Photograph: amazon.com
When looking for one of the best garden mower for small yards, slender down the alternatives to what issues: ease of use, sturdiness, and reliability. Customers with a small garden also needs to think about storage and yard measurement: Taking a ½-hour to get out a mower to run it for less than 10 minutes is a waste of time and house.
Discovering one of the best mower will be difficult. First, buyers should select amongst a gas-powered mower, an electrical mower, or a handbook mower. Subsequent, they need to search for the right measurement, value, and elegance (driving mower or push mower). To assist maintain the search quick, right here’s a useful information to discovering one of the best garden mower for small yards.
- BEST OVERALL: Greenworks G-Max 40V 16” Cordless Garden Mower
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Solar Joe MJ401E-PRO 14″ 13-Amp Electrical Garden Mower
- UPGRADE PICK: Gardena 15001-41 Robotic Garden Mower
- BEST GAS-POWERED: Craftsman M105 140cc 21″ Fuel Push Garden Mower
- BEST ELECTRIC: Greenworks 19″ Brushless Cordless Garden Mower
- BEST REEL: Nice States 18″ 5-Blade Push Reel Garden Mower
- BEST CORDLESS: Makita XML03CM1 18V X2 (36V) LXT 18″ Garden Mower
- BEST LIGHTWEIGHT: Black+Decker Electrical Garden Mower 15″ 10-Amp
- BEST ROBOTIC: Worx Landroid M 20V 2.0Ah Robotic Garden Mower
- BEST MANUAL: American Garden Mower Firm 14″ Push Reel Garden Mower
Photograph: amazon.com
Forms of Garden Mowers
Earlier than looking for mowers, think about the ability supply: gasoline, electrical, or battery. Or get rid of an exterior energy supply by buying a handbook push mower. Subsequent, select the slicing sort (hover, rotary, or cylinder).
Fuel-Powered
Fuel-powered garden mowers are the outdated standby. These mowers use inner combustion engines to spin their mower blade and chop grass to the specified top. Fuel-powered mowers, that are often extra highly effective than different sorts of mowers, are simpler to work on if one thing goes unsuitable.
Nonetheless, gas-powered mowers are heavier and require extra upkeep. The spark plugs, air filters, and gasoline filters should be modified a minimum of as soon as per 12 months, identical to for a automobile. Furthermore, in colder climates, they should be winterized with a gasoline stabilizer.
Corded Electrical
Though electrical mowers aren’t a brand new idea or product, advances in motor expertise have made these quiet-running mowers a viable choice for small- and midsize yards.
Because the title suggests, an electrical mower makes use of an electrical motor to spin its blades. It’s additionally one of many best mowers to start out. Customers merely press the “on” button to start out a corded electrical garden mower.
One of many downsides to an electrical mower is that it’s not as highly effective as a gas-powered mower, so heavy or moist grass can pose an issue. As well as, servicing an electrical mower is harder and fewer cost-effective, as its components are often pretty costly.
Battery-Powered
Not like a corded electrical mower, a battery-powered mower makes use of rechargeable batteries, so customers can mow the garden with no close by outlet or twine. They’re additionally noiseless, light-weight, and environmentally pleasant.
Although cordless mowers might sound handy, additionally think about battery life and value earlier than making a purchase order. Some battery-powered mowers, for instance, are bought in a equipment that features the battery and the charger, however not at all times. Remember to double-check the guarantee and battery life earlier than choosing a cordless mower.
Push Reel
For a extra eco-friendly strategy to mowing, the trusty reel mower (also called a push mower) stands out as the approach to go. Versus a gas- or electric-powered mower, conventional push mowers require handbook energy.
Because of their scissorlike slicing motion, reel mowers assist the grass keep wholesome and disease- and insect-resistant. They’re additionally quiet, environment friendly, and reasonably priced. Buying a reel mower is an environmentally aware, one-time funding in your garden, and so they usually require little upkeep.
If the grass is 4 inches or taller, working a push mower could also be tough however not unimaginable. When mowing an overgrown garden with a reel mower, be affected person and mow in an overlapping, or checkerboard, sample.
Key Concerns
With all these choices in thoughts, selecting one of the best garden mower for a small yard could appear a bit overwhelming. Listed here are some further options to think about earlier than pulling out your checkbook.
Terrain
When looking for a brand new mower, take into consideration extra than simply the grass. Contemplate the variety of timber and obstacles; yard particles, reminiscent of leaves, twigs, or nuts; and the terrain, which may dictate wheel measurement and weight.
