10 Best Zero Turn Mowers in 2021

If you’re one of the many homeowners that dread mowing their lawn, you’ll be excited to learn about the opportunity to invest in the best zero turn mower on the market. (Don’t forget to take a look at the best riding mowers. These mowers are powerful, sturdy, and ready to get the job done faster than you ever thought possible.)

These zero turn lawn mowers are innovative and show a lot of ingenuity when it comes to taking care of one of the most tedious tasks in a reasonable amount of time. For smaller work, you could consider string trimmers or lawn mowers for small yards.

There are a lot of great zero turn mower brands on the market, but when it comes down to it, reading about all of them is just too time-consuming for most homeowners. Luckily, we’ve done the work for you. We’ve compiled a review of the top 10 zero turn mowers on the market and broken down everything you need to know about each one of them.

Prepare to have your life changed forever – working with a zero turn mower is almost like not doing any work at all! If you’re looking for something more simple, you may wish to consider reel mowers (click for review). If not, read on to see our zero turn mower reviews below!

View the Best Zero Turn Mower on the Market, Below.

• Cub Cadet ZT1 50 Zero Turn Lawn Mower
• RYOBI RY48ZTR100 Zero Turn Lawn Mower
• Troy-Bilt Mustang Z42 Zero Turn Mower
• Husqvarna Z254F Hydrostatic Zero-Turn Riding Mower
• John Deere Z345M 42 Zero Turn Lawn Mower
• AriensIKON X 52 Hydrostatic Zero-Turn Riding Mower
• Cub Cadet Z-Force S 48 Dual-Hydro Zero Turn Mower
• Toro 75754 TimeCutter Deck Zero-Turn Mower with MyRide
• Cub Cadet ZT1 42 Zero Turn Lawn Mower
• Husqvarna Z248F Hydrostatic Zero-Turn Riding Mower

1. Cub Cadet ZT1 50 Zero Turn Lawn Mower

Best Zero Turn For Four Acres

Cub Cadet has created an excellent zero turn mower with all the features you need for a clean and professional cut. Not only have they produced the mower on a strong tubular steel frame, but they’ve also designed it with your comfort in mind. It comes with a large and comfortable high back seat, spacious legroom, and easy-to-reach controls. The wide 50-inch deck has 3 sharp blades, complemented by an optimized grass bagging system, for clean and effective cutting.

The powerful twin-cylinder engine glides across your lawn at a smooth 7.5 mph, allowing you more time to enjoy your lawn space and less time cutting it! Another stand-out feature is the adjustable deck height, ranging from 1-inch to 4.5 inches. This comes with 15 adjustment options, controlled with a level that's easy to reach, giving you flexibility and choice for your lawn.

The Ultima ZT1 from Cub Cadet is the ultimate zero turn mower. With a high-power engine, efficient cutting and clipping removal, and a comfortable seat, you’ll wonder why you waited this long to buy it. It’s perfect for mowing large lawns and land up to 4 acres for either your own home or commercial cutting. Additionally, Cub Cadet have added a 23 HP twin-cylinder engine to guide you over soft hills and around obstacles, making this one of the best zero turn mowers on our list.

2. RYOBI RY48ZTR100 Zero Turn Lawn Mower

Best Zero Turn for the Environment

This zero turn mower from Ryobi is powered through a rechargeable battery and 4 brushless motors. It’s highly powered without the gas, smell, and noise that comes with petrol. This battery mower uses 100AH batteries that are rechargeable through a standard 120-volt output. In just one charge, the mower can cover 3 acres. It cuts effectively with 2 sharp blades under a 42-inch deck. Its Zero Turn Technology can cope with moving around obstacles, such as posts, patio paths, or floral beds, making it a brilliant all-round mower.

This mower also comes with LED headlights, a comfortable high-backed chair, and the classic strong Ryobi frame. For precision cutting, this model offers cutting heights between 1.5 and 4.5-inches, controlled with an easy lever. In addition, as an electric-powered engine, there is less maintenance; you don't have any belts, spark plugs, or filters to change.

