How Much Is a Mini Excavator? Texas Buyer’s Guide
Published: April 18, 2025
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Buyer's Guide for Mini Excavators in Texas
It’s easy to get lost in all the zeros on a mini excavator price tag. Is that number fair? What’s the average cost? Are there hidden fees? And what if the machine isn’t the right fit? Before you start spending, let’s break it down. We’ll cover mini excavator prices across different models—plus a few insider tips to help you save money.
What is a Mini Excavator?
We want to clear up what we mean by “mini excavator.” At Bobcat of Houston, we’re defining a mini excavator (also called a compact excavator) as any excavator that’s under 10 tons. So, even a large, 8-ton model like the Bobcat® E88—with its 19,600-lb operating weight and 10,020-lb rated lift capacity—is still considered a mini excavator.
Compact excavators run on diesel engines or electric motors. At Bobcat, only models with a lower case “e” at the end are electric excavators. Every model that we’re covering here runs on diesel.
How Much Does a Mini Excavator Cost at Bobcat of Houston?
A new Bobcat mini excavator runs between $29,501 and $127,734 (as of 2025). Currently, our favorite models are the Bobcat E32, E35, and E48. You can’t go wrong with any Bobcat excavator model, but these three tend to give you the best capabilities at the lowest price.
How Much Do Mini Excavators Cost?
In most cases, Bobcat gives you the best value and price. If you want numbers, though, your local sales rep is the best person to call. And no—they’re not going to pressure you into buying on the spot. They’ve got the most up-to-date pricing and can tell you what models are available in your area.
Some excavator brands cost more than Bobcat. But does that higher price tag get you a better machine? Let’s find out by looking at the specs of a few different brands.
Mini Excavator Specs Comparison
To get a full look, we chose a small, medium, and large model: the Bobcat E20, E48, and E88. We’re comparing these against three comparable Kubota and John Deere models:
| Brand | Model | Operating Weight | Dig Depth | *Lift Capacity | Horsepower | Hydraulic Flow |
| John Deere | 17 P-Tier | 3,790 lbs | 7 ft 2 in | 1,015 lbs | 14.5 hp | 7.9 gpm |
| Kubota | KX018-4 | 3,968 lbs | 7 ft 9 in | 680 lbs | 16.1 hp | 7.4 gpm |
| Bobcat | E20 | 4,306 lbs | 8 ft 4 in | 1,098 lbs | 13.9 hp | 7.9 gpm |
| John Deere | 35 P-Tier | 8,135 lbs | 10 ft | 3,453 lbs | 23.3 hp | 16.2 gpm |
| Kubota | KX040-4 | 9,500 lbs | 11 ft 2 in | 3,340 lbs | 40.4 hp | 17.2 gpm |
| Bobcat | E48 | 9,830 lbs | 10 ft 4 in | 4,921 lbs | 48 hp | 20 gpm |
| John Deere | 75 P-Tier | 18,559 lbs | 15 ft 3 in | 8,005 lbs | 67.6 hp | 16.8 gpm |
| Kubota | KX080-5 | 18,520 lbs | 15 ft 1 in | 7,200 lbs | 66.6 hp | 26.4 gpm |
| Bobcat | E88 | 19,600 lbs | 15 ft 2 in | 10,020 lbs | 65 hp | 25.1 gpm |
*Lift capacity measured at 10 feet and ground level. Lift capacity over the front, blade down.
Bobcat mini excavators don’t just hold their own—they often outperform Kubota and John Deere. They give you the best mix of price, power, and capability. If you want the best value for your budget, Bobcat is the way to go.
INSIDER TIPS: How to Save Money on a Mini Excavator
As promised, here’s what we would do to save money on a mini excavator purchase:
- Let’s say I needed an E32 but didn’t have enough money to buy it in cash. I’d go to the nearest Bobcat of Houston location and ask about their options for financing and renting.
- Ask us what used models we have. Or, if you want to get really crazy, ask us if we have any rental sell-off machines. Our rental machines are very well-maintained and have been proven to work well, so that would be a good used purchase.
- If you’re not sure you’re ready to buy yet, start by renting the machine. This gives you the perfect opportunity to try it first, and we can help you with the rent-to-buy option.
Why Buy from Bobcat of Houston?
Buying a mini excavator isn’t just about picking a machine—it’s about getting the right one, with the right support, from people who actually know what they’re doing. That’s where we come in.
- We’ll help you find the right model.
- We’ll give you access to warranty, service, and genuine Bobcat parts.
- Our team will help you find the right financing plan for your budget.
- We have all the attachments you need on site.
From a Real Bobcat of Houston Customer
We recently had the pleasure of getting to know customer Ray Lackey. Ray came to our Rosenberg location excited to buy a Bobcat mini excavator. Here’s what he had to say after working with our team:
“My purchase with Russel Humphries was not only a good business experience but also a great personal experience. I have wanted an excavator for 30 years now and he helped make me feel like a kid at Christmas. He delivered it himself and was very generous with his time. I did quite a bit of research before purchasing and am very impressed with Bobcat’s products and the company as a whole.” – Ray Lackey
But... How Much is a Mini Excavator?
No matter the model, Bobcat mini excavators give you the best price for the best value. If you’re looking for a new Bobcat excavator model, come talk to us. Our sales reps can give you the full pricing breakdown on our available excavator models, and they can even help you decide which one is the best fit for your project.
