Top 8 Best Zero-turn Lawn Mowers 2020 Reviews & Buying Guide

After all, buying a zero-turn lawn mower is a sizeable investment. And you really don’t want to settle for the one with which you find yourself struggling a few months down the line.

Let me, first, turn to those few who are just fascinated by this buzzword ‘zero-turn’ in the lawn mowers’ market but don’t know how better it would benefit them as compared to an ordinary mower.Unlike an ordinary mower, zero-turn will steer its rear wheels across your lawn with bars and will pivot around 180 degrees ensuring there isn’t any patch of uncut grass left at the turns. Not to mention that they are speedier, more stolid and unrivaled in maneuverability.

Well, fine that it is unlikely for you to make a bad purchase as you never did, yet the possibility remains, with the host of them to woo you, the moment you enter the market.So, let’s do some diligence before, learn from other people’s hands on experience and then move wisely to make our purchase.

Weeding out all those which are more prone to failures, after our rigorous no-turn lawn mowers’ research, we are going to showcase our top 8 picks for you to choose from.

1. Husqvarna Z242F Hydro static Zero Turn Riding Mower -Top Rated

Speeding out its counterparts with its excellent turning radius and 18 horsepower, Husqvarna Z242F steers your lawn clear of hard and soft grass, leaves and weeds, twigs, and blades in minutes. Powered by 18 HP Kohler engine, the leading engine manufacturers in the market, this zero-turn mower is laced with all the rich features to make your mowing job easier, hassle-free and effective, giving you the sense of achievement you may not find with any other mower.

In addition to its powerful engine, Husqvarna Z242F is equipped with air induction mowing technology which tops more to its functionality.

Also, it comes with a gigantic cooling fan which ensures the engine is at an ideal working temperature throughout your mowing operations.

With its crafty design, Husqvarna Z242F can be called a maintenance-free mower. All you are to do is to start the engine and let the hose water run through. Its removable footplate renders you easy access to do the spindles, deck belts and pulleys. All this, in the long run, ensures longevity of your mower.

With its ergonomically designed rubber isolators, Husqvarna Z242F makes sure you are not dog-tired when you finish. These rubber isolators are aptly designed to isolate your feet and the whole body from vibrating mower during operations which translates into less fatigue at the end.

Its cup holders and anti-slip footrest make it a caring and agile keeper, shouldering most of your burden, giving you precisely trimmed lawn at the end.

Appreciable is its Clear-cut Deck technology which makes sure you don’t have to revisit the same patch twice. This trademark technology of Husqvarna Z242F combines a multitude of features such as two blades, baffles to regulate airflow and top discharge emission.

Its tough and sturdy build makes you instantly feel that it’s going to be a faithful partner. Thanks to its tube steel frames and rugged casters which mitigate the adverse impact of having its chassis bent as the machine grows older. This is something natural and can’t be avoided but Husqvarna Z242F 42 has tried to minimize this worse impact.

In order to increase the accessories, you can opt for the accessories like mulch kit, bagger, armrest, LED headlights, hitch kit and mower cover.

I assure you, guys, that it can easily sneak into the place of your second, if not first love by making your mowing a breeze.

2. Husqvarna Z254 54 in. 26 HP Kohler Hydrostatic Zero Turn Riding Mower

With its brilliant orange color, it can be easily identified by discerning eyes as another mower from Husqvarna, the leading sellers in lawn mowers industry. Husqvarna Z254 is a stolid yet appealing mower primarily designed for residential use. With its widest reinforced cutting deck size, i.e. 54 inches, Husqvarna Z254 ensures precision in maneuverability. The 14-gauge steel its deck is composed of,adds to its strength and durability and can be adjusted to six height positions.

With its zero-turn steering system, it can be conveniently turned without any turning radius. To add to this, it is made comfier by affixing the controls such as key switch, PTO switch, throttle and digital hour meter, to the right side of driving seat which can be easily accessed.

Yet another innovative feature, auto parking brake, comes as bonus to an already safe and comfortable mower. LED lights let the driver mow in dark hours too.

