Does the grass always look greener on your neighbor’s lawn? Don’t get envious, ask them the type and brand of lawnmower they use to maintain their lawns and yards.
The whiff of freshly cut grass is a pride and joy of a carefully manicured garden. So, let’s explore our options for the best lawn mowers for small yards!
First, we will look at the reviews for our pick of the 8 best mowers for small yards. After that, we will get on to a complete buyer’s guide so you know what to look out for before hitting that “Add to Cart” button.
Contents
- 8 Best Lawn Mowers For Small Yards of 2024
- GreenWorks 25022 Corded Lawn Mower
- American Lawn Mower Company 1204-14 Reel Mower
- EGO Power+ 20-inch Cordless Lawn Mower
- BLACK+DECKER 3-in-1 Lawn Mower
- GreenWorks Reel Lawn Mower with Grass Catcher
- PowerSmart DB8620 Gas Self-Propelled Mower
- Worx WG794 Robotic Lawn Mower
- Remington RM120 Trail Blazer Push Mower
- Buyer’s Guide: How to Pick The Best Lawn Mower For Small Yards
- FAQs
- Summary
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8 Best Lawn Mowers For Small Yards of 2024
GreenWorks 25022 Corded Lawn Mower
If you have a small yard with tall grass and even a bit tricky terrain, GreenWorks corded lawn mower will glide smoothly all over it. It has a 12 amp motor, has 7 height adjustments, and a 21-inch steel deck which makes it durable and sturdy.
Reward: The best electric lawn mower for small yards with tall, dry and thin grass.
Pros
- Compact and easy to use.
- 3 in 1 system –mulches, bags, and discharges; easy to attach and detach.
- Works well with tall, dry grass.
- Foldable handles and compact storage.
Cons
- Corded mowers have their physical limitation and might come in between mowing if not careful.
- Not very efficient in cutting thick and wet grass.
- The extension cord is not included so you have to buy it separately.
Conclusion
If you have a small yard with dry and thin grass, this can be the best one to have. However, be sure not to get tangled in the cords as the drive is manual, not self-propelled.
American Lawn Mower Company 1204-14 Reel Mower
This one is as simple as it gets. The American lawnmower is a push reel mower and offers adjustable heights to cut grass.
The body is made from tempered alloy and is thus lightweight and easy to push through.
Reward: This is one of the best inexpensive lawn mowers for small yards.
Pros
- Doesn’t need electricity, battery or fuel.
- Easy to maintain.
- Cuts grass well on small yards with flat surfaces.
Cons
- Doesn’t do really well on tricky terrains.
- Wheels might get clogged if there are twigs present.
- It doesn’t cut off tall grass very efficiently.
Conclusion
If you do not want to fuss around with a corded, battery-powered or fuel-powered lawn mower, this one will do the best job. But since it cannot cut out tall grass efficiently well, you have to religiously mow your lawn at the slightest growth.
If you’re looking for other affordable options, read our article on the best cheap lawnmowers.
EGO Power+ 20-inch Cordless Lawn Mower
This one comes with a 5.0Ah battery and a charging kit. Since it is cordless, you do not have to worry about being entangled in wires.
It can be folded and is really easy to store because of its compact size.
Reward: Works as good as any of the best gas lawn mowers for small yards.
Pros
- 3 in 1 function (mulches, bags, and discharges).
- Cuts tall, thick, and wet grass well.
- Cuts grass efficiently in one charge.
- The rapid charger gives 55 minutes runtime in the shortest interval of recharging (as short as ½ hour).
Cons
- There have been complaints of the battery running out faster.
Conclusion
This is one of the best battery powered lawn mowers with the power of a gas lawnmower. This should be able to give you an effortless mowing experience.
BLACK+DECKER 3-in-1 Lawn Mower
This lawnmower can also convert itself to an edger and a trimmer for small yards. They also include 2 batteries for extended use. It has pivoting handles and AFS automatic feed to help you glide smoothly over your terrain.
