On this page we have put together our ultimate buying guide to give you as much help as possible to get the best riding lawn mower for your money, no matter what type of mower you are looking for, be it a lawn tractor or a zero turn, or what size or type of yard or landscape you need to mow and maintain.
In this guide you will find our top 3 picks of the best lawn tractors and zero turn riding mowers, the best riding mowers for hills, and the best riding mowers for small yards, with a brief overview of each choice and links through to the full reviews in case you wish to check them out further, and also links straight through to the Amazon listings so that you can check out the latest prices and customer reviews.
We will start off by sharing our picks of the top 10 riding mowers for 2019 with you so you can see the best selling and most popular mowers overall, and then we will get into each individual type of mower as mentioned above.
Some Things To Consider When Choosing Your Riding Lawn Mower…
The Size Of Your Lawn, Yard or Landscape– The smaller your lawn or yard is, the smaller the cutting deck needs to be, and vice versa. The larger the cutting deck, the quicker you will be able to mow your lawn, however, be sure to check the size of where your mower will be stored, and the size of any gates and gaps it needs to fit through and go for a mower with a suitable deck width.
Your Mowers Engine And Transmission Type-Always go for a riding mower with a top quality engine such as a Briggs & Stratton, a Kohler or a Kawasaki. These makes of engine have proven themselves time and time again in terms of power.performance and durability.
We would also recommend that you go for a mower with a hydrostatic transmission for better maneuverability and speed control, as opposed to a clutch operated transmission. The hydrostatic variety gives a smoother ride and being shift-free leaves your hands free to concentrate on steering the mower.
The Size And Type Of Terrain You Will Be Mowing– For lawns and landscapes of ¾-1 acre we recommend looking at tractor mowers and rear engine mowers. For yards of 1-3 acres go for a front engine lawn tractor or a zero turn mower. And for landscapes of 3 acres and above you should be looking at a semi-commercial zero turn mower or larger sized lawn tractor.
The Features You Require-We recommend going for a riding mower which is mulching and bagging compatible, depending on how you to intend disposing of trimmings after mowing. We also recommend opting for a mower with a deck wash port to allow for easy cleaning of the mowers underside after mowing.
You may also want to consider choosing a mower which has a hitch feature for towing any required trailers and attachments. For easier reversing and greater maneuverability we suggest going for a mower with clutch control rather than push button control, and an adjustable deck height feature. A comfortable and supportive seat is also something to consider.
The Top 10 Riding Lawn Mowers For 2019…
#1. Troy-Bilt 382cc 30-Inch Premium Neighborhood Riding Lawn Mower…
The Troy-Bilt TB30 is our overall top choice of riding mower for 2019. We made this our number #1 choice as it can be used easily and effectively on virtually any size yard, lawn or landscape, and due to its compact size can be easily stored away in a garage or shed.
You should bear in mind that this mower is not designed for use on hilly terrain, and with only a 30″ cutting deck, mowing larger landscapes will take more time than using a mower with a larger deck.
On the flip side of that, this mowers 30″ deck, along with its tight 18″ turning radius allows it to mow in and out of any tight, hard to reach areas that larger mowers just can’t get into, and it is this particular feature which for us makes the TB30 the ultimate ‘mow anywhere’ riding lawn mower of 2019.
Click here to view on Amazon.com…
#2. Husqvarna YTA24V48 24V Fast Continuously Variable Transmission Pedal Tractor Mower, 48″/Twin
If you’re looking for a bigger lawn tractor style ride on mower than the TB30 and don’t mind paying quite a bit extra for it, we highly recommend checking out the Husqvarna YTA24V48. This mower is designed for larger landscapes with hilly terrain and features a 48″ cutting deck allowing you to mow more in less time. The foot pedal operated FAST automatic transmission gives a smoother ride while needing less power to drive, and providing more power for cutting.
From our point of view it is only the size of this mower, which makes it less effective in smaller yards, along with the price, which nudged it into second place. However, if you have a larger lawn and are looking for a riding mower which offers top performance along with superior results, we strongly urge you to check this one out.
