This guide features riding lawn mower reviews and the top 10 best riding mowers in 2025. If you have a property of 1/2 acre or bigger, now you can find out which mower is rated #1 for your size lawn.
Mowing large yards is challenging, especially with a walk-behind mower. We’ll help you choose the best riding mower for your yard size and type, including key features and prices for each lawn tractor.
Don’t miss our Riding Lawn Mower Buyers Guide at the end to help homeowners find the best mower for their needs.
Five Things To Consider Before Buying a Riding Lawn Mower:
What is the Most Reliable Lawn Mower?
Answer: According to our tests and a recent Consumer Reports article, Kubota and John Deere are considered the most reliable brands to buy. John Deere offers a more affordable line-up and an extensive dealer and service network.
How Much Should I Spend on a Riding Lawn Mower?
Answer: You should expect to pay between $2,000 and $2,800 for a top-rated riding mower, such as John Deere, with a 42″ deck (Average size).
How Long Does A Riding Mower Last?
Answer: The lifespan of a riding lawn mower is 5-15 years, depending on various factors, such as the Quality of the brand, the size of your yard, maintenance schedule, Frequency (the number of mowings per season), Hills, or Smooth terrain, and Weather conditions.
What is the Best Brand of Riding Lawn Mower?
Answer: Based on national sales, John Deere is the best Gas-Powered Riding Lawn Mower brand, with Cub Cadet and Husqvarna as runner-ups.
The best battery-powered riding lawnmowers are EGO, Greenworks, Cub Cadet, and Troy-Bilt.
What Size Riding Lawn Mower Should I Buy?
Answer: The best-size riding lawn mower depends on the size of your property. For most homeowners with yards less than 1 acre, we always recommend a 42″ mower deck as the best value and most practical size riding mower to own.
However, if your yard is between 1 and 2 acres, consider a larger riding mower, such as a 46″ – 48″ lawn mower.
Most people with lawns exceeding 2 acres most often consider the more agile and quicker mowing capability of the Zero-Turn Mowers featured here.
Top Ten Riding Lawn Mowers – In 2025
Riding Lawn Tractors aren’t Cheap—they’re a significant investment. We’ve compiled our list of the Best Riding Mowers for the Money so you can decide which one is right for you.
Editors Choice: Cub Cadet XT1 – Enduro LT 46″ – 23 HP
Why We Like It
Some homeowners find themselves in the “in-between” position of having a lawn that’s too big for a 42-inch Riding mower but not quite big enough for an oversized 60-inch mowing deck.
The Cub Cadet XT1 not only fills the Top-Rated Riding Mower category in our riding mower reviews (and Nationwide), but the 46″ Mowing Deck also hits the “sweet Spot” for almost any homeowner.
Medium—to large yards (1-2 acres) can be a time-consuming chore with a smaller mowing deck, but with the XT1 and its 46″ Mower Deck, you will be amazed at how much faster you can complete your lawn.
Boasting commercial-grade features, this is no ordinary riding lawn mower. The Cub Cadet XT1 is a Premium Riding Lawn Tractor with Hydrostatic Transmission ((Hydraulic fluid vs. mechanical transmission)
It has a large 23 HP—7000 Series Kohler engine, an adjustable 15″ high back seat, LED Headlights, and S-blades designed to provide the best performance and durability for a unique cutting experience.
Cub Cadet knocks it out of the park with this riding mower.
Cub Cadet is now considered one of the best lawn equipment brands (made in the USA) for gas-powered mowers for homeowners.
Cub Cadet XT1 LT46 – Video (Walk Through)
Specifications
- 46-inch Stamped Steel Mowing deck
- Triple-Blade – Air Induction Technology built-in
- HYDROSTATIC TRANSMISSION (Fluid Speed Transmission- No Shifting)
- 23 HP Kohler – 7000 Series – V-Twin, OHC engine
- Change Reverse to forwarding Direction with Foot Controls
- Top Speed 5.5 MPH
- Large Pneumatic Tires
- Cruise Control
- LED Headlights
- Easy Access Fueling – 4 Gallon Gas Tank
- 15″ High Seat Back
- Rear hitch capability
- Deluxe Steering Wheel
- Mows in reverse
- Clear-Cut Steel Cutting Deck
- 3-year warranty
Our Take Away
When reviewing the best lawn mowers, we found the Cub Cadet XT1 – 46″ mower to be among the best-valued Riding Lawn Mowers on the market.
