Updated on September 6, 2026
You can buy a capable cordless lawn mower for less than $400, but the right choice depends heavily on lawn size. Full-width 21-inch mowers are rare near this limit, while 14-to-17-inch models offer more choices for small yards. Battery capacity, charger, deck width, and replacement-battery cost matter as much as the mower’s advertised voltage.
Our top pick is the Greenworks MO60L516 when its complete battery-and-charger kit is listed below $400. It is the only model in this group with a 21-inch steel deck and a manufacturer claim of up to half an acre. For a smaller lawn, the WORX WG745 is easier to maneuver and usually leaves much more room in the budget.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. If you buy through one of our links, we may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
Check the Greenworks MO60L516 price on Amazon
Price rule: Every recommended kit was available for less than $400 when this guide was updated. Prices and sellers can change at any time. Confirm that the current listing is under $400 and includes the stated battery and charger before ordering.
Best cordless lawn mowers under $400 at a glance
| Model | Deck | Included batteries | Best for | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenworks MO60L516 | 21-inch steel | One 60V 5.0Ah | Best overall and larger lawns | Only qualifies when the kit is below $400 |
| Greenworks MO60L419 | 17-inch poly | One 60V 4.0Ah | Best for up to one-quarter acre | Narrower deck and two cutting modes |
| WORX WG745 | 17-inch | Two 20V 4.0Ah | Best value for a small yard | Rated for only about one-eighth acre |
| WORX WG779 | 14-inch | Two 20V 4.0Ah | Best lightweight choice | 13-inch cutting width means more passes |
| LawnMaster CLMF4817E | 17-inch metal | Two 24V 4.0Ah | Best compact metal-deck alternative | Smaller battery ecosystem |
Runtime and acreage figures are manufacturer estimates under particular conditions. Tall, wet, or dense grass, low cutting heights, slopes, and dull blades can reduce coverage.
1. Greenworks MO60L516: best overall under $400
The MO60L516 is the strongest value when Amazon’s complete kit falls below the $400 ceiling. Its 21-inch stamped-steel deck covers more ground per pass than the other mowers here. Greenworks includes a 60V 5.0Ah battery and charger and advertises up to 45 minutes of runtime and up to one-half acre.
The brushless mower has seven cutting heights from about 1.3 to 4 inches and four functions: mulching, bagging, side discharge, and Turbo Leaf Pickup. It folds for vertical storage and carries four-year limited warranties for both the mower and included battery.
This is a push mower. It is a good match for a regularly maintained, flat or gently sloped lawn. A buyer with hills, thick grass, or a true half-acre cutting area should leave room in the budget for a second compatible battery or consider a self-propelled kit above this price range.
See the Greenworks MO60L516 on Amazon
Read our full Greenworks MO60L516 review. If your lawn is close to half an acre, also compare our best half-acre electric mowers.
2. Greenworks MO60L419: best for up to one-quarter acre
The 17-inch Greenworks MO60L419 is a sensible middle ground between a full-size mower and an ultra-compact model. Its brushless motor runs on one included 60V 4.0Ah battery. Greenworks rates it for up to 40 minutes and up to one-quarter acre, with a listed 90-minute recharge time using the included charger.
The poly deck keeps the listed weight to about 37.5 pounds. Six cutting heights, rear bagging, mulching, folding handles, and four-year limited tool and battery warranties cover the basics. It does not offer side discharge or self-propel.
Choose this mower when your lawn has gates, landscaping, or storage constraints that make a 21-inch deck awkward. Buyers planning to add a Greenworks trimmer or blower can reuse its battery across the company’s 60V system.
Check the Greenworks 60V 17-inch mower on Amazon
3. WORX WG745: best value for a small yard
The WORX WG745 is a current 17-inch brushless push mower designed for smaller properties. It uses two included 20V 4.0Ah PowerShare batteries together to supply 40V. WORX rates it for lawns up to one-eighth acre.
Its IntelliCut system adjusts torque as grass load changes. The mower has six cutting heights from 1.5 to 4 inches, a 1.3-bushel bag, mulching, bagging, cut-to-edge deck design, and a folding frame. The bare mower weighs 34.6 pounds, making it easier to turn and store than a full-size steel-deck model.
The two batteries can power many WORX PowerShare handheld tools. They must both be installed to run this 40V mower. The WG745 is a better value than the larger Greenworks when the lawn is genuinely small; using it on a quarter acre would require substantially more passes.
4. WORX WG779: best lightweight mower
At about 29 pounds, the WORX WG779 is the easiest mower here to lift, turn, and fit into a crowded storage space. The kit includes two 20V 4.0Ah PowerShare batteries and a dual-port charger. Both batteries work together to run the 40V mower.
