Many people have two needs as far as their lawn is concerned. They want it to look great and they want to cut it quickly. A zero-turn riding mower can help in both respects. These mowers steer with a pair of control levers, known as lap bars.
This arrangement might take some acclimation compared to a traditional lawn tractor with a steering wheel, but it does have this unique advantage: By controlling the mower via a pair of transmissions, the operator now has unprecedented maneuverability while not sacrificing the ability to cut a neat, straight line. This is why landscape contractors use these mowers almost exclusively. The ZTR (zero turn radius) mower is the most productive grass-cutting machine available, and quite enjoyable to operate as well.
The Best Zero-Turn Lawn Mowers
- Best Overall: Toro TimeCutter MAX 54-in.
- Best Value Electric: EGO Z6 4204 Zero-Turn Lawn Mower
- Great for Big Yards: Ariens Ikon 52-in 23-HP V-twin Zero-Turn Lawn Mower
- Best Entry Level Gas: Cub Cadet Ultima 42 in.
- Best Large Electric Option: EGO ZT5207L Zero-Turn Lawn Mower
What to Consider
How a Zero Turn Mower Works
Let’s look at ZTR design a bit more closely. A ZTR mower is arranged so that the operator’s seat is positioned on a platform toward the rear of the mower. The engine is behind the operator and there are two transmissions, one for each drive wheel, under the driver’s seat. The rear engine design, coupled with two under-mounted transmissions, provides a clear forward view, unlike a tractor where you are looking over the steering wheel and the hood.
From the operator’s position you’ll find two lap bars, one controlling each transmission. If you move both lap bars fully forward, the mower drives at top speed in a straight line–this may be anywhere from about 5- to 10 mph, depending on the machine. Move both lap bars fully back, the mower drives in reverse.
Change the position of the left or right lap bar relative to the other bar, and the mower moves in a curved line or even pivots. Once you get the hang of lap bar-controlled ground speed and steering, you find that with the unobstructed view you can cut a complex landscape very quickly and efficiently. This also reduces the need for trimming, either with a walk-behind mower or a string trimmer.
In terms of mowing, a ZTR is pretty similar to a tractor. The deck contains two or three blades which are turned on and off by the operator. Like a tractor, a ZTR can mulch, discharge, or bag grass clippings.
Cutting Deck
Since the deck houses the blades that cut the grass, we’ll start there.
Some mowers use a deck stamped from one piece of steel, while others use a deck fabricated from multiple pieces that are welded together. Because fabricated steel decks are thicker than those that are stamped, they are more durable and abuse tolerant. For most residential cutting, deck durability isn’t an issue, and a stamped deck is usually fine. But if you cut a large rural property with washboard surfaces that may lead to deck getting banged around a bit, then a fabricated deck will provide more durability than a stamped one.
Deck sizes range from 42 to 52 inches, typical for residential riding mowers. Larger mowers powered by commercial-duty engines may have even larger decks, think 60 inches or wider. As with most things, mowers with larger decks typically cost more than those with smaller decks. Roughly speaking, a ZTR with a 42-inch deck will cost in the vicinity of $3200 to $3500. The larger the deck, the more you can expect to pay.
In general, a mower with a 42-inch deck is sufficient to cut a 2-acre lot (that takes into account that the house, driveway, outbuildings and various landscape features are taking up some of that space). Use a mower with a larger deck to cut anything over 2 acres.
While a larger mower will certainly help you get the job done faster and more efficiently, sizing up is not without its downsides. Larger mowers take more space in a garage or outbuilding. And a mower with a 50-inch or even 60-inch deck may not fit through a fence’s gate, and it might be difficult to maneuver in tight spots.
Engine/Motor
Engine or motor size and robustness varies to suit the mower’s intended use, and battery-electric options are an increasingly prominent part of the riding mower segment, both in of zero-turns and lawn tractors.