Ryobi has been a leader in the industry for a while now. Their garden power products use an electric battery as opposed to gas-powered models. Gas mowers can often be smelly or release additional harmful gases into your yard, and they're loud when in use. Also, you have to worry about the fuel tank capacity.

With an electric battery powered mower, you are safe in the knowledge that you’re not adding to environmental issues. Your mower will operate much more quietly, causing less disturbance to you and your neighbors. The control panel offers vital statistics on battery life, run time, and a USB charging port. Ryobi once again shows that electricity is the future of garden power. When investing in a new mower, why not go electric?

3. Troy-Bilt Mustang Z42 Zero Turn Mower

Best 42-Inch Zero-Turn Lawn Mower

The Mustang Z42 Zero Turn Mower offers a stable and comfortable ride thanks to a 2-inch fully-welded tubular steel frame. The twin blades cut a 42-inch wide swath and can be adjusted to cut grass from 1.25 to 3.75 inches. This Troy-Built zero turn mower utilizes lap bars to steer; all you have to do is pull the bars apart to quickly and safely stop. The mower runs on a 679 cc Troy-Built twin-cylinder engine that utilizes full pressure lubrication to keep the engine running smoothly. The dual hydrostatic transmission makes it easy to maneuver around objects. If you get the mower delivered, it requires about an hour of easy assembly.

4. Husqvarna Z254F Hydrostatic Zero-Turn Riding Mower

Best 54-Inch Zero-Turn Lawn Mower

The Husqvarna Z254F provides a cutting width of 54 inches and a cutting height of 1.5 to 4 inches. It includes heavy-duty construction, such as a 10-gauge steel deck and three steel cutting blades. Steering and stopping are easy thanks to the lap bars and integrated emergency brake system. Husqvarna have also included features that make for a pleasant and safe ride, such as an easy-to-reach control panel and an anti-slip foot area.

The Z254F is powered by a 23 HP Kawasaki hydrostatic engine. The mower also features a maintenance-free transmission to save you time and money. It has a max forward speed of 6.5 mph and a max reverse speed of 3.25 mph.

5. John Deere Z345M 42 Zero Turn Lawn Mower

Best Mower for Ease of Use

This zero turn lawn mower from John Deere is ideal for homeowners with 2-5 acres of land. If you're looking for exceptional cutting and a mower that maneuvers smoothly around obstacles and pathways, this could be the one for you. The John Deere mower can cope with small hills and bumps, thanks to its large rear wheels and strong frame. It has a 42-inch deck, covering 3 large blades with several cutting heights. This gives you a flexible and effective cut.

This is a reliable mower built with customers in mind. It offers excellent engine power with its 22 HP John Deere branded engine, and speeds of up to 7 mph. It features Ready Start technology, meaning that the engine starts as a car would, without a pull-start. This is another feature built around the customers’ needs. The foot platform can also be removed, offering easy access to maintain and clean the deck.

John Deere lawn mowers are always designed with residential users in mind, so it’s perfect if you have 2-5 acres of land to maintain. With easy lap bar controls, this is a fast mower that moves quickly around turns and objects.

As a trusted brand, John Deere offers a warranty and a white-gloved service to help you get off to a good start. This mower has 3 large blades under a 42-inch deck, which can quickly mulch or discard your grass cuttings and promote a healthy lawn.

6. AriensIKON X 52 Hydrostatic Zero-Turn Riding Mower

Best 52-Inch Zero-Turn Lawn Mower

If you're looking for a mower that's built to last, check out the Ariens IKON x 52. It's heavy-duty with a welded steel tubular frame and an 11-gauge steel fabricated deck. Users can easily adjust the heavy duty deck to provide cutting heights ranging from 1.5 to 4.5 inches. The cutting width is 52 inches, and the maximum forward speed is 7 mph, so you can quickly mow larger lawns. The included twin cycle Kawasaki engine also holds up to larger jobs with 23 HP and cast-iron cylinder liners.

