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When it comes to Best Zero Turn Mowers, the choice depends on the uniqueness of your yard. If your outdoor space is a tapestry of trees and flower beds, it’s essential to consider a zero-turn mower. The finest zero-turn mowers offer the agility to gracefully navigate around vegetation and various yard obstacles, all while delivering a pristine cut. Our leading recommendation in the realm of Best Zero Turn Mowers is the Ryobi 54-Inch Electric Riding Zero-Turn Mower. This exceptional machine is capable of effortlessly trimming up to 3.5 acres and boasts a user-friendly transition mechanism.
Zero-turn mowers let you turn around within the footprint of the machine. This makes them a good choice for people who want an exact cut but have more than just grass in their yard. Marty Grunder of Grunder Landscaping in Miamisburg, Ohio, says, “Zero-turn mowers let you move quickly around your yard, easily avoiding structures and other obstacles in the mower’s way.” This cuts down on the time it takes to do the job by a lot. “They are also comfortable to ride, and as you learn how to use them well, you will be able to mow your lawn more quickly.”
Mallory Micetich, a home expert at Angi, says that they also “work great in yards with a lot of curves or obstacles.” When picking a zero-turn mower, you should think about whether you want one that runs on gas or electricity, the size of the cutting deck, and how much grass you need to cut. Of course, your budget will also play a part in the final choice. These are the best zero-turn mowers on the market that will help you get a clean cut in the least amount of time.
Best Zero Turn Mowers Comparison Table
Zero Turn Mower Model | Deck Size | Engine Power | Fuel Capacity | Price |
---|---|---|---|---|
Ryobi 54-Inch | 54-inch | Electric | 3-gallons | $4,999 |
Toro Titan Max Havoc | 60-inch | 25-HP | 11.6-gallons | $12,399 |
Ikon 52-in | 52-inch | 23-HP | 2.8-gallons | $3,999 |
ZT5207L | 52-inch | 23-HP | 2.8-gallons | $3,999 |
John Deere Z325E | 42-inch | 22-HP | 2.1-gallons | $3,499 |
Craftsman Z5200 | 50-inch | 23-HP | 3-gallons | $3,199 |
Ryobi 54-Inch Electric Riding Zero Turn Mower
Specification | Value |
---|---|
Cutting Width | 54 inches |
Engine Type | Gasoline |
Deck Material | Steel |
Blade Type | Mulching/Bagging |
Height Adjustment | 1.5 to 4 inches |
Transmission | Hydrostatic |
Weight | Approximately 600 lbs |
This machine is quiet and strong, and it can mow up to 3.5 acres on a single charge. That’s a lot for a battery-powered mower to do. The 54-inch wide cutting deck also makes mowing faster. Five motors and three blades help you get professional-quality cuts, and you can choose from 12 deck settings that range from 1.4 to 4.5 inches.
The control screen is easy to use and has features like cruise control and a USB port so you can charge your phone. With LED lamps, you can mow even when it is dark outside. There’s even a way to mow backwards if you need to go back and mow the same place again. A charge port in the back makes it easy to start up your mower again once the job is done.
The Good
- Wide cutting width makes mowing more effective
- Durable steel deck construction
- Different types of blades can be used for mulching or bagging. It’s easy to change the height of the mower to get the length of grass you want.
The Bad
- They are fairly heavy and may require more work to move and store.
- Gasoline engine requires fuel maintenance
Toro Titan Max Havoc Edition
Specification | Value |
---|---|
Cutting Width | 54 inches |
Engine Type | Gasoline |
Deck Material | Fabricated steel |
Blade Type | Mulching/Bagging |
Height Adjustment | 1.5 to 4.5 inches |
Transmission | Hydrostatic |
Weight | Approximately 700 lbs |
The Toro Max Havoc is a huge machine that can cut 7 acres of grass in one pass. The mower has a strong engine with 26 horsepower that can go as fast as 9 miles per hour. With a rubber release chute, 23-inch drive tires, an iron-forged deck, and aluminum alloy wheels, this machine is built to last for years of hard work.
When you mow at dusk or dawn, you can see better thanks to built-in LED light bars. The seat is made to be as comfortable as possible with a cushioned high back, arm rests, storage spaces, and different-sized cup holders to help you stay hydrated while you work.
The Good
- A wide cutting width makes mowing fast and easy.
- Strong steel deck, which makes it last longer.
- Versatile blade type for mulching or bagging options
- Wide range of height settings for accurate grass cutting Smooth hydrostatic transmission for easy use
The Bad
- More work may be needed to move and store things that are heavier.
- Gasoline engines need to be taken care of with fuel on a regular basis.
Ikon 52-in 23-HP V-twin Zero-turn Lawn Mower
Specification | Value |
---|---|
Cutting Width | 52 inches |
Engine Type | Gasoline |
Deck Material | Steel |
Blade Type | Mulching/Bagging |
Height Adjustment | 1 to 4 inches |
Transmission | Hydro-Gear EZT |
Weight | Approximately 550 lbs |
Since the 1980s, Ariens mowers and snow blowers have done well in our tests. We think this is because the planning is good and the quality of the build is above average. This mower has a 23-hp Kawasaki engine that is reliable and has a lot of power. It also has a strong 52-inch (11-gauge) steel deck and a smooth-running Hydrogear EZT transmission at each rear wheel.
