The Best Ride on Mower for 2021
Are you looking for reviews of the best garden machinery that will give you a perfect lawn?
Gardening experts resoundingly agree that a ride on mower is the top professional choice for perfecting that lawn without breaking a sweat. Ride on lawn mowers have grown in popularity over the recent years with new models incorporating unique features under constant development; it's a real face off between all the best competing brands. Some names have been delivering quality products, yet others are struggling to come up to scratch.
So, what is the best ride on lawn mower? To answer that, we have created the go-to site for everything related to these garden products.
Unlike other sites, our reviews reflect unbiased accounts.
Our reviews cover a diverse range of budget and premium products to suit your needs. We know not all gardens are the same, so whether you require a mulching mower with plenty of hp or something with a specific style of cutting deck and a tight turning circle, we can help you out.
We have knowledgeable recommendations for all grass types and landscapes, and we guarantee our testimonials will beat any garden centre or home improvement store - hands down.
In addition to the best ride on mowers review, we provide in-depth information. We answer questions like, "What are the advantages of a ride on lawn mower?", explain the features of many of the best products, provide review guides for how to operate garden tractor equipment and provide you with a reputable place to buy the products that we review.
For those wondering things such as "What is the best ride on mower for steep ground?" or "What should I look for when choosing the best ride on lawn mower?" we provide the research from multiple trials so that you can decide for yourself. We aim to be your source of information and the top spot for ride on mower reviews.
Advantages of a ride on mower?
Although they come with a higher price tag, the advantages of using a ride on mower over a standard petrol lawn mower to manage a larger garden size justify the extra expense.
A typical ride on lawn mower features a clipping bag or grass box, allowing the collection of waste grass cuttings as they're processed. Some ride on mowers also come with a mulching kit, finely shredding the grass and depositing it back onto the lawn to enrich the soil (1.)
Ride on mowers offer great versatility for a work application, depending on what particular type you're conisdering. A typical entry level mower features a rear engine with side discharge and is suited to those with a large garden size. A zero turn mower offers incredible manoeuvrability and provides a professional finish with one pass, but is somewhat more challenging to operate as they often utilise twin levers instead of a steering wheel to control the drivetrain. At the top end of the scale is the garden tractor, which is commonly operated commercially or by estate owners and outfitted with numerous pieces of ancillary equipment, such as cultivators, ploughs and sweepers.
With adjustable cutting heights and cutting width decks, a ride on lawn mower offers the ability to achieve perfectly cut grass with minimal effort, allowing you to spend more time enjoying your garden rather than working on it.
So, what is the best ride on mower? Read our expert reviews to find out.
Our Reviews For The Top Rated Products 2020
If you are looking for a quick rundown, check out what made our list of the top five tractor mowers so you can buy the one that best suits your requirements today.
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#1 - Husqvarna R214 TC
Husqvarna's premium ride on mower, the R214TC lawn tractor is the most popular and, based on our reviews, the ultimate option in our list of lawn mowers.
Making efficient use of the 9.9kW Briggs & Stratton Intek V Twin, the R214TC has an abundance of power and torque to handle mulching, mowing and collecting in all conditions.
The Combi decks allow for a generous 94cm cutting width with the option of using the BioClip mulching function for lawn fertilisation or rear discharge into a grass collector for efficient mowing through longer grass.
With an ergonomically designed operating station, easy access levers, seat suspension and minimal vibration through the steering wheel and seat, Husqvarna have thought of everything, even adding a bottle holder, making the R214TC a dream to operate for any gardener.
The R214TC uses a twin pedal K46 hydrostatic transmission from Kanzaki Tuff Torq which makes changing direction a breeze and allows complete control over the riders speed, enhancing the comfort and convenience of this easy to use ride on mower. Just make sure to click the link below for the best savings.
#2 - Husqvarna R216 AWD
Ranking high in the reviews of the best ride on lawn mowers, Husqvarna offers a capable piece of machinery that combines a powerful 656cc Briggs & Stratton engine with all wheel drive to produce a ride on mower than is incredibly capable in all conditions.
The option to interchange the cutting deck from a 94cm to a 103cm combi deck, not only gives variable cutting height and cutting width, it provides the Husqvarna with the option of a BioClip mulching cut instead of the standard rear discharge set-up.
