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Ranked & Reviewed by Primea Reviews

The 6 Best Lawn Mowers Under $500 of 2026, Ranked & Reviewed

By the Primea Editorial TeamUpdated November 1, 202610 min read6 products ranked

The short answer

The EGO Power+ LM2114 is the best lawn mower under $500 for flat lawns: a 21 inch cordless deck with battery and charger in the box. The PowerSmart 21 inch gas mower with rear-wheel drive is the pick for hills. The Greenworks 80V adds self-propel to battery power, and the 16 inch Greenworks 40V suits small lawns.

The Primea Scoreboard

Ranked & Reviewed

01
Best Overall
EGO Power+ LM2114 21-Inch Cordless Mower
A full-width electric deck with the battery kit already in the box.
Outstanding
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02
Best for Hills
PowerSmart 21-Inch Gas Mower for Hills and Medium Yards
Rear-wheel drive traction for yards that are not flat.
Excellent
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03
Best Steel Deck
PowerSmart 21-Inch Self-Propelled Gas Mower, Steel Deck
Similar gas power with a steel deck and three ways to handle clippings.
Excellent
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04
Widest Deck
PowerSmart 22-Inch 170cc Self-Propelled Gas Mower
The widest cut here, with drive, at a lower cost than electric self-propel.
Excellent
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05
Best Cordless Self-Propelled
Greenworks 80V 21-Inch Self-Propelled Mower
Battery power and drive assist, for a higher price.
Excellent
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06
Best Lightweight
Greenworks 40V 16-Inch Push Mower
The lightest mower here, built for small flat lawns.
Very Good
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Around $500 the mower choice stops being about price and starts being about two decisions cheaper budgets never reach: does the machine drive its own wheels, and does it run on a battery or a gas engine? Plenty of buyers pay for propulsion they do not need on a flat quarter acre, while others skip it and spend every Saturday leaning into a slope.

We ranked six mowers that all land in the $200 to $500 bracket, working from spec sheets and owner descriptions. Deck width, drive type, power source and what ships in the box set the order. A battery mower sold without its battery and charger is not the bargain the sticker implies, and the extra purchase can erase the gap to a better machine.

Before you buy

What Actually Matters

Drive type

Self-propelled mowers power their own wheels, while push mowers rely on you. On a flat lawn the difference is small, but on slopes it is large. Check the listing for the words self-propelled and whether the drive is front or rear wheel, since rear-wheel drive grips better uphill. The EGO LM2114 is push only, which suits a flat yard but not a slope.

Power source

Gas offers unlimited runtime with engine upkeep, while battery offers quiet, low upkeep and limited runtime. Your lawn size decides which wins. Look for engine cc, such as 170cc, or battery voltage and amp-hours, such as 80V and 4.0Ah, and compare them with the area you mow in one session and the time you want to spend.

Deck width

Deck width is the cutting swath. A 21 inch deck is a common size, a 22 inch deck trims a few passes, and a 16 inch deck takes noticeably more. Compare the inch figure to your lawn size and the time you are willing to spend, because a narrow deck on a large lawn adds up quickly over a whole season.

What is included

Battery mowers vary on whether the battery and charger ship in the box. Buying them separately raises the real cost sharply, sometimes past the price of a gas mower. Read the listing for included battery details. The EGO, Greenworks 80V and Greenworks 40V here all include both, which is a point in their favor.

Terrain

Hills and uneven ground need traction, which rear-wheel drive provides as weight shifts back on an incline. Flat lawns do not need it. Look for rear-wheel-drive wording if your yard slopes, and note that a heavier mower takes more effort to turn on a grade, so check the listed weight too.

In-depth reviews

Our Ranked Picks, Reviewed

Best Overall

EGO Power+ LM2114 21-Inch Cordless Mower

Outstanding

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Our verdict: A full-width electric deck with the battery kit already in the box.

The EGO Power+ LM2114 carries a full 21 inch deck with a cordless battery system, push drive, and both the battery and charger included in the box. Skipping gas means no oil changes, no stale fuel in spring and far less noise at 7 a.m. A 21 inch cut is the standard width, so you are not trading passes for convenience.

It leads because it combines the standard deck with a complete kit and almost no upkeep. The Greenworks 80V adds drive for a higher price, while the gas PowerSmart mowers need engine maintenance.

Buy it for a standard flat lawn where quiet, low-maintenance mowing matters. The caveat is propulsion: it is a push mower, so slopes tire you quickly, and skip it if your yard has hills or you want drive assistance.

Deck: 21 inch
Power: Cordless battery
Drive: Push
In the box: Battery and charger

What we like

+Full 21-inch deck
+Battery and charger included
+No gas or cord
+Simple push drive

Watch out for

−Not self-propelled
−Tiring on slopes

Buy it if: Standard flat lawns where quiet, low-upkeep mowing matters.

Skip it if: Your yard has hills or you want drive assistance.

Best for Hills

PowerSmart 21-Inch Gas Mower for Hills and Medium Yards

Excellent

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Our verdict: Rear-wheel drive traction for yards that are not flat.