Entry-level zero-turn mowers may be powered by a 15-hp engine, while entry-level commercial mowers may be powered by a physically larger and more powerful 26-hp engine. Think twice before assuming that more horsepower is inherently better. Big engines are more powerful and typically make a mower more capable, especially through unfavorable conditions. But increasing engine size also increases fuel consumption, noise, and cost. If your yard is smooth and well managed, a machine with a smaller engine (21 hp, let’s say) should more than suffice for most mowing jobs.
This brings us to battery-powered mowers. We like them and find their quietness and cleanliness attractive. But they are more expensive to buy than their gas-powered counterparts. Expect to pay somewhere in the range of $4,000 for an entry-level machine, to as much as $6,000 for larger machines equipped with a 54-inch deck.
Also, there is a gamble on the durability of their large batteries. If you should experience an out-of-warranty failure on one of these, their replacement cost ranges can cost hundreds of dollars
Finally, whether gas or electric, look carefully at the substance of the mower in other respects. Seat quality, handle quality, frame, tires, and the presence or absence of grease fittings are all places where manufacturers increase or decrease substance–and cost.
Transmission
Transmission quality is also a key consideration for homeowners who might submit their mower to use that’s tougher than normal. It’s always a good idea to look at product specs, and it’s reassuring to find the transmission type and manufacturer identified there, particularly when it’s a product by Hydro-Gear or Tuff Torq, two well-regarded names in the transaxle industry.
Zero-Turn Disadvantages
For all of a zero turn mower’s advantages, it’s not a good fit for everybody. For some people, the traditional steering wheel controlled tractor is a better fit. Some people find the lap bars awkward to use, and the mowing experience is perhaps not as relaxing as with a tractor.
Another downside to the ZTR mower is a phenomenon known as turfing. When an operator steers the machine too aggressively, particularly when making a high-speed, zero-turn pivot, the tires can tear into the grass–in the worst case, this can leave a large muddy area that will need to be reseeded.
Beyond mowing and daily operation, consider that a zero-turn mower is not as good at some tasks as a lawn tractor is. Things like towing a wood chipper, loaded yard cart, or other trailer or implement attached to the rear is easier with a tractor, primarily due to its weight distribution.
Why Trust Us
Popular Mechanics has been testing and reviewing home products and tech for over a century, and its current test team has decades of experience running various products through a battery of scrutinizing tests. Roy Berendsohn has been a senior test editor with the publication for more than 35 years, and has more than 50 years of experience operating mowers.
He’s tested everything from old-fashioned reel mowers that are entirely human powered to diesel-engine commercial mowers–and everything in between. He’s witnessed the advent of entirely new product categories, including battery powered walk-behind mowers and zero-turn riding mowers.
How We Select and Test
There’s only one way to test a mower, and that’s to cut grass with it. But we also do more than mow. We raise and lower the deck and adjust the seat. We look at service point access (air filter, spark plug, and oil filter) and how easy it is to remove the deck.
We mow approximately 1 acre with each mower, considering cut and mulching quality while running uphill, downhill, across washboard, and along sidehills. (On sidehills, we’ll mow surfaces pitched up to approximately 20 degrees; manufacturers generally recommend not going steeper than 10 degrees, but we like to be thorough.) We evaluate power and speed relative to cut quality—we investigate whether the mower delivers a decent cut mowing at full speed. When mowing in damp conditions, we look at whether the mower’s tires accumulate grass and how effectively it discharges moist clippings. Finally, we test maneuverability (these machines are, generally, very nimble) and how readily they come to a stop when you back off the lap bar control levers.
Note that we have not tested some of the picks on this list yet, but we included them based on a close examination of their specifications and attributes, our knowledge of these brands, and of the category in general. Our new Best Overall Pick slots in for a model that is no longer available because they share many of the same attributes, as we detail below.
For more lawn mower reviews, check out our guides to the best riding lawn mowers, electric lawn mowers, self-propelled mowers, best lawn mower sales this Memorial Day, and we recommend, and learn more about finding the right mower for you.
