Ride in Style With These Tested and Approved Riding Mowers (2024)

Our Top Picks

After six months of testing, the Ryobi Brushless 42-inch Electric Zero Turn Riding Mower has moved into our top spot thanks to its consistent performance, quiet operation, and ease of use. The joystick controls are especially intuitive and much easier to handle than traditional zero-turn controls. Although it is the most expensive mower on this list, we think it's well worth the cost if you have a large lawn (and the budget). We found it to be fun to drive and very easy to use.

Unlike many other zero-turn mowers that typically use levers to control turning and movement, this one uses Ryobi's iDrive joystick. This joystick is one of our favorite things about this lawn mower, because it lets you set your speed (forward or reverse), as well as turn and maneuver the mower in a very intuitive manner that's much easier to pick up than the dual lever method typically used by zero-turn mowers.

This zero-turn mower has a 42-inch deck and power that Ryobi claims is equivalent to 31 horsepower. That allowed it to handle wet grass, thick grass, and tall grass with ease, leaving our lawn looking great. Setting the cutting height, which ranges from 1.5 inches to 4.5 inches, is easily accomplished with a single lever and four blades. The clippings discharge from the side, although you can purchase a bagger or mulching kit separately if desired.

We love that it comes with four batteries: two 80-volt, 10-amp-hour batteries and two 40-volt, 12-amp-hour batteries, which can all be charged simultaneously. In our testing sessions, the batteries still had plenty of charge left once mowing was finished (Ryobi claims that you can mow up to 3 acres on a single full charge).

We had no trouble cutting our half-acre lawn even when the riding mower's battery life was below 50 percent. It has a maximum speed of 8 mph, the highest on our list, so it can really get moving on flat, even terrain where it's safe to do so. The mower also has an LCD screen, so we could easily monitor the battery life and runtime.

While riding the mower, we especially appreciated how quiet it is compared to gas mowers—we could talk to nearby family members while riding it—and how smooth and comfortable a ride it provides, thanks to the superior seat suspension that absorbs many of the bumps and vibrations. The mower also has some nice extra features, including headlights, cup holders, and USB charging ports.

We do want to note one slight hiccup with the assembly. While it was fairly straightforward and quick to assemble the mower and give the batteries an initial charge, our first test mower had an electrical problem. It required several phone calls and a technician's visit before determining that the mower was defective. However, we were quickly provided with a new mower, which was already assembled and ready to go. Despite this unfortunate start, we were very impressed with the manufacturer's customer service.

While this mower is undeniably a big investment, its performance, power, and ease of use make it well worth the cost for those with big yards. Compared to a gas lawn tractor of the same size our testing team member previously used, we found this model to be much more efficient, cutting the grass in less time, with less noise and no gas fumes. We also like the fact that it has a 5-year warranty.

_{Cutting Width:42 inches | Power Type:Battery | Weight:700 pounds | Cutting Options:Side-discharge | Size of Yard:Up to 3 acres}

Although all riding lawn mowers are pricey, we think the John Deere S100 42-Inch Gas Hydrostatic Riding Lawn Tractor is an excellent budget-friendly option, at less than half the cost of our best overall. During our initial testing period, it performed like a champion on all three mowing sessions at our 10-acre New Jersey yard (although the manufacturer recommends it for yards up to 1 acre in size). And since it's a lawn tractor, you can attach other tools (like a tow-behind dump cart) to make lawn maintenance easier.

We were amazed at how easy it was to maneuver even around tight corners or close to trees. It did a great job of cleanly cutting both dry and wet grass; remarkably, it did not leave any ruts on the wet grass, just small indentations.

The mower provides a comfortable, smooth ride; we drove it down a 500-foot gravel path to reach the lawn without any discomfort or difficulty. It has 13 cutting levels ranging from 1 inch to 4 inches, and we found it very easy to set the desired cutting height. Even better, it was delivered all assembled and ready to go thanks to its "White Glove Service."

The cutting deck is 42 inches, which is a good size for making quick work of the lawn yet not so large that it's bulky or hard to steer. It has a tight 18-inch turning radius and discharges the clippings to the side. However, you can purchase clipping bags, mulchers, and several other yard maintenance accessories separately. We found that it also easily cleared away fallen leaves from the grass.

Like most gasoline-powered riding mowers, you will need to occasionally perform oil changes, but the process is not too difficult. And thanks to the electric start, it's very easy to power the mower up and get right to work.

We found the seat to be quite comfortable, and you can adjust the position to suit your height. All of the controls are easy to identify and use, although it took us a few minutes to get used to the side-by-side foot pedals for going forward or reversing. The mower's top speed is 5.5 mph going forward and 3.2 mph in reverse. It can cut the grass in either direction. It has headlights if you want to mow at dusk or dawn and a cup holder to keep your favorite beverage close at hand while you work.

