Best Riding Lawn Mowers for the Money

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All claims are strictly my personal opinion.

best riding lawn mower for the moneyStriking the perfect balance between quality and price, the machines we’re about to see are, in our opinion, the best riding lawn mowers for the money – absolute powerhouses of value. If you want to get the most bang out of your buck, in our view they’re the top choices on the market as they will give you an excellent experience for the price. Plus, some are just so excellent in general that they even made it to our main list of personal picks for the best riding lawn mowers of all time.

Even though there are a lot of great value-focused riding lawn mowers out there, only a few truly rise above the competition and deserve to be called, in our view, the best – let’s take a look at them below!

Best Riding Lawn Mowers for the Money Comparison

These are, in our opinion, the best riding lawn mowers for the money, thoroughly compared for you.

Best Riding Lawn Mowers for the Money Reviewed

Here you can read in-depth reviews of the models that are, in our opinion, the best riding lawn mowers for the money. They’ll let you know what each one has to offer and which one’s perfect for you.

Husqvarna MZ61 61 in. 27 HP Briggs & Stratton Hydrostatic Zero Turn Riding Mower

The Husqvarna MZ61 is a workhorse and is built to withstand rugged conditions, terrains and heavy use without ever dropping its outstanding level of quality. It is an excellent option if you’re into professional landscaping. The wide 61-inch cutting deck allows you to mow large yards very quickly and since the mower is designed to offer extra comfort and ease of use, you won’t ever get tired of using it especially when you’re in an extensive stretch of several hours.

The beautifully potent 27 HP Briggs & Stratton engine is very reliable and delivers all the power you need to mow quickly, effectively and smoothly even with the mower’s large deck. The 5-gallon fuel tank can hold enough so that you can work for long hours without stopping, ensuring you finish the job faster. The comfy seat with the armrests is very comfortable and the seatbelt offers added safety when you’re working on steep inclines or a hilly area. If you compare the best riding lawn mower prices, you may think that the Husqvarna MZ61 is a bit expensive, however, for the fantastic amount of professional-tier features, beastly power and “built like a tank” quality that it offers, it’s more than worth the price of admission and an unmissable deal for professionals.

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Features

  • 27 HP Briggs and Stratton Endurance V-Twin engine
  • 11-gauge fabricated steel cutting deck
  • 61-inch wide cutting deck
  • Hydrostatic Gear Transmission
  • Pedal-Assisted Cutting Deck Lift
  • 3-blade cutting system

Pros

  • Excellent build quality
  • Stunningly powerful engine
  • Very easy to maneuver
  • Incredibly comfortable to ride
  • Can take on very heavy-duty tasks
  • Wide, solid and sturdy cutting deck
  • The zero turn offers speed and precision
  • Will last a lifetime of use with proper maintenance

Cons

  • None

Swisher ZTR2454BS-CA Response Gen 2-24 HP/54 B&S ZTR Zero Turn Mower, 54″, Black

I find that in terms of effective lawn mowing, the Swisher ZTR2454BS has plenty to offer. The 54-inch cutting deck lets you mow the lawn very quickly and efficiently. The cutting deck is built from 11-gauge steel, which makes it very strong and durable. The low center of gravity of the lawn mower offers excellent stability and maneuverability.

The foot-assisted lift lets you raise the deck of the mower very easily. All the features of the Swisher ZTR2454BS such as the battery compartment, full engine wrap, cup holder, hour meter, etc., its riding comfort, performance and its top-quality makes the Swisher ZTR2454BS an excellent value buy.

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Features

  • 24 HP Briggs and Stratton Professional Series engine
  • 54-inch wide cutting deck
  • 8-gallon fuel capacity
  • Hydro-Gear 2800 transmission
  • 3 Gator mulching blades included
  • Rapid Response Control System
  • 3-year warranty

Pros

  • Very balanced and the maneuverability of the machine is fantastic
  • Easy to use and achieve great results
  • The hydro drive system offers variable speed
  • The seating is very comfortable
  • Wide cutting deck
  • Lightweight design ensures great speed

Cons

  • Needs regular maintenance

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

I think that the Husqvarna Z254 is among the best riding lawn mowers for the money that also offers an excellent mowing experience. The lawn mower is equipped with a 54-inch wide cutting deck and the 26 HP Kohler engine delivers the power you require to mow the grass on rough terrains. The controls of the Husqvarna Z254 are ergonomically designed and allows you to control and handle the machine very easily.

