The Best Riding Lawn Mowers Make Maintaining Giant Properties a Breeze
If your property has a yard that spans more than half an acre, then you know a walk-behind lawn mower simply isn’t big enough to keep your grass trim all spring and summer. Unless you want to spend a few hours out of every weekend mowing your acre-sized lawn, you should invest in a riding lawn mower that could cut your grass-trimming time in half.
Riding lawn mowers vary quite a bit from model to model: From small rear-engine mowers for one-acre yards, to lawn tractors for larger lawns, and zero-turn lawn mowers for NFL-length fields to mow.
Any model, regardless of your needs, is an expensive piece of heavy machinery. You don’t want to rush into a purchase without figuring out if you’ll get exactly what you need. Luckily, we’ve put in our fair share of miles on these large yard machines and can help you find the best riding mower for your lawn.
Best Riding Lawn Mowers
Cub Cadet XT1 Enduro LT46
Troy-Bilt 30 in. 10.5 HP Briggs and Stratton Engine 6-Speed Manual Drive Gas Rear Engine Riding Mower with Mulch Kit Included
Craftsman T2200 Hydrostatic Turntight Riding Lawn Mower
Ryobi Brushless 30 in. Electric Rear Engine Riding Mower
Toro 42-inch TimeCutter
John Deere S100 Lawn Tractor
Cub Cadet Ultima Z1 50 in. 23 HP Zero Turn Riding Lawn Mower
The Expert: I’m a freelance writer who has written about landscaping, home improvement, gardening, and home security for publications like Popular Mechanics, Bob Vila, Angi, U.S. News and World Report, Switchful, and Futurism. In addition to writing numerous articles about lawn care equipment, I’ve also had to manage several large lawns of my own, so I’ve logged many miles on riding lawn mowers.
What to Consider When Picking a Riding Lawn Mower
There are three types of riding lawn mowers to choose from–rear engine, tractor, and zero-turn. Picking the right one for you largely depends on the size of your green space and your budget, but there are important technical distinctions among them and it pays to know one from another.
Lawn tractors have an engine mounted on the front of the mower, with a driver’s seat and steering wheel, giving them a tractor-like look. (That’s where the name comes from!) With wide mowing decks averaging around 45 inches wide, they can tackle lawns that are several acres large.
In addition to cutting grass, the tractor design is also great for towing other large yard equipment, such as an extra-large fertilizer spreader, lawn aerator, or pull cart.
Lawn tractors are ideal for cutting large lawns and towing yard equipment, but they have a wider turning radius than other mower types and the engine placement limits your visibility from the driver’s seat, which combine to make them fairly hard to drive precisely. If you have a lot of trees, gardens, and landscaping beds, you may want to go with a rear-engine or zero-turn model.
Rear engine mowers are the smallest type of riding lawn mower, with a chassis small enough to make tighter turns than a full-size lawn tractor. Since the engine sits behind the driver’s seat, there’s nothing to block your view as you’re mowing, making it easier to navigate around landscaping beds and trees.
Of course, they mow a smaller strip of grass–around 30 inches wide– which makes them a good fit for yards up to an acre in size. Since they’re smaller, rear engine mowers also tend to be the cheapest of the three core designs, so they’re ideal for budget-conscious buyers.
Zero-turn mowers combine huge mowing decks with unparalleled maneuverability. Instead of driving with a steering wheel, you control it with a pair levers that allow you to turn the mower on a dime. Since there’s nothing sitting in front of the driver’s seat, you get a wide open view as you’re mowing.
Zero-turn mowers are big and fast. They move faster than lawn tractors, and cut grass with wider decks–up to 6 feet!–making them ideal for mowing massive yards. Plus, since they have a low center of gravity, they can also mow on steeper grades than lawn tractors or rear engine mowers without the risk of flipping over.
The downside, unsurprisingly, is the price tag. Even the most affordable zero-turn mowers cost several thousand dollars.
Deck Width
Riding lawn mowers have a steel frame called a mower deck, that sits between the axles near the ground and holds the mower blades. The width of the deck determines how wide a swath of grass the mower cuts with each pass.
Ideally, you want to look for a riding mower that allows you to cut your grass in about an hour to an hour and half. A deck width of around 30 inches will allow you to cover about an acre in that time. Move up to a larger mower with a 42-inch deck for yards up to 1.5 acres. Finally, upgrade to deck size of 50 inches or more for any property larger than 2 acres.
