Laguerrilla Gardening

As with most things, there is no need to get more than you need when it comes to lawn mowers. If you have a nice compact yard with even terrain, this sturdy reel mower from the American Lawn Mower Company can do exactly what you need and save the planet at the same time. There are no exhaust fumes to breathe and no electricity to waste.

It is a small lawn mower with a 14” cutting swath and 8.5” composite wheels. The 4-blade ball bearing reel gives you a clean, scissor-like cut every time. But just because this mower is basic doesn’t mean that it doesn’t have features. You can adjust the cutting height of the blades anywhere between 0.5"-1.75" to get the look you want.

There is very little maintenance required. All you’ll ever need to do is grease the wheels occasionally and sharpen the blades a couple of times per season. However, these blades are made of strong heat-treated alloy steel and stay sharp for a long time.

SPECS:

 20 x 24 x 42.5 in.

 20 lbs.

 90 day warranty

Great States also offers a small lawn mower that is light and super easy to maneuver. Like the American Lawn Mower Company model, it has a 14” cutting swath, 8.5” wheels, and the blades can be adjusted between 0.5"-1.75" for a clean, even cut.

The blades are heat-treated alloy steel, which helps them stay nice and sharp. However, this mower has a 5-blade ball bearing reel instead of a 4-blade reel. The handle is T-style and cushioned for your comfort.

Put it together easily out of the box with no need for tools. You will be enjoying the clean cut and nearly silent operation of this mower for years to come.

SPECS:

 20 x 24 x 42.5 inches

20.2 lbs.

90 day warranty

 Fiskars offers a reel mower that exceeds the competition in terms of cutting swath. This model can take down an impressive 17” in one pass. It also features advanced technologies that make this mower 30% easier to push, even though it is nearly twice as heavy as other models. Part of that is that it has four wheels instead of two for greater stability.

The patent-pending InertiaDrive Reel offers 50% more cutting power than the average reel mower, meaning that it does not get jammed up by twigs or weeds. Another unusual feature of this mower is its grass discharge chute that throws clippings forward and away from your feet. There is also an optional grass collection bag available for purchase separately.

The StaySharp Cutting System is precision engineered to keep the blades from touching, which reduces wear and tear and keeps the blades sharp season after season. The wheels are inset so that you can edge closer to fences and landscaping than with other reel mowers. You can count on the Fiskars to cuts all types of grass, even thick southern varieties.

SPECS:

23.5 x 18 x 13.8 in

41 lbs.

2 year warranty

 Moving on from reel mowers, here is an excellent electric lawn mower. It has a cord and everything. Now, that can present some problems in terms of navigating, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll appreciate the steady and consistent power that doesn’t run down like a battery.

This mower is a striking green and gray color with a strong 20-inch steel deck and a powerful 12 Amp motor. It starts with the touch of a button; there is no difficult rip cord to pull. The Greenworks is easy to push and maneuver with ample clearance provided by 10 inch rear wheels and 7 inch front wheels.

You can get the exact cut you want with the 7-point height adjustment feature that has a range between 1 ½ and 3 ¾ inches. For the clippings, you can choose whether to mulch, rear bag, or side discharge. When you’re done mowing, this model stores easily with a foldable handle to save space.

SPECS:

26.9 x 16.1 x 18 in

56 lbs.

4 year warranty

 The other type of electric lawn mower is battery-powered, like this one. This Snapper XD battery-powered mower comes with 2 powerful 82V lithium ion batteries and a rapid charger. You’ll get about 45 minutes of charge per battery. With two available, you should have enough juice to manage small to medium-sized yards.

Beyond battery life, another limitation of battery mowers is their power capacity. Not all of them are strong enough to get through high grass, but this one is. The mower is equipped with load sensing technology that adjusts the power to the blades when conditions change. Forward motion is also assisted by the self-propelled transmission that turns the rear wheels and saves you a lot of energy in pushing.

The cutting deck is 21” and can be set to 7 different blade heights. It is a 3-in-1 mower that allows for rear bagging, side discharge, or mulching. The handle is comfortably padded to keep you comfortable while mowing. The Snapper can be stored in any position, including vertically, to save space.

SPECS:

44.5 x 21.5 x 19 inches

80.9 lbs.

5 year warranty mower, 2 year warranty batteries

 If power is your main concern, you’ll want to get a gas mower. Nothing else is quite as strong, but it does come with the trade-off of noise, vibrations, and smoggy emissions. This Troy-Bilt is powered by a 159cc OHV engine and front-wheel drive transmission. It is a self-propelled lawn mower for ease of use and rolls along smoothly on 8x8” tread wheels.

There is a 21” steel cutting deck and the option to side mulch or rear bag. The one-bushel collection bag is ample and comes with your purchase. The height adjustment feature can be set at one of three stop positions between 1.25” and 3.75” – it is controlled via two levers, one for the front wheels and one for the back. The tri-action cutting system provides a clean and precise cut every time.

