A high-quality lawn mower is a valuable tool for any gardening enthusiast. It ensures a smooth, well-manicured, easy-to-maintain garden and lawn. Without one, your lawn will look overgrown and messy.
There’s a wide range of lawn mowers to choose from. The many different brands and types of lawn mowers on the market today might make the selection process a bit overwhelming.
To simplify your selection process, we’ve rounded up five of the best lawn mowers under $200 on the market today.
We’ve made sure to include all types of lawn mowers so you can choose the type that best suits your needs. Lawn mowing will no longer be a tedious chore with one of the mowers reviewed in this article
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BLACK+DECKER Corded Electric Mower
[amazon fields=”B00NO4RP1G” value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_align=”center”]
The [amazon link=”B00NO4RP1G” title=”Black+Decker manual corded electric lawn mower” /] houses a powerful electric motor that will help you effectively maintain your yard’s neat look.
This durable mower will easily last you several years, will serve you well on rough terrain. Not to mention that it offers remarkable runtime.
The unit’s Edgemax deck allows for precise cutting along borders and fences so that you don’t need to do much trimming. Its strong 13A motor can easily cut through thick, overgrown grass.
One of the best things about this mower is that you can easily adjust the cutting height, as well as the height of all four wheels using a single lever adjustment. The unit’s handle has two main height positions; one 40” from the ground and another that’s 4” higher.
When using this lawn mower, we recommend starting on the highest setting and then gradually decrease the speed as you work your way down.
Note also that raising the deck and the cutting height will make it much easier to cut through an overgrown lawn. Make sure the mower blade is sharp to make mowing a thick lawn easier.
The Black+Decker lawn mower is versatile, offering three mowing modes: mulching, bagging, and discharging grass cuttings from the side.
Mulching and composting your grass cuttings will put some important nutrients back into your garden. The mower is great at mulching leaves as it’s equipped with a blade designed with a special wave to allow for circular airflow.
If you choose not to compost your leaves, you can use the attached collector bag. If the bag gets too full, the mower will automatically slow down, letting you know it’s time to empty the bag.
This mower isn’t self-powered, but it’s easy to push even up a steep or unsmooth path since it’s quite lightweight and features two carry handles for easy handling.
The Black+Decker lawn mower is the perfect tool for a small yard. However, it may be a bit of a hassle to tug around a large or rough yard because of its power cord.
If you’re in the market for this type of mower, make sure to check out our corded electric lawn mower reviews.
Feature Highlights
- Dimensions: 34.9” x 16.8” x 21.9”
- Motor: 13A
- Tool-free height adjustment
- Edgemax design for precision in cutting
- Weight: 46.2 lbs
- Cutting Width: 20”
- Fabric 13-gallon grass bag, plus nylon grass bag
- Warranty: 2 years
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Greenworks Push Lawn Mower
[amazon fields=”B086K4R3P2″ value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_align=”center”]
The [amazon link=”B086K4R3P2″ title=”Greenworks MO24B410″ /] is a sleek, battery-operated manual lawn mower. It’s a powerful yet energy-efficient mower that’s both durable and low-maintenance.
Its 24V lithium-ion battery provides excellent efficiency and runtime. It offers fade-free power, with no memory loss after charging.
A fully charged battery will provide you with up to 35 minutes of runtime, enabling you to mow a medium-sized lawn. You’ll generally get better results and longer runtime if your grass isn’t too long or wet.
As a battery-operated mower that doesn’t rely on gas, it’s much more cost-effective than gas mowers, but it can muster up the same power and flexibility as gas-powered mowers. It’s also much quieter, cleaner, and more environment-friendly with no emissions, fumes, or exhaust.
This lawn mower will save you from dealing with cords which is a hassle to some people. However, you’ll have to buy a good-quality, heavy-duty outdoor extension cord that’s long enough to reach the farthest areas of your garden or lawn.
It’s also very well-constructed, lightweight, and easy to start with the push of a button, which makes it a good choice for you if you’re looking for a lawn mower that’s user-friendly.
Its 13” cutting width will enable you to mow your small or medium-sized lawn fairly quickly, and it offers three position adjustment settings at the touch of a lever.
The mower comes with an efficient charger, and the USB battery power station (24,000 mAh power bank) charges all portable electronic devices, including tablets and phones.
This strong, efficient mower can handle dry leaves, overgrowth, weeds, and uneven terrain. However, it’s always advisable to remove pine cones, wayward sticks, and branches out of the way when mowing to avoid any damage to the mower’s blades.
Moreover, the Greenworks mower has great mulching capacity. Mulching is always a good idea; it feeds your soil while also saving you the hassle of raking up leaves.
You can rear bag your leaves with this mower if you choose not to mulch. The bag is functional, and easy to insert and remove.
The easy-release brackets on the mower’s handles make it easy to fold and store. Although it’s not self-propelled, it’s light, compact, and cordless, making it easy to handle and move.
This unit is durable with a sturdy metal deck, and it also comes mostly assembled, saving you some major assembly time.