Engine Options
If a battery-powered or corded electrical garden mower didn’t make the listing of prospects, do a little bit of engine analysis. Stroll-mower engines, which vary in measurement from 140 cubic centimeters (cc) to 190 cc, are available 4 variations: conventional aspect valve, overhead valve, overhead cam, and direct overhead valve. The extra cc an engine has, the extra energy. These planning to chop thick, lengthy grass might wish to buy a high-powered driving mower, however a lower-powered push mower can deal with routine trimming.
Beginning Mechanism
Beginning a garden mower shouldn’t be an ordeal, particularly if mowing a small yard. Whether or not it’s an electrical or gas-powered mower, the easier it’s to start out, the higher.
- Beginning an electrical mower is fairly easy: Merely connect with an influence supply, flip a change, push a button or flip a key, and pull the throttle bar again to the push bar, and voilà!
- A gas-powered mower, alternatively, requires a little bit of elbow grease. To begin a gasoline mower, pump gasoline into the gasoline system to prime it, pull again the throttle bar, and yank on the pull begin. If the motor stalls, don’t fear. The pull begin may want a number of extra tugs. Some mowers include a further built-in pull begin operate that multiplies the power utilized to make the duty simpler.
Chopping Width and Peak
When looking for one of the best mower in your yard, think about its slicing width and top. Fuel-powered mowers often are available widths starting from 20 to 30 inches; fashions on the decrease finish of that vary are perfect for smaller yards.
Electrical mowers are manufactured in widths between 15 and 21 inches, which work effectively for small yards. The identical vary applies to a reel-style mower. Although mowers with a smaller width require extra passes, they’ll attain tight spots within the yard and retailer simply.
Mulching and Baggage
Some householders don’t like yard clippings on their freshly reduce garden, whereas others use the clippings as mulch. Most mowers can discharge clippings, and so they have an area on the aspect for grass clippings to exit the mower. Nonetheless, some mowers include a removable bag that matches this house, so householders can bag the clippings to make use of as mulch.
Along with giving a yard a cleaner look, mulch provides vitamins to the soil and may forestall the expansion of weeds. Mulching additionally saves money and time.
Maneuverability
If a yard incorporates a number of slender areas between shrubbery and backyard beds, an simply maneuverable mower may help handle the tight turns and small passages. When selecting an simply maneuverable mower, weight is crucial consideration. A light-weight mower (50 kilos or lighter) permits precision mowing and tighter turns.
Furthermore, a smaller-width mower is less complicated to cross via these tight areas, so additionally take a look at the mower’s deck. One of these mower would require extra passes, however it ought to have the ability to mow within the tight spots.
Security Options
No matter the kind of mower, it needs to be protected to function and straightforward to retailer. The simple begin on an electrical mower is harmful as a result of even a toddler might begin it. To stop such a situation, search for an electrical mower with a detachable key or lockable change.
Alternatively, gas-powered fashions have few security options. Nonetheless, they’re not unsafe as a result of most of them comprise a throttle bar that shuts down the mower when the push bar is launched. Which means that when somebody falls or loses their grip on the mower, it shuts off virtually instantly.
Reel mowers have even fewer security options. Usually, if their wheels are spinning, their blades are transferring.
Two of crucial security issues when working any sort of garden mower are to put on closed-toe footwear when mowing, and maintain kids and pets out of the neighborhood.
Upkeep
As talked about, gas-powered mowers require extra upkeep than different sorts of mowers. Homeowners should change air and gasoline filters in addition to spark plugs about every year. To prepared the mower for winter, the gasoline should be drained, and most of the people add a fuel-system stabilizer.
Electrical and reel mowers don’t require almost as a lot upkeep, and chilly climate doesn’t have an effect on them. And, in fact, they don’t use spark plugs or filters. Nonetheless, these mowers nonetheless want some common upkeep. Clear the underside of the mower a number of instances annually to forestall grass from increase and inflicting corrosion. The blade may have resharpening every so often as effectively.
Our Prime Picks
Prepared to start out buying? With these options and issues in thoughts, our suggestions had been chosen as among the greatest garden mowers for small-yard fashions.
Photograph: amazon.com
If a battery-powered mower is on the high of the listing, try the Greenworks G-Max 40V 16-Inch Cordless Garden Mower. This mower can mow as much as 4,000 sq. ft in 45 minutes on one cost. Bonus: It has a push-button begin and weighs solely 37.5 kilos.