Click here to view on Amazon.com…
#3. Craftsman T135 18.5 HP Briggs & Stratton 46-Inch Gas Powered Riding Lawn Mower
We made this mower our third choice as it comes in-between our top 2 choices in terms of power and has a slightly smaller cutting deck than our second choice, so if the TB30 is a little too small for your requirements, and the Husqvarna YTA24V48 just that little bit too large, the Craftsman T135 is well worth checking out as an alternative.
One of the main things we like about this Craftsman riding lawn mower is its easy start engine which has the power to tackle just about any type of terrain in any type of conditions. This mower also gives you a smooth and comfortable ride and the mow-in-reverse feature allows you to cut and trim in and out of any trouble spots easily and without stopping.
Click here to view on Amazon.com…
#4. Craftsman T150 19 HP Briggs & Stratton Gold 46-Inch Gas Powered Riding Lawn Mower
At number 4 on our list we have another tractor style riding mower from Craftsman, the Craftsman T150 which is essentially a more powerful version of the T135. Whereas the T135 has a 18.5 HP engine, the T150 has a 19 HP with hand lever operated hydrostatic transmission as opposed to the T135 which has a foot pedal operated transmission.
Other than that you get the same 46″ cutting deck, the maneuverability of the mow-in-reverse capability, and the mid-back seat which provides pretty good lumbar support and comfort during mowing.
Click here to view on Amazon.com…
#5. Craftsman T225 19 HP Briggs & Stratton Gold 46-Inch Gas Powered Riding Lawn Mower
If you would like a riding mower which pretty much combines the top features of the Craftsman T135 and the Craftsman T150, and which also has the added feature of a super comfortable padded high-back seat for the ultimate in riding mower comfort then you should definitely check out the Craftsman T225.
This mower comes with the same easy start engine, 46″ cutting deck, mow-in-reverse capability, foot pedal operated hydrostatic transmission and built in deck wash and, being a Craftsman riding lawn mower, is well worth checking out.
Click here to view on Amazon.com…
#6. Ariens 915223 IKON-X 52″ Zero Turn Mower 23hp Kawasaki FR691 Series
If you would prefer a zero turn riding lawn mower to a lawn tractor mower we can highly recommend taking a look at the Ariens 915223 Ikon-X 52. This mower would be a great choice for anyone with a larger sized landscape with hilly terrain, who is looking for a high-performance, highly maneuverable semi-pro style mower.
The Ikon-X 52 can seriously slash your mowing time without sacrificing efficiency or effectiveness, and it’s a pretty comfortable machine to ride too. It’s got all the power and speed you will need, gives a brilliant cut, and it’s built to last.
The only drawback we could find it that it doesn’t handle ditches very well, other than that we really like it, it’s our favorite zero turn mower of 2019.
Click here to view on Amazon.com…
#7. Cub Cadet XT1 Enduro Series Kohler Hydrostatic Gas Front-Engine Riding Mower (Lt 42 In. 18 Hp)
If you’ve made it this far down the list and you still haven’t found what you’re looking for in terms of bang for your buck, then we have a feeling that the Cub Cadet LT42 could be more in line with what you want. In other words, with the Cub Cadet LT42, you really do get a LOT of mower for the money.
This is one well built piece of mowing machinery that is great for mowing large, uneven landscapes. It’s got mow-in-reverse capability, a really easy to raise and lower hand lever operated cutting deck, plus it’s also really easy to maneuver.
Click here to view on Amazon.com…
#8. Husqvarna Z254 54″ 26 HP Kohler Hydrostatic Zero Turn Riding Mower
In at number 8 we have another zero turn mower, the Husqvarana Z254 which has a more powerful engine and a slightly larger cutting deck than the Ariens Ikon-X 52 which occupies the number 6 spot in this list. This mower is a great choice for anyone who wants to slash their current mowing time with a machine which has the ultimate combination of power, speed, and excellent grass cutting capabilities.
The Husqvarna Z254 also gives a pretty comfortable ride making it ideal for extended periods of mowing on larger landscapes.
