What riding lawnmower is the best? The Husqvarna YTH18542, with its hydrostatic transmission and mow-in-reverse features, is FLOWPAKISTAN’s top pick. To accommodate various mowing scenarios and price ranges, we also looked at zero-turn, electric, and commercial versions.
Husqvarna YTH18542
Best riding mower overall
Cutting width: 42 inches | Transmission: Hydrostatic variable speed | Power source: Gasoline | Mow in reverse: Yes | Mulching/bagger capable: Yes
In addition to taking the top place on our list of the best lawn mowers, the Husqvarna YTH18542 is the greatest riding mower you can purchase right now. I myself own a little earlier iteration of this product, and I adore it.
A mulching kit or bagger attachment may be added to the 42-inch cutting deck for quicker cleanup or to re-feed your grass with ultra-fine clippings. This allows for more equal and consistent cuts. For the greatest cut throughout the whole season, you can adjust the cutting height to six different settings. Additionally, a deck wash option allows you to connect a garden hose to remove dried grass clippings and maintain optimal performance.
Like a car, the hydrostatic transmission accelerates when you press harder on the gas pedal. Therefore, using this riding mower is more simpler than operating manual ones with different speeds. Even better, it includes a mow-in-reverse function that keeps the blades engaged as you back up, making it quick and simple to go over any missed areas or manoeuvre through challenging spaces around garden beds.
Additionally, it has an 18.5 HP Briggs & Stratton engine, which is strong enough to handle inclination, slope, and even difficult terrain. A waggon attachment may be hitched to the back to transport mulch, potting soil, or equipment for other yard tasks. The 16-inch turning radius makes it simple to mow around obstacles like trees, lampposts, and lawn decorations.
Pros:
- Hydrostatic transmission
- Mow-in-reverse feature
- Deck wash
- Narrow turn radius
Cons:
- Bagger and mulching kits sold separately
- Deck is tricky to dismantle for sharpening blades
Cub Cadet XT1 Enduro LT
Best electric riding mower
Cutting width: 42 inches | Transmission: Hydrostatic variable speed with cruise control | Power source: 56V battery | Mow in reverse: Yes | Mulching/bagger capable: Yes
The finest electric riding lawn mower on the market is still the Cub Cadet XT1 Enduro LT, which was one of our top recommendations for the best electric lawn mowers. You’ll receive the same tough construction without the burden of an engine maintenance schedule since it is constructed on the same frame as the gas-powered XT1.
You won’t need a specialised charger because the XT1 Enduro LT is powered by a built-in, 56V battery that can be recharged using a standard wall socket. You will have enough time to mow a two-acre lawn on a full charge of roughly 90 minutes. When you do need to plug in, the battery will fully charge in roughly four hours, allowing you to continue working outside while recharging the battery.
The 42-inch deck features two blades for a steady, level cut, and it also includes a mow-in-reverse function that keeps the blades spinning as you back up so you can manoeuvre through tight spaces or go over places you missed. The deck can be adjusted to 12 different heights for the ideal cut throughout the season on practically any terrain. Even built-in USB connections are available so you may charge your phone while mowing.
Pros:
- No engine maintenance
- Mows up to two acres on full charge
- USB charging ports
Cons:
- Expensive
- Long charging time
Cub Cadet Ultima ZT1
Best zero turn riding mower
Cutting width: 50 inches | Transmission: Hydrostatic variable speed | Power source: Gasoline | Mow in reverse: Yes | Mulching/bagger capable: yes
Our choice for the top zero turn mower on the market is the Cub Cadet Ultima ZT1. It has a twin-cylinder Kawasaki engine with 23 horsepower, a hydrostatic transmission for ease of use, and enough power to handle steep inclines and big yards. The frame is built of tubular steel for strength and longevity, and it is powder coated with a corrosion-resistant paint to shield it from rust and weather damage.