The Greenworks G-Max has a 16-inch slicing width and 5 adjustable heights. Its 6-inch entrance wheels and 7-inch rear wheels deal with most yards with out subject. It could actually mulch or bag grass clippings (bag included), and it comes with a 40-volt (V) 4 amp hours (Ah) battery and charger.
Product Specs
- Sort: Cordless electrical
- Energy: 40V
- Chopping width: 16 inches
Execs
- Clear, 40V battery-powered engine
- Simple push-button begin
- Designed to mow yards as much as a ½ acre
- Mulches clippings or collects them (bag included)
Cons
- Batteries can lose a few of their charging energy with time
- A recharge takes about 2 hours
Get the Greenworks G-Max garden mower for small yards on Amazon.
Photograph: amazon.com
The Solar Joe Electrical Garden Mower is good for these with a small, flat yard however little or no room to retailer a mower. This corded electrical mower’s slicing path is simply 14 inches huge, which suggests it will possibly maneuver into most tight locations, each within the yard and within the storage shed or storage. It has a 13-amp motor however weighs solely 29 kilos.
The Solar Joe has three top changes, permitting house owners to decide on one of the best grass size for the season. Depart clippings on the garden to interrupt down into the soil, or gather them with the included 10.6-gallon clipping bag.
Product Specs
- Sort: Corded electrical
- Energy: 13 amps
- Chopping width: 14 inches
Execs
- Inexpensive easy-start electrical mower for small lawns
- The deck will be adjusted to three top positions
- Compact; 14-inch-wide slicing path
- Folding deal with for storage
- Features a 10.6-gallon clipping assortment bag
Cons
- Small slicing width would possibly require extra passes
- Wire requires outlet (and probably an extension twine) to function
- Customers should transfer twine out of the best way whereas mowing
Get the Solar Joe garden mower for small yards at Amazon, The Dwelling Depot, or Tractor Provide Co.
Photograph: amazon.com
Exhausting treasured power on backyard chores is usually a factor of the previous with the Gardena Robotic Garden Mower, which may cowl as much as 2,700 sq. ft of garden. Customers merely arrange their preferences within the Bluetooth app on their cell system, then sit again and watch the robotic deal with the garden upkeep all by itself. It additionally detects its battery degree and may routinely return to recharge.
Smaller yards are perfect for this unit, which may last as long as 75 minutes on a single cost. It additionally operates at a super-quiet 57 decibels, so it’s much less prone to disturb folks close by whereas it really works. One other nifty function of the Gardena is how simple it’s to wash—simply spray it down with a backyard hose.
Product Specs
- Sort: Automated cordless electrical
- Energy: 18V
- Chopping width: 6.3 inches
Execs
- Automated for added comfort
- Simple to arrange utilizing the app
- Appropriate for as much as 2,700 sq. ft
- Quiet operation
Cons
- Struggles on sloped lawns
- Boundary-wire set up will be tough
Get the Gardena garden mower for small yards on Amazon.
Photograph: amazon.com
These in search of a compact mower with loads of energy might wish to take a look at the Craftsman M105. This gas-powered mower encompasses a 140cc Briggs & Stratton gasoline engine with an auto choke and recoil for straightforward begins. It has a 21-inch slicing width and options oversize rear wheels for more difficult terrain. It may be adjusted to chop grass between 1.25 and three.75 inches.
The M105 offers choices for grass clippings. Bag them with the included bagger or mulch them to counterpoint the soil. The included aspect chute discharges longer clippings for raking, bagging, or blowing.
Product Specs
- Sort: Fuel push mower
- Energy: 140cc
- Chopping width: 21 inches
Execs
- Compact gas-powered mower with Briggs & Stratton engine
- Auto choke and recoil for straightforward begins
- 21-inch slicing width makes fast work of small lawns
- Features a bagger for clippings
Cons
- Wider slicing width can’t match into tight spots
- Fuel engines usually are not as clear as electrical
Get the Craftsman garden mower for small yards on Amazon.
Photograph: amazon.com
The Greenworks 19-inch Cordless Electrical Garden Mower could also be an important alternative for these in search of a dependable, highly effective electrical mower. This mower can reduce paths of powerful grass as much as 19 inches huge. It additionally options two oversize 7-inch wheels for maneuvering over roots and rocks simply. The peak adjusts to seven completely different settings. It weighs simply 56 kilos and folds right into a compact bundle for storage.
This choose mulches grass or captures it in a aspect discharge chute.