Engine
A riding lawn mower is a piece of heavy machinery, which means it is only as good as the engine that drives it. A riding lawn mower engine powers both the blades in the mowing deck and the wheels that propel the mower forward. A mower with a powerful engine will cut a crisp lawn quick and clean. An underpowered one will drive slowly and require more passes to get your grass sharp and even.
When looking at a riding lawn mower, pay attention to the engine’s horsepower. An 11- to 15-horsepower engine can adequately power a mower with a 30-inch deck. For mowers with decks between 41-46 inches, you should look for no less than 16 horsepower. For the largest mowers, with decks between 52-60 inches, you want an engine capable of producing 22-24 horsepower.
What are riding lawn mowers, exactly?
Riding lawn mowers are usually quicker and easier to use than push or self-propelled lawn mowers due to their large engines and wider mowing decks, which can cut a larger area of grass in one pass. The ability to ride the mower around can also be “crucial for homeowners who experience any back issues and can’t walk behind an average lawn mower without fatigue,” said McKenzie.
Experts said that shoppers with more than three-fourths of an acre of yard would benefit from a riding lawn mower since they can significantly cut down on mowing time. However, “if your yard is less than a half an acre, a riding lawn mower can make mowing your lawn more tedious than it needs to be because of the size of the machine in comparison to the yard,” said Steckel. At that point, it’s easier (and much cheaper) to use a push or self-propelled lawn mower — these types of mowers also turn the lawn mowing process into an opportunity for exercise and physical activity.
There are three main types of riding lawn mowers to consider: traditional lawn tractors, zero turning radius (ZTR) mowers and rear engine riding mowers.
Best riding lawn mowers to consider
To help you decide which riding lawn mower is best for you, we consulted experts on their recommended picks. We also narrowed down some highly rated options with varying cutting widths and power types for different size lawns and upkeep preferences. In general, experts recommended cutting widths of at least 30 inches for small yards under one acre, 36 inches for medium-sized yards (one to two acres), 42 inches for large yards (three to four acres) and 60 inches for even larger yards of five acres or more.
RYOBI 38 in. 100 Ah Electric Rear Engine Riding Lawn Mower
This electric riding mower from RYOBI is a more eco-friendly alternative to gas-powered mowers and doesn’t require the tedious gas engine maintenance. It offers a 38-inch cutting width that can be efficient for medium-sized lawns, and it features a battery that RYOBI says has up to 2.5 hours of run time for cutting up to 2.5 acres of lawn per charge. This mower also equips LED headlights, a USB phone charger and cruise control features for added efficiency, according to the brand. However, it doesn’t have a zero turn radius, meaning it may be harder to maneuver around sharp edges or obstacles in your yard.
Best gas-powered riding mower: Toro
Toro 50 in. 23 HP TimeCutter Gas Dual Hydrostatic Zero Turn Riding Mower
This zero-turn mower has a large 50-inch cutting width and can be a good selection for yards up to four acres, according to the brand. It features Toro’s Smart Speed Technology, which the brand says lets you control your mowing speed in three modes: 4 mph in trim mode, 5.5 mph in tow mode and up to 7 mph while mowing. This mower also equips a built-in cup holder for drinks, shock-absorbing dampeners that make rides smoother and a step-through front end that makes it easier to get on and off of the mower while you pick up debris or move obstacles out of the way, the brand says.
Toro 50 in. 23 HP TimeCutter Gas Dual Hydrostatic Zero Turn Riding Mower
Troy-Bilt TB 30 in. Manual Drive Gas Rear Engine Riding Lawn Mower
If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly solution to maintain a smaller yard, this compact option from Troy-Bilt offers a 30-inch deck that’s enough for yards of one acre or less. Keep in mind this does have a manual transmission — which the brand calls Shift-on-the-Go transmission — that lets you choose between six speeds and adjust it accordingly using a lever.
