When Is the Best Time to Buy a Lawn Mower?
The best time to buy a lawn mower: fall clearance, holiday sales and spring deals explained, plus models worth watching.
Disclosure: TheMowerReport is reader-supported. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. If you buy through our links we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
The short answer
The best time to buy a lawn mower is usually late in the season, from about Labor Day through Black Friday, when retailers clear out mowers to make room for snow blowers and next year’s models. The second-best window is holiday weekends (Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day) and spring pre-season sales from late March to May. If you need a specific model or want dealer setup, buy in early spring before the rush rather than waiting for clearance.
Lawn mower buying calendar
| When | What to expect | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| January–February | Quiet season; new model years start appearing | Research, dealer-only brands, pre-orders |
| Late March–May | Pre-season promotions; full selection | Buyers who need a specific model |
| Memorial Day weekend | One of the strongest holiday sale windows | Mainstream walk-behinds and riders |
| July 4th | Mid-season promotions | Replacing a mower that died mid-summer |
| Labor Day | End-of-summer markdowns begin | Good balance of price and selection |
| October–November | Clearance to make room for winter stock; deepest cuts often around Black Friday | Maximum savings if you can wait until spring to use it |
Patterns are based on published retail-timing guidance; actual discounts vary by retailer, brand and year.
Why fall is usually cheapest
Mowers are seasonal products that take up a lot of floor space. Once the mowing season winds down, retailers would rather discount them than store them through winter, especially when the next model year is about to arrive. That’s also when last year’s models get marked down online. The trade-off is selection: popular sizes and colors sell out, and you’ll be storing the mower until spring.
When it pays to buy early instead
- You need a specific model or deck size. Popular zero-turns and robot mowers can sell out by midsummer.
- You’re buying a robot mower. Setup and mapping take time, and spring is when the lawn needs it most. Buy early enough to install before the first big flush of growth.
- You want dealer setup or delivery. Dealers are slammed in May; February and March get you faster service.
- Your old mower is unsafe or dead. A couple of tall-grass weeks can cost you more in lawn health than you’d save waiting.
How to get the best price any time of year
- Track prices. Add the model to your Amazon list and check it weekly; prices on mowers move often.
- Consider last year’s model. Changes year to year are often minor.
- Look at battery kits vs bare tools. If you already own batteries from the same brand, a bare-tool mower can save a lot.
- Compare bundles. Kits with extra batteries or a trimmer can be better value than buying separately.
- Factor in total cost. Gas mowers need oil, filters, plugs, blades and fuel; battery mowers need replacement batteries eventually.
Mowers worth watching for deals
These are popular models that often see seasonal price movement. Check current prices before buying.
| Category | Model | Why it’s a good buy | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery walk-behind | EGO Power+ LM2156SP 21″ | Self-propelled, Select Cut, 10Ah kit | Check price |
| Wide walk-behind | Toro 60V Recycler 22″ (21466) | Mulching deck, Personal Pace | Check price |
| Gas zero-turn | Husqvarna Z254F | 54″ fabricated deck, Kawasaki V-twin | Check price |
| Electric zero-turn | EGO Power+ Z6 52″ | Quiet, low maintenance | Check price |
| Small-yard robot | Segway Navimow i105N | Wire-free, about 1/8 acre | Check price |
| Large-yard robot | Segway Navimow X450 | Wire-free, up to 1.5 acres | Check price |
EGO Power+ LM2156SP
One of the most popular battery mowers for medium yards. It’s a good one to watch around Memorial Day and Black Friday, and kits with a 10.0Ah battery are where the value is.
Check the EGO LM2156SP price on Amazon →
Husqvarna Z254F
A strong value among 54-inch zero-turns for 2–3 acres. Fall is a smart time to buy if you can store it until spring.
Check the Husqvarna Z254F price on Amazon →
Segway Navimow i105N
Robot mowers see some of the biggest seasonal swings. Buying in late winter or early spring gives you the full season to benefit.
Check the Segway Navimow i105N price on Amazon →
Gas, battery and robot mowers: timing differences
Gas mowers follow the classic seasonal pattern most closely. They are bulky, and retailers want them off the floor by late fall, so October and November clearance tends to be strongest. If you buy gas in fall, drain the tank or add fuel stabilizer before storing it for winter.
Battery mowers are increasingly discounted around big shopping events, and the deals often come as bundles: an extra battery, a trimmer or a blower included at little or no extra cost. Because batteries slowly lose capacity even in storage, keep a fall-purchased battery mower’s packs indoors at a moderate temperature and partial charge over winter.
Robot mowers launch new models in late winter and spring, so the previous generation often drops in price around then and again at the end of the season. Because mapping and setup take time, a late-winter purchase lets you install the dock and map the lawn before the grass takes off.
Riding mowers and zero-turns follow the gas pattern, but popular deck sizes can sell out by early summer. If you have your heart set on a specific 54-inch model, don’t count on it still being in stock at clearance.
What to do with your old mower
If your current mower still runs, you have options that can offset the new purchase. A well-kept gas walk-behind or rider can sell locally, especially in spring when demand is highest, so the ideal pattern is to buy new on fall clearance and sell the old one in April. Many communities also have small-engine shops that buy or take trade-ins for parts. If it’s beyond saving, drain fuel and oil and take it to a scrap metal recycler; lithium-ion batteries from cordless mowers should go to a battery recycling drop-off, never the trash.
Pre-purchase checklist
- Measure your mowable area and pick deck width or robot capacity to match.
- Check slopes; steep yards may need a lawn tractor, AWD robot or walk-behind.
- Measure gates and storage space.
- Decide gas, battery or robot before shopping deals so a sale doesn’t push you into the wrong type.
- Check warranty length and where service is available.
FAQ
What month are lawn mowers cheapest?
Usually October and November, when retailers clear inventory for winter. Black Friday often brings the deepest cuts.
Do lawn mowers go on sale on Memorial Day?
Yes. Memorial Day weekend is one of the strongest holiday sale windows for lawn equipment, along with July 4th and Labor Day.
Is it better to buy a mower in spring or fall?
Fall usually has better prices; spring has better selection. Buy in spring if you need a specific model, or in fall if you can wait and store it.
Are last year’s mower models a good deal?
Often yes. Year-to-year changes are usually minor, and outgoing models are frequently discounted when new ones arrive.
When should I buy a robot mower?
Late winter or early spring, so you have time to set it up and map the lawn before the main growing season.
