun Joe MJ401C cordless lawn mower

If you like the idea of a cordless mower like the ION16LMCT but want something more compact and less pricey, Sun Joe has you covered with the MJ401C model.

This cordless mower is around $160 — and it comes with the 28-volt battery needed to run it. It’s about 10 pounds lighter than our other cordless pick from Sun Joe, and it has a 14-inch cutting width. 

Sun Joe’s MJ401C is perfect for small yards, since it can cut about a quarter of an acre per battery charge. Like our other picks from this brand, it’s easy to use with a convenient push-button start and smooth-moving wheels. 

Specifications:

• Power source: Battery-powered electric
• Power level: 28 volts 
• Cutting width: 14 inches
• Weight: 23.1 pounds

Pros:

✓ Cheap for a battery-powered mower
✓ Lightweight
✓ Easy to use

Cons:

✗ Small cutting width
✗ Battery runtime less than an hour 

8. American Lawn Mower Company 50514 corded electric lawn mower

The main appeal of American Lawn Mower Company’s 14-inch corded mower is that it’s lightweight and easy to operate.

Like other electric mowers, it starts immediately with the push of a button. This model also has an easy-adjust lever to shift between five cutting heights and an adjustable handle to improve user comfort.

Even though this mower is electric, its 11-amp motor runs efficiently to deliver gas-like power. It has mulching and bagging capabilities for grass clippings, and it comes with all the necessary attachments, including a 16-gallon rear bag. 

Because of its size, the 50514 model is perfect for small yards, and it won’t take up much space in the garage or shed. If you want a corded electric mower, this is a solid option. 

Specifications:

• Power source: Corded electric
• Power level: 11 amps 
• Cutting width: 14 inches
• Weight: 26.5 pounds 

Pros:

✓ Powerful motor
✓ Easy to use

Cons:

✗ Small cutting width
✗ More expensive than our other corded electric picks 

9. WORX WG779 cordless lawn mower

With the WORX WG779, you get a high-quality cordless mower (and two 20-volt batteries) for less than $300. The batteries that come with it are compatible with other WORX products, so you won’t need to purchase more batteries if you get a cordless leaf blower, string trimmer, or other power tool from the same brand. 

Like many of the other mowers on this list, the WG779 has a compact 14-inch deck suited for small yards. The deck has an easy to use single-lever height adjustment system with six cutting heights to choose from.

The mower comes with a rear bag and mulching blade, so you can choose to collect your grass clippings as you mow or discharge mulch back into the yard.

Bonus points: This mower has one special feature that none of the other entries on our list have: Intellicut technology. Intellicut allows you to change the mower’s torque on demand using a dial. That way, you can increase the torque to get through tough grass and decrease it at other times to preserve the battery.

Features like this will cost you, though, and the WORX WG779 is the most expensive mower on this list (and the only one that costs more than $200).

Specifications:

• Power source: Battery-powered electric
• Power level: 40 volts
• Cutting width: 14 inches
• Weight: 35.27 pounds

Pros:

✓ Batteries included
✓ Batteries compatible with other WORX tools
✓ Intellicut feature

Cons:

✗ Small cutting width
✗ Expensive compared to our other picks 

10. Greenworks Cordless Lawn Mower MO40B410

Rounding out the list, Greenworks makes an appearance with their version of a battery-powered electric lawn mower. Made of ABS plastic and aluminum, this electric mower is one of the lightest on our list.

The Greenworks MO40B410 offers a 2-in-1 rear bagging and mulching option, along with a five-height adjustable deck made possible with the use of a lever located near the front of the mower.

As with many name brand products, the battery used for this machine can subsequently be swapped out and exchanged with other Greenworks products. So if you think you’ll need more life than the 45-minute runtime the one battery offers and you have other Greenworks tools around, you can always have one charging each time you need to reload.

A rave review: One satisfied customer touted the battery lasts much longer than the 45-minute expectation.

Specifications:

• Power source: None
• Power level: 40 volts
• Cutting width: 14 inches 
• Weight: 33.33 pounds

Pros:

✓ Batteries included
✓ Batteries can be used with other Greenworks products (sold separately)
✓ 2-in-1 bagging/mulching
✓ lightweight
✓ Maintenance-free

Cons:

✗ Handle height is not adjustable 
✗ Small cutting width 
✗ Expensive compared to our other picks

Buyers Guide

When you’re shopping for a lawn mower for a small yard, you don’t have to worry so much about things like size, battery run time, or having your movement limited by a cord.

