The 7 Best Riding Lawn Mowers of 2023

Best Overall

RYOBI RY48111 48V 38-Inch Electric Riding Mower

4.8

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It may surprise some people, but our top pick is this battery-powered model from RYOBI. The zero-emissions model easily matches gas mowers in terms of power, cutting through thick grass with ease while demonstrating impressive maneuverability. Plus, it's fume-free and practically silent, generating only minimal noise. (Our tester put a similar model from RYOBI to work on her 10-acre farm and was blown away by the results.)

The RYOBI electric mower has a 38-inch deck, and its 48-volt batteries can run for two and a half hours per charge, allowing you to cut up to 2.5 acres in a single session. The two-blade deck has 12 different cutting heights, and the mower offers convenient features like cruise control, LED headlights, and USB charging. There are no belts, spark plugs, or filters, making it easier to maintain than a traditional riding mower.

Our only complaints? The seat gets uncomfortable if you're mowing for long periods, and it doesn't have a mulch setting. Still, if you're in the market for a reliable ride-on mower and ready to switch to a battery-powered model, this is your best bet.

Price at time of publish: $3,199

_{Cutting Width: 38 inches | Power Type: Battery | Weight: 678 pounds | Cutting Options: Bag, side-discharge | Size of Yard: 1 to 2 acres}

Best Gas

Cub Cadet LT42 XT1 Enduro LT 42 in. 19.5 HP Hydrostatic Drive Gas Riding Lawn Tractor

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For a powerful—and versatile—gas mower, you can’t go wrong with the Cub Cadet XT1 Enduro LT Lawn Tractor. It’s powered by a 541cc engine that offers 19.5 HP, and its 42-inch deck has a twin-blade system that side-discharges grass clippings. The tractor and deck are made from heavy-duty materials, and Cub Cadet backs it with a three-year warranty with no hour limit.

This mower has a hydrostatic transmission that eliminates the need for shifting—just push the pedal and go—and there are 12 cutting height positions to choose from. It has a tight 16-inch turning radius as well as cruise control and LED headlights, and because it’s a lawn tractor, it can be outfitted with a variety of multi-season attachments.

Price at time of publish: $2,399

_{Cutting Width: 42 inches | Power Type: Gas | Weight: 570 pounds | Cutting Options: Side-discharge | Size of Yard: 0.5 to 2 acres}

Best Lawn Tractor

John Deere S120 42 in. 22 HP V-Twin Gas Hydrostatic Lawn Tractor

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Lawn tractors like the John Deere S120 offer more flexibility for homeowners—in addition to mowing, this gas-powered machine can be used to spread grass seed, sweep your lawn, and even snow blow in the winter. It’s compatible with a wide range of multi-season accessories, and it’s also a solid riding mower with a 22 HP engine and 42-inch deck.

This lawn tractor has a fully-welded steel frame and 13 different cutting heights. The seat can be adjusted to 10 different positions to keep you comfortable, and the tractor’s 30-second oil change system makes it easier to maintain. The mower has a new easy-read fuel gauge, and it even has cruise control for effortless mowing in large yards.

Price at time of publish: $2,699

_{Cutting Width: 42 inches | Power Type: Gas | Weight: 444 pounds | Cutting Options: Side-discharge | Size of Yard: 0.5 to 2 acres}

Best Zero Turn

Ryobi RY48140 48V 54-Inch Electric Zero-Turn Riding Mower

4.9

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This Ryobi Electric Riding Lawn Mower offers consistent cutting power for up to two and a half hours on one charge (enough time to cut as much as 3.5 acres). You'll also appreciate the low maintenance ease of caring for this mower since it doesn't have belts, spark plugs, or filters to maintain like its gas counterparts. This mower also has a wide 54-inch cutting deck that has an adjustable height, so you can maintain the ideal cut on your lawn.

The maximum speed is 7 mph going forward and 4 mph in reverse, and it's easy to turn thanks to the long handle bars. However, some people may experience a learning curve with the handle bars compared to a traditional steering wheel. In addition to its powerful cutting options, this mower's control panel is incredibly user-friendly and includes settings for headlights, speed adjustments, battery level, and more. While we love how easy this electric mower is to use, we recognize that keeping it charged may be a chore for some users. Be sure to recharge before each use for optimum cutting time. For your convenience, this mower does plug into a traditional 120-volt outlet.

Price at time of publish: $5,999

_{Cutting Width: 54 inches | Power Type: Battery | Weight: 796 pounds | Cutting Options: Adjustable cutting height, reverse mowing, mulch, side-discharge | Size of Yard: 2 to 4 acres}

Best Attachment Capability

Husqvarna YTH24V54 54-Inch 24-HP V-Twin Riding Lawn Mower

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The Husqvarna YTH24V54 V-Twin Riding Lawn Mower is powerful enough to easily cut an average lawn, but also delicate enough to conduct tight turns and perform several other tasks thanks to its accessory compatibility. If you choose, or need to purchase, this mower's additional accessories, you'll have the capabilities of a mulcher, tow-spreader, bagger, and scoop all with one piece of equipment. Aside from its impressive and reliable Intek V-Twin motor, this mower is also impressively affordable compared to other larger deck mowers on the market.

While operating, you'll experience the ease of the ergonomic steering wheel and hydrostatic transmission, which ensure a smooth ride every time. The electric cutting deck engagement also allows you to simply flip a switch on the dashboard to engage its function while maintaining steady control of the mower. The high back seat also offers a comfortable ride, if you have a particularly large yard. Our only recommendation for this mower is to use caution when mowing on particularly uneven terrain as the wide-cutting deck is harder to navigate.

Price at time of publish: $2,999

_{Cutting Width: 54 inches | Power Type: Gas | Weight: 494 pounds | Cutting Options: Side-discharge, mulch, reverse mowing | Size of Yard: 2 to 3 acres}

Best for Hills

Troy-Bilt Bronco 42 in. 19 HP Automatic Drive Gas Riding Lawn Mower

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You’ll be able to power up steep hills with ease on the Troy-Bilt Bronco 42-Inch Gas Riding Lawn Mower. It has an automatic transmission (just like a car!) that makes it easy to drive, and its 20-inch rear wheels offer superior traction for sloped terrain. The lawn tractor has a 42-inch deck with anti-scalp wheels to prevent turf damage, and the machine’s 19 HP 544cc engine will make quick work of overgrown grass. 

The Troy-Bilt Bronco has a step-through frame that offers more leg room, and it offers a mid-seat back and rubber footpads to keep you comfortable. The machine has a rear hitch to pull garden carts, sprayers, and spreaders, and there are also bagging and mulching accessories available separately. However, the one downside is that this mower only offers five cutting heights, with the lowest setting at 1.25 inches.

Price at time of publish: $2,199

_{Cutting Width: 42 inches | Power Type: Gas | Weight: 520 pounds | Cutting Options: Side-discharge | Size of Yard: 1 to 2 acres}