Product Specs
- Sort: Cordless electrical
- Energy: 48V
- Chopping width: 19 inches
Execs
- 7 top changes
- Inexpensive
- Simple to maneuver
- Compact design nice for storage
Cons
- Battery offers roughly 35 minutes of runtime
Get the Greenworks cordless garden mower for small yards on Amazon.
Photograph: amazon.com
The Nice States Push Reel Garden Mower is an efficient alternative for these in search of a handbook push mower. This quiet handbook mower has an 18-inch slicing path in addition to a five-blade design. The ten-inch wheels enable for some difficult terrain as effectively.
Whereas the design is fundamental, this Nice States garden mower has some good options. Its padded deal with retains it snug, and it adjusts to a number of completely different heights. Although it doesn’t mulch, its bagger attachment collects clippings.
Product Specs
- Sort: Handbook push reel mower
- Energy: None, handbook
- Chopping width: 18 inches
Execs
- Motorless push reel mower; 10-inch wheels assistance on difficult terrain
- Quiet and eco-friendly
- Good 18-inch slicing path
- Padded deal with with adjustable top
Cons
- Requires somewhat extra work on the operator’s half
- No clippings bag; customary catcher will be bought individually
Get the Nice States garden mower for small yards on Amazon or at The Dwelling Depot.
Photograph: amazon.com
The Makita 18-inch garden mower bridges the hole between cordless electrical comfort and gas-powered dependability. This cordless electrical garden mower makes use of two 18V batteries to create 36V of energy. The brushless motor runs between 2,500 and three,300 revolutions per minute. It could actually cowl as much as 7,300 sq. ft of garden on one cost. It comes with two units of batteries and a charger.
This Makita garden mower permits for each mulching and bagging with its included 16-gallon bag. It has 10 adjustable top settings. To retailer it, merely fold the deal with and roll it beneath a workbench.
Product Specs
- Sort: Cordless electrical
- Energy: 36V
- Chopping width: 18 inches
Execs
- 4 batteries included
- Spectacular energy
- Twin battery for longer runtime
Cons
Get the Makita garden mower for small yards on Amazon.
Photograph: amazon.com
For a light-weight mower with loads of options and functionality, this corded electrical garden mower from Black+Decker needs to be on the listing. This mower, with a 15-inch slicing width and a 10-amp electrical motor, weighs just below 40 kilos. It encompasses a push-button begin and upright, ergonomically designed grips with built-in triggers.
Except for the burden and cozy grips, this Black+Decker mower has another good options. Its six top changes enable customers to set it to the perfect size. Though it lacks a mulching operate, it comes with a bag. Needless to say this can be a corded mower, so it might require a further extension twine.
Product Specs
- Sort: Corded electrical
- Energy: 10 amps
- Chopping width: 15 inches
Execs
- Light-weight however succesful corded electrical mower for small lawns
- Simple push-button begin
- Ergonomically designed handles
- Adjustable top for consolation
- Comes with a set bag for clippings
Cons
- Seemingly requires buy of an outside extension twine
- Customers should transfer twine out of the best way whereas mowing
Get the Black+Decker garden mower for small yards on Amazon or at The Dwelling Depot.
Photograph: amazon.com
The favored Worx Landroid robotic mower lineup consists of fashions S, M, and L for yards as much as ⅛, ¼, and ½ acre, respectively. Though they function many similarities, we discovered that the Worx Landroid M gives one of the best mixture of functionality and affordability.
It’s powered by a 20V 4Ah lithium-ion battery for two hours of runtime per 90-minute cost. It could actually mow on a 20-degree slope because of a pair of high-efficiency brushless wheel motors that present further traction. The Landroid’s 8-inch self-leveling mowing disc cuts nearer to the sides of the yard than lots of its opponents do. The blade top manually adjusts from 1.5 to three.5 inches.
Landroid connects to a house Wi-Fi community through Bluetooth and routinely retains its software program updated. Customers can simply set or alter the customized mowing schedule or monitor the mower on the go through the Landroid cell app. An built-in rain sensor stops the mower from slicing if it begins raining and sends it again to its charging station.
Product Specs
- Sort: Cordless electrical robotic
- Energy: 20V
- Chopping width: 7 inches
Execs
- Simple set up
- Quite a few upgrades out there
- Consumer-friendly cell app
- Wonderful runtime per cost
Cons
- Base station should be put in completely
- Some fascinating options usually are not included
Get the Worx garden mower for small yards on Amazon.
