The Best Riding Mowers and Lawn Tractors

While good, cheap walk-behind lawn mowers are sufficient for yards up to half an acre, a riding lawn mower might be a better option for a more sprawling spread. These are not inexpensive machines; expect to spend $1,000 or more, no matter which model you buy. For this guide, we've rounded up rear-engine mowers and lawn tractors selling for $2,500 or less that incorporate useful features, deliver on performance, and prove their value to frugal homeowners with properties that stretch to an acre and beyond. We've also included a pricier electric mower, for those looking to avoid the noise and fumes of a gas-powered engine, and a zero-turn riding mower, for yards that require maximum maneuverability.

Prices and availability are subject to change.

Related: 13 Alternatives to a Traditional Grass Lawn

Best Value Rear-Engine Riding Mower
$2,099 from Cub Cadet
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Pros:

• 382cc engine packs plenty of power, users say
• Hydrostatic transmission for a smoother, no-shift ride
• 5 cutting heights, from 1.5 to 4 inches
• Mulching kit included
• Mows in reverse
• Deck wash connection
• 3-year warranty

Cons:

• Inadequate power for hills, some owners complain, and reverse can be tricky to engage
• Hydrostatic transmissions eat up more fuel and require fastidious maintenance
• No CARB-compliant version

Takeaway: Although it’s not perfect, the Cub Cadet CC30H (13A221JD010) is one of the better rear-engine riding mowers, according to both users and expert reviewers. The narrower 30-inch deck and low top speed (4 mph) make it best suited for less spacious properties (about an acre at most), but the compact size and foot-pedal-operated hydrostatic transmission make it easy to operate and maneuver through gates and around other obstacles. Its cutting and mulching performance draw kudos as well, although some reviews suggest that the optional bagging unit can be prone to clogging and leaving clippings behind. The turning radius is not super tight, at 18 inches. Overall, however, this mower has a lot of happy purchasers, and many say it has actually made yard maintenance “fun.”

Cheap Rear-Engine Riding Mower
$1,939 from Lowe's
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Pros:

• 10.5 hp Briggs & Stratton engine
• 5 cutting heights, from 1.5 to 3.75 inches
• Mows in reverse
• Mulching kit included
• 2-year warranty

Cons:

• Manual transmission can be tricky to operate for some
• Clippings bag costs extra
• No washout port

Takeaway: If you’re willing to tackle a manual transmission, a no-frills riding mower like the Craftsman R110 is a step up from a walk-behind and a good cheap option that appeals to homeowners with smaller yards. Users like both the price and the performance, and claim it’s easy to get it up and running and pretty simple to operate — once you get the hang of the shifting and the between-the-legs positioning of the gear knob. Other than this quibble, owners say it’s a powerful little model that gets the job done on relatively flat yards and seems sturdy enough to stand the test of time. This Craftsman riding mower features a 30-inch cutting blade, 6 speeds (which top out at about 4 mph in both forward and reverse), and an 18-inch turn radius. 

Best Value Lawn Tractor
$2,199 from Cub Cadet
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Check prices at Tractor Supply.

Pros:

• 18 hp Kohler engine with hydrostatic transmission
• 42-inch twin blades for cutting
• 12 cutting heights, from 1 to 4 inches
• Relatively narrow 16-inch turning radius
• Mows in reverse
• Washout port for easier cleaning
• High-back, adjustable seat praised for comfort
• Comparatively generous 3-year warranty; 5 years on chassis and front axle

Cons:

• Mulching performance is only so-so, according to owners who purchased that kit
• Checkered reliability record in the past
• Scattered reports about vibrations and noise

Takeaway: This Cub Cadet lawn tractor has a less powerful engine than you’ll find on competing models, but reviewers say its still more than enough for relatively flat lawns of up to 2 acres — and it can even manage some inclines. It’s also very easy to handle, with a slightly tighter turning radius than many other lawn tractors and a no-shift hydrostatic transmission that accelerates smoothly and can reach maximum forward speeds of 5.5 mph (3.1 mph in reverse); a cruise control setting adds to the operating convenience. The quality of the cut scores well with experts and users, too, and it’s said to be consistent and level, even on wet grass. The Cub Cadet brand has taken some knocks in lawn tractor reviews in the past when it comes to reliability, but feedback on the Enduro series in particular is quite good overall. This is also a Home Depot bestseller, earning more than 150 5-star ratings from owners posting online feedback.

