Types of Riding Lawn Mowers
Standard riding lawn mowers, also called lawn tractors or garden tractors, have a traditional ride-on design and operate with a steering wheel, making them easy to drive and maneuver over uneven terrain.
They work well for lawns from 3/4 acres to 2 acres or more. With optional attachments, you can bag clippings and leaves, haul landscaping materials, spread seed and — with some models — aerate, dethatch and remove snow.
Electric Riding Lawn Mower
Electric riding mowers are powered by rechargeable lithium batteries and, depending on the battery configuration and capacity, can cut up to 3 acres or more on a full charge. Although typically more expensive initially, electric riding lawn mowers require less maintenance than gas-powered mowers since you don’t have to buy fuel or change the oil. They’re quieter, vibrate less and don’t create emissions during operation.
Proper battery care is important and helps ensure top performance. Follow the instructions for your cordless electric lawn mower batteries and chargers.
Gas Riding Lawn Mower
The most affordable option, gas-powered riding lawn mowers offer long-lasting reliability, but they require regular maintenance. Typical maintenance includes changing the oil, replacing spark plugs and swapping the battery, much like maintenance for a car.
There’s no waiting for batteries to charge to mow your lawn. If you have enough gas, you can mow all day. You can also avoid the cost of replacing the batteries as they lose capacity.
Properly fueling your riding mower is important. Follow the manufacturer's requirements and read Fueling Power Equipment for tips on keeping your machine running properly.
Zero-Turn Riding Lawn Mowers
Zero-turn riding lawn mowers steer with a pair of lap bars or levers instead of a steering wheel. This may take longer to get the hang of, but the benefits justify the learning curve.
Front caster wheels allow the mower to pivot at sharper angles than standard riding lawn mowers. Zero-turn mowers can cut closely around flower beds, trees and landscaping, helpful for large lawns with obstacles.
Electric zero-turn riding lawn mowers provide maneuverability and speed with less noise and no fumes. Brushless motors and high-power, high-amp-hour batteries can cut 3 acres or more on a single charge and mow at speeds up to 7 miles per hour or more.
Things to consider when shopping for a zero-turn riding lawn mower:
- Engine Size: Gas-powered zero-turn mowers with single-cylinder engines are less expensive than those with larger engines but lack some power. For small lawns (1 acre or less) with few obstacles, a single cylinder engine is a suitable, economical option. For larger yards — especially those with hills — a zero-turn mower with a V-twin engine provides adequate torque and performance needed to tackle the job.
- Reverse Mowing: Some zero-turn mowers have the flexibility to mow in reverse for better maneuvering across challenging terrain.
- Seat: The seat type on a zero-turn mower can make a huge difference — especially if you have a large area that requires long mowing sessions. Look for high-back seats, armrests and lumbar support.
- Cost: A zero-turn mower is a major investment. While budget is always a factor, consider the durability of the mower. A higher-end mower that lasts longer may make financial sense in the long run.
All types of riding mowers require regular maintenance to run correctly and efficiently. See How to Maintain a Riding Mower and learn how to keep a riding mower in top shape.
Matching Riding Mowers to Lawn Sizes
No lawns are exactly alike, but here are some general tips to help you find a riding lawn mower size that works for your lawn size. Keep in mind, there is overlap among sizes, and other factors such as hilly terrain and obstacles, as well as fuel and battery capacity, are factors in choosing the right mower:
- 3/4- to 1-Acre Lawn: 30-in to 42-in cut width
- 1-Acre to 2-Acre Lawn: 42-in to 52-in cut width
- 2-Acre to 3-Acre Lawn: 48-in to 54-in cut width
- 3-Acre to 5-Acre Lawn: 48-in to 60-in cut width
- 5-Acre Lawn or Larger: 60-in or greater cut width
If your lawn is smaller than 3/4 acres, consider a push mower. See our Push Mower Buying Guide to learn your options.
Riding Lawn Mower Transmissions
You'll see several different transmission types for riding mowers:
- Hydrostatic transmission – This works like an automatic transmission but uses fluid rather than belts to transfer power from the engine to the wheels. It offers a smoother ride, requires less maintenance and lasts longer.
- Automatic transmission – This performs like the automatic transmission in a car. Easy gear changes are useful when you quickly slow down to work around obstacles.
- Manual transmission – This offers a range of set speeds. Look for mowers that let you shift up or down without stopping or using a clutch.
Riding Lawn Mower Features
Look for features and accessories that help make yardwork easier and more efficient:
- Engine horsepower (HP) measures the power output of the engine that's available to share among mower components, such as the transmission and blades.
- Engine displacement describes the size of the cylinder in the engine. Manufacturers measure displacement in cubic centimeters (cc). A higher cc measurement means a more powerful engine.
- Engine types for gas mowers are typically either V-twin or single cylinder. A V-twin engine provides more power and creates less vibration. Less vibration means less wear, quieter operation and better comfort. A V-twin engine also runs cooler and burns cleaner, extending potential engine life.
- Cruise control is available with some automatic and hydrostatic transmissions, allowing you to engage one speed and mow long, straight stretches easily.
- Cut width describes how wide the mower cuts a strip of grass in a single pass and is directly related to the number of blades on the mower deck.
- Turning radius describes how tightly you can turn the mower. A smaller turning radius means you can make sharper turns and more easily mow around obstacles.
- Bagging capability indicates you can use a bagger attachment with the mower. You'll typically need to purchase the bagger separately.
- Comfort and convenience features like a cup holder, a high-back seat, armrests, lumbar support, extended leg room and rubber foot pads make mowing less tiresome.
- All-in-one oil change cartridges contain oil and an oil filter in one component. This cartridge allows oil and filter changes without needing to drain oil from the engine.