Much to operator’s ease, Husqvarna Z254 has a cup holder too on the left-hand side of driving seat.

Its sliding 15 inches long ergonomic seat, convenient deck lift system and snit-slip foot area with removable plates, easy access to pulleys, spindle and deck belt-all team up together to make this machine user friendly.

The Kohler 26HP engine of this model gives an exceptional output. Its three blades with a cutting width of 54 inches are made of cast iron mandrels and can be adjusted to cutting heights ranging from 1.5 inches to the maximum 4 inches.

Its induction technology regulates air flow which means a better cut and grass lift.

With all the ease of use and efficiency Husqvarna Z254 provides, I feel I am not alone falling for it!

3. Husqvarna MZ61 61 in. 24 HP Zero Turn Riding Mower -Best For the Money

Is Husqvarna MZ61 worth the hype numerous consumers have created on buying sites? My answer would be a big YES.

Due mainly to the practicality of its design without sacrificing on functions-this is what most mowers struggle to strike a balance between! And Husqvarna MZ61 has maintained it perfectly well.

Featuring an over-sized rear tire and a 13 inches front wheel, it ensures optimal mobility and a pretty good height for easy navigation.

The adjustable steering levers at the side are highly responsive to add to operator’s comfort. Its control panel located at the right side of driving seat is handy to the driver. And cup holder at the left side gives maximum grip to the cup unless you have a real jerky lawn to mow.

A clear stand-out of Husqvarna Z254 is its massive 61-inches wide cutting deck which makes it highly effective as compared to its counterparts.Crafted out of fabricated steel, this deck comes with three cutting blades to ensure maximum output.

Much to amaze you, Husqvarna Z254 has 6 inches caster wheels attached both to the front and rear wheels. They don’t let the machine skid irrespective of which surface it is runningon. They brace the whole mower and provides maximum stability.

Since this zero-turn lawn mower is designed to cater the needs of large lawns where mowing can take longer than your usual small lawn mowing, Husqvarna Z254 guarantees you don’t get tired and imparts you an excellent cushioning on the seat while you drive on uneven terrain.

Two more well-thought-of features to impart optimal comfort are its armrest and vibration dampers which are incorporated in design with a purpose to make mowing a comfortable and enjoyable experience.

As for performance, it is a giant powerhouse, with all its features contributing their fair share to make it a comprehensive power package. It runs on the 27-horsepower backed by Kawasaki engine.

And the good news is that with all this robust engine power, Husqavarna MZ61 is quiet. Let’s rather call it ‘relatively quiet’ as no mower can be as silent as a rock. However, I can assure you that you or your neighbor won’t rush to grab noise cancelling headphones while your grass is being mowed.

4. Ariens Zoom 34 – 19hp Kohler 6000 Series V-Twin 34″ Zero Turn Lawn Mower

If you want to whizz your mowing away without you realizing and that too at an affordable price, Ariens Zoom 34 is the one to go for.

Although it has just made its way to the market as a no-turn mower, it comes with no compromise on performance, as it is well built, beginner-friendly with enough power to mow small or a medium-sized lawn effortlessly.

Right off the bat, it has a comfortably designed 18 inches high seat with a decent back support and pads within to provide you optimal comfort during long mowing sessions.

With its two gallons fuel tank, it ensures a longer than usual mowing session, and  allows you to constantly monitor its consumption with a tiny indicator positioned at the eye level.

It performs exceptionally on flat surfaces with its hefty body composed of steel and hard plastic. However, the same heavy build become a con when you run it on slopes, which it originally is not designed for.

With its 6000 series Kohlar engine it produces 19 horsepower and never lets you down with its performance. Its oil filter ensures no impurities from outside enter its oil and the machine runs smoothly.

Best of all, it comes with three years long warranty from manufacturers, with no issues regarding claims so far from the users.

Durability is further added to, by its 34 inches steely deck and easily accessible potent brakes.

