If you have a small paddock at the front or back of your home with a grassy area, you will need the best small yard lawn mower. Although it’s a small yard, you’ll still need to keep it clean and tidy, especially if you prefer to access this private space regularly for recreation, or if you have children or pets who also use the area. Running a lawnmower over the area can instantly improve the overall appearance, while keeping maintenance to a minimum.

This review looks at eight of the best lawnmowers designed for small yards. Taking into consideration key features such as mower type, cutting width, grass discharge, weight, storage and additional warranties, we will also attempt to highlight the other features and benefits of each model. In addition, we will evaluate the effectiveness of the eight models and highlight the advantages and disadvantages that we have identified in the meantime.

By taking the time to research the market to find the best models for you, we’ve been able to compile a list of those we consider to be perfect, each with its own advantages. Basing each choice on merit according to our extensive research process, we’ve finally combined all our findings into a table with in-depth reviews and produced a comprehensive buying guide, as well as some frequently asked questions, so you can get the perfect model for your needs.

Snapper 12AVB2A2707

The Snapper 12AVB2A2707 is our pick for the best all-round small garden lawnmower, and has even been recommended by a leading independent consumer publication! This petrol self-propelled mower is ideal for small yards up to one acre and can be used on flat, hilly or uneven ground. The self-propelled drive system allows for quick maneuvering and is ideal for moving quickly through the landscape. The engine is a top-of-the-range 163cc engine, equipped with the ReadyStar system. This means there is no primer or choke system – just pull to start the machine. With its G Tech features, you never have to worry about changing the oil. With a three-in-one cutting deck, you can select your finishing cut, as well as position the dual height adjustment lever to work on a total of six different settings. With a variable speed front wheel that allows you to mow at the pace you want, this model mulches and has a bag or side discharge for added convenience. The ergonomic handle offers comfort throughout. In addition, this product comes with a mulch hose connection that actively encourages you to put those nutrients back into the soil every time.

Customers of the Snapper 12AVB2A2707 find it to be an excellent heavy-duty mower that is easy to set up and starts instantly with minimal effort. It is also considered by consumers to be one of the most durable lawn mowers, lasting for many years.

Sun Joe MJ401C

If you’re tired of working with a cord every time you mow, but don’t want to choose a gas-powered lawn mower, then the Sun Joe MJ401C might be your ideal choice! Rated here as our best cordless lawnmower, this model allows you to ditch the cord and gas and simply insert a key, flip the safety switch, squeeze the trigger, and go! It’s the perfect companion for small to medium sized lawns, as it allows you to accomplish the essential tasks in one go with its durable steel blade and three-position manual height control. This means you can adjust, customize and control your grass to the right height. As you go, the 10.6 gallon bag collects all your clippings and easily detaches for quick disposal. The battery on this mower is a long-life model, offering 28 volts, and is fully rechargeable for about 25 minutes each time, giving you plenty of time to get the job done to your satisfaction. A handy LED battery level indicator lets you know when you need to recharge your mower.

Customers of the Sun Joe MJ401C find it to be the lightest mower available, which makes cutting grass so easy and comfortable with every use. The battery option is popular with many people looking for an alternative to gas and the often awkward long cord found in other electric lawn mowers.

BLACK+DECKER BESTA512CM

The first of the two Black and Decker models on our list is our pick for the Budget Pick, as well as Amazon’s selection for the best mower! The BLACK+DECKER BESTA512CM is the more compact of the models and not only offers a lawnmower but also an edger and a trimmer – making it a complete three-in-one model. Thanks to its electrical system, this model has 6.5 amps of power and a PowerDrive transmission, which Black and Decker says gives you optimum performance with every use. This power allows the mower to cut through even the toughest and most difficult grass, weeds and other brush, getting the job done properly and as thoroughly as its larger counterparts in record time. It’s an excellent lightweight design that also allows you to adjust the handle and height position to ensure that every user has the most comfortable mowing, trimming and edging experience possible every time. The cord retention system prevents accidental disconnection and the automatic feed reel is also available. The afs means you can keep working without bumping or stopping every time to adjust the spool. It’s the perfect tool for doing all three essential gardening jobs using one product in total!

BLACK+DECKER BESTA512CM customers really appreciate this handy, feature-packed lawnmower that not only does exactly what it claims to do in terms of performance, but also makes for a more comfortable experience.

Yard Machines 140cc

Yard Machines 140cc is our choice for the best small garden petrol lawnmower and perhaps one of the most visually simple petrol lawnmowers on the market! This is a high wheel push mower that is exclusively designed to tackle small to medium sized yards head on with ease. The 7 x 11 inch easy turn wheels are a beneficial feature to encourage easier work, helping manoeuvrability throughout. By installing a 140cc OHV petrol engine, Yard Machines has produced a powerful machine in a relatively small package, but one that gets the job done perfectly every time. With a 21-inch cutting unit as standard, as well as a two-lever height adjustment, this model also has a mulching capability and a side discharge. The handle is also designed to ensure ease of use, taking advantage of a sturdy loop handle for maximum comfort. The idea of this lawnmower is to offer a powerful but more appropriately designed product that doesn’t require too much storage space and doesn’t require you to spend too much time getting ready to start.