After six months of testing in our home, we've found that it doesn't always tackle thick grass properly at first (which we didn't encounter in our initial test) and requires a second pass in some cases to have a clean cut. We also wished that the mower would automatically mow when you put it in reverse. Instead, you need to press a button to engage the deck. While it's not a deal breaker, it's a bit of an inconvenience.

These issues aside, we still think this is a great budget-friendly option, especially for smaller yards. This riding mower is covered by John Deere's 2-year/120-hour bumper-to-bumper warranty. It's quite reasonably priced for a riding mower; overall, it's hard to go wrong with this hard-working mower.

_{Cutting Width:42 inches | Power Type:Gasoline | Weight:414 pounds | Cutting Options:Side-discharge | Size of Yard:Up to 1 acre}

If you are looking for an electric riding lawn mower with all the power of a gas model but without the fumes or bother of a gas engine, the RYOBI80V HP Brushless 42 in. Battery Riding Lawn Tractor is our top choice. We found it fun to ride; with a maximum forward speed of 7 mph, this is a zippy mower that speeds up or slows down almost immediately when adjusting your foot on the lever.

The mower has a 42-inch deck and 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. We do wish that the mower deck stuck out a little more on the left side so it would be easier to mow closer to the fence or around other obstacles.

Despite this, it did a great job cutting the grass, whether wet or dry, at our third-acre Iowa yard and even chopped up small sticks, leaves, and weeds we pulled out very easily. Just note that we did occasionally find clumps of grass that we needed to go back over to chop up. It features a warning beep when backing up; while we appreciate this safety feature, it admittedly did become tiresome to hear the beep every time we reversed.

According to the manufacturer, it has the equivalent of a 21-horsepower engine, but it runs on the included three 80-volt, 10Ah batteries, which 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 our testing, the batteries never dropped much below 80 percent capacity (so we never had to stop and wait for the mower to recharge).

Like our best overall mower, also by Ryobi, we appreciated the LCD touchscreen that lets you keep track of the battery runtime and charging speed, blade speed, driving speed, and blade height. Other extra features we like include LED headlights, front and back storage compartments, two tow hitches, two cup holders, and two USB ports to charge your phone.

The mower discharges clippings to the side, but you can purchase a bagger and mulching kit separately, as well as various lawn care attachments. Note that it was somewhat tricky to assemble, taking us over an hour to have it ready to go. It comes with a 5-year limited warranty.

_{Cutting Width:42 inches | Power Type:Battery | Weight: 557 pounds | Cutting Options:Side-discharge | Size of Yard:1 to 2 acres}

If you want a powerful gas zero-turn mower that can quickly tackle lawns up to 4 acres, this mower from Toro is an excellent option. We found that it was easy to maneuver between trees and other obstacles on our Iowa lawn. It has a hefty 50-inch cutting deck (the largest on our list), so the zero-turn capability comes in handy when swiveling such a large mower around flowerbeds, between trees, or near retaining walls or other obstacles. We also found it very easy to set the cutting height, which ranges from a low of 1.5 inches to a high of 4.5 inches.

One great feature of this gas mower is that while it does require annual oil changes, it's designed to make the task as easy as possible, so you won't have to waste your afternoon on maintenance. It also has wash-out ports underneath the deck, so you can quickly blast away caked-on grass, mud, and grunge with your garden hose. The sturdy construction, including the steel deck, means that this mower can take a beating and keep right on mowing without a pause. It comes with a 3-year residential limited warranty.

Even after six months of testing this riding mower, we've found ourselves mowing our lawn more than we have in the past (about once or twice a week). Now that we are more comfortable using it and have passed the initial learning curve, we love it even more than during our initial testing and have found it to be very easy to maneuver around our property.

We've found this mower to be so easy to use that we've found ourselves mowing our lawn more than we have in the past (about once or twice a week in the last six months). Now that we are more comfortable using it and have passed the initial learning curve, we love it even more than during our initial testing and have found it to be very easy to maneuver around our property.

_{Cutting Width:50 inches | Power Type:Gasoline | Weight:694 pounds | Cutting Options:Side-discharge | Size of Yard: Up to 4 acres}

Consider the Ego Power+ T6 42-inch Riding Lawn Mower if you need a tractor mower that can tackle a variety of terrains. We put this riding mower through its paces on a half-acre lawn in New Jersey with steep inclines, trees, and other obstacles, and it performed great. The tractor's 12 cutting height adjustments ensured a uniform and precise cut every time.

We also found that damp grass was no match for the mower, cutting the grass with ease after a particularly heavy downpour. Even though we tested the mower on a front and back yard that didn't exceed half an acre, the mower can mow over 1.5 acres with just one charge. In fact, we never used more than 30 to 40 percent of the battery when mowing.

Aside from its efficiency in cutting our lawn, we were impressed by how fast the mower moved. With a top mowing speed of 6 mph, we maintained the mower in the middle speed and still found it to be pretty rapid, which helped us cut the grass quickly.

