What Is The Best Residential Lawn Mower

Best Riding Mower With Cruise Controlryobi Riding Lawn Mowers

For an even more laid-back lawn mowing experience, this Ryobi riding lawn mower comes with cruise control and can reach up to eight miles per hour. This battery-powered lawn tractor runs for up to 2.5 hours on one charge and comes with LED lights, a comfortable steering wheel, a USB port, twin blades, and almost silent cutting.

Whats more, this mower combines bagging, mulching, or side discharge options for grass clippings and has a maximum cutting height of 4.5 inches. One satisfied purchaser expressed, This lawn tractor is a beast. Plenty of battery life for my almost one-acre lawn. I use around half a charge on the battery.

Specifications

Acres covered:½2 acres

Cutting deck: 38 inches

Which Brand Of Gas Lawn Mower Is Best

This really depends on a number of things and will change from lawn to lawn. For example discovering which brand of gas lawn mower is best will depend on the type of grass you have, how thick it is, how large your garden is and who is using the mower to cut the lawn.

In our guide we have listed the best gas lawn mowers from big name brands such as Honda, Toro, Craftsman and Troy-Bilt. All of which have a detailed and documented history in creating brilliant outdoor power tools that last and provide ultimate cutting results.

Craftsman M: Best Gas Lawn Mower For Large Lawns

Reasons to avoid

The Craftsman M430, like most of Craftsmans mower products, is built with robust and quality materials, making ease of use with powerful hardware a priority. This is especially true for the M430, which is a self-propelling mower that dynamically adjusts its pace to adapt to its user.

Alongside this accessibility, the M430 gives its users multiple options in terms of mulching, bagging, and clipping dispersal – with twin blades gearing it well to producing tiny clippings that are good for your lawn.

While many users of the mower remarked on the hefty price tag in reviews, a large proportion of them concluded that the M430 is well worth the price when its extensive feature list is considered.

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Run Time: Fuel Or Battery Cell Capacity

Different factors determine a riding lawn mowers runtime, whether its a battery-powered machine or it uses fuel. These include the mowers weight and age, the lawns terrain, and how you ride it. Either way, you want a machine that can clear your one-acre yard without a fuel refill or charging.

Generally, battery-powered riding mowers have a lower runtime than gas-powered machines. On average, a single charge can last between 30 minutes to an hour. On the other hand, fuel mowers arent limited in their runtime hence, they can cover more ground in a single session.

Amp Hours Explained

An Amp-hour is the battery charge that can allow one ampere of current to flow in a battery-powered mower unceasingly for a full hour. The typical riding lawn mower exhibits between 75 to 100 Ah. A 1-acre lawn can be comfortably covered with a single charge of a 40Ah battery.

How To Maintain A Gas Lawn Mower

With a big purchase like a lawnmower you want something thats going to last you a good few seasons, so a little bit of maintenance might be required over its lifetime. If youre in this for the long haul then make sure you follow all the maintenance tips in the owners manual things like cleaning the air filter, making sure it contains the right mix of fuels, changing the oil regularly.

But you might also want to think about how accessible the engine is when making your buying decision. Carburetor issues are the number one cause of a malfunction in a gas-powered lawnmower, or a spark plug may need changing, so how accessible the engine is can make a real difference.

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Which Is The Right Lawn Mower For You

Finding the right mower for your yard can be tricky. It may be tempting to spring for the fancy zero turn model with the 60+ inch cutting deck or the robot mower, so you don’t have to waste your Saturday afternoons cutting the grass. But not all mowers are suited to every lawn, and not all mowers are created equal.

If you have a smaller, suburban lot , a riding mower is going to be overkill, and you might not have any space to store it in the offseason or during bad weather. A 21-inch push mower, preferably self-propelled, will be plenty of power and cutting width to handle most typical in-town lawns. For anything from .75 acres to 1 acre, a riding mower with a 30 to 42-inch cutting deck will be ideal you’ll be able to cut your grass in an hour or less and maneuver around most obstacles with ease. Anything over an acre, and you’ll need a much larger cutting deck, 46-inches and above. That way, you won’t have to spend 6 hours mowing 2-3 acres of open land.

