Best mini excavators under $15,000

Start here: the AHM AX-15. It's the one that reads like a real machine rather than a toy — a Kubota D722 diesel, a stated 69 in. digging depth and 120 in. reach, so it can actually trench and dig footings. If you want the most capability for the money, this is it.

Who the others suit:

• HUAYEE HY18B (1.8 ton) — the step up: heavier, Kubota Tier 4 diesel, more stable for serious landscaping and bigger buckets.
• Typhon 18 Flex PRO — comes with 12 attachments, so it's the pick if you want one machine to dig, grade and break.
• MMS MS15P / DigMaster 1.4 Ton — mid-size, well-reviewed, good all-rounders for a small property.
• DigMaster 1.2 Ton, Apexyun, MS10H, MS12P, HY12C — light 1–1.2 ton gas machines: cheapest way in, fine for tight access, light trenching and garden work.

Before you buy: check the spec sheet for digging depth, engine make and warranty — several listings are thin on detail, and parts/support matter more than the sticker on these imports.