If you are looking for the best riding lawn mower you may have to dig deeper into your pocket as most of the really good mowers cost a whopping $ 5,000 and above.
However, for the regular homeowner, a decent lawnmower that’s equal to the task doesn’t have to come with a high-end price. With a modest investment, you can still end up with the best riding lawn mower for the money, one that will meet your specific needs.
Getting the best ride-on for your needs within your budget can be a tall order thanks to the myriad branded and brandless mowers that have flooded the market today. Some of the most important features you need to give priority when selecting a riding mower especially when working with a tight budget include:
- Lawn size and Terrain – if the size of your lawn is ¾ of an acre and above, quite honestly it’s a riding lawn mower or tractor you will need rather than a walk-behind. Beyond this, you will need to choose between a rear engine lawn mower, lawn tractor, or a ZTR. Rear engine mowers will mostly fall within the lower price range because of their simplicity in design and their exclusive grass-cutting functionalities. The lawn tractors and the ZTRs are a bit pricey yet they are either multifunctional or more effective. The ZTR will reduce mowing time significantly while the lawn tractor can be used on some occasions as a garden tractor or tower. Again, rear engines will be great if you have an even terrain with few obstacles otherwise lawn tractors would be the better option if your terrain is sloped.
- Engine – It is not just enough to check an engine’s power, you need to check if it is an OHV, how many cylinders it comes with, and if it has features like a cooling system, oil, and air filter. For a large yard, twin cylinders will be great as they come with more power than single-cylinder engines’
- Deck construction and size – cutting decks vary with size and function but you will need to consider your terrain in order to select the right size. For instance, if you have a large bare lawn with nothing going in terms of obstacles, a wider cutting deck of probably 42 inches and above will do your lawn some justice. You will work faster and more efficiently. On the other hand, if you have the same size of the lawn but loaded with obstacles, you may consider a smaller deck that will make it easier for you to maneuver around obstacles. A solidly constructed deck, mostly steel is usually the best if you are looking for a durable unit.
- Turning radius if you have opted for the non-ZTRs – If you have opted for the other ride-on rather than the ZTRs then it is important to check the turning radius. The turning radius you will select depends on whether your terrain has obstacles or not. A shorter turning radius is much easier to maneuver and works well around obstacles and tight spots.
- Versatility vs specialty – if you really do not need all the functions in a versatile ride-on, say bagging, side discharge, and mulching, it could cost you less getting a high performing bagger only mower rather than a 3-in-1 that will fall below your expectation in terms of performance. On the other hand, it may be cheaper getting a versatile unit if you are a multitasker.
Here are some tips you will need to keep in mind during your purchase
- It is better to opt for branded units with branded engines are usually better because their service centers and spare parts are readily available.
- Try and strike a balance between horsepower and the deck otherwise, you may end up with more horsepower with lower than expected performance. Performance wraps up several factors including horsepower, deck size, transmission type, and the drive system among other factors.
- Check out the convenience and comfort features incorporated in the ride-on and trade-off those that are absolutely necessary with those you can do without. Sometimes, you will have to consider purchasing other extras separately, however, if you can get a good mower with them included in the package, the better for you. Consider the following features:
- An adjustable high back seat
- Attachments like baggers
- Padded Grip
- Cruise control
- Cupholder
- Wash port
Our review focuses on some of the best riding lawn mowers you may want to consider purchasing for what they are worth. We divided them into under $2000 and over $2000 ride-ons pegged on their prices.
Best Riding Lawn Mower for The Money
Best Under $2000 Riding Lawn Mowers
Troy-Bilt 30-Inch Neighborhood Riding Lawn Mower
No products found.
Troy-Bilt Riding has a 30-Inch single cutting blade that enables it to maneuver lawns easily. Rated at under $ 2000, the neighborhood lawnmower performs exceptionally well for the residential user.
It combines the benefits of a standard lawnmower and a wide-cut walk behind. It is compact in size and lightweight so storage should not be a problem as it will fit quite well in your garage.
The mower 382 cc Powermore auto choke OHV engine with a 1.3-gallon fuel tank capacity makes a great option if you have an averagely sized landscape with an even terrain. A full tank of fuel can actually take you a full acre of mowing without running out.
Otherwise, you will need to use the sight window on your fuel tank to check gas levels and refill when necessary. The engine powers the mower to achieve a maximum speed 4.25mph speed which you can easily adjust to 6-speed settings as you work thanks to the on-the-go transmission mechanism.
Another important feature in the neighborhood lawn mower is its ability to mow in the reverse but a slower speed. In addition, its 18-inch radius is a plus during maneuvering. Along with its manual takeoff, you should be able to engage the blade much faster and more efficiently. again, larger 16-inch rear wheels offer enhanced traction which is an important feature when mowing on a slope.
Comfort and convenience features in this mower include an adjustable high-back seat and a 13-inch soft grip steering.
Pros
- A mulch kit is included in the package and this is a plus for those considering the mulching option
- Easy storage because it is compact
- 18-inch turning radius makes it great at maneuvering around obstacles and tight spots
- It comes with a rear hitch which will be helpful when you need to tow extra load. However, this should only be used on even terrain
Cons
- There is no wash port incorporated in the unit so you will have to flip it over to clean the deck
- No headlights so you may not use it when there is poor visibility
- Performs rather terribly on steep slopes with higher chances of flipping over
Best Over $2000 Riding Lawn Mowers
Ariens Zoom 34 – 19 hp Kohler 6000 Series V-Twin 34″ Zero Turn Lawn Mower
This is a top performing lawnmower suitable for those seeking to cut grass in their small and medium-sized lawns. The residentially oriented zero turn mower by Ariens weighs just 425 pounds qualifying it as a lightweight.