Zero turns are similar to commercial-grade lawn mowers, featuring very wide cutting decks and pivot turning for exceptional maneuverability around obstacles. They’re perfect for 2+ acre lawns or 1+ acre lawns with lots of trees.

If you’re ever unsure about what kind of mower will work best for your lawn, you can always ask an expert at your local DIY or hardware store about what features you’ll need to get the best experience.

Best Lawn Mower For Large Yards

If you have a big veggie garden, patio or swing set, that cuts down on the actual yard to mow, but if your front or back yard is one blank canvas, that’s a lot of grass. Save time with an XL mower. This self-propelled Greenworks PRO has a much larger blade width than other mowers which means fewer passes across the yard and less time spent mowing. The downside is that this unit takes up more storage space. While wider blades are great, if you have close to an acre or more, it might be time to consider a riding lawn mower.

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What Size Lawn Needs A Sit On Mower

Mowing with a push mower involves a lot of walking and as you work you get fatiguedwe all know that feeling. So what size lawn merits an upgrade to a riding mower?

Ill consider a half-acre of mowing area as my walk mower threshold. This space may not require a riding mower, but the machine will save you time. Rear Engine sit-on mowers are ideal for half an acre or so, but large spaces of 2 acres or more might need a zero-turn mower or riding tractor.

Remember what I said earliera standard 21-inch push mower will take over an hour to mow half an acre, provided the lawn is reasonably flat and obstruction-free. But even a small riding mower with a 36-inch deck will take less than half the time considering you can drive the mower faster than you can walk.

Lawn Mower & Tractor Buying Guide

Looking out at a lush green lawn is one of life’s simple pleasures. But cutting all that grass may not be. A lawn mower or tractor you can depend on to get the job done right is key. Every year, Consumer Reports cuts acres of grass to test both to see which models are top performers.

Interestingly, if you bought a new home in the past few years, keeping your lawn nice and neat may be easier. Contractors are building on smaller lot sizes than they did a decade ago, so lawns are also fairly small. The median lawn size in the U.S. is at an all-time low of less than one-fifth acre, a 2020 U.S. Census Bureau report says. Six in 10 new homes are built on lots that are a quarter acre or smaller.

Mower manufacturers have taken note. In recent years they’ve introduced numerous new models of battery-powered mowers, which are well-suited for small yards. Many of these machines perform as well as their gas brethren and are also more eco-friendly because they run on electricity. They’re also not as noisy, which can be important when you’re living close to your neighbor.

But whether you have a tiny patch of grass or acres of lawn, youll need a capable mower. Consumer Reports tests all types of mowers for mulching, side discharge, bagging, ease of use, and maneuverability. We also evaluate features that save you time and effort.

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Runner Up John Deere S120 42 Lawn Tractor

Why We Like It

As you continue reading, you will probably get the picture that were pretty big fans of this John Deere 42 Mower. And while the mowing deck is considerably smaller than our Editors Pick from Husqvarna, this smaller deck riding lawn mower from John Deere wins our Runner Up slot for the best riding mower in 2021.

The John Deere 42 riding lawn mower stands out as the best overall riding mower package in its class, with a V-Twin 22 hp Engine, Hydrostatic foot pedal controlled transmission, tight 16 turning radius, adjustable seat, and anti-scalp wheels.

Specifications

• 22 -horsepower V-Twin John Deere engine
• 30-second Oil Change System
• White-Glove Home Delivery From Home Depot
• Lumbar-supporting seat
• Hydrostatic transmission

Our Take Away

Thanks to its power, highly maneuverable 42 mowing deck, and range of convenience features, we find the John Deere S120 42 lawnmower is of the best mowers for any lot size up to 2 acres. The John Deere is a fantastic choice riding mower for the money, especially if you plan to use a riding lawn mower with an optional bagging attachment here.

