Quick verdict
For most acre-plus yards, I lean toward the CRAFTSMAN 42 inch as the best all-around riding mower. Its 17.5 HP Briggs and Stratton engine and 42 inch stamped steel deck cut up to 2 acres, and the 7-speed transmission plus 18 inch turning radius make it a practical, maneuverable lawn tractor.
CRAFTSMAN 36" Gas Riding Lawn Mower
This CRAFTSMAN pairs an 11.5 HP Briggs and Stratton single-cylinder engine with a 36 inch stamped steel deck that the maker says cuts up to 2 acres and fits through most gates. Its 18 inch turning radius and 7-speed manual transmission make it easy to place around obstacles, and an included mulching kit lets you finish cleanly, so it is a sensible choice for tighter properties.
Check price on Amazon →Compare riding lawn mower, ranked for 2026 using specs, manuals, warranties and owner feedback. See 5 research-based picks, key trade-offs and buying advice.
The picks at a glance
| Tool | Best for | Score /100 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| CRAFTSMAN 36" Gas Riding Lawn Mower | Best Overall | Check price | |
| CRAFTSMAN 42" Gas Riding Lawn Mower | Best Value | Check price | |
| Husqvarna Z254F 54 in. 23 HP Kawasaki Zero Hydrostatic Turn | Best Premium | Check price | |
| EGO POWER+ Z6 Zero Turn Riding Lawn Mower | Best Budget | Check price | |
| Husqvarna TS 146 | Also Great | Check price |
The picks, reviewed
CRAFTSMAN 36" Gas Riding Lawn Mower
This CRAFTSMAN pairs an 11.5 HP Briggs and Stratton single-cylinder engine with a 36 inch stamped steel deck that the maker says cuts up to 2 acres and fits through most gates. Its 18 inch turning radius and 7-speed manual transmission make it easy to place around obstacles, and an included mulching kit lets you finish cleanly, so it is a sensible choice for tighter properties.
Reasons to buy
- 36" GAS RIDE ON MOWER: Provides the optimized power and performance that reduces the amoun
- HIGH-PERFORMANCE ENGINE: Powered by a reliable 11.5 HP* Briggs and Stratton single-cylinde
- DURABLE AND EFFICIENT: Rugged 36" reinforced stamped steel deck cuts up to 2 acres of gras
- EASY MANEUVERABILITY: 18" turning radius and heavy-duty Turf Saver wheels make it easy to
- RIDE IN COMFORT: 7-speed manual transmission allows you to choose the perfect speed for th
Reasons to avoid
- The 36 inch deck is narrower, so large open lawns take more passes
- The manual 7-speed transmission is less smooth than a hydrostatic drive
CRAFTSMAN 42" Gas Riding Lawn Mower
The 42 inch CRAFTSMAN steps up to a 17.5 HP Briggs and Stratton engine and a wider 42 inch deck, also rated for up to 2 acres, which makes it the more capable all-rounder. It keeps the tight 18 inch turning radius and 7-speed transmission, and a mulching kit is available, so it balances cutting speed and maneuverability well for a typical large yard.
Reasons to buy
- 42" GAS RIDE ON MOWER: Provides the optimized power and performance that reduces the amoun
- HIGH-PERFORMANCE ENGINE: Powered by a reliable 17.5 HP* Briggs and Stratton single-cylinde
- DURABLE AND EFFICIENT: Rugged 42" stamped steel deck cuts up to 2 acres of grass, and the
- EASY MANEUVERABILITY: 18" turning radius and heavy-duty 15x6/20x8 wheels make it easy to n
- RIDE IN COMFORT: 7-speed manual transmission allows you to choose the perfect speed for th
Reasons to avoid
- The mulching kit is optional here rather than included
- The 7-speed manual transmission requires shifting rather than seamless speed control
Husqvarna Z254F 54 in. 23 HP Kawasaki Zero Hydrostatic Turn
The Husqvarna Z254F is a true zero-turn with a 23 HP Kawasaki engine and a 54-inch ClearCut deck, covering large lawns quickly at up to 6.5 MPH. Its no-maintenance hydrostatic transmission and zero-turn steering pivot around trees and beds with far less back-and-forth than a tractor, making it a strong premium pick.
Reasons to buy
- 23 HP Kawasaki engine provides reliable startups and a max speed of 6.5 MPH
- Hydrostatic, no-maintenance transmission is worry free, empowering the mower to take on a
- ClearCut deck offers a best-in-class 54 in. cut and better bagging thanks to its deep deck
- Clippings can be discharged, mulched or bagged (mulching kit and bagger attachment sold se
- Comfortable seat, ergonomic control panel and anti-slip foot area make mowing intuitive an
Reasons to avoid
- The mulching kit and bagger attachment are sold separately
- Zero-turn steering has a learning curve and can scalp on uneven ground
EGO POWER+ Z6 Zero Turn Riding Lawn Mower
The EGO POWER+ Z6 is a battery zero-turn that combines up to six 56V ARC Lithium packs and ships with six 6.0Ah batteries, which EGO says delivers power comparable to a 24 HP gas engine and cuts up to 1.5 acres per charge. A 42 inch steel deck, three driving modes, a color display, and app connectivity make it a compelling quiet, gas-free option.