What makes it a powerhouse is the fact that it utilizes 19hp/660cc Kohler 6600V-twin engine.
Twin cylinder-engines are generally powerful and are mostly used on heavy-duty or frequently used mowers. In addition, it is an OHV which has the advantage of cooling and cleaning efficiently the engine, making it one of the best riding lawn mower for the money.
In addition, it is designed with Smart-Choke™ technology that makes it is easy and reliable to start. Ariens Zoom 34 mower costs more than $2000 but this may be considered a good trade given that it provides the much-needed power and performance especially if you have a large yard of over two acres to mow.
Besides, the Ariens Zoom is also integrated with Hydro-Gear ® EZT Full Transmission that ensures the rider operates effortlessly without the need to shift so much. You will certainly find the large hydraulic reservoir and cooling fans beneficial for smooth transmission.
Its 34” stamped deck made of strong 12-gauge steel first is tough and durable and second, will maneuver around your terrain features quite well.
Finally, the Ariens Zoom 34 mower comes with a foot-operated deck lift frees your hands to let your foot adjust the deck cutting height. A high back seat is a comfort feature that cannot be overlooked particularly if you will be mowing for long hours.
Pros
- Kohler 6000 Series V-Twin engine is tough and powerful
- The foot-operated deck lift system is more effective than hand-operated deck lift
Cons
- Much as this unit can tow load, anything above 250 lbs will be too heavy for it to tow
Poulan Pro 960420182 Briggs 15.5 hp Automatic Hydrostatic Transmission Drive Riding Mower, 42″
No products found.
The Poulan PRO P54ZX ZTR mower is a great option if you are considering large-scale mowing. It provides a combination of quick performance, durability, and comfort.
With a 24 HP Briggs & Stratton v-twin-engine, it is rated commercial grade and can tackle hilly terrain or rugged yards with tough grass or stumps quite well.
The mower utilizes a 54″ Reinforced Cutting Deck that is sure to deliver a clean cut even in hidden corners. The cutting deck gives you the option of cutting your grass at 6 preset heights between 1.5 inches and 4 inches.
Poulan Pro P54ZX mower is designed with dual wheels Hydro gear EZT transmission allowing the operator smooth maneuverability even in the most featured terrain. Its ability to control its wheels independently makes it easy to move in all directions. This unit has a large capacity fuel tank at 3.5 gallons for long uninterrupted mowing sessions.
With added comfort features like the 15-inch high-back comfortable seat with padded foam grips you will take care of the stiffness and fatigue often felt during longer mowing sessions.
Aside from its steel construction, durability in this Poulan Pro ZTR is further enhanced by the fact that you can comfortably mow 2.9 acres in just an hour at 6mph, drastically reducing the time you could have spent mowing using other mowers and in turn, also reduce the wear and tear that could have taken place as a result.
Pros
- 24 hp power from a Briggs & Stratton engine offers an amazing performance
- Ideal for mowing a large lawn
- 10 years warranty on the cutting deck is way above the market standard
- Each wheel is controlled independently making it easy to maneuver
Cons
- This unit is not rated in the lower emission category meaning it has a high carbon footprint
- Doesn’t have good traction, take care not to mow wet grass, it could be risky
Husqvarna Z246
No products found.
Husqvarna lawnmower’ is one of the easiest to control and also precise in its height adjustments thanks to its spring-assisted deck lift system.
This deck is powered by a 21.5 hp/ 724cc Briggs & Stratton Endurance engine with an auto choke feature that is not only powerful but also quite silent when in operation.
This engine comes with an exceptional air filtration system, an electric start for ease of starting the mower chrome plate valves, and a cooling fan for optimal performance.
Its 54-in 13-gauge stamped steel cutting deck is reinforced with durable heavy steel making it ideal for neat trims on the larger scale. In addition, Husqvarna z246 makes use of the Air Induction Mowing Technology designed to draw air from both the bottom and the top of the deck, which effectively lifts the grass and a tri-cut thanks to its three cutting blades, to deliver a fine cut. The deck is adjustable to 6 preset cutting height positions within a range of 1.5 and 4 inches.
The Hydro-gear Transmission system is known for its smooth operation and easy speed adjustment up to a maximum impressive forward speed of 6.5mph. Other comforts and convenience features incorporated in this unit include a digital hour meter, a front guard bumper to protect the front of the mower, an electric blade engagement system, and a 15-inch comfortable seat.
Pros
- The deck comes with anti-scalp wheels to protect your lawn from scalping
- LED headlights for enhanced visibility
- A removable foot pan to allow you access to service ports conveniently
- Improved cut thanks to top and bottom air filtration
- Powerful engine to tackle larger tasks
Cons
- For a large capacity mower, the 6.5 mph max speed is a bit on the slower side
- Not easy to assemble and operate especially for the first-timer
In conclusion,
We pit these mowers against each other and the Poulan Pro P54ZX ZTR mower emerged top of the best as the best riding lawn mower for the money.
It comes with remarkable performance features like a powerful engine, wide 54-inch solidly constructed cutting deck with great maneuverability. It tackles larger lawns quite well and comes with great comfort features. This unit we felt is definitely a worthwhile purchase for the frequent user or the mowing entrepreneur.