The Best Riding Lawn Mower That Will Level Up Your Yard Maintenance (Top 7 Picks)

How about this spring, you treat yourself with a new riding lawn mower?

If you have a big lawn, you ought to have thought about upgrading to riding mowers with more power and convenience.

Instead of dragging along a push mower, struggling your way with cords, and spending hours on lawn care, riding lawn mowers can help you achieve perfect results much faster!

They come in different sizes, shapes, and prices, but they have one thing in common. Outstanding comfort and excellent time-saving power!

If you are in possession of more than one acre of land, you will want to hear all we have prepared about the best riding lawn mower of 2022!

Here are our top 7 models that should be the star item of your garden this spring!

Spoiler alert!

We have also featured a few of the best tractor mower deck replacement accessories you will definitely like!

Best Riding Lawn Mowers 2022: My Top 5 List

$$$ – Husqvarna YTH18542 Briggs & Stratton

One of the best hydrostatic transmission models that offer a smooth ride on the majority of terrains. It has a 42-cutting width deck and offers exceptional operator comfort.

However; it lacks cruise control.

$$$ – Husqvarna MZ61 61 in. 24 HP Kawasaki Hydrostatic

An excellent zero-turn mower with a large cutting deck. It goes quickly around the tight and narrow areas and is suitable for tall grass

However, it’s challenging going downhill with the riding mower.

$$$ – Ariens Edge Zero Turn Mower

If you have a small lawn with a few awkward areas, you will appreciate this zero-turn lawnmower. It’s easy to maneuver and has a steel design that won’t let you down.

However, it’s not the most comfortable.

$$$ – Husqvarna HP Briggs & Stratton

Great for medium-sized lawns, it features a hydrostatic transmission as well as a cruise control function for stability and maximum operator comfort.

Not so maneuverable over tight areas.

$$$ – Simplicity 2691418 Prestige Mower

Easy to steer and even more comfortable to use, includes a free-floating cutting deck that does offer a scalp-free cut.

The Husqvarna TS 348XD Review: Could It Be the Best Garden Tractor?

#1. Husqvarna YTH18542 Briggs & Stratton – Best Pick

• Brand: Husqvarna
• Power Source: Gas-powered
• Cutting Width: 42 inches
• Operation Mode: Manual

There are quite a few Husqvarna riding lawn mowers to pick between.

However, how do you know which one is the best for your pocket and your budget? Let’s find out!

Firstly, we have the Husqvarna YTH18542 riding lawn mower.

It’s gas-powered and supplied with a powerful air-cooled Briggs & Stratton single-cylinder engine.

Although this is a highly impressive lawn mower for the money, it is still challenging to take it up the hill.

That should not be a problem if your property has a few inclines. But for seriously hilly areas, you might pick a different riding lawn mower.

The mower features Advanced Vibration System technology that keeps the entire construction stable yet lightweight.

In addition, there is a foot-pedal operated hydrostatic transmission, so you can easily switch gears and speeds.

The 16-inch turning radius is a miracle worker in tight and narrow spaces!

If you have a few flowerbeds you want to avoid or delicate areas, then this mower is right for you.

As for the cutting width, we mentioned it measures out to 42 inches.

It’s excellent for medium-sized lawns, but this is possibly a better pick for you below if you have a bigger property.

Overall, the Husqvarna YTH18542 will spoil you with ease of use and operator comfort!

It’s especially great for beginner ride-on lawn mower operators as it is a breeze controlling it, even on the uneven terrain!

#2. Husqvarna MZ61 61 in. 24 HP Kawasaki Hydrostatic – Best For Large Lawns

• Brand: Husqvarna
• Power Source: Gas-powered
• Cutting Width: 61 inches
• Operation Mode: Manual

Didn’t I tell you we would have the perfect riding lawn mower for large yards? This is the Husqvarna MZ61, a true beast for bigger fields!

It’s powered by a reliable 24 HP Kawasaki engine that offers high-ground speeds and cuts down mowing time.

Not only is the inside of the riding lawn mower impressive, but so is the outside!