Customers of the Yard Machine 140cc find that it is a smaller, but powerful petrol lawnmower that gets the job done in half the time and starts up ready for action in seconds every time. The results of the 140cc machine are excellent every time. As there is no power cord, many satisfied customers have bought this model after finishing with an electric lawnmower!

The BLACK+DECKER BEMW482ES

The BLACK+DECKER BEMW482ES is our choice of small garden lawnmower with the best swivel control handle. This is the model that is designed for pure ease of manoeuvre and has the most accessible control handle. Made by the makers of the trusted brand Black and Decker, this is a small electric mower that only requires the use of a push button to start. Measuring 17 inches in size, it offers 12 amps of power and strives to improve lawn collection with its winged blade, with a total of 30%. There are six height settings to choose from. At the back of the mower is a bin that collects much of the grass clippings, before detaching easily enough to empty each time. The best feature of the BLACK+DECKER BEMW482ES is undoubtedly its super-sharp blades, which are claimed to be sharp enough to cut the most difficult lengths and types of grass, and whose performance rivals that of its larger, more robust counterparts. Although it doesn’t offer a lot of extra features, if you’re looking for a simple mower that’s lighter than standard lawn mowers, this model is definitely a great choice.

Customers of the BLACK+DECKER BEMW482ES find that it does its job well and is a simpler model to install and use regularly. It is considered a more suitable choice for smaller gardens, as it can accommodate the most minimal of designs.

Greenworks 25142

The Greenworks 25142 gets our vote for the best electric lawnmower for a small garden, due to its powerful properties, yet small and practical size. It’s a 10-amp motor that has an excellent ratio of rear to front wheels, which means manoeuvrability is a breeze! The rear wheels are seven inches, while the front wheels are six inches, making it easy to work on the roughest terrain and garden beds. With the right amount of power to cut the toughest types of grass, the 16-inch cutting deck on this model is a useful feature that means you can get the job done faster, ensuring an incredibly efficient job every time! The two-in-one element of the Greenworks 25142 makes mulching and rear discharge a breeze, and the option of five height adjustment positions allows a wide choice to cut your grass to suit your personal needs. Starting this lawnmower only requires the push of a button, and the job itself can be done more quietly than your standard lawnmower.

Customers of the Greenworks 25142 find it to be a well-designed lawnmower that is an efficient model and has just the right amount of power to tackle a multitude of grass types. The idea of using an electric model is also preferred by many satisfied customers, as it reduces the smell, vibration and noise that tends to accompany many petrol lawnmowers.

Worx WG779

The Worx WG779 is our choice for the most technologically advanced lawn mower. This battery-powered mower is also cordless, which means you don’t have to worry about constantly running over cables while you work. The best thing about this model is its intelligence. This is the extra technology that Worx has incorporated into this model to provide extra torque on demand. This makes it the most powerful lawnmower available as it offers users double the power of standard mowers with its 40-volt battery. With a two-in-one installation as standard, you can mulch or bag, ensuring a healthy lawn whatever the season. Designed for a near-perfect cut every time, the mower has a unique adjustment lever that allows for faster and easier cutting to suit your preferences. When it comes to charging, battery level indicators are present on both the batteries and the mower, so you’re never caught short when you start mowing. This is a lighter mower, making it compact in overall design and easy to fold. It is the ideal choice for small yards and areas where it is difficult to manoeuvre a standard lawnmower.

Customers of the Worx WG779 consider it to be a competent but lightweight lawnmower, which receives high marks for the ability of its batteries to last a very long time once charged.

Great States 815-18

For a lawnmower with a difference, the Great States 815-18 is our pick for the best push reel lawnmower. While it doesn’t look like a regular lawnmower at first glance, on closer inspection it’s a perfect product for those who don’t have a lot of space but are still looking for a good amount of power in their chosen lawnmower model. Of all the mowers reviewed here, this is perhaps the easiest to maintain as it is a simple push to start – no cords to pull, no buttons to select and no keys to insert! Therefore, with no engine inside this mower, there is virtually no maintenance as there is no fuel, spark plugs or oil to deal with each time. Basically, with the Great States model, you push, and it cuts. Most rotary mowers cut the grass blades, leaving them vulnerable to insect attack and disease. But this mower cuts the grass instead, like a pair of scissors. The result is a cleaner, more precise cut and a greener, healthier lawn that is visually more appealing.

Customers of the Great States 815-18 find it ideal for mowing early in the morning and late at night as it makes no noise! It can also be used as a training tool for many enthusiastic mowers! The ability to hang it up or store it with a minimum of space is also very popular.

