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Are you looking to ditch your old lawn mower for a new zero-turn model? It’s easier than you think. But we want to make sure your money goes toward the best zero turn mower possible. So we reviewed what we consider the best of the best.
The following 10 entries don’t simply cut grass. They mow the lawn. When you’re finished with your yard work using any one of these mowers, it will look like you hired professionals. We were so impressed by their performance that we wondered how we ever lived without one.
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Each entry performed admirably, but Husqvarna’s Z254 was the best overall. It mows quickly with a wide cutting deck and has plenty of horsepower.
If you’re looking for raw power, Swisher’s Response Gen 2 is for you. It’s powerful enough for commercial use and built to last. This heavy-duty entry will cost you, but you can’t beat its performance.
We have eight more entries to review, so let’s get right to them. We’re confident you will find a zero-turn mower to fit both your needs and your yard’s.
If you need to get your yard work done in a jiffy, Husqvarna has you covered with the Z254. It works efficiently and effectively, mowing quickly and evenly.
Husqvarna went with a Kohler engine and it appears to pay off. It is packed with 26 horsepower, providing smooth starting and plenty of speed. You’ll be able to hit 6.5 miles an hour thanks to its continuous power. Husqvarna installed an oversized fan to ensure the engine doesn’t overheat, too.
By doing this, your lawn is able to get an even trim every time you mow. And speaking of the deck, its construction is all-steel. You’re getting durability you can count on to hold up after extended use.
A nice bonus is the 3-in-1 clipping system. You can either mulch, discharge, or bag them. The bagging attachment and mulcher are separate purchases, but it’s great to have the option.
Turning on the Z254 is precise and balanced. You never feel like it is overcompensating. This gives you confidence that you’re operating a safe and well-built machine.
It’s nice to see the use of a quality motor. The 26-horsepower Kohler engine lends itself to easy riding and smooth starting. You’ll find that it makes all the difference in the overall performance of the mower. Everything is easy to access and operate.
You really have to see the Swisher Response Gen 2 up close to truly appreciate it. This is a bear of a zero-turn, built like a tank and armed to the teeth.
Swisher makes good use of a Briggs & Stratton 24-horsepower engine. It does a professional cutting job, making your lawn look like a crew took care of it. This is thanks to the 54-inch cutting deck that uses no less than 3 Gator mulching blades.
A massive 8-gallon fuel tank means you can handle large yards with ease. You won’t be wasting time stopping to refuel with the Gen 2. Its fuel economy is nothing to sneeze at and will let you run the mower longer and faster.
And in case you need to pull or haul something, both the front and rear of the mower is equipped with a hitch. You also get a built-in hour meter, cup holder, and a 12-volt adapter. Now you can charge tools and devices as you mow.
If you’re in the commercial lawn-mowing industry, you owe it to yourself to give Swisher’s Response Gen 2 a look. It has no trouble hitting 8 miles an hour in both forward and reverse. You’ll be able to fly through jobs one after the other and still be home in time for dinner.
It will make anyone a great primary mower. And you don’t have to mow lawns for a living to get use out of it. If you own a large yard, you will be more than pleased with Swisher’s powerful entry.
Built to last and strong as an ox, Swisher’s Response Gen 2 is a beast. If you aren’t comfortable on riding mowers, you may want to look at something a bit tamer. The Gen 2 is packed with power and is evident the moment you get on.
Built tough and able to withstand rigorous work conditions, the MZ61 is made for serious mowing. It is loaded with features that give you a highly-accessible ride. There is plenty of room for add-ons, too. So you’ll never be short on efficiency.
You have the option to attach a mulcher or bagging system to properly dispose of your clippings. The bag collector is quite impressive in its own right. It consists of a 9-bushel, triple bag system. You can bet you’ll be able to haul some serious grass with it.
Perhaps the first thing you’ll notice on the MZ61 is the inviting seat. More akin to a fancy office chair, the arms rests and padded cushioning ensure your work is done in comfort.
It’s also equipped with dampeners that reduce jolts and vibrations while you mow. All of your controls are at within arm’s reach, making it a breeze to navigate and manage operations.
When it comes to mowing power, Husqvarna uses a Kawasaki FR-730V engine. This provides you with 24 horsepower. Startups are reliable and mowing is even and consistent. You’ll be able to move along at a nice clip to the tune of 8 miles an hour.