This 46″ riding mower is equally equipped as the 42″ John Deere model—priced around $200 more—making the Cub Cadet riding mower an exceptional value.
Cub Cadet – Editors Choice Best Riding Lawn Mower
CUB CADET “XT1” – RIDING MOWER
Runner Up: Husqvarna TS242 XD Riding Mower – 20.5 Hp with 42-inch Deck
Why We Like It
Husqvarna is one of the best-known names in the lawn equipment industry. We’ve chosen the gas-powered Husqvarna TS242XD as the Best riding mower in the large 42-inch Deck category and as one of the best riding lawn tractors overall.
This Husqvarna Rider offers plenty of power thanks to the exceptional 20.5-horsepower V-Twin Kawasaki engine.
In addition, this Husqvarna riding mower features a range of conveniences: an Electric Locking Differential for Superior Traction, Cruise control, a 10-position adjustable seat, and a super easy oil change system.
Specs
- 42-inch mower deck
- 20.5 Horsepower KAWASAKI- V-twin engine
- 5.5 mph Forward and 2.5 mph Reverse speeds.
- Electric Lock Differential (Increased traction)
- Tuff-Tork – Hydrostatic transmission
- Extra Large – High Back Ergonomic Seat with Armrests
- Welded Steel Deck
- Auto-Lock Rear Differential
- Wash Port Attachment for Mowing Deck
- Fast, easy starting
- 3-year warranty
Husqvarna TS242 XD” Riding Mower Video:
Our Take Away
Overall, we love Husqvarna products, as they are one of the most sturdy and reliable brands in lawn equipment. The 42″ TS242XD riding lawn mower is easy to handle, comfortable to drive, well-built, and produces a fantastic cut.
The electric locking differential provides the best climbing for steep or sloped yards. If you need an excellent mower to mow a 3/4 acre or more considerable lot, this is our best-rated 42″ riding lawn mower.
Runner UP: HUSQVARNA 42″ Riding Lawn Mower
HUSQVARNA TS 242XD Rider
Runner Up – John Deere S120 – 42″ Lawn Tractor
Why We Like It
As you continue, you will note that we’re big fans of this John Deere 42″ Mower. And while the mowing deck is smaller (42″) than our Editors Pick from Husqvarna, this smaller deck riding lawn mower from John Deere still wins as our Runner-Up for the best riding mower.
The John Deere 42 riding lawn mower stands out as the best overall riding mower package in its class. It has a V-Twin 22-hp Engine, a Hydrostatic foot-pedal-controlled transmission, a tight 16″ turning radius, an adjustable seat, and anti-scalp wheels.
Specifications
- 42-inch mower deck
- 22-horsepower V-Twin John Deere engine
- 30-second Oil Change System
- White-Glove “Home Delivery” From Home Depot
- Lumbar-supporting seat
- 13- different cutting heights
- 2-Year Warranty
- Easy starting
- Hydrostatic transmission
Our Take Away
Thanks to its power, highly maneuverable 42″ mowing deck, and range of convenience features, the John Deere S120 – 42″ lawnmower is the best mower for any lot size up to 2 acres.
The John Deere is a fantastic choice riding mower for the money, especially if you plan to use a riding lawn mower with an optional bagging attachment here.
We would be remiss if we didn’t include the John Deere S120 as one of the best-rated riding mowers on the planet. After all, John Deere is the #1 riding mower brand in the country – just as long as you have the budget to buy it 🙂
If your budget allows it, we recommend the Husqvarna 54″ Riding Mower (above) for larger properties and areas with thick grass. Its 12″ wider cutting path is ideal for these properties.
John Deere – “Runner UP”- Best Riding Mower”
John Deere Mower
Best “Battery Powered” Riding Mower: Greenworks – 60V CRT426
Why We Like It
It may surprise you that battery technology in outdoor power equipment has advanced to the point that a battery can power a Riding lawnmower.
Greenworks is an entry-level player in the Riding Mower battery-powered category, and in our opinion, this mower offers no loss in performance.
The Greenworks CRT426 Riding Mower with (8) 8.0 Ah lithium-ion batteries powers this incredible riding machine with an equivalent gas power of 24 HP.
