Mowing the lawn is enjoyable when you have a small riding mower, especially when you have a large yard. Riding lawn mowers are becoming more common because they are well made, easy to care for, and affordable.
The best small riding lawn mowers have the horsepower that ranges between 10 and 30. The decks have widths between 28 and 60 to meet the needs of various sized lawns. They also are available with gas-powered motors as well as with green battery-powered engines. There are plenty of options that will fit the needs of homeowners with small, medium, and large yards.
At a Glance – Our Top Picks
Snapper 2911525BVE Classic RER 28 inch 11.5 HP 344cc Rear Engine Riding Mower 2691525
The Snapper Classic Rear Engine Riding Mower is consistently named one of the best in the industry. It comes with a Briggs & Stratton Intek Engine, which starts right up with the turn of a key, just like a car.
Why We Like It
- Vertical stand-on-edge storage ability
- Sucks up clippings with HI VAC mower deck
- 11-inch adjustable seat
- 28-inch turning radius
Horsepower
11.5 HP
Power Source
Gas
Deck Width
28-33 inches
Our Verdict
This is a tried-and-true lawn mower that gets the job done. It is easy to use, compact, and easy to store. The Briggs & Stratton motor and the Snapper transmission are reliable and require very little maintenance. This mower can be conveniently stored on its vertical edge, too.
Editor Rating: 5/5
Craftsman T225 19 HP Briggs & Stratton Gold 46-Inch Gas Powered Riding Lawn Mower
Craftsman makes reliable lawn tools, and this riding mower is no exception. It has a Briggs & Stratton gas engine that starts right up without the need for a choke. It has a 46-inch cutting deck so you can finish mowing quickly.
Why We Like It
- Different sized wheels in the front and back
- Large 46-inch mowing deck
- Comfortable, high-backed seat
- Turn-key start
Horsepower
19 HP
Power Source
Gas
Deck Width
46 inches
Our Verdict
The big deck on this mower helped us get the lawn mowed quickly. The seat is comfortable, and the engine starts right up without any issue. The transmission is easy to shift with your foot, and the 19 horsepower makes this mower seem speedier than others.
Editor Rating: 4/5
Troy-Bilt Pony 42X Riding Lawn Mower with 42-Inch Deck and 547cc Engine Tractor
This Troy-Bilt lawn mower has one of the most massive mowing decks available on a front-engine mower. At 54-inches, you will get your lawn mowed faster than anyone in the neighborhood.
Why We Like It
- Large three-gallon fuel tank
- An integrated deck wash system
- Two-year warranty
- 54-inch side-discharge deck
Horsepower
24 HP
Power Source
Gas
Deck Width
54 inches
Our Verdict
This is a power lawn mower with a huge deck. We liked the deck wash system for easy cleanup. The seat is comfortable, and the three-gallon fuel tank means we didn’t have to fill it up as often.
Editor Rating: 4/5
Husqvarna Z254 54 in. 26 HP Kohler Hydrostatic Zero Turn Riding Mower
Husqvarna is known for making heavy-duty machines that get the job done. This zero-turn lawn mower reaches speeds up to 6.5 MPH. The Kohler engine starts right up. This mower has the engine in the rear, and you steer it with levers rather than a wheel.
Why We Like It
- Zero-turn rear engine
- Heavy-duty deck
- Clippings choices
- Steering levers
Horsepower
26 HP
Power Source
Gas
Deck Width
54 inches
Our Verdict
The Husqvarna mower took time to get used to since it did not have a steering wheel. The powerful mower gets the job done quickly, especially with the 54-inch deck. We liked the zero-turn mower because it got all of the grass evenly cut the first time around the yard.
Editor Rating: 5/5
Husqvarna LTH1738, 38 in. 17 HP Loncin Hydrostatic Gas Riding Lawn Mower
This tractor-style Husqvarna lawn mower has a 17-horsepower engine with a hydrostatic transmission. You control the transmission with your foot. The mower uses an air-induction system to deliver a precise cut every time.
Why We Like It
- Lots of attachments
- Quick-start engine
- Comfortable steering wheel
- Air-induction mowing deck gives precise cuts
Horsepower
17 HP
Power Source
Gas
Deck Width
38 inches
Our Verdict
This lawn mower is easy to drive and has just enough power for a smaller lawn. The deck sucks grass up to give a precise and even cut. It is fuel-efficient, too. The transmission shifts smoothly.
Editor Rating: 5/5
Ryobi 38 inches 100 Ah Battery Electric Rear Engine Riding Lawn Mower RY48111
The Ryobi electric rear-engine riding lawn mower removes petroleum fuel from the process. The 48-volt mower uses 100Ah batteries and runs for 2.5 hours on a full charge. The mower has a 38-inch deck with two blades and 12 different positions so you can get the perfect cut every time.
Why We Like It
- Green energy with zero emissions
- Very quiet mower
- Quick charge
- Clippings can be Bagged, Mulched, or Side-Discharged
Horsepower
Not available
Power Source
Battery
Deck Width
38 inches
Our Verdict
We loved the fact that the lawn mower was quiet and used no fuel. However, the mower moved slower than gas-powered models. It gave a precise cut, and we liked the different options for the clippings. The mower only needs a 120-volt outlet to charge and runs for over two hours on one charge, which is enough to get the lawn mowed. It’s a good choice if you aren’t in a hurry.