As its name implies, you get 61 inches of cutting width to work with. Combined with its ability to move quickly, you’ll be able to mow your lawn so fast that the grass will be afraid to grow.
Other nice additions include a digital hour meter, cup holder, and a rollover protection structure. You’re going to pay a little more for this mower, but it is built with safety and functionality in mind.
Husqvarna used heavy-duty, durable steel framing in the MZ61’s construction. Commercial hydraulics give you excellent shock-absorption, serving to make your ride one that will last. Backing this mower are homeowner and commercial warranties. Each one covers the mower for 4 years or 400 hours, whichever comes first.
Husqvarna’s MZ61 excels in every category. This includes operation. You will find that the easy-access controls turn mowing into a pleasure. You don’t have to fight with features, as everything is clearly labeled and readily available.
Troy-Bilt’s Mustang XP was made for hilly terrain in mind. If your yard work finds you on uneven ground, this may just be the zero-turn you’ve been needing.
It is built with a respectable 25-horsepower Briggs & Stratton engine with 724 cc displacement. Two cylinders power the engine for a top speed of 7 miles an hour. Its maximum reverse speed is 2.5 miles an hour.
Three cutting blades give your yard a nice, even cut that totals 54 inches of cutting width. Troy-Bilt’s 3-in-1 clipping system allows you to choose between discharging, bagging, or mulching. Just keep in mind that the bagging and mulching attachments are sold separately.
The deck is made of 13-gauge stamped steel and gives you 8 positions. You can adjust the cutting height between 1.5 and 4.5 inches.
Thanks to the Briggs & Stratton overhead valve design, you get excellent fuel efficiency. Now you can mow with the peace of mind that fuel costs are being kept at a minimum.
Additional accessories are available that allow you to add arm rests, a front bumper, a trailer hitch, and a headlight. Troy-Bilt includes a limited residential warranty of 3 years. The mower’s frame has a limited lifetime warranty.
Starting the Mustang 54 XP is a breeze thanks to the 12-volt key starting system. The zero-turn performance is smooth and accurate, allowing you to mow with precision.
Accessibility is king on the MZ54, allowing you to add components that make mowing more enjoyable. Want the safety of a rollover protection structure (ROPS)? No problem. How about a collector unit? You got it. You can even add lighting to the ROPS.
Comfort certainly wasn’t an afterthought here, either. The 18-inch high-back cushioned seating is made to spring up and down as you mow. Arm rests help to give your body a relaxed position, and a mounted cup holder is the height of luxury.
You’ll really appreciate the extras Husqvarna included with this entry. You get a handy digital hour meter to help you keep track of time used. A nicely-sized 5-gallon fuel tank lets you focus more on your mowing and less on refilling.
Husqvarna went with the Kohler Confidant engine. This supplies you with 23 horsepower and is powered by 2 cylinders. You can reach an impressive 8 miles an hour, cutting yard work down to a minimum.
You will also like the homeowner and commercial warranties Husqvarna includes with the MZ54. Each gives you 4 years or 400 hours of coverage. Other nice touches include the 11-gauge steel fabricated cutting deck. Oh, and it has a powder-coated finish to help add more life to your mower.
Husqvarna includes so many convenient features that operating the MZ54 is a joy. Controls are easy to operate and riding feels smooth.
Ariens delivers its own quick-cutting zero-turn mower. We have to say, its 23-horsepower engine does a fine job of making yard work smooth and effortless.
With its bright orange colors, you’d be forgiven for thinking this is another Husqvarna. You do get some of the same high quality, though. The IKON-X features a Kawasaki FR V-Twin engine that is capable of hitting a top speed of 7 miles an hour (3 in reverse).
You’ll be able to cut your work in half thanks to the even mowing of the Ariens. This is largely due to the quality craftsmanship on display.
If you’re looking to add mulching and bagging to your mower, Ariens offers the option to do so. There are actually quite a few really nice accessories you can get to improve the quality of your work.
Little things like armrests that attach to the handles, a dethatcher, or a bright LED headlight kit. All these add to an already top-performing zero-turn mower. For the price, it would have been nice to see armrests included, that’s for sure.
