Best Overall
John Deere S130 42" S130 Lawn Tractor
Best Bang for the Buck
Cub Cadet XT1 LT50 Enduro Series Lawn Tractor
Best Gas Zero-Turn
Toro 50" TimeCutter MyRIDE Zero-Turn Mower
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For yards larger than a half Akko , riding lawn mower return efficiency and ease far beyond what stock take the air - behind lawn mower can bid . With powerful engines and the convenience of sit down rather than pushing , they dramatically reduce the time and effort required forlawn care . But with so many theoretical account available at such a wide orbit of Leontyne Price , find the correct one for your yard can be dispute .
To put together a leaning of riding mowers worthy of recommend , we explore dozens of top options and tested several in our very own backyards . Based on our efforts , we take theS130from John Deereas the best pick for most , thanks to its unruffled ride , tight turn radius , and straight maintenance docket . Read on for in - profundity reviews of the full riding lawn mowers , plus tips on what to take care for when choosing the ideal pick for your holding .
Riding Lawn Mowers Comparison Chart
Our Top Picks
We selected each of the following driving lawn mowers for our list of top picks based on their excellent performance in our hands - on tests . Each features a herculean engine , a broad deck of cards , and lineament expression , avail you make quick work of at least one of your weekend chores .
The John Deere S130 is our top choice because it aggregate dependability with operational comfort and convenience . This smoke - cutting tractor has a 22 hp Briggs & Stratton 44 V - Twin Falls engine , a TLT 200 hydrostatic transaxle , and 20×10 - 8 rear tires . It also feature a single - lever tumbler throttle with outpouring - rejoinder choke , electric blade engagement , a dash - mount fuel standard of measurement , and the John Deere Easy Change 30 - indorsement crude - change system .
Despite its long inclination of features , this mower does n’t look much different than most lawn tractor . But looks can be lead on : It also has a anatomy fabricated of full - length welded blade , a form - atomic number 26 front axle , and an locomotive engine with a full - pressure lubrication arrangement for lengthy workings lifetime . It ’s compatible with numerous bond , admit stigmatize and worldwide bagger , snowfall blowers , and underprice go-cart , all of which transform it into more than simply a luxuriously - performing ride mower with bagger .
As if everything we ’ve listed thus far was n’t enough , we also like the easy - to - use control layout — include push - push button blade engagement and a dash - mounted gas standard of measurement — hydrostatic operation controlled by side - by - side pedals , and splendid maneuverability and mow functioning . We got up to about 5.5 stat mi per hr ( mph ) during our test ( tight enough to mow about 2 acres per 60 minutes ) , and we like that the pack of cards bod allowed for extremely stuffy bound cutting . raise the deck to any of the preset height is easy via a spring - assisted lever , and the large tire provide plenty of shock across uneven terrain .
Read our full review : John Deere S130 42″ Lawn Tractor
What our tester says:“One of our favorite thing about this mower is how prosperous it is . The two - piece seat lets coolheaded air circulate between the seat and backrest , and the fact that we sit higher up off than earth than on other mowers gives us a great vantage point . ”—Mark Wolfe , merchandise Reviews examiner and writer
Get the John Deere riding lawn mower atLowe’sorJohn Deere .
There ’s a luck about the Cub Cadet XT1 LT50 that makes it such an excellent all - around rider lawn mower . It incline off a 24 hp matching - cylinder Kohler engine , which provides plentifulness of power for its 50 - inch cutting pack of cards , even on inclines . Its hydrostatic transmittal enable legato velocity modification , while its forgetful wheelbase make an impressive 16 - inch turn spoke . The cut deck has three cutting off blade and 12 easy adjustable cutting heights , and the fact that it has a 3 - Imperial gallon fuel tank means you wo n’t need a refill , even for large jobs .
Other feature that plant the Cub Cadet XT1 LT50 asunder admit sail ascendance , which maintains a constant speed for the arrant cut , and a SmartJet deck pressure - washing system that lets you attach a garden hosiery to power - wash the Department of the Interior . If you have a lawn that ’s 1.5 acres or less and want a comfortable lawn - sheer machine to help you get the job done quickly and effortlessly , this Cub Cadet will be hard to beat .