You also don’t need anything fancy (and pricey), such as a self-propelled or riding mower. Instead, you’re looking for something solid, simple, and affordable. 

In this buyers guide, we’ll walk you through the process of choosing the right lawn mower for your small yard, then we’ll explain the factors we used to determine our top picks.

What power source do you want to use?

First, you’ll need to decide which power source is best for your needs: reel, corded, battery-powered, or gas. Each one has advantages and disadvantages.

Reel lawn mowers

Push reel lawn mowers are the simplest and most eco-friendly way to cut your grass since they don’t use gas or electricity. They’re also maintenance-free, since you don’t have to worry about oil changes, storing fuel, or charging batteries.

The tradeoff is that reel mowers take more effort to push because your pushing is what makes the blades turn.

Reel mowers are good for small yards because they’re compact and lightweight. Even though they do take a little extra effort, it shouldn’t be too hard or take too long to mow a small yard with one.

The biggest benefit of reel mowers? They’re typically much cheaper than their gas or electric counterparts. 

Corded electric lawn mowers

After reel mowers, corded electric mowers are the next cheapest and lightest option.

Corded mowers don’t always work for large yards since they need to stay plugged into an outlet, but that shouldn’t be a problem for a small yard as long as you use an extension cord (which you’ll have to buy separately).

Aside from being cheaper, corded mowers are usually a better option than battery-powered because they don’t have a time limit. As long as they’re plugged in, they’ll run, and you don’t have to worry about charging a battery.

The only catch is that the cord can sometimes be difficult to maneuver around, especially if your yard has a lot of obstacles such as trees and flower beds. 

Battery-powered lawn mowers

Battery-powered cordless mowers are usually the most expensive option compared to their gas, corded electric, or reel counterparts. They cost so much because they combine the eco-friendliness and quiet operation of electric with the free maneuverability of gas.

Whereas a battery’s limited run time might cause problems for someone mowing a large property, it should be sufficient for mowing a small yard. Most battery-powered mowers run for 30 minutes to an hour on one charge. 

Gas-powered mowers

Gas mowers usually have more powerful engines than mowers with other power sources, but those powerful engines are also the hardest to maintain. Most need regular oil changes, and sometimes you have to mix your own fuel before filling up the tank.

Gas engines are also loud, which can upset neighbors, and gas-powered lawn mowers produce emissions that are bad for the environment.

For these reasons, gas is probably the least convenient option for small yards, especially since the extra power usually isn’t necessary. Unless your property has slopes or you often mow tough overgrown grass, you’re better off with an electric or reel mower. 

Factors to compare lawn mowers

Once you’ve chosen the power source you want, you should compare specific models. These are the factors we compared when choosing our top picks. Looking at these factors can help you decide which mower is best for you, too. 

Power level: More powerful mowers can take on tougher jobs such as going uphill and mowing tall or thick grass. If you aren’t planning to mow frequently in difficult conditions like these, you don’t need to worry too much about power for a small yard.

Cutting width: A mower’s cutting width describes the area of grass it can cut in a single pass. The wider your mower’s deck, the less passes you’ll have to make, and the less time you’ll have to spend mowing the lawn.

Like power, cutting width isn’t too much of a concern for a small yard that’s quick and easy to mow regardless of mower size.

Keep in mind that larger usually means more expensive, so you’ll have to decide if you would rather save money now or save time later. 

Weight: Heavier mowers are more difficult to push, especially for people with limited upper body strength such as seniors. Pay attention to weight when shopping for a mower and make sure you don’t buy one that’s going to wear you out from pushing it around. 

Price: Price is by far the most important consideration when choosing the best lawn mower for small yards. As we’ve said before, you don’t need anything huge or extraordinary if you have a small lawn.

Why would you pay for extra features that you aren’t going to need? That’s why we made price point the most important factor in choosing our top 10 to give you a list of mowers that will meet your needs affordably.

You’ll notice that all the mowers on our list cost less than $300. There’s no reason for a homeowner with a small yard to spend more than that on a lawn mower. 

FAQs About Lawn Mowers

Conclusion

With a small yard, there’s no need to spend big bucks on lawn care tools. There are plenty of high-quality lawn mowers that can take care of a lawn less than 10,000 square feet for an affordable price.

With our suggestions and buyers guide, you can get an idea of the kind of mower that’s worth investing in for a small yard and decide which mower is best for you. 

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