What is the Best Ride-on Mower?
Choosing the best ride-on mower may be a daunting task most most. How do you know if you really need a ride-on mower, and if so, which one?
Well, to help you make that decision I have put together this guide to help you understand what these ride-on mowers can and can’t do and who they are best suited to.
So what may be the best mower for one person may not necessarily be the best for another. By reading my guide to ride-on mowers (and Lawn Tractors) will enable you to make a more informed decision as to what features to look out for, and ensure that you spend your hard earned cash on a dependable mower that will meet your lawn requirements.
If you have a large area or garden to mow or have mobility issues, then ride-on mowers is most probably the best option to consider. So how big does your lawn need to be to warrant a ride-on mower? Smaller than you think!! Most believe that you need acres of lawn to justify the investment in a ride-on mower, however with mowers as small as 60cm (24 inches) wide and designed for lawns around 400m² to 500m² that have the ability to fit through a standard sized garden gate, this does not need to be the case.
Remember, a large self propelled walk behind mower will easily cut a lawn of 500m² (a tennis court is around 260m²) albeit taking more time and effort than that of a ride-on mower.
Typically, there are two types of ride-on mowers one with a front and one with a rear engine. So, what is the difference?
The ride-on mowers have a rear engine and generally are less powerful than the front engine lawn tractors.
Ride-on mowers are designed for large lawns, however lawn tractors are suited better for even larger and trickier lawns with steep slopes.
All models vary considerably in terms of cost, power, cutting width and features.
Before you purchase a ride-on mower you need to consider the size of your lawn, access to your garden, storage (ideally should be stored under cover), budget and any suitable alternatives such as a large self propelled petrol mower or even a robotic mower.
You should also consider the ongoing general maintenance of your ride-on mower (fuel/oil/servicing), warranty and additional features such as mulching.
Accessing the engine on a lawn tractor is normally easier than that of a ride-on mower. The reason for this is that a lawn tractor normally has a bonnet that can be easily lifted for access, the engine on a ride-on mower can be located under the seat, therefore making access more difficult.
What Features Should You Look out for on a Ride-on Mower?
- Cutting features such as bagging, mulching and side discharge should be considered to ensure that you purchase a mower that is suitable for your needs long term.
- The size of the catcher bag and fuel tank are also important to ensure you get the most coverage and limit the number of interruptions and stops. Some models of ride-on mower have automated tipping system to empty the grass clipping, so there is no heavy lifting required. Remember, if this feature is not present the larger the grass collection box the heavier it will be to remove and empty.
- The quality of tyres is one area that most people may overlook, however in wetter conditions you really do not want to be sliding round or getting stuck on the lawn.
- Another important point to consider when purchasing your ride-on mower is the cutting width. Remember an average garden gate is 71cm, and believe it or not, ride on mowers are available that will fit through this gap. So remember to identify the narrowest area your mower will need to fit through and your narrowest strip of lawn that will need to be cut.
- Some models are fitted with an anti-scalping plate that helps to protect the lawn and the blade on uneven surfaces or if the mower has been set too low.
- Some higher end ride-on mowers are also 4-wheel drive, however this will add significantly to the cost of your investment. So make sure that this is something that is absolutely essential for you.
- Some models have semi transparent fuel tanks so you can easily see the level of the fuel and when it needs re-filling.
- Noise levels can vary greatly between different models of ride-on mower, so this is also something you should consider. We would always recommend that you should wear ear defenders to protect you whenever using your ride-on mower.
- Again, look at your lawn and obstacles as manoeuvrability and turning circle vary between brands and models of ride-on mowers. As tractors are much larger, they do not score as highly in this area.
- Cleaning is also an important consideration and varies again from model to model. Some models provide a hose connection where a standard garden hose is attached whilst the mower is being run to enable easy cleaning. Other models require the cutting deck to be lifted for access to cleaning.
- The last important consideration is the number and range of cutting heights that your ride-on mower can accommodate to cover all seasons and lawn types. You should be looking for at least 5 cutting heights with a variation of about 40 to 50mm.
Conclusion
Bear in mind, that even the smallest ride-on mower will have a grass collector capacity of around 150 litres compared to 50 litres of a large walk behind petrol mower. Of course, some ride-on mowers do not collect the grass clippings.
Once you have chosen and received your ride-on mower, there is no doubt that they are the most fun, enjoyable and efficient way to cut your lawn. Also they will be the envy of your neighbours!
Below I have chosen my best 3 ride-on mowers for 2021 here in the UK. They have been chosen for their features, performance, reliability and value for money.