The PowerSmart 21 inch gas mower runs a 170cc OHV engine with rear-wheel self-propelled drive and six cutting height positions. Rear-wheel drive matters on hills, because weight shifts back as you climb, and rear wheels keep their grip where front-drive models slip.

It ranks second since gas engines need regular upkeep and run louder than the EGO. It beats the steel deck sibling on its purpose-built hill traction and the 22 inch model on cutting-height range, and it never stops for a battery.

Buy it for a hilly or uneven medium yard that needs grip. Skip it if you want zero fuel and engine maintenance. Plan on fresh fuel, oil changes on schedule and a spring tune-up.

Deck: 21 inch
Engine: 170cc OHV gas
Drive: Rear-wheel self-propelled
Heights: 6 positions

What we like

+Rear-wheel traction on slopes
+Six cutting heights
+Self-propelled drive
+No battery limits

Watch out for

−Engine upkeep required
−Louder than battery

Buy it if: Hilly or uneven medium yards that need grip.

Skip it if: You want zero fuel and engine maintenance.

Best Steel Deck

PowerSmart 21-Inch Self-Propelled Gas Mower, Steel Deck

Excellent

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Our verdict: Similar gas power with a steel deck and three ways to handle clippings.

The PowerSmart steel deck model also uses a 21 inch deck and a 170cc OHV engine with rear-wheel self-propel, but adds 3-in-1 operation: mulch, bag or discharge. A steel deck shrugs off sticks and stones that dent lighter material, and three clipping modes cover most lawn conditions.

It ranks third because it overlaps heavily with the model above, and the engine upkeep is the same. The steel deck and flexible clippings are the differences, and they matter for rough yards.

Buy it if you want steel and a choice of clipping handling. Skip it if you would rather avoid gas. If the lawn is hilly, the rear-wheel drive earns its keep, but both PowerSmart mowers need the same routine maintenance.

Deck: 21 inch steel
Engine: 170cc OHV gas
Drive: Rear-wheel self-propelled
Clippings: Mulch, bag, discharge

What we like

+Steel deck
+3-in-1 clipping options
+Self-propelled drive
+Gas runtime, no charging

Watch out for

−Overlaps with sibling model
−Engine upkeep required

Buy it if: Buyers who want a steel deck and flexible clipping handling.

Skip it if: You would rather avoid gas engines.

Widest Deck

PowerSmart 22-Inch 170cc Self-Propelled Gas Mower

Excellent

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Our verdict: The widest cut here, with drive, at a lower cost than electric self-propel.

The PowerSmart 22 inch mower is a 170cc gas, self-propelled machine with no battery or charging needed. At 22 inches it is the widest deck in the list, so a medium lawn takes fewer passes and less total time than a 21 inch model, and it is cheaper than the electric self-propelled option.

It ranks fourth because the listing offers fewer extras, with no stated height range or bagging details. The 21 inch PowerSmart models document more.

Buy it for a medium lawn where a wider cut saves time. Skip it if you want detail on height range or bagging. Gas upkeep applies, so keep fuel fresh and clean the deck after mowing. For larger lawns, a gas engine also avoids runtime limits.

Deck: 22 inch
Engine: 170cc gas
Drive: Self-propelled
Charging: None needed

What we like

+Widest deck in this list
+Self-propelled drive
+No charging needed
+Strong gas engine

Watch out for

−Fewer listed extras
−Gas upkeep required

Buy it if: Medium lawns where a wider deck cuts mowing time.

Skip it if: You want feature detail like height range or bagging.

Best Cordless Self-Propelled

Greenworks 80V 21-Inch Self-Propelled Mower

Excellent

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Our verdict: Battery power and drive assist, for a higher price.

The Greenworks 80V 21 inch mower combines self-propelled drive with a 4.0Ah battery and charger included, no gas or fuel and a 21 inch deck. Battery drive gives you hill help without a pull cord, and 80V is the platform's high-power tier.

It ranks fifth because it costs the most of any mower under $500 here, and a single battery limits runtime on a larger lawn. The gas PowerSmart models cost less and never need a recharge.

Buy it for a medium to large lawn where you want drive without gas. Skip it if you are price-sensitive or want gas-style runtime. A second battery would extend coverage, but that adds to the real cost.

Deck: 21 inch
Power: 80V, 4.0Ah battery
Drive: Self-propelled
In the box: Battery and charger

What we like

+Battery plus self-propel
+Battery and charger included
+No gas or fuel
+21-inch deck

Watch out for

−Highest price on the list
−Single battery limits runtime

Buy it if: Medium to larger lawns where you want drive without gas.

Skip it if: You are price-sensitive or want gas-style runtime.

Best Lightweight

Greenworks 40V 16-Inch Push Mower

Very Good

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Our verdict: The lightest mower here, built for small flat lawns.

The Greenworks 40V 16 inch push mower is the lightest mower in the guide, with a 4.0Ah battery and charger in the box, and it shares its battery with Greenworks 40V tools. Light weight makes it easy to haul out of a shed and store upright.