Best Cheap Lawn Tractor
$1,999 from Troy-Bilt
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Pros:

• 19 hp Briggs & Stratton engine
• Automatic transmission
• Good-size 42-inch cutting path
• Very good cutting performance across the board
• Mows in reverse

Cons:

• Choice of 5 cutting heights (1.25 to 3.75 inches) is somewhat limited
• Low-back seat may be uncomfortable for some users
• Relatively small fuel tank for a lawn tractor; 1.36-gallon capacity is more on par with rear-engine riding mowers
• No washout port, which can make it harder to clean the mowing deck

Takeaway: Although it’s not as feature-packed as the competition, this relatively low-cost Troy-Bilt Bronco 42-inch lawn tractor (model 13AL78BS023) doesn’t skimp when it comes to performance. The Bronco is a step up from Troy-Bilt’s cheaper line of Pony lawn tractors, and experts and users say it does a very good job of cutting evenly, bagging clippings, and mulching debris (although the mulching blade can be a bit of a hassle to install). Its 19-horsepower engine is strong enough for mowing moderately hilly terrain, and the 42-inch twin blade and 5.5 mph speed (2.5 in reverse) will make short work of most yards. Better still, the automatic transmission and 18-inch turning radius mean that obstacles and tedious gear shifting won’t wear you down. While you won’t find as many cutting heights or the same ease of adjustment as on pricier models, those are fairly minor quibbles. Overall, according to owner feedback, this incarnation of the Troy-Bilt Bronco line provides solid value for the price. The manufacturer offers a two-year warranty on these mowers.

Best Cheap Zero-Turn Mower
$3,099 from Troy-Bilt
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Pros:

• Turning radius of zero for extremely tight handling
• 679cc engine with dual hydrostatic transmission
• 42-inch cutting deck with two blades
• 9 cutting heights, from 1.5 to 4.5 inches
• Mows in reverse
• Washout port and easy-clean floor pan
• High-back seat for extra comfort

Cons:

• Steering system can be challenging for new users
• Not CARB-compliant
• Requires assembly, some owners complain

Takeaway: Zero-turn riders tend to be very pricey, but the Troy-Bilt is at the lower end of the cost spectrum. For the money you get a capable machine, according to reviews. Getting around landscaping and into tight corners is a piece of cake — once you’ve gotten used to the two-handed lever-based steering system, owners say. The Troy-Bilt does what it's designed to do, reviewers say. It has a nimble maximum speed of 7 mph in mowing mode (2.5 mph mowing in reverse) and comes with a three-year manufacturer’s warranty.

Best Electric Riding Mower
$2,999 from Ryobi
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Check prices at Home Depot.

Pros:

• Eco-friendly, battery-powered motor
• Powerful enough for mowing or using yard attachments
• 7 cutting positions, from 1.5 to 4.5 inches
• 50Ah batteries cover up to 1 acre on a full charge
• Tighter-than-average 16-inch turning radius
• Mows in reverse
• Ready to mulch; no kit required

Cons:

• Expensive for a rear-engine riding mower
• Takes up to 10.5 hours to recharge fully
• Batteries are expensive to replace and warrantied for 1 year only

Takeaway: Electric riding lawn mowers remain a bit of a novelty, but the 48-volt Ryobi RY48130 is considered one of the better ones available, measuring up surprisingly well when compared to gas-powered ride-on mowers. Unlike many rear-engine riders, it packs enough punch to tow reasonable loads. (Maximum speed is 5 mph; 2 mph in reverse.) More important, most reviewers say the deck delivers a nice, even cut, and the ease of operation, tight turning ability, and quiet ride win high accolades. Some users say this mower could benefit from better suspension and perhaps a more comfortable seating arrangement. Still, a vast majority of owners are highly satisfied with this 30-inch Ryobi electric riding mower. A bestselling 38-inch version gets similarly good reviews and boasts convenient features like cruise control and a USB phone charger/holder. Both mowers carry a three-year warranty.

