If you have a lawn, you already know that keeping the lawn well-manicured is mandatory.
Still, I don’t think anyone will be thrilled at the idea of cutting their lawn by hand, so a lawnmower is a must-have piece of equipment.
But lawnmowers are not exactly cheap, are they? If you are here, then you are expecting some real-life numbers. So here we go.
How much does a lawn mower cost? Lawnmowers costs between $200 to $600 on average. However, the cheaper lawnmowers can cost as low as $60, while the most expensive lawnmower can go as high as $6,000. Lawnmowers also have different maintenance and running costs associated with them that can vary depending on the type of mower you have.
Of course, the cost incorporates not just the cost of obtaining the lawnmower but also the average maintenance costs.
I have compiled some numbers and more information below, so prepare your pen and paper!
How Much Do the Different Types of Lawnmowers Cost?
There is a wide variety of different lawnmowers out there. I cannot really put them all into one category.
That would be unfair.
So, this is why below I will break the mowers down into different categories with their price ranges and their average costs.
How Much Does a Push Reel Lawnmower Cost?
This is the most basic and easy to use type of lawnmower. It is a traditional type of mower which uses helical shaped blades. And people have been using it ever since its invention back in 1830.
Reel mowers are manually powered. They do not pack any electrical or new-age technology, so you can expect them to be on the cheaper side.
The price for a reel lawnmower can vary between $60 and $200 depending on the size of the mower, its accessories, and the quality of its parts. That being said, the average price is about $100 to $130.
How Much Does a Corded Push Lawnmower Cost?
Corded mowers are best used for smaller yards and relatively well-maintained lawns.
These are powered by electricity through a power cable.
The cost of a corded push lawnmower is usually between $90 and $270 depending on the quality of the mower, its deck size, and extra features. The average price however, is about $170 to $190.
One of the somewhat hidden expenses is that you will need an extension cord for your mower. Depending on your yard, this can add an additional $15 to $30 to your total expense.
How Much Does a Battery-Powered (Cordless) Lawnmower Cost?
Battery-powered lawnmowers are between $150 and $450. The cost depends on the size of the deck, the power ratings, and if there are extra accessories or battery packs included. On average, you can expect to spend about $250 on a battery-powered mower.
The battery-powered lawnmowers allow for greater freedom while cutting the lawn (no extension cords!)
These mowers usually have a battery and a charger. However, depending on the size of the lawn you are looking to cut, you may need one, two, even three extra batteries.
These extra expenses can add up quickly.
The replacement batteries can cost you anywhere between $60 and $120 depending on the voltage and amperage of the battery. These are typically Li-Ion batteries, and they are expected to last for about two to three years if properly looked after.
How Much Does a Gas Push Lawnmower Cost?
Gas powered lawnmowers cost between $250 and $1,700. The price varies depending on the deck size, the engine’s power rating and capacity, build quality, features, and more. On average, you can expect to spend about $450 for a good quality lawnmower.
Gas lawnmowers are the most widely used type of mowers. The reason for this is that they are super powerful and are usually the go-to option when you need a piece of machinery that you know will do the job quickly.
However, there are extra costs associated with gas-powered lawnmowers like fuel, engine maintenance, and more. I will get to that in a bit.
How Much Does a Hover Lawnmower Cost?
Hover mowers do tend to stand out from the crowd. They are very different, but despite their different looks, they have high maneuverability and can do a good job on lawns that have more slopes and awkward angles.
Hover lawnmowers typically cost between $65 and $150. Some of the more expensive gas-powered hover lawnmowers can go well above $500.
If you don’t know what a hover lawn mower is, check out the video below. They really are fascinating machines!
How Much Does a Robot Lawnmower Cost?
Robot lawnmowers are like the Roombas of the lawnmower world. They are almost entirely autonomous and will keep your lawn clean-cut and well-manicured. They work almost seamlessly, and there is barely any noise or sign of anything happening.
However, this amount of freedom and comfort comes at a price.
Robot lawnmowers cost between $1,100 and $6,000. The total will depend on the working capacity of the robot lawnmower, as well as charging time, maneuverability, features and durability.
How Much Does a Ride-On Lawnmower Cost?