Not only does this match the power of a gas-powered lawn tractor, but this achievement allows homeowners to enjoy the low-maintenance convenience of electric power in a piece of equipment that has historically been powered exclusively by gasoline engines.
Specifications
- 42-inch mower deck
- (8) 60 Volt – 8.0Ah batteries included
- Battery Recharge in 90 minutes or less.
- Up to 6 Mph variable speed settings
- Mows up to 2.5 acres per charge
- USB Port + Greenworks Smartphone App Diagnostics
- 7-position deck
- Dual Action Blades
- LED Headlights
- 4-year Tool and Battery Warranty
- Bagging kit available (but not included)
Greenworks 60Volt Riding Mower Video (From the U.K.)
Our Take Away
With No gasoline, oil changes, belts, spark plugs, air filters, or other maintenance issues, the Greenworks battery riding mower may be the most convenient riding mower built for today’s busy homeowner.
But don’t let its size fool you. This mower can comfortably tackle up to 2.5 acres of land on a single battery charge.
If you want to avoid exhaust fumes or are someone who doesn’t have time to keep up with gas-powered maintenance, the highly rated Greenworks 60 Volt battery-powered mower is one of our top choices.
In addition, if you own other Greenworks battery lawn tools, any of these eight batteries will also run that equipment!
Greenworks CRT426 – 42″ Battery-Powered Riding Mower
GREENWORKS
Best Value “Cub Cadet” Riding Mower – Cub Cadet – XT1 LT42
Why We Like It
Achieving “Best Value” in the top-flight brand “Cub Cadet,” the XT1-LT42 is annually one of the most popular riding mowers for homeowners nationwide.
This garden tractor combines the ideal 42″ Mower Deck with a powerful 19-HP Kohler 7000 V-Twin engine, a favored dual Hydrostatic Transmission, and all the bells and whistles most homeowners desire.
While not the cheapest riding mower on our list, the Cub Cadet XT1-42 is the best value. It is also best for maneuverability, and for using on sloping yards or hills.
Specifications
- 42-inch Twin-Blade mower deck
- Zero-Turn Radius
- Steering Wheel Control
- Kohler 7000 Series 19.5-HP Engine
- IntelliPower throttle adjustment
- Responsive handling
- Heavy-duty steel frame – Lifetime frame warranty
- 3-year warranty on engine and parts
- Hydrostatic transmission
- Adjustable Cutting Heights
- LED Headlights
Our Take Away
The Cub Cadet XT1-LT42 has almost every riding lawn mower feature you could wish for and is an incredible value. In addition, it includes DUAL hydrostatic transmission, meaning the steering wheel turns all four wheels, making it an excellent mower for Hills or Steep terrain.
We were highly impressed with this riding mower and can recommend it as one of the top-rated riding lawnmowers for lots up to 2 acres in size.
CUB CADET XT1-42″ – Best Value “Cub Cadet” Riding Mower
CUB CADET
Most Affordable Riding Mower – Troy- Bilt “Neighborhood” – 30″ Lawn Tractor
A solid-performing brand is Troy-Bilt. This 30″ Riding lawn mower provides sufficient mowing capabilities and is the Best Value (and one of the Cheapest) Riding Mowers on the planet!
This Troy-Bilt mower is an excellent option for smaller residential yards (under 1 acre) or those needing a budget-friendly price. Its 12-horsepower engine isn’t the most powerful riding lawn tractor. At the time of publishing, the price is under $1,900.00
However, you will still find the same quality construction and attention to detail that generations of homeowners have come to associate with the Troy-Bilt brand.
Specifications
- 30-inch mower deck
- 10.5 – horsepower engine
- Key Start
- 6-Speed Transmission + 4.5 Mph Top speed
- Mid Back Seat
- Compact 18″ Turning Radius
- 16″ Rear and 13″ Front Durable Wheels
- Fade-resistant hood
- Easy To Store
- 2-year warranty
Our Take Away
The 11 HP TROY BILT delivers the convenience of the Husqvarna or Craftsman models with their 6-speed transmission but with less top-end speed and, of course, a smaller mowing deck.
The Troy Bilt Neighborhood is also the top-selling cheapest riding mower you should consider, and there’s still a lot to like here, including a highly maneuverable 30″ Deck.