Reward: One of the best hybrid lawn mower for small yards.
Pros
- Adjustable height for deck and trimmer.
- Charges to 60% in 2.5 hours.
- The deck is lightweight yet sturdy – good for sloppy terrains.
- Easier to trim delicate patches.
Cons
- Might need to use 2 of the batteries for your small yard.
- Deck width is small, hence mowing will be time-consuming.
Conclusion
This is optimal for people who need delicate yet sturdy mowing experience for their small yard. However, its battery drains out quicker than you would expect.
GreenWorks Reel Lawn Mower with Grass Catcher
It’s not often you see a grass catcher with a push reel lawn mower, but not with this model of GreenWorks.
Its 2-in-1 feature boasts mulching and bagging capabilities. Cut your grass with ease with no fumes, no gas, and no electricity. It is an eco-friendly way to mow!
Reward: Probably, one of the best reel lawn mower, thanks to the grass catcher.
Pros
- Has 4 adjustable heights to cut grass of varying sizes.
- Foldable handle for compact storage.
- Good for almost all kinds of terrains.
Cons
- If you have tall grass, most likely you’ll need to mow it twice.
- Even some stubborn patches may need to be mowed twice.
Conclusion
This push reel lawn mower is ideal for small yards. This may be manual but the mobility and results are flawless.
PowerSmart DB8620 Gas Self-Propelled Mower
Gas mowers are generally considered to be better at cutting grass than others.
PowerSmart Self Propeller gas mower has a 196cc engine with a 3-in-1 function (mulching, discharging, and bagging). It has a steel deck of 20 inches and has easy pull starting.
Reward: One of the best gas lawn mowers for small yards with flat surfaces.
Pros
- 8 position height adjustments for grass cutting of varying heights.
- Cuts weeds and any overgrowth of plants and thick leaves.
- Good speed and power.
Cons
- Doesn’t work well with slopes and hilly terrains.
- The plastic body may be a little fragile to impact.
Conclusion
If you have a flat surface and tall, thick or wet grass to cut, this one will be perfect for your small yard.
Worx WG794 Robotic Lawn Mower
If a Roomba could be used for lawns, this is what it would look like.
Worx Landroid robotic lawn mower comes with rain sensor and safety shut off system. It uses a shock sensor system to move around obstacles.
Even lawnmowers are becoming smarter!
Reward: Hi-tech mower that does the work with precision and without noise.
Pros
- Can cut grass of up to 1/4 acres of land.
- It can work on slopes and tricky terrains.
- Heads back inside when the battery dies or senses rain.
- Anti-theft measures and PIN-enabled lock.
Cons
- It may not be compatible with unordinary shaped yards as it might miss a mark or lose its way back inside.
Conclusion
This is a great upgrade to gas lawn mowers or other electric lawnmowers, as it does the work itself. If you do not like to do the mowing, let this robotic mower do it for you.
Remington RM120 Trail Blazer Push Mower
Remington RM120 Trail Blazer has a 159cc OHV engine and has the 3-in-1 function of bagging, mulching, and side discharging. Its engine has recoil and auto-choke features in it as well. It has a dual-level with 6 position height adjustments for perfect grass mowing experience.
Reward: This gas lawn mower is good for almost any terrain.
Pros
- Great for all kinds of terrain – sidehill, uphill, etc.
- It starts with one easy pull.
- Easy to use, easy to handle.
Cons
- It may create smoke/fumes sometimes
Conclusion
It is one of the best mowers for small yards and almost any type of terrain.
Buyer’s Guide: How to Pick The Best Lawn Mower For Small Yards
Before we even start, keep a skeptical eye on everything, in other words, don’t be conned by the salesman/saleswoman. Here’s how.
I would be in a mall, innocently wandering off into a store and checking the price and features of a product – after a few seconds, I would be startled with a meek and deceptive “Hello, are you looking for X, Y, Z?”