This zero-turn mower also provides a pleasant ride with a padded seat and cup holder. Whenever you're cutting grass, do it in style.

We wouldn't recommend this model for cutting wet grass, however. If you know you'll be working with wet grass a lot, other riding mowers might be better for tackling that.

7. Cub Cadet Z-Force S 48 Dual-Hydro Zero Turn Mower

Best Commercial 48-Inch Zero-Turn Lawn Mower

The Z-Force S 48 Zero Turn Mower provides a 48-inch cutting width. This Cub Cadet mower is powered by a 7000 series Kohler V-Twin engine with 24 HP and a displacement of 725cc. The engine features a fully pressurized lubrication system to help keep it running smoothly. The Z-Force S 48 includes heavy-duty construction with an 11-gauge steel deck and a 12-gauge steel frame. It's easy to make this mower work for you and your lawn thanks to the cruise control, 15 deck positions, the foot-operated parking brake, and an easy keyed electric start. Cub Cadet has also included features that increase user comfort, such as armrests, a cupholder, and an adjustable seat.

8. Toro 75754 TimeCutter Deck Zero-Turn Mower with MyRide

Most Comfortable Zero-Turn Lawn Mower

The Toro 75754 TimerCutter Zero-Turn Mower offers a 54-inch cutting width and a 54-inch iron-forged deck with a 10-gauge steel deck shell. It's a great zero-turn mower for yards larger than 4 acres. The mower contains a Toro engine with 24.5 HP and 708cc displacement. One thing that sets this mower apart from other zero-turn mowers is the MyRIDE suspension system. This system limits bumps and jostles so that you can experience a smooth ride. The included Smart Speed Technology allows you to choose your mowing speed without experiencing any decrease in blade speed. Another notable feature is the design - it allows you to change the oil and clean the belts without any tools.

9. Cub Cadet ZT1 42 Zero Turn Lawn Mower

Best Mower for Additional Features

This model from Cub Cadet is the younger brother in the ZT1 range, offering excellent engine power, clean cutting, efficient grass bagging for your grass clippings, and an impressively comfortable ride. With its wide 42-inch deck, it can quickly cut your land into beautiful stripes. It maneuvers confidently around border edges and obstacles such as poles and posts. This mower is designed with two large lap bars that control the mower's speed and offer easy reach to the cutting height control.

Cub Cadet have integrated a 15 setting cutting height system, ranging from 1 to 4.5 inches, to give you a flexible and precise cut. Cub Cadet also have an excellent reputation for garden power tools, and this all-rounder mower is no exception. With clever features, such as LED headlights and a high-backed seat, this is a brilliant zero turn mower.

If you’ve got 2-3 acres of flat lawn space, you’re probably looking for a zero turn mower that has good features all-round, including engine power, deck size, and comfort. This Cub Cadet Ultima model could be what you’re looking for. With a classic design, reliable features, and modest engine power, it’s a great mower that won’t let you down. One of its brilliant features is the 42-inch deck with 3 sharp cutting blades. It can quickly cut through your acres of grass with ease. The medium-sized engine is ideal for gliding across slightly hilly terrain. It works effortlessly around flower beds, pathways, and posts.

10. Husqvarna Z248F Hydrostatic Zero-Turn Riding Mower

Best Residential 48-Inch Zero-Turn Lawn Mower

The Husqvarna Z248F offers a 48-inch cutting width, making it a great zero-turn lawn mower for medium-sized lawns. It features six different cutting heights between 1.5 and 4 inches, so you can cut your lawn just how you like. The deck is made from 10-gauge steel, and the mower is powered by a 4-cycle 26 HP Kohler engine. This mower utilizes a pair of lap bars to both steer and brake, so you don't have to push a separate lever to engage or disengage the brake. Husqvarna has included a front guard and bumper to prevent damage if you accidentally run into something. When it comes time to clean your mower, just attach a hose to the deck port.