If you’re mowing a mid-sized residential yard and don’t need vast amounts of power on tap, you’ll find that the 12 HP Mower from Troy-Bilt is a great lawn tractor that will get the job done for you.
TROY BILT “Neighborhood” – Most Affordable Riding Mower
TROY BILT
Best Value: Troy Bilt 42″ “Pony” Riding Mower – 17 HP
Why We Like It
When you first look at riding mowers for sale, you may be intimidated by the price tags you see. The Troy-Bilt Pony model is well worth the price if you’re looking for a cheap riding lawn mower at the lowest possible price point.
With a 42-inch cutting deck and a 13.5 HP engine, the Pony provides plenty of power and capability, all at a price that almost any homeowner can reasonably afford.
Specifications
- 42-inch mower deck
- 439cc engine (13.5 HP)
- Automatic headlights
- Reliable starting
- Anti-scalping tires
- 7-speed transmission
- Mow-in-reverse optional
- 2-year warranty
Our Take Away
Even though it’s a budget option, this Troy-Bilt riding mower has a lot going for it. Smaller engine size notwithstanding, the Pony has plenty of get-up-and-go – and will easily handle any residential lawn under 2 acres.
Overall, the Troy-Bilt Pony riding lawn mower is a perfect option for homeowners on a tight budget who still want or need to invest in a riding mower. This is it if you’re looking for a top-rated riding lawn mower for under $1,900.00
Troy-Bilt “Pony” Best VALUE Mower 42″ Mower Deck
Troy – Bilt
Best Price Riding Mower With “Hydrostatic Drive” – Troy-Bilt Super Bronco XP
The Super Bronco XP from Troy-Bilt is next on our list of best-value riding lawnmowers. This mower offers a much better-than-average OHV Troy-Bilt 16.5 Hp engine with a Hydrostatic transmission drive—a feature not typically found in riding mowers of this price range.
While the Bronco doesn’t include the V-Twin engine, it does offer considerable savings over its big brother, the Mustang Riding Mower (above). Oh, and the Super Bronco XP does have Headlights!
Specifications
- 42-inch Twin-Blade Mower Deck
- Deck port wash included (using a garden hose)
- Mow-In-Reverse option
- 16.5 HP Single Cylinder engine
- Auto-Choke
- Responsive handling – Standard Steering Wheel
- Great for Hills and Sloping Yards
- 3-year warranty
- Hydrostatic drive transmission
- Variable Cutting Heights
- LED headlights
Our Take Away
Founded in the U.S. in 1937, Troy-Bilt has built a solid reputation as a highly respected lawnmower manufacturer.
Note that the White Glove delivery service is not included for Troy-Bilt mowers; the homeowner will require some assembly after delivery.
Overall, it is an excellent mower with fantastic features at a great price.
Troy-Bilt – Cheapest 42″ Mower with Hydrostatic Drive
Troy-Bilt
Riding Lawn Mowers for Sale Near Me:
If you’re interested in a particular riding mower featured in this article, click any of our links. You will be directed to Amazon or Home Depot, where you can review more details about the mower, place an order, and set up free delivery (where available—suppliers may vary).
Note: Most riding lawnmowers are shipped within 7-10 business days. The exact date will be confirmed at check-out.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What Is the Best Cheap Riding Mower?
A: If you’re mainly concerned with price, the Troy-Bilt 30-inch Neighborhood model is the least expensive riding lawn mower. The Neighborhood offers reliable performance at a great price point, is highly maneuverable, and is perfect for small to mid-sized yards.
The Troy-Bilt Pony is another great option if you’re looking to balance power and size with value.
Q: What are the Top 5 Best Riding Lawn Mowers?
A: The Top 5 Rated Riding Mowers are from Cub Cadet XT1-LT46, John Deere ST120, Husqvarna Z54, Greenworks 60V (Battery Powered), and the Troy Bilt “Neighborhood.
Q: What Is the Best Riding Lawnmower for 1 Acre or Less?
A: For 1 acre or less, we’d recommend the When considering top-rated riding mowers, we recommend the Cub Cadet XT1 – LT42 with a hydrostatic transmission, strong brand reputation, dependable warranty, excellent construction quality, and a 42″ mowing deck.