Best Lawn Tractor
$2,399 from Cub Cadet

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Check prices at Tractor Supply Co. and Blain's Farm & Fleet.

Pros:

• Relatively powerful 23 hp engine with hydrostatic transmission
• 46-inch twin-blade cutting system
• 12 cutting heights, adjustable from 1 to 4 inches
• 16-inch turning radius
• Mows in reverse
• Easy-fill 3-gallon fuel tank
• Engineered and assembled in the USA

Cons:

• Some reviewers say the blades bend rather easily when confronted with obstacles
• Some buyers note that the seat can be uncomfortable

Takeaway: Cub Cadet's new-in-2022 LT46 lawn tractor scores quite well with the pros and earns serious praise from owners, too. It’s got the basics more than covered, with a decent-size deck, a hydrostatic transmission, and speeds up to 5.5 mph moving forward and 3 mph in reverse, with the option to set the mower on cruise control. The 23-horsepower engine is strong enough to handle gently inclined yards of around an acre and a half, and most owners say the mowing deck cuts evenly and does a good job of mulching. Add to that easy operation, a tight turning radius, and a design that makes maintenance and attachment changes straightforward, and there’s a lot to like here. Truly negative owner feedback for this lawn tractor is pretty hard to find. The majority of complaints seem to revolve around the blades' tendency to bend near obstacles and the tractor's deck not being as sturdy as previous models. The LT46 carries a three-year warranty.

To find the best riding mowers and lawn tractors for homeowners on a budget, we turned first to the professionals. Consumer Reports reviews and tests more riding mowers than any other credible expert. Other sources we consulted include Popular Mechanics and Top Ten Reviews, as well as the respected enthusiast site Today's Mower, among others. To see what consumers had to say about how these mowers fared in real-world usage, we pored through hundreds of owner reviews posted with manufacturers' and on retailers' sites, including Home Depot, Lowe's, Mowers Direct, and Amazon. While the mowers in our lineup may have fewer frills, a bit less power, and perhaps shorter lifespans than pricier models, we found that consumers are quite satisfied overall with our affordable picks.

To determine which type of riding mower will best suit your specific needs, there are a few things to know. The terms "riding mower" and "lawn tractor" are often used interchangeably, but the primary distinction concerns the placement of the engine: under or behind the seat in a riding mower and mounted in front of the seat in a lawn tractor.

• Rear-engine riding mowers are best suited for relatively flat yards not much larger than an acre. Their decks are comparatively small, often 30 inches or so, and they usually have a single cutting blade. Their more compact size makes them easier to navigate in tight spaces and means they'll need less room for storage. While their engines are peppy enough to cut grass — 10 to 14 horsepower is common on lower-priced models — they don't have the strength or build to do any real hauling or pull any but the lightest attachments, like a seed and fertilizer spreader.


• Lawn tractors, which can tackle larger properties up to two acres with bumps and slopes, have a significantly wider cutting radius — usually from 42 to 48 inches — and two blades to work with. They're heavier than riding mowers, which helps with traction, and their more powerful, 15- to 26-hp engines make them better able to deal with bumps and slopes. These workhorses are also capable of hauling heavier attachments like dump carts and trailers. Many sport automatic transmissions or use hydrostatic (hydraulic-driven) transmissions, as opposed to the manual shift drives common on many riding mowers, which keeps them moving at a steady clip and makes for easier maneuvering around obstacles.


• Zero-turn riding mowers are more expensive, starting at around $2,500. They have rear-mounted engines as powerful as those found on lawn tractors and cutting decks that are similarly wide. Guided with a two-lever steering unit, their rear wheels can spin forward and backward independently, allowing the mower to turn 360 degrees "on a dime" (the turn radius is literally 0 inches) and maneuver close to obstacles. They're best suited for lawns of up to two acres with a lot of trees and landscaping or tighter, fenced corners. Like cheaper riding mowers, however, ZTR mowers aren't designed for hilly terrain or to haul attachments.

Note: Residents of California must buy lawn mowers that comply with standards set by the California Air Resources Board. 

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