The Best Riding Lawn Mowers, Tested and Reviewed

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Don’t spend half the day mowing your lawn when you can purchase a riding lawn mower to better manage your expansive yard.

For yards larger than a half acre, a push lawn mower just won’t cut it; that’s where riding lawn mowers come in. They feature powerful engines and wide mowing decks that allow you to mow a large yard more quickly than with a standard walk-behind mower. Unless you enjoy spending the better part of a Saturday cutting grass, you need a riding lawn mower. 

A riding mower is an invaluable tool for those who live on large pieces of property. But with so many different kinds of riding mowers on the market at a wide range of prices, how do you know which one is right for your yard? We compiled the following recommendations based on hours of research as well as our own riding mower field-test results. Read on to learn more about choosing the right model for your property, followed by our best riding lawn mower in-depth reviews.

1. BEST OVERALL: John Deere 42-Inch S130 Lawn Tractor
2. RUNNER-UP: Husqvarna TS 354XD Riding Lawn Mower
3. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Troy-Bilt Bronco 42 Riding Lawn Tractor
4. BEST GAS LAWN TRACTOR: Cub Cadet XT1 LT50 Enduro Lawn Tractor  
5. BEST ZERO-TURN: Toro 50-Inch TimeCutter MyRIDE Zero-Turn Mower
6. BEST FOR SMALL YARDS: Ryobi 30-Inch 50 Ah Electric Riding Lawn Mower
7. BEST FOR LARGE YARDS: Toro 54-Inch TimeCutter MyRIDE Zero-Turn Mower

How We Tested the Best Riding Lawn Mowers

With so many different types of riding lawn mowers to choose from, we compiled our list based on a diverse range of buyer needs. We selected the top models from reputable brands, including options for small, midsize, and large-acreage properties. Our choices include lawn tractors and zero-turn mowers, and we included a compact rear-engine model. With the rise in popularity of battery mowers, and the still-strong performance of gas-powered machines in this category, we made sure to include both.

We tested several of these picks, with more testing to come. Our ride-on lawn mower tests involve multiple-week trials on varied terrain with slopes and bumpy ground, both rough mowing and finish mowing. Several of the mowers below have already been tested; we have mowed at least 16 acres over at least 8 hours. We scored the mowers using a rubric in order to compare measurable specifications, such as deck width, frame steel gauge, and engine horsepower. We also took into account our subjective observations that describe the overall user experience in terms of comfort and convenience, not to mention mowing results. 

Our Top Picks

We’ve compiled our top riding lawn mower recommendations based on brand reputation, spec analysis, and our own hands-on testing results. This list includes great riding lawn mowers with powerful engines, wide mower decks, and durable construction from some of the most reputable lawn mower manufacturers. 

John Deere 42-Inch S130 Lawn Tractor

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Product Specs 

• Type: Lawn tractor
• Powered by: 22-horsepower (hp) V-twin gas engine
• Deck size: 42 inches

Pros

• Ideal power and size for properties from 0.5 acre up to 2 acres
• Tight turning radius with a smooth, comfortable ride
• Seat bottom is 32 inches above the ground, which provides a higher vantage point than other mowers
• Easy maintenance with the John Deere Easy Change 30-second oil-change system; compatible with numerous attachments

Cons

• Higher price point than competitors in the same size and power range
• Limited capability on hilly terrain

Our top pick comes from a brand that is synonymous with durable performance, as it boasts a full range of riding lawn mowers built to last for decades. The John Deere S130 combines dependability with operational comfort and convenience. This grass-cutting tractor comes equipped with a 22 hp Briggs & Stratton 44 V-twin engine, a TLT 200 hydrostatic transaxle, and 20×10-8 rear tires that will provide many years of mowing service. It also features a single-lever throttle with spring-return choke, electric blade engagement, a dash-mounted fuel gauge, and the John Deere Easy Change 30-second oil-change system to make mowing and caring for the mower significantly easier.

At a glance, this mower may not appear much different from other lawn tractors, but a few key features set it apart. The mower’s frame is fabricated of full-length welded steel with a cast-iron front axle for decades of reliable operation. The engine features a full pressure lubrication system for extended working life. It is also compatible with numerous attachments, including branded and universal baggers, snow blowers, dump carts, and others that expand its usefulness beyond mowing, transforming it into a high-performing riding mower with bagger (and more).

In our at-home test of the John Deere S130, one of the first characteristics that stood out was its comfort. The two-piece seat allowed for cooling air circulation between the seat and backrest, unlike other mower seats with a one-piece design. The seat bottom was positioned 32 inches above the ground, providing a vantage point 3 inches higher than many competitors for improved visibility. We also liked the easy-to-use control layout, including push-button blade engagement and the dash-mounted gas gauge, keeping everything right at our fingertips. Plus, hydrostatic operation, controlled by side-by-side pedals, eliminated gear selection—we simply pressed one pedal to go forward and the other to reverse.