As an upgrade and for the best riding mower for extensive lawns between 1 and 2 acres, we highly recommend the Cub Cadet Ultima Enduro—XT1- LT46, which has a 46″ mowing deck.
We also highly recommend researching the Zero-Turn Lawnmower before purchasing a riding mower. While they cost more, they are nimble and faster for completing large lawns.
Q: Where do you get a riding lawn mower serviced?
A: In addition to your local small equipment shops and For brands like John Deere, Husqvarna, Toro, and Troy-Bilt, you can easily have your lawnmower serviced at most outdoor power equipment dealers.
Q: Who Makes the Best Riding Mower
A: The Top 5 Riding lawn mower brands for the money are Cub Cadet, John Deere, Husqvarna, Troy-Bilt, and Toro. It’s important to note that the best riding mower for you will depend on your needs, preferences, and budget.
Before selecting the mower that best suits your needs, consider the size and slope of your yard, the price you’re willing to pay, and the maintenance you’re ready to perform.
Riding Lawn Mower Buyers Guide
Grass grows fast, and on a hot day, is there anything worse than spending hours pushing a lawnmower around the yard? Even with a self-propelled mower, it’s a workout.
The solution: Offering much higher speeds and cutting paths than walk-behind mowers, the best riding lawn mowers featured today will make cutting your lawn a quick, efficient—and, dare we say, “fun job.”
Our riding lawn mower buyers guide below – explains the most important features to consider when buying a riding mower:
Power
One of the most important considerations when selecting a riding mower is the amount of power its engine produces. More power allows a mower to deal quickly with uphill slopes, move faster, and cut through wet or thick grass.
The V-twin type engine typically boasts higher power ratings than single-cylinder engines, so you’ll generally see them included on higher-priced riding mowers.
On the other hand, don’t forget to peek at the top-rated battery-powered models from Ryobi. With no spark plugs, gas, oil, or belts to worry about, they are gaining popularity fast with homeowners who have two acres or less to mow.
Transmission
Most riding mowers feature either a manual or hydrostatic transmission. Hydrostatic transmissions utilize a fluid system to seamlessly shift between gears, while manual transmissions require a lever to change gears manually.
Manual transmissions are incredibly dependable, but most high-end mowers offer hydrostatic transmissions as a more user-friendly feature.
Deck Size
As you may have noticed, a 42-inch mower deck is a standard for most riding lawnmowers on this list. 42-inch mowing decks work best on yards up to 2 acres.
If you have more than 2 acres to mow, we strongly recommend upgrading to a 48-inch or 54-inch model, such as the John Deere E160, listed under our Best Upgrade category.
Cutting Options
Most riding lawnmowers can mow using three cutting options: side discharge, mulching, and bagging.
Most mowers are set up for side discharge and mulching, but you must separately purchase a bagging attachment to bag your grass clippings.
The Ryobi 38″ battery-powered riding mowers in our reviews can be purchased with or without the grass bagging attachment.
Wrapping Up
If you’re in the market for a great lawn mower, there are some fantastic options.
The Cub Cadet XT1-46 is our top choice for the best riding mower, with the John Deere S120 as a close runner-up.
Finally, the Troy-Bilt Neighborhood was our selection for the best value in the standard 42-inch mower deck category, as it is the most affordable riding mower.
Although these riding mowers represent our top three picks in each category, the best lawn tractor for you may be one of the other models on this list.
The best pick for you will depend on your yard size, terrain, and budget, but the ten mowers on this list should give you a great start in your search for a new riding mower.
(Disclosure: Best Home Gear is an authorized Home Depot affiliate and Amazon (we are not sponsored, but we do make a small fee if you choose to buy at Home Depot or Amazon through one of our links).
Thanks again for visiting Best Home Gear. Please don’t hesitate to leave us a comment or suggestion below!
Additional Reading & References:
- How to Use a Lawnmower Safely Around Children – Healthychildren.org
- The 10 Best “Backpack” Leaf Blowers You Can Buy – BestHomeGear.Com
- Diagnosing TurfGrass Problems – University of California
- The Best Battery-Powered Lawn Equipment “Brands” – BestHomeGear.Com
- The Best Chainsaw For Homeowners – Besthomegear.com
- Can You Cut Wet Grass with an electric mower? – Ehow.com
- The Best Pressure Washers Under $300 in 2020 – Besthomegear.com