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What riding lawn mower should i buy


What to know before buying a riding lawn mower

Keeping your yard looking sharp is an important part of homeownership. A well-maintained lawn not only enhances your home's curb appeal, it could also increase its value. That's why it makes plenty of sense to invest in a decent lawn mower. With robot mowers still struggling to gain traction, your choices are mainly split between walking models and riding models.

A walking lawn mower is perfect if you have a small yard. However, if your yard exceeds a quarter of an acre, or you're looking to spend less time mowing it, then it's worth considering the upgrade to a riding lawn mower. This guide will help you find the right one by examining factors like your lawn size, type of terrain and special features to look for. 

How big is your lawn?

The size of your lawn is a vital factor when you're choosing a lawn mower. After all, if you've got a large lawn encompassing multiple acres, then your mower will need the chops to handle the job well while saving you time.  

One effective way to measure a mower's capabilities is its cut width, which tells you how wide a strip of grass it can clear in a single pass. The bigger the cut width, the more grass you'll be able to mow at once.

A yard less than 1 acre would do well with a cutting width of 30 to 42 inches. Two popular models that fit the bill are the Cub Cadet XT1 Enduro and the Craftsman T210 Turn Tight. Both mowers have 18-horsepower gas engines, hydrostatic transmissions and a cutting width of 42 inches. 

Lawns 5 or more acres in size will typically require a cutting width of at least 54 inches -- otherwise you'll be out there mowing all day. One such model is the Troy-Bilt Super Bronco 54 XP. With a 24-hp gas engine and a broad, 54-inch cutting width, it should make fast work of big lawns.  

Study your property's terrain

Does your lawn have lots of obstacles to navigate? If it does, consider a riding mower with a tight turning radius, which is helpful for steering around tight spots and corners. A tighter turning radius makes for smoother handling, and it'll help to ensure a uniform cut. A mower's turn radius is usually listed in inches with smaller figures describing tighter turns.

Meanwhile, if your yard contains an abundance of items like flower beds or shrubs, then a zero-turn mower might be more your speed. With a zero-turn mower, you'll use a pair of levers instead of a steering wheel to maneuver. Zero-turn mowers spin on a dime, with an effective turning radius of 0 inches. They have a high forward speed, too. That allows them to whip around tight edges while still providing a smooth cut.

One example of a zero-turn mower is the John Deere Z355R. It's equipped with a 22-hp gas engine and has a top speed of 7 miles per hour.

Carts and attachments

Riding mowers can do more than just cut grass. For instance, some can haul extra items. You can hitch stuff like dump carts, giving you the option to move lawn debris and other items with ease. Other handy options include snow plows and even snowblower attachments to deal with tough winters.

Comfort options

There are comfort features you can look for in your next mower, too. Seating is a primary point of focus, especially if you'll be riding on your mower for hours at a time. If long rides like those are a concern, look for a mower with high-back seats, lumbar support and armrests, as they can help keep you comfortable for a longer ride.

Some riding mowers also include cup holders to keep you hydrated while you're out mowing. There are also options for extended leg room, rubber foot pedals and much more. 

Other features and capabilities

As you shop, be sure to factor in engine design, as well. Single engines tend to be the least expensive and are perfect for smaller yards. However, if you have a yard with multiple acres, then you should consider a V-twin engine. Not only does a V-twin provide faster mowing, it helps you navigate uneven terrain with ease.

Some riding lawn mowers can also mow in reverse -- a helpful feature if you need a different angle when cutting around obstacles. Additionally, cutting in reverse often helps to smooth out spots over hilly terrain. 

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Find the right balance

So now you know some of the key things to consider when choosing a lawn mower. The final step is to weigh the features you want against your budget. Also, keep in mind that some manufacturers such as John Deere offer financing incentives. Better yet, if you pay off the loan within the promotional period, you're not on the hook for interest charges.

Financing like that could also give you the flexibility to purchase a more powerful lawn mower, or even the machine of your dreams. And with regular maintenance, your lawn mower could provide many years of valuable service.

Read more:

6 best riding lawn mowers in 2022, according to experts

A lawn mower can be a necessary home appliance for many homeowners, but those who have larger lawns to upkeep may find that self-propelled or push lawn mowers just don’t cut it. Experts recommend using riding lawn mowers for larger lawns since they have more powerful engines better equipped to efficiently handle bigger patches of grass. And as the name suggests, they’re designed so you can ride on top of them while you mow the lawn, which can come in handy when there’s a lot of land to tackle.

SKIP AHEAD Best riding lawn mowers | What to consider when shopping | Why trust Select?

