Best mini excavators for landscaping work

Start here: the MS15 1.5-ton mini excavator. It's the sweet spot for landscaping — small enough to fit through a gate and work a residential yard, heavy enough to dig beds, trenches and small footings without feeling like a toy, and it's the best-rated of the compact machines here.

Who the others suit:

• Kubota KX040-5 / KXO40-5 — the pro choice if you're doing this daily: real dealer support, deep reach, and the resale value that comes with the orange paint.
• Bobcat E10 — tight-access work: narrow, light, and easy to trailer behind a half-ton.
• DigMaster 1.2 / 1.4 ton and Apexyun 1.2 ton — budget owner-operator machines for occasional jobs; expect less refinement and thinner parts support.
• HUAYEE HY18B and TYPHON TERROR XXV — step up when you need more weight and digging force for bigger grading and drainage jobs.
• JCB 35Z-1 — a full commercial-grade 3.5-ton class machine; overkill unless you're running a crew.

Whatever you pick, budget for a thumb and a couple of bucket sizes — that's what turns a digger into a landscaping tool.