Husqvarna riding mower is built from heavy-duty steel that endures all weather conditions.

Now, what makes this riding lawn mower so unique is that it’s super easy to maneuver!

Large yards often have a few awkward spaces that are tough to get around. However, that should represent no problem for this zero-turn mower!

It allows you to go as flexible as 180 degrees, perfect for narrow spots. However, quite a few customers are concerned about the size of the mower.

While some see it as cumbersome, I see it as highly flexible!

The deck size is the larger size.

However, the heights are adjustable, so customizing this zero-turn lawn mower is no problem. Achieving the perfect grass height has never been easier!

Having this in mind, the riding mower can tackle tall grass in no time!

Additionally, all grass clippings can be mulched, stored in the generous bag, or discharged.

#3. Ariens Edge Zero Turn Mower – Best Zero-Turn Lawn Mower For Smaller Lawns

• Brand: Ariens
• Power Source: Gas-powered
• Cutting Width: 34 inches
• Operation Mode: Automatic transmission

Here we have another unique pick among gas mowers that is worth considering!

It’s a great mower if you are looking for something easy to operate, has a reliable start, and has a zero-turn radius.

The riding lawn mower is equipped with a 656cc Briggs and Stratton engine and has a 20 HP that offers variable speeds.

Due to its zero-degree turning radius, the riding mower quickly gets its way around tight and narrow spaces.

It’s great for flat lawns, but it’s also reliable for hilly areas due to its lightweight design.

What we were most impressed with were the low price and high quality.

The riding mower is constructed out of 12-gauge steel that can take up any situation given! It’s durable and trustworthy, especially for challenging tasks.

Some customers were not so pleased with the size of the riding mower. However, if you have a small garage and limited storage area, this one is for you!

It keeps the grass neat and does not take up too much space in the garage!

That’s a win-win combo!

Lastly, the riding-lawn mower has a mid-back spring operator seat which may not be the best for comfort.

However, considering this is a riding mower for a small lawn, you won’t spend that much time riding it anyway.

#4. Husqvarna HP Briggs & Stratton – Best Riding Mower For Medium-Sized Property

• Brand: Husqvarna
• Power Source: Gas-powered
• Cutting Width: 48 inches
• Operation Mode: Manual

The Husqvarna YTH24V48 is another highly popular riding lawn mower on the market.

Like most of its competitors, it’s powered by one of the most reliable engines so that you can rest sure of the quality of this riding mower.

Let’s talk about the ease of use.

There is no need to prime or choice this riding lawn mower as it has a key turn ignition. Your mower will be ready in a few seconds, so you can start tidying the lawn in no time!

The engine is a star of the ride on mower!

It’s designed to run smoothly even during heavy load, so initially, it will give you more power and take up less fuel.

But, since this is a riding mower for bigger fields, you will need all the control you could get, right?

The Husqvarna gas ride-on mower includes hydrostatic transmission that offers maximum control at speed and operation. It can cut grass like a true pro, but it also makes you in charge of controls.

Our best pick performed excellently on medium-sized lawns. However, it lacked cruise control. Luckily, this one does not.

The cruise control system allows you to go over uneven terrain, rough areas, and slopes with stability.

Other riding mowers have a zero-turn radius which makes maneuverability much more manageable. However, that’s not the case with this ride-on mower.

The 16” radius is convenient but not so much for tight areas.

#5. Simplicity 2691418 Prestige Mower – Best Riding Lawn Mower With A Floating Deck

• Brand: Simplicity
• Power Source: Gas-powered
• Cutting Width: 52 inches
• Operation Mode: Automatic transmission

Do you want a simple yet effective riding lawn mower? Nothing beats Simplicity Prestige in this case.

It’s a highly affordable riding-lawn mower with a terrific engine and even better-cutting skills. Let’s check it out.

Other riding mowers may damage the well-being of your lawn, but not this one!

The Simplicity riding lawn mower features a free-floating cutting deck that cuts a scalp-free lawn. No harm, no foul!

