Best Riding Lawn Mowers of 2024

Buying a riding lawn mower is no small purchase. Most popular residential models on the market today cost between $2,000 and $3,000. As such, it’s wise to take a close look at your options to make sure you get the best model for you.

The problem, though, is that there are dozens of manufacturers, and each one makes several models with varying specs, features, and options. How do you even begin to find out which one to buy?

Narrowing your choices is a good start — and that’s exactly what we’re going to help you do here.

At HY-C, we manufacture a line of outdoor power equipment upgrades for riding lawn mowers under our Good Vibrations brand. It’s made us familiar with some of the top brands, makes, and models of riding mowers available today. And we’re going to cover some of them here.

In this guide, we’ll go over five of the best riding lawn mowers money can buy. We’ll highlight key features, compare models, provide ratings, prices, and more. By the time you’re finished here, you should have plenty of information to help you decide which riding lawn mower is best for you.

Table of contents (click to jump to a riding lawn mower model):

• Husqvarna TS 146X
• Troy-Bilt Super Bronco™ 54K XP
• John Deere S130
• Cub Cadet XT1 LT46
• Craftsman TURN TIGHT™ T2200K

Model Comparison:

	Husqvarna TS 146X	Troy-Bilt Super Bronco™ 54K XP	John Deere S130	Cub Cadet XT1 LT46	Craftsman TURN TIGHT™ T2200K
Price	$2,899.00	$2,899.00	$2,899.00	$2,499.00	$2,599.00
Rating	4.6 / 5	4.5 / 5	4.3 / 5	4.3 / 5	4.1 / 5
Yard Size	1 - 2 acres	3 acres	1 - 2 acres	1.5 acres	1 - 2 acres
Horsepower	21.5 hp	24 hp	22 hp	22 hp	20 hp
Fuel Capacity	3 gallons	3 gallons	2.4 gallons	3 gallons	3 gallons
Max Forward Speed	5.2 mph	5.5 mph	5.5 mph	5.5 mph	5.5 mph
Max Reverse Speed	2.2 mph	2.5 mph	3.2 mph	3 mph	3 mph
Cutting Width	46"	54"	42"	46"	42"
Turning Radius	16"	16"	18"	16"	5"
Length	70"	71.5"	74.2"	68"	70"
Width	56.5"	55"	55.2"	54"	42"
Height	44"	47"	45"	42.5"	43"
Weight	473 lb	630 lb	462 lb	420 lb	520 lb

Riding Mower List Criteria

Before we dive in, let’s cover the thresholds each mower needed to clear to be eligible for this list. First, we’re only covering gas-powered riding mowers. We’ll save electric riding mowers for another list.

Second, because they’re much more accessible (both in terms of purchasing, ratings, and reviews), every mower on this list is a residential model. We’ve left off commercial riding lawn mowers.

As for the ratings and reviews, two guidelines made mower models eligible (or ineligible) for our list:

1. Each riding mower must have at least 20 online reviews
2. Each riding mower must be rated at least 4 out of 5 stars

Finally, to keep things fresh and to add a little diversity to the list, we made sure to include only one model per brand.

With that out of the way, here are — in no particular order — 5 of the best riding lawn mowers of the year.

Husqvarna TS 146X

Overview:

Price	$2,899.00	Cutting Width	46"
Rating	4.6 / 5 (21 reviews)	Turning Radius	16"
Yard Size	1 - 2 acres	Length	70"
Horsepower	21.5 hp	Width	56.5"
Fuel Capacity	3 gallons	Height	44"
Max Forward Speed	5.2 mph	Weight	473 lb
Max Reverse Speed	2.2 mph	Blades	2

Tied for the highest-priced riding lawn mower on this list, the Husqvarna TS 146X ranks first in ratings with a 4.6 out of 5, suggesting that you really do get what you pay for. Powered by a 21.5 horsepower Kawasaki engine, the Swedish machine houses some Japanese internals to help it get the job done.

Husqvarna touts the TS 146X’s seat, which is made with premium vinyl and extra-thick cushions to stay as comfortable as possible while you mow. Its reinforced steel deck and solid steel hood combine to create a rust-resistant, corrosion-resistant machine that will last for years if maintained properly.

Under the hood (or deck, more precisely), the TS 146X utilizes Husqvarna’s Air Induction™ technology designed to lift grass up with a vacuum effect right before cutting it for a smooth, even lawn.

Throw in usual riding mower features like an oversized, soft-touch steering wheel, LED headlights, and cruise control, and you’re left with a top-tier medium-sized riding lawn mower for $2,899.

Troy-Bilt Super Bronco™ 54K XP

Overview:

While the other machines on this list stand out with their bright, eye-catching colors, the Troy-Bilt Super Bronco™ 54K XP is marked by its no-nonsense charcoal gray pallet. It’s got the power to match, too: its Kohler® 7000 Series™ engine boasts the highest horsepower on this list at 24.