Feature Highlights
- Battery: 24V 4.0 Ah USB battery (USB hub)
- Charger can be used for other electronics
- Mulching and rear bagging capabilities
- Size: 13”
- Weight: 24 lbs
- Dimensions: 50.4” (L) x 40.47” (W) x 14.56” (H)
- Wheel size: 6”
- Height adjustment: 3 positions
- Cutting width: 13”
- Warranty: 4 years
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LawnMaster ME1218X
[amazon fields=”B08FSRLYJ3″ value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_align=”center”]
The [amazon link=”B08FSRLYJ3″ title=”LawnMaster” /] is a powerful, highly-functional 18” automatic corded mower. It has a 2-in-1 function for mulching and side discharging as well as six cutting positions with a single-touch height adjustment lever.
This is a lightweight and user-friendly option for taking care of your garden or lawn if you prefer a greener alternative to gas-powered lawn mowers.
The mower is maneuverable, easy to push and operate, quiet, and requires little maintenance. It cuts very precisely and quickly, and mows grass smoothly in a single pass. It’s ideal if you prefer a hassle-free option that won’t run out of gas or battery, keeping your lawn looking neat and tidy, and offering golf-course-like mowing results.
However, you’ll need to keep an extension cord close if you have a large lawn. Before making a purchase, be careful to measure your garden and know how long a cable you’ll need.
Granted, moving the cord around a large lawn might be a hassle, but it’s surely outweighed by the quality cutting and consistent results this electric mower provides.
The LawnMaster doesn’t have a bagging option. Instead, it has mulching, which is great for your soil, and discharging through a side piece, which is very helpful with long grass.
Since it comes mostly assembled, this lawn mower requires no real assembly; that’s a pro if you don’t enjoy putting things together. Replacement parts are easily available as well, and overall, this lawn mower offers excellent value.
Feature Highlights
- Motor: 11 AMP 15”, 12 AMP 16”, 12 AMP 19”
- Deck: 19”, non-rusting
- Cutting width: 18”
- Speed: 3600 RPM
- Cutting positions: 6 positions, 1.5” – 4”
- Height adjustment: single lever
- Weight: 31-35 lbs
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Mellcom Mower
[amazon fields=”B0894HSB5C” value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_align=”center”]
The [amazon link=”B0894HSB5C” title=”Mellcom” /] is a manual alloy-steel gas-powered mower with a powerful 173 CC engine and a 21” cutting deck that allows you to trim grass in one quick pass.
Its 4-in-1 bag has a side discharge opening. It also has good mulching capabilities that will allow you to spread grass cuttings to the side.
Using a single lever, you can adjust the heights into eight different positions in order to meet all your mowing needs and terrain types.
Its off-set trimmer feature helps to trim your lawn in tight places, and the 14” ball-bearing wheels help you navigate easily through rough terrain.
Gas-powered lawn mowers are known for their speed, efficiency, and power. However, they’re loud and aren’t the most environmentally friendly option since they produce fumes and exhaust. The Mallcom Gas Lawn Mower is no different.
That said, make sure you wear ear muffs while using a loud mower to prevent hearing damage.
The Mellcom Gas Lawn Mower’s lightweight steel body has self-propelling features, making it easy to use and maneuver.
It also has an automatic key start for an easy pull-start, saving you from the hassle of having to tug a starter rope. This is a pro point if you suffer from shoulder, back, or wrist pain, or strength issues. It’s also useful when you need to briefly stop to empty the grass catcher bag.
This lawn mower is also easy to assemble and it can be folded through its adjustable, foldable handlebar, allowing for more convenient and organized storage.
It doesn’t consume much gas; one tank-full will be just about enough for mowing a medium-sized lawn.
Feature Highlights
- Weight: 77.2 lbs
- Cutting width: 21”
- Number of positions/heights: 8
- Engine: 173CC OHV gas-powered engine, 4-cycle
- Max power: 2.8 KW
- Speed: 3600 RPM
- Oil capacity: 0.6 L
- Tank volume: 1.2 L
- 4-in-1 rear-wheel trimmer
- 16-gallon grass box
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Scotts 2000-20S
[amazon fields=”B00004RA3E” value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_align=”center”]
The [amazon link=”B00004RA3E” title=”Scotts 2000-20S” /] classic hand-push reel rotary lawn mower is a simple yet efficient option to keep your lawn or garden in good shape. You can order this lawn mower with a grass catcher or a sharpening kit.
This lightweight, no-motor lawn mower is super easy to use, requiring no gas whatsoever. It’s minimal, clean, and does its job quietly. It provides an environmentally friendly way to maintain your garden while reducing your carbon footprint.
Like a sharp pair of scissors, the mower cuts grass evenly and smoothly with its very sharp 20” cutting width steel blades made of heat-treated alloy steel. It can handle thick growth fairly well but you might need a few passes.
