When you have a smaller yard large powerful lawn mowers can be overkill. Instead sticking with a smaller, more maneuverable mower will save you time, money, and frustration.
When it comes to small yards push mowers are the way to go. In this article we review our top choices to help you find the best lawn mowers for small yards.
Here’s a list of the mowers we’ll be looking at in this article
Reviews of the Best Lawn Mowers for Small Yards
This little corded mower packs a powerful punch for its size. It can deal with cutting thick grass with ease, and with its side discharge and the mulching system, it doesn’t jam the way other small mowers can.
Using this mower is so smooth it’s almost like vacuuming, and you can easily move it with just one hand while managing the cable with the other. It’s also easy to adjust the height you’re cutting at as well with a single lever allowing you to change between 5 different cutting heights. This enables you to get an excellent cut in any environment.
While it is small and incredibly lightweight, this mower does still feel durable enough to stand up to years of use and abuse. Being so small and not needing the maintenance gas mowers need makes it easy to store away and forget about during the winter until you need it again. It
It’s worth noting that this mower can’t be used with a grass catcher, which may be a deal-breaker for some people. Its mulching option however does a great job at breaking cut grass down as you mow.
- Unbelievably quiet
- Corded power provides unlimited run time.
- Incredibly lightweight and maneuverable
- Durable
- It starts right up every time.
- Single lever height adjustment.
- It can’t be used with a grass catcher.
- It could be easy to tangle the cord in an obstacle-filled yard.
This electric mower from Greenworks is different from the others I’ve mentioned so far, it doesn’t need batteries. Instead, it works by plugging into an outlet and with a maximum extension cord length of 150 feet, it can be an excellent choice for small to mid-sized yards.
Using a power cord rather than a cordless power supply means you don’t have to worry about stopping before the job is done. There’s no gas or battery to worry about after all.
Not needing gas or heavy batteries also results in this mower being incredibly lightweight, and it takes minimal effort to push. This makes it a superb choice for anyone looking for an option that isn’t physically taxing in the slightest.
The downside to the power cord is dealing with the wire itself while mowing; it’s all too easy to get the cord tangled if you aren’t mindful. If you have any obstacles in your yard like trees or bushes, then you’ll need to plan your route beforehand.
- Unlimited run time.
- Super lightweight
- Easy height adjustment with 5 positions to choose from.
- Has a folding handle for compact storage
- It’s easy to get the cord tangled if you’re not careful.
- The bag chute is prone to clogging.
- Struggles with tall grass
The MJ401C is a 14-inch cordless push lawn mower by Sun Joe that’s perfect for maintaining a small yard. This mower is very easy to assemble and even easier to use with simple height adjustment and an easy to attach and remove grass catcher.
With a 14-inch width, it’s effortless to maneuver this small cordless lawnmower around bushes or other objects. It’s also incredibly lightweight to the point that after mowing, you can easily carry it one-handed into storage. This makes for an easy and enjoyable mowing experience that requires little effort and no straining from the user.
The MJ401C doesn’t use a removable battery, and instead to recharge the mower, you need to plug it into an outlet. Since you can’t swap the battery out if it drains before you finish mowing, it means that you would be stuck waiting for it to recharge which could be a pain to deal with. This is less of an issue the smaller your yard is of course.
- Collapsible handle folds up for compact storage
- Runs very quietly
- Super lightweight
- Easy to maneuver, perfect for “obstacle course” yards.
- Impressive cutting power even in thick, overgrown lawns
- Super easy assembly process
- Only provides around 25 minutes of runtime per charge
- Doesn’t use removable batteries and takes a long time to charge.
- The small grass catcher needs to be emptied frequently.
If you only have a small patch of lawn to mow or your yard is like an obstacle course, then you’ll want to check out this machine from Black & Decker.
Like the name would suggest, this is a 3-in-1 multi-tool. This mower is a plastic string trimmer that can be fixed into a wheeled base. While my intention here is to review it as a mower, it is worth a mention that it also works well as a string trimmer and does a decent job as an edger too.