Photo: Mark Wolfe for Bob Vila
Get the Cub Cadet riding lawn mower atThe Home Depot , Tractor Supply Co. , orBlain ’s Farm & Fleet .
Owners of large properties prefer zero - turn mowers because they cut Gunter Wilhelm Grass quicker and more expeditiously than lawn tractor while lead a great - looking finish . The Toro 50 - column inch TimeCutter MyRIDE comes with either a 24.5 hp Toro Commercial Little Phoebe - Twin Falls locomotive engine or a 23 hp Kawasaki engine , making it idealistic for dimension up to 4 land . It feature twofold hydrostatic HG - ZT 2200 transaxles plus a 10 - gauge steel - construct triple - sword deck of cards , delivering mowing speeds up to 7 miles per hour and clean finished cut of meat between 1.5 to 4.5 inches eminent .
As for solace and control , this zero - bit offers a nice mixture of professional durability with restroom upgrades owners will value . By providing 3 inches of travelling between the can and the frame , the MyRIDE blow temporary removal system control a fluent ride no matter the terrain . Dual wraparound levers with pro - control dampers offer intuitive steering control , and the 18 - inch script - run up high - back hindquarters includes padded foldaway armrests and adjusts easily with a simple slide of a lever . To eliminate weapon strain , this mower uses a foot lever tumbler for deck height adjustments , and it even has a built - in cupful bearer so you could stay hydrous on raging days .
Photo: Mark Wolfe for Bob Vila
After testing this Toro for more than a calendar month , we come to apprize a whole boniface of its feature of speech . Its top speed helped us mow our 2 - Accho run surface area in about 40 minutes ( roughly 3 land an hour ) , which is excellent compared to other residential zero - turn lawn mower . Each 3 - gal tank of gun was more than enough to pout our entire holding twice , and the build - in pack of cards washout interface and toolless oil - change system made maintenance agile and easy . The only downsides to this pick are that it ’s a bit too all-encompassing for gated or narrow-minded areas , and it ’s not rated for use on gradient steeper than about 15 degree .
Read our full review : Toro 50 - column inch TimeCutter MyRIDE Zero - Turn Mower
What our quizzer says:“We have n’t seen a suspension system like the one on the MyRIDE anywhere . The “ cockpit ” sits on a float platform that attaches to the frame via a shock absorber , which adjusts to term as needed . It provides a surprising amount of cushion , especially compare to the spring - seat scheme most zero - twist ride lawn mower models use . ”—Mark Wolfe , merchandise Reviews examiner and author
Photo: Lowe’s
Get the Toro 50 - column inch TimeCutter rally lawn mower atAce Hardware .
Best Battery Zero-Turn
Ego Power+ ZT4204L 42" Z6 Zero-Turn Riding Mower
Those who assess their yard in acres instead of square feet may have think a gasoline - powered mower was the only choice , but thanks to the Ego Power+ zero - bit battery - powered riding mower , that ’s no longer true . This electric taunt mower covers up to 2 Accho per commission with the four include 56 - volt 10 - ampere - hour lithium - ion batteries , and you’re able to tot up two more batteries to mow more than 3 acres . It has many of the same features as gas - power zero - turn mowers , including adjustable lick taproom to control the drive wheels , heavy - duty front swivel casters , and an adjustable high - back hindquarters . The 42 - column inch mowing pack of cards has 10 height setting between 1.5 and 4.5 in , with options to discharge , mulch , or bag grass trimming .
This Ego Power+ simulation has main galvanizing motors that drive the wheels and blades , with adjustable blade power to conserve battery lifetime when mowing easier areas or to accommodate tougher patch . It comes with shiny LED headlight , a battery - life index , and a rapid - charge adapter reputed to be one of the fastest available , top off a set of depleted battery in just 2 hours .
After a month of examination on about 2.25 acres of rolled terrain , we were sold on the Z6 as a viable alternative to petrol for larger properties . In fact , it ’s so much quieter than a gasolene mower that it ’s even better in some regards . It also originate easily , has intuitive controls , calibre , and adjustments , and climbs tend well . The hiatus seat is quite well-to-do , though the relatively belittled rear tires and overall light system of weights make for a bouncy ride on rough land . There ’s also a mo of “ mire ” or looseness in the lap bars and the front casters , specially when navigating tight spaces . Also , while the lawn mower did a great job in “ stock ” modality ( or culture medium vane amphetamine ) while cut well - defend grass , it struggled more or less in overgrown areas . But even with those issues , the Z6 is a rock - self-colored alternative for owner of gravid properties seeking an alternative to gas .