“Unlike any other type of lawnmower, the riding ones let you just sit and steer instead of pushing a manually propelled type or walking behind a self-propelled type,” said Bryan McKenzie, a landscape designer and co-founder of Bumper Crop Times. “The riding type is much more cumbersome as it includes a larger motor and a full-sized seat, but it allows you to mow large areas significantly faster without any back fatigue — all you need is good sunscreen.”

A riding lawn mower is typically a major investment: The average cost is anywhere between $1,000 to upwards of $3,500, according to David Steckel, a home expert at Thumbtack. This means finding the right one can be crucial, especially with so many choices on the market. To help you get started, we consulted landscaping and gardening experts to explain the difference between a riding lawn mower and other types of mowers and what to look for when shopping for one, plus rounded up some highly rated ones that align with their guidance.

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.

  1. Lawn tractors are gas-powered machines with a front mounted engine and a steering wheel for easy maneuvering — you simply sit on top and steer while the machine cuts the grass. “This is the most common and price-effective type of riding lawn mower,” said Steckel. They also usually have a wide turn radius, making them a good option for big lawns with slopes and hills.
  2. ZTR mowers have a rear engine and feature a better turning radius than lawn tractors as well as higher maximum speeds. “They can turn on a dime and are usually faster and more precise than other riding mower options,” said Steckel. Instead of a steering wheel, these mowers typically have a pair of levers that control which way the machine turns, which McKenzie said can “offer a better front view” compared to mowers with a wheel (some newer models, however, feature the familiar wheel). According to Michael Hill, a garden and landscape expert at Garden Guidepost, this option is best “if you have a lawn that has sharp edges, architectural design or you need to get close to obstacles.”
  3. Rear engine mowers have an engine in the back right below the seat. They’re more compact for easier storage and are usually more affordable than the other types of riding mowers, according to McKenzie. However, they tend to have smaller mowing decks (around 30 inches wide compared to at least 40 inches for other types of riding lawn mowers) and don’t tend to cut as well or as quickly as other riding mowers. “Typically if you have a lawn that is not huge but isn't small enough to use manual or push mowers, this is the best option,” said Hill.

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.

Best electric riding mower: RYOBI (out of stock)

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.

Best affordable riding mower: Troy-Bilt

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.

Best riding mower for larger yards: Toro

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.

Best riding mower for medium yards: Weibang

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.

Best riding mower for uphill yards: Cub Cadet

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.

What to consider when shopping for a riding lawn mower

Since riding lawn mowers can largely vary in size and function, it’s important to consider which features work best for your lawn before splurging.

Cutting width

As we reported in our guide to lawn mowers, the cutting width of a lawn mower measures the size of the strip the machine can cut in a single pass — the wider the cutting width is, the less time it’ll take to mow your lawn. Ideal cutting width varies from 30 inches to 42 inches for one acre of grass to at least 60 inches for five acres of grass, according to McKenzie. “You can actually get by perfectly well with 36 inches on up to two-acre lawns,” he added.

The width also correlates to the number of blades within the cutting deck: Smaller tractors can have one blade, while typical lawn tractors and ZTR mowers usually have two or three blades.

Though a wider cutting width can speed up the mowing process, McKenzie noted that it can also limit a machine’s mobility. He added that in some cases, “you’ll need an extra small self-propelled lawn mower to finish narrow spaces and slopes that are too steep for your glossy ride.”

Gas versus electric mowers

Many riding lawn mowers are gas-powered, meaning they require gasoline to operate. Others, meanwhile, are electric and use a battery-powered motor that needs to be charged. Though gas riding mowers are more durable and typically better suited for large lawns, Hill cautioned that they’re usually much louder than their electric counterparts and are less eco-friendly since they emit fumes.

Electric riding mowers can be cheaper and easier to maintain since they don’t require purchasing or changing out the engine oil, among other upkeep requirements. However, electric riding mowers do have their downfalls: Their functionality is limited to the amount of time they can be used in a single charge — if you have several acres of land (or simply forget to charge the battery), the power may not be enough to cut your entire lawn in one sitting.

Transmission type

The type of transmission on your riding lawn mower can determine the machine’s speed and dictate how it handles different backyard conditions, including mud and inclines. Manual transmission provides a set number of speeds — you select the one you want by using a lever and clutch. These are primarily found in older lawn tractors — similar to older cars — and can be useful for people who are accustomed to using a gear stick or can’t control speeds as easily with the pedal.

Hydrostatic transmission, also known as automatic transmission, is the default type for most riding lawn mowers and lets you shift gears automatically by pressing down on the pedal. This type tends to last longer — according to Mckenzie, it “requires the least maintenance and [has] the smoothest performance.”