The 11-gauge stamped steel deck can be set to 15 various cutting heights for excellent results throughout the season. It is available in widths ranging from 42 inches to 54 inches to quickly handle just about any size lawn. The seat suspension system offers a smoother ride over rocky terrain, while the seat and lap bars are completely adjustable and have ergonomic designs for more comfortable long-term usage.
The zero inch turn radius, as the name suggests, allows you to rotate in place when necessary, making it simple to navigate the lawn mower past obstacles like tiny trees and lawn decorations or irregularly shaped areas of your yard.
Pros:
- Four deck sizes
- Hydrostatic transmission
- Ergonomic seat and lap bars
- Durable, corrosion resistant construction
Cons:
- Very expensive
- Needs a large storage area
- Lap bars have a steep learning curve for driving
Troy-Bilt TB30
Most affordable riding mower
Cutting width: 30 inches | Transmission: Six-speed manual | Power source: Gasoline | Mow in reverse: No | Mulching/bagger capable: Yes
Even though it might be challenging to find a riding mower that is genuinely “budget-friendly,” the Troy-Bilt TB30 is one of the least expensive options available. It costs roughly $1,800 to purchase directly from Troy-Bilt, but is available at stores like Home Depot and Tractor Supply Company for slightly under $2,000 instead.
It has a 30-inch cutting deck, which is ideal for lawns that fall into the uncommon category of being too large to effectively use a push mower but not quite large enough to warrant purchasing a 42 or 46-inch lawn tractor. To make it simple to re-feed your lawn with ultra-fine clippings, the deck is made to switch from a conventional side discharge to mulching grass.
Additionally, it includes a six-speed manual gearbox, allowing you to choose the ideal forward or reverse speed for your yard before moving forward. The mower’s body has a sleek, compact design that works well in tiny tool sheds and garages. You’ll have a better line of sight because the lawn mower’s engine is positioned on the back, which is fantastic for seeing objects like twigs and pebbles that need to be removed and keeping an eye out for surrounding dogs and youngsters. Even if the engine is smaller, it still has 10.5 HP, which will allow you to pull garden carts, spreaders, sprayers, and other tools to complete any outdoor task.
Pros:
- Compact design
- Affordable price compared to other models
- Rear-mounted engine
- Mulching capable
- Six-speed transmission
Cons:
- No mow-in-reverse feature
- Not hydrostatic
John Deere 1570 TerrainCut
Best commercial riding mower
Cutting width: 60 or 72 inches | Transmission: Hydrostatic variable speed with optional AWD and cruise control | Power source: Diesel | Mow in reverse: Not specified | Mulching/bagger capable: Not specified
A commercial-grade lawnmower made for handling areas like golf courses, sports facilities, and public parks is the John Deere 1570 TerrainCut. But it might be a useful tool to have in your workshop if you live in a rural region and have a 5- to 10-acre property to manage.
Only local dealers or the official John Deere website may purchase it, and if you do so, you can modify several features of the 1570 TerrainCut to better fit your requirements. For the best clipping distribution and efficient mowing, pick rear or side discharge decks in either 60- or 72-inch lengths. You can work longer and spend less time filling up since the gas tank can contain up to 16 gallons (60.6 litres) of diesel fuel.
You can drive the TerrainCut like a vehicle with to its 37.4 HP engine and hydrostatic drive, and you may choose all-wheel drive for increased grip on rocky or hilly terrain. The mower features a “steer from the rear” design, which means the back two wheels control the direction of the entire machine. If you’ve never operated something similar before, especially while driving in reverse, this design will take some getting used to.
You can manage everything from fancy golf courses to grazing pastures and drainage ditches thanks to the deck’s adjustable cutting height that can be set from one to six inches and made of seven-gauge steel. However, if you own a landscaping firm or need to maintain a very big, rural property, this mower is a worthwhile investment even though its over $28,000 price tag puts it out of the price range of the majority of homeowners.
Pros:
- Two deck sizes
- Hydrostatic drive
- Optional all-wheel drive
- Roll-over protection bar
Cons:
- Outrageously expensive
- Can only be repaired or serviced at official John Deere dealers
- Runs on diesel fuel