Click here to view on Amazon.com…
#9. Husqvarna MZ61 61″ 27 HP Briggs & Stratton Hydrostatic Zero Turn Riding Mower
Our number 9 pick is the Husqvarna MZ61 27 HP zero turn riding mower. To be honest this mower is only really suitable for larger yards and landscapes and is more of a semi-commercial machine than a residential one.
You will find this riding mower will tackle just about any type of terrain in all mowing conditions easily, while delivering optimum performance without sacrificing riding comfort, plus the 61″ cutting deck allows you to mow much more grass in much less time.
Click here to view on Amazon.com…
#10. Ariens Zoom 34 – 19hp Kohler 6000 Series V-Twin 34″ Zero Turn Lawn Mower
And at number 10 we have yet another zero turn mower-the Ariens Zoom 34 which is a great little mower for anyone with a small-medium sized yard, lawn or landscape. It features a pretty powerful high-performance engine which works very well to help finish larger mowing jobs quickly.
In addition to being zero turn, the Zoom 34 also allows you to mow in reverse which makes it very highly maneuverable indeed and allows you to mow in and out of any difficult areas easily and effectively.
Click here to view on Amazon.com…
The Best Lawn Tractors For 2019…
Lawn tractors have a mid-mounted cutting deck and a wider turning radius making them less maneuverable than zero turn lawn mowers. As a result they are less suitable for mowing around obstacles like shrubs and trees, and can also leave patches of grass uncut.
However, they have steering wheels and are easier to operate, they are far better for mowing on hills, and can be attached to a variety of heavy-duty trailers, spreaders and sprayers.
#1. Troy-Bilt 382cc 30-Inch Premium Neighborhood Riding Lawn Mower…
This is our overall choice of best riding mower for 2019 as well as our top choice of lawn tractor simply because you can use it quite literally anywhere. It is maneuverable enough to mow in and out of hard to get to spots, and is powerful enough to be used on almost any size landscape, as long as the terrain isn’t too hilly.
The customer feedback being left for this mower on Amazon.com is also very good where it has an average star rating of 4.0 out of 5 stars from 250 customer reviews.
This is one lawn tractor style riding mower that is well worth checking out.
Click here to view on Amazon.com…
#2. Husqvarna YTA24V48 24V Fast Continuously Variable Transmission Pedal Tractor Mower, 48″/Twin
In second place is the Husqvarna YTA24V48 lawn tractor which is really well built and mows larger landscapes with ease. The engine is easy to start, incredibly reliable, as well as being smooth and quiet with plenty of power and surprisingly little vibration, it’s also fantastically economical and comes with probably the best warranty of any other lawn tractor available today.
The cut you get with this lawn tractor can only be described as ‘superior’, thanks to the greatly improved grass-lift provided by the cutting decks’ Air Induction Mowing Technology.
If you have a larger lawn or landscape to mow we really can’t recommend checking this one out highly enough.
Click here to view on Amazon.com…
#3. Craftsman T135 18.5 HP Briggs & Stratton 46-Inch Gas Powered Riding Lawn Mower
Our third choice of best lawn tractor for 2019 is the Craftsman T135. This is a great mower for making short work of tough grass. It’s a powerful little machine that gets the job done time after time and it’s also pretty maneuverable too. You can mow in reverse to get in and out of tight spots, plus it’s also quick and easy to clean after mowing due to the included deck wash system.
For anyone looking for an easy starting and reliable lawn tractor mower that is also comfortable to ride and comes with foot pedal operated CVT transmission, and that also gives a decent cut, this one shouldn’t be missed.
Click here to view on Amazon.com…
The Best Zero Turn Riding Lawn Mowers For 2019…
Zero turn riding lawn mowers have a front-mounted cutting deck and a zero turning radius making them more maneuverable than lawn tractors. This allows them to literally ‘turn-on-a-dime’ while mowing in forward and reverse while never missing a blade of grass.
They are also faster than law tractors and far better for mowing up to, in and out of, and also around obstacles like trees and shrubs, however zero turn mowers are not as good for mowing hills as lawn tractors are.
