10 Best Zero Turn Mowers – [2022 Reviews & Ultimate Buyer's Guide]

If you own or are responsible for mowing large swaths of grass, you’d probably like to find the best zero turn mower (ZTM) to fit your needs. The first zero turn mower was introduced in 1966 and was called the “Hustler” ( Source).

Zero turn mowers—also called “Z-Turns” ( Source)—can turn a full, zero-radius circle. They come in many shapes and sizes and can be customized with add-ons like a grass clippings collection bag.

The best zero turn mowers in rankings include the Husqvarna MZ61 Hydrostatic, Snapper 560Z, and Husqvarna Confident turn mowers. These are top rated in terms of overall quality, best commercial mower, and best mower for hills, respectively. When searching for a mower, you should consider the terrain you will be working on for the optimal fit.

Commercial zero turn mowers—the most powerful type—mow large areas like parks and sports fields. Also, there are entry-level, mid-level, and semi-pro ZTMs.

Below we’ll explain those different types, answer common questions, review the top 10 zero turn mowers, discuss brands of zero turn mowers, and provide a buyer’s guide. We’ll start with key ZTM features.

This commercial zero turn mower could probably even out punch Cassius Clay—also known as Muhammad Ali.

Because it is designed for high-performance, it includes a hydro-gear ZT-3200 hydrostatic transaxles, which provide users with a very smooth and comfortable mowing experience, even when changing directions and speeding up or slowing down.

Plus, it delivers super-rugged steel front axles and a wrap-around steel bumper, making this mower as durable as George Foreman. It’s doubtful that other commercial zero turn mowers would want to get in the ring with “The Snapper.”

Some mowers start to slide on undulating land, others have tires that can’t handle moving uphill and start to spin, eating up the grass below them. This can damage your mower or, even worse, injure you if the incline is steep and you roll the mower.

And unlike “The Snapper” this model does not include a roll bar in case you do flip the machine on its side. However, this rarely ever happens with the Husqvarna Z242F Confidant Mower because it is built to withstand hilly terrain and not roll over. That’s why we called it the best zero turn mower for hilly terrain.

So, unless you live in the Midwestern United States, it’s possible that you will, at some point, need to mow a non-flat landscape. When that time comes, the Z242F would give you peace of mind knowing that you’re not going to flip, damage your mower, or injure yourself while mowing.

That peace of mind primarily comes from the fact that this mower features pneumatic tires. What are pneumatic tires? They are similar to 4×4 truck tires. They are inflated to the desired pressure point and have thicker teeth (tread) than most zero turn mower tires.

This gives them the ability to absorb the tilt caused by uneven terrain without leaning to the side and making the driver feel like they are about to roll their multi-thousand dollar mower. And that’s why we selected the Z242F as the best zero turn mower for hilly terrain, as well as the third-best zero turn mower in general.

We didn’t just place this John Deere on the list because it has 42-inch wheels. It also features many capabilities and strong selling points that make it a great option for many buyers. Comfort is one of those feature areas where it excels.

Its comfort features include convenient operating controls, an adjustable seat, handy armrests, and—going the extra mile—a pair of cupholders because mowing in the summer months (when you typically mow your grass, can easily overheat your body. If you want comfort, this model is a great choice.

The Z345R is designed for residential use and best-in-class performance. It certainly delivers on performance. It has outstanding maneuverability and trimming capabilities. Its engine is made by John Deere, which is perhaps the top tractor producing brand and has been for decades. Its ReadyStart system provides a choke-free ignition, which is much like starting a car.

Plus, its ZTrak mowing system is designed to weather the storm because it is constructed with a heavy-duty welded steel frame that makes it one of the most sturdy, strongest, and most reliable zero turn mowers out there.

If you’re looking for a durable zero turn mower—and most buyers would—you just found it. The Husqvarna Z254 features a beefy, reinforced, steel stamped cutting deck. This deck is constructed with heavy-duty, flat-stock steel to deliver maximum durability and reliability.

Plus, this Husqvarna model comes with a built-in air induction system that pulls air in from both the top and bottom of the cutting deck. This feature results in a superior, uniform cut that your neighbor will envy. Want to be the talk of the town? Consider this zero turn mower.

Like others on our list, this Craftsman zero turn mower houses a Briggs & Stratton engine with ReadyStart technology, which provides easy and quick ignition. It does not require choking or priming, you just hit the ReadyStart button and it powers up immediately.