Did you know the Simplicity riding lawn mower has full-width rear rollers? That’s right!

Not only can you achieve a perfect cut, but you can also create a few lawn stripes along the way.

The Briggs & Stratton engine is potent, even for the tall and dense grass.

Plus, the riding lawn mower includes a hydraulic tractor attachment lift! This is the most unique feature we have seen in most riding lawn mowers!

What does it mean? It means you can attach a few of the essential garden attachments on a tractor lever.

It’s located on the compact mower’s rear, front, and midsection so that you can have convenience at hand!

Additionally, you will love how comfortable it is to ride this mower!

With the help of the suspension comfort system, both rear and front shocks are reduced to 25%!

Best Tractor Mower Deck

$ – Husqvarna 583909301 Lawn Tractor 54-in Deck Housing

Easy to install on most riding lawn mowers, made from heavy-duty steel construction, and prolongs the life service of many zero-turn riding lawn mowers.

$ – John Deere 42″ Complete Mower Deck

Fits, all L100 riding lawn mowers by John Deere, include a wash port, so it’s easy to clean it from grass clippings.

#1. Husqvarna 583909301 Lawn Tractor 54-in Deck Housing – Best Riding Lawn Mower Deck

• Brand: Husqvarna
• Deck Width: 54 inches
• Weight: 60 pounds
• Material: Metal

We also selected two accessories you may need to upgrade your old riding lawn mower!

These two ultra-quality mowing decks will give your riding mower a makeover it desperately needs!

For starters, we have the Husqvarna deck.

As you can notice, we selected quite a few Husqvarna riding lawn mowers for our review.

They all shine with quality construction and even better performance on your lawn!

The Husqvarna lawn mower deck is compatible with loads of series! Some of them include 917277790, 917289821, 967638501-00, and others!

The riding lawn mower deck houses the blades on the tractor so they don’t get dull quickly.

What you should know primarily about this riding lawn mower deck is the size. The deck size measures 54 inches.

Before you order, make sure your riding lawn mower model is compatible in series and in cutting deck size.

The deck is made from heavy-duty steel construction, so it’s bound to prolong your riding lawn mower’s life service!

Plus, it fits the majority of zero-turn mowers, so you can finally achieve the perfect cut on your grass, even close to the flowerbeds.

Overall, the Husqvarna riding lawn mower deck is of terrific quality.

However, for a safe purchase, you should visit the sale page and see which models are the perfect fit.

#2. John Deere 42″ Complete Mower Deck – Best For John Deere Tractors

• Brand: John Deere
• Deck Width: 42 inches
• Weight: Not specified
• Material: Not specified

Next up, we have the John Deere complete lawn mower deck!

If you are any bit of a tractor fanatic like I am, you would know all about the John Deere brand!

It’s one of the best tractor brands worldwide, while the majority of its tractors are made in America.

Is there anything better than knowing all of your accessory parts for your lawn tractor come from a reliable manufacturer?

Such is the case with this mower deck.

It measures 42 inches, and it’s made to protect the blades in your riding lawn tractor.

The John Deere mower deck is made from heavy-duty steel components that are rust and corrosion-resistant.

In addition, the mower deck will fit all L100 series lawn tractors. However, it is not a match for the LT100.

One of the best things about this lawn tractor deck is its construction and design.

The mower deck is equipped with new gauge wheels, blades, spindles, a discharge chute, and a belt.

The genuine John Deere lawn tractor part comes with a wash port installed!

Unfortunately, not many ride-on lawn mowers have this feature, so cleaning them is a big challenge.

However, that is not the case with this one!

Once you install it on your electric riding lawn mower, gas mower, or battery-powered mower, you will have no problem cleaning the deck from grass clippings.

Buyer’s Guide

1. Power Source

When shopping for the best riding lawn mowers, you should consider a few features beforehand.

For starters, what type of lawn mowers would you want?

By this, we mean the power source.

Your riding mower options will be an electric riding mower, gas mowers, and battery-operated mowers.

Nowadays, most customers opt for a gas-powered mower or an electric mower. However, what’s the difference, and which one is better?