With a K574 Tuff Torq hydrostatic transmission joined to the petrol engine, with a top forward speed of 9kph and reverse of 7kph, this capable all wheel drive rider makes quick work of grass cutting.
The front mounted decks partnered with rear articulated steering allow for precision cuts and a tight turning circle. The Husqvarna R216T AWD is not only a powerful ride on mower, but the most manoeuvrable offering in our featured list of garden tractors and ride on lawn mowers.
#3 - Mountfield 1638H
As a brand, Mountfield has been at the face of some of the top-rated products on both the garden maintenance and grass management market - and reviews show that the Mountfield line of ride on mowers is no exception.
At number four on our list, the Mountfield lawn tractor is a hardworking and practical mower powered by a 603cc Stiga V twin, that features anti-scalp wheels and a 98cm cutting width to give an excellent finish.
The 1638H is another ride on mower that makes fair use of a hydrostatic gearbox, allowing full control of forward and reverse movement with the simple application of a foot pedal.
Whilst this mower comes with a smaller 240 litre grass collector than the others in this rundown; it does feature a handy warning buzzer to let you know exactly when its time to empty the hopper. Alternatively, the option to mulch grass clippings with the supplied mulching plug is always available and helps reintroduce otherwise lost nutrients back into the lawn.
#4 - Honda HF 2417 HM
Honda's premium ride on mower, the HF 2417 HM lawn tractor is the most popular and, based on our reviews, the ultimate option in our list of lawn mowers.
Designed to suit the needs of a variety of users, Hondas HF 2417 HM ride on mower offers the best options for both the amateur landscaper and experienced user seeking top quality performance and reliability at a price that's friendly to the bank account.
The hardy 17hp 530cc OHC V-twin, four stroke engine, partnered with a durable hydrostatic transmission and five year warranty made this mower an early favourite in our search for the best ride on lawn mower.
The synchronous cutting deck of this ride on lawnmower offers a 102cm cutting width with variable 29mm to 90mm cutting height to give your grass a distinct quality cut, whilst reducing your workload to achieve it.
Honda's fan powered Optiflow system boosts airflow between the cutting deck and the generous 300 litre grass collector, significantly improving grass collection performance.
With a reputation for reliability firmly cemented in place, Honda makes no exception with the HF 2417 HM, producing a ride on lawnmower than can be trusted to do a great job, every time.
At this price, which is the lowest it's ever been, you'll not only get a great ride on lawn mower, but you'll save a good portion on the price.
#5 - Stiga Villa 14 HST
Last but not least, Stiga also offers a highly acclaimed line of some of the most refined ride on lawn mowers and lawn tractors on the market, with the Villa 14 HST being the most budget friendly in our line of reviewed ride on mowers.
The rear wheel steering provides a tight turning circle, and out front 95cm combi deck makes weaving between flower beds and around obstacles simple, making it an excellent solution for cutting smaller, more complex lawns.
Being just under a meter wide enables the Stiga to fit through a standard garden gate with ease.
With cutting heights ranging from 25mm to 85mm, along with the ability to interchange between using a grass box with the rear discharge or Multiclip mulching, the Stiga is perfect for getting the right finish for your lawn no matter the time of year.
The Briggs & Stratton 344cc single cylinder petrol engine provides efficient and reliable power via a hydrostatic gearbox, making it friendly to the fuel tank. Along with a fully adjustable steering wheel and seat, Stiga has ensured the Villa 14 HST is comfortable to use throughout extended periods of operation.
Despite a smaller petrol tank and reduced hp, Stiga has produced a refined ride on lawn mower that is backed with a three year warranty, earning it the fifth spot in our list.
What should I look consider when choosing the best ride on mower?
When choosing the best ride on mower, there are several vital points to consider to ensure you pick the right one for you.
Size of the Lawn
If you're reading this review, then it's likely you've already decided that a walk-behind mower isn't going to cut the mustard when it comes to taking care of your large lawn. However, not all ride on lawn mowers are created equal.
What is traditionally considered a ride on mower being the friendliest to your wallet, they are suitable for lawns up to an acre in size. They tend to have a smaller frame with the cutting deck toward the front and the engine at the back, allowing for good visibility and a tight turning circle for navigating around lawn furniture.