Whenever I am preyed upon by a salesman (or saleswoman – they are equally good at their game), they bombard me with the features and quality of the same product and ten others. I smile, nod, and pray that I understand everything they are saying.
How stupid would it be to ask the simplest question, right? How dare I enter the store without knowing what to look for? This one factor is one of the things that any salesman can take advantage of.
Throw in fancy words and string it with attractive looking features and terminologies, and there you have it – a useless product in your cart that you were very polite to decline.
When you are driving back home, replaying the conversation and negotiating the price in your head, you feel conned! Now, can you really go back and return it? Policies differ from store to store so always be aware!
What’s the antidote to this? A well-informed choice! We will cover the nitty-gritty of what you should look for in a lawnmower to steer clear your choice. This way you can filter out any fancy words that come your way and not be conned!
Remember that you pay for the features, quality, and durability – not the sole brand.
This is why I do my research online (also the shopping) before even thinking to buy any X, Y or Z product.
Size of Your Lawn
The very first thing that you need to look at is the size of your lawn, yard, backyard, whatever you have.
If it is more than 1 acre, you would need a good riding lawn mower, no questions asked! But for anything smaller than this, a push lawn mower is always the choice/option.
Since this article is specifically looking at the best lawn mowers for small yards, we will be focusing on the features and factors of push/walk-behind lawnmowers.
The reason why you might consider a riding lawn mower in a small yard can be due to your own sole choice for luxury and comfort or due to physical abilities. In all the other cases – push lawn mowers is the go-to.
Types Of Push Lawn Mowers
Ok, so you’ve set your mind on getting a push lawnmower.
You need to know that there are three types of push lawn mowers:
- Gas lawnmower;
- Electric – corded and battery-operated – lawnmower;
- Manual push reel lawnmower.
Now, amongst these three options, manual push reel lawn mower is the simplest form of a lawnmower with no additional features.
You are supposed to exert your physical energy and push it to cut and clip grass. There is no magic in it – just pure hard work.
If you’re looking for something similar and simplistic then go for the corded electric lawnmower. You will be able to mow the lawn only till the cord’s limit.
Corded and push reel lawn mowers are generally old-fashioned lawnmowers and are not as popular as they used to be (unless you have a really small yard/garden and want budget-friendly options).
As for gas and electric lawnmowers, they come with their advanced features to make things easier for us. Some features are unique for only one or the other while some are present in both of them.
For a more in-depth look at how each lawnmower works, read this article on the different types of lawnmowers and which is the best option for your needs!
Additional Features
So, let’s take a quick look at the features that may give you an easier lawnmower experience:
Self-propelled
Gas and electric lawn mowers come with self-propelling options these days. This means that you do not have to push the lawnmower to your physical limits to move it. Just start the engine and you are ready to go.
Electric start
Most of the new models of lawnmowers come with electric start option (except for corded ones and push reel ones for obvious reasons). Just with a push of a button, you will be able to start the engine.
Discharge options
Every lawn mower comes with a default side-discharge option – that means the grass cut will be disposed on each side of the traction.
In some lawnmowers, you also get an option of mulching and bagging – that means the grass you cut will be collected in a bag for a cleaner experience.
Blades
While you will find a variety of blades in different lawnmowers, the thing you need to look into is does it cut, mulch, or both?
Blades will cut the grass from 1 to 4 inches. When you are using only cutting blades, you would need a bag to collect grass.
With the mulching option, the mower will not only cut the grass but mulch it along the way in your traction.
No matter what type of blades you get, remember to sharpen your lawnmower blades for best mowing results.
Drive
Front-wheel drive – best for ground-level mowing with lots of complications. Easy to pivot into and out of corners.
Rear-wheel drive – best for uphill and sidehill mowing.
All-wheel drive – can be used for a flat surface and tricky terrains. It can be used for uphill, sidehill, and ground-level easily.
Looking for the king-of-the-hills type of mower? Read this article on the best lawnmowers for hills!