As for maneuverability and mowing performance, we could not have been happier. Top speed was about 5.5 miles per hour (mph), which was good for about 2 acres of mowing per hour. The deck shape allowed for extremely close edge cutting to minimize trimming later on. A spring-assisted lever made it easy to raise and lower the deck to any of the 13 preset heights between 1 and 4 inches high. The large tires cushioned the ride across uneven terrain, and the tight turning radius let the mower make surprisingly narrow turns, leaving an uncut diameter of just 25 inches. 

In general, we liked the fast speed combined with the slightly narrower deck because it allows the operator to access tight spaces while still mowing a lot of grass quickly. The comfortable ride, ease of operation, and dependable components make this a great choice for those who have medium-to-large-size yards.

Read our full review: John Deere 42-Inch S130 Lawn Tractor

Get the John Deere riding lawn mower at Lowe’s or John Deere. 

Runner-Up

Husqvarna TS 354XD Riding Lawn Mower

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Product Specs 

• Type: Gas-powered lawn tractor
• Powered by: 24 hp Kawasaki V-twin engine
• Deck size: 54 inches

Pros

• Built for long-term durability and use across every season
• Rear wheels feature electronic locking differential locks for extra traction when necessary
• Foot pedal shifting, cruise control, armrests, and an ergonomic steering wheel offer top-of-the-line operational comfort 
• Adapts to any landscaping with 6 height settings and an 18-inch turning radius 

Cons

• No gas gauge or reserve gas lever; need to carry extra gas on especially large mows
• Seat adjustment is underneath the seat and cannot be adjusted while you’re sitting

The Husqvarna TS 354XD rider lawn mower delivers premium performance in a steel and cast-iron package. During testing, we were impressed with this mower’s ability to handle turns at its large size. A bit more expensive than other riding mowers, its quality build and cutting performance sets it apart. 

Built with a heavy-duty 24 hp Kawasaki V-twin engine, this beast can reach forward speeds up to 5.5 mph and reverse speeds up to 2.5 mph. Its 54-inch triple-blade ClearCut fabricated deck is easy to control with the simple pull of a switch. 

We tested this lawn mower on a 2-acre yard and a full-size baseball field, where it handled turns and changing directions with ease. With over 10 hours of testing, we found the Husqvarna to be comfortable to operate, thanks in part to an adjustable 21-inch high-back seat, armrests, and oversize soft-touch steering wheel. 

One of our favorite features was the easy-to-operate foot pedal–operated hydrostatic transmission with cruise control. The cruise control really made cutting 2-acres a breeze. Plus, the LED headlights provided plenty of illumination for evening or night mowing.

This lawn riding mower can tackle tasks across all seasons with optional accessories like a sleeve hitch, scoop/blade, and manual and electric snow blowers. 

Get the Husqvarna riding lawn mower at Amazon or Northern Tool + Equipment.

Best Bang For The Buck

Troy-Bilt Bronco 42 Riding Lawn Tractor

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Product Specs 

• Type: Lawn tractor
• Powered by: 19 hp Briggs & Stratton gas engine
• Deck size: 42 inches

Pros

• Features lots of user-friendly extras: headlights, step-thru frame design, mid-back seat, rubber footpads, and a rear hitch 
• Auto-drive transmission is easy to operate and smoothly adjusts speed
• 18-inch turn radius allows you to maneuver around landscaping and other obstacles 
• Deck adjusts to 5 different cutting heights using a single lever 

Cons

• Gas engine is fairly loud and requires more maintenance than an electric version
• Rear bagger and mulch kit are separate add-on purchases
• Transmission is not hydrostatic; requires user to put it into forward and reverse manually
• Battery installation can be cumbersome

We found the Troy-Bilt Bronco lawn tractor powered by a Briggs and Stratton Intek engine to be a user-friendly gas mower ideal for any size property. It features comfortable foot pedal controls, auto transmission, and headlights that make driving the lawn mower as easy as driving a car.

We tested this riding mower multiple times on a 2-acre yard. When mowing in the evening hours, the headlights were bright enough to light the path and illuminate surrounding areas.

Packed with features, this gas riding mower has a 42-inch steel deck that adjusts to five cutting heights using a single lever. We found that the adjustable cutting heights allowed us to cut to our desired preference. The wide deck made quick work of the yard and we were able to finish cutting in less than an hour. We also let the grass grow a bit high to test its ability to tackle a lot of grass, and the mower handled it with ease. 

We found that the operation is also comfortable thanks to a mid-back seat, rubber footpads, and a step-thru frame. You can purchase a rear bagger or mulch kit to round out its standard side-discharge option, and its rear hitch makes it easy to pull other landscaping tools like sprayers and cargo carts. 

Get the Troy-Bilt riding lawn mower at Tractor Supply Co. or Walmart.

