ByTyler Graham
Updated May 06, 2024
Zero-turn lawn mowers are in the big leagues when it comes to mowers. I've tested dozens—here are my favorites.
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Not every lawn in the world requires a zero-turn mower. Committing to a mower is a major investment for those of us with large enough lawns for a zero-turn. Zero-turn mowers are great for folks with over a ½ acre of land who want to mow quickly and cleanly. Outside of normal homeowner use, just about every landscaping company uses multiple zero-turn mowers to mow large commercial properties or rapidly mow residential lawns.
Needless to say, zero-turn riding lawn mowers are critical tools for many people. Before you spend thousands on a new mower, make sure you know what you’re looking for and how to differentiate between commercial and residential models. Here are the best zero-turn mowers, according to experts.
Best Overall Zero-Turn Mower
Cub Cadet Ultima ZT1 42-inch Zero-Turn Mower
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Best Budget Zero-Turn Mower
Craftsman Z5400 22 HP Zero-Turn Lawn Mower
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Best Electric Zero-Turn Mower
Toro 60V Max TimeCutter Zero-Turn Mower
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Best Zero-Turn Mower for Large Yards
John Deere Z515E 60-inch 24 HP Zero-Turn Mower
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Best Mid-Sized Zero-Turn Mower
Ariens Ikon 52-inch 23-HP V-Twin Gas Zero-Turn Riding Mower
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Best Zero-Turn Mower for Hills
Toro TimeCutter SS4225 Zero-Turn Mower with MyRide Suspension
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Pros:
- Powerful Kawasaki engine
- Adjustable steering
- Great for 2-4 acres
- 42-inch cutting deck still fits in your garage
Cons:
- Bold color
The Cub Cadet Ultima ZT1 is the best overall zero-turn mower because it combines raw power with extreme comfort. You can tell the mower was thoughtfully made by someone who has been in the operator’s seat of a zero-turn enough times to make one super comfortable. The 42-inch version of this mower comes with a 21.5 HP Kawasaki twin-cylinder engine. For most folks, this amount of power is perfect. If you know anything about small engines, you know that Kawasaki is a leader in this space.
I love the Ultima ZT1 because it has extra features that make it go from a good mower to a spectacular one. These special features include a high seat back, a rubber floor mat that reduces slipping, headlights and adjustable steering bars. Oh, and my favorite extra feature: Cup holders!
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Pros:
- Wallet-friendly
- Powerful engine backed by Kohler
- Wide cutting deck
- Hydrostatic transmission
Cons:
- Fewer bells and whistles
I was shocked when I saw the Craftsman Z5400 zero-turn mower price tag. A 22-horsepower Kohler engine on top of a 46-inch (!) cutting deck means that you have the power for commercial jobs and serious width that makes mowing a breeze. While many commercial landscapers tend to go big on their zero-turn mower purchases, I don’t see why this mower couldn’t serve as a large residential zero-turn mower or a starter commercial zero-turn mower.
This Crafstman Z5400 is a great mower for someone starting their first landscaping company. It has a reliable engine, a three-year warranty, comfortable features and a price point that allows you to begin working responsibly.
Craftsman is a brand that is found almost exclusively at Lowe’s. Next time you stop by Lowe’s to pick something up, stop outside the front door and give the Z5400 a look and test ride. I think you’ll be surprised at how much it has to offer.
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Pros:
- Quick acceleration
- Quiet
- No gas smell
- Virtually no maintenance
Cons:
- Expensive
- Limited run time
The Toro 60V Max TimeCutter is a surprisingly advanced electric zero-turn mower. I own both the gas and electric versions of the Toro TimeCutter, and I have to say that the electric version is extremely fun to use. The 60V Max battery system replaces the traditional engine location on this mower, allowing you to slide up to six massive batteries into the back easily. Not only is this mower purely battery-powered, but it is surprisingly fast and quiet. I was blown away by the speed and acceleration of the mower, given how large it is.
Using this mower was extremely fun. Electric mowers are still developing, but I felt like there were some major benefits to having an electric zero-turn. This mower is outrageously quiet and responsive, requires little to no maintenance, and doesn’t leave me smelling like gas for the rest of the day. I can also use the batteries with Toro’s other 60V tools.
This mower can cut well over an acre on a single charge—not bad for home use but not quite there for larger commercial jobs.
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Best Zero-Turn Mower for Large Yards
John Deere Z515E 60-inch 24 HP Zero-Turn Mower
Pros:
- Super wide cutting deck
- Fuel tank allows for cutting 4+ acres
- Rollover protection system
- Arm rests
- 4-year warranty
- Made in America
Cons:
- Pricey
The John Deere Z515E zero-turn mower is built for big yards. At 60 inches wide, it covers five feet of grass with each pass. The Z515E comes with a 4.5-gallon fuel tank, which enables you to mow over four acres without taking a break. That’s a pretty large yard for a very large mower that even comes with a rollover bar for added safety.
I also love John Deere’s Accel Deep cutting deck, which has heavy-duty construction and a design that allows for mowing extremely well at high speeds. The Accel Deep deck pulls air through the cutting deck and provides a more consistent and even cut. My other favorite thing about this mower is that John Deere manufactures its zero-turns right here in the USA—Greeneville, Tennessee, to be exact.