Wheels
Most of the time, a 4-wheel arrangement is preferred. In a push lawn mower, larger rear wheels are preferred as it makes it easier to move.
Ball bearing, PVC wrapping, and pivoting wheels are some of the different options you can get in various lawnmowers. Ball-bearing wheels are easier to push than others and are often preferred by most people.
Deck
The smaller the deck, the longer it will take for you to mow the lawn. Also, smaller decks will struggle with cutting long, tall, wet, and thick grass with weeds and leaves.
You would notice that wider decks will not have such problems. When it comes to the height of the deck, it can be adjusted with different levels – but the levels will differ from lawnmower to lawnmower.
Motor
Electric lawnmowers and gas lawn mowers motor varies from each other. One needs a battery to run and the other needs fuel to run.
In fuel-run motors, you might need to do a regular oil change. Nowadays, you can get motors where you might need to check oil only once or twice as compared to older models with frequent oil changes.
Electric lawn mowers may be limited by their battery or their cord length.
The Role Of Motor In Your Lawn Mower
Now let’s get to another part of the story – what does a motor do and what are we getting out of the variety of motors that we get.
For most of the parts, larger motors can take on larger loads, which will be heavily needed when cutting tall grass, wet grass, or thick grass with weed.
We estimate an electric motor’s power level with its amperage. You can find motors from as small as 7A to as large as 17A.
If you have a small yard, any motor of 7A to 9A would be sufficient for you. Anything above this would just be an upgrade, not a necessity.
Gas motors generally come in a 2-stroke version or 4-stroke version.
If you are looking for a low level of pollution, high durability, and low noise levels, a 4-stroke motor will be a better option for you. This is actually a better option for smaller and simpler yards.
The 2-stroke version is generally preferred for heavily inclined terrains. However, the 2-stroke version is lighter and more long-lasting than the 4-stroke version, but emits more gas and creates more noise.
In the case of electric motors, it is better to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations while purchasing a cord for it. It mostly needs one or two batteries at max to complete its job on an average-sized yard.
FAQs
What Time Of The Day Should You Mow Your Lawn?
The best time to mow your lawn is mid-morning before noon. The idea behind it is that at this timeframe, there will be no dews and leaves would be dried enough to be cut crisply.
Can You Cut The Grass When Wet?
It is not preferred that you cut the grass when it is wet. You should cut it when it is dried. Wet grass tends to clump up along with mud, making it difficult to move.
Electric mowers shouldn’t be used over wet grass as well. If you do want to mow over wet grass, do it slowly and with gas mowers or reel mowers.
How Often Should You Change The Oil In Your Lawn Mower?
Different lawn mowers will require different oil changing requirements. It is always recommended to read the user manual to get a better idea.
Generally, motors need an oil change after every 20-50 hours of operation.
But an annual oil change is also recommended. It largely depends on the model and engine of your lawnmower.
How Often Should I Sharpen The Blades Of A Lawn Mower?
If you take an average of 45 minutes per mowing session, then you should sharpen the blades after every 22-33 mowing session.
This will ensure the longevity of your rotary blades in your lawnmower. Make sure to clean it after a particularly muddy mowing session.
How Often Should Lawn Mower Spark Plugs Be Changed?
A standard lawnmower might require you to change its spark plugs at least once per season. If not, then at least after 25 hours of operational use.
For any kind of confusion, always check with the user manual or dial up the store/company you got it from to get a clearer idea of your product model.
Summary
For me, the top pick is Remington RM120 TrailBlazer as the go-to option for the best lawn mower for small yards. It offers a lot of features and can be used in all types of terrains. Since it is a gas lawn mower, it has more power than battery-powered or corded lawnmowers.
Whenever you go out shopping for lawn mowers, make sure you keep in mind the size of your lawn and your expectations with your mowing experience. This will help you filter out every feature that you don’t need and get to the best ones that fit your expectations as well as the budget.