JCB Mini Digger vs Lion: An Honest Look
Researching a JCB mini digger for sale? JCB build tough, well-supported machines, and for heavy daily use they earn their price. But if your jobs are small-to-medium, you may not need to pay premium-brand money. Here's an honest comparison of where a Lion fits, and where a JCB is the better buy.
- Brand new, not ex-hire
- Factory-direct prices
- Free UK delivery
- 12-month warranty
JCB vs Lion: matching the machine to the work
JCB is a premium, established brand with strong dealer support, robust engineering and good resale. If you run a machine hard, every day, for years, that reliability and residual value often justify the higher price.
Lion machines are a different proposition on purpose. They're mechanically simpler and cheaper to build, which is exactly what lets us sell them brand new and direct for far less. That makes them a strong choice for homeowners, smallholders and trades doing small-to-medium jobs, or anyone who wants a capable, warrantied machine without paying premium-brand prices.
We're not claiming to match a JCB on build or resale, and we're not trying to. We're the honest, affordable option for the digging most people actually do.
Want the full picture? Read our complete mini digger buying guide, work out payback with the excavator ROI calculator, or get in touch and we'll help you choose.
Our mini diggers for sale
Every machine is brand new, built to order and delivered direct to your door. Prices include VAT and free UK delivery.
Save £1,800
Lion L600 Micro Excavator | Micro Digger
Lion L1800 PRO Mini Excavator | 1.8T with Hydraulic Thumb
Lion L1800 Mini Excavator | 1.8T Mini Digger
Save £2,000
L1000 Mini Digger | Mini Excavator
Save £500
Lion L1200 Mini Excavator | 1.2T Mini Digger
Compare the mini digger range
 Lion L6000.65t micro£4,69499
View |  Lion L10001t mini£6,99499
View |  Lion L12001.2t mini£8,49499
View |  Lion L18001.8t£9,49499
View | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operating weight | 650 kg | 1,050 kg | 1,200 kg | 1,800 kg |
| Engine | Petrol | Diesel | Diesel | Diesel |
| Access | 690 mm wide | 930 mm wide | 930 mm wide | Compact |
| Best for | Tight access & gardens | General groundworks | Heavier groundworks | Regular heavy-duty work |
What a Lion gives you for the money
For less than a used JCB of the same size, you can have a brand-new Lion with zero hours, a clean history and a full 12-month warranty. The range runs from the 0.65-tonne L600 to the 1.8-tonne L1800, with UK-based support, spares in 3 to 7 days and a nationwide service network.
If you need top-tier build and resale for heavy daily use, a JCB is the right call. If you want a capable new machine for small-to-medium work at a fraction of the price, a Lion is well worth a look.
Frequently asked questions
Is a Lion mini digger as good as a JCB?
Why is a Lion cheaper than a JCB?
Should I buy a used JCB or a new Lion?
Are the machines new or used?
How much does a mini digger cost?
Do you deliver across the UK?
Is finance available?
Can I add attachments?
Find the right machine
Browse the range, work out your payback with the calculator, or talk to a real UK-based person who can help you pick.