If your garden size is closer to around the 5-acre mark, then a machine with a more powerful engine and wider cutting width, such as a lawn tractor may be more suited to your needs. With the engine at the front and the cutting deck underneath the rider, lawn tractors are designed for larger areas and challenging terrain. However, with the increased weight and higher centre of gravity, it's not advised to use them on slopes with an incline that exceeds 10 degrees.
For the ultimate in versatility, you can't beat a garden tractor. Capable of taking on massive estates and compatible with a wide range of accessories, a garden tractor is the Swiss Army Knife of the lawn mower world. As well as having an expansive cutting deck, with variable cutting width and cutting heights and handy little additions such as cruise control and automatic grass collection, you can find attachments for cultivating, spreading, ploughing, rolling and aerating to name a few. Of course, for such a premium tool like a garden tractor, you can expect to pay a premium price, with garden tractors being the most expensive to purchase out of the range.
Cutting Deck
The bigger the cutting deck, the wider the cutting width. Which means it'll generally get through larger areas of grass quicker. However, you must carefully consider the deck size, as bigger doesn't always mean better in some situations.
Using the lawn mowing calculator found here, we can see that using a cutting deck with a 101cm cutting width, such as that found on the Honda HF2417 HM, on a lawn 80 meters by 50 meters, which is approximately an acre, it would take 29 mins to finish the cut. However, if your lawn has several flower beds, trees or other obstacles, the larger mower and cutting deck could result in wasted time spent reversing to make tighter turns.
An option to offset the smaller deck for increased manoeuvrability is to use a mower with a higher hp engine, allowing for increased cutting speeds.
But even without the extra horsepower, you can still see gains in your cutting time when using a smaller deck if the lawn has a complex layout.
Cutting height shouldn't be left as an afterthought either, depending on how often you cut the grass, you may need a machine that cuts a little higher to get through it efficiently if it's particularly thick.
This is where mowers with a wide selection of cutting heights can come in handy, offering the ability to fine tune your grasses length.
Engine specifications
It'll come as no surprise that the bigger the engine in your lawn mower, the faster you'll be able to go. But as with everything, there's more to consider than just how quick your tractor mower can travel. It's essential to choose a lawn mower with a reliable engine that has a suitable amount of power to complete its relevant job. It's not uncommon to find a Briggs and Stratton engine in a range of tractor mowers, lawn tractors and ride on mowers. They make good power and have a reputation for reliability.
Kawasaki also lends a good number of power plants to several leading manufactures of lawn tractors, such as Husqvarna, Cub Cadet, John Deere and Mountfield.
Honda uses its engines in their range of ride on mowers, which are also highly capable and reliable powerplants.
When looking at what power you should expect from your lawn mower based on size alone, 14 hp - 16 hp will manage a lawn up to an acre in size comfortably. If your grass area is between one to three acres, then a mower with 14 hp to 16 hp is the right choice. Anything larger than three acres is best handled by a garden tractor with an engine of at least 18 hp.
Whether you choose a mower with a Briggs & Stratton, Kawasaki or any other powerplant, you need to be sure the engine is suitable for it's intended role. Still, in the same vein, there's no need to get carried away and purchase something over the top which will have a higher initial price and end up costing you more to run and service.
AWD or Rear Wheel Drive?
You should also give some consideration to how many driven wheels you need. There's no sense in buying a fancy lawn tractor with a powerful petrol engine and versatile cutting height if you can't make it across the terrain you intend to cut. AWD mowers will have a higher price tag, but can make the difference to getting the job done or not. However, there's no need to shell out for the extra expense of four wheel drive if the garden size and terrain don't warrant it.
Grass Collection Mechanism
There are a few ways in which a ride on mower handles the grass clippings. You will typically find either a rear or side discharge set up, with a grass collector for catching the clippings. For lawn mowers intended for use on rougher terrain, you should reconsider choosing a side discharge set up, as the tubing for the grass collector can foul the ground when travelling on an undulating surface.
Unlike on a typical walk behind petrol mower, most ridden mowers on the market have the additional option for mulching. Reintroducing the finely shredded cut grass back into the soil helps lock in surface moisture and return otherwise lost nutrients, leaving you with a fresher lawn and without the need to dispose of any grass cuttings.
Manual or Hydrostatic Transmission?
On budget friendly ride on mowers, you'll typically find a manual gearbox that utilises a clutch to move through the gears in a similar way to a car. Being the most basic category of transmission you'll encounter on a lawn mower; these are common on entry level ride on mowers, like the mini rider.