It’s a powerful, 24 horsepower engine that is well-suited for mowing larger lawns. Moreover, it comes with a Dual Range Hydrostatic Transmission that gives this mower more power than you’d expect. This allows you to finish the job faster and more efficiently.

This model is made for residential use and is very compact, while still providing outstanding maneuverability and a smooth, uniform cut, leaving your lawn looking like the ninth hole green at Pebble Beach.

Its 660 cubic centimeter Kohler four-cycle engine gives you a surprisingly smooth ride even under an intense load. Plus, its lightweight design and impressive fuel efficiency make this the best zero turn mower under $3,000, as well as one of the best zero turn mowers overall.

As mentioned above, this mower is lightweight. But that’s not the end of the story. It weighs 474 pounds and only has the power of 17 horses. However, it reaches speeds up to 6.5 miles per hour, which is almost unheard of for a 17 horsepower zero turn mower—but wait until you read about the TimeCutter below.

As a comparison, the Craftsman mower that came in at number six above weighs 865 pounds and has a whopping 24 horsepower engine. It reaches a speed of 7 miles per hour. The Craftsman has around 30% more horsepower but can only reach a top speed of 7 miles per hour.

When you consider that, you realize that the Husqvarna Z142 is a speed demon, which is probably a blast to ride.

The Ultima ZT1 features a super solid continuous 2-inch x 2-inch tubular steel frame, which gives you maximum strength and durability. This is a zero turn that will last a long time if you take proper care of it. It also includes an e-coat frame on the lower part of the mower as well as a triple guard defense system that prevents rust buildup.

Furthermore, its unique multiple-step process automatically applies electronically-driven corrosion protection that’s on par with automotive-grade corrosion resistance that provides superior protection against wear and tear.

Troy-Bilt has been around since 1937, indicating that they’ve clearly learned how to continually improve their products to the point of excellence. The Troy-Bilt Mustang Fit Riding Mower is a zero turn mower, although the name doesn’t indicate so.

It is a great zero turn for those on a tighter budget. For the price, it delivers excellent features that are ideal for residential use. This compact ZTM is best known for its durability and level of power for such a small zero turn mower.

So, how powerful is this small zero turn mower for residential use? It weighs 465 pounds, which is only nine pounds less than the Husqvarna Z142 (474 pounds). However, its 452 cubic centimeter, 16 horsepower engine with only one cylinder can reach a speed of 7 miles per hour.

Meanwhile, the Husqvarna Z142 basically weighs the same, has a 660 cubic centimeter, 17 horsepower, two-cylinder engine, and can only reach a speed of 6.5 miles per hour. With the TimeCutter, small doesn’t mean slow or weak.

With that kind of speed and power, it’s no wonder this zero turn mower is called the TimeCutter. It’s not only the best small zero turn mower. It’s also a deserving runner up for the title of best residential zero turn mower. And at a cost of $2,600, it’s hard to dispute the value this mower brings to the table.

They are easier to use, cheaper, and accordingly are not as powerful or durable as higher-tier mowers. But, they are ideal for small lawns.

Typical Engine Size: Single or twin cylinders

Typical Fuel Tank Capacity: 2 to 3.5 gallons

Entry-level doesn’t mean they can’t do the job well—it all depends on the size of the area you need to mow. They have less horsepower and weaker engines, yet they are very effective for people who simply want to mow their yard quickly and effectively.

Ready to graduate from entry-level zero turns to mid-grade mowers? Mid-grades are also meant for residential use. They are more powerful, built with more durable materials, more efficient, and faster than their entry-level counterparts.

If you find the best mid-grade zero turn mower for your unique needs, you’ll enjoy heavier-duty design and better overall performance. You’ll also pay more. But if you have a small lawn to mow, mid-grade mowers may be more than you need.

Typical Engine Size: Twin cylinders

Typical Fuel Tank Capacity: 3 to 4 gallons

If you mow professionally like a landscaper does, you use your zero turn all day, every day. In that scenario, comfort is incredibly important to prevent back pain and general body aches.

Alternatively, let’s say you have a medium size lawn that you mow once a week and it only takes you 20 minutes to finish the job. If that’s the case, comfort features become less of a concern.

