Mowing a large lawn with a standard push mower will take a lot of time, so you need something more comfortable. A riding lawn mower can make the lawn cutting job much easier and more fun, potentially turning a dreaded chore into an enjoyable pastime.
We made a list of the best and most popular riding lawn mowers, so you don't need to waste your time finding one. This article will examine riding lawn mowers and all the great features added to make your life easier.
Read on and find out which one of these riding lawn mowers is best suited to your lawn.
What makes the best riding lawn mower
The best riding lawn mower should have a combination of features that make it easy and efficient to use, comfortable to ride, and durable enough to withstand frequent use. Here are some key features to look for when choosing a riding lawn mower:
Engine Power
The engine power of riding lawn mowers are important because it affects its performance and speed. A powerful engine can help you get the job done more quickly and efficiently.
Cutting Width
The cutting width of the mower determines how much grass it can cut in one pass. A wider cutting width will cover more ground and save you time.
Cutting Height
The cutting height of the mower should be adjustable to suit different types of grass and lawn conditions. This allows you to achieve the desired length of grass for your lawn.
Maneuverability
A riding lawn mower should be easy to maneuver, especially around obstacles such as trees, flower beds, and fences. Look for a mower with a tight turning radius and good traction.
Comfort
Since you'll be spending a lot of time on your riding lawn mower, it should be comfortable to ride. Look for a mower with a padded seat, adjustable steering wheel, and good visibility.
Durability: A high-quality riding lawn mower should be built to last. Look for a mower with a sturdy frame, durable cutting deck, and high-quality components.
Maintenance
Regular maintenance is crucial to keep your riding lawn mower in good condition. Look for a mower with easy-to-access components for oil changes, blade sharpening, and other routine maintenance tasks.
By considering these factors, you can find the best riding lawn mower for your needs and enjoy a more efficient and enjoyable lawn care experience.
Comparison Chart
Best Riding Lawn Mower Reviews
Husqvarna YTH24V54 Hydrostatic Riding Mower
Regarding riding lawn mowers, Husqvarna is one of the names that stand out above the rest because of its excellent quality. They are built for comfort and functionality, making your lawn mowing job much easier.
Review
With the strong Briggs and Stratton Intek V-Twin engine, cutting even the roughest terrain will be no hassle. It also comes with a ReadyStart feature to make it easy to get the engine going without any hassles.
The hydrostatic transmission is operated with a foot pedal, allowing the hands to be free for other uses. This option will make it easy to change speed and direction while you have better control with both hands on the steering wheel.
Thanks to the compact design of this riding mower from Husqvarna, you have a tight turning radius of only 16 inches. As a result, you can easily operate the mower in small spaces and have better maneuverability around obstacles you must avoid.
The four anti-scalp wheels will further improve the overall maneuverability of this riding lawn mower for better control over rough terrain. With the very comfortable high back seat, you can see all around the mower for better safety and cutting.
A 54-inchewide deck makes cutting a large lawn with fewer passes easy to save you a lot of time and effort. The reinforced cutting deck adds some durability and the swing effect allows easy mounting of the lawn mower.
Assembling this riding mower will take some time and effort and includes a steep learning curve. Naturally, this is not great for those who have no prior experience or are not tech savvy, meaning they will have to pay someone to assemble it.
The low maximum speed of around 5.5 mph is quite slow and will take some time to cover a distance. So, those with a large lawn must prepare to spend time mowing the lawn.
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Ryobi RY48111 Electric Rear Engine Riding Mower
This eco-friendly lawn mower is a great option for those early birds who want to mow the lawn while everyone else is still sleeping. Ryobi is a household name that instills peace of mind when it comes to all types of electric home equipment and reliability.
Review
The strong 100 Amp rear electric engine is quite strong and will make it easy to cut most lengths of grass. It also is quite fast, and you have a respectable eight mph maximum speed with this lawn tractor from Ryobi.
To improve the overall performance of this lawn tractor, you have up to three brushless motors on the mower. The twin blades will make it easy to cut all types of lawns and even the roughest terrain in no time.
Even though charging the battery will take some time, you don't need a special outlet; it uses the standard 120-volt plug. This also means that with the battery-powered electric motors, there is no need for fuel which means no emissions.
The 38-inch wide cutting deck means fewer passes to get the lawn mowed to save time and effort. The easy 12-point adjustment of the cutting deck allows for a wide range of lawn mowing applications and easy mulching options.
With only 70 decibels of sound, this lawn mower operates at very quiet noise levels, which makes it perfect for highly populated areas. The overall design makes this an ideal lawn tractor for small to medium lawns for a perfect trim.
Before using it, you need to charge the battery, which will take some time. It might be convenient for some people that they don't need fuel, but there is not that convenience of gas-powered alternatives.