For larger properties, areas with thick grass, and just tough jobs in general and if your budget allows it we can recommend an upgrade to the Husqvarna 54 Riding Mower See our Best Upgrade Riding Mower section below.

John Deere Editors Choice Best Riding Mower

A Rechargeable Push Mower Thats Great For Small

Lowe’s

If you have acres and acres to mow, this isnt the machine for you. But if you have a small- to medium-sized lawn, Sun Joes cordless electric push mower is a great option. It blazes a 14-inch path in each pass, allowing you to get through plenty of grass with each push. The mower also has a three-position manual height adjustment, allowing you to get a higher or lower cut based on your personal preference.

The whole thing has a simple push-button start and removable safety key to ensure only adults control the action when theyre ready. Your clippings will be collected into a 10.6-gallon bag thats easily detached so you can simply toss it in the trash or your compost pile. The Sun Joe is powered by a 28-volt lithium-ion battery thatll mow more than 10,000 square feet of yard with one charge. Once youre done with your yard work, just plug it in to recharge for next time.

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Budget Pick: Toro Smartstow Recycler 20340

If you simply want a solid gas mower at a great price, we recommend the Toro SmartStow Recycler 20340. This is a popular, reliable model with great feedback, and it stands out from similarly qualified machines because it can be folded up and stored in an upright position. According to Toro, this reduces the 20340s storage footprint by up to 70 percent over that of a traditional mower. And though thats not a completely unique feature, it is rare enough for us to single out the 20340even if it lacks the convenience of the Egos or the finesse and mulching ability of the Honda.

The Toro 20340s storage feature is called the SmartStow system, which is made possible by the Briggs & Stratton engines unique design. Its a simple process: You fold the handle over the body of the mower and lock it in place. Then , you set the mower upright or wheel it around like a piece of luggage, much like you would a cordless model. It makes storage easy, not to mention cleaning the underside of the mowing deck or inspecting the blade.

As a mower, the Toro performs like many other good gas engine machines: It cuts the grass capably switches between bagging or mulching its clippings has its issues with maintenance, noise, and emissions and otherwise meets the expectations that any experienced self-propelled-mower user would have for it. The 20340 is primarily distinguished by SmartStow take that away and its just your standard, decent-quality self-propelled mower.

Runner Up Best Battery

Why We Like It

This mower is the same as the Ryobi 38-inch model described above, Only with slightly less Battery Power , and this version comes with a bagging kit included. In the end, overall cost savings vs the Ryobi 100 Ah.

If you prefer to mulch or side discharge your grass clippings instead of bagging, this version also offers those options.

Specifications

• Mows up to 2 acres per charge
• 12-position deck
• Includes Bagging Kit

Our Take Away

As stated in our previous section, the Ryobi 75 Ah battery-powered mower is a standout choice for anyone whos looking for a battery-powered lawnmower. With the bagging kit included, you can also bag and dispose of grass clippings vs. mulching, if you prefer.

There are several other battery-powered riding mower brands now on the market, but all have less battery power, produce less mowing per charge, and cost more than the Ryobi brand, so we easily chose Ryobi as the best battery-powered riding mower for our Top 10 list.

The Ryobi 38-inch riding mower is an amazingly powerful mower that will save you time, money, and trouble on maintenance while delivering a reliable cutting performance for many years.

Ryobi Best Battery Powered Riding Mower

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What Are The Top Rated Zero Turn Mowers

Husqvarna, Ariens, and Toro are the top-selling zero-turn mower brands on a national level. Both of these brands have a large network of local dealers that perform service on them. As mentioned, these are also two of the brands that qualify for Home Depots white glove delivery service.

Together, these three brands make up the bulk of the markets best residential zero-turn riding lawnmowers.