Zero Turn Mower Buyer’s Guide

Who Makes the Best Commercial Zero Turn Mower?

There are a lot of great lawn mowers on the market, and we’ve included some great models in our zero turn mower reviews above. But when it comes to investing in one that’s commercial-grade, you want to make sure you’re spending your money wisely. You’ll need to take several things into consideration.

The first and perhaps most important thing to consider is the engine behind the product you’re thinking of investing in. How much power is it capable of putting out?

Are you able to find any other engine that can match or surpass the specifications of the mower you’re looking at? The best engines on the market tend to be built by Kawasaki and Briggs & Stratton Vanguard. These two engine manufacturers are consistent in their impressive results with both power and efficiency. If you can find a ZTR mower with one of their engines, you’ll be making a good investment.

The next thing you’ll want to look at is what kind of suspension the mower has. If you’re investing in a commercial-grade mower, the chances are that you’re going to be logging a lot of work hours with the machine. If this is the case, you’ll want to invest in a full suspension device. Not only will the suspension mechanism make the work more comfortable and bearable for you, but it will also ensure that you’re able to get the most out of your mower.

Full suspension mechanisms work better when it comes to getting a good trim on your lawn. You’ll also get by with fewer repairs, thanks to the reduced shock and impact.

Last but not least, you’ll want to make sure that you invest in the best mowing deck. Commercial grade no-turn mowers can do an impressive amount of work thanks to their large mowing paths. However, a large mowing path isn’t all you should consider when you look into the ideal zero turn.

Many commercial-grade mowers can push grass up with their sloped fronts. They provide other features that make for a better investment incentive than a wide mowing path. You’ll want to investigate all of the available features thoroughly before you decide on which deck works well for you.

When it comes to the most reliable brand and manufacturer of ZTR mowers, we have to look to Husqvarna. This company is dedicated to producing top-quality machines that consistently produce impressive results. If you want a company that you can rely on to take care of your lawn mowing needs, Husqvarna is the smartest investment.

Browsing in the winter? Check out our review of the top snow blowers.

Commercial Comparison Chart

When it comes to commercial-grade mowers, you have a lot of options to turn to. Many great companies produce good quality zero turn mowers, but three brands stand out from the rest when it comes down to quality, performance, and price.

Husqvarna

Husqvarna is one of the best brands for any homeowner to invest in. They offer a wide variety of no-turn mowers to work with. The company has years of experience when it comes to crafting the best quality machines. Their standard of excellence shows with each mower they craft. They offer powerful and efficient machines that can make smooth transitions and operate fairly quietly compared to the industry standard.

(Why not try the Husqvarna YTA24V48?)

Ariens

Ariens is a fantastic company that offers a professional cut. They are great to go with if you can’t find a Husqvarna that fits your needs. They offer great quality machines that are the best for getting work done quickly and efficiently. They also tend to work much more quietly than other brands, so if you live in neighborhoods with noise restrictions, this could be a great investment for you.

Poulan Pro

If you want a top-quality commercial zero turn that allows you to stay within a budget, this is a great brand to go with. You’ll be able to maintain all of the great benefits that come with having a commercial-grade mower without having to pay the price you’d have to with brands like Husqvarna or Ariens. It’s a great compromise for anyone who needs a high-powered machine to take care of their landscaping work.

What is a Zero-Turn Mower?

Zero turn mowers are a great advancement in the lawn care industry. They allow homeowners to take care of their lawns in record time and without having to exert as much energy or effort. These mowers get their name from their ability to turn on a zero-degree radius. This simply means that a ZTR can turn in a full circle without covering any extra ground. Make a note of the zero turn radius when combing through different models.

The zero turn is a great investment for homeowners who don’t want to spend too much time taking care of their lawn but still want to make sure they get a good cut. You’ll be able to work the mower easily with a system of controls that requires minimum effort to operate.