Like it’s appearance would suggest it’s super lightweight, which makes it seriously maneuverable. This makes it perfect for dealing with crowded yards filled with obstacles, hills, and tight spaces. It uses a nylon weed whacker cord rather than a lawnmower blade but still cuts through the grass just as easily as a mower.
Another feature I really like about this trimmer is how the telescoping handle can be adjusted to a comfortable height. Curiously enough, this isn’t a feature I’ve seen Black & Decker advertising and couldn’t find in the instruction, but it’s easy to do. You just need to unlock the handle the way you do when tilting the head then pull the handle out instead.
The battery life on this tool isn’t the best lasting under half an hour, but it ships with an extra back-up battery. They can take a long time to charge though, so you’ll want to do so beforehand unless you have a better Black & Decker battery charger.
- Unrivaled control is excellent for crowded yards.
- Quick and simple to set up.
- Easy to change modes.
- Telescoping handle height adjustment.
- 3-in-1 tool
- Sold with an additional back-up battery.
- Small and easy to store
- Short battery life
- Batteries take several hours to charge
This 16-inch cordless electric mower from Greenworks does a great job in small to medium-sized yards. A cordless lawn mower does away with the hassle that comes with a gas mower not needing oil changes or other maintenance. This mower is also quiet, lightweight, and very easy to use.
What really makes this mower unique is how it adjusts its power output. This feature lets it conserve battery without sacrificing cut quality. When mowing a lighter patch of grass, it runs in an efficiency mode saving battery. But when you move to a heavier patch of grass, it automatically ups the motor’s power to cut through that more difficult patch.
Another unique feature of this mower is the ability to set the height of the mower with a single lever adjustment. This makes it quick and simple to change between the five different height settings
Neither the batteries or the charger have a charge management circuit, so it’s essential to remove the battery right as it finishes charging. Overcharging will cause the batteries to rapidly lose their ability to hold a charge.
- The mower runs smoothly and is very quiet.
- Batteries are quick to charge.
- A folding handle makes for compact storage.
- Single-lever height adjustment
- With a mostly plastic body, it’s lightweight and easy to push
- Batteries wear down over time and are expensive to replace.
- The bag chute is prone to clogging.
- The battery doesn’t last as long as advertised before needing a recharge.
What to Consider When Buying a Lawn Mower for a Small Yard
There are a few considerations that you should take into account when you are shopping for a lawnmower. Getting the wrong mower to cut grass in your yard can cause you unnecessary expenses. Especially when you go for a lawnmower that is larger and more powerful than you need. Alternatively, you might end up buying a small lawnmower that does not do the job right. In this article, we have discussed some of the factors that you need to consider to make the right choice.
Power source
One of the first things you should consider when shopping for a new lawnmower is the power source.
The two commonly available options are gas-powered or electrical powered lawnmowers. Manual powered reel mowers are available as well, however they can be exhausting to use and getting the blades sharpened can be difficult.
Gas Powered
Gas-powered mowers tend to be more powerful and are popular for use in large lawns. While this type of lawn mower is powerful, it can also be inconvenient. They are loud, require regular oil changes and maintenance, and emit exhaust gas and gas fumes.
Electrical Lawn Mowers
Electrical lawn mowers are quieter than gas mowers and easy to use. They don’t need the same maintenance and will always start on the first try. Because of constraints though, they tend to work best for small and mid-sized yards.
Electric mowers have two variations available; corded and cordless mowers.
Corded Lawn Mowers
Corded mowers use extension cords to plug into an electrical outlet for power. Because of this corded lawnmowers are is limited to the length of the cable. It also means that users have to deal with untangling the long wires that can become tangled due to the regular movement.
Cordless Lawn Mowers
Cordless mowers get their power from an internal battery pack. That pack can be removable but sometimes is built into the mower instead. Cordless mowers are only able to cut for as long as their battery holds a charge. This can be a problem in larger yards, especially without a backup battery.