They are suited to wide open lawns that don't require regular changes in speed to navigate around obstacles, as you may find repetitive shifting problematic. On the plus side, as well as being the cheapest option, they require less maintenance and return better fuel economy than a hydrostatic gearbox.
Some lawn tractors or tractor mower make use of an automatic transmission that eliminates the need for manual gear changes through a variable system of belts and pulleys. This is normally achieved through the use of a CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission), which works similarly to bicycle gears.
By adjusting the circumference of the drive belts pulleys to manipulate the gear ratios and allow fine control over the mowers speed, making it more fuel efficient and user friendly. CVTs are less resistant to poor maintenance than other gearbox types and need to be regularly serviced to ensure reliable performance.
The gearbox with the highest degree of control and performance is the hydrostatic. It's no coincidence that's what is fitted to every lawn mower in our top five.
Utilising hydraulic pumps and motors to transmit driving power from the engine to the wheels, a hydrostatic transmission offers infinite control over vehicle speed.
They often come with cruise control, creating the most user friendly variant of gearbox. They allow for consistent engine RPM with variable control of the mowers speed, moving forward, backwards and stopping through the use of a single or twin pedals.
Generally found in a higher end tractor mower or zero turn mower, a hydrostatic transmission is at the top of the list for best performing gearboxes in a tractor mower. Aside from their higher price tag, they're generally reliable and allow for the most versatile operation.
If your lawn has an abundance of obstacles and particularly large, this is the most suited type of transmission.
What are the different types of ride on mower?
Many different manufacturers use different terms to describe a ride on mower. The name lawn tractor, garden tractor or mini rider are all used to describe a machine that primarily cuts grass and is ridden on, but that doesn't mean they are all the same thing.
Mini Rider
A mini rider, sometimes known as a rear engine rider or mower rider, is designed to tackle a smaller sized lawn, relatively speaking. They are considered an entry level mower and used exclusively for grass cutting. They are set up for rear or side discharge into a grass collector and can handle wet or dry grass.
Being smaller in general, they have a reduced cutting width and lower cutting height compared to the larger tractor mower. But that isn't necessarily a bad thing if you have narrow passages in your garden, such as a garden gate or limited storage space.
Still, if the area of intended use is significantly larger than an acre or somewhere with rough grass, you should consider a more powerful machine. That being said, they are still a highly capable tool that can easily manage large areas of lawn.
Lawn Tractor
Perhaps the variety of mower that comes with the most aliases, the lawn tractor can also be known as a garden tractor, rear collect tractor and tractor mower. These petrol mowers feature a bigger engine and fuel tank, enabling it to tackle an extensive lawn, between 1-2 acres.
They tend not to have front mounted cutting decks, with the blades sitting between the wheels, opting for rear instead of side discharge for grass collection.
They can come with a range of impressive features, such as cruise control, four wheel drive and washing links, making operation a breeze.
They can also be outfitted with a variety of attachments, such as a mulch plug or mulching kit, making the lawn tractor a great all round garden vehicle for any large lawn.
Zero Turn Mower
Operated with twin control levers instead of a steering wheel, zero turn mowers feature independently moving wheels, granting incredible manoeuvrability with a zero degree turning circle. Partnered with an out front cutting deck and variable cutting height, compared to a lawn tractor, a zero turn mower will achieve tighter cuts around and under obstacles every time.
Favoured by commercial users, a zero turn mower is a serious piece of kit when it comes to cutting grass. Even the domestic models have an average cutting rate of 2+ acres an hour, with that steeply rising when getting into the commercial range.
With their twin lever steering, they're not as easy to use as garden tractors, but that doesn't seem to be affecting their growing popularity as one of the most favourite grass cutting machines on the market.
Heavy Duty Garden Tractor
Also known as an estate tractor, the heavy duty garden tractor facilitates a vast range of tasks across large areas. With a powerful engine and large fuel tank, these mowers are capable of ploughing, cultivating and sweeping large expanses over rough terrain.
Also available with a diesel engine, rear and all wheel drive, a garden tractor will cut the grass through orchards and meadows alike without breaking a sweat.
Sat somewhere between a regular lawn mower and an agricultural tractor, the heavy duty garden tractor is the big daddy of the lawn mower world and one of the best in a list of go to gardening tools for getting big jobs done.
How Long Do Ride on Lawnmowers Last?