Benefits of a premium lawn mower for small yards

The most important benefit of a premium lawnmower for small yards is that you get a model that is designed for small gardens, and offers a better cut for more minimalist areas than most standard lawns. This means you get a near perfect finish every time and a fantastically manicured garden, as the mower you choose is specifically designed to do this with ease, while being lightweight and perfectly capable of manoeuvring around any obstacles while you work.

Features to consider when choosing a lawnmower for a small garden

There are a number of key features and benefits that you can look for when searching for the best lawn mower for a small garden. Each model will be different in terms of its specific functions, and each will aim to offer a set of important advantages over the other. However, these features will only be useful if you really need them in the model you choose. You may want to focus on the aspect of the lawnmower that will be more relevant to your unique space and custom requirements, rather than the most popular features. All of the small yard lawn mowers we’ve reviewed have what we consider to be the best essential features, which a decent lawn mower of this size should have in abundance. It is here that we explain these features in more detail.

Type of lawn mower

There are three general types of lawnmowers, as we have seen above, namely gas, electric and battery powered. However, it is also possible to choose a combination mower, such as the BLACK+DECKER BESTA512CM, or even a push reel mower, like the Great States 815-18. The exact type of lawnmower you choose will depend on your preferences and whether you prefer to work with gas, electric or battery-powered equipment when working in your garden.

Cutting width

The width of cut is simply the amount of grass your lawnmower can mow in one go. Therefore, the larger the mower, the more grass you can mow in the shortest time.

Grass discharge options

An important factor to consider is how you will discharge the grass that your lawnmower cuts. Most of these models have a bin that acts as a grass catcher, which means all you have to do is remove the bin and empty it when it’s full, and then proceed to cut. However, there are models that don’t have this function, particularly those that aim to be lighter and more compact, and simply leave the cut grass on your lawn for you to rake up afterwards. Again, this will depend on whether you simply want to empty the attached bin or rake your lawn after each mowing session. The Sun Joe MJ401C is perfect here, with a 10.6 gallon bag attached for this job.

Corded or cordless, or gas?

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A petrol mower is generally considered the most popular of the lawnmowers, but it can be a heavy and cumbersome machine that will be the loudest of the lawnmowers and leave a distinct smell with each use. An electric mower is lighter, but it requires a power socket, and you may find it awkward to drag a cord behind you while you mow. However, it is possible to choose a cordless electric motor, where the battery is the main power source, but you will need to charge it before each use of the mower.

Weight

The weight of your lawnmower may be more important if you find it difficult to lift heavier lawnmower models. Lawnmowers with the most features and accessories will most likely be heavier, but it is possible to find lawnmowers for small yards that are extremely light. The best examples are the BLACK+DECKER BESTA512CM which weighs only 9.9 pounds.

Self-propelled function

The self-propelled function refers to the movement of the blade that is triggered as soon as you press the start button. This is what most people prefer to buy, as it means that your lawnmower will do the work for you. These types of mowers drive themselves, like a vehicle, for example. Only with push reel engines, such as the Great States 815-18, do you not have a self-propelled function, which means you have to do most of the physical work and push it to mow.

Cutting height adjustments

The cutting height is again a personal choice and will depend on how high you want to mow your lawn. Most lawnmowers should offer a selection of height settings, as will most of the models reviewed here. Look for machines that allow you to select height settings to suit your personal preferences.

Blade length

The length of a lawnmower blade for small yards may not be your primary concern, but if you have more difficult terrain, or intend to mow your lawn less regularly, the blade you choose should be able to cope with the length of the grass or these more difficult conditions. The size of your lawn can determine the length of your blade, but for a smaller yard, you should ideally look at your yard type to make sure your blade length can cope.

Lawnmower dimensions

If you want to be able to store your lawnmower easily, you will need to look carefully at its dimensions. Can it be folded, like the ones above in this list, for more accessible storage?

Warranty

You may want to choose a lawnmower with a good warranty to ensure that if something goes wrong or you need to replace some of its parts, you are fully covered without having to spend extra money. If you have a particularly expensive model, this may be a greater concern, and you may want to consider additional warranties on your end. The average warranty here is two to three years, with the Greenworks 25142 model offering four years of warranty in total.

Our verdict

We hope that by now you’re better informed with our list of reviews and buying guide, and that you’ll be able to choose the best lawnmower for your small garden based on your individual needs.

Our favourite model on the list is the Snapper 12AVB2A2707, with its overall accessibility and ease of mowing. Our second favourite is the Sun Joe MJ401C, one of the best cordless lawnmowers that allows you to mow without worrying about crushing the cord, while offering a larger bag to collect the clippings. Our third choice is the BLACK+DECKER BESTA512CM as, for an affordable price, it certainly offers excellent performance with its three-in-one functionality, making it easy to maintain your small garden.

Overall, the size of your garden shouldn’t stop you from having a decent lawnmower that cuts and maintains your lawn all year round, making your home look well-maintained and tidy whatever the season.