Terrain and yard size

As experts noted, the size of your lawn will determine whether you should invest in a riding lawn mower — it’s usually not worth it for homeowners with less than half an acre. However, the type of terrain can also affect how the mower is used. A lawn tractor will work well on any relatively flat lawn and on landscapes with a lot of uneven sectors, especially if it features a steering wheel that provides more control. If you have a relatively flat yard with obstacles like rocks and gravel, “a ZTR will probably show better results as it can turn 360 degrees on a small spot and pivot at sharp angles,” McKenzie said.

Engine size

Your riding mower should also have an engine that matches the size of the yard, experts told us. Since lawn tractors are usually the largest type, they can provide “enough power to quickly treat two acres to five or more acres,” said McKenzie. For smaller areas, you can use a lightweight single-cylinder engine ZTR, which is usually more affordable. Two-cylinder engines — called V-twin engines — in ZTRs are more powerful than single-cylinder engines and provide less vibration, making them quieter and more comfortable. Riding mowers with V-twin engines are recommended “for large yards with two to five or more acres,” said McKenzie.

Why trust Select?

Select writer Mili Godio covers multiple topics spanning gardening and landscaping, from push lawn mowers to garden shears. For this story, Godio spoke to multiple lawn care and landscaping experts about how to shop for riding lawn mowers and why they can be useful for homeowners. Based on their guidance and recommendations, Godio reviewed the features of highly rated riding mowers from popular brands like Troy-Bilt, RYOBI, Toro and Husqvarna.

Catch up on Select's in-depth coverage of personal finance, tech and tools, wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to stay up to date.

How to choose a lawn mower and which is better: electric vs. petrol

There is a saying in England that the ideal lawn becomes only after 200 years of constant mowing. It is unlikely that our owners will wait so long, because with proper care, the lawn will certainly thank you with a thick and juicy cover in the next season. Grass is like hair: the more you cut it, the thicker it becomes. It remains only to choose the right "scissors". It’s not even worth mentioning the old grandfather’s braid, because you can’t achieve a flat lawn with it. And with the abundance of today's technology, few people dare to get up at dawn to wave their scythe until the dew subsides. There is only one way - to buy special equipment. In the store, all “hairdressing” tools are conditionally divided into 2 groups: gasoline and electric models. We will figure out how to choose a lawn mower, taking into account the design features, the type of your site and the amount of work ahead.

Contents

A lawnmower is a term for all the machines that help to deal with rough vegetation. In fact, there are three options for such a tool: a trimmer, a lawn mower and a lawn mower itself. Each of them is designed for specific tasks.

The trimmer and brushcutter are very similar in shape, so many sellers believe that these are synonymous words. Both tools have a rod, a motor and a cutting part. They work with both wearing special shoulder straps and holding the equipment in their hands.

Now about the differences. Trimmers have less power and cut grass with a line (cord). They are suitable for mowing grass and weeds under trees, lawns with uneven terrain, etc.

Lightweight trimmers with line cutting tool

Motoscythes are more powerful and can cope with bushes, thick weeds, such as burdock or nettles, etc. Their cutting part is equipped with knives, although fishing line can also be used. During operation, the lawn mowers buzz more strongly and the load on the hands is more significant. But trimmers consume less gasoline.

Motor scythes are more powerful than trimmers, and the cutting tools in them are knives

The most voluminous type of tool is the lawn mower. It is a cart with a motor (or without it in mechanical models), which moves on wheels and cuts the grass with knives. A person controls the tool with a handle. This option cannot be called the best lawn mower for giving, because it is designed only for flat, well-groomed areas where there are no trees or shrubs. Close to them, this bulky unit will not be able to mow the grass. Another disadvantage is that it does not like rocky areas.

The lawnmower is designed for mowing grass on a flat surface without stones

Therefore, it is not bad if the household has both types of scythe: a trimmer (or motos) for hard-to-reach and hilly places and a lawn mower for flat areas. We have already considered trimmers in more detail. Now let's try to figure out which lawn mower is better.

Criteria #1 - power and noise level

Petrol-powered lawn mowers are much more powerful than electric lawnmowers. The latter are powered from the network, which means that manufacturers cannot install too powerful electric motors, otherwise the 220 W network will not withstand the voltage. True, some models are additionally equipped with a battery, but it is designed for an operating time of up to 2 hours.

But the weaker the motor, the quieter it works. When mowing the site with a gasoline unit, you will feel what the roar of the engine is. No wonder the accessories for the most powerful lawn mowers include headphones.

Always wear ear muffs when operating the mower to protect your hearing from loud noises

By the way, the maximum power in gasoline models can cause damage to the car. Imagine that you are mowing an area with a medium power scythe, and a pebble or bone brought by a dog accidentally falls under the knife. How does the engine react? It's stalling! The stone is taken out and calmly mowed further. If the same object manages to fall under a powerful gasoline lawn mower, then the strength of the “horses” will be enough to move the jammed knives further. As a result, the cutting mechanism finally bends, causes deformation of the shaft and breaks the bushings. The case "smells" of a major overhaul!