Photograph: amazon.com
These with small yards are much less prone to wish to undergo the trouble of pulling out massive heavy lawn-mowing gear for simply 10 minutes to chop their grass. That’s the place a push reel mower can shine. This mannequin from American Garden Mower Firm is a compact backyard software that’s simple to retailer and light-weight sufficient to retrieve simply. Fuel fumes, battery life, and restricted twine lengths will be forgotten for the small value of somewhat handbook labor.
The adjustable blade top permits customers to tailor their garden to their specs, from 0.5 inches to 1.75 inches in top. The warmth-treated alloy-steel blades can keep sharp for a number of years earlier than needing upkeep. Word that this push reel mower will wrestle to chop lawns taller than 4 inches in top.
Product Specs
- Sort: Handbook push reel mower
- Energy: None, handbook
- Chopping width: 14 inches
Execs
- Compact and straightforward to retailer
- Adjustable slicing top
- Easy to wash and keep
Cons
Get the American Garden Mower Firm garden mower for small yards on Amazon or at The Dwelling Depot.
Our Verdict
For fast work of a small garden and no cords to wrangle whereas slicing the garden, the Greenworks G-Max garden mower for small yards can get the job finished. These quick on funds and house would possibly want the Solar Joe garden mower for small yards, which has a 14-inch slicing width and a collapsible deal with for tight storage.
How We Selected the Finest Garden Mowers for Small Yards
Homeowners of small lawns don’t want heavy-duty mowers however nonetheless would possibly want a good slicing width and good energy. We analyzed out there mowers that might make fast and straightforward work of mowing small landscapes, together with these powered by gasoline, electrical cords, batteries, or the individuals who push them. Along with engine options and energy, we thought of how simple a mower usually begins and its maneuverability over terrain or in tight spots.
We additionally checked out whether or not the mower adjusts for slicing top and if it has a mulching function or assortment bag for clippings. Lastly, we discovered some fashions with higher consolation, security, or ease of upkeep.
FAQs
Hold studying to search out the solutions to some of essentially the most regularly requested questions on utilizing a garden mower for small yards. In the event you nonetheless have questions, attain out to your mower’s producer and converse to the customer support division.
Q. What horsepower do I would like for my garden mower?
Small yards don’t require a lot energy, and producers don’t at all times embrace power-output rankings of their packaging. For a gas-powered mower, an engine measurement over 120cc needs to be sufficient for small yards. For corded mowers, amp rankings round 12 often work effectively. For cordless electrical choices, search for voltages within the 36V vary.
Q. How do I take away a lawn-mower blade?
A bolt or set of bolts holds the blade to the underside of the mower. First, be certain the mower is off and may’t begin by eradicating the security key or unplugging the spark plug. Then, holding the blade in place with a gloved hand, loosen the bolt(s) with a wrench. After it’s unbolted, the blade is simple to take away.
Q. How do I alter the oil in my garden mower?
Change the oil with out gasoline within the system. If potential, run your garden mower dry. Then tilt the mower on the aspect that has the oil-filler cap. When the mower is on its aspect, take away the cap and drain the outdated oil out of the system right into a pan. When the mower’s empty, stand it again up and fill it with new 30W mower oil.
Q. How do I clear my garden mower?
Cleansing your mower is simple:
- Run the tank dry, so you possibly can place the mower on its aspect.
- Unplug the spark plug to make sure the motor can not flip over.
- Examine beneath the mower deck for particles and obstructions. Take away any particles.
- Spray the underside of the mower deck with a backyard hose to take away any caked-on dust and grass.
Why Belief Bob Vila
Bob Vila has been America’s Handyman since 1979. Because the host of beloved and groundbreaking TV collection, together with This Outdated Home and Bob Vila’s Dwelling Once more, he popularized and have become synonymous with DIY dwelling enchancment.
All through his decades-long profession, Bob Vila has helped hundreds of thousands of individuals construct, renovate, restore, and stay higher every day—a practice that continues in the present day with skilled but accessible dwelling recommendation. The Bob Vila crew distills need-to-know info into venture tutorials, upkeep guides, software 101s, and extra. These dwelling and backyard consultants then totally analysis, vet, and advocate merchandise that assist householders, renters, DIYers, and professionals of their to-do lists.
Tom Scalisi is a contract author specializing within the dwelling design, building, instruments, and automotive industries. He has been concerned within the trades for over 15 years as each a contractor and a business constructing mechanic. Along with his skilled life, Tom enjoys getting outdoors on his mountain bike, tenting, beekeeping, and fishing. Tom can also be an avid racing and baseball fan. He lives in New York’s Hudson Valley together with his spouse, their three kids, and three canines.