How To Lift the Mower

Zero turn mowers are great investments when it comes to lawn care, but servicing them could prove to be difficult if you don’t have the right equipment. These machines are heavy and could be damaged if you try to lift or turn them without the proper machinery.

The most efficient way to lift a zero turn is to use a maintenance lift or a lift jack. These contraptions are specially designed to handle lifting larger machines like ZTR mowers. They will allow you to easily access the bottom of your machine so you can sharpen your blades or otherwise care for your mower.

In terms of lawn care, you might ask yourself what to do with all that cut grass and garden waste? Easy! Grab a compost bin to decompose your garden waste in an environmentally friendly way.

Do These Mowers Have Brakes?

Most zero turn mowers don’t have a foot pedal brake like traditional, standard riding mowers do. However, there is a way to slow and brake the device. The speed of the mower is determined by the levers on the machine. As long as the levers are neutral, the machine won’t move forward.

If you’re moving the machine forward or in reverse, all you have to do is push the levers back towards their neutral position to slow down to a more comfortable speed – or stop. If you wish to pause your work or park the mower, simply disengage the blades and turn on the parking brake. This will ensure that the machine won’t move until you’re ready to start working again.

Different Types of Zero Turn Mowers

There are several different types of zero turn mowers available on the market. It’s important to know the distinguishing features of each one before you invest. Though all models have the same general design, the subcategories have several important and distinguishing features that set them apart.

The first and perhaps most common type of ZTR mower is the residential model. These mowers are built for properties that are larger than one acre but aren’t much bigger than two.

They allow you to get work done quickly and efficiently. These models make great tools for homeowners who need to take care of their yard but don’t have more than a few hours of work to do every time they use their machine. A residential model zero turn mower will get the job done without forcing you to make an investment that will largely go unused.

If you have more than a few hours of work to do with your mower or will be using it on a fairly regular or daily basis, the prosumer option will be the better investment for you.

With a prosumer, you’ll be able to get work done more quickly and effectively than a residential mower. Additionally, you’ll be able to work longer hours without the wear and tear showing on the mower you’re working with. These mowers are exceptionally good for those who need to mow large estates or own a landscaping business and need to make a budget buy. They are significantly different from residential models, though not as sturdy as commercial-grade ones.

The third and final investment you can make is a commercial grade zero turn. These devices are the strongest and most durable machines that you could hope to buy – stronger than the residential mower or prosumer model. They have superior suspension models, powerful engines, and easy-to-use controls. They often come with features that can’t be found on residential and prosumer models. If you have a landscaping business and have enough money to invest in a zero turn mower, then a commercial mower is the model for you.

These machines tend to be more durable and resilient, making them best for those with contract work. You’ll be able to get the most work and use out of this model. However, keep in mind that the commercial mower tends to be more expensive than the former two.

Is it Worth It?

Many homeowners hate taking care of their lawns. It’s a tiring and tedious process that seems to never end. However, the creation of the zero turn lawn mower has helped make this task much more bearable. These mowers make it possible to complete a wider application of different tasks in a shorter amount of time.

But even though homeowners have heard about all the amazing features and benefits zero turn lawn mowers have to offer, many of them aren’t certain whether a ZTR machine would be a good investment for their family.

There are several things to consider before making an investment. The first thing you should think about is the size of your yard. If you have a yard that’s less than an acre in size, you shouldn’t invest in a zero turn lawn mower. These machines are built to simplify the lawn mowing process, but they won’t make much of a difference unless you have a big enough lawn for them to work with.

If your lawn is bigger than an acre, why not invest in one of these machines?

However, to ensure you’re getting the best value for what you need, you should carefully evaluate each machine’s capabilities and make sure it can perform well under the conditions you’ll be operating it in. As a general rule, for properties that are larger than one acre but don’t require more than three to four hours of work, a residential model will work well.

For properties that require more than three to four hours of work or for landscaping business owners who need to make a budget purchase, a prosumer model is the smartest choice.