#1. Ariens 915223 IKON-X 52″ Zero Turn Riding Lawn Mower 23hp Kawasaki FR691 Series
As you will have probably noticed from our top 10 list above, the Ariens Ikon-X 52 is our overall best zero turn riding mower for 2019. We love it. It has everything you need to mow your lawn or landscape to a high quality finish, including the speed and power to slash the time you need to spend mowing, the handling and maneuverability to get in and out of any hard to mow areas, and the riding comfort to make maintaining your landscape more of a pleasure than a chore.
Customer reviews are also very good for this ride on mower with 76% of people currently giving it the maximum 5 out of 5 stars rating.
If you’re in the market for a top quality zero turn riding lawn mower we recommend checking this one out first.
Click here to view on Amazon.com…
#2. Husqvarna Z254 54″ 26 HP Kohler Hydrostatic Zero Turn Riding Mower
If you’re looking for still more power, and an even bigger cutting deck than you get with the Ariens Ikon-X 52 above, and which is at the time of writing is also being offered at a lower price point, be sure to check out the Husqvarna Z254. This is another very fast and powerful lawn maintenance machine which gives lawns a professional quality looking finish in less time, while also being an incredibly comfortable ride during longer mowing sessions.
This mower is easily worth paying full price for, so why not check it out for yourself right away and grab yourself a bargain?
Click here to view on Amazon.com…
#3. Husqvarna MZ61 61″ 27 HP Briggs & Stratton Hydrostatic Zero Turn Riding Mower
Our third choice, the Husqvarna MZ61 is a beast of a zero turn mower and also the highest priced of our 3 top picks. This riding mower is more suited to commercial and semi-commercial lawn jobs rather than for residential use.
As you would expect from a mower of this caliber, it has the power, and the speed to tackle just about any type of terrain easily. If you have a larger property to take care of-this is the mower for you.
Click here to view on Amazon.com…
The Best Riding Lawn Mowers For Hills 2019…
Lawn tractor mowers are the best option when it comes to mowing hills. This is because zero turn mowers have front caster wheels which make them more unstable especially on steeper hills. Below you will find our 3 top choices of riding lawn mowers for hills. You can also see our top tips for mowing on hills on this page.
#1. Husqvarna YTA24V48 24V Fast Continuously Variable Transmission Pedal Tractor Mower, 48″/Twin
When it comes to mowing hills, the Husqvarna YTA24V48 is our top choice. Granted, some users have been less than happy with it, however, we found than when the instructions are followed as intended, this mower is great on hills. It also gives an fantastic and even cut, time after time, and it’s very economical when it comes to fuel consumption too.
Although this mower is slightly more expensive than others in its class, we think it is very good value for money and well worth checking out for yourself.
Click here to view on Amazon.com…
#2. Craftsman T135 18.5 HP Briggs & Stratton 46-Inch Gas Powered Riding Lawn Mower
Our second choice of best riding lawn mowers for hills in 2019 is the Craftsman T135 lawn tractor mower. Craftsman mowers are great to ride and this one is no exception. The engine has a decent amount of power and has no trouble mowing slopes of up to 15 degrees. It also has a mid-back seat which gives you that extra bit of comfort and support, especially when mowing uneven ground.
The Craftsman T135 is a good choice of mower for pretty much any sized landscape and its ‘turf-saver’ wheels give good traction which is particularly useful on hills, along with good ground clearance over bumps.
Click here to view on Amazon.com…
#3. Craftsman T150 19 HP Briggs & Stratton Gold 46-Inch Gas Powered Riding Lawn Mower
Our third choice is another Craftsman lawn tractor style mower-the Craftsman T150 which has pretty much all the features of the T135 above except the T150 has a hand lever operated hydrostatic transmission and a slightly more powerful engine.
We made this one our third choice as we prefer a foot pedal operated transmission which leaves your hands free to concentrate on steering the mower, however this is a matter of personal choice and the hand lever operated version may be more to your liking.
Either way, Craftsman make great riding mowers and whichever you choose is sure to do a great job.