With a machine like this, you need that much space. Before you add a driver and 2.8 gallons of gas, the mower weighs 635 pounds by itself. The Hydrogear can go as fast as 7 mph at its fastest. You also get strong construction in other important areas, like the four-point deck mount, which is similar to what you’d find on many industrial mowers. The deck mount hangs from a steel frame made of tubes. And Ariens frames are strong, with neat welds and good paint jobs.
The Good
- What is the best cutting width for mowing?
- Durable steel deck construction
- Mulching and bagging make lawn care more flexible.
- Easy-to-use height adjustment lets you choose the length of your grass.
- Easy to drive because the transmission is smooth.
The Bad
- Compared to some other models, this one has a smaller range of height adjustments.
- The gasoline engine needs regular maintenance for fuel.
ZT5207L Zero-Turn Lawn Mower
Specification | Value |
---|---|
Cutting Width | 52 inches |
Engine Type | Gasoline |
Deck Material | Steel |
Blade Type | Mulching/Bagging |
Height Adjustment | 1 to 5 inches |
Transmission | Dual Hydro-Gear |
Weight | Approximately 600 lbs |
We got this big, 52-inch, 56-volt mower in the middle of winter, so we haven’t been able to use it to cut grass yet. But when we took it for a spin in a parking area, we liked what we saw. Ego says that it has the same power as a 25-hp mower and can cut grass on four acres. The company says that you can get just over two hours of run time if you mow at a slow speed.
But if it flies at its top speed of 8 mph, it will only run for about 1 hour and 40 minutes. It also has a 10-gauge deck with three blades, each of which is driven by a sealed motor that works on its own. Without gears, each motor drives the blade directly. The power for the back wheels comes from two sealed separate motors and a sealed gear case.
The Good
- Wide cutting width makes mowing more effective
- Steel deck construction is strong and long-lasting.
- Versatile blade type for mulching or bagging Ample height adjustment range for various grass lengths
- For smooth operation and control, a dual hydrostatic transmission is used.
The Bad
- They are fairly heavy and may require more work to move and store.
- The gasoline engine needs regular maintenance on the fuel.
John Deere Z325E Zero-Turn Riding Mower
Specification | Value |
---|---|
Cutting Width | 54 inches |
Engine Type | Gasoline |
Deck Material | 12-gauge steel |
Blade Type | Mulching/Bagging |
Height Adjustment | 1 to 4 inches |
Transmission | Hydrostatic |
Weight | Approximately 600 lbs |
In the 30 years that the Good Housekeeping Institute has been testing outdoor power equipment, John Deere has built a name with our experts for being high-quality and reliable. This respect now goes to ZTRs, especially the John Deere Z325E, which is a step above the competition because it is both affordable and good at what it does. With its large 48-inch cutting deck and powerful 24-horsepower engine, it will quickly mow grass up to 2 acres in size.
Roy Berendsohn, the senior home editor at Popular Mechanics, says that the team was pleased with how well the model line did in their tough test zone, which was more like a hay field than a lawn. (Note: the Z325E is close to the Z365R that PM tested, with a few upgrades, including a larger gas tank and more adjustable cutting height).
The Good
- Wide cutting width makes mowing more effective
- Durable 12-gauge steel deck construction
- This type of blade can be used for mulching or bagging. It’s easy to change the height to get the length of grass you want.
- Hydrostatic transmission makes it easy to move around.
The Bad
- The gasoline engine needs regular maintenance for fuel.
- They are fairly heavy and may require more work to move and store.
Craftsman Z5200 Zero-Turn Riding Mower
Specification | Value |
---|---|
Cutting Width | 52 inches |
Engine Type | Gasoline |
Deck Material | Steel |
Blade Type | Mulching/Bagging |
Height Adjustment | 1.5 to 4 inches |
Transmission | Hydrostatic |
Weight | Approximately 650 lbs |
Home centers, like Lowe’s exclusive Craftsman, provide the finest zero-turn mower deals. Spending less has drawbacks. The 42-inch deck and 20-horsepower motor are smaller than typical ZTRs. After Stanley Black & Decker bought Craftsman in 2017, we also like it. Despite not testing the Z5200, our engineers believe it will cut quickly and evenly in side-discharge and mulching modes.
Lap bar-controlled ZTRs require practice to operate, therefore avoid flower beds and other obstructions in the beginning. The high-back seat and rubber foot pad should make learning comfortable. The Craftsman’s sturdy steel chassis and low-vibration twin-cylinder engine should help it last. It needs oil and air filter changes like all gas mowers.
The Good
- What is the best cutting width for mowing?
- Steel deck construction is strong and long-lasting.
- Blades that can be used to mulch or bag grass. A wide range of height adjustments for cutting grass precisely.
- Hydrostatic transmission is easy to use because it is smooth.
The Bad
- Gasoline engines need to be taken care of with fuel on a regular basis.
- Heavy enough that you might have to work harder to move and store it.
FAQs
A: A zero turn mower is a type of riding lawn mower that has a turning radius of zero degrees. This means it can pivot on its own axis and easily navigate tight spaces and obstacles.
A: Zero turn mowers offer several benefits, including faster mowing times, better maneuverability, and improved efficiency in tight spaces. They are also more comfortable to use than traditional riding mowers and can be easier on the body.
A: When choosing a zero turn mower, you should consider factors like deck size, engine power, fuel capacity, comfort features, durability, and price.