Also, you can well switch between mulching and bagging by using a simple, hand plug which is made handy to the operator. Its three sharp blades with adjustable cutting height options, upto 7 degrees, ensure maximum output and prevent clogging.

Why I like this mower is the range of accessories it offers you to add on. Yes, a host of accessories such as mower cover, seat cover, jack lift and mulching blade can be accommodated to top your mower up any time.

5. Ariens IKON-XL 52″ Zero Turn Mower 24hp Kohler 7000 Series #915227

Ask any lawnmower enthusiast and he will give you a big thumbs up on the excellent control, versatility and wide range of available accessories Ariens IKON-XL 52 comes with.

Powered by 24HP Kohler engine, Ariens IKON-XL 52 eclipses its predecessor IKON-X 52. Its engine belongs to 7000 series. With its 725cc and hydro gear driving system with ZT-2800 trans axles, it is undoubtedly a power package.

Moreover, its valve with an overhead design, makes it fuel-efficient. It works on flat to inclined surfaces with equal ease. However, while mowing on slopes, take care that you move to an up and down direction so that it doesn’t stutter and seize back.

Its dual arm deck lift provides it a firm footing to keep it balanced on the ground in order to give a fine cut. The deck blade has cutting height options too, starting from 1.5, they go till 4.5 inches.

This gasoline fueled engine stores 10.5 liters of fuel in it and comes with three years warranty from its manufacturer.

In terms of comfort, IKON-XL 52 is extremely convenient as its deck is ergonomically designed to absorb the jerks.

Its foot mat is made of rubber which also absorbs jolts and makes you enjoy your ride.

The seat is padded with a high back so that your neck doesn’t get tired. It can be adjusted to convenience, depending upon various heights. Its padded arm rests go a long way to make it comfier.

Much to your relief, its cutting height can well be adjusted with a foot control which increases maneuverability. Its over sized rear wheels also impart to its stability and strength.

This sturdy model can well accommodate numerous accessories which can be separately bought. They include, mulching kit, headlight kit, tow detacher, bagger, hitch kit, tow spreader and sprayer and poly roller.

True, that it doesn’t perform well on hills but let’s remind ourselves that it is not basically meant for hillocks and slopes and it can be expected.

My last thought on this is, it can be the best buy for you if your lawn covers the area of up to four acres.

6. Ariens APEX 48″ Zero Turn Mower 23hp Kohler 7000 Series #991153

Ever thought of giving a professional cut to your lawn without hiring a professional?Ariens APEX zero-turn lawn mower with its 48 inches wide and 5.5 inches deep fabricated deck has actually made it possible, as it is the heaviest duty lawn mower for residential use with all the commercial features in it.

Since Ariens has been into lawn mowers industry for quite some time now, this is the reason that each new mower they launch is well received by gardening enthusiasts and APEX 48 with it powerful 23 HP/ 725cc Kohler 7000 is no exception.

Equipped with hydro-gear ZT-3100 market graded trans axles, Ariens Apex is highly efficient to do your mowing within minutes with precision.

Also, you don’t need to halt your operations time and again for refilling the fuel, as long as you are mowing a medium or small-sized lawn, because its tank stores 5 gallons fuel in it.

Its foot operated deck lifting ensures convenient 15-point adjustments.

To add to this, 22 inches rear and 13 inches front wheels render this model superior quality and riding comfort. Adjustable driving seat with comfortable cushioning and high back ensures you of a convenient ride without getting your limbs strained. Professional frame shape and design features gigantic tubular frame rails to provide better stability and load control.

Look, its being professional and heavy duty should not give you a false impression that it is something as huge as a tank and is going to destroy your lawn. Because by heavy duty, I mean, it performs the landscaping function with increased maneuverability and professional precision.

Rest assured it will surely not damage your property an inch as it is quite light weighted and nimble.

True to their slogan ‘After all, our name is riding on it’, Ariens shoulders the sole responsibility of durability of their finely crafted zero-turn lawn mowers as to them putting name on something is everything.

Consumers’ trust couldn’t be built better!