Click here to view on Amazon.com…
The Best Riding Mowers For Small Yards 2019…
The key to mowing small yards quickly and effectively is choosing a compact mower with a small cutting deck. Below you will find our top 3 picks of the best riding mowers for small yards in 2019, any one of which is capable of doing a great job and giving a great cut. As mentioned in the ‘things to consider’ section above, all you need really do here is select the mower which will fit comfortably through any gates and other gaps you may have.
#1. Snapper 2911525 BVE Classic RER 28 inch 11.5 HP 344cc Rear Engine Riding Mower 2691525
As far as we are concerned, this mower-the Snapper 2911525 BVE, is the smallest riding lawn mower on out list and the ultimate riding mower for small yards. What we really love is its straight forward, no messing, easy to use design with fingertip controls. It’s just so easy and convenient to use, and with just a 28″ cutting deck it can easily get in and out of any hard to mow spots.
Another great thing about this mower is its stand-on-edge feature which allows you to store it away in far less space than a regular mower, plus you can also carry out any cleaning and maintenance in this position too.
This Snapper riding lawn mower is top of our list of mowers for small yards, and if you have a small yard to mow it should be pretty near the top of yours too.
Click here to view on Amazon.com…
#2. Troy-Bilt 382cc 30-Inch Premium Neighborhood Riding Lawn Mower
Our number 2 choice is the Troy-Bilt TB30, which is also our overall top choice of riding mower for 2019. With a slightly larger 30″ cutting deck than the Snapper 2911525 BVE above, this mower also does a pretty decent job of getting in and out of tight spots in smaller yards.
The TB30 is also nice and compact meaning it can be easily stored away in a shed or a garage when not in use, however it does take up more storage space than the mower above, so this may be worth keeping in mind.
Other than that, if you’re looking for a great little lawn tractor style mower for your yard, we recommend making this one, and our number 1 choice above, the first ones you check out.
Click here to view on Amazon.com…
#3. Ariens Zoom 34 – 19hp Kohler 6000 Series V-Twin 34″ Zero Turn Lawn Mower
Alternatively, if you have a small to average size yard and you are thinking more along the lines of a zero turn mower, we would seriously suggest taking a look at the Ariens Zoom 34. This mower has the largest cutting deck of our 3 choices at 34″, however being a zero turn mower it has better maneuverability than the 2 lawn tractor style mowers of our number 1 and number 2 choices.
The Zoom 34 is also pretty decent in terms of speed, this is a great feature if you have an average to large sized landscape as it can greatly reduce the time needed to be spent mowing, however on smaller landscapes this feature probably wouldn’t be much use.
That being said, the Ariens Zoom 34 is a great little mower for smaller lawns and worth taking a look at if a lawn tractor style riding mower isn’t what you are looking for.
Click here to view on Amazon.com…
A Quick Recap Of Our Best Riding Lawn Mowers For 2019 Buyers Guide…
So there you have it…our ultimate buyers guide for the best riding lawn mowers in 2019. Using this guide you should be able to quickly and easily choose the best riding mower for your yard, lawn, or landscape without having to spend hours trawling the entire web.
Here is a quick reminder of each our top recommended choices complete with links through to the full reviews and also the full Amazon.com listings for each one.
Best Overall Riding Mower For 2019…
Troy-Bilt 382cc 30-Inch Premium Neighborhood Riding Lawn Mower
Best Lawn Tractor For 2019…
Troy-Bilt 382cc 30-Inch Premium Neighborhood Riding Lawn Mower
Best Zero Turn Mower For 2019…
Ariens 915223 IKON-X 52″ Zero Turn Riding Lawn Mower 23hp Kawasaki FR691 Series
Best Riding Mower For Hills 2019…
Husqvarna YTA24V48 24V Fast Continuously Variable Transmission Pedal Tractor Mower, 48″/Twin
Best Riding Mower For Small Yards 2019…
Snapper 2911525 BVE Classic RER 28 inch 11.5 HP 344cc Rear Engine Riding Mower 2691525
