Best Zero Turn Mowers Reviews

Zero-turn mowers provide a lot of flexibility and ease when mowing medium-large yards.

They come with large cutting decks, and a wide turn radius, and are designed for easy maneuvering by using lever control mechanics to turn the mower on a zero-degree turn radius.

What’s the best zero-turn mower for your yard maintenance? The answer to that will depend on a few factors such as your lawn size, incline, landscaping, and your budget.

In this article, we’ve ranked top-rated zero-turn mowers based on their engine power, cutting power, speed, fuel efficiency, safety features, and comfort.

Best Zero-Turn Mowers: Our Top Picks

Overall Best/Best for Large Yards Husqvarna MZ61 61 in. 27 HP Briggs & Stratton Zero Turn Riding Mower
The Husqvarna MZ61 sturdy zero-turn mower comes with innovative features such as a powerful 27HP Briggs & Stratton Engine, 61-inch cutting deck, high back seat for a top-notch mowing performance.
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Most Comfortable Ariens IKON XD 60 inch 23 HP (Kawasaki) Zero Turn Mower
The Ariens IKON XD 60 comes with a high back plush seat, thick plush armrests, and ergonomic intuitive controls for maximum comfort while mowing.
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Best for 2 Acres Husqvarna Z142 42 in. 17 HP Kohler Hydrostatic Zero Turn Riding Mower
The Husqvarna Z142 has a 42-inch cutting deck for a solid grass-cutting performance for your 2-acre lawn.
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Best for 3 Acres Craftsman Z525 Zero Turn Gas Powered Lawn Mower
Its 50-inch cutting deck offers extra efficiency and saves lots of your mowing time.
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Best under $3000 Husqvarna Z254 54 in. 26 HP Kohler Hydrostatic Zero Turn Riding Mower
The Husqvarna Z254 is a budget zero-turn mower that performs incredibly well on tough terrains and different grasses like Bermuda and Zoysia.
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Best under $5000 Ariens IKON XD – 52 (52”) 24HP Kohler Zero Turn Lawn Mower
The riding mower brings flexibility and power to medium and large-sized yards. Its 52-inch cutting deck is perfect for thick and tall grass.
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1. Best Overall/Best for Large Yards: Husqvarna MZ61 61 in. 27 HP Briggs & Stratton Zero Turn Riding Mower

The Husqvarna MZ61 is a durable zero-turn mower for hills and large yards. It is a suitable equipment for residential or commercial lawn maintenance.

Design

The riding lawn mower runs on a powerful 27 HP Briggs and Stratton engine which features an oversized cooling fan, premium air filtration, and chrome-plated valves for superior mowing performance.

The hour meter with a service minder indicates when it’s time to service the mower. Its high back seat with armrests, foam-padded hand grips, and vibration dampeners enhance maximum comfort while mowing.

Cutting Power & Performance

The 61-inch cutting deck has three cutting blades which provide a nice and smooth cut for a neat lawn appearance. It has 12 cutting positions which can be adjusted from 1.5-4.5 inches to suit your mowing needs.

The air-induction mowing technology enhances an improved grass lift and delivers a superior cut on lawns.

Speed

The gas-powered riding mower has a maximum speed of 8.5 mph which allows users to mow faster.

Accessories

The MZ61 supports a host of accessories. Grass clippings can be discharged, mulched and bagged via a 9-bushel triple bag system. Other accessories include a sunshade, bucket mounting system and trimmer rack to aid the mower’s versatility.

2. Best under $5000: Ariens IKON XD- 52 (52”) 24HP Kohler Zero Turn Lawn Mower

The Ariens XD-52 is a durable and efficient zero-turn mower capable of handling medium and large-sized yards, and it goes for under $5000.

Design

The Ariens XD-52 zero mower comes with 11-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels for excellent traction on lawns. Its padded levers help to absorb vibrations while mowing. In addition, the high-back seat with padded armrests ensures greater comfort while mowing.

The Ariens IKON XD-52 runs on a powerful 24HP Kohler engine for an innovative mowing performance and speed. Its safety interlock systems reduce the possibility of accidental injuries.