Troy-Bilt TB 30 in. Manual Drive Gas Rear Engine Riding Lawn Mower
Toro Titan 60 in. Gas Dual Hydrostatic Zero Turn Riding Mower
This zero-turn mower from Toro has the largest cutting width of all the options on this list at 60 inches wide, making it an efficient option for larger yards that are five acres and larger. The brand says this mower’s large cutting width can cover yards with obstacles up to seven acres, and its high maximum speed of 8.5 mph makes it the fastest option we recommend. For comfort, this mower features a high-back seat with armrests and foam-padded levers with hand grips.
Toro Titan 60 in. Gas Dual Hydrostatic Zero Turn Riding Mower
Weibang WB76E E-Rider 30in. 72V Electric Riding Mower
This electric riding mower from Weibang can be great for households with medium lawns, according to Ronnie Collins, a botanist and gardening blogger for Electro Gardening Tools. This mower features a 30-inch cutting width, an adjustable seat and a pair of maneuverable front wheels — and at 309 pounds, this is the lightest option on our list. “It’s more expensive than most commercial riding mowers with gas engines and broader cutting widths, but the benefits for households with limited storage space and [its] low-maintenance construction let it win easily,” Collins said.
Weibang E-Rider 30in. 72V Lithium-Ion Battery Electric Rear Engine Riding Mower
Cub Cadet Ultima ZT1 50 in. Zero Turn Riding Lawn Mower
This Cub Cadet riding lawn mower features a 50-inch-wide cutter, a steel frame and a 23H twin engine by Kawasaki. The mower is “best suited for uphill lawns thanks to the extra power from the engine and its lower height,” said Hill. It also features dual hydrostatic transmissions that let the mower accelerate up to 7.5 mph moving forward and up to 3.5 mph in reverse. Cub Cadet also makes an electric version of this model in case you’re looking for the benefits of an electric unit.
Best Rear Engine Riding Mower
Got a bad back? A bum knee? Buy a rear engine mower to avoid hassle and pain pushing a heavy mower around. A rear engine mower’s deck is 1 – 2 foot skinnier than lawn tractors and zero turn mowers – making them more suited for fenced in backyards without wide entrance gates. Simply put: these are riding lawn mowers with no “bells or whistles” they’re designed to offer you an easier mow without costing a fortune. There’s 2 styles to choose from: battery powered or gas engine. Here’s the best of each:
Best Battery Electric Rear Engine Riding Mower
Ryobi RY48111 38-Inch w/ 100 Ah (Battery Included)
We tested this riding mower for 4 hours last week mowing for just over 3 hours and doing other equipment testing for the other hour. We are confident the best battery powered rear engine/battery mower is this model from Ryobi. As you probably already know, Ryobi is a consumer brand of lawn, garden and power tools offered at big box stores like Home Depot and made by TTi Tools overseas. This has the advantage of hassle free warranty and return policy.
Benefits:
Best Gas Powered Rear Engine Riding Mower
Troy-Bilt 420cc Gas 30-Inch Wide 6-Speed Rear Engine Riding Mower
The best entry-level rear engine riding mower for most people is the 420cc Troy Bilt model.
It can mow at speeds of 1.5 to 4.25 mph, has splash lubrication, 14 gauge stamped steel deck, maintenance free sealed ball bearing in the deck spindles and electric start.
It’s 30-inch cut width and riding mower style means it’s the perfect backyard mower for easy Sunday mowing in the sun.
Benefits:
How To Choose Between Battery Electric and Gas Powered?
Budget
Rear engine riding mowers are already the most affordable riding mower style. But you can get an automatic (hydrostatic) transmission rear engine mower that approaches on and surpasses the most affordable lawn tractor mowers. However, for the ultimate in mower experience, if you want the skinnier deck width for easier manoeuvrability, then an auto transmission is a a great addition.
So how much are the different styles?
- The least expensive rear engine mower with auto transmission is 450,850.
- The middle of the pack rear engine mower price is 6500,100.
- The most expensive battery ride on is 3,700
Ease of Use
These days all the rear engine ride-ons come with automatic transmission and are all easy to use and operate.
Maintenance
The gas engine will require regular oil changes, air filter cleaning, spark plug replacement and carburettor cleaning.
The brushless induction electric motor requires no maintenance other than blades.
Noise Level
The gas engine is much louder than the electric motor.
If noise is a huge factor go with the battery powered ride-on.
Emissions
Obviously the point of source emissions will be high for the gas engine and zero for the electric motor.