Editor Rating: 5/5
Troy-Bilt 540cc Briggs & Stratton Intek Automatic 46-Inch Riding Lawnmower
This Troy-Bilt riding lawn mower comes with the reliable Briggs & Stratton® Intek™ Engine that other mowers have, too. This mower has 19 horsepower, a foot-pedal transmission, and the ability to mow in reverse.
Why We Like It
- Big deck with side discharge
- Sucks up clippings with HI VAC mower deck
- Integrated deck-wash system
- Five different cutting heights
Horsepower
19 HP
Power Source
Gas
Deck Width
46 inches
Our Verdict
The Briggs & Stratton® Intek™ Engine is one of the best on the market. It starts up and gets going without any trouble. The low-maintenance lawn mower has an integrated deck-wash
system for easy cleanup.
Editor Rating: 4/5
Ariens Zoom 34 – 19hp Kohler 6000 Series V-Twin 34″ Zero Turn Lawn Mower
The Ariens Zoom lawn mower lets you get the job done in a snap. It’s a smaller zero-turn mower with a powerful v-twin engine by Kohler. It has a 34-inch deck made of 12-gauge steel and has a side-discharge system.
Why We Like It
- Zero-turn mower
- Powerful engine
- Durable deck made of 12-gauge steel
- Foot-operated transmission and deck lift
Horsepower
19 HP
Power Source
Gas
Deck Width
34 inches
Our Verdict
This is a nice mower with a zero-turn radius. It’s an easy lawn mower to use, and it is quick to get used to the steering levers. The seat is comfortable, too. This mower is professional-grade but smaller than most on the market. It’s a substantial machine that requires very little maintenance. The small mower gets through gates with ease. The Ariens Zoom is built to last.
Editor Rating: 4/5
Buyer’s Guide Questions
What Are the Different Types of Riding Lawn Mowers?
There are three types of riding lawn mowers. The tractor-style lawn mower comes with either a rear motor or a front mower. The other style riding lawn mower is the zero-turn mower that is usually steered by a pair of levers. The tractor-style mowers have steering wheels.
Riding mowers with front engines never have a zero-turn option, but a few of the tractor-style mowers with motors in the rear do turn on a dime. Some will mow the lawn if you are going forward or backward; this is a convenience that many homeowners appreciate.
Most riding mowers run on gasoline and have tanks that range in size from one gallon to three. They do not use much gas, but it is handy to have a few gallons on hand. Manufacturers are entering the world of green design as they introduce battery-powered options to buyers.
The battery-powered mowers are not as powerful as the gas-powered options. They will last for a few hours on a charge, which is more than enough to get a large lawn mowed. Battery powered mowers are also very quiet, especially when compared with combustion engines.
What Do Riding Lawn Mowers Do With Grass Clippings?
Riding lawn mowers can do three things with grass clippings. They can send the cuttings out of the side of the deck; this is called side discharge. They can also mulch the grass clippings or bag them. Mulching and side discharge do not require any special attachments. You might need to buy an attachment to bag the clippings automatically.
What Size Yards Need Riding Lawn Mowers?
To make a riding lawn mower worthwhile, your yard should be at least ¼ of an acre in size. Of course, you can use one of the best riding lawn mowers on any size yard, but they are better suited for larger yards, especially those with a zero-turn radius.
What Features of Your Yard Are Important to Consider?
When you are ready to shop for your lawn mower, it is important to consider fences and gates. Some mowers are wide and have difficulties getting through tight gates and entries. You should also consider where you are going to store your lawn mower, as some of the larger ones take up considerable parking spaces.
How to Start a Riding Lawn Mower
Riding mowers have come a long way in the last few years. When they were first sold, starting them involved using a choke. Now, most riding lawn mowers start with a key or a pushbutton. They start right up and are ready to go, just like a car.
How to Shift a Riding Lawn Mower
Most gas-powered riding lawn mowers have transmissions that have two or more gears. Most go forward and backward, too. The trend in riding lawn mowers is to put the shifter on the floor of the mower. All you need to do is press the shifter down to change gears or direction.
Top Pick
Our top pick is the Ryobi 38 inches 100 Ah Battery Electric Rear Engine Riding Lawn Mower RY48111 because it is the most environmentally friendly lawn mower on our list. It might be one of the slowest, but horsepower isn’t everything when it comes to caring for a yard.
Premium Choice
If money is no object, the Husqvarna Z254 54 in. 26 HP Kohler Hydrostatic Zero Turn Riding Mower is the premium choice. It has the biggest deck and the most horsepower. If you have a large yard, this one will get the job done in no time at all.
Great Value
The Snapper 2911525BVE Classic RER 28 inch 11.5 HP 344cc Rear Engine Riding Mower 2691525 is a great value. It is one of the smaller lawn mowers on the list, but it does the job. Snapper is a well-known name in lawn care because the company produces high-quality tools at an affordable price.
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