Cutting Power & Performance

The 52-inch fabricated cutting deck is designed for tough mowing jobs. Its cutting blades are sharp enough to cut through thick and tall grass. In addition, it can also mow through several obstacles such as trees and shrubs.

The XD 52 has 13 cutting positions which can be adjusted from 1.5-4.5 inches to suit your mowing needs. Its zero-turn radius technology enables the mowing machine to cut more efficiently.

Speed

The riding mower has a maximum forward speed of 7 mph and a maximum reverse speed of 3 mph.

Accessories

The gas-powered durable mower supports a host of accessories such as headlights, mower cover, hitch kit to aid the versatility and productivity of the mower.

Read full Ariens XD-52 review

3. Best for 2 Acres: Husqvarna Z142 42 in. 17 HP Kohler Hydrostatic Zero Turn Riding Mower

The Husqvarna Z142 is a durable and long lasting zero-turn mower that provides a superior and clean cut on lawns.

Design

The Husqvarna Z142 runs on a 17 HP Kohler engine which provides reliable startups. Its 15-inch high-back seat offers maximum comfort while mowing. It has a rugged frame and casters for increased durability and its two anti-scalping wheels prevent lawn scalping.

The gas-powered mower comes with rubber bellows that prevent debris from gaining access to the control system. Its removable footplate offers easy access to the top of the cutting deck.

Cutting Power & Performance

Its 42-inch cutting deck ensures effective and efficient mowing on lawns, especially 2 acres. It has six cutting positions which can be adjusted from 1.5-4 inches for excellent cut quality.

Its air induction mowing technology delivers a superior cut on lawns and also improves grass lift.  The zero-turning radius allows you to closely cut through boulders, flowerbeds, decorative rocks as well as other obstacles in your lawn

Speed

The Z142 ztr has a maximum forward speed of 6.5 mph.

Accessories

The gas-powered zero-turn mower supports a host of accessories. The mulching kit recycles lawn clippings as you mow, spreading them back onto the yard with each pass.

The bagger attachment collects grass clippings for easy cleanup. Other accessories include a tow behind striping kit, zero-turn mower cover for an increased mower performance.

4. Best For 3 Acres: Craftsman Z525 Zero Turn Gas Powered Lawn Mower

The Craftsman Z525 is best suited for commercial and residential lawn maintenance of up to 3 acres. It is also rated as one of the longest lasting zero-turn mowers out there.

Design

The Z525 comes with a durable and robust steel frame which offers an enhanced smooth mowing experience. The 11-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels enhance easy mobility on lawns.

It has a high back seat for added comfort. In addition, the foot pedal transmission (hydrostatic) enables a smooth transmission in direction and speed. Its open deck gives homeowners easy access to the foot brakes and levers.

The riding lawn mower runs on a powerful 24 HP Kohler Twin-cylinder engine which offers a superb mowing performance on your lawn.

Cutting Power & Performance

The Craftsman Z525 has a 50-inch cutting deck for a solid cutting performance on tall and thick grass. Its nine cutting positions can be adjusted from 1.25-3.75 inches to enable you to cut the grass to an ideal grass height.

The mow-in-reverse technology enables users to chop off the greenery even in the opposite direction. Furthermore, the zero mower can easily trim around objects such as planters, outdoor furniture and trees.

Speed

It has a maximum forward speed of 5.5 mph and a maximum reverse speed of 3.5 mph.

Accessories

The mulching kit re-cuts the grass clippings into small and finer pieces to restore nitrogen into the soil.

5. Ariens Edge 34 inch 20 HP (Briggs) Zero-Turn Mower 915251

The Ariens Edge 915251 34 inch zero turn mower has enough capacity to maintain a well-manicured lawn and works efficiently on flat terrain.

Design

The Ariens Edge 915251 comes with an adjustable high back seat for comfort while mowing. It has 11-inch front and 18-inch rear wheels for excellent traction and a smoother ride on lawns.

It is equipped with intuitive controls which enable you to maneuver through the lawn with a precise and nice cut. It runs on a versatile and effective 20 HP Briggs and Stratton V-twin engine for a smooth and top-notch mowing performance.