Best Gas Lawn Tractor

Cub Cadet XT1 LT50 Enduro Lawn Tractor

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Product Specs 

• Type: Lawn tractor
• Powered by: 24 hp Kohler V-twin 7000 gas engine
• Deck size: 50 inches

Pros

• Wider deck and bigger engine; mows more grass faster than other lawn tractors
• 15-inch high-back seat with 10-degree incline and slide slope adjustment for outstanding comfort
• Extremely tight turning radius of just 16 inches for best-in-class maneuverability
• Features include push-button cruise control, LED headlights, battery indicator, and translucent fuel tank

Cons

• Larger overall size requires more storage space; will not fit through all walk-through gates

There’s a lot to like about the Cub Cadet XT1 LT50 that makes it an excellent all-around riding lawn mower. Let’s start with what’s under the hood: a powerful 24 hp twin-cylinder Kohler engine, which is more than enough to power its 50-inch cutting deck or handle inclines. The engine and deck size make this mower suitable for lawns up to 1.5 acres. A hydrostatic transmission enables smooth speed changes, while a short wheelbase enables an impressive 16-inch turning radius. The cutting deck provides ample cutting power thanks to its three cutting blades and 12 easily adjustable cutting heights. A 3-gallon fuel tank ensures you won’t need a refill, even for large jobs. 

Other features that set the Cub Cadet XT1 LT50 apart include a cruise-control feature that maintains a constant speed for the perfect cut and a SmartJet deck pressure-washing system, which allows a garden hose to be attached to the mowing deck to power-wash the interior.

Get the Cub Cadet riding lawn mower at The Home Depot, Tractor Supply Co., or Blain’s Farm & Fleet (with stamped deck).

Toro 50-Inch TimeCutter MyRIDE Zero-Turn Mower

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Product Specs 

• Type: Zero-turn mower
• Powered by: 24.5 hp Toro Commercial V-twin engine or 23 hp Kawasaki V-twin engine
• Deck size: 50 inches

Pros

• Commercial-grade engine is designed for thousands of hours of hard use
• Fast mowing at speeds up to 7 miles per hour; it can mow about 3 acres in an hour
• MyRIDE suspension system offers an incredibly smooth ride over bumpy ground
• 3-gallon fuel capacity, which is enough to mow up to 4 acres per fill-up
• 10-gauge steel frame and forged-steel deck offer outstanding toughness and durability

Cons

• Due to the width of the deck, this mower cannot drive through most walk-through gates
• Zero-turns mowers in general, and this one included, are not designed for hilly terrain

Owners of large properties prefer zero-turn mowers because they cut grass faster and more efficiently than lawn tractors, and they leave a great-looking finish. The Toro 50-inch TimeCutter MyRIDE zero-turn mower is an excellent choice for anyone mowing up to 4 acres of grass. It comes equipped with either a 24.5 hp Toro Commercial V-twin engine or a 23 hp Kawasaki engine, both of which are engineered and manufactured for the rigors of daily use in the professional lawn care industry. The MyRIDE floating suspension allows 3 inches of travel between the seat and the mower frame for an incredibly smooth ride on bumpy lawn areas.

Numerous commercial features make the Toro 50-inch TimeCutter one of the most dependable and convenient mowers for large properties. The dual hydrostatic HG-ZT 2200 transaxles and 10-gauge steel-fabricated triple-blade deck combine for fast mowing—up to 7 mph—with an incredibly clean finished cut from 1.5 to 4.5 inches high. The 3-gallon gas tank is more than adequate for mowing 4 acres of open ground without stopping to refuel. When it comes to maintaining the mower, the built-in deck washout port and toolless oil-change system make it quick and easy.

As for comfort and control of the mower, it offers a nice mix of professional durability with comfort and convenience upgrades that owners will appreciate. Dual wraparound levers with pro-control dampers offer intuitive steering control that even those new to zero-turn mowing will settle into right away. The 18-inch hand-sewn high-back seat includes padded foldaway armrests and adjusts forward and back to fit most users with the simple slide of a lever. A foot lever assists with deck-height adjustments to eliminate arm strain. And operators can stay hydrated while mowing on hot days thanks to a built-in cup holder.

We tested a Toro 50-inch TimeCutter MyRIDE for more than a month. The model we used came equipped with the 24.5 hp Toro Commercial engine. Although it was packed with commercial details, the mower was not quite as fast as a true commercial mower (which would cost at least twice as much). Still, at or near top speed, we were able to mow our 2-acre test area in about 40 minutes, or roughly 3 acres an hour, which is excellent among residential zero-turn mowers. We mowed the property twice per tank of gas, with a little left in the tank after the second cut, so we can confidently say after mowing four times that it will mow 4 acres per tank. 

The MyRIDE suspension system was a unique configuration we haven’t seen elsewhere. The “cockpit” of the mower, including the seat and footrest area, is mounted on a floating platform that is attached to the mower frame by a shock absorber. The adjustable system provided more or less resistance as conditions required. It really did provide an outstanding amount of cushioning compared to the spring-seat systems that most zero-turn mowers use.

While we loved the power and comfort of the Toro TimeCutter, this model was a bit too wide to access a gated area on the property, and it could not navigate a narrow pathway to another isolated spot. Also, as with other zero-turn mowers, this one is not rated for use on slopes steeper t