Cutting width and height
Lawnmower blades can operate at different widths and heights. A mower with a wider cutting width needs fewer passes to mow a yard than a narrower one. Mowers with narrow cutting widths are more maneuverable, though. They are easier to move around bushes and other objects.
The height to which you want the grass in your yard cut to can also determine which lawnmower you buy. Many lawnmowers offer adjustable cutting heights. This gives you the freedom to set the height you want your grass cut to. If you have an uneven yard, then buying a mower that lets you set different heights for the two sides can be beneficial.
The Size of Your Yard
Something else you should consider when choosing a lawnmower is the size of the area you will be mowing. For small spaces measuring less than a quarter of an acre, a small push lawn mower is ideal. Meanwhile, larger lawns need larger lawnmowers with wider cutting widths and more robust engines. Some of the largest even need riding mowers to be manageable.
Dealing with Grass Cuttings
Homeowners have different methods of disposing of grass cuttings after mowing their lawns. A majority of homeowners leave the grass clippings out on the yard. This lets the clippings serve as nourishment for the soil after they dry and decay with time. If this is your choice of disposing of cut grass clippings, then you don’t need to consider this when choosing a lawnmower.
If you prefer collecting the grass cuttings to dispose of, then you need a lawnmower with a grass catcher. If you want to use a grass catcher, then it’s a good idea to make sure your lawnmower comes bundled with one. They are also sold as separate pieces, but purchasing one can be a bit expensive.
The size of the grass catcher is something else worth considering. The larger it is, the less often you will need to stop to empty it.
Obstacles in Your Yard
Yards differ depending on the homeowner. If you have kids, you probably have playthings such as swings or a basketball hoop in your yard. Some yards have a pond or flowerbeds for decoration. You should take the characteristics of your yard into account when choosing your lawnmower. If your yard is like an obstacle course, then you’ll want to make sure you have the maneuverability to cut the grass between these obstacles.
Available Storage Space
The lawnmower’s size is also an essential factor that you will have to account for when choosing the one you should buy. Take into consideration that when not in use, the lawnmower will need to be stored. To make their storage easy, some lawnmowers have folding handles or detachable parts, making them more compact.
Upsides of Using Lawn Mowers
Landscaping and grass cutting, in particular, have come along way from the traditional methods of cutting grass. New machines keep entering the market with more advanced capabilities than those previously available. New robotic mowers for instance, can cut the grass automatically.
Manufacturers have also developed machines that combine the capabilities of more than one tool. An excellent example of this is the three in one String Trimmer (MTE 912) that packs the ability of a trimmer, edger, and a lawnmower in one machine.
Using lawnmowers has made grass cutting an easy and fast task. The results you get after cutting the grass in your yard can also be varied by using different cutting techniques. You can choose to follow straight horizontal, vertical, or diagonal patterns to achieve the look you want your yard to have.
Safety Precautions when Using a Lawnmower
When mowing your lawn, you must observe safety measures to prevent accidents. To begin with, be sure to wear sturdy closed shoes that are strong when working in the yard. When mowing the lawn, ensure there are no children or pets around that might get in the way. This can be especially dangerous with electric mowers too quiet to scare dogs away.
Be sure to never put your hands anywhere near the bottom of a running mower, even if it jams. Instead, make sure the mower is fully powered down before inspecting the jam.
Keep way from gravel and hard object that you have in your yard since these can damage the blades. Your mower’s blades can also propel the small stones present in the yard.
Conclusion
By taking the information above into account, you will be better informed on what to look out for when you are in the market for a lawn mower. With the options available, we are confident you will find the right mower for your yard.
Our top pick is the Earthwise 50214 14-Inch 8-Amp Corded Mower. It’s ultra lightweight and super maneuverable, but is powerful and durable enough to handle thick overgrown grass. The mulching feature on the mower works great as well and is perfect for not having to deal with the hassle of bagging grass clippings. These reasons all lead us to recommend it as the best lawn mower for a small yard.