Cutting Power & Performance

The zero-turn mower has a 34-inch cutting deck for efficient mowing on lawns. Its cutting options range from 1.5-4.5 inches to enable users to cut the grass to an ideal grass height.

It is a great fit for flat terrains and it has a compact design which enables the mower to navigate through tight spaces.

Speed

The Ariens Edge has a maximum forward speed of 6 mph and a maximum reverse speed of 3 mph.

Accessories

The riding mower supports the mulching kits which cut grass clippings into small pieces to restore nutrients into the soil while the bag kit collects grass clippings for easy disposal.

6. Most Comfortable: Ariens IKON XD 60 inch 23 HP (Kawasaki) Zero Turn Mower

The Ariens IKON XD 60 is equipped with premium features to deliver optimal mowing results on lawns.

Design

The gas-powered zero mower runs on a 23 HP Kawasaki V-Twin engine which offers more power and efficiency to the mowing machine.

The engine also includes an internally vented carburetor for better fuel management. Its padded control arms and rubber floor mat isolate vibration while operating the mower.

Cutting Power & Performance

The IKON XD 60 is equipped with a 60-inch fabricated deck with advanced airflow for extra efficiency to homeowners’ mowing time.

Users can choose from 13 cutting positions which can be adjusted from 1.5-4.5 inches to suit their varying needs.

Its high-back plush seat with thick plush armrests provides ultimate comfort and support while carrying out mowing operations. Its 11-front caster tires and 20-rear tires ensure excellent traction on uneven terrain.

Speed

The IKON XD 60 riding mower has a maximum forward speed of 7mph and a maximum reverse speed of 3mph to enable you to mow faster.

Accessories

It supports a host of accessories such as a mulching kit, 2-bin bagger, hitch kit, headlight kit, zero-turn mower cover for improved mower performance.

7. Best Under $3000: Husqvarna Z254 54 in. 26 HP Kohler Hydrostatic Zero Turn Riding Mower

The Husqvarna Z254 is capable of mowing medium to large-sized lawns at a maximum speed of 6.5 mph.

Design

The riding mower is equipped with a robust frame and casters to offer maximum durability. Its hydrostatic transmission simplifies the handling of the zero-turn mower. The 26 HP Kohler engine provides reliable startups and top-notch mowing performance.

Its wheels also ensure stability while mowing uphill. The Z254 model comes with a removable foot pan which gives easy access to the top of the cutting deck.

The mower’s rubber bellows prevent debris from gaining access into the control system. Its large cooling fans keep the engine operating at an ideal temperature.

Cutting Power & Performance

The gas mower has a rugged 54-inch mowing deck for solid grass-cutting performance on medium and large-sized yards. It is perfect for uneven terrains and its cutting blades perform well on thick grass.

The Husqvarna Z254 has six cutting positions which can be adjusted from 1.5-4 inches to enable you to cut the grass to an ideal height or size. The air induction mowing technology provides improved grass lift and delivers a superior cut on lawns. The Z254 is definitely one of the best zero turn mowers under $3000.

Speed

It has a maximum of 6.5 mph to enable you to mow your yards quickly.

Accessories

The zero-turn mower supports a host of accessories such as triple baggers, LED headlights, a tow behind striping kit, and a mulching kit for an increased mower performance.

Read full Husqvarna Z254 review

Final Verdict

When it comes to durability, versatility, remarkable performance, and value for money, the Husqvarna MZ61 is our top pick.

The riding lawn mower has ergonomic features such as foam-padded hand grips, vibration dampeners, and a high back seat with armrests, to provide comfort while mowing.

It runs on a powerful 27 HP Briggs and Stratton engine which features chrome plated valves, premium air filtration, and an oversized cooling fan for superior mowing performance. Its 12 cutting positions can be adjusted from 1.5-4.5 inches to suit users’ mowing needs. 

Other Top Rated Zero Turn Mowers Reviews

John Deere Z365R- Best 48-Inch Zero-Turn Mower

The John Deere Z365R has a horsepower of 24 and comes with a cutting width of 48 inches capable of mowing up to 3 acres without any hassles.

The ztr has an impressive MulchControl System that includes a handle on top of the mower deck which allows users to easily shift the mower from side-discharge or bagging to mulching clippings.