With a regularly serviced engine from a reputable brand, such as Mountfield, John Deere or Cub Cadet, the average ride on lawnmower will last for around 1000 hours, which roughly translates to 2 hours use every two weeks for 19 years. With regular servicing and proactive maintenance, you can see that figure increased.
It's not unusual for components like the grass box and cutting deck to sustain damage through normal operation. With spare parts from most manufacturers readily sourced, they are easily repaired or replaced. As long as you make sure the service schedule is adhered to with a bit of proactive maintenance, such as ensuring your cutting decks remain free from the build up of grass clippings and other foreign debris, the blades are kept sharp and the machine is stored correctly, you will get a long service life from your lawnmower.
All new ride on lawn mowers come with at least a three year warranty, with some brands extending that to 5 years. It's also not unusual to find longer independent warranties for specific aspects of the mower on more prominent brands, such as Stiga, which offer a ten year warranty on the chassis of their Villa range of mowers.
Do I Need A Ride on Mower?
You may be asking yourself if you actually need a ride on mower, the answer to which is ultimately up to you. Like with all power tools, you need to match the best tool for the job, there's no sense in using a shovel to dig a trench when a digger is available to get the job done much quicker and with less effort. The same goes for your lawn.
Why slog it out pushing a standard mower for hours on end every couple of weeks when a ride on mower can not only get the task done quicker. With features like variable cutting heights, mulching and cruise control, you can do a superior job in a fraction of the time without breaking a sweat. If your lawn is anywhere near half an acre or more, a sit on mower is a no brainer.
There are many great brands out there that offer a plethora of features, such as the Mountfield, that had operator ergonomics at mind when designing the 1638H. With turn key start, electronic blade engagement, a hydrostatic gearbox and a washing link to make cleaning the cutting deck a piece of cake, it's a mower designed to take all the hassle out the task.
Take a look at the various brands and models of mowers we've reviewed on our site and decide for yourself which one suits your requirements best.
Where To Buy A Ride On Mower?
In this day and age, everything can be bought online, including your next ride on mower. The internet lets you take advantage of the best prices and deals being offered by the various lawn mower vendors without having to leave the comfort of your living room. See below for a shortlist of some of our preferred sellers.
MowDirect
These guys are highly knowledgeable about all things mowing related and are the largest supplier of ride on lawn mowers in the UK. They have nearly 100 models for you to choose from, ranging from the smallest rear engine riders to heavy duty garden tractors. All their mowers get comprehensively inspected prior to delivery and arrive ready to mow at no extra cost. Visit their site here.
Just Lawn Mower
Despite the name, Just Lawn Mowers offer an enormous range of garden equipment ranging from humble hand tools to the monster Lawn Tractor Honda HF 2625 HTE, with free shipping on all orders over £50 and a 14 day money back guarantee. They also offer a premium Start N Go service where all orders are hand delivered by a member of their staff with a full demonstration and training provided, plus they can even take care of the disposal of your old lawn mower. Visit their site here.
More Than Mowers
The garden machinery specialists based in Wiltshire has been around since 1992, and there isn't much their experts don't know about garden equipment. With over three hundred and fifty 5 star reviews on independent review sites, they come highly acclaimed. With a willingness to beat any price, free deliveries on orders over £50 and regular online sales, where you can find absolute bargains, buying your next garden purchase form More Than Mowers will always be a wise choice. Visit their site here.
Lawnmowers UK
Established in 1990, Lawnmowers UK is a family run business based in Gloucestershire and are authorised dealers of some big names in the garden machinery world, such as Mountfield, Stiga, John Deere, Hayter, Cobra, AL-KO and many more. They're a vendor for a considerable amount of garden equipment for professional and domestic use and always happy to help with advice on purchasing your next garden machinery product. Visit their site here.
John Lewis
It may come as some surprise, but the national department store John Lewis is also a large distributor of garden equipment, stocking big name brands such as Honda and Ambrogio. With free nationwide delivery and returns from this household name along with regular sales, they will always be a safe bet when making your next large garden equipment purchase. Visit their site here.
Amazon
The online giant also holds a massive stock on garden equipment and ride on lawn mowers at great prices. whether you're looking for a mini rider or a garden tractor, you're sure to find something to suit your requirements there. With competitive pricing and positive aftersales, you'll be in safe hands with Amazon. Visit their site here.