Best Zero-Turn Mowers of 2024

Buying a zero-turn lawn mower is not a small purchase. A zero-turn can easily cost as much as a used car, so buying one deserves the same level of research and scrutiny that you would put into purchasing an automobile.

And, like cars, there is a dizzying number of zero-turn mowers available. Dozens of brands, hundreds of makes and models — it can make finding the right one for you an intense, confusing, and frustrating process.

But it doesn’t have to be.

At HY-C, we manufacture a line of outdoor power equipment upgrades under our Good Vibrations brand name. These lawn care accessories are designed for lawn tractors, weed eaters, push mowers, and even zero-turn mowers.

When you manufacture products for zero-turns like we do, you tend to familiarize yourself with some of the premier models. And that’s what we’re going to take you through here: 5 of the best zero-turn lawn mowers on the market today.

By the time you’re finished here, you will have learned about key performance features, prices, and proprietary technologies of some of the finest zero-turns out there. Armed with this knowledge, you’ll be ready to make an informed purchasing decision.

Table of contents (click to jump to a zero-turn mower model):

• Cub Cadet Ultima Series™ ZT1 54
• John Deere ZTrak™ Z325E
• Toro TimeCutter® (42 in.)
• Husqvarna Z246
• STIHL RZ 142

Model comparison:

Zero-Turn Mower List Criteria

Before we jump in, let’s cover the methodology by which we determined the models to include on this list.

For starters, note that these are all residential zero-turn mowers. This list does not include any commercial zero-turn models.

Also, all of these mowers are gas-powered. You won’t find an electric zero-turn mower on this list.

From there, two key insights helped us to choose these mowers:

1. Every zero-turn listed here has at least a 4.5 out of 5 rating (based on an aggregate of online review sources)
2. Each mower features at least 15 reviews (based on the same aggregate)

Note too that the mowers on this list are in no particular order. With that covered, let’s get into it.

Cub Cadet Ultima Series™ ZT1 54

Overview:

Cub Cadet offers 20 models in their Ultima Series™ of zero-turns, but we chose the ZT1 54 because it offers a great balance of quality, price, and cutting width. It also boasts the highest horsepower engine in the line (tied with four other models).

Its 2” x 2” tubular steel frame is painted through a process called e-coating, an application method that applies paint electrophoretically for maximum coverage and corrosion-resistance.

In terms of proprietary tech, the ZT1 54 utilizes an AeroForce Deck™ with three blades. This deck’s unique airflow design pulls grass up toward the mower blades before slicing them, ensuring a clean, even cut that results in a crisp, pristine lawn.

With over 1,700 reviews averaging a 4.7 out of 5, the Cub Cadet ZT1 54 is a well-lauded zero-turn lawn mower and a safe bet for anyone with a sizable yard. Relative to other mowers on this list, its $3,599 price tag is right in the middle, making it fair without breaking the bank.

John Deere ZTrak™ Z325E

Overview:

John Deere is perhaps the most famous lawn mower manufacturer in the world. Their iconic green and yellow design can be seen zipping across lawns throughout the world, manicuring and maintaining grass with professional precision.

As far as John Deere zero-turn mowers go, for our money, the ZTrak™ Z325E is one of their best going today. One of seven models in the Z300 Series, it features plenty of bells and whistles to help it stand out above the rest.

Its 24-horsepower engine is the highest in its model line. The mower features a 10-gauge steel Accel Deep™ mower deck with three blades that provide a 48-inch cutting width. Its flat-top design also makes the mower deck easier to clean.

The Z325E’s V-twin engine has been tweaked to maximize torque and minimize vibrations, resulting in an efficient and comfortable lawn care experience. With a $3,699 price tag and John Deere quality to back it, you can’t go wrong with this mower.

Toro Timecutter® (42 in.)

Overview:

Manufacturing mowers since 1948, Toro is no stranger to producing a quality lawn mower. The company’s TimeCutter® lineup of zero-turns features over 30 models, and we’re highlighting the TimeCutter 42 in. here.

