Most contractors can attest that the best mini excavator brands are worth every penny, but how much does a mini excavator cost? Which one is the cheapest?  While searching for a mini excavator for sale, you must have noticed that these units are available at different price points, whether new or used. A considerable number of contractors and construction firms are finding new mini excavator prices are simply too high.

Based on our research, we found the SUNWARD SWE18UF to be the cheapest new mini excavator with a price tag of $29,950. However, if you are ok with purchasing a used model, the cheapest used mini excavator is about $15,000. Depending on the amount of use (working hours) it may be worth it to purchase a used model to save 50% on the cost of a mini excavator.

Needless to say, most of those cheap excavators do not come with all of the features. Rather those are entry-level models. In this detailed buyer’s guide, we will go into what affects the affordability of such units and if you should get a cheap mini excavator.

What Affects the Affordability of Mini Excavators?

Just as is the case with other construction equipment, the mini-excavator cost varies from one unit to another. With used excavators for sale, you may actually get different quotes for the same excavator model. In order to understand mini excavator pricing, you should get to know the facts that influence their cost.

Here are some of the key factors that affect the pricing of used and new mini excavators today.

Mini Excavator Size

They are referred to as mini excavators because of their small size and compact design, but how small do you want to go with your mini excavator purchase? The pricing of these machines is primarily based on their size and power rating.

Basically, the price of these units increases with an increase in their size and the ability to move debris. There are used mini excavators for sale that are priced below $30,000. However, these are rather basic, only capable of digging up to 6’ deep and unload at almost the same height.

If you are looking for an affordable mini excavator that can do much more than that, there are still cheap used escalators that can dig up to 12’ and unload at higher points. All in all, the used and new excavator cost depends on its size and what it can do.

Excavator Features

Whether new or used, the purchase cost of your preferred mini excavator will also depend on the features it has. Most of the affordable used mini excavators in the market only have standard features. If you would like to get additional features on yours, you should expect to spend more on the purchase.

Normally, this is often offered in the form of extra buckets or specialty attachments that may be sold with the unit. Such additions are solely meant to boost the versatility of your equipment but will inflate escalator costs significantly. In this regard, additional bucket attachments are some of the most expensive mini excavator attachments.

Upgrading the bucket to a wider alternative for enhanced precision will increase the small excavator cost by about $4,000 give or take. Under normal circumstances, each additional attachment will be sold separately. As such, getting more mini excavator accessories, such as a post-hole-auger will increase its overall cost.

Other additional attachments that could impact the mini excavator’s affordability include:

Grading Blade

This attachment is essentially designed to smooth the surface of almost any work area. Grading blades may be used to slope, grade, and contour an extensive variety of terrain. However, the attachment will add the mini excavator cost by $3,400 to $14,100.

Trencher

This one allows you to plow through rocky soil as easily as sand, digging from two to three feet deep and 4 to 12 inches wide. Some models will also feature a side-shift operation that allows trenching close to buildings or other immovable obstacles. 

Trenchers will add the mini excavator buying price by $4,700 to $9,000.

Auger

Simplifies the digging of holes in the range of six to 48 inches with plumb-line accuracy into any type of soil. Options include direct drive augers that balance torque and the gear-driven planetary auger for heavy-duty applications that demand maximum torque. 

On average, additional augers are priced between $1,700 and $3,000.

Clamp

Commonly referred to as the hydraulic thumb, a clamp attachment enhances your standard bucket by allowing you to safely haul loose objects, branches, refuse, and similar debris.

While clamping down on the load, the attachment works with a trenching bucket or three-line grappler to prevent spills and movement.

You may also adjust it to suit a variety of work conditions and materials. The price for this one ranges between $750 and $900.

Cheapest Mini Excavator Option – Used Excavators

If you are looking for a cheap mini excavator, you should consider getting the best used mini excavator units in the market. Although most of them are still priced at the range of four figures, most used mini excavators come at discounted rates.

As you already know, even the best mini excavators depreciate in value with continued use. As such, used units are cheaper than new ones. So, how much are you looking forward to investing in the purchase?

Depending on the age and condition of the excavator at the time of purchase, a used compact excavator will cost 25 to 50 percent lower than a new one.

How Affordable Are Used Mini Excavators?

Regardless of your budget, you should look for the best excavator for the money. On average, you can get a used unit in good working condition at $50,000 to $300,000. The buying cost will also depend on the size and power rating of the excavator.

If you are buying the cheapest mini excavator, you need o exercise due diligence, especially when dealing with private sellers. It is advisable for you to source yours from a reputable seller to avoid any disappointments.

New Mini Excavator Cost

Buying new equipment is always the best option if you can afford it. So, how much does a new mini excavator cost? On average, a new small excavator is can cost anywhere between $100,000 and $600,000. The actual price will mainly depend on its brand, size, power, and accessories you choose to add on.

For a smaller excavator, weighing 10 to 15 tons, you should expect to spend between $80,000 and $150,000. New units weighing 15 to 20 tons are in the medium size range and are priced between $100,000 and $200,000. The largest mini excavators weigh between 30 and 40 tons and cost $200,000 to $500,000.

Ready to Buy a Mini Excavator?

Mini excavators are regularly used for a variety of tasks within a diverse range of industries. If you are looking for the best mini excavators within the affordable range, used excavators will come in handy.

In such a case, it is advisable to get the cheapest mini excavator models by Bobcat, John Deere, Hitachi, Terex, Case, CAT, or any other tier-4 certified brand.

In addition to affordability, you should get one that offers the best return on investment. If you are not going to use the excavator a lot, you may be better off renting one. Check out our rental guide if you prefer renting an excavator.