The deck is 14 inches wide and the actual cutting diameter is 13 inches. WORX rates the mower for roughly 5,000 square feet per charge. It bags or mulches and offers six cutting heights from 1.5 to 3.5 inches. IntelliCut allows the operator to favor battery economy or extra torque as conditions change.
This is the right choice for a townhouse lawn, compact suburban yard, or buyer who values low weight over mowing speed. The narrow blade becomes inefficient on a large open lawn, and the small bag needs more frequent emptying.
Check the WORX WG779 on Amazon
5. LawnMaster CLMF4817E: compact metal-deck alternative
The LawnMaster CLMF4817E uses two included 24V 4.0Ah batteries to power a 48V MAX brushless mower. Its compact 17-inch metal deck distinguishes it from several lightweight plastic-deck models at this price. The kit also includes a dual charger.
The mower weighs about 29.8 pounds and offers five cutting-height positions. It is easy to maneuver and store, but its smaller cutting path fits modest lawns better than broad half-acre properties. The LawnMaster battery family is also less extensive than Greenworks 60V or WORX PowerShare, so future bare-tool savings may be limited.
See the LawnMaster CLMF4817E on Amazon
What $400 buys in a cordless mower
Most sub-$400 cordless mowers are push models. Removing the wheel-drive system lowers cost, weight, and battery consumption. On a flat lawn, that can be a smart trade. For hills or limited mobility, saving longer for self-propel may produce a much better ownership experience.
A complete kit should include at least one battery and a compatible charger. Read the package contents carefully because Amazon may group bare-tool and kit versions on one product page. A low price loses its appeal if you must immediately add an expensive battery.
Deck width should follow lawn size. A 14-inch mower is agile around landscaping but requires many more passes than a 21-inch deck. As a practical starting point, consider 14 inches for very small lawns, 16 to 18 inches for small-to-medium yards, and 20 to 21 inches when the lawn approaches one-quarter acre or more.
How to compare batteries
Voltage alone does not rank these mowers. Battery energy, motor efficiency, blade load, and deck design all affect runtime. Amp-hours cannot be compared cleanly across different voltages without considering the full system.
Think about the tools you may add later. WORX uses pairs of 20V PowerShare batteries in its 40V mowers, and those individual packs fit many 20V tools. Greenworks 60V packs work across the Greenworks 60V family but do not fit its separate 40V or 80V lines. LawnMaster’s two 24V packs work with compatible 24V LawnMaster equipment.
A second battery is most useful when the lawn sits near the mower’s maximum stated coverage. It also provides a backup as batteries age, but include the replacement cost when comparing long-term value.
How we researched these mowers
Our reviews are research-based. We compare official specifications, manuals, warranty terms, current retailer listings, owner feedback patterns, safety notices, and competing products. Unless we specifically say otherwise, the products have not been personally tested by our editorial team. Prices and availability were checked when this guide was updated, and readers should verify them before buying.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best cordless mower under $400?
The Greenworks MO60L516 is our top choice when the complete kit is below $400 because its 21-inch steel deck, 5.0Ah battery, and stated half-acre capacity exceed the other models in this price group. For a small lawn, the lighter WORX WG745 may be the better value.
Can a mower under $400 cut half an acre?
The MO60L516 carries a manufacturer claim of up to half an acre, but real coverage depends on conditions. A second battery or a higher-capacity kit provides better margin for thick grass, slopes, or longer cutting sessions.
Should I buy a 14-inch or 21-inch mower?
Choose a 14-inch mower for a very small lawn, narrow gates, and easy storage. Choose 21 inches when reducing the number of passes matters and you have enough space to maneuver and store the larger mower.
Are these mowers self-propelled?
No. The recommended sub-$400 models are push mowers. Self-propelled battery kits often cost more because they require additional hardware and enough battery capacity to power both the blade and wheels.
Do all the picks include batteries and chargers?
The kit configurations reviewed here do. Seller listings can change or combine different configurations, so confirm the package contents before ordering.
Final recommendation
Buy the Greenworks MO60L516 when you need the widest deck and its current battery-and-charger kit is below $400. Choose the Greenworks MO60L419 or WORX WG745 for a smaller yard where maneuverability matters. The WORX WG779 is the easiest to lift and store, while the LawnMaster CLMF4817E offers a compact metal-deck alternative.
Official sources checked
- Greenworks MO60L516 and MO60L419 specifications
- WORX WG745 and WG779 specifications and manuals
- LawnMaster CLMF4817E manual and current kit specifications