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Best Mid-Sized Zero-Turn Mower
Ariens Ikon 52-inch 23-HP V-Twin Gas Zero-Turn Riding Mower
Pros:
- 23 HP engine
- Extremely well built
- Comfortable
- Cup holders + arm rests
- Made in America
Cons:
- Requires extensive maintenance
The Ariens Ikon is one of my favorite mowers because it has the power and features of a commercial mower at a mid-ranged size that can work well for homeowners. At 52 inches wide, the Ariens Ikon allows you to still fit through fences and shed doors and easily slide onto trailers. This is the perfect mid-sized mower because it is maneuverable enough for smaller jobs but can handle larger ones if needed.
I love the well-designed Envy Elite Cutting System on the Ariens Ikon because it reduces scalping more than any other zero-turn I’ve seen. It also comes with a super comfortable seat that looks more like a desk chair or gaming chair than one found on a lawn mower. It also boasts a 23 HP Kawasaki Engine that brings serious power far and above smaller zero-turns or lawn tractors.
Oh yeah, this one is made in America, too!
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Best Zero-Turn Mower for Hills
Toro TimeCutter SS4225 Zero-Turn Mower with MyRide Suspension
Pros:
- Smooth suspension system
- Easy to operate
- Forged steel footplate
- Comfortable
Cons:
- Narrow cutting deck
I got to test out the Toro TimeCutter SS4225 a few weeks ago for the first time. This zero-turn mower was the most comfortable ride of my life—maybe in any vehicle I have been in. It wasn’t necessarily the seat that made it extremely comfortable, but the new MyRide suspension system was astounding. In the MyRide suspension system, a massive coil holds the seat and footplate together in a single unit. That helped me go over bumps and hills effortlessly, and I felt like I was floating—utterly unaware of any hills or bumps.
This mower is very similar to the electric version I mentioned previously, but instead of the battery system, the TimeCutter comes with a 22 HP Kohler engine. It still has a smaller 42-inch cutting deck, which helps with maneuverability and is less likely to topple over on the steepest hills. The TimeCutter is a classic residential zero-turn mower with a thoughtful design that keeps improving each year.
What to Look for When Buying a Zero Turn Mower
Let’s face it—zero-turn mowers are an investment, and you won’t find one for less than $1,000. Before paying the big bucks, ensure you understand what you want in a zero-turn mower.
- Deck Size: The right-sized cutting deck is paramount for buying a zero-turn mower. The bigger, the better for mowing large yards. But bigger cutting decks mean you may have difficulty storing the mower, transporting it, or fitting it through tight spaces, like a fence in someone’s backyard.
- Cost: Cost is also a significant factor. If you’re a commercial landscaper, you will want to map out the return on investment and ability to depreciate your assets. If you are a homeowner, be willing to spend over $3,000 on a zero-turn mower. When it comes to mowers of this size and complexity, you get what you pay for.
- Maneuverability: Zero-turn mowers can perform great feats of maneuverability but vary in responsiveness. When pulling the steering levers, ensure you test the mower’s steering ability and difficulty level.
- Power: High horsepower on a zero-turn mower (over 24 HP) is wonderful. If you are a homeowner, this is probably more than you need. Make sure to align the type of job you are doing with the required level of horsepower. Otherwise, you are overpaying (see cost above).
- Build and Durability: I have heard horror stories of entire decks cracking, mowers not starting, and belts tearing almost immediately. Find a high-quality zero-turn from our list to ensure you have a durable investment.
Why You Should Trust Us
As someone who used to mow lawns professionally, I have mowed thousands of lawns. Over the past few years, I have explored battery-powered and electric lawn tools and believe these are the future of lawn care. Since then, I have tested just about every battery-powered, gas-powered or self-propelled lawn tool, focusing on finding the best mowers available.
We also leaned on the expertise of Tyler Graham of The Lawn Review, the YouTuber who currently owns nearly 20 mowers and has tested dozens more. His expertise helps complete crazy tests that push these mowers to the limit, including using the self-propelled function to walk seven different gas and electric mowers until they ran out of fuel.
Our Decades-Long Search for the Best Zero-Turn Towers
After starting a landscaping company in high school, I became a total snob about zero-turn mowers. As a professional, I spent several hours per day operating many different zero-turns. Now that I have gotten older and have my own yard to mow every week, I have even more stake in the game for having a reliable, easy-to-use, and comfortable zero-turn mower.
Every lawn mower brand on the market has been tested in my backyard and through unique challenges. One of my favorite challenges includes the cut check, where I spray paint a section of my backyard and see how evenly the mower can cut the painted grass. Another consists of the bog-down challenge, where I put the mower through super thick grass and lower the cutting deck until it chokes out the engine. Lastly, I check the run time and coverage to ensure the numbers align with what the manufacturers advertise.
It is time-consuming, and my neighbors give me many strange looks; as a professional lawn mower tester, someone has to do it.
FAQ
What are the disadvantages of a zero-turn lawn mower?
Zero-turn lawn mower disadvantages include:
- A higher price tag
- A robust maintenance schedule
- Trouble finding space to store it
How much should I spend on a zero-turn mower?
If you are a commercial landscaper, expect to spend $5,000 or more on a wide, trusty zero-turn. A homeowner can get a great budget zero-turn for less than $3,000.
How long does it take to mow 1 acre with a zero-turn mower?
It takes about 20 minutes to mow 1 acre with a zero-turn mower, assuming you are navigating at about 3-4 mph.
Originally Published: July 29, 2020
Author
Tyler Graham
Alex is a lawn care and lawn tool enthusiast who is the primary editor of The Lawn Review. Alex has been featured in the Washington Post among hundreds of other national publications.
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