For professional landscapers who need a durable machine that can get work done quickly – and aren’t limited by a budget – a commercial-grade mower is the better option.

The next thing you should take into consideration is the type of ground you’ll be working on.

Do you have a lot of hills and slopes in your yard? If so, a zero degree machine might not be the wisest use of your money. Although it can handle some rough terrain, any hill or slope that exceeds 10 to 15 degrees is too steep to be mowed with a zero turn mower. The grade of the hill may prove to be too much for the machine to handle, causing it to tear your grass, slip, or even topple over.

Furthermore, if your yard is mainly made up of hills and slopes, it could be very tedious to try to take care of them with this type of lawn mower. If this isn’t a problem for you, a zero degree machine will work wonders for your yard. It will prove to be an invaluable investment and will quickly pay for itself.

What To Look For When Buying One?

If you’re in the market for a zero turn mower, you’ll want to get the most out of your investment that you possibly can. To ensure that you’re getting the smartest buy for your money, you’ll need to consider a few things before you make your purchase. The following is a list of features you should consider carefully while investigating different zero turn lawn mower models on the market. All the mowers on our list come with these features and more.

Engine HP

Power makes a big difference when it comes to taking care of a task like this. The more horsepower you have backing your machine, the better off you’ll be when it comes to getting your work done more quickly and efficiently. You’ll be able to power through your workday with impressive speed and precision as long as you make sure that the power you have backing your machine is ample for the work you’ll need to do.

If you have a property that’s not much larger than an acre or doesn’t require more than a few hours of work, you’ll be able to get by with a lower horsepower model. However, if you have a large estate or do professional landscaping work, you’ll need a machine with plenty of horsepower to spare.

Cut Width

A powerful engine will make a big difference when it comes to getting work done, but having the proper cutting width can be just as important. The cutting width (also referred to as the mowing path) is essential when it comes to making a good investment. Many homeowners think that having the biggest cutting width will make the biggest impact, but this isn’t necessarily true. While you may be able to mow the open areas of your lawn quickly with a wide mowing path, you’ll still have to account for obstacles in the yard.

If you’re working on lawns with several garden areas or other forms of decorative plant life, you’ll want to make sure that the cutting platform isn’t too big to fit between them. You’ll need a platform that’s wide enough to take care of large parts of your yard while also being small enough to maneuver through tight spaces easily. You may also want to invest in a durable wheelbarrow for your gardening needs.

Transmission

If you’re investing in a residential type zero turn mower, you may be able to get by using a fuel-efficient, lower-level transmission. Low-grade transmissions don’t have any problem when it comes to taking care of small yard work. However, if you have a fairly large estate to take care of or need a machine that can keep up with the demands of full-time landscaping, you’re going to need a more powerful transmission. Not having the proper transmission could lead to bigger problems later on.

If it comes down to buying a cheaper lawn mower with a weak transmission or buying a more expensive model with a better transmission, you should always pay extra. Not doing so could cause you to ruin the transmission on your machine. You’ll spend more money trying to repair or replace it than you would have if you’d simply bought the more reliable model in the first place.

Fuel Capacity

When looking for the best fit, you’ll also want to consider fuel capacity. This is especially important if you have a large lawn to work with or do professional work with your mower. You’ll want to make sure that you have a fuel tank that’s capable of taking care of your needs. You won’t want to have to stop and constantly refuel your tank.

Unless, however, you opt for a battery-powered model. Electric mowers will see to it you cut your grass without harming the environment or letting off fumes.

Weight

Last but not least, consider the weight of the mower you’re investing in. Obviously, zero turns will be heavier than your average push mower. If you need the machine to do landscaping work, you don’t want the mower to be too heavy. You’ll need to be able to transport the device from place to place easily. You’ll also want to be sure that it isn’t too heavy for the lift jack or lift machine you have. If this is the case, you won’t be able to use your lift to get under the machine and sharpen your blades.