Since gas-powered mowers vibrate a lot more than battery-powered while they mow, it is important to have some ergonomic features that minimize the effects of this. The Troy-Bilt has a padded handle for your comfort.

SPECS:

36.7 x 24 x 17.8 in

79.5 lbs.

2 year warranty

 Sometimes the hardest part about mowing the lawn is getting your gas-powered mower started! Husqvarna guarantees you will always be able to start this mower with 2 pull. The engine is a 163cc Briggs & Stratton that never requires an oil change, so that’s one less thing to think about.

This Husqvarna is easily maneuverable, especially because it features all-wheel drive propulsion. All you have to do is steer. The 21”cutting deck is satisfactory, but the premier cut blades offer superior results. There is a variable speed control function that lets you set the pace at which this mower moves. If you happen to be left-handed, you will especially appreciate the Dual Trigger Drive activation, which lets you toggle the speed setting with either hand.

This is a sturdy mulching mower constructed of 15-gauge steel. It comes with a rear mounted collection bag in case you prefer not to mulch the clippings. The only downside we could find to this mower is that it doesn’t have a padded handle. That can be addressed after your purchase with a cut piece of foam pool noodle.  

SPECS:

39 x 24 x 20.2 inches

80 lbs.

3 year warranty

 If all you need is a basic, affordable rotary gas mower, check out this Yard Machines model. It is ideal for small to medium sized yards of relatively flat terrain. With no self-propulsion, you might not like it for rolling terrain. But it is relatively lightweight and has high clearance provided by 11” rear wheels and 7” front wheels. Users report that it is not too difficult to push and maneuver in optimal conditions.

The mower has a 140cc OHV engine, 21” steel cutting deck, and dual level height adjustment. You can discharge mulched cuttings from the side of the machine, but it is unfortunately not designed to support a collection bag.

This Yard Machines mower comes almost entirely assembled so you can get started within minutes of unpacking it. Just one or two pulls gets the machine started and you can count on it to power through even thick, tall grass. Though it is a stripped down model without a lot of extras, it reliably does its primary job of mowing grass.

SPECS:

36.6 x 23.9 x 17.5 in

62 lbs.

2 year warranty

 For really large yards with a lot of trees or landscaping, you’ll want a riding lawn mower. Otherwise, you could be at it all day. This one from Swisher is a zero turn model that offers the utmost in navigational control. It has a large 54” cutting deck with 3 Gator mulching blades. The engine is a 24 HP Briggs & Stratton and the transmission is a powerful hydrostatic model.

Because this is a ZTR mower, it has no steering wheel but rather two joystick controls positioned on either side of the seat. Once you practice a bit, you will find that this mower more responsive than traditional tractors. Swisher is particularly good for this, with a patented Rapid Response Control System. This machine has a top speed of 8 mph in both forward and reverse.

The mower deck is adjustable to heights between 1.5” and 4.5”. You can toggle between cutting heights right from your seat with the foot-assisted deck lift. Though it is a gas powered vehicle, it starts quickly with an electric assist starter. There are nice extra features built in, including a full seatback, a cup holder, and a storage bin. If you want to either tow or push attachments, you will be glad of the hitches on the front and back of this machine.

SPECS:

79 x 63 x 45 inches

592 pounds

3 year warranty

  Another well-reviewed zero turn lawn mower is the Ariens IKON-X. It is built to last with a 10-gauge steel frame and has a powerful 23 HP/726 cc Kawasaki FR V-Twin engine. You get an ample 52” cutting swath via offset blades that make it easier to cut your grass right up to the edges. The 4-point dual arm deck hanging system sets the cutting height and is controlled by a dial.

There are a couple of downsides to this mower. One is that it is not available for sale in California due to higher emissions. There is also no collection bag available for it. However, users rave about the results provided by this mower, describing the lawn as “like a carpet.”

You will stay comfortable while mowing in the high-backed padded seat with armrests. The handlebars are padded for comfort and arch up over the user’s legs while seated. This Ariens mower arrives fully assembled and handles beautifully.

SPECS:

78 x 41 x 64 inches

871 pounds

3 year warranty

 A zero turn mower provides the most nimble handling, but a regular lawn tractor does a great job, too. Standard lawn tractors also have better traction on hills, so if you lawn is not primarily flat, you probably don’t want a zero turn model. Try this Craftsman riding mower instead.

It has a 46” cutting deck, CVT foot pedal transmission, and an 18.5 HP Briggs & Stratton gas engine. A couple of features make it ideal for rough terrain. First, it has 15” front wheels paired with 20” rear wheels, which offers extra clearance over bumps. The tires have nice deep treads for even more traction that won’t tear up up your turf. Though it is not a ZTR model, it is highly maneuverable. This mower allows you to keep the cutting blades engaged even in reverse, which means you rarely have to cover ground twice.

