January 2025
Riding Lawn Mowers And Tractors: MetaRanking
This page highlights the aggregate summary of riding lawn mowers and tractors rankings posted by key online experts, as of January 2025.
Summary
On 5 Jan 2025, ReviewFinder team examined a total of 61 lawn mower endorsements from 10 reputable publishers.
42 lawn mowers were endorsed in total, only 14 made it into this month's ranking. (ReviewFinder requires a minimum of 2 endorsements to be included)
As of 5 Jan 2025, Cub Cadet XT1 Enduro LT46 takes the cake as the most critically-acclaimed lawn mower with 3 expert endorsements. 3 experts out of 3 recommended it as the '#1 lawn mower' this month.
Brand breakdown
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Ryobi: 5 lawn mowers
(#1 is Ryobi RY48111)
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Cub Cadet: 4 lawn mowers
(#1 is Cub Cadet XT1 Enduro LT46)
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Troy-Bilt: 4 lawn mowers
(#1 is Troy-Bilt Bronco 42)
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John Deere: 3 lawn mowers
(#1 is John Deere Z370R)
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Ego Power+: 3 lawn mowers
(#1 is Ego Power+ ZT4204L)
At a glance - January Ranking
| Rank | Change | Price | Lawn Mower |
Popular Mechanics
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Business Insider
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TopTenReviews
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CountryLiving
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BestCovery
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Shelf Guide
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The Spruce
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Gadgets Reviews
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Bob Vila
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Homes & Gardens
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Cub Cadet XT1 Enduro LT46
The Cub Cadet XT1 Enduro LT46 lawn mower is highly praised for its features, performance, and versatility, making it a reliable choice for those who prioritize a well-manicured lawn and value safety features.
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John Deere Z370R
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1
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3
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John Deere S120
The John Deere S120 lawn mower is a versatile and reliable machine with notable features such as cruise control, deck wheels, and mulching and bagging capabilities, making it suitable for various lawn maintenance tasks.
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Cub Cadet Ultima ZT1
The Cub Cadet Ultima ZT1 lawn mower is highly regarded for its precise control, maneuverability, mulching capabilities, and ergonomic design, making it a reliable and powerful choice for various lawn mowing needs.
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5
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3
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Troy-Bilt Bronco 42
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Ego Power+ ZT4204L
The Ego Power+ ZT4204L is a zero-turn riding lawn mower with a range of features, including a powerful motor, USB charging port, and comfortable design, making it a convenient and efficient option for mowing large areas.
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EGO TR4204
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Ryobi RY48111
The Ryobi RY48111 riding lawnmower offers a range of features, including cruise control, multiple deck settings, and a USB charging port, making it a versatile and efficient option for homeowners with medium to large-sized lawns.
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Troy-Bilt TB30 B
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3
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3
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Husqvarna TS 354XD
The Husqvarna TS 354XD Lawn Mower is a versatile and feature-rich garden tractor that offers exceptional maneuverability, comfort, and power, making it suitable for medium to large-sized yards and professional landscapers.
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Troy-Bilt TB30 R
The Troy-Bilt TB30 R is a compact riding lawn mower that offers durable deck wheels, effective mulching capabilities, and the option for side-discharging clippings, making it a reliable and efficient choice for homeowners with small to medium-sized lawns.
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John Deere S100
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16
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Husqvarna YTH18542
The Husqvarna YTH18542 is a highly recommended lawn mower that offers convenient features such as cruise control, dual anti-scalp wheels, mulching and bagging capabilities, a powerful engine, excellent maneuverability, and comfort, making it suitable for a variety of cutting needs.
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Toro TimeCutter MyRIDE 75754
The Toro TimeCutter MyRIDE 75754 is a highly recommended lawn mower with convenient features, powerful performance, and comfortable seating, making it a reliable and efficient option for maintaining medium to large-sized properties.
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We ranked Cub Cadet XT1 Enduro LT46 #1 in January 2025 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their âbest riding lawn mowers and tractorsâ rankings.
- Out of those, 3 experts ranked Cub Cadet XT1 Enduro LT46 as #1.
