At my home in San Francisco, you can take a tour here, I didn’t have a need to purchase a lawn mower. We have a fabulous oasis backyard full of fun moments, but none of them are grass, However, that all changed once we purchased our cozy cottage, and I quickly realized that—unless I wanted to constantly pay someone else to maintain the grass which is mostly a drought friendly clover—I would need to get my hands on a good lawn mower. Thus, my quest to find the best lightweight lawn mower. After all, I’m not the biggest guy, I didn’t want anything too heavy.
Fortunately, I have a few close friends who work at a local hardware store and run landscaping businesses. With this expert’s help, I was able to test out a bunch of different models. I put my AirPods in, blasted my favorite music playlist & put my trusty baseball cap on for sun (and cold) protection, and—over the next two months—was able to “test drive” the best lawn mower models out. There. Here’s what you need to know.
Gas-Powered Mowers
The obvious starting point when looking for the best lightweight lawn mower is with gas-powered mowers. Being gas-powered, they do have a few downsides to be aware of. First, you’ll want some sort of hearing protection – I use these. Your neighbors are likely far enough away to worry about hearing damage, but as the operator, it’s definitely worth taking pre-emptive measures.
Second, these mowers will require maintenance and fuel. Fortunately, the requirements are fairly minimal, but it’s still something to keep in mind. I’ll go over the electric models later on, but if you’re thinking that the best lightweight lawn mower for you will be a gas-powered one then this is the section you’ll want to read.
Honda 21 In. Steel Deck Self Propelled 3-in-1 Lawn Mower
| Price | Cutting Width | Weight |
| $599 | 21” | 82 lbs. |
Weighing in at 82 pounds when fully assembled, this gas-powered mower is a bit on the heavier side. Still, I think its overall performance and reliability—paired with its on-board self-propel system—make it worthwhile.
The 21-inch cutting width should be more than adequate for small to medium sized lawns. It’s easy to start, cuts through even the thickest of grass, and mulches effectively. This is important if you’re not a huge fan of dealing with bagged grass disposal.
My favorite feature on this mower is “Auto Choke”. This makes it much easier to start the mower, as you won’t need to mess around with the choke. A definite bonus for those who are on the fence about purchasing a pull-start mower. I was worried this was going to be hard to start. It’s totally not.
Toro 21 In. Recycler RWD Walk Behind Lawn Mower
| Price | Cutting Width | Weight |
| $399 | 21” | 67 lbs. |
Weighing less than 70 pounds, this self-propelled lawn mower is a great option. I managed to get nearly an hour and a half of mowing done before I needed to refill the gas, which I think is pretty good (especially if you have a smaller yard).
This mower uses rear-wheel drive to assist you in your mowing, making the process much less strenuous. The rear wheels are actually bigger than the front wheels, which makes the “self-propel” feature work a lot better compared to other models.
I also like how there are only two levers to adjust the height. One level works for both wheels, meaning setting your mowing height can be done in half the time.
PowerSmart DB2194PR 21″ 3-in-1 Gas Push Lawn Mower
| Price | Cutting Width | Weight |
| $229 | 21” | 63 lbs. |
This mower weighs even less than the previous model. This is important, as it doesn’t have a self-propelled system. Instead, it relies on you to move the mower deck around your yard. Fortunately, this is fairly easy to do as the mower uses slightly larger wheels than normal.
Despite being a basic model, you still get a few useful features given the great price. First, you have five different mowing heights to choose from. You’ll also get to decide whether bagging, mulching, or using the side discharge chute is best for your lawn.
My favorite feature, though, is how the mower can be folded up for simple storage. Of course, for some people, the downside of actually having to push the thing might outweigh this benefit. Even so, I think it’s worth it!
Yard Machines 20 in. Walk Behind Push Mower
| Price | Cutting Width | Weight |
| $269 | 20” | 50 lbs. |
With no tools required to assemble it, three cutting height positions, and an extremely lightweight frame, this mower is a great option for smaller lawns.