Toro Timemaster 21199 Mower: Best Gas Lawn Mower For Quick Cutting

Reasons to avoid

The Toro TimeMaster 21199 has all the features you need to mow larger yards efficiently, while quickly cutting grass with its wide 30-inch deck. As one of the best self-propelled lawn mowers, its also simple to operate with a Personal Pace and Traction Assist feature that ensures the machine operates at a speed that suits you.

Other great features include a Dual-Force Cutting System and Atomic blades, which also slice grass into mulch, plus theres the option to control your mowing height. The Toro TimeMaster 21199 is practical too with a quick-stow storage handle, and a washout port to easily clean under the deck of the mower.

As the name suggests, the Toro TimeMaster can significantly reduce the time you spend mowing the lawn, and the 1.2-quart tank averages 45-60 minutes of runtime that will suit most residential lawns of up to an acre.

With its Torque Briggs and Stratton 223cc OHV engine, this best mower is designed to cope with larger residential lawns, but at over $1,000 in price, it might be a little too pricey for smaller backyards. However, if you want plenty of power to cut your mowing time in half with ease then the Toro TimeMaster 21199 is a reliable choice.

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Best Riding Lawn Mowers For 1 Acre Reviews

Narrowing your options can help you find the right lawnmower for your one-acre lawn. Fortunately, Ive researched deeply and sought expert insights to compile a list of the best options you can trust for your mowing needs.

Heres my take on the best riding mowers for one-acre lawns:

• A fantastic riding mower for 1-2 acres of residential lawn
• Built around the exceptional Briggs & Stratton 540cc V-Twin engine
• 20 wheel with good tread for firm traction and stability
• Excellent versatility as a utility vehicle to tow lawn sweepers or fertilizer drop spreaders

Cons

• Not the fastest mower but excels in all other aspects

Mowing is primarily a daytime thing, but when you must do the work late in the evening, youll need a powerful mower with reliable lighting, like this Husqvarna mower.

The Husqvarna 100 series sit-on mowers offer excellent comfort and cutting performance features. Husqvarna has a reliable 540cc V-Twin Briggs & Stratton engine that delivers 18.5 horsepower and a steady pace of 5.5 MPH. Its cruise control function maintains constant speed on large, flat lawns.

The mower also has foot-controlled motion gears, so my hands are always on the soft-touch steering wheel. Its stamped, 42-inch deck features a reinforced frame for a quality build, and the controls and comfortable seats are top-shelf.

This Husky 100 series grass-cutter is a perfect choice if youre looking for a premium piece of mowing equipment for up to two acres.

Cons

• Relatively shorter battery run time

Cons

Best Riding Lawn Mowers 2021

The best riding lawn mowers to get large lawns back in shape.

Included in this guide:

TB30 R Ride On Mower

POWER ZT4204L Rider Lawn Mower

Cadet RZT-L Riding Lawn Mower

RY48111 48-Volt Zero Turn Riding Lawn Mower

Cadet Ultima ZT1

The best riding lawn mowers will get your lawn back on track, thanks to easy ride-along cuts. Whether youve got a hilly climb or a huge backyard, the best lawn tractor is all about power and convenience. You certainly wont over-exert yourself, as unlike the best gas lawn mowers, theres no need for heaving your way around hedges, plantrows and garden furniture on foot. Instead, the best riding lawn mowers 2021 reach speeds of up to eight miles per hour, so theyre just the thing to get the job done quickly.

When it comes to slopes and large lawns, the best riding lawn mowers trump push-along mowers on power. Youll get the biggest rumble power-wise with a gas-powered riding lawn mower, but its easier to keep things green-fingered with a zero-emission battery-powered mower. As well as being kinder to the neighbors, thanks to the quiet engines, battery-powered mowers are simpler to keep in working order. However, if your biggest concern is hunting down the best riding lawn mower for the money, youll be best off with a gas-powered mower thats dinkier and lightweight.

For more ways to keep your grass neat, check out our guides to the best electric lawn mowers and the best lawn edgers too.

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