7. Ariens IKON-XL 60″ Zero Turn Mower 25hp Kohler 7000 Series #915228

The large lawn owners with busy schedules are emphatically recommended this model for its power, maneuverability and quality of cut.

As for looks, it is same as other XL models. However, it is meant to be heavier in duty to cater the needs of large lawns. And for this purpose, its engine is made more robust to cut through the tough grass aggressively.

To ensure operator’s comfort, the manufacturer has added adjustable plush high back driving seat, and a padded arm rest.

Moreover, the deck lifting makes operations convenient. In order to lift or lower the deck, all you need to do is hit the foot pedal.

To your surprise, an innovative upgradation of this mower is its dial operator cutting height adjustment system. This makes the operations a lot easier, especially for those who are physically challenged or elderly and can’t put a lot of physical strain on them while mowing.

When it comes to performance, this zero-turn model is never going to disappoint you. With its powerful engine and Hydro-Gear ZT800 transaxle, Ariens IKON-XL is a robust to do effortless mowing.

Moreover, it produces extremely high torque which lets it run in the areas with tough turf.

Due to its over-sized cutting deck, its operations are speedier than other mowers and gets its job done within a few passes. Its cutting speed with this giant deck is accelerated by two times more than that of a conventional mower.

With 13 different cutting height adjustments(from 1.5 to 4 inches) available, Ariens IKON-XL takes the trophy of having maximum number of height adjustments in zero-turn mowers.

Well, like other zero-turn mowers, Ariens IKON-XL also has some accessories for enhanced performance and protection. They include mulching kit, LED headlight kit and mower cover and can be purchased from any local Ariens authorized store or online.

In sum, my extensive reading of the reviews on this mower make me conclude thus:Although a bit expensive but with its unrivaled power and performance, it’s worth every penny.

8. Snapper 560Z 61-Inch 24HP 5901558 Zero Turn Lawn Mower

Now, unless you are living under a rock, the name of Briggs and Stratton must not be a news for you. They are the proud manufacturers of this rich featured residential zero-turn riding lawn mower named as Snappers 560Z.

In order to give you a seamless mowing experience on the roughest of terrains, Briggs and Stratton placed Hydro-Gear ZT-3200 hydrostatic transaxles in Snapper 560Z. Which optimizes its performance while moving back and forth and also while accelerating speed on tough grasses,

Ensuring powerful and fast maneuverability to its users, Snapper 560Z is equipped with all the features of a professional grade zero-turn.

Moreover, in order to ensure your stable ride, it has stolid front steel axles, 1.5 inches x 2 inches. And for keeping bumper protected from possible damage from obstacles, it has a steel hide which also removes debris coming to its way and helps prevent clogging.

Its considerably wide deck of 61 inches width significantly reduces your mowing time and gives you your desired cut in a few passes.

Much to the comfort of operator, all its controls are within the reach of operator and an innovative feature of wide mouthed gas-fill allows you to gas up without messing around.

Tell you what made it lovely zero-mower for me! A cute little fuel level indicator to constantly monitor fuel level. Yeah! And it is placed at the position which makes it easy to eyes.

In sum, as long as your lawn is large and you require a semi-professional or completely professional style riding mower that may chew all your toughest grass on in no time, without whining, Snapper 560Z is a must buy for you.

Its zero-turn feature, I am sure, is gonna give you a crisp clean lawn by entering the tight spots effortlessly.

Order it with confidence from any trustable site to ensure fast and safe delivery. It will also give you the added advantage of doing your last-minute price and feature comparison.

Buying Guide

In order to make the most out of your money invested on zero-turn lawn mower, you will need to monitor the underlying factors diligently, before you actually plunge into the market, uninformed-more prone to rise to dealers’ bait.

• Lawn Type and Size

Determining what you are buying your zero-turn for, at the first place, will help you purposefully search for your mower. So, first off, know what you are going to mow? The small lawn in your home or a really large one on your farmhouse, may be.

And, if you think there is no difference between a commercial and residential zero-turn mower, you are either mistaken or misguided.

