The best riding mowers of 2024 (2024)

Pros & Cons

More Details

Pros & Cons

More Details

Pros & Cons

More Details

Pros & Cons

More Details

Pros & Cons

More Details

I chose the Troy-Bilt Super Bronco XP as the best riding mower you can buy since it features a 54-inch cutting deck and a 3-gallon fuel tank, letting you mow up to 4 acres in a single go. The 24-horsepower engine also lets you take on steeper inclines and rough terrain or haul tools and gardening supplies around your property. The hydrostatic drive makes operation similar to a typical car, while an LED display gives you accurate usage hours for streamlined maintenance.

*Lowest price at the time of writing. Please note that prices may vary based on retailer and available promotions, sales, or discounts.

Other than your budget, there are a lot of features and scenarios you have to consider while shopping for a new riding mower. The size of your yard will determine how wide the cutting deck should be, though either a 42 or 46-inch version will be more than enough for most yards.

You can choose either a manual or hydrostatic transmission. A manual model lets you "set and forget" your speed so you can focus, while hydrostatic models operate more like cars, going faster the harder you press the pedal. This makes them more intuitive to operate but also more expensive.

Zero-turn mowers are designed for mowing in oddly shaped areas or around lots of obstacles like trees, lamp posts, and lawn ornaments. They're called "zero-turn" because they have a zero-inch turn radius; you pivot around either rear wheel for ultra-tight turning.

If you need a more in-depth guide, you can check out my how-to, which walks you through mower types, maintenance, and how to budget.

Whether you're looking to buy your first-ever lawn mower, or upgrade from a push or self-propelled, there are a few things to keep in mind when shopping:

• Motor size:You'll want a riding mower with at least a 10HP engine to give you enough power to handle minor inclines and lawns up to half an acre. Larger riding mowers like the John Deere Z530M have more powerful engines, often topping out over 20HP to let you tackle rough terrain and even haul equipment.

• Cutting width:Many riding mowers have either a 42 or 46-inch cutting deck, which is great for lawns between .5 and 1.5 acres. However, if you have a large, multi-acre property, you'll want to choose a larger cutting deck. Many brands have options between 50 and 72-inch cutting decks.

• Transmission type:The less expensive riding mowers will have either a 6 or 7-speed manual transmission. This means you will use a dedicated lever to set your engine's forward and reverse speeds, with a single brake pedal for stop control. The more expensive models feature a hydrostatic drive, which operates similarly to an automatic transmission in a typical car or truck.

• Accessories:Lawn care goes beyond regular mowing. I chose riding mowers that can hitch small trailers or wagons for hauling tools, mulch, or potting soil. I also chose mowers from brands that make after-market add-ons, like rear bagging units for collecting grass clippings, mulching kits for re-feeding lawns, and snow plows for year-round use.

I used to work for MTD Products (now owned by Black+Decker), which assembles a variety of lawn mowers, snow blowers, and other powered lawn equipment. Using the expertise and knowledge I gained during my time there, I looked for riding mowers with these qualities:

• Run time: Whether you choose a traditional gas engine or electric riding mower, it's important to choose a model with a long enough run time to mow your lawn within a reasonable amount of time. For most suburban lawns, a 1-gallon gas tank or 60-minute battery life should be plenty to mow your lawn in a single day.

• Durability: Your lawn mower is going to take a beating. From being exposed to the elements, to running over roots and debris and just normal wear and tear. Choose a riding mower that is made from durable parts like stamped steel or heavy-duty plastic, and also take advantage of any product warranties to replace defective or worn out parts.

• Comfort and safety: You don't want mowing your lawn to be a literal pain in the ass. Make sure the seat provides enough cushioning to be comfortable to sit on for at least an hour, as well as an ergonomic design to help prevent back pain and strain from insufficient support. And make sure all operation controls are within easy reach and can be quickly used in an emergency to kill the blades or engine.

Assuming you have a budget in mind, you first need to find out how big your lawn is. You can either find your lot size on your memorandum deeds if you've bought your house, or you can check your city's website to see if you can request lot measurements if you're renting. If your lot measures about an acre, you can use a 30 or 42-inch cutting deck without any issues. For lawns up to two acres, a 42 or 46-inch deck is ideal. And if your lot is over two acres, you can get a mower with up to a 72-inch cutting deck to handle larger areas.

The transmission type is also important. Many newer models have what is known as a hydrostatic drive, which means that they operate similarly to how a car drives: You push the pedal to move forward or backward, and the harder you push, the faster you go. This makes it easier to learn how to drive, but that also makes the mower more expensive. More stripped-back models have variable-speed manual transmissions, which allow you to "set and forget" your speed so you can focus on paying attention to obstacles and people who may be nearby.

And finally, you'll want to consider the power source for your new riding mower. Gasoline engines are far more common, but there is now a wider variety of battery-powered models to choose from. The perks of a gas engine are that you'll get near-infinite run times (as long as you have enough fuel to keep the engine going) and a bit more power for handling steep inclines and rough terrain. The downsides are dealing with exhaust emissions and maintenance that can be a time and money sink. Electric models don't need engine maintenance, so you save a bit of money in the long run. But they usually have a maximum run time of about an hour, which means that you may have to plan your mowing over several days if you have a larger yard.

Riding mowers are best suited for yards measuring one acre or larger. A model with a 42-inch cutting deck is great for mowing up to two acres, so if you have more land than that, you'll want to spring for a 46, 54, 60, or 72-inch cutting deck.

If you're right on the threshold, you can get what's known as a "mini rider." They usually have compact bodies for easier storage and 30-inch cutting decks to make short work of lawns that are just a touch too large for a push mower.

No matter if you choose a gas or battery-powered riding mower, proper maintenance is key to extending the life of your mower. For gas engines, you should change the oil and filters, clean the spark plugs, and sharpen the blades before you mow for the first time in the spring. You should also use fuel treatments like STA-BIL to prevent gas in the tank or extra jerry cans from going bad from moisture contamination. This prevents the buildup of gunk that can ruin your engine, improves engine performance, and gives you a cleaner cut for a healthier lawn.

Electric mowers don't need engine maintenance, but you should perform thorough inspections at the start of the mowing season to check for battery damage, corrosion on battery contacts, damage to the battery housing, and also to sharpen the blades. If you do regular maintenance, not only will you save money by avoiding big repairs from worn-out parts, but you can also expect your riding mower to last 10 years or more -- which is great news since they can be an expensive investment.