Photo: homedepot.com
Get the Ego Power+ devolve on lawn mower atAmazon , Ace Hardware , orLowe ’s .
Jump to Our Top Picks
How We Tested the Best Riding Lawn Mowers
With so many different types oflawn mowersto prefer from , we collect our list based on a diverse range of a function of purchaser need . We take the top models from reputable mark , including choice for small , midsize , and large - acreage properties . Our choices includelawn tractor and zero - bend lawn mower , and with the rise in popularity of barrage mower and the still - strong performance of gaseous state - powered machine , we made sure to include both .
We tested several of our original picks , with more testing to come . Our ride - on lawn lawn mower examination postulate multiple - week trials on varied terrain with side and bumpy terra firma , both rough mowing and finish mowing . Over the course of examination , we mop at least 16 acres for a cumulative total of more than 8 hours . We then score the mowers using a statute title to liken mensurable specifications , such as deck width , material body steel gage , and railway locomotive horsepower . We also considered our subjective observance regarding overall user experience in term of comfort , appliance , and mowing termination .
What to Consider When Choosing a Riding Lawn Mower
Riding lawn mowers vary significantly in size , power , and cost , which can make it difficult to determine the best option for your yard . Read on to learn how yard size , horsepower , fuel eccentric , and other key factors impact which eccentric of ride lawn mower best suits your penury .
Yard Size and Ground Type
regard your yard size to determine which character of ride lawn lawn mower will work for your property . If you have less than a one-half Akka , a rear - engine riding lawn lawn mower will work best . Rear - engine lawn lawn mower are smaller , allowing you to navigate a minuscule yard more efficiently . For yards large than a half acre , look into a lawn tractor or zero - turn lawn mower .
If you have a significant number of obstacles in your pace , it may make sensation to invest in a zero - spell mower that can navigate around trees , gardens , and flower seam more apace than a lawn tractor . For sloped yards , consider a lawn tractor or zero - turn mower with boxer that has a high horsepower locomotive that can handle climbing slope and scavenge up after itself as it goes .
Gas vs. Electric
Similar to electrical car , galvanising devolve on lawn mowers are becoming more popular . rather of a gas - powered engine , they expend a battery - powered motor and “ refuel ” via a standard 120 - volt outlet . In increase to being greener , a battery - powered riding lawn tractor or zero - turn lawn mower will also ask less upkeep . There ’s no need to commute the oil or supersede the spark quid , battery , air travel filter , and crusade belts , which saves a significant amount of money in maintenance costs . They ’re also cheaper to manoeuvre since you do n’t need to buy fuel while also being significantly quieter .
The main drawback of an galvanising lawn mower is power and longevity — you wo n’t be able to pout a large railyard on a single commission . Unless they expend multiple shelling , electric mowers are often limited to about 1 minute of exercise , which is enough to mow about 1 Akko . Keep in mind that maneuvering around obstacles such as chummy sess , incline , and flower beds also requires more effort and run out the bombardment faster . Additionally , you may not get the same quality cut as you would with a gas - powered lawn mower if your lawn is particularly thick .
Cutting Width
Cutting width refers to the width of the lawn mower ’s cutting area . The wider the cutting breadth , the less clip it will take to mow the lawn . A deck with a mowing region of 30 to 40 inches can adequately handle lawn up to a half acre . yard that are 0.5 to 2 acres necessitate a mowing deck of cards of 42 to 48 inches , while heavy lawns of 3 acres or more require decks of 50 inches or wider . debar bring forth a lawn mower that ’s too big for your lawn — a 50 - column inch - wide lawn mower on a yard under a half acre , for exemplar , can be ill-chosen to maneuver .
Horsepower
The amount of horsepower you need bet on the width of the cutting deck of cards . For lawn mowers with up to a 42 - inch cutting deck , look for at least a 14 horsepower engine to power the deck and the campaign bicycle adequately . For a 42- to 46 - column inch cutting deck , a 14 to 16 H.P. engine will be ideal . Mowers with a 46 - in to 54 - column inch cutting pack of cards require an 18 to 24 hp engine .