Pros
Powerful Kawasaki gas engine- Durable fabricated deck
Cons
We previously had a 54-inch Husqvarna at the top of our zero-turn mower roundup, but unfortunately is not available at the time of publication. This Toro TimeCutter shares many positive attributes with that Husqvarna, leading us to conclude that this is a good stand-in. These traits include a 54-inch fabricated steel deck and a 23-horsepower Kawasaki gas engine.
Toro has been in the lawn mower business for a long time, and while we have not yet tested this mower, our experience with the brand’s other mowers, plus its similarities to the Husqvarna that previously sat in this spot, indicate to us that this mower is hard to beat and a great option if you’re looking for a stout ZTR.
The large fabricated deck and three blades should cut through thick grass without issue. Having 54 inches of cutting width means this mower may not fit through all gates and shed openings, however, so be sure to measure the pinch points on your property before you buy this mower.
The Kawasaki V-Twin engine that powers this is a sweetheart of an engine, with great power output for demanding cutting conditions. Its high-back seat should prove comfortable for the duration of your mow, and integrated cupholders will help you to stay hydrated if you're out in the field.
The TimeCutter is not an entry-level mower by any means, but if you have the budget and the acreage to justify a purchase like this, it should provide years of reliable service.
Key Specs
| Horsepower | 23 |
|---|---|
| Cutting Width | 54 in. |
Pros
- Available with either lap bars or steering wheel
- Great cut quality
Cons
- Must separately purchase two additional batteries for maximum runtime
Ego rates this 42-inch mower as being equivalent to a machine powered by a 22-hp gas engine. It estimates its run time as sufficient to mow 2 acres. We didn’t mow that much grass with it during our test, but we can say that the 56-volt mower leaves a superb cut quality, handles nicely, and should be more than enough mower for a suburban homeowner with a large house on a lot of an acre or so.
It comes with four 10Ah lithium-ion batteries and has empty bays for another two. The batteries are removable. If you’ve already invested in the Ego system and have additional batteries (or buy some more), you can power this mower like it’s a cordless drill: plug in a new battery and keep going. Or you could use the charging cable that comes with it and plug the entire mower into an outlet to charge like you would an electric vehicle.
There are other features that make this one of the most advanced mowers out there. The battery bank feeds current to two deck motors—one for each 21-inch blade—and two drive motors. An LCD interface enables you to vary blade speed, ground speed, and lap bar sensitivity through a few modes for ultimate customization. The theory with all that control is that you can optimize battery run time, mowing efficiency, and the quality of the cut depending on your cutting conditions.
For instance, if you are doing a maintenance cut on day three or four since your last cut, you can probably get away with running the blades at a lower speed and a faster mow, whereas if you just got back from a 10-day vacation and your grass is long, you probably want to run a higher blade speed and move the mower more slowly.
If you’re interested in this mower but prefer something with a steering wheel, Ego makes such a mower. The Z6 e-steer is largely the same mower, except with an old-fashioned steering wheel rather than lap bars. This style of steering may be more comfortable for those coming from a lawn tractor or anyone who simply prefers a more relaxed mowing experience.
Key Specs
| Volts | 56 |
|---|---|
| Cutting width | 42 in. |
3
Great for Big Yards
Ariens Ikon 52-in 23-HP V-twin Zero-turn Lawn Mower
Pros
- Rugged 11-gauge steel deck
- Smooth transmission operation
- Robust overall construction
Cons
Ariens mowers and snow blowers have earned high marks in our tests for decades. We attribute that to sound engineering and better-than-average build quality. This mower combines the reliability and high-torque characteristics of a 23-hp Kawasaki engine with a rugged 52-inch fabricated (11-gauge) steel deck, plus a smooth-running Hydrogear EZT transmission at each rear wheel.
The Hydrogear is a popular residential-grade transaxle with a 1-inch-diameter axle and a 900-pound weight rating. You need that much capacity with a machine like this. The mower by itself weighs 635 pounds before you add a driver and 2.8 gallons of fuel. The Hydrogear provides a top speed of 7 mph.
