Best lawn mowers under $500 (2026)

Here is your comprehensive buying guide for the best lawn mowers under $500. I’ve tested or researched every single one of these machines, and I’m going to tell you exactly where they shine and where they stumble.

Our Top Picks at a Glance

• Gorilla Carts Heavy-Duty Poly Dump Cart: Best for hauling heavy loads of dirt, mulch, or stone without a pickup truck.
• Greenworks 40V 16" Push Mower: Best budget-friendly electric starter for small, flat lawns under ¼ acre.
• EGO Power+ (LM2100SP or similar): Best overall value for a mid-sized yard with hills.
• Greenworks 40V 20" Twin Blade: Best for a larger yard (up to ½ acre) where you want a wide cut and longer runtime.
• WORX 17" 2-in-1 (WG743): Best ultra-compact, lightweight mower for very small yards and tight garages.
• WORX Nitro 16" (WG737): Best for buyers who want brushless power on a budget, but don’t need a huge deck.
• WORX 14" (WG779): Best for tiny, intricate lawns or trimming around garden beds.
• MoJack EZ MAX 45001: Best for DIY riders who need a safe way to lift their mower for blade changes.

How We Chose These Mowers

We evaluated every mower against four hard criteria for the sub-$500 market:

1. Runtime & Battery Performance: Does it finish a typical lawn on a single charge? We looked at amp-hour ratings and real-world cut times.
2. Cut Quality & Deck Design: Is the cut even? Does it mulch or bag well? We prioritized twin-blade and brushless motor designs.
3. Build Quality & Durability: Plastic decks are fine at this price, but we checked for metal handles, solid wheels, and overall rigidity.
4. Value for Money: Does the price match the features? A mower at $450 needs to offer significantly more than one at $250.

Detailed Reviews

1. Gorilla Carts Heavy-Duty Poly Dump Cart

Best for: Landscapers, gardeners, and anyone moving heavy loads (dirt, stone, firewood) by hand. Price: $205.99

Review: This isn’t a mower, but it’s the best support tool for your mower under $500. The 1200 lb capacity is no joke—this cart can handle a full yard of wet mulch or a pile of flagstone. The quick-release dump mechanism is a lifesaver when unloading heavy soil. The pneumatic tires roll smoothly even on rough terrain. Weakness: It’s heavy (over 70 lbs) and takes up significant garage space when not in use. Verdict: If you own a riding mower or a garden tractor, this cart is more useful than a second mower.

2. Greenworks 40V 16" Push Cordless Lawn Mower

Best for: First-time cordless buyers with a very small, flat lawn (under ¼ acre). Price: $249.99

Review: The 16" cutting deck is narrow, which means more passes, but it also makes this mower incredibly light and easy to maneuver. The push-button start is instant and reliable. It handles light grass well, but struggles with thick, wet St. Augustine or tall weeds. Weakness: The 4.0Ah battery is adequate for about 30-35 minutes, so you’ll likely need a second battery if your lawn is closer to ¼ acre. Verdict: A solid, affordable entry point into cordless mowing, but don’t expect it to tackle heavy-duty jobs.

3. EGO Power+ (LM2100SP or similar)

Best for: Homeowners with medium-sized lawns (up to ½ acre) who want premium features on a budget. Price: $299.00 (often on sale)

Review: This is the gold standard in the sub-$500 cordless category. The 56V battery delivers serious torque, and the self-propel system on the SP model is smooth and intuitive. The cut quality is excellent—it mulches leaves better than many gas mowers. The build feels far more durable than the Greenworks or WORX options. Weakness: The base model (non-SP) is around $299, but the self-propelled version usually pushes closer to $400. Verdict: If you can stretch your budget to the self-propelled version, this is the best mower under $500. Period.