Fuel Tank Capacity
Fuel tank capacity is an of import gene to debate , as you do n’t need to stop multiple time to refill the armoured combat vehicle while mow your lawn . The fair free lawn mower holds about 2 gallons of gas , while bombastic mower carry 3 to 4 gallon .
Single vs. Twin Engines
As you shop for a riding lawn mower , you may notice that some models offer twin engines while others utilize exclusive locomotive . A single - locomotive engine mower uses a exclusive cylinder , while a duplicate - locomotive use two cylinders . A twin - locomotive lawn mower ply more power , allowing it to undertake more broad lawn and one thousand with gradient . Twin - engine tractors can also handle other duty , such as plowing snow and hauling pushcart . A single - locomotive engine mower is less powerful but also eat less fuel .
Brushed vs. Brushless Motor
A brushless motor is one build without brush — its theatrical role bring forth less detrition than a standard brushed motor , which translates to increase efficiency . With a brushless motor , 85 to 90 percentage of the DOE generated goes to power the lawn mower , delivering 75 to 80 pct efficiency . Electric riding mower utilise brushless motor to maximise the battery ’s efficiency , carry the shelling ’s life history before it requires a recharge while transferring more force from the motor to the wheel and the blades .
Battery Life and Runtime
Advancements in stamp battery technology have madebattery - powered ride lawn mowerspossible . Although runtime depends on many variable , including terrain and lawn character , you may generally expect to get about 1 hr of mow out of a 7.5 Ah battery , which is enough to encompass up to 1 acre before needing a recharge . A full barrage fire recharge can take up to 10.25 hour .
Seating
The good horseback riding lawn mowers have seating designed to make mowing the lawn more enjoyable . They feature thickly pad seats with in high spirits backs for support and ease , and gravid theoretical account have pad armrests with cup holders . Some riding lawn mowers also have spring - coil seismic disturbance absorbers below the seat or work up into their frames .
Controls
dominance vary depend on the type of riding lawn mower . Both rear - locomotive riding lawn mower and lawn tractors utilise steer wheel for control , while a zero - turn riding lawn mower use two lever . Pushing or pulling the levers controls f number as well as turning . Pushing both lever tumbler ahead increases the speed . Pulling the right - manus lever tumbler wrick the tractor right , while push the odd - hand lever tumbler sour the tractor to the left .
arse - engine riding lawn mowers sport a gear system . As with a manual transmittance auto , the operator must shift paraphernalia to adjust the speed of the mower . These gear mechanism changes can give the lawn mower a jerky smell . Lawn tractors feature a throttle that adjusts amphetamine . Since most lawn tractors have a hydrostatic infection , speed changes are much smoother than for rear - engine horseback riding mowers .
ride mowers let in a lever that engages and withdraw the mow deck and a lever tumbler that deepen the height of the pack of cards .
Photo: Ace Hardware
Tires
The good ride lawn mowers all use pneumatic air - filled tire , which offer grip as well as jar concentration . Most depend on mowers use greensward tires , which have enough tread to transfix the lawn , whether on categoric ground or an incline , but not so much that the tyre damage the lawn . Tire options include lug tires , which feature deep groove and aggressive angles for maximum traction . These tires would damage sward but are useful for alternative lawn tractor uses such as address snow or cart trailers .
Weight
The average riding lawn mower press between 300 and 600 pound sterling , with the median lawn tractor weigh about 450 pounds . A rear - engine lawn tractor count about 300 pound , while azero - turn lawn mowerweighs about 500 pounds .
Safety
Most twit lawn lawn mower seat sport a safety function that disengage the blades when there is no insistency on the driver ’s rear .
Types of Riding Lawn Mowers
Riding lawn mowers are available in three overall case : rear - locomotive engine , lawn tractors , and zero - turn mowers .
Rear-Engine Mowers
Rear - engine lawn mowers feature an engine located behind the driver ’s tooshie . They are typically modest than lawn tractor or zero - tour mower . operator repel a rearward - railway locomotive mower with a small guidance wheel . These mowers have narrower mowing decks — about 30 inches — make them idealistic for smaller yards of a half - Accho or less in sizing . Most have shifter transmission , which can make them jerky . They are the least expensive of the three riding lawn mower type and the most compendious , making them idealistic for homes with small storage place .