I say smaller because you have to push it yourself and the cutting deck is only 20 inches wide. These two things make it unsuitable for large lawns, as using it will tire you out and you’re losing an inch per pass compared to other models.
Still, you do get some free exercise, which is always a plus! You can pick these push mowers up at the Home Depot for less than $300, which I think is a fair deal for the basic yet effective functionality they offer.
Electric Mowers
Chances are, you probably already have a few battery-powered power tools lying around. These are generally fairly quiet, so you’ve likely wondered if a quieter solution like that exists for lawnmowers. Plus no gas, which I love.
Below, I’ve listed the best electric lawn mowers I’ve tried, tested, and approved. To be honest, though, whether or not these are a good option for you really depends on the size of your yard.
Keeping the noise levels by purchasing the best lightweight lawn mower that’s electric isn’t much good if you can only mow half your yard on a single charge, so pay close attention to the per-charge performance of the models while shopping.
Ego Cordless Lawn Mower 21In Push
| Price | Power Source | Cutting Width | Run Time (per battery) | Weight |
| $549 | EGO 56-volt lithium-ion batteries (sold separately) | 21” | Up to 45 mins. | 55.3 lbs. |
Ego is a well-known brand when it comes to battery-powered mowers. These sleek-looking mowers are perfect for small lawns, but they’ll work for medium-sized lawns as well.
You can expect to get up to 45 minutes of mow time per charge, which is around average for an electric mower. Paired with the 21-inch blades, this mower will make quick work of your lawn, all while keeping the noise to a minimum.
Hoping for a premium experience? Well, you’ll get it with this model! Equipped with push-to-start, six height adjustments, and LED headlights for nighttime lawn care, this mower has all the features you’ll want for an eco-friendly mowing experience.
RYOBI 40V HP Brushless 21 in. Cordless Walk Behind Mower
| Price | Power Source | Cutting Width | Run Time | Weight |
| $749 | RYOBI 40V Battery (2 batteries & charger included) | 21” | 70 mins. | 75 lbs. |
This cordless mower used to be a bit overpriced. Thankfully, the price has gone down, and nowadays, you can pick up the mower, a dual-charger, and two batteries for less than $800. I realize this sounds like a lot, but it’s a decent deal once you consider this mower originally cost around $1000.
Being a Ryobi product, this mower can utilize the battery power from any 40V Ryobi battery, which is great if you already have a few lying around. You’ll get around 70 minutes per charge of mowing time, giving the Ryobi a significant advantage over the competition.
Aside from an extended battery life, the mower also gives you seven mowing height adjustments, push start, and integrated headlights, making it a great option for anyone already in the Ryobi ecosystem.
Worx WG779 40V 14″ Cordless Lawn Mower
| Price | Power Source | Cutting Width | Run Time | Weight |
| $223 | Worx 20V 4.0Ah batteries (2 batteries and dual-charger included) | 13” | 40+/- mins. | 29.1 |
If you have a small or very small yard then this is the model for you. With a cutting width of only 13 inches, the Worx WG779 isn’t up to the task of taking on larger yards. However, if you have a smaller yard then the sub-$250 price tag will certainly be appealing.
The small deck size does have its advantages, though, as these electric mowers weigh in at less than 30 pounds. This makes moving it around extremely easy. The battery life isn’t particularly impressive, but at least the batteries charge in less than an hour.
I really appreciated the few bonus features it offers, like the battery and full-bag indicators. Paired with the single-level height adjuster and the affordable price tag, I’d recommend this one to anyone with a tiny yard in a heartbeat!
Greenworks MO48L4210
| Price | Power Source | Cutting Width | Run Time | Weight |
| $347 | 24V POWERALL batteries (2 included) | 20” | Up to 45 mins. | 67.2 lbs. |
This next option isn’t quite as budget-friendly, but it does give you a slightly larger 20” deck, paired with a brushless motor to help maximize battery life.
It comes with two batteries and a dual-port charger, meaning you won’t need to waste time charging each battery individually. It has a fairly sizable bag for grass clippings, can mulch your grass, and even has a built-in “Turbo Button” for picking up leaves.