Best Ride-on Mowers Reviews
Choose The Right Ride-on Mower Here
Features:
Cutting Functions:
Features:
✅ Larger Rear Wheels
✅ Leaf Collect
✅ Self Propelled
✅ Variable Speed
Cutting Functions:
Summary
More Details
Specifications
- Garden size: up to 2,000m²
- Cutting width: 61cm
- Cutting height: 5 cutting heights from 30mm to 70mm
- Cutting Features: Cut and Collect
- Grass collector Size: 150 litre
Conclusion
The compact size opens up the convenience of owing a ride-on mower to so many more gardeners, this mower will literally fit through a garden gate. Yes it is designed for lawns up to 2,000m² but the compact size means even someone with a lawn half that size could easily benefit nicely from this mower.
Remember this Racing 62PR has a huge 150 litre grass collection capacity, that’s 3 times the size of your average walk behind petrol mower, combine this with the large capacity fuel tank meaning that you really will be keeping stops to a minimum (if at all).
This mower will require some minor assembly when it arrives (next day delivery is available at no additional cost) that will normally take around 30 to 40 minutes. Don’t worry though, assembly is very straight forward and basically involves screwing the seat and steering wheel on and assembling the grass catcher. Add the engine oil, charge the battery and you are good to go!
Overall, the Racing 62PR had to be my top pick for a compact ride-on mower that collects the grass cuttings. Why? Well because it is such great value for money for what you get. You won’t be disappointed with the performance with this budget ride-on mower if you understand its limitations as detailed above (features you may not need anyway).
Pros and Cons
Features:
Cutting Functions:
Features:
✅ Self Propelled
✅ Variable Speed
Cutting Functions:
Summary
More Details
Specifications
- Garden size: 2,000m²
- Cutting width: 60cm
- Cutting height: 5 cutting heights from 38mm to 95mm
- Cutting Features: Side discharge (Optional mulching kit)
- Grass collector Size: No
Conclusions
This is a fantastic ride-on mower that is going to make light work of cutting a large lawn and won't break the bank. Yes it does not have all the bells and whistles of other more expensive ride-on mowers, but what it does do, it simply gets the job done with minimal effort and no fuss. With its 40cm rear wheels and 33cm front wheels the mower is stable and comfortable to ride even on uneven surfaces. The 5 cutting heights from 38mm to 95mm are perfectly adequate for most lawn types and the electric start makes it quick and easy to start.
Yes this mower does not have a collection bag capability and there is no option to add one. As mentioned above, you can however purchase and optional mulching kit which is a nice touch, because with this installed there is no reason to collect the grass cuttings anyway!
Overall the Lawn-King 60SDE is a good value, well built ride-on mower that will always be ready to get the job done quickly and efficiently without gadgets and features you simply don't need (and don't want to pay extra for).
Pros and Cons
Features:
Cutting Functions:
Features:
✅ Leaf Collect
✅ Safety Key
✅ Self Propelled
✅ Variable Speed
Cutting Functions:
Summary
More Details
Specifications
- Garden size: 4,500m²
- Cutting width: 98cm
- Cutting height: 7 cutting heights from 25mm to 80mm
- Cutting Features: Side discharge and mulching kit included
- Grass collector Size: No
Conclusion
This is a proficient and much loved lawn tractor from Castelgarden that is going to make light work of cutting a large lawn and won’t break the bank. It really does feel very comfortable and enjoyable to ride and more importantly gets the job done effectively with minimal fuss and no complications. With its large wheels the tractor is stable and comfortable to ride on uneven surfaces and the huge 6 litre fuel tank will ensure minimal stops to refuel. The impressive 7 cutting heights from 25mm to 80mm are perfectly adequate for most lawn types and the electric start and blade engagement make it quick and easy to get started.
As already mentioned above this mower does not have a collection bag capability, however the Castelgarden XD140 does come supplied with a mulching kit so why would you want to collect the cuttings anyway. As we all know mulching is beneficial to the health and condition of your lawn.
Overall the Castelgarden XD140 is a fantastic, great value, well built lawn tractor that will never disappoint. The ride is comfortable and the features are there to get the job of cutting your large lawn done quickly and effortlessly. No fancy gimmicks, with this Castelgarden XD140, that you simply won’t use and just add unnecessary cost to your purchase.
Pros and Cons
Best Ride-on Mowers Comparison Table
Below I have created a handy comparison table to help you see the differences between the ride-on mowers.
Last update on 2024-04-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
As a seasoned expert in the field of garden power tools, I have dedicated over a decade to working with and reviewing a wide variety of lawn mowers. My extensive experience has allowed me to gain a deep understanding of the benefits and limitations of different types of mowers and garden tools.
Over the years, I have honed my skills in writing informative articles and creating helpful videos for various blogs and publications. This has given me the ability to not only recognise what makes a good lawn mower, but also to help you choose the perfect garden tool for your specific needs and requirements.
With my wealth of knowledge and expertise, I am confident that I can provide you with valuable insights and recommendations when it comes to selecting the right lawn mower for your lawn. So, whether you're looking for a battery cordless, electric, petrol, or robotic mower, you can trust in my expertise to guide you towards the best option for your garden.
