March 2024

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 March 2024.

Summary

On 12 Mar 2024, ReviewFinder team examined a total of 63 lawn mower endorsements from 10 reputable publishers.

37 lawn mowers were endorsed in total, only 15 made it into this month's ranking. (ReviewFinder requires a minimum of 2 endorsements to be included)

As of 12 Mar 2024, Cub Cadet XT1 Enduro LT46 takes the cake as the most critically-acclaimed lawn mower with 3 expert endorsements. 2 experts out of 3 recommended it as the '#1 lawn mower' this month.

Brand breakdown
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At a glance - March Ranking

Scroll horizontally to browse this ranking table
Rank Change Price Lawn Mower
Business Insider
BestCovery
CountryLiving
Homedit
Shelf Guide
The Spruce
Gadgets Reviews
TopTenReviews
Bob Vila
Homes & Gardens
1
- Check price
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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1
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1
3
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2
- Check price
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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2
1
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2
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3
- Check price
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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3
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5
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5
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3
4
- Check price
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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4
3
2
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10
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5
- $5200
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.
4
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4
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1
6
- Check price
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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1
5
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4
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7
- $5499
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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5
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2
7
5
8
- Check price
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.
1
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6
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9
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9
- Check price
Cub Cadet XT1 Enduro LT42
The Cub Cadet XT1 Enduro LT42 is a reliable and well-built lawn mower that offers a range of features to enhance its performance and convenience, making it a solid choice for homeowners in need of a dependable and efficient mower.
5
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1
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10
- Check price
Troy-Bilt Pony 42
The Troy-Bilt Pony 42 Lawn Mower is a gas riding lawn tractor with versatile mulching and bagging capabilities, suitable for small to medium-sized lots and yards, offering a tight turning radius and known for its reliability with proper care and maintenance.
2
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3
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11
- Check price
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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4
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2
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12
- Check price
Troy-Bilt Pony 42X
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5
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2
13
- Check price
Toro Titan 75303
3
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4
17
- $3785
Husqvarna Z254
The Husqvarna Z254 lawn mower is a versatile and feature-rich option that offers convenience, versatility, and safety, making it suitable for professional use or homeowners with large lawns.
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4
4
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18
- Check price
Ariens Ikon XD
The Ariens Ikon XD lawn mower is a highly praised and reliable option for users with large areas of grass to maintain, offering notable features such as cruise control, deck wheels, and a powerful engine, making it an efficient and comfortable choice for achieving desired lawn appearances.
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10
7

We ranked Cub Cadet XT1 Enduro LT46 #1 in March 2024 because:

  • 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best riding lawn mowers and tractors” rankings.
  • Out of those, 2 experts ranked Cub Cadet XT1 Enduro LT46 as #1.
Critic endorsements:
BestCovery

Best Riding Lawn Mower Overall

Go to ranking

Shelf Guide

The best riding lawn mowers overall

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

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

Go to ranking

The Spruce

Best Lawn Tractor

Comfortable, adjustable seat
Reasonable price
Excellent performance in cutting grass

Tricky to start initially
Bagger and mulching kit must be purchased separately

Go to ranking

We ranked John Deere S120 #2 in March 2024 because:

  • 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best riding lawn mowers and tractors” rankings.
  • Out of those, 1 expert ranked John Deere S120 as #1.
Critic endorsements:
BestCovery

Runner Up

Go to ranking

CountryLiving

Best Classic Riding Lawn Mower / Editor's Choice

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The Spruce

Best Budget

Very easy to maneuver even around tight turns
Excellent performance cutting both wet and dry grass
Smooth, comfortable ride
White Glove Service

Requires occasional oil changes
Recommended for up to 1 acre only

Go to ranking

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 March 2024 ranking

We ranked Cub Cadet Ultima ZT1 #3 in March 2024 because:

  • 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best riding lawn mowers and tractors” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
CountryLiving

Best Gas-Powered Zero-Turn Riding Lawn Mower

Go to ranking

The Spruce

Best Gas Zero-Turn

Seat can be fully adjusted for a comfortable ride
Zero-turn
Relatively reasonable price
Easy to control

Handling a bit touchy at first
Rattle from a loose belt

Go to ranking

TopTenReviews

Best riding lawn mower for tough environments

50 inch cutting path
23 horsepower engine

Expensive

Go to ranking

Homes & Gardens

The best riding lawn mower for hills

Powerful commercial-grade motor
Hydrostatic transmission
Large 50-inch deck
Good on hills

Expensive

Go to ranking

We ranked Troy-Bilt TB30 R #4 in March 2024 because:

  • 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best riding lawn mowers and tractors” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
CountryLiving

Best Compact Riding Lawn Mower

Go to ranking

Homedit

Go to ranking

Shelf Guide

The best riding lawn mowers under $1500 and for small yards

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

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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TopTenReviews

Best cheap riding lawn mower

Minor assembly required
Easy to maneuver

Gear shift awkwardly placed

Go to ranking

We ranked Ryobi RY48111 #5 in March 2024 because:

  • 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best riding lawn mowers and tractors” rankings.
  • Out of those, 1 expert ranked Ryobi RY48111 as #1.
Critic endorsements:
Business Insider

The best electric riding lawn mower

Eco-friendly
low maintenance
quiet

About two hours per charge
batteries are expensive to replace when the time comes (three-year warranty)

Go to ranking

TopTenReviews

Best battery-powered riding lawn mower

Zero emissions, no refueling needed
Low maintenance

Requires charging

Go to ranking

Homes & Gardens

The best electric riding lawn mower

Eco-friendly
Quiet
Low maintenance
Good performance

Batteries are expensive when they need replacing
Run time won’t be enough for bigger lawns