Other Models Considered
Snapper RE110 344cc 28 inch 11.5 HP Rear Engine Riding Mower
We took a good look at this rear engine ride-on mower but ultimately went with the Troy Bilt above for testing.
The Snapper is reviewed well and if you prefer the Snapper brand it is a good purchase.
Ultimately, Snapper Inc. ended up under the Briggs Stratton umbrella. In 2019, Briggs went bankrupt and sold off all assets to KPS Capital Partners. Now Snapper only makes two lines of riding mowers not including this rear engine model. In other words, you can only buy it on the used market these days.
Cub Cadet CC30H 382cc Rear Engine Ride-on
We took a good look at the Cub Cadet CC30H model and thought it was a great mower but decided the Troy Bilt was the better option.
Cub Cadet is a company owned by Stanley Black Decker and makes snow blowers and lawn mowers.
They were originally founded in 1960 as a tractor company and over many years have become a mainly riding mower company. They were long owned by MTD Products – a powerhouse in the lawn and garden equipment space. In 2021 MTD was fully acquired by Stanley Black Decker.
Cub Cadet CC30E 56V 30Ah Battery Rear Engine Ride-on
Since acquisition by Stanley Black Decker, Cub Cadet now offers a battery powered rear engine ride-on that lasts 1 hour on 1 charge. We love the idea behind it but they need to work on the batteries as the Ryobi recommended above last 2 hours on 1 charge because they use 100Ah batteries.
Conclusion:
A rear engine riding mower is an entry level ride-on mower perfect for yards up to 2 acres and especially perfect for yards with gates to get through.
To choose which one to buy decide between gas and electric.
The best battery powered rear engine ride-on is:
Sources and Useful Links
Troy Bilt’s product page for the manual rear engine mower. I used this page to check the manual of the mower. Was curious if you could mow in forward and reverse.
This YouTube video explains and shows what mower deck spindles look like and why they’re needed.
How long it takes to mow an acre article was reference. As well as the push mowers page to ensure correct deck widths were known.
Took a good look at the Snapper mowers to see if they were better than Troy Bilt or offered the best auto trans mower.
About your guide: Jamey Kramar is a certified Lawn Care Manager (NALP) and a Mechanical Engineer by trade. He has been writing about outdoor power equipment for 11 years and has been quoted in NYTimes, Popular Mechanics, HowStuffWorks, iFixit, Realtor.com, and more. He spends his spare time disassembling things and also building an off-grid cabin at his 200-acre property.
Craftsman, Troy-Bilt riding lawn mowers sold at Home Depot, Lowe’s recalled
The Craftsman 30-inch mini and Troy-Bilt TB30 riding lawn mowers were sold at The Home Depot, Lowe’s and other hardware stores nationwide and online from July 2021 through January 2022 for about 450,600, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
The lawn mowers are red and black. Troy-Bilt or Craftsman are printed on the front column. The recalled mowers are not marked with a green X and were manufactured from July 20, 2021 through December 17, 2022. The serial numbers are 1G20MB20001 through 1L17MB20228.
- Troy-Bilt model number 13B726JD023 and SKU 1004822873; model number 13AC26JD023 and SKU 1006771776; and model number 13AC26JD066, no SKU given.
- Craftsman model number 13BC26JD093, SKU CMXGRAM1130035; and model number 13AC26JD093, no SKU given.
People who own the mowers can contact Craftsman or Troy-Bilt for a free inspection and repair. A replacement drive belt will be installed at no cost. Pickup and delivery of the lawn mower will be arranged if necessary at no cost to the consumer.
For more information, contact Craftsman at 866-864-2949 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET on Saturdays, or go to the website and under the support menu at the top of the page, click on “safety recalls.”
For Troy-Bilt, call 888-848-6038 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays, or go the website and click on “product recalls” under the Owner’s Center at the bottom of the page.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation.
Disclaimer
Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated 4/4/2023), Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (updated 1/26/2023).
Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information
© 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. All rights reserved (About Us). The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local.
Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site.
YouTube’s privacy policy is available here and YouTube’s terms of service is available here.
The 7 Best Riding Lawn Mowers of 2023
Camryn Rabideau is a freelance writer specializing in decorating and design. She covers home products for The Spruce.