Additionally, the 48-inch John Deere Z365R is powered by a 24-hp Briggs and Stratton V-twin engine and a pair of rugged HydroGear EZT transmissions. The mowing machine weighs around 900 pounds.

Ryobi 48140 Electric Zero-Turn Lawn Mower

The Ryobi 48140 48-volts electric zero-turn mower has a cutting width of 54 inches, 5 motors, and is designed with optimum precision. The mower can mow up to 3.5 acres of grass on a single charge. 

There are two motors that propel the machine (one at each drive wheel) and another three turn each blade in the three-blade deck. A solid deck made of 10-gauge steel. The Ryobi 48140 ztr can mulch or side discharge. 

Accessories include: a bagger, LED headlights, and a rear-access charging port, which all come at an extra cost.

Factors to Consider Before Buying a Zero-Turn Mower

If you are in the market for an efficient and versatile zero-turn mower for residential or commercial lawn maintenance, here are a few important factors to consider before swiping your card :

Cutting Width

The cutting width is usually determined by the deck size. This will tell you how much grass you can mow in a single pass. Cutting decks range from 34-61 inches respectively, depending on the model that you want to purchase.

A zero-turn mower with a larger cutting width will enable you to complete your mowing job faster because it will not require many passes to cover the lawn while the one with a smaller cutting width can easily get into tighter spots.

If you have a lawn that is less than 3 acres, you can get the one with 42 inches while lawns that are up to 4-5 acres might require a 52-inch model. Homeowners that have yards that are larger than five acres might need to get a 61-inch cutting deck to achieve a fast and optimal cutting result.

Fuel Capacity

It is important to get a zero-turn mower with a large fuel capacity. This will enable you to mow for a long time without refueling. If you have a zero-turn mower with a smaller fuel tank, it might run out of gas in the middle of long mowing jobs.

If you want to mow yards that are over five acres, it is advisable to go for a mower with a fuel tank of at least four gallons.

Homeowners that have yards that are up to 4 acres can select the one with a 3-gallon fuel tank while the ones with smaller acres might need a zero-turn mower with a 2-gallon fuel tank.

Engine Power

The power output of an engine is measured in terms of horsepower (HP). The more horsepower, the better it would perform the mowing job efficiently and quickly.

Engines that range between 10 HP-20 HP can be used to mow small lawns with flat terrains, (over 1 acre or less). It is not a great fit for large lawns.

Those within the range of 20 HP- 25 HP can handle medium to large-sized yards (up to 2 acres) while engines with 25 HP or high are perfect for yards that are over 3 acres.

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Safety Features

Ensure that you lookout for the safety features of a zero-turn mower before buying. Zero-turn mowers should have safety features like kill switches, automatic choke, Roll-over Protection System. These features help to prevent accidents while mowing.

Comfort

You can also check out ergonomic features such as high-back seats with armrests, foam-padded hand grips and vibration dampeners. The levers and controls should feature soft, ergonomic grips to reduce operator fatigue while mowing.

Tires

It is advisable to consider the ground of your area before getting a zero-turn mower. If you want to use the mower on rough ground or wet grass, you can choose a zero-turn mower with deep treads.

To maneuver smoothly on lawns, you can choose the mower with wider tires, most especially with 4-ply rated tires. This will aid better traction on lawns.

Types of Zero Turn Mowers

Residential Zero Turn Mowers

Residential zero-turn mowers are perfect for yards that are up to two acres. It is not the best for rough terrains.

They are ideal for homeowners who regularly take care of their yards as they complete the mowing tasks quickly and efficiently.

Commercial Zero-Turn Mowers

Commercial zero-turn mowers are perfect for large yards that are 5 acres and above. They can maneuver easily on steep inclines. These mowing machines are more powerful, durable, and sturdier.

They have powerful engines, easy-to-use controls, and suspension models which makes them pricier. Top-rated commercial zero-turn mowers are suited for those having a landscaping business.

What is the best zero-turn mower with a bagger?

The Husqvarna MZ61 61 in. 27 HP Briggs & Stratton is the best zero-turn lawn mower with bagger and mulching kits. Although, it is important to note that the two accessories are sold separately.

Frequently Asked Questions