As by now, after you have read all the reviews above, I must naturally assume that the fact that ‘no two zero-turn lawn mowers can be lumped together’ is clear to you. As each has its specs. The one crafted to do commercial needful may not serve the same way at your home and vice versa.

Likewise, checking in with your grass type before leaving to buy your zero-turn lawn mower will orient you further towards the right option.

• Strength

Majority of zero-turn mowers are already adequately powerful, and you can easily skip this bullet point while checking in. However, it’s better to be smart as this may not always be a case.

So, check engine power, engine make (whether it is from a trusted and reputable brand) and of course HP (horsepower). On average, 20 + horsepower can sufficiently cater to the residential and commercial needs of mowing.

While any mower with less HP should be meticulously examined if you are shopping for a large or commercial lawn. In case of a small sized lawn, it is absolutely OK and budget friendly if you go for below 20 HP.

• Efficiency

By this, I mean fuel as well as overall machine efficiency for mowing lawn. Since, zero turn mowers are not powered by electricity by far and you will have to constantly fuel them up. Which may fall heavy on your pocket, after some time. So, make it your concern while buying a zero-turn mower that it consumes less fuel and gives maximum performance.It will be an economic purchase in the long run.

• Design

I can see your questioning brows!

Not the color scheme, shape and aesthetics, of course!

While they may matter to a few fashion enthusiasts, I only mean here the design pertaining to operator’s comfort and storage options. This should matter to you so that you feel good about your mower while using it.

After all you are going to ride on it for long period of time and you don’t want to feel uncomfortable.

You should select one with a comfortable seat with adjusting options, proper cushioning, high back to provide support to your neck so that your limbs are not tensed when you alight from it.

Similarly check with the controls whether they are handy and easily approachable, or you have to slouch and bend every time to operate. Equally important is visibility it offers from the angle you are sitting at so that you don’t have to rise up from your seat for better visibility. Make sure it has arm-rest, cup holder and better a dial for adjusting cutting heights and vibration absorbing system, if comfort is what matters to you the most.

• Longevity

The most overlooked factor at the time of buying when you are excited to have it delivered to your home, yet the most important factor!

Imagine your dreamt-off, long-longed mower breaking down after a couple of months from buy date and you rushing with it to the franchise only to learn that its repair will cost more than one-third of its actual price.

Always go for a zero-turn with warranty. There are many out there with three or more years warranty from the manufacturer, which are always a safe option to go for.

• Budget

Don’t tell me that you want an excellent, feature-filled mower at a ‘reasonable’ price as it’s like being too utopian. Let’s step on the land we are living on and see realistically.

First off, even the cheapest of zero-turn is not lowly priced. You will have to invest in it once, with your budget disrupted, perhaps. However, you will observe a substantial difference in its performance, durability and quality as compared to the first generation of auto mowers. And this will never make you regret of having badly invested.

They are slightly differently priced though and you can check on specs for a better and detailed insight into it.

• What is the best zero turn mower under $5000?

To name a few,

Husqvarna MZ61,

Ariens IKON-XL 60″ Zero Turn Mower 25hp Kohler 7000 Series 915228,

Troy-Bilt Mustang 54 25HP 54-Inch Zero-Turn Mower,

Ariens 915223 IKON-X 52″ Zero Turn Mower 23hp Kawasaki FR691 Series,

Ariens 991151 Apex 60″ 24 HP Kawasaki FR730 V Twin Zero-Turn Riding Mower are the best zero-turn mowers under $5000

• Is Ariens a good zero turn mower?

Yes, as the company has long been into the industry, making efficient snow blowers, lawnmowers and zero-turn mowers. Ariens zero-turn mowers are especially known for their performance and sturdiness. Although they are primarily designed for residential use, they have all the features and strength of a commercial zero-turn lawn mower.

• How many hours is a lot for a mower?

Much of this depends on how well it’s been maintained. However, it can easily hit up to two thousand hours without any major repair.

• Is Ariens made byHusqvarna?

Yes, the current zero-turn lawnmowers are made by Husqvarna for Ariens.