Popular Mechanics
Best Overall
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Powerful engine
Push button cruise control
Hydrostatic transmission
12 different cutting heights
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Not enough shock absorption in the seat
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Shelf Guide
The best riding lawn mowers overall
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Push-button cruise control for relaxed mowing
Great maneuverability over even land and inclines alike
High-back seat design with oversized seat and elevated back support for enhanced comfort
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The removable cutting deck can be difficult to detach and reattach
A few reviewers noted the engine stalling when the tractor is running but not moving, and the parking brake is not engaged
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We ranked John Deere Z370R #2 in January 2025 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their âbest riding lawn mowers and tractorsâ rankings.
- Out of those, 2 experts ranked John Deere Z370R as #1.
Business Insider
Best overall
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Wide cutting width
Comfortable ride
Built-in batteries
Goes up to 7 mph
Can withstand water and dust
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Very expensive
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TopTenReviews
This is the best riding lawn mower you can buy
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Little maintenance required
Mows up to 2 acres on a single charge
Able to wash the mower without harming battery
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Battery can only be replaced at dealership
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Methodology: combine opinions of key experts
Identify Experts
We identify key publishers and experts that consistently review and recommend riding lawn mowers and tractors.
Capture Rankings
For each publisher we find a currently recommended "top 10" list of riding lawn mowers and tractors, it must be updated in the last 9 months.
Aggregate Rankings
We put all those lists together and aggregate them. The more frequently a product is recommended, the higher it is in our ranking
Experts chosen for January 2025 ranking
Popular Mechanics
Business Insider
TopTenReviews
CountryLiving
BestCovery
Shelf Guide
The Spruce
Gadgets Reviews
Bob Vila
Homes & Gardens
We ranked John Deere S120 #3 in January 2025 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their âbest riding lawn mowers and tractorsâ rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked John Deere S120 as #1.
We ranked Cub Cadet Ultima ZT1 #4 in January 2025 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their âbest riding lawn mowers and tractorsâ rankings.
TopTenReviews
Best riding lawn mower for tough environments
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50 inch cutting path
23 horsepower engine
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Expensive
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Homes & Gardens
The best riding lawn mower for hills
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Powerful commercial-grade motor
Hydrostatic transmission
Large 50-inch deck
Good on hills
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Expensive
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We ranked Troy-Bilt Bronco 42 #5 in January 2025 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their âbest riding lawn mowers and tractorsâ rankings.
The Spruce
Best for Hills
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Automatic transmission
Good traction on hills
Extra leg room
Compatible with a variety of accessories
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Bagging and mulching kits sold separately
Limited cutting heights
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Bob Vila
Best Bang for the Buck
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Features lots of user-friendly extras: headlights, step-thru frame design, mid-back seat, rubber footpads, and a rear hitch
Auto-drive transmission is easy to operate and smoothly adjusts speed
18-inch turn radius allows you to maneuver around landscaping and other obstacles
Deck adjusts to 5 different cutting heights using a single lever
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Gas engine is fairly loud and requires more maintenance than an electric version
Rear bagger and mulch kit are separate, add-on purchases
Transmission is not hydrostatic so requires you to put it into forward and reverse manually
Battery installation can be cumbersome
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We ranked Ego Power+ ZT4204L #6 in January 2025 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their âbest riding lawn mowers and tractorsâ rankings.
Homes & Gardens
The best riding lawn mower for 1 acre
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Battery-powered
Can mow up to two acres in one charge
Tech connectivity including USB port, lights and Bluetooth
Customize blade control, speed, and cut
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Not suited to spaces bigger than two acres
Can hold six batteries but only comes with four so could go further
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We ranked EGO TR4204 #7 in January 2025 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their âbest riding lawn mowers and tractorsâ rankings.
