Get the Riding Lawn Mower You Need: Where to Start

Maybe you just became the proud owner of a big green patch of heaven. Or maybe you’ve realized that your current mower just isn’t, well, cutting it. No worries. Leveling up to the perfect riding mower is a proud moment for any homeowner—and it marks a lifestyle you’ll never want to leave again.

Now for the million-dollar question: Which mower should you buy? This is a big decision, and it shouldn’t be taken lightly. Start by asking yourself lots of questions including, How hilly is my yard? Are there lots of shrubs and other obstacles? Do I need all-weather options, like a snow attachment? Do I want a straightforward mower or something with a few luxe bells and whistles?

Whatever your answers, know that almost every homeowner‘s needs will ladder into one of three products: the zero-turn mower, the lawn tractor, or the compact utility tractor (CUT). These can handle the gamut of yard needs, from a weekly trim to a landscaping facelift. Read on to find your lawnmowing soulmate.

Best Zero Turn Mowers
Best Lawn Mowers and Tractors
Best Compact Utility Tractors

Best Zero-Turn Mowers

For lawn work, think of a zero-turn mower as a beautifully engineered sports car. These machines move fast, cut close, and, man, can they handle. The term zero-turn refers to how they can maneuver on a dime, turning almost in place. This makes navigating around yard obstacles, like trees or bushes, unbelievably easy. On these babies, you control the action with levers that manage the drive wheels—a fun switch from the more traditional steering wheel.

Note that zero-turn mowers aren’t for everyone, or every yard. Because they use rear-wheel drive, they sometimes struggle with steep hills. And while they’re not as versatile as a lawn tractor, you can still outfit zero-turn mowers with several popular attachments—including baggers, mulch kits, striping kits, and tow-behind dump carts. Best of all, if you want to whirl around your yard like it’s the Daytona Speedway—and get a great cut—hop on board.

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Best Electric Option

John Deere ZTrak Electric Mower (Z370R)

This machine, in addition to bringing one of the best, level cuts in the game, will save you on gas. And with up to two acres of mowing power per charge, and an easy plug-and-go approach, that’s another hassle avoided. The sealed 3.2 kWh lithium-ion battery comes with a five-year warranty and is protected from both debris and the elements, so you can safely keep it outside in fair weather or foul.

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The Economic Options

John Deere ZTrak Mower 300 Series (Z320R and Z330R)

These gas-powered beauties are an ideal fit for homeowners looking to mow up to 4 acres. The Z330R has a slight horsepower edge (23 hp vs. 21.5 hp), and while the Z320R boasts a 42-inch deck, that goes up to 48 or 54 inches for the Z330R. Armrests make for a comfy and ergonomic ride.

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Zero-Turn Speed and Power

John Deere ZTrak Mower 500 Series (Z530M and Z530R)

The Z500 Series takes what works with the Z300s and cranks it up to 11. These machines boast more horsepower and offer some of the fastest speeds in the game (up to 9 mph). While the Z530M offers an impressive 48-inch mower deck, the Z530R lets you cover more ground in less time with 54- and 60-inch high-capacity mower decks that are compatible with the optional MulchControl kit. The Z530R is also fitted with a wider seat for maximum comfort while you mow.

Best Lawn Mowers and Tractors

If the zero-turn is a sports car, then riding lawn mowers and tractors are like the classic American truck. They can pull their weight in a wide variety of jobs. Mow the grass? Done. Clear out snow? Just add a plow attachment. Need to cart bricks or paving stones across your property? Load them in a cart and hitch it up.

These workhorses are aces in standard lawn care and offer greater versatility in attachments that include bagging and mulching options. With the more familiar steering wheel, any rider can hop in the seat and go.

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The Classic

John Deere S240 Lawn Tractor

The S-series of riding lawn mowers offer simplicity and efficiency—a time-tested standby for the discerning residential user. A respectable 21.5 horses and a 48-inch deck are more than enough to tame most lawns. And a no-tools oil drain makes maintenance a breeze.

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The Power-Boosters

John Deere Lawn Tractor models (X350, X354, and X590)

The X-series is an upgrade in horsepower and other features. One of these is the iTorque engine system, which offers a boost in towing power in the X350 and X354 models. The X354 has a slight edge over the X350 with its 4-wheel steer. And the X590 offers a whopping 25.5 HP and an electronic fuel-injection engine. All of these models come with comfier, automobile-style seats with cushy back support.

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Top-of-the-Line Performance

John Deere X738 Signature Series Lawn Tractor

The X700 series pushes the line between mower and compact tractor (more on those in a moment). The engine is meant for maximum performance, with V-twin liquid-cooled design. John Deere is so confident in these burly workhorses that they come standard with a four-year bumper-to-bumper warranty. So, feel free to drive them ‘til they drop.

Best Compact Utility Tractors (CUT)

If the lawn tractor has the power and versatility of a truck, then a compact utility tractor is…The Batmobile? Words fail. The point is, these heavyweights are suited to any yard job, from a simple trim to clearing out brush to digging up and reshaping the landscape. They’re also a good fit for the rockier, more uneven parts of your yard.

Because these powerful units can do just about anything, you’ll need to decide what tasks matter most—then choose from literally hundreds of add-ons and attachments.

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The Best Starter CUT

John Deere 1025R Sub-Compact Tractor

The 1 series from John Deere may be the smallest CUTs in their fleet, but these machines pack a wallop. Bonus: the popular 1025R comes with enough horsepower to handle attachments like a tiller or rear blade, for the most ambitious planting projects. Get more done with standard fender-mounted LED work lights and LED headlights, handy for dusk and overcast days.

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Masters of the Mid-Range

John Deere Compact Tractor models (2032R, 3025E, and 3038E)

Stepping up to the 2- and 3-series means even more muscle and versatility. You’re looking at more than 200 possible attachments thanks to quick connecting implements and attachments that get you from one task to the next with minimal headache. The 2032R is one of the mightier 2-series machines, with a mowing deck of up to six feet. The 3-series models combine affordability with a bigger footprint, to help you do bigger landscaping jobs around your property. The 3025E has a nimble turning radius, even with a loader installed, while the 3038E adds more than 10 HP to really get through the hard work.

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The Ultimate Yard Solution

John Deere 4044M Compact Utility Tractor

Go big or go home, right? The 4-series are some of the biggest CUTs available. And among them, the 4044M is a thing of beauty. It can go head-to-head with an industrial tractor in versatility and power, with an impressive 43.1 HP engine under the hood. Yet this CUT retains its compact size, making it nimble in tight spaces. Whether you’re excavating, prepping and seeding a community garden, shoveling snowpaths between buildings, or building your own Field of Dreams—this machine can do it. And with multiple mower options, you can mow the lawn and the pasture.