Ariens has been in the game for a while. They seem to consistently produce top-performing equipment and machinery. The IKON-X is no different. It is built in a way that is inviting to use and solid in its performance.
Powered by a Briggs & Stratton Twin engine, Ariens’ Zoom 34 is a highly capable mower. It is much smaller in terms of performance, but should serve you well on yards that don’t require much of your time.
At just 19 horsepower, you may think it doesn’t have much to offer. But this simply isn’t the case with the Zoom. It still manages to run smoothly while mowing evenly and efficiently.
We found that it handles hilly terrain quite well, and it does much more consistent cutting on smaller yards. This is mainly due to the smaller 34-inch cutting width. It just doesn’t have that wide of a path when compared to some of its heavier-duty counterparts. But it comes at a very reasonable price and is easy to control.
The Zoom’s biggest detriment lies in its fuel tank. At only 2 gallons, it simply doesn’t hold enough gas to complete bigger yards. You’ll find yourself needing to halt mowing often so you can refuel. This is why it is so important that you consider your yard size before buying the Zoom.
If you’re a contractor who is in need of an extra zero-turn, only consider the Zoom as a back-up. If you already have a heavy-duty primary lawn mower, this should do fine as a secondary to knock out trimming. Anything more and it will only serve to slow you down.
It’s nice to see Ariens backing their equipment with 2 solid warranties. You get a consumer warranty of 3 years, while the machine warranty is 5 years. The deck and frame have a limited 5-year warranty.
You’ll find that operating the Zoom 34 is safe and efficient. Its small size lends to easy management of its controls. You should have no trouble hopping on and mowing.
Snapper’s zero-turn mower has plenty to make it a worthy contender. It is built with a durable and tough 12-gauge steel frame that will stand up to uneven landscape.
This also lets you use aftermarket ATV add-ons, giving you a highly-versatile machine. Unique to most zero-turn mowers is the cargo bed on the back.
You’ll be able to haul wood, tools, debris – you name it. Snapper’s progressive thinking included slots on each side of the bed so you can slide in a tailgate to keep your loads intact.
This model includes a Briggs & Stratton Professional Series OHV 23-horsepower engine. Best for small- to medium-sized yards, you’ll be able to scoot along at speeds of up to 6 miles an hour. And with a commendable 48-inch cutting deck, you’ll be able to cover more ground.
If you don’t plan on mowing anything larger, you’ll find the 360Z to be plenty capable. Its downside is that it has a rather small fuel tank. Measuring at only 3 gallons, it’s just not enough to adequately perform on large yards.
Snapper gives you decent warranties to cover you in the event of a malfunction. The steel fabricated mower deck has a lifetime warranty. You get a residential warranty of 3 years, while the commercial warranty is 90 days.
The 360Z is available at a very reasonable price. It has enough unique features that will serve you well and make your yard work much easier.
Ariens has been in the game for a while. They seem to consistently produce top-performing equipment and machinery. The IKON-X is no different. It is built in a way that is inviting to use and solid in its performance.
Ariens is back with one of their most powerful residential zero-turn mowers. The Apex 60 sports the Kawasaki 24-horsepower FR V-Twin engine. This allows you to hit top speeds of 8 miles an hour without breaking a sweat.
The seating is padded nicely, with high armrests that assist you with steering. You’ll be able to ride more relaxed as you mow thanks to this setup. All controls are easily accessible and within arm’s reach.
You’re getting a huge, 60-inch cutting deck that will help to hurry any job along. This deck is 5 ½ inches deep and is constructed out of 10-gauge fabricated steel. It gives you support and confidence while you mow. This durable machine will handle yards of all kinds.
We found that it performs best on yards that are of medium size. The Apex 60 has good fuel capacity with its 5-gallon tank. This should last you long enough to complete most jobs without having to stop and refuel.
Ariens gives you a couple of warranties with the Apex 60. The machine warranty covers it for 4 years or 500 hours, whichever comes first. And the deck and frame both have a 5-year limited warranty.
The only issue we came across was that, while this is a well-built mower, it shakes quite a bit. You’ll notice annoying rattles as you mow, which is not something you should have in a mower of this caliber. This wasn’t unique to our model, either. Other users have complained of the same drawback.