This mower is crafted with Toro’s IronForged® 10-gauge steel deck, built to withstand lawn care season after lawn care season without slowing down. It also features easy-to-use Smart Speed® technology to help you mow at your own pace.

Perhaps one of the most understated but unique features on this list is the TimeCutter’s step-through front end — a simple cutout in the front of the mower that acts as a step, allowing you to get on and off with ease. It’s a nice, subtle touch that goes a long way to improving the mower’s user experience.

Even more understated (but equally useful) is the built-in storage cubby under the seat. Store gloves, sunglasses, headphones, tools, your cellphone — it’s another simple yet effective nuance that makes this mower incredibly utilitarian.

Designed for lawns up to 2 acres, the TimeCutter zero-turn lawn mower packs in a ton to like at a reasonable $3,699.

Husqvarna Z246

Overview:

Moving from American red to Swedish orange, the next zero-turn on our list is Husqvarna’s Z246. This machine is built from reinforced flat-lock steel for plenty of strength and durability. Its controls are intuitive and easy to use, and its removable foot plate offers quick access to the cutting deck for maintenance and cleaning.

Husqvarna designed the Z246 with a low center of gravity to maximize traction and stability while mowing. They also included large rear wheels that spread the mower’s 535-pound weight evenly across grass to reduce flattening and ensure a smooth, consistent cut.

Speaking of the cutting process, this mower utilizes Air Induction™ technology to lift grass up as the deck glides over it, resulting in a high-quality cut that leaves lawns looking crisp and fresh.

Priced at $3,199, the Husqvarna Z246 has the lowest price tag of any zero-turn on this list (and is nearly $1,000 cheaper than the most expensive mower). With similar specs that perform right alongside the other entries, it offers plenty of bang for its buck.

STIHL RZ 142

Overview:

Rounding out our list is a mower with that world-famous orange-and-white color pallet. The STIHL RZ 142 zero-turn mower is a beast of a machine. Nearly seven feet long and weighing in at over 815 pounds, it packs a lot of power into its large frame.

Its 23-horsepower Briggs & Stratton® engine and Hydro-Gear® ZT-2200 transaxles allow for a maximum forward speed of seven miles per hour and a maximum reverse speed of four miles per hour.

The RZ 142 makes use of a foot-operated cutting height adjustment, making it simple to customize your cutting preference on the fly. It comes with an hour meter to let you know how long you’ve been mowing, and a rear hitch with a 200-pound capacity to tow plenty of attachments.

This STIHL zero-turn is the most expensive on the list, commanding a $4,000 price tag. Like most STIHL products, though, the RZ 142 is made in the USA, offering a level of quality and craftsmanship that’s hard to beat.

Which Zero-Turn Mower Should You Buy?

This has been a close look at the features and specifications of five well-renowned models of zero-turn lawn mowers. Even with just five choices, it’s a lot to take in, and you may still be having trouble deciding which machine to buy.

To help yourself, take these three factors into consideration to start with:

1. Yard size
2. Mower size
3. Price

The size of your yard plays a huge, huge role in which zero-turn you purchase. If you have an acre or less of grass, any of these models will do. If you have three or four acres, though, the Cub Cadet ZT1 54 or the John Deere Z325E may serve you better.

Next, think about the size of the mower itself. After all, you’ll have to store it somewhere. And while all five of these zero-turns are large machines, the Toro Timecutter is the most compact on the list. If you’re tight on space, its smaller frame can save valuable inches.

Finally, consider price. Everyone’s financial circumstances are different. And from the $3,199 Husqvarna Z246 to the $3,999 STIHL RZ 142, there’s a wide array of price points available among these models (and even more beyond them).

The best thing to do is find the mower that ticks as many of your important boxes as possible. Once you have, pull the trigger, and you’ll be ready to mow.

Be sure to take a look at our line of Good Vibrations outdoor power equipment upgrades, too. They help to enhance hundreds of makes and models of lawn care equipment (including zero-turn mowers) to make yard work more fun and efficient.