Reasons to buy
- Peak Power technology combines power of up to six EGO 56V ARC Lithium batteries to deliver
- Riding mower cuts up to 1.5 acres on a single charge with the six included 56V 6.0Ah ARC L
- Wide frame design provides exceptional balance when mowing on slopes while its deck suspen
- New color digital screen to customize your mowing including driving speed, driving mode, b
- Three driving modes: Control, Standard, Sport; increased maximum mowing speed up to 8 MPH
Reasons to avoid
- Range is capped at about 1.5 acres per charge, unlike refueling a gas tank
- Charging six batteries takes time if you deplete them on a big session
Husqvarna TS 146
The Husqvarna TS 146 is a 46 inch lawn tractor with a 22 HP Briggs EXi engine and, importantly, a K46 Tuff Torq hydrostatic transmission for smooth, clutch-free speed control. It runs a 2-blade stamped deck with a 3 gallon fuel capacity and ground speeds up to 5 MPH forward, making it a comfortable middle ground between the CRAFTSMAN tractors and the zero-turns.
Reasons to buy
- 22HP Briggs EXi series engine
- 46-Inch Stamped, 2-Blade Mower Deck
- K46 Tuff Torq Hydrostatic Transmission
- 3 gallon fuel capacity
- Ground speed: 5 mph forward/2 mph reverse
Reasons to avoid
- A wide-turning tractor is less nimble around obstacles than a zero-turn
- The mulching setup is not detailed, so collection and mulch modes may need extra kit
Why you should trust this guide
Our team put this riding mower shortlist together by reading the manufacturer specifications and owner feedback for each machine, then comparing them on the factors that decide a good cut on a large property. Riding mowers split into lawn tractors and zero-turns, and each suits a different yard, so we focused on engine power, deck width, transmission type, and how well each one maneuvers.
We have not operated these mowers ourselves, and we state that openly. Our role is to turn the published details into plain guidance, being clear about where a tractor fits through gates, where a zero-turn saves time on open ground, and where a battery model trades refueling for a charge limit. That should help you choose the right machine for your acreage.
How we evaluated
We started with engine power and deck width, since these set how quickly you finish and how well the mower handles thick grass across an acre or more. We then weighed transmission type, favoring hydrostatic drives for smooth, clutch-free speed control over manual multi-speed gearboxes, and we looked at turning radius and steering style for maneuverability.
From there we considered mowing modes such as mulching, bagging, and discharge, along with fuel or battery capacity and comfort features like the seat and controls. For the battery zero-turn we treated per-charge coverage as the key limit, while for gas models we factored in ongoing maintenance, so each recommendation reflects how the machine actually fits a real yard.
What to look for
- Engine power: more horsepower handles tall, thick grass and hilly ground with less strain.
- Deck width: a wider deck finishes large lawns faster, but a narrower one fits through gates.
- Transmission type: hydrostatic drives give smooth, clutch-free speed control versus manual gears.
- Turning radius and steering: a tight radius or zero-turn design saves time around trees and beds.
- Tractor vs zero-turn: tractors suit mixed tasks and gates, zero-turns excel on open, obstacle-heavy lawns.
- Mowing modes: check whether mulching and bagging kits are included or sold separately.
- Fuel or battery capacity: gas offers quick refueling, while battery models cap coverage per charge.
How we research
We compare published manufacturer specifications, official manuals, warranty information and recurring owner feedback. Rankings are research-based unless original YardToolLab test evidence is explicitly shown on the page.
What to look for
Engine power
Higher horsepower handles thick grass, slopes, and larger decks without bogging down.
Deck width vs gates
Wider decks cut faster, but confirm the mower fits through your gates and around obstacles first.
Transmission type
Hydrostatic drives give smooth, clutch-free speed changes, while manual multi-speed gearboxes cost less.
Maneuverability
A tight turning radius or a zero-turn design cuts down on time spent working around trees and beds.
Mowing modes
Decide whether you need mulching or bagging, and check whether those kits are included or extra.
Fuel or battery range
Gas mowers refuel instantly, while battery zero-turns like the EGO cap coverage at a set acreage per charge.
Our verdict
For most acre-plus yards, I lean toward the CRAFTSMAN 42 inch as the best all-around riding mower. Its 17.5 HP Briggs and Stratton engine and 42 inch stamped steel deck cut up to 2 acres, and the 7-speed transmission plus 18 inch turning radius make it a practical, maneuverable lawn tractor.
FAQs
A lawn tractor suits mixed chores and fitting through gates, while a zero-turn mows open, obstacle-filled lawns much faster. Your yard layout usually decides it.
For an acre or two of typical grass, engines in the 11 to 23 HP range here are appropriate. More power helps with hills, tall grass, and wider decks.
Yes for most buyers. It offers smooth, clutch-free speed control that is easier to use than a manual multi-speed gearbox, especially over long sessions.
For lawns within its per-charge range, yes. The EGO Z6 cuts up to about 1.5 acres per charge and runs quietly, but a gas model refuels instantly for very large properties.
Check the deck width against your narrowest gate. The 36 inch CRAFTSMAN is designed to pass through most gates, while wider decks may not.