Unfortunately, it’s not a self-propelled model, but its low weight rating makes it easy to move around all the same. This is fairly important, especially if you plan on folding it up for compact vertical storage!
Other Useful Yard Tools
Alright, now that you’ve hopefully found the best lightweight lawn mower for your yard, I figured I might as well mention a few other helpful accessories.
You don’t necessarily need to pick these up, but I think they’re worth investing in anyway. They work great for large and small yards alike, allowing you to perfect all of the tiny details that turn a good-looking yard into an impressive one.
Of course, you don’t need to go out and buy these right away. You can always buy them later on as the budget allows, but still, I’d highly recommend you pick these up when you get a chance if you want your yard to look its best!
Husqvarna 128LD Gas String Trimmer
Offering head speeds of up to 8,000 RPMs, this weed wacker is exactly what you need for trimming around rocks, near succulents or flower beds, or for any other tight spaces where your mower just won’t fit.
Husqvarna is a tried-and-true brand used by various professional lawn care companies around the country, so you can expect your new tool to last a long time with proper care. With all that power, though, comes responsibility, as these bad boys can fling a rock quite far if you’re not careful!
There are really only so many safety features you can put on a weed eater. Ultimately, I’d suggest investing in proper eye protection, making sure to take things slowly for a safe, damage-free, and precise cut.
ECHO PE-225 Handheld Edger
You can “technically” edge your lawn using a string trimmer, but getting a dedicated machine is a good choice if you want your lawn to look its best. This model has an adjustable wheel mount, making it easy to avoid accidentally digging too far down into the dirt.
Things can get quite dirty if you overdo it, and you’ll be in a world of pain if you hit your shins with a stray rock. As such, I’d recommend dedicating a specific pair of jeans for whenever it’s time to do lawn care so you don’t end up dirtying the rest of your wardrobe.
Husqvarna 150BT Gas Leaf Blower
These are bulky and unsightly, but once you give it a try, you’ll never want to go back to the handheld alternatives again! They’re useful for a variety of tasks, such as blowing grass clippings from the roadway, dirt back into the cracks, or even light snow removal.
Of course, they’re also useful for leaf cleanup as well. Despite being fairly cumbersome, you can simply hang your leaf blower up by the handle when you’re done with it for easy storage.
Types of Mowers
I know I’m mainly focusing on helping you find the best lightweight lawn mower, but I figured it was worth quickly going over the different types of mowers anyway. Here’s a quick summary of the most common types & terms.
| Electric mowers | These mowers run on electricity, which is provided by a power cord or via a battery. |
| Gas mowers | These mowers run on gasoline. |
| Push mowers | These mowers require you to push the mower forward to move it. They may or may not be self-propelled. |
| Self-propelled mowers | These mowers are equipped with either FWD, RWD, or AWD systems that help move the mower. |
| Walk-behind mowers | These mowers are significantly larger than push mowers. Oftentimes, attachments are used to allow the operator to be pulled behind the walk-behind mower. |
| Tractor mowers | These mowers are fairly common for larger residential lawns. They provide a seat for the operator to sit on, and don’t require any walking to use. |
| Zero-turn mowers | These mowers are most commonly used professionally. They offer the widest deck ranges, and can often mow at speeds exceeding 7 MPH. |
The Best Lightweight Lawn Mower – Things to Consider
The mower that’s the best lightweight lawn mower for you might not be the best option for your neighbor, and vice versa. As such, here are a few things to think about when selecting a new mower. You’ll want to make sure your new model “checks off all of the boxes” before making the purchase!
Cutting Width
If you’re in charge of maintaining your outdoor space then you obviously want to make it look its best. Still, you don’t want to spend hours simply mowing your lawn. That’s where cutting width can come in.
The more cutting width your mower has, the more square feet of grass it will be able to mow per minute. Basically, it will take you less time to mow your lawn if your mower has a wider deck.
This is especially important if your mower has a limited battery life, as—ideally—you should only need a single charge to mow your lawn.