For country needs, gasoline engines with 6-7 “horses” are enough, therefore, before choosing a gasoline lawn mower of higher power, think about whether you have “pitfalls” on the site that will provoke such breakdowns.

When choosing a lawnmower, you should not chase high-power motors, because they take a lot of gasoline and are difficult to manage

Criterion #2 - Performance

Productivity, of course, is tied to power. Large and medium-sized areas are easier to mow with petrol models because they can work for a long time without stopping. An electric motor can't handle that kind of speed. They work for about 15 minutes, and then they are allowed to rest to avoid overheating of the mechanism. Those. this power is enough for a lawn in front of the house, but hardly for mowing 10 acres. In addition, before choosing an electric lawn mower, consider the distance of the site from the power source. The standard cord size of the unit is no more than 20 meters. And if you need to mow 50 meters from the outlet, then you will have to buy more than 30 meters of extension cord. A good cable + automation + the cost of the mower itself = the price of a medium-powered gasoline model. So is it worth it to “attach” to a wired unit, if for this cost you can buy a “free, not leashed horse”.

The electric mower is connected to the mains, so in large areas it requires an additional cable

Criterion #3 - Service

But in terms of maintenance, electric models are much easier. They do not require constant monitoring of the level of oil and gasoline, so for people who are poorly versed in the intricacies of pouring liquids into engines, it is better to buy an electric option.

Criterion #4 - security level

If we analyze which lawn mower to choose in terms of safety, then both options have their drawbacks. So, gasoline models are not encouraging with the amount of exhaust gases that one way or another will have to be inhaled by the scythe, especially when processing small areas. Electric units do not have any harmful emissions, but they cannot be used in wet weather. In addition, with careless handling, there are cases when the cutting part runs into the cable and cuts it, which can be dangerous. And yet, if according to the instructions to mow only in rubber boots, then it is more comfortable to work with an electric mower.

Criteria #5 - Unit weight

When choosing a petrol lawn mower, consider who will have to work with it. Due to the powerful motor, this unit has a significant weight, and it is harder to manage it than the electric version. The load on the hands is large, which means that it will be difficult for women, teenagers and the elderly to work with such equipment. Electric models are more manoeuvrable, easier to drive and run smoother. The mower can only direct the cart in the right direction.

If you have already decided which lawn mower to give preference to - gasoline or electric, pay attention when buying to certain nuances that apply to both types of units.

Availability and performance of grass catcher

Many models are equipped with a grass catcher, which collects the vegetation cut by the knives. The advantage of such a device is that after mowing you do not need to additionally rake the grass, but you will periodically have to stop work to clear the full bag.

Soft grassbags make grass filling easier to control

Grass catchers are available in two versions: soft (mesh) and hard (plastic). In soft ones, it is easier to control the filling level: as soon as the bag stops inflating when air is supplied, it means that it is already full. You can't test a plastic container like that. But when mowing wet grass, the second option is definitely more convenient, because wet blades of grass stick to the walls of the mesh and clog it so much that you have to wash the bag after work, or even vacuum it.

Mulching function

Some lawnmowers have a tool that finely shreds whatever gets in and throws it away as mulch to feed the lawn. It seems to be a useful addition, but! Good mulch is obtained only when mowing absolutely dry soft grass. If you mow a wet lawn, then the mulching material is knocked into clods. Lumps scattered across the lawn clog the roots of the grass and prevent it from growing normally. As a result, "bald patches" may form on your lawn. In addition, excess mulch leads to the accumulation of the so-called felt, which gradually rises higher and interferes with the normal growth of grass. You will have to rake the entire lawn to comb out the excess.

The mulching function is useful only for those owners who do not care about the quality of the lawn. This relieves them of the need to take out mowed vegetation somewhere.

Grass side discharge

This is a useful feature for places where you need to cut grass on roadsides.

Front wheel drive or rear wheel drive models (for petrol lawn mowers)

There are two types of drive in petrol units. The front one is easier to manage. With this technique, you can turn around right on the spot, without turning off the engine. But when the grass catcher is full, or the grass is heavy (wet, tall), you will have to constantly push the mower to keep it moving. Rear-wheel drive models practically do not slip, but in order to deploy them, the wheel drive lever must be turned off.

Front-wheel drive mowers are more manoeuvrable, but may skid when the grassbag is full

Grass cutting height adjuster

If you have to deal with different areas, then this function is convenient, especially since it takes no more than 3 minutes to adjust. In the event that the equipment constantly mows the same area, the same height is usually set, which means that it makes no sense to overpay for the regulator.

No one agrees on what the best lawn mowers look like. Any model can be a great helper in the household, if it was selected taking into account the above tips, and not just the manufacturer's brand and price.