Emma is an Associate Commerce Editor for The Spruce, covering every commerce beat under the brand. Before joining the team, she wrote under home, culture, and lifestyle beats at Southern Living. She received her Bachelor of Arts in leadership studies and journalism from University of Richmond in 2021.
Barbara Gillette is a Master Gardener, herbalist, beekeeper, and journalist. She has 30 years of experience propagating and growing fruits, vegetables, herbs, and ornamentals.
Rich Scherr is a seasoned technology and financial journalist who spent nearly two decades as the editor of Potomac and Bay Area Tech Wire. The Baltimore native also covered the technology scene for LocalBusiness.com and has been a regular contributor to the sports pages of The Baltimore Sun and The Washington Post.
A riding lawn mower is ideal for anyone with a large yard, requiring less time and energy to operate than a traditional push mower. Over the last four years, we’ve spent hours researching and testing riding mowers from the top brands, evaluating maneuverability, safety features, noise level, and overall value.
Here are the best riding lawn mowers that provide an efficient and reliable cut for your lawn.
Best Overall
If you are looking for an electric riding lawn mower with all the power of a gas model without the fumes and lots of helpful features, the RYOBI 80V HP Brushless 42 in. Battery Riding Lawn Tractor is our top pick. According to the manufacturer, it has the equivalent of a 21-horsepower engine. We love that its three 80V 10Ah batteries allow you to cut up to 2 acres on a single charge (about 60 minutes of runtime) and quickly recharge in less than 2.5 hours thanks to the onboard charger. In fact, you can even use the RYOBI Riding Mower app to check if the batteries are ready to go, for added convenience. You can also keep tabs on the charging status, as well as battery level, and runtime on the LCD screen that’s on the mower itself. Other extra features we appreciate include LED lights, front and back storage compartments, two tow hitches, a hitch for RYOBI-compatible attachments, cup holders, and 2 USB ports to charge your phone.
Aside from the power and features this tractor provides, it will leave your lawn looking great. This riding tractor has four steel blades with 13 different cutting height positions to choose from (within 1.5 to 4.5 inches), so you can really fine-tune the look of your lawn. You also have three options for grass clippings: bag, side discharge, or mulch (although the bagger and mulching kit are sold separately). This is a powerful, feature-packed riding lawn tractor so it comes at a bigger price tag than other picks. If you don’t need all of these features, you may want to choose a more budget-friendly model. However, we think if you are looking for a great electric riding mower with all of the features and power you need, this is your best bet.
Price at time of publish: 5,000
Cutting Width: 42 inches | Power Type: Battery | Weight: 557 pounds | Cutting Options: Bag, mulch, side-discharge | Size of Yard: 1 to 2 acres
TROY BILT GAS POWERED BLOWER
Yard work has never been easier thanks the troy-bilt tb230b xp self-propelled walk behind lawn mower. The tb230b xp is powered by a reliable 163cc briggs stratton engine featuring readystart technology for simple, no prime no choke starting. Variable speed front wheel drive provides improved control and faster turns and 11″ high rear wheels bring improved traction and maneuverability over rough terrain. The 21″ steel deck provides durability that’s built to last and includes a deck wash for easy maintenance. Dual-lever height adjusters are conveniently located to quickly adjust the cutting height. Dispose of grass clippings with either the side discharge chute, the included 1.9 bushel bag or the included mulch kit. With a reliable 3-year limited warranty, you can count on troy-bilt to help make yard work easier.
YARD WORK SHOULDN’T FEEL LIKE A CHORE, AND WITH THE TROY-BILT PONY 42 YOU’LL TACKLE YOUR YARD WITH EASE. A RUGGED AND RELIABLE 42-IN. STEEL DECK WAS ENGINEERED TO FIT A STEP-THROUGH FRAME THAT PROVIDES MORE SPACE TO ALLOW FOR EASIER ON AND OFF ACCESS. A 500CC BRIGGS STRATTON ENGINE DELIVERS RELIABLE STARTING AND PLENTY OF POWER TO EASILY TACKLE YOUR YARD. SHIFT-ON-THE-GO TRANSMISSION QUICKLY ADJUSTS SPEED TO SUIT YOUR NEEDS, GIVING YOU CONTROL AROUND OBSTACLES WITH AN 18″ TURNING RADIUS. YOU CAN COUNT ON TROY-BILT TO HELP MAKE YOUR YARD WORK EASIER.