Cutting Heights
Perhaps you have a local HOA that requires your grass to be cut at a specific height, or maybe you just have a height that you prefer. Either way, you’ll want to make sure that your new mower can cut grass at the exact height you need.
Fortunately, most mowers allow you to easily adjust the cutting height, but the cutting height ranges will vary between mowers. As such, make sure that your new mower can mow at your preferred heights before buying it.
Clippings
Most push mowers come with a grass catcher, which is the bag on the back of the mower that catches and holds the grass clippings until you empty this. The size of your lawn will affect how often you have to empty this bag.
Of course, the length will affect this as well. If you have tall grass then you’ll be emptying it much more often than if you had short grass. For that reason, I recommend mowing your lawn on a regular basis.
If the grass grows slowly enough or you mow often enough, you may be able to get away with not using this bag. Instead, the grass clipping will be spread across your lawn, unnoticeable without a close glance.
For this, you’ll want to pick up a mulch plug. Depending on your grass, a set of dedicated mulching blades may also be required.
Starting Method for the Best Lightweight Lawn Mower
This doesn’t matter much in the grand scheme of things, so it really comes down to personal preference and ease of use. While some mowers can be started with just the push of a button or the turn of a key, others require you to pull-start the thing to life.
As expected, an electric start will add a bit more to the overall cost of the mower, so consider going with a pull-start mower if you want to save some money.
So, Which Mower Did You Like Best?
There are a ton of options out there, even beyond my top picks. Finding the best lightweight lawn mower for your specific needs might even require a bit of extra research. Still, I think it’s worth the added effort. Whether you have a small lawn or a large yard, having the right mower for the job will make the entire mowing process a lot easier for you.
Well, that’s all I have for you guys today so I hope you found it useful. As always, feel free to leave me a message in the comments, and let me know what mower you’re currently using to maintain your property. Until next time!
P.S. If you’re looking to bring a bit of life to the inside of your home as well, check out my post on indoor plants!
Finding the Best Lightweight Lawn Mower: Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes the best quality lawn mowers?
Well, it really depends on who you ask, and the model in question really matters more than the brand. Still, if you’re looking for the best lawn mowers around, Honda and Yardmax are two great gas-guzzling options. If you’re after something a bit more eco-friendly then I’d recommend looking at the Ryobi lineup instead.
Are battery lawn mowers lighter?
Generally speaking, electric lawn mowers tend to be lighter than their gas-powered counterparts. As such, battery-powered models are a good option for smaller people, older people, and those who struggle to move heavy objects.
What type of lawn mower is easiest to use?
Personally, I think that a lightweight push-powered mower is the best option, at least for flat yards. Since these don’t have a self-propel system limiting the speed of the mower, you can often complete the job in less time! However, if you have a hill or two around your place then a self-propelled model will likely be the best option.
What are the disadvantages of an electric lawn mower?
Since electric mowers rely on electricity to run, the power source is ultimately the biggest downside of using an electric lawn mower. For corded models, you’ll have unlimited power, but they can only go as far as the cord stretches (and you’ll need to avoid running the cord over!).
For battery-powered models, you can only mow as long as the battery is charged. Since these generally don’t last a very long time, you’ll either need to have a small yard, use multiple batteries, or mow your lawn in sections (with charges in between sections).
Can an electric mower handle tall grass?
While some models do better than others, in general, I would suggest going with a gasoline-powered mower if your front or backyard has extremely long grass. Electric mowers will do fine if the grass is shorter, but they tend to struggle with thick, longer grass.
Not only that, but since your electric mower will need to work harder to mow longer grass, your battery life will take a hit as well.
Is a push mower better for your lawn?
Lighter mowers will cause less wear on the surface of your lawn, which might have you considering going with the ultimate push mower: a push-reel mower! I’d really only recommend these for the smallest of yards, but if that’s what you have, then a reel mower might be a great option for you.
These mowers help improve the overall health of your grass by cutting your grass “cleanly”, thanks to their super sharp blades. The main downside? You’ll likely be in need of a refreshing drink, as these mowers rely on push power to do their magic!