4. Greenworks 40V 20" Twin Blade Mower

Best for: Homeowners with a larger lawn (½ acre) who want a wide cut and dual-battery runtime. Price: $449.99

Review: The twin-blade system is a genuine advantage—it creates a finer mulch and a cleaner cut than single-blade mowers at this price. The 20" deck covers ground quickly. With two batteries (4.0Ah + 2.0Ah), you can easily finish a ½ acre lawn in one go. Weakness: It’s heavy and bulky. The plastic deck feels sturdy, but the handles can flex under pressure. Also, the 2.0Ah battery is essentially a spare; you’ll rely on the 4.0Ah most. Verdict: The best value for larger yards that don’t want to spend $600+ on a high-end EGO.

5. WORX 17" 2-in-1 Cordless Mower (WG743)

Best for: Apartment-dwellers, townhouse owners, or anyone with a tiny, flat lawn. Price: $329.99

Review: This is the most compact “real” mower on the list. The 17" deck fits through narrow gates and stores upright to save floor space. It’s whisper-quiet compared to gas. The 2-in-1 function (bag or mulch) works fine for light grass. Weakness: The cutting deck is small, so it takes many passes. The plastic wheels are basic and don’t roll well over uneven ground. Verdict: Perfect for a postage-stamp lawn, but frustrating on anything larger than 1,500 sq ft.

6. WORX Nitro 16" (WG737)

Best for: Budget-conscious buyers who want brushless motor efficiency without a huge deck. Price: $249.99

Review: The brushless motor is the star here—it’s more efficient and quieter than the brushed motor in the standard WORX models. It’s light (under 30 lbs) and easy to push. The 16" deck is fine for small, flat lawns. Weakness: The build quality feels cheaper than the Greenworks or EGO. The plastic wheels and handle feel flimsy. The 2.0Ah batteries are small; you’ll get about 25 minutes of runtime per battery. Verdict: A decent budget option, but you’re better off spending $50 more on the EGO or the Greenworks 20" twin-blade.

7. WORX 14" Cordless Mower (WG779)

Best for: Trimming around intricate flower beds, hillsides, or very tiny lawns. Price: $229.47

Review: This is the smallest mower on the list, and it’s almost comically compact. The 14" deck lets you get into tight spots where a 20" mower won’t fit. It’s also the lightest, making it easy to carry up stairs. Weakness: You will make a lot of passes. The cut quality is fine for fine fescue, but it bogs down in thick grass. The 2.0Ah batteries provide about 20 minutes of runtime each. Verdict: Only buy this if your lawn is genuinely tiny (under 1,000 sq ft) or if you need a dedicated trimmer mower for hard-to-reach areas.

8. MoJack EZ MAX 45001 Residential Riding Mower Lift

Best for: Anyone who owns a riding mower or zero-turn and wants to change blades safely. Price: $296.99

Review: This is a safety tool, not a mower. It lifts up to 450 lbs of riding mower off the ground, giving you easy access to blades, belts, and decks. It’s sturdy, the locking mechanism is secure, and it folds for storage. Weakness: It’s heavy (around 50 lbs) and requires some assembly. It also only works with mowers that have a flat, solid frame—not all zero-turns fit perfectly. Verdict: If you own a riding mower, this is a must-have for maintenance. It pays for itself the first time you avoid a dangerous blade-change accident.

What to Look for When Buying

1. Battery Voltage & Amp-Hours (Ah): For mowers, 40V or 56V is the sweet spot. A 4.0Ah battery will give you roughly 35-45 minutes of runtime. A 2.0Ah battery is good for only 20 minutes. If you have a ¼ acre or larger, buy a mower that comes with at least one 4.0Ah battery (or two smaller ones).
2. Cutting Width: Wider decks (20") are faster but heavier. Narrow decks (14"-16") are more maneuverable but take more passes. For most suburban lawns, 18"-20" is the ideal balance.
3. Self-Propelled vs. Push: Under $500, self-propelled models are rare and often underpowered. If you have a flat lawn, a push mower is fine. If you have hills, spend the extra $50-100 for a self-propelled EGO or Greenworks.
4. Deck Material: Steel decks are heavier and can rust. Poly/plastic decks are lighter and won’t rust, but they can crack if you hit