The Super Bronco™ is the only mower here to ditch the tried-and-true two-blade system for a triple-bladed deck. These three blades combine to provide a massive 54-inch cutting width — another list-leading feature of this particular model.

Troy-Bilt claims that the Super Bronco™ is capable of mowing up to 3 acres in one go. If this is consistent, that’s yet another category in which this mower leads our list.

All of these stand-out features are wrapped in a 3-year limited manufacturer’s warranty that covers the mower’s frame, front axle, and deck shell. The Super Bronco goes for a pricey $2,899, but it packs a ton of things to love into its heavy-duty 630-pound frame.

John Deere S130

Overview:

A list of the best riding mower models wouldn’t be complete without an entry from John Deere, and for this list, we went with their S130 model. With just under 1,100 reviews averaging 4.3 out of 5, this classic green and yellow machine is well-lauded by lawn aficionados the world over.

Perhaps one of the most stand-out features of the S130 is its Easy Change™ oil system. All you have to do is buy a replacement oil filter, pop the hood, screw the old filter off, and screw the new filter on. It makes regular maintenance an absolute breeze.

On top of that, it’s compatible with a laundry list of optional equipment designed to make any and all lawn care tasks so much easier. This includes a rear leaf bagger, an aftermarket mulching system, a snow blower, a tow-behind fertilizer spreader, and even a sun canopy for UV protection.

The S130 is the third (and final) riding mower model on this list with a sticker price of $2,899. But like the Husqvarna and Troy-Bilt entries, you get a bevy of fantastic features for your money.

Cub Cadet XT1 LT46

Overview:

Powered by a 22-horsepower Kohler® engine, the Cub Cadet XT1 LT46 riding mower, with its iconic yellow paint job, offers plenty to like. Its stamped steel deck and cast iron front pivot bar provide exceptional durability to last through each lawn care season.

It features a dual-bladed mowing deck with a 46-inch cutting width that, combined with a maximum forward speed of 5.5 miles per hour, will help you cut through plenty of grass in no time.

Operation is easy, too. The XT1 LT46 makes use of a hydrostatic transmission that doesn’t require any manual shifting. Just push the pedal and mow. The mower also utilizes an AGM battery that lasts long and can provide reliable engine startup for years at a time.

This riding mower is utilitarian. It’s a workhorse. It doesn’t boast some of the other exceptional features of other mowers on this list, but it doesn’t need to — and it doesn’t pretend to, either.

On the standard requirements like engine horsepower, fuel capacity, cutting width, and turning radius, the XT1 LT146 is on par with John Deere, Troy-Bilt, and Husqvarna, but asks for $400 less. At Just $2,499, this riding mower is a fantastic economical option.

Craftsman TURN TIGHT™ T2200K

Overview:

Rounding out this list is the Craftsman TURN TIGHT™ T2200K. This red-clad machine — like the Troy-Bilt and Cub Cadet models on this list — is powered by a Kohler® 7000 Series™ engine. At 42”, its cutting width is a bit small, but it can handle up to 2 acres with ease.

Undeniably, the main draw of this riding mower is its unbelievably tight turning radius. If you’ve read the chart above, that’s not a typo — the TURN TIGHT™ really does have a five-inch turning circle.

To put that in perspective, the next-closest turning radius on this list is a three-way tie at 16 inches. This mower has truly earned its “TURN TIGHT” moniker, putting it in the same ballpark as zero-turn lawn mower models.

Aside from that, it’s pretty standard fare. Its 20-horsepower engine is the lowest on this list (but still plenty enough to get the job done), its size and weight are similar to the other models, and aside from the Troy-Bilt Super Bronco™, its dual-bladed system is just like the others.

If you don’t want a zero-turn mower but still require a tight turning radius to get the job done, the Craftsman TURN TIGHT™ T2200K is definitely your best option. And at $2,599, its asking price is more than fair.

Which Riding Lawn Mower Should You Get?

And that’s it — a look at five of the best riding lawn mowers on the market today. While they’re all made to cut grass and come with a load of similar specifications and features to one another, these models offer just enough differences to stand out and offer options to buyers.

So — which one should you get?

Like any other big purchase, the best thing to do is decide which features are most important to you and buy the choice that fits best.

Are you buying solely based on price? The Cub Cadet XT1 LT46 is your go-to. Looking to mow as much acreage as possible in one go? The Troy-Bilt Super Bronco™ 54K XP is up for the task. Need a tight turning radius to navigate your yard? The Craftsman TURN TIGHT™ T2200K is far and away the best option.

Take the information here and choose the option that best fits what you want out of a riding lawn mower. And, while you’re at it, be sure to read up on our line of Good Vibrations outdoor power equipment upgrades to help you dominate your lawn care routine.