While gas mowers are indisputably more powerful, they oppose a large environmental threat. They are noisy and require frequent maintenance compared to push mowers.

On the other hand, electric riding mowers are easy to start and quiet if you live in a sensitive neighborhood. However, they are not so powerful for large yards.

2. Deck Size

The deck size should be your next priority.

It ultimately predicts how the width of the path it will cut.

Therefore, if you want to get the best riding mower and finish the yard maintenance quicker than usual, pick a bigger deck size.

The sizes can vary in each riding lawn mower from 30 to 70 inches.

For homeowners with a medium-sized garden, I always recommend a 40-50 inches cutting deck width.

Anything bigger than that, and you won’t be able to tackle as many obstacles and turns in your garden.

3. Zero-Turn Mower

Since we are on narrow lawn paths, consider purchasing a zero-turn riding mower.

A zero-turn lawn mower has a zero-turning radius, allowing them to get around all of the tricky areas easily.

They feature two swiveling wheels in the front and a pair of larger wheels in the rear.

The control of the zero-turn riding mower is managed with two handlebars that dictate each drive wheel separately.

One of the best zero-turn riding mowers you can get is the Ariens Edge Zero Turn Mower.

4. Grass Clippings

What about the grass clippings? Where would you like them to go after you have mowed your lawn?

Again, this should be considered before you invest in the best riding lawn mowers.

An electric riding mower and even gas-powered ones have a few options for clippings management.

For instance, you can choose to store them in a discharge bag or mulch the clippings into a natural fertilizer.

FAQ’s

Is it worth getting a riding mower?

If you have a large lawn or dense grass to take care of, it’s worth getting a riding mower!

They are much easier to operate than walk-behind mowers as they do not cause physical strain.

Plus, they are efficient and can mow up to two acres before you need to recharge them or refill the gas tank!

However, the main disadvantage of ride-on mowers is the high price.

What is the best riding lawn mower brand?

Husqvarna, John Deere, and Troy Bilt are the best riding lawn mower brands.

All three of the brands are highly respectable among farming fanatics as they have delivered high-quality riding lawn mowers for years now!

Always opt for John Deere riding mowers if you want an old but gold pick.

The brand has been in the industry from its very start, so if you are going to invest smartly-go with JD!

What is a good price on a riding lawn mower?

Riding lawn mowers are not an affordable investment. The majority of them will rank for at least $2,500.

The reason for the steep price lies in the efficiency of these lawn mowers.

Many of them run on gasoline, so they deliver a high amount of power for tackling even the trickiest areas.

As a result, they are perfect for larger lawns and fields, while some can even now up to two acres without refilling the fuel tank capacity.

What is the difference between a ride-on mower and a lawn tractor?

The most basic difference between a ride-on mower and a lawn tractor is that the first one has a mowing deck under the front part, while a lawn tractor has a mid-mounted cutting deck.

Additionally, riding lawn mowers are suitable if you have tall and thick grass.

Also, you can use them on smaller yards without them taking up too much space. On the other hand, a lawn tractor is much bigger in design and more versatile.

You can hook numerous lawn attachments on the tractor, while some models even include a cup holder for those sunny days.

How long does a ride on a mower battery last?

Depending on the model of battery-powered mower you have chosen, the battery can last between 3-and 4 years.

As far as the mowing time goes, plenty of riding lawn mowers can last up to two hours before they need a recharge.

So, what is the best riding mower?

You guessed it! It’s the Husqvarna YTH18542 Briggs & Stratton! This is a reliable choice and among the best riding lawn mowers of 2022!

It’s smaller but a beast inside so that it can take care of your lawn in a blink of an eye.

See for yourself why so many farmers view it as a best-riding lawn mower.

Conclusion

The best riding lawn mower comes in different shapes, sizes, and power sources, but we hope we have made a choice a bit easier!

If you have a bigger lawn, you must consider investing in the best lawn tractor or riding a lawn mower soon!

They are much easier to operate and manage on bigger fields and will upgrade your yard maintenance to the next level!