There are ergonomic features that help you stay comfortable while you mow, including the mid-back seat that provides crucial lumbar support. The seat is attached to a spring suspension system that absorbs the shock of bumps. The steering wheel is comfort padded to reduce the vibration felt in your hands and wrists.

SPECS:

70 x 47 x 35.5 inches

503 pounds

2 year warranty

 Just for fun, here is a robot that could be an ideal lawn mower for small yard spaces. After all, mowing is not that fun even though the results are worth it. The Landroid from Worx comes fully programmed and is easy to set up and use. You set the mowing frequency and pattern, and the Landroid takes care of the rest.

This lawn mowing robot is able to navigate tight spaces and has a shock sensor system that allows it to avoid obstacles. It can mow on inclines up to 20 degrees. It has a 28 volt rechargeable battery and when this runs down, the Landroid automatically returns to the base to charge. It can also sense rainy weather and will cease mowing until conditions improve.

You can set a cutting height anywhere between 1.6” and 1.4” via five set positions. Most users prefer to let the mower trim the grass lightly on a regular basis, keeping the blades as healthy as possible while never letting the lawn get overgrown. The maximum surface area the Landroid can handle is ¼ acre.

Because it is battery powered, there are no emissions. It also runs nearly silently, so you can let it do its work overnight or in the early morning without disturbing anyone. Your perimeter is defined with a boundary wire.

SPECS:

22 x 15 x 9.5 in

36 lbs.

3 year warranty

Our numero uno for our super special awesome list of the top ten best riding lawn mowers under $1500 is the Troy-Bilt 382cc. Let us tell you now, this little guy is a lifesaver when it comes to money and grass needing to be cut. Rear-engine riders don’t get nearly the amount of respect that they deserve. Sure, they may not be as fast as the other models...but who cares?! They cut grass so evenly you could bounce a coin off it!

The Troy-Bilt 382cc is built out of high grade steel, which allows it to last much longer than models made of plastic. Its 382cc engine is no slouch, either; you can rock and roll with any yard ranging from small to moderately sized. And it’s extremely affordable on Amazon, to boot! With these things said, it’s easy to tell how this mower’s climbed its way to number one on our list!

Second place on our list is awarded to none other that the Craftsman T135. A brand that found its success with Sears stores all across the country, Craftsman has been providing us all with excellent mowers for years. They are all known for being the everyday man’s go-to for cutting grass. They’re super easy to use with no extra bells and whistles added. Craftsman mowers are the perfect choice for those of you who don’t care about attachments or extra frills; you just want to get right down to business.

The Craftsman T135 is no different!

And while it’s a little over $1500 on Amazon, it’s still reasonably within your price range!

Third on our list is the Craftsman T150. Another positive contender representing Craftsman, this beautiful mower brings just about the same level of pleasure to the homeowner as the Craftsman T135 brings. Parts aren’t as prone to screwing up with this model, however. As this is a newer model, you’re guaranteed to have a much more durable ride to bless your yard!

However, with newer models comes more money to spend. And unfortunately, unlike the Craftsman T135, the Craftsman T150 is a little pricey on Amazon. However, a quick google search can easily find you some swell deals on Craftsman’s website as well as Ebay. Nice save!

In fourth place on our list of top ten best riding lawn mowers under $1500, we’ve got the Husqvarna YTH1942. Do you like the look of the Husqvarna gracing this prestigious list of ours? Does it add a little bit of reassurance to your mind, after reading the countless reviews of how amazing this brand is? Well it most certainly should!

And guess what, ladies and gentlemen.

You’re gonna see Husqvarna on this list 3 more times after this!

The Husqvarna YTH1942’s got everything you could ever want in a riding lawn mower and then some. It’s got just the right blades to take your unwanted grass down to Soiltown as well as the right engine to roam all around your yard. This baby handles and weaves around trees like it were the greatest zero-turner on the planet, all while being so light that it can be stored just about anywhere with little to no trouble! Sounds like a neato deal, right?

 Unfortunately, you’ll have to order this riding lawn mower off another website if you want to snag it for a price within the range under $1500. This can be managed, thankfully enough! Just search on any outdoorsmen site, Ebay, Craigslist, or even Husqvarna’s own website. When there’s a will, there’s a way!

Next up on our list is none other than the Husqvarna YTH18542, which can be found for very small prices on various websites on the Internet; including Husqvarna’s own website. Now the second of what you’ll soon see to be four total entries from the top dog brand known as Husqvarna, there’s much to love about this standard lawn tractor. Aside from having cruise control (which already serves a gigantic convenience to those of us with bigger lawns!), there’s also the fact that this mower is much smaller than other Husqvarna mowers. Now, this may be considered more of a con for some of you out there if you prefer larger riding lawn mowers. But rest assured, size is NOT everything when it comes to lawn mowers.