It ranks last because a 16 inch deck is the narrowest here, so you make noticeably more passes, and it is push only. Against the EGO, it covers less ground per pass.

Buy it for a small flat lawn, or if you already own Greenworks 40V tools and can share batteries. Skip it if your lawn is medium or larger, where the narrow deck costs time. Check battery runtime against your lawn size before buying.

Deck: 16 inch
Power: 40V, 4.0Ah battery
Drive: Push
Weight: Lightest in list

What we like

+Lightest mower here
+Battery and charger included
+Easy to store
+Works with 40V tools

Watch out for

−Narrowest deck
−Push drive only

Buy it if: Small flat lawns and existing Greenworks 40V owners.

Skip it if: Your lawn is medium or larger.

Methodology

How We Ranked These

Deck width

Wider decks mean fewer passes, so width carried real weight for medium lawns.

Drive type

Push versus self-propelled changes effort on slopes, so we matched drive to terrain.

Power source

Gas, 40V and 80V batteries each trade runtime, upkeep and noise differently.

What ships in the box

Included batteries and chargers count toward real cost, so kits ranked above bare tools.

Extras and adjustability

Height positions, steel decks and clipping options added points where listed.

Every Primea Score uses the same weights: Performance 30% · Build & Materials 20% · Everyday Usability 20% · Value 20% · Owner Satisfaction 10%. Full scoring rules

Buyer's guide

How to Pick the Right One for You

By Lawn Terrain

Terrain should drive the first decision.

Terrain	Our pick
Flat, standard size	EGO Power+ LM2114
Hilly or uneven	PowerSmart 21-Inch Hills Model
Small and flat	Greenworks 40V 16-Inch
Medium, want drive	PowerSmart 22-Inch 170cc

By Budget

Spend	Our pick
Lower end of $200 to $500	Greenworks 40V 16-Inch, PowerSmart 22-Inch
Mid range	EGO Power+ LM2114, PowerSmart 21-Inch Steel Deck
Upper end	Greenworks 80V 21-Inch

Gas vs Battery

Gas

Unlimited runtime, with fuel and engine care. The three PowerSmart models are the picks.

Battery

Quiet and low upkeep, with limited runtime. EGO, Greenworks 80V and Greenworks 40V are the picks.

Most buyers with a medium lawn should default to battery unless the yard is hilly.

By Drive Preference

Preference	Our pick
Push is fine	EGO Power+ LM2114
Self-propel, gas	PowerSmart 21-Inch Hills Model
Self-propel, battery	Greenworks 80V 21-Inch
Lightest to handle	Greenworks 40V 16-Inch

For Mulching and Bagging Specifically

Look for

A 3-in-1 system that lets you mulch, bag or discharge.

In this ranking

The PowerSmart 21-Inch Steel Deck lists all three modes.

When to Spend More

Spend more if

You want battery power plus drive. The Greenworks 80V 21-Inch is the only one with both.

Save if

Your lawn is flat. The EGO LM2114 or Greenworks 40V does the job without drive.

Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a self-propelled mower?+

On a flat, small lawn, usually not, because you can push it easily. On slopes or a medium yard it saves real effort. The PowerSmart models and Greenworks 80V offer it, while the EGO and Greenworks 40V are push only.

What is the most common mistake at this budget?+

Skipping the included kit. All the battery mowers here ship with a battery and charger, so check that before comparing prices, because a bare tool needs a separate battery and charger purchase.

Is battery worth it over gas?+

For a standard lawn, battery means no fuel or oil and less noise, as with the EGO LM2114. Gas, like the PowerSmart models, wins when runtime and slopes matter more than quiet.

Can I use the Greenworks 40V battery elsewhere?+

It fits the Greenworks 40V tool platform, so owners of those tools can share it. Check compatibility on the listing before assuming a battery from another brand will fit, and keep the charger with it.

How do I maintain a gas mower?+

Keep fuel fresh, change the oil on schedule and clean the deck after mowing. Check the manual for intervals on the PowerSmart models, and store with fuel handled as the maker advises, especially over winter.

What if my lawn is bigger than a medium yard?+

Choose a gas model such as the PowerSmart 22 inch, or plan for extra battery capacity with a battery mower like the Greenworks 80V. A wider deck and unlimited runtime save time on bigger lawns.

Final take

The EGO Power+ LM2114 is the right mower under $500 for most flat lawns, because it is quiet, complete in the box and easy to maintain. Pick the PowerSmart 21 inch gas model for hills, and the Greenworks 80V if you want battery with drive. Decide on slope and runtime first, then compare decks.

More Ranked & Reviewed Guides

The 7 Best 18-Inch Lawn Mowers of 2026, Ranked & Reviewed The 6 Best 21-Inch Lawn Mowers of 2026, Ranked & Reviewed The 5 Best 22-Inch-Class Lawn Mowers for Medium Yards, Gas and Cordless, Ranked & Reviewed