This doesn’t detract from the Apex 60’s overall performance, but it’s there. Over time, this could certainly start to grate on you. Keep this in mind if you do a lot of lawn maintenance.
Aside from the aforementioned rattling, the Apex 60 performs admirably. Everything is easy to access and works as advertised. The position of the seating makes operating this large mower much easier.
Cub Cadet impresses with the Ultima ZT1. It has some admirable qualities, but it’s missing some key features that keep it from ranking higher.
Sporting a Kohler 4-cycle engine, the Ultima ZT1 zips through jobs at a brisk 7 miles an hour. Its nicely-sized cutting deck is 54 inches wide, making completion all the faster. The deck can be raised or lowered within 15 different positions. And its welded steel fabrication gives it solid durability.
Cub Cadet’s Aeroforce Cutting System takes center stage here. It uses adjustable 3 blades that can be set between 1- to 4.5-inches. Grass is cut evenly and thoroughly every time.
Aside from a major drawback that we’ll cover in a moment, comfort was clearly a top priority for Cub Cadet. Seating is soft yet supportive, boasting an 18-inch back that keeps your posture in check and relaxed. Your body isn’t strained and helps you to focus on your mowing. The bummer here is that the arm rests are sold separately.
Anyone who knows a thing or two about zero-turn mowers knows that your arms can get tired pretty quickly. Having armrests is a godsend on mowers like these. Why Cub Cadet opted not to include them is truly a head-scratcher.
Maybe they figured including LED headlights would make up for it. Indeed, this is a welcomed addition. But having them only makes you long for the complete package. It’s nice to see an hour meter, though.
Cub Cadet does include a warranty, which is nice to see. You get a consumer warranty that covers you for 3 years.
The Ultima ZT1 is great for beginners. If you’re just getting your foot in the door, this is the mower to help you learn the ropes.
Thanks to an electric 12-volt key starting system, the Ultima ZT1 fires up quickly and easily. Riding is, for the most part, comfortable and smooth. If you’re looking for a great starter mower, this may be your best bet.
There are hundreds of zero turn mowers on the market, and finding the best one can be challenging. That’s why the information we have provided here will help you find the best zero turn mower.
All of them cut grass, but the differences are noticed in comfort, speed, durability, price, and more. We will teach everything you know so you don’t have to scratch your head when you need to make the final decision.
The difficulty of riding a zero turn mower stems from the type of steering. Some come with a steering wheel, so if you’ve driven a car, you won’t have a problem with them. But, there are a couple more steering options.
The most common steering option is lap-bar. You might need some time to get used to the lap-bar, but it shouldn’t take you too long. If you move the right bar forward, the right wheels will move forward. The same goes for the left side. So, if you push both bars forward, the mower will move straight forward. It is similar to the controls in a tank.
Some zero turn mowers utilize a joystick for steering, which is great if you’ve played video games. Stand-on mowers are not common, and they are used by professional contractors, so you probably won’t be using them.
All in all, even if you’ve never driven a zero turn mower, you shouldn’t have any difficulties. Of course, there is a slight learning curve, but it is nothing that can’t be mastered after a couple of mowing tasks.
While there is no official classification of zero turn mowers, we’ve decided to help you out with our classification.
The size of the deck depends on the kind of work you intend to do and the terrain you will be mowing.
You need to be aware of some important features before you can commit to a purchase. Some of them will decide the way that you steer your new zero turn mower, while the others will decide how long you can work uninterruptedly.
If you want your new zero turn mower to perform well and last for a long time, you need to do a couple of things.
Always get acquainted with the manual. Read the manufacturer’s instructions and make sure that you follow them. You should also grease your zero turn mower regularly if you want optimal performance.
Don’t forget to sharpen the cutting blades. The blades dull over time, so if you want a smoothly cut grass every time, sharpen your blades often. You should also remember to change the oil regularly. If you own a car, you know the importance of clean oil, so apply the same knowledge to your new zero turn mower.
Always clean your mower. Make sure that you clean all the grass out of it if you want it to perform well all the time. Cleaning the mower also increases its longevity, so don’t skip doing it.
Finally, maintain your ears by wearing earplugs or some other kind of protection. Prolonged exposure to noise can induce hearing loss and cause tinnitus.