8 Best Small Riding Lawn Mower [Reviews+Buyer's Guide]

Well, it’s high time you switch over to an advanced riding lawn mower. Its powerful engine and efficient cutting deck will help you achieve a smooth and beautiful lawn with minimum effort.

But then, the obvious question is, which will be the best one for you? After all, there are hundreds of options available out there, and choosing the ideal one becomes difficult.

Hence, we help you out by presenting this carefully curated list of the 9 best riding lawnmowers right now. Also, each option has its pros and cons mentioned, which will further help you in making a wise decision.

So, without further ado, let’s dive into the reviews.

Best Small Riding Lawn Mower

1. Husqvarna MZ61 Riding Mower

The next product in the line is this MZ61 Riding Mower from Husqvarna which offers commercial-grade performance. It is also equipped with amazing ergonomics that allow easy and convenient operation.

Husqvarna MZ61 61 in. 27 HP Briggs & Stratton Hydrostatic...

Husqvarna 61 in. zero-turn lawn mower from the MZ series...
27 HP Briggs Endurance engine provides reliable startups and...

Why Did We Like It?

This machine offers quite a few impressive features that are worth explaining, so let’s get started. What appealed to us the most was, of course, the excellent cutting width of 61”. It made sure that large portions of the field were mowed with minimum passes, and that too, with utmost accuracy.

Plus, the commercial-standard hydraulic system and heavy-duty steel frame of the mower together offer an extraordinary mowing experience. The latter also consists of an 11-gauge steel cutting deck which facilitates effective collection. As such, this mower is equally useful for all your property maintenance needs.

Furthermore, the mower provides really precise maneuvering, thanks to the hydraulic wheel drive with a 0° turn radius. Thus, you can rotate the mower around its own axis, without having to stop in the middle of a cut.

And that’s not all; this machine facilitates a comfortable steering experience with the help of rubber isolators and ergonomic seats and controls. While the isolators reduce fatigue by separating the rider from the frame, the seats make your ride for extended shifts quite comfortable. Lastly, the controls make on-the-go adjustments and steering very simple.

What Could’ve Been Better?

We have no complaints regarding the efficiency of this mower as it gets the job done with utmost precision and effectiveness. However, since our lawn was not very smooth, initially we had one of the rear wheels of the mower spinning and tearing out a chunk. You can rule out this possibility by steering the mower a bit more carefully and not too fast.

Pros

Mows large sections with minimum passes
Facilities effective collection
Provides comfortable steering experience
Offers precise maneuvering

Cons

Rear wheels may spin and tear out a portion of rough fields

2. Ariens 915253 Zero Turn Mower

The Ariens 915253 mower is a perfect choice for dealing with stubborn lawns and overgrown yards. This is something that puts the zero-turn mower a step ahead of other products. Also, given the speed and power it has, it could do fairly well in mowing large lawns too.

Ariens Edge 42 inch 20 HP (Briggs) Zero Turn Mower 915253

Featuring a 42” fabricated deck constructed of strong...
Powered by a 20hp Briggs and Stratton V-Twin Intek...

Why Did We Like It?

Straight off the bat, this machine comes with a Kohler 6000 twin-cylinder engine. This powerful engine is the secret behind its ability to cut more stubborn and overgrown grass. Also, the mower offers a speed of up to 6 mph, which is ideal for long and flat stretches of the yard.

Coupled with this amazing power source is an electric start hydro transmission feature. As such, this machine is one of the most efficient as well as easy-to-operate options on our list. Note that it also puts out very little vibration and noise while operating, which lets you carry out the job without any disturbance.

Moreover, the seat of the mower is adjustable, high-back, and padded, so that you have the most comfortable mowing experience. And the three-way adjustable armrest is the cherry on the cake!

What Could’ve Been Better?

This model works perfectly to make your lawn as smooth and beautiful as you want it to be. However, being a bit bulkier than other models, this mower will need more storage space. So, it may not be an ideal choice for small homes.

Pros

Cuts the toughest and most stubborn grass
Great choice for long and flat stretches of yard
Provides a comfortable owing experience
Easy to operate

Cons

Is a bit more bulky than other models

Buying Guide For The Best Small Riding Lawn Mower

Choosing the right lawn mower for your yard, lawn or garden is not difficult if you follow the right approach. Keeping in mind some essential factors would help you purchase a mower that offers the desired performance.

Transmission

Riding lawnmowers with automatic transmissions is much better than those with a manual system. That’s because the digital controls installed in those machines help you to shift up and down automatically when you step on their pedal.

However, the newer models use hydraulic transmission, which is even better since it doesn’t need regular replacement. Note that if you have a smaller yard, choosing a mower with an automatic transmission will always be better.

Cutting Deck

This is another essential factor that should always be checked while selecting an ideal lawn mower. Note that a bigger cutting deck may not always mean that the machine is better. It signifies the width of the grass cut during each pass. Make sure that you consider the size of your lawn to ascertain whether a particular model is the best one to go for.

Type

There are several types of lawnmowers available nowadays, so keeping in mind the type that will be suitable for you is important. Maintaining larger lawns would need much more than just simple cutting. And in that case, a heavy lawn and garden tractor will be the best for you.

Also, personal preferences play an important part in this regard. For instance, if you are looking to get the job done faster, then a zero turn mower will be ideal for you. Whereas, if comfort is more important for you, a rear engine mower will be great.

Conclusion

With this, we come to the end of this guide and we hope it will be easier for you to choose the best riding lawn mower now.

But before we sign off, we would like to recap our favorites from the list. If you are specifically looking for an efficient zero-turn mower, the Poulan Pro Riding Mower will be a great option to go for.

However, if you have no such preferences and are just looking for a high-performing model, the Husqvarna YTA24V48 tractor mower will be the best one for you.

Let us know whether you agree with our verdict in the comments section below.

Till next time! Adios!

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