Business Insider
Best lawn tractor
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Cruise control
Ability to mow on hills
12 deck positions
USB charging
Cuts up to 1.5 acres on one charge
6 mph forward speed
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No zero-turn
18-inch turn radius
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TopTenReviews
The Best Lawn Tractor
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Able to mow on 15 degree slopes
42-inch deck with 12 cutting height positions
Adjusts power to return tractor to charging area
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Many levers and icons to learn and remember
Parking break is tricky to engage
Only an 18-inch turn radius
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The Spruce
Best Tractor
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12 cutting height settings
Fast mowing
USB power port
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Low backrest
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We ranked Ryobi RY48111 #8 in January 2025 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their âbest riding lawn mowers and tractorsâ rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Ryobi RY48111 as #1.
TopTenReviews
Best battery-powered riding lawn mower
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Zero emissions, no refueling needed
Low maintenance
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Requires charging
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Homes & Gardens
The best electric riding lawn mower
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Eco-friendly
Quiet
Low maintenance
Good performance
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Batteries are expensive when they need replacing
Run time wonât be enough for bigger lawns
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We ranked Troy-Bilt TB30 B #9 in January 2025 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their âbest riding lawn mowers and tractorsâ rankings.
Popular Mechanics
Best Value
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Smooth ride
Tight turning radius
Adjustable speed
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Manual transmission
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TopTenReviews
Best cheap riding lawn mower
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Minor assembly required
Easy to maneuver
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Gear shift awkwardly placed
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We ranked Husqvarna TS 354XD #10 in January 2025 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their âbest riding lawn mowers and tractorsâ rankings.
Bob Vila
Runner-Up
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Built for long-term durability and use across every season
Rear wheels feature electronic locking differential locks for extra traction when necessary
Foot pedal shifting, cruise control, armrests, and an ergonomic steering wheel offer top-of-the-line operational comfort
Adapts to any landscaping with 6 height settings and an 18-inch turning radius
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No gas gauge or reserve gas lever; need to carry extra gas on especially large mows
Seat adjustment is underneath the seat and cannot be adjusted while youâre sitting
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We ranked Troy-Bilt TB30 R #11 in January 2025 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their âbest riding lawn mowers and tractorsâ rankings.
Shelf Guide
The best riding lawn mowers under $1500 and for small yards
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Compact size fits easily into sheds and garages
Rear hitch for compatibility with a variety of attachments
Soft-touch steering wheel with reduced vibration for more comfortable control
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A few reviewers disliked the design of the oil chamber and found changing the oil difficult and messy
The wheel may jerk when crossing over bumps or embankments, meaning you may temporarily lose control of the tractor
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We ranked John Deere S100 #12 in January 2025 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their âbest riding lawn mowers and tractorsâ rankings.
Popular Mechanics
Best Mid-Size Lawn Tractor
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Powerful engine without a huge price tag
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Fuel tank isnât visible
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The Spruce
Best Budget
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Very easy to maneuver even around tight turns
Excellent performance cutting both wet and dry grass
Smooth, comfortable ride
White Glove Service
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May require more than one pass for thick grass
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We ranked Husqvarna YTH18542 #13 in January 2025 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their âbest riding lawn mowers and tractorsâ rankings.
Shelf Guide
The best heavy-duty riding lawn mowers
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ReadyStart technology for easy, choke-free startup
Powerful 18.5 hp 540cc Briggs and Stratton Intek engine
Heavy-duty chassis with cast-iron axles and 13-gauge steel cutting deck
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Some reviewers reported excessive vibration/shaking, especially when going up inclines
A few reviewers noted that the scalping wheels on the left cannot be adjusted, as they come into contact with the mower deck
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We ranked Toro TimeCutter MyRIDE 75754 #14 in January 2025 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their âbest riding lawn mowers and tractorsâ rankings.
The Spruce
Best Gas
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Excellent cutting performance
Very comfortable, smooth ride
Easy maintenance
Zero-turn radius
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A bit of a learning curve to handle
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Bob Vila
Best for Large Yards
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The Toro MyRIDE suspension system provides an ultrasmooth ride on rough ground
Heavy-duty forged deck and 10-gauge steel frame for long-lasting durability
Commercial-grade Kohler engine is engineered for low maintenance and extended use
Mows about 0.25 acre per hour faster than the 50-inch TimeCutter
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Large mower requires more storage space and wonât fit through narrow passages
Premium price point for residential equipment, but a fair price for the capability
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