It’s better to clip long weeds and remove sticks before using this unit so they don’t damage the blades. Also, for safety purposes, never pass a lawn mower over gravel.
It’s best to oil or spray the blades before you use your mower for the first time. It’s also optimal to spray them on a regular basis moving forward. This will keep them lubricated and make the mower easier to maneuver, especially on overgrown grass.
If you have a small garden or yard, this mower will work perfectly well for you, but it may be a little challenging with large areas in terms of effort.
The wide cutting path will save you a lot of mowing time, and the quick-snap height adjustment levers are easy to handle and move freely, allowing for easy control.
The dual-wheel tracking ensures great maneuverability and makes pushing this mower much easier, even on rough ground.
The ergonomic, loop-style handle will offer you a comfortable grip, even if you have to use the mower for a long time. This makes it an excellent choice if you suffer from arthritis.
The mower is super quiet, functional, and easy to assemble. It’s an excellent option if you prefer simple solutions. Overall, it’s a great buy.
Feature Highlights
- Dimensions: 28” (L) x 18” (W) x 10” (H)
- Weight: 34 lbs
- Cutting width: 20”
- Cutting height adjustment: 1”-3”
- Reel: 5-blade ball-bearing
- Wheels: 10” dual-tracking
- Warranty: 2 years
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Factors to Consider Before Buying a Lawn Mower
There are several important factors to keep in mind when it comes to purchasing a quality lawn mower under $200. These factors are:
Performance
Pick the mower that best meets the needs of your garden or lawn. You need to think about the type of terrain, weather, and greenery you have, and choose accordingly. The right mower will deliver clean, precise cuts, and promote the health and greenery of your turf.
Engine size and style are important factors in determining the mower’s ability to cut through thick or wet grass and overgrowth. It also largely affects its bagging and mulching capacity.
A battery-operated mower like Greenworks will work perfectly for a small or medium lawn, while a large lawn will be best off with a gas-operated mower like Mellcom.
Cutting Height and Width Adjustment
Lawn mowers that come with cutting height adjustments are great for smooth and easy mowing. You’ll need to use the highest cutting level early in the year, gradually lowering it as the seasons go on. Your best choice is a single level adjuster for the front wheels or all four wheels at once.
Also, pay attention to the width of your lawn mower’s blade. The bigger your garden or lawn, the bigger the cutting width you’ll need for quick and easy grass cutting. However, if the width is too big, it’ll be difficult to maneuver the mower around tight corners.
Mulching Capability
Mulching your grass is very important if you want to re-use your cut grass as fertilizer and put some much-needed nutrients back into your soil.
Mulching will also save you money on fertilizer and you won’t have to clean up after cutting. It’s a smart feature in most lawn mowers, and special mulching blades are a definite plus.
Note that a deck made out of aluminum or composite material is much better than steel to keep grass buildup at bay.
Size of Grass Bag/Box
The size of your mower’s grass box or bag will decide how often you need to empty it.
A large bag filled with grass cuttings may be too heavy and inconvenient to tug around; decide on the size based on your needs. Also, look for a bag that’s easy to insert and remove.
Ease of Use and Comfort
Comfort and ease of use are very important factors in a tool that you’ll be using for many years to come. The mower should have the option of being set at a height that’s suitable for you.
Ideally, the unit’s cable should be long enough to cover the distance between the power source and the farthest spot of your garden or lawn. Otherwise, you’ll need to use an extension cable.
Weight and size will also determine the ease with which you maneuver and store your mower. An ergonomic design and convenient handlebars are also very useful features to have.
If you suffer from shoulder or back pain, arthritis, or mobility issues, a user-friendly, lightweight lawn mower with an automatic start button, like the LawnMaster, might be a great choice.
Durability
Stability and durability are important in a lawn mower. After all, it’s an appliance that you should buy once and get good use out of for many years. So, consider the long-term view, and ensure that you get good value for your money.
Think about maintenance factors like ease of changing or replacing an oil or air filter, availability of replacement pieces in case anything gets broken, and good customer and after-sales service.
It’s best to stick with reputable, well-reviewed brands, like the ones above. It’s also best to go for a product that comes with a solid warranty, like the Scotts lawn mower.
Safety
Safety is another vital factor to consider when looking for a good budget mower. Safety features like handle levers, switches, blade brake controls, back flaps, and brake locks ensure protection and provide peace of mind, especially if you have children or pets around.
Storage
You need to think about space constraints when it comes to buying a mower. Go for a compact mower, like the Black+Decker lawn mower, if you’re tight on storage space.
Always store your lawn mower in a dry spot, and never beside a water heater or furnace.
Conclusion
As you can see, there’s a large variety of lawn mowers to choose from. We personally love the [amazon link=”B00NO4RP1G” title=”Black+Decker manual corded electric lawn mower” /] for its functionality, strength, precision, ease of use, great reviews, and many features that offer great value.
Make your choice based on your own needs and preferences while keeping in mind the crucial considerations listed above. That way, you’re all set for a beautiful, picture-perfect lawn.