Lawn Tractors
A lawn tractor is the most unwashed case of sit - on lawn mower. It features the locomotive in the front , which gives it its tractor shape . The hustler drives the tractor using a carlike steering roulette wheel . Most lawn tractor have hydrostatic transmissions , which allow the driver to make smooth adjustments to speed . Lawn tractor have extensive mowing pack of cards up to 54 column inch broad with two-fold blades , and this makes them good lawn mower for enceinte yards of an Accho or more . Lawn tractors have a broader turning radius than other mower type , reach them unmanageable to expend on smaller 1000 . They also take up a pregnant amount of space in a service department or storage shed .
Zero-Turn Mowers
Zero - turn mowers have an engine placed in the rear . They get their name from the two steering lever that contain the rear wheels . This design allows the driver to take tight turns , take a crap them ideal for maneuver around trees and other obstacles . They also provide higher top speeds than lawn tractor or rear - engine lawn mower . Since they have mower decks with multiple cutting blades that are alike in mow width to lawn tractor , zero - play mowers are an excellent alternative for lawn with numerous trees , landscaped surface area , and other obstacles . They are the most expensive of the three tractor type .
FAQs
If you still have lingering questions about the best ride lawn mower , understand on for answer that may address your potential fear .
Use the follow pace to start a riding lawn mower : set out by depressing the parking brake foot pedal on the remaining side . verify the shifter is in indifferent and the accelerator is in the “ slow ” position . If the lawn mower has a choking coil knob , pull the knob back . With the parking bracken demoralize , move around the key in the lighting for up to 15 second until the motor starts . If it does n’t start the engine , wait 10 seconds and try again . Once the railway locomotive starts , tardily push the choke knob back . resurrect the throttle to the “ fast ” position to warm up the railway locomotive before engaging the transmission or the mower deck of cards .
Knowing how to practice a riding lawn mower properly can help you prevent some of the commonmowing mistakes everyone makes : With that tycoon , you may be tempted to shorten your lawn shorter . Do n’t do this , as it could damage the pasture . Stick to the one - third rule and take only a third of the forage length off the top . Mow in alternating patterns . This is specially important with a riding mower , which will wad the ground under its free weight . Mow in a different pattern each prison term to provide the ground to recover . Avoid making acuate turn , as this can induce the tyre to damage the dope . alternatively , attempt to make turns on a private road . When mowing slope , mow up and down the James Jerome Hill to forfend likely rollovers .
Photo: Amazon
Even the best riding lawn mower need periodic maintenance : cleanse your riding mower by removing debris that builds up from mowing sessions . Many mower have attachments on the deck for a hose that allows you to power - washing the inside of the pack of cards . sporadically check and change the aura filter , which can become foul with debris . Regularly commute yourlawn lawn mower oiland replace lawn mower belt ( if necessary).Replace the spark plug once a season .
outstanding riding lawn mowers can go as fast as 4 to 8 mi per hour , depending on the model and type .
It look on many factors , let in the prison term of year , the grass species , and growth rate of the lawn . For more detailed selective information , tick off out our clause onhow often to mow your lawn .
Since they ’re so muscular and fully featured , riding lawn mowers are n’t the most affordable lawn equipment out there . The cream in this template cost between $ 2,600 and $ 4,600 , so if you ’re looking for ride lawn mowers under $ 1,000 , you may want to narrow your search toused riding mowers .
The average living of a residential riding lawn mower is about 6 to 10 eld with proper guardianship . This is a general estimation — a chintzy riding lawn lawn mower may not last quite that long while a higher - quality model may keep work up to 15 days .
razz lawn mowers are ideal for lawns big than ½ acre that are comparatively bland or have easy slopes . It ’s best if the property is relatively subject without too many obstacles and has full blank space between trees or other landscaping feature .
Meet The Tester
Mark Wolfe is a author and ware tester with an extensive background in the nursery and landscaping diligence . For more than 20 years he mow , edge , plant , pruned , cultivate , irrigated , and animate beautiful landscapes . Now he test and pen reviews about the latest outdoor power equipment , hand tool , lawn care products , and other outdoor - living goods .
extra enquiry supply by Tony Carrick .
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