You also get very robust construction in other critical areas: a four-point deck mount- similar to one on many commercial mowers. The deck mount hangs off a tube steel frame. And Ariens frames are stiff, models of neat welding and well-applied paint.
This Ariens zero-turn mower features lap bar grips that minimize vibrations into the hands, a boon to long mows. Pair that with its premium, comfortable seat, and you should be able to log long cutting sessions that don't tire you out.
Key Specs
| Horsepower | 23 |
|---|---|
| Cutting width | 52 in. |
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Pros
- Powerful engine
- Quick top speed
Cons
- Stamped rather than fabricated deck
You’ve probably caught onto the fact that we’re fans of Kawasaki’s V-twin gas engines here at Popular Mechanics. It shows up in yet another of our picks, this time in the Cub Cadet Ultima, which is a robust machine for homeowners who don’t have more than a few acres to mow.
While this mower does have a stamped deck rather than a fabricated one, it should hold up to suburban, residential duty mowing just fine. This mower can move at up to 7 mph, though we recommend going slower than that if your grass is thick and tall. The Kawasaki gas engine in this ZTR has 21.5 horsepower, which should should be ample for a 42-inch mower.
If you’re in the market for a gas-powered zero turn, we think this Cub Cadet is a solid value in the segment and a fine choice for suburban homeowner use. It's not the most entry level zero turn you can buy, but Cub Cadet has a long history of making mowers with solid build quality. For the price, this is a lot of mower, considering its robust build quality and premium Kawasaki engine.
Key Specs
| Horsepower | 21.5 |
|---|---|
| Cutting Widt | 42 in. |
5
Best Large Electric Option
Ego ZT5207L Zero-Turn Lawn Mower
Pros
- Quiet operation
- Fast and powerful
Cons
- Your mileage will vary with battery runtime
Similar to the Ego 42-inch mower listed above, this 52-inch mower takes the positive attributes of that mower into a larger package, enabling you to reduce your cut time further or give you bandwidth for bigger yards.
This mower comes with six 12Ah batteries, a considerable increase over the four 10Ah batteries that come in the smaller version. While the heavier and larger form factor of this mower means it may suck electrons faster than the other Ego, the extra battery capacity means this mower is rated to be able to cut up to 4 acres under ideal conditions—doubling the capability of the smaller Ego on a full charge.
Keep in mind that your mileage will vary, and like any battery mower, running at top ground and blade speed will drain the battery at a higher rate.
Among this mower's other attributes is a 10-gauge fabricated deck with three blades, each of which is powered by a sealed independent motor. Each motor powers the blade directly, without gearing. And two sealed independent motors with a sealed gear case provide power to the rear wheels.
An LCD interface enables you to control its drive modes. The Control setting is for beginners who need to get a feel for the machine, while helping to protect turf from wheel marks that can happen during rapid steering. The Standard setting is for everyday mowing, and the Sport setting for maximum cutting speed while provide precise turns around sharp corners.
The theory with all that control is that the operator can fine-tune the mower’s drive performance to their liking and their level of experience while optimizing variables like run time and cut quality.
If you've got a lot of grass to cut and don't want to deal with oil changes and the loud noise of a gas-powered zero-turn mower, this 52-inch Ego is well worth a look. Pleasant to operate and relatively quiet, its a great option among the zero-turn class.
Key Specs
| Volts | 56 |
|---|---|
| Cutting width | 52 in. |
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Roy Berendsohn
Senior Home Editor
Roy Berendsohn has worked for more than 25 years at Popular Mechanics, where he has written on carpentry, masonry, painting, plumbing, electrical, woodworking, blacksmithing, welding, lawn care, chainsaw use, and outdoor power equipment. When he’s not working on his own house, he volunteers with Sovereign Grace Church doing home repair for families in rural, suburban and urban locations throughout central and southern New Jersey.