With a fully charged battery, you have only about 2.5 hours of lawn cutting before you need to recharge it again. This means that you need to have an extra fully charged battery available if you need to mow anything larger than 2.5 acres.
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Ariens 915271 Ikon Limited Zero Turn Mower
This versatile lawn mower from Ariens has all the features added to make it more fun to mow the lawn. It is designed to save you time and effort and is used in various lawn-cutting environments while it is done in style.
Review
With a 52-inch cutting deck, you can cover a lot of ground in only a few passes of the lawn mower. This means you can even cut quite a large lawn in a very short time to save time and energy.
The strong 23 HP Kawasaki engine allows the riding mower to easily maneuver over most terrains without too much trouble. The 3-blade cutting deck makes it easy to get rid of even the tall and different types of grass in no time.
You have a clear all-around view from the high-positioned seat to make it easy to get better cutting and mulching results. The comfortable seat features an ergonomic design to increase the comfort level so you can stay in it much longer.
With the easy steering bar system, this lawn mower can easily turn 180 degrees for better cutting results. This will help to make it easy to turn around and get the next strip mowed without losing your place.
The quick and easy single-button starting process allows you to get it started without effort. The overall durable design of this lawn mower from Ariens makes it a great choice for different types of lawn applications.
When it comes to maintenance, you will need to set time aside, especially for air filter replacement, which gets dirty quickly. Unfortunately, this may hike the maintenance cost up quite high and might be a decent amount after a grass-cutting season.
You will also need to get used to the operating and riding of this riding lawn mower from Ariens. That will be especially the case to get used to this mower's easy 180 degrees turning steering system.
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Ego Power+ ZT4204L Z6 Zero Turn Riding Mower
This is a great choice for small to medium lawns if you are looking for a lawn mower for comfort and functionality. It comes loaded with features to increase the comfort level and allow you to have fun while mowing the lawn.
Review
With the quick charging capability, you can have the batteries fully charged in less than two hours to save time. That means it will be very close to your convenience with a lawn mower operating on fuel.
For those with a smaller lawn, this is a great option where you can mow the lawn with a single battery charge. With a wide 42 inches cutting width, fewer passes are needed to complete even a medium size lawn in no time.
Up to three driving modes allow you to have different speeds of lawn mowing and a high maximum speed of 8 mph. 4 brushless motors on the mower make it quite a powerful machine to use on even the rougher terrains without too much effort.
With ten cutting position heights at your disposal, you can use the mower for many lawn-cutting applications. The 3-in-1 mulching system allows all the different methods to collect or distribute the clippings on your lawn.
The long 5-year warranty on registration gives you the peace of mind that you will have a mower that works when you need it.
With this lawn mower, you can cut up to two acres of lawn before you need to recharge the battery. This is not a large area, so you need a standby set of batteries at your disposal for a more extensive lawn.
Getting used to operating this lawn mower will take some tie and a steep learning curve for those with little experience. It would be best if you also had at least some level of tech-savvy to fully assemble this piece of equipment before you can use it.
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Husqvarna MZ61 Hydrostatic Zero Turn Mower
Regarding reliability, you don't need to worry about any landscaping and lawn management products from this manufacturer. This lawn mower provided by Husqvarna will also be the case, which comes loaded with great features and top-quality craftsmanship.
Review
Equipped with a roll-over protection system will make it safe to use on even the roughest terrain without problems. The high-back seat with armrests provides comfortable seating, and the padded handle grips reduce the vibration impact on the hands and arms.
To further improve the convenience factor, the quick and easy, reliable starting system will have it going every time you need it. With a maximum speed of up to eight mph, no terrain will be too difficult to take on with this lawn mower.
It comes with a range of clippings disposal systems and is prepared for a mulching kit and bagger attachment system. The large triple bag collection system makes it easy to collect all the clippings in one session, saving time and energy.
An easy and ergonomic height setting system can be operated from the driver's seat to save you time and add convenience. The wide range of heights on the cutting deck makes it possible to use for a range of lawn-cutting applications.
This riding mower from Husqvarna comes with the durability you need for medium to large lawns. It is powerful enough to get the job done, and at 61 inches, you can do it in fewer passes.
Even though the deck and mower are made from strong and durable plating, some may find it to be a bit on the heavy side. This might be a problem for weaker persons who need to use the mower when cleaning and maintenance are needed.
The large form factor and the wide base of this lawn mower will make it difficult to store in a small storage space. You need to check the screws and nuts occasionally to ensure they don't come loose after using the mower for a while.
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Conclusion
Regarding reliability and functionality, the powerful Husqvarna MZ61 zero-turning riding mower is a worthy number one choice in this lineup. For those with a smaller lawn, the Ryobi RY48111 comes with all the features you need to get the lawn mowing job done in style.