Sometimes, small is swell.

And easy to store.

(I know that’s not how that saying goes, but roll with it here.)

At number six on our list of the top ten best riding lawn mowers under $1500, we have the John Deere E110. It wouldn’t be a lawn mower list without mentioning at least one John Deere mower, right? And while this particular mower is a bit over $1500 on both Amazon and John Deere’s website, we’re pleased to inform you that this baby is very much under that amount on Ebay and other outdoorsmen sites! No more worrying about having to travel to your nearest John Deere manufacturer, for the Internet’s got you saved!

The John Deere E110 itself is a fantastic addition to any home, as it holds its own against even the toughest yards. But what turns people on to the 100 series the most is the insanely easy way in which you change oil. No more complicated BS involving cranks and pans. Just uncork the tank and badabing, you’re free to refill with brand spanking new fluids. Some have even said that the process of changing the oil on one of these mowers takes anywhere from thirty seconds to five minutes!

That’s crazy!

Seventh place goes to the Husqvarna LTH1738. Another fancy guest courtesy of the wonder company of Husqvarna, this bad boy can be found for prices ranging under $1500 on various outdoorsmen sites online, as well as Husqvarna’s website. And like you’d come to expect from a Husqvarna riding lawn mower, you’re sure to be the homeowner with the most cake once you buy it. How so, you ask? Let’s look at the Husqvarna checklist real quick:

Good engine? Check.

Superior maneuverability? Check.

Smooth start-up? Check.

Fast speed? Check-a-roony!

Coming to us at number eight on our prestigious list of riding lawn mowers that can be bought at a bargain is the Husqvarna YTH18K46. Yes, ladies and gentlemen. We have reached the fourth and final representative of Husqvarna for today. It’s indeed another riding lawn mower that’s a wee bit pricey on Amazon, but you can find it for loads cheaper on Husqvarna’s website as well as other online markets.

Like all the Husqvarna models on this list, the Husqvarna YTH18K46’s a standard lawn tractor with superior maneuverability that is matched only by zero-turn mowers. It’s got just the strength you need to kick your grass’s rear-end and enjoy a smooth lawn. And it’s got one of the smoothest start-ups of any mower on this list, as multiple users have reported being overjoyed with how fast it fires up. Nothing wrong with an eager mower, am I right?

Number nine on our list is the Snapper 2911525BVE Classic RER. Wait a minute, Snapper has rear-engine riders? Really? Since when?!

Why, since forever, of course!

Considering the “classic” in its name, we see that this riding lawn mower is an older Snapper model. Snapper’s own website describes it as an icon amongst their other models, paving the way for other rear-engine riders in a market almost completely dominated by standard garden tractors and zero-turn mowers. It made its grand entrance a couple years ago, taking lawn-mowing to the next level with its innovative five-speed disc-drive system. That’s quite the reputation to have!

Unfortunately, being an older model makes it exceptionally difficult to shop for online; especially if you’re looking to get one within the range of under $1500. Most websites list the Snapper 2911525BVE Classic RER for prices over $1500, but only going slightly over the $2000 mark. Thankfully, this lovely rear-engine rider CAN be found for cheap if you look on various outdoorsmen sites or on Ebay or Craigslist (be sure to check the settings for YOUR neck of the woods!). It may take a little bit of haggling and hair pulling, but if you play your cards right, this mower can be yours for your desired price range!

Placing last on our list of top ten best riding lawn mowers that can be bought under $1500 online is the Cub Cadet XT1 Enduro Series. Don’t get us wrong, folks; this particular lawn mower is an absolute godsend to have. Everyone we know that owns one of these bad boys constantly talks about how amazing and reliable it is. Heck, some of us have even considered getting a Cub Cadet ourselves!

I mean, where exactly can you go wrong with having a riding lawn mower that not only mulches incredibly well, but is also capable of taking on any and all kinds of yard terrain? We seriously mean any and all! Whether it be coarse soil, Bermuda grass, overgrown with weeds, or simply cracks in the Earth, your Cub Cadet XT1 Enduro Series can power through it all. You can take that to the bank with you!

Unfortunately, you have to look hard on the internet to find one that’s sold for at least $1500. Most places that you look will have it on sale for anywhere between $1500 to over $2000. That can be pretty steep for those of us who live day to day on a Ramen noodle budget! But thankfully, it can be done and it’s totally worth the money. After all, we wouldn’t of put the Cub Cadet XT1 Enduro Series on this list if it was impossible to find it online!

Currently, you can find it for just barely over $1500 on Cub Cadet’s website--a price that’s constantly dropping, mind you!