Another reason this lawn mower won our approval was its abundance of extra features. A bin in front of the mower can be used as a beverage cooler or extra storage. We also appreciated having our water bottle in the cup holder while cutting the grass on warmer days. While we didn't have the opportunity to test it, the integrated USB phone charger was also a nice addition.

The mower's LCD screen allows you to monitor and control the speed, blade settings, and cruise control. Thanks to the luxe steering wheel, your hands don't tire from mowing. The only component we would modify is the mower's backrest, which is on the shorter side. We still think it is a great tractor for anyone with flat or varying terrain.

_{Cutting Width:42 inches | Power Type:Electric | Weight:639.33 pounds | Cutting Options:Side-discharge | Size of Yard: Up to 1.5 acres}

Not everyone needs a beast of a mower that can handle yards up to 4 acres in size. If you have a lawn that’s 1 acre or less, or you have a lot of obstacles on your property that require a smaller mower to maneuver between and around them, we recommend this battery-powered mower from Cub Cadet. It has a 30-inch deck (the smallest on our list) that can slip through a 36-inch gate and which won’t take up a lot of space in your garage or garden shed. While we were unable to test this mower ourselves, it’s still our top choice for smaller yards.

The mower comes with a 56-volt MAX 30 amp-hour battery that can mow up to 1 acre or for 1 hour before needing a recharge, which takes roughly 4 hours. It’s supremely quiet compared to gas mowers, and the ride is smooth and comfortable. Plus, no need for oil changes, pouring gasoline into a fuel tank, or smelly fumes. You can adjust the cutting height within a range of 1.5 inches to 4 inches, and no bogging down on tall or thick grass. The 18-inch turning radius is tight enough to easily work your way around most obstacles.

One feature that we especially approve of, and yet isn’t offered on many riding mowers, is this model’s cruise control, which allows you to set your speed up to a maximum of 5.5 mph and then let the mower keep your pace steady; no need to concentrate on maintaining an even speed by pushing pedals or gripping levers.

Plus, it has a very comfortable high-back seat with armrests, LED headlights, a cup holder, and two onboard USB ports to power up your phone or music while you ride. Additionally, unlike every other mower on our list, this one includes the mulching kit—all others require you to purchase that separately—so you can turn the grass clippings into fine mulch to help feed your lawn. It comes with a 3-year warranty.

_{Cutting Width:30 inches | Power Type:Battery | Weight:362 pounds | Cutting Options:Mulch, side-discharge | Size of Yard:Up to 2 acres}

While we were not able to personally test the Bronco 42, we still recommend this 19-horsepower, 42-inch gas mower for yards up to 2 acres in size, especially if your yard has a lot of slopes. This sturdy mower has an automatic transmission and uses a simple foot pedal to control your speed, just like your car. That means you are likely to feel comfortable handling the mower from the start, even if you have never used a riding lawn mower before.

The mower has anti-scalp, 20-inch all-terrain wheels, making it much easier to mow smoothly over uneven terrain or up and down slopes without bogging down or damaging your turf. Note that, as with all riding mowers, you should always mow from side to side across a slope, not up and down the slope, to maintain stability.

There are five cutting height settings, which are easy to adjust with a single lever and range from 1.25 inches to 3.75 inches. That’s a smaller cutting range than many other riding mowers, but it easily handles most common lawn grasses, and the double blades, large wheels, and sturdy construction of the mower allow it to plow right through tall or thick turf without a problem.

The Troy-Bilt Bronco 42 has a step-through frame that offers more leg room, and the mid-back seat and rubber footpads keep you comfortable while you work. Its 18-inch turn radius is tight enough to maneuver around most yard obstacles, such as trees, fences, flowerbeds, or playsets.

The machine has a rear hitch to pull garden carts, sprayers, and spreaders. It comes with a side-discharge chute for clippings, but if you prefer to bag or mulch the grass clippings, you’ll need to buy those accessories separately. Like all gas mowers, you’ll need to carry out periodic oil changes, usually recommended after every 50 hours of use or annually. It comes with a 2-year warranty.

_{Cutting Width:42 inches | Power Type:Gasoline | Weight:520 pounds | Cutting Options:Side-discharge | Size of Yard:1 to 2 acres}

Final Verdict

After six months of testing, we determined that the Ryobi Brushless 42-Inch Electric Zero Turn Riding Mower is the best riding lawn mower. It's easy to use (with remarkably intuitive joystick controls) and does a great job cutting grass consistently across different conditions. Our best budget pick is the gas-powered John Deere S100 42-Inch Riding Lawn Mower. We found it easy to maneuver around obstacles while creating a very smooth cut (although you may need to go over thick grass more than once). It comes with “White Glove Service” delivery, so you won’t have to assemble it.