If you want something really heavy-duty, well, you probably need a ride-on lawnmower. These are the big bullies of the lawn care neighborhood. They can deal with almost any lawn, often featuring multiple blades.
Ride-on lawnmowers can cost between $1,200 and $3,000. The price of the ride-on lawnmowers will vary depending on the engine’s power rating and capacity, overall deck weight and size, extra features, cutting width and build quality.
How Much Does a Commercial Lawnmower Cost?
Okay, maybe you are looking for a regular push lawnmower that can be used on a daily basis. What this means is that you will need something with decent cutting width, powerful engine, and overall extra durability.
Commercial lawnmowers cost between $800 to $1,300. The total cost would depend on how powerful the engine is, built quality, cutting width, and more.
How Much Does the Maintenance of Lawnmowers Cost?
Now that we have covered the actual cost of lawnmowers, it is time to take a look at one more thing, namely the upkeep and maintenance costs.
A mower will cost you more than what is written on the price tag. It needs regular maintenance. Sometimes you may even need to buy some extra accessories.
This can turn a somewhat cheap lawnmower into a small money pit if you aren’t careful. So let’s take a look.
- Reel mowers are the cheapest in terms of maintenance;
- Electric lawnmowers fall somewhere in the middle; and
- Gas-powered and ride-on lawnmowers typically have the most expensive maintenance.
Cleaning Costs
Reel mowers are easy to clean, so you will probably need just a few gallons of water, especially since they are relatively small in size.
Electric, gas, and ride-on lawnmowers will require more water to keep clean.
Overall, cleaning a lawnmower will cost you less than a penny.
To scrape off the grass from the undercarriage and the blade, you will need a scraping tool, which is relatively cheap – about $10 to $20.
After that, many lawnmower owners like to use a silicone spray to keep grass from building up under the deck. The silicon sprays cost about $8 to $20 on average and will also prevent corrosion.
Blade(s) Sharpening Costs
Reel lawnmowers are a little different. You can sharpen the blades on your own with a sharpening kit. Sharpening kits usually cost between $15 to $30 and can last you for a while.
As for the rest of the lawnmowers, you have several options for sharpening the blades. The easiest and cheapest way to sharpen your blades is with a file. Files are very cheap, averaging about $5 to $10 a piece.
While sharpening the blades, it is important to keep the blade balanced. So a neat little accessory that you will also need is a blade balancer, which costs about $5 to $10.
You can also have your blades sharpened, which can cost you anywhere between $5 to $20 per blade depending on its type.
Engine Maintenance Costs
Gas-powered lawnmowers (including ride-on lawnmowers) have extra costs that are associated with the maintenance of their engine.
These will vary depending on individual usage, but they usually consist of:
- Spark plug cleaning or replacement;
- Drainage of the fuel and oil at the end of each season;
- Air filter cleaning or replacement;
- Costs associated with professional tune-ups;
What Are the Operating Costs of Lawnmowers?
The operating costs will vary significantly depending on what type of lawnmower you are using.
Battery-operated and corded lawnmowers have relatively low operating costs.
For example, if we take a look at a standard 12V corded lawnmower and calculate its operating costs, we will find out that it will cost us a mere $0.20 per hour.
On the other hand, we have battery-powered lawnmowers. For example, charging a 4.0 Ah 40 V battery can cost you just a couple of cents depending on the efficiency of the battery and the charger.
Gas-powered lawnmowers are a whole new ballgame. These fellows usually have higher running costs. Gas lawnmowers need not only gas but oil too.
And if you have one of the older lawnmowers running a two-stroke engine, things can get even more serious, or should I say costly!
The actual amount of gas a lawnmower uses can vary a lot depending on a number of different factors, such as:
- Engine size;
- The condition of the grass;
- Terrain;
- The outside temperature;
- Altitude; and more.
But on average, mowing, one acre can cost you up to $5.
Another cost that many new lawnmower owners may overlook in the beginning is that depending on your lawn, how often you cut it, and what you want to do with it, you may have to buy yourself different types of blades or even a mulching kit. (If you aren’t sure what type of lawn mower blade you’ll need, check out this article I wrote on the subject.)
These extra purchases can set you back anywhere between $50 to $150.