Forget Pricey Bench Grinders: 10 Amazon Finds Under $25 For Sharpening Lawn Mower Blades

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Nothing ruins a freshly mowed lawn quite like a dull mower blade. Instead of slicing cleanly, a blunt blade tears at the grass and leaves ragged, brownish tips behind. The fix is simple enough: sharpen the blade. The problem, however, is that the go-to tool for the job, a bench grinder, can come with a not-so-sharp price tag: many decent ones cost $100 or more. Luckily, there are some budget-friendly alternatives. Take, for instance, the $22.99 Sharpal 103N All-in-1 Blade Sharpener available on Amazon. Similarly, the UF-Sharp Diamond Lawn Mower Blade Sharpener and Lansky Puck Dual Grit Multi-Purpose Sharpener are also available for less than $25 on Amazon.

Also, just because they cost less doesn't mean they're worse. We made sure that every sharpener we included in this list has been tested by more than 100 buyers, and carries a rating of at least four stars out of five. So, if you've been hunting for an affordable way to get your mower blades back in shape without investing in a bench grinder, don't miss the list below. Just keep in mind that lawn mower blades need to be balanced after sharpening, and skipping it is one of the biggest mistakes people make when sharpening lawn mower blades.

If you want a sharpener that can handle more than just mower blades, the Sharpal 103N All-in-1 Blade Sharpener is a good choice. At $22.99, it has three preset sharpening slots along with tungsten carbide and ceramic bars, all wrapped in a rubber-grip handle with a large hand guard. Buyers consistently praise it for being easy to use and for sharpening blades quickly. However, not everyone is impressed. Some reviewers wrote that it struggles with thicker mower blades, whereas a few others mentioned that it can leave rough or jagged edges.

If you use a reel mower, the $24.99 American Lawn Mower SK-2 Reel Lawn Mower Hand Sharpener is the sharpener to consider. It's made specifically to keep curved blades cutting cleanly. Buyers say it improves the cutting performance of their lawn mower blades and offers good value for simple at-home maintenance. However, not all feedback is positive. For instance, a few reviewers complained that its slots wouldn't fit their mower blades, whereas a few others mentioned that it feels flimsy.

Costing only $11.99, the AccuSharp Garden Tool Sharpener is another good Amazon find you can use to sharpen mower blades and other essential garden tools. It has diamond-honed tungsten carbide blades along with an ergonomic handle and full-length finger guard for safer sharpening. Buyers say it quickly sharpens mower blades and other garden tools, such as pruners, loppers, and even shovels. However, some buyers noted that it can remove too much metal if you press too hard, while a few others found it difficult to reach the full blade on certain tools without taking them apart.

If you prefer the control of a traditional hand file, the Tarist Diamond Three-Piece File Set gives you a flat, half-round, and round 120-grit files that are 8 inches long for $19.99. The files have rubber handles designed to reduce hand fatigue, which buyers praise for their comfortable grip. Others say the files work well for sharpening mower blades, but some also say that the diamond coating on the file set can wear off with time, and that they're too coarse for creating a fine edge.

If you want to sharpen your mower blades a bit faster, the $17.99 UF-Sharp Lawn Mower Blade Sharpener is definitely worth a look. It uses an all-metal body and a diamond grinding wheel that you can attach to a drill. It also comes in 100, 120, and 150 grit levels so you can choose how aggressive you want the sharpening to be. As for buyers, most say it's simple, affordable, and can sharpen blades quickly. However, some note that it's hard to control with a drill.

If you want to sharpen mower blades without using any power tools, the $13 Lansky Puck Dual Grit Multi-Purpose Sharpener is another good pick. This handheld sharpener has a coarse 120-grit surface for shaping dull edges on one side and a medium 280-grit side for finishing them. Buyers like its compact size, easy handling, and ability to sharpen multiple tools. Some buyers, however, mentioned that the sharpening puck breaks easily, whereas a few others noted that they received the sharpener in bad condition.

Next on the list we have the Smith's Handheld Lawn Mower Blade Sharpener for $19.95. It uses a preset carbide blade inside a hard plastic body. There's an oversized handle and a large finger guard on the sharpener for keeping your hands and fingers safe. The sharpener even hides a wire cleaning brush inside the handle. As for buyer feedback, most like its easy grip and consistent sharpening angle. However, some reviewers say it can badly nick blades, and a few others report that its carbide struggles with curved mulching blades.

Small enough to slip into a pocket, the $12.99 Sharpal 129N Multipurpose Garden Tool Blade Sharpener has a tungsten carbide edge for sharpening blades and a ceramic edge for fine honing. There's also a pocket clip on the sharpener. Buyers like its compact size and performance, however, some complain that it's too small and takes too long to sharpen. If you want speed, look into some other tools to sharpen your lawn mower blades.

The $16.99 AccuSharp All-in-One Sharpener is a good pick if you want something that can work with both mower blades and smaller cutting tools. It uses pre-angled, diamond-honed tungsten carbide blades and has a large ergonomic handle, finger guard, and thumb rest for better control. Buyers in reviews consistently note that the sharpener works quickly. One reviewer even said that "about four to six passes will have your blade feeling like a razor blade." Not all reviews are positive, though. Some buyers mentioned that the instructions were confusing, which made sharpening hard.

Last on the list is the $6.44 Mercer Industries Rotary Mower File, the cheapest option here. However, despite its low price, the file is made from high-carbon steel. Plus, it has a built-in paddle-style handle and comes with a reusable plastic sleeve for storage. As for buyer feedback, many say it removes nicks and rough spots from mower blades well, with several praising its durability and low price. However, some reviewers found it smaller than expected. Plus, a few others complained that the file felt uncomfortable to hold.