Go to ranking

We ranked Husqvarna YTH18542 #6 in March 2024 because:

  • 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best riding lawn mowers and tractors” rankings.
  • Out of those, 1 expert ranked Husqvarna YTH18542 as #1.
Critic endorsements:
Homedit

Go to ranking

Shelf Guide

The best heavy-duty riding lawn mowers

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

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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Gadgets Reviews

High-Performance Riding Lawn Mower

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We ranked Ego Power+ ZT4204L #7 in March 2024 because:

  • 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best riding lawn mowers and tractors” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
CountryLiving

Best Top-of-the-Line Riding Mower

Go to ranking

TopTenReviews

Best riding lawn mower for customization

Power from batteries to rival gas
Zero emissions

Additional batteries sold separately
Pricey

Go to ranking

Bob Vila

Best Battery Zero-Turn

As powerful as a 22-hp gas engine and enough battery runtime to cut up to 2.5 acres
Can choose from 10 cutting positions between 1.5 to 4.5 inches
Full of features, including mulching, bagging, side-discharge, Bluetooth connectivity, a USB port, phone holder, and 32 LED lights
e-STEER technology and 3 driving modes provide the ultimate in easy operation

Those with yards above 2.5 acres will likely need to purchase additional batteries
When riding on an incline or going down a steep hill, it’s easy to lose control of the lawn mower
If the grass is really wet, the blades tend to clog up and shut down.

Go to ranking

Homes & Gardens

The best riding lawn mower for 1 acre

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

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 Toro TimeCutter MyRIDE 75754 #8 in March 2024 because:

  • 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best riding lawn mowers and tractors” rankings.
  • Out of those, 1 expert ranked Toro TimeCutter MyRIDE 75754 as #1.
Critic endorsements:
Business Insider

Best overall

Wide cutting width; durable deck; comfortable ride; maintenance and cleanup is easy

Not CARB compliant
relatively expensive

Go to ranking

The Spruce

Best Gas

Excellent cutting performance
Very comfortable, smooth ride
Easy maintenance
Zero-turn radius

A bit of a learning curve to handle
Bagger and mulching kit must be purchased separately
No headlights

Go to ranking

Bob Vila

Best for Large Yards

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

Large mower requires more storage space and won’t fit through narrow passages
Premium price point for residential equipment, but a fair price for the capability

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We ranked Cub Cadet XT1 Enduro LT42 #9 in March 2024 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best riding lawn mowers and tractors” rankings.
  • Out of those, 1 expert ranked Cub Cadet XT1 Enduro LT42 as #1.
Critic endorsements:
Business Insider

Best small riding lawn mower

Hydrostatic transmission
comfortable seat
16-inch turning radius

May be too narrow for extra large yards
lacks zero-turn steering

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Gadgets Reviews

Compact Riding Lawn Mower

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We ranked Troy-Bilt Pony 42 #10 in March 2024 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best riding lawn mowers and tractors” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
Business Insider

The Best Budget Riding Lawn Mower

Cup holder
5.5 mph speed
five height settings

Lacks zero-turn capability
439cc engine may not be powerful enough for some users

Go to ranking

Bob Vila

Best Bang for the Buck

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

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

Go to ranking

We ranked Husqvarna TS 354XD #11 in March 2024 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best riding lawn mowers and tractors” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
BestCovery

Also Consider

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Bob Vila

Runner-Up

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

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 you’re sitting

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We ranked Troy-Bilt Pony 42X #12 in March 2024 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best riding lawn mowers and tractors” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
Homedit

Go to ranking

Homes & Gardens

The best riding lawn mower on a budget

Wide 42in cutting deck
18-inch turning radius for minimal re-mowing
Good power for the price
Seven speeds

Manual transmission
Fuel capacity on the smaller side

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We ranked Toro Titan 75303 #13 in March 2024 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best riding lawn mowers and tractors” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
Business Insider

Best riding lawn mower for extra-large lawns

Dual LED headlights
3 year warranty/300 hours
comfortable seat

Expensive
bulky size might not be ideal for users who don't have a lot of storage room

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Homes & Gardens

The best riding lawn mower for 2 acres

Commercial grade power
Large cutting deck for larger lawns
Comfortable
Reliable

Expensive
Controls are very sensitive

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We ranked Husqvarna Z254 #14 in March 2024 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best riding lawn mowers and tractors” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
Homedit

Go to ranking

Shelf Guide

The best ZTR riding lawn mowers

Large deck means more grass cutting with fewer passes
Zero-turn-radius operation offers incredible maneuverability
Intuitive brake system activates and deactivates automatically

The lap-bar operation is difficult to get the hang of
Some reviewers appeared to have issues with their warranties

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We ranked Ariens Ikon XD #15 in March 2024 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best riding lawn mowers and tractors” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
Bob Vila

Best for Rough Terrain

Competitive price point for a high-quality zero-turn mower
Commercial-grade engine designed for extended wear and low maintenance
Heavy-duty 11-gauge steel deck and fully welded steel frame for long-term durability
Mows at speeds up to 7 miles per hour, or about 3.3 acres per hour

Fewer comfort and convenience details than some of the other mowers on our list

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Homes & Gardens

The best riding lawn mower: the most comfortable ride

13 different cutting positions
Wide 52-inch cutting deck
Two steering levers provide good maneuverability
Very comfortable seat

Only suitable for going downhill and on flat grass

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