If you’ve decided to go for it and buy your first zero turn, don’t go straight for the Rolls Royce model—unless you’ve been using these mowers for years but have never owned your own. That’s like jumping directly into the deep end of a pool before you learn to swim.

Instead, purchase a cheaper, beginner mower with simple controls, a slower max speed, a smaller engine, and plenty of safety features. Take your time to learn how to use it because maneuvering one is nothing like driving a car.

Deck size is an important variable to consider when shopping for a new mower. Larger deck sizes cut more grass with each pass, reducing the time needed to finish mowing.

On the other hand, if you need to cut around obstacles and get into tight corners while mowing, a large deck size will prevent you from reaching all the grass and the finished job will look amateur.

So, remember this rule of thumb: if you have a small area to mow with various obstacles, opt for a smaller deck size (between 32 and 42 inches). If you mow football fields, look for the largest deck size you can find.

If you’re cutting grass like that, you need more power and thicker, stronger blades, as well as more of them. A one-blade mower will struggle with Bermuda grass but will work just fine with thinner types of grass.

You’ll also need more horsepower and an engine with at least two cylinders to give you the power you need to cut thick grass quickly. Keep this in mind when evaluating zero turn mowers.

Many people get distracted by bright, shiny objects, which end up blinding them, metaphorically speaking. Just because a mower is sleek and pretty doesn’t mean it’s a good mower.

So, try to remove the appearance of your potential mower from your requirements checklist. If you’re purchasing a sexy mower just to impress your neighbors, you’re using the wrong criteria to determine your purchase decision.

Durability, on the other hand, is incredibly important. You want the mower you invest in to last for many years. Try not to skimp on price just to save a few dollars. Because having to buy a new mower every five years will cost you way more than the $1,000 extra dollars you’ll spend for a more rugged, sturdy mower with a high gauge steel cutting deck and a heavy-duty steel frame

They also sell everything from chainsaws to log splitters, protective helmets, and axes, but those products and accessories are beyond the scope of this article.

If there is one brand with the experience to have learned how to fine-tune its products, it’s Husqvarna. The company has come a long way since then. With over 340 years of experience comes deep wisdom and business acumen. This is why they are widely considered the best zero turn mower brand in the world.

It was founded in 1837 by—you guessed it—a man named John Deere. The company now has 183 years of experience. Not as many as Husqvarna, but enough to matter.

Mr. Deere started out making tools in Vermont, then moved his base of operations to Illinois to escape pending bankruptcy in Vermont. In 1912, long after John passed away, the company started to produce tractors. The company was still run by members of John’s family.

Throughout the 20th century, the company continued to expand into new markets and eventually joined Husqvarna in the zero turn mower industry. Today, they remain the leading tractor producer in the world and are now one of the best zero turn mower manufacturers in the market.

But not just zero turn mowers; Hustler is a leading brand in a variety of industries, including utility vehicles, power equipment, and more.

Hustler may not have made our list, but their diversity and the quality of their products makes them one of the best manufactures of zero turn mowers in the world. Besides, they invented them.

In addition to zero turn mowers, Cub Cadet also manufactures rugged power equipment for outdoor use, utility vehicles, and a number of other products.

However, they do excel at producing zero turn lawn mowers and currently sell over 25 models of Z-turns, including the model we feel is the best residential zero turn mower on the market.

The company is known for producing super durable products that last. They may be a little more expensive than the competition, but you get what you pay for. It would be hard to go wrong with a Cub Cadet product.

If so, now you should be fully prepared. Before buying a zero turn mower, educate yourself in how they work, which types are best for residential or commercial use, and what features to look for.

Our 10 picks are all set in their own category to help you determine which one would meet your needs. Don’t forget the fun part of the journey—diving deep into your research on various brands, models, and their features.

Look for a mower that offers a certain money-back guarantee. Try to find the perfect balance between your budget and the mower that meets most of your needs, while still aligning with your budget.

Pay attention to what users say about durability—you don’t want to purchase a zero turn that breaks down after three years—it should last a decade or more at minimum as long as you properly care for it.

Follow those tips and trust your intuition. Purchasing a zero turn mower is a significant investment and just like any investment, it’s essential to complete your due diligence before committing to buy one. Good luck and have fun mowing.

And, if you’re looking to do more work around the house, consider taking a look at these pressure washers and cordless leaf blowers, which will help you tidy up your home’s deck and yard.