The cutting deck is built from stamped steel that offers durability. The mower also has many other useful features such as a large-size cooling fan, deck lifting that is spring assisted, vinyl seats, LED lights and chrome plated valves. With all these features and the stunning performance, the Husqvarna Z254 is definitely a great bang for the buck price and quite possibly, in my view, the best riding lawn mower for the money that you can get.

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Features

  • 26 HP Kohler engine
  • 54-inch wide cutting deck
  • Reinforced steel stamped cutting deck
  • Spring-assisted deck lifting
  • Air induction mowing technology
  • Park brake system

Pros

  • Powerful engine delivers plenty of torque
  • The lawn mower is quite compact and delivers efficient performance
  • Suitable for heavy-duty usage
  • Easy to use

Cons

  • The engine is a little noisy
  • The bagger attachment and mulching kit need to be bought separately

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

When asking myself “what is best riding lawn mower for the money?”, the popular IKON-X instantly jumped to my mind – that’s how excellent it is in terms of sheer value for the price. If you’re looking for a reliable lawn mower that delivers great performance while always punching above its weight, then the Ariens IKON-X is definitely worth every single penny and it’s easily, in my opinion, one of the best riding lawn mower deals you’ll ever find. Featuring a 23 HP engine, the lawn mower delivers the power needed to cut the grass efficiently and the 25-inch cutting deck ensures that your cutting is completed quickly.

The 10-gauge steel cutting deck offers superior durability and the ergonomic seat of the mower lets you work for long periods of time. An impressive amount of quality, performance and attention to detail make the Ariens IKON-X an excellent riding lawn mower for the money.

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Features

  • 23 HP 726 cc Kawasaki V-Twin engine
  • 52-inch cutting deck
  • 4-point dual arm deck hanging system
  • 10-gauge tubular steel frame
  • Padded high-back seat with armrests and padded control levers
  • 3-year warranty

Pros

  • Great power and performance
  • Impressive construction quality
  • Very comfortable to ride
  • Can mow extensive areas quickly
  • Powerhouse of value
  • Easy to use

Cons

  • Not very fuel efficient

Husqvarna LGT54DXL 54″ 25HP Kohler Garden Tractor 960430261

The Husqvarna YTH24V48 with the 24 HP Briggs & Stratton V-Twin engine offers excellent performance and reliability for its price, giving you what I consider to be some of the best riding lawn mower value on the market. The compact build and dimension of the Husqvarna YTH24V48 is very convenient as it not only allows you to store the lawn mower very easily but it also makes it extremely nimble and smooth to handle. The cutting deck of the lawn mower is 48 inches, making it suitable for medium-sized lawns or even more extensive ones.

The lawn mower has several ergonomic features and its height adjustment, comfortable steering wheel and adjustable seat with armrests make the Husqvarna YTH24V48 very comfortable to ride. And, if you’re looking for the best riding lawn mower deals, then I surely think that the Husqvarna YTH24V48 is an excellent choice thanks to its compact but very solid build, great set of features, powerful engine and very affordable price.

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Features

  • 24 HP Briggs and Stratton V-Twin engine
  • 48-inch cutting deck
  • Hydrostatic Pedal Transmission
  • Electric Blade Engagement
  • Cruise control

Pros

  • Compact, lightweight riding lawn mower
  • Impressively powerful
  • Affordable price for the quality
  • The adjustable seat with the armrests is very comfortable
  • Beautifully well crafted
  • Very easy to use and handle

Cons

  • Adjusting the height can be difficult
  • Spindles are made of aluminum

Craftsman T225 19 HP Briggs & Stratton Gold 46-Inch Gas Powered Riding Lawn Mower

Lastly on personal top list of the best riding lawn mowers for the money is the Craftsman T225 – a great machine for the price that impresses in both quality and performance. It’s equipped with a 19 HP Briggs & Stratton Gold series engine which delivers enough power to smoothly mow the lawn with its 46″ cutting deck. The cutting deck works wonders with its double bladed design and its sturdy construction quality ensures a durable experience. Both the seat and the handle are quite comfortable to use as well, ensuring you don’t get tired or sore even with extended use.

The T225 has an 3-gallon fuel tank, properly sized for the mower’s characteristics, and it mows the grass pretty evenly and at any size – thanks to its adjustable cutting height – which is one thing you should really look for in a riding lawn mower. Both the deck washing and the Readystart System deserve a mention as well due to their incredible helpfulness as one makes it a breeze to clean the machine while the other ensures it always starts without priming or choking. Another great part of this Craftsman riding lawn mower is that you can use several attachments such as a snow plow, mulch kit, double bagger and more which makes it a great all-year-round machine and, in my opinion, one of the best riding lawn mowers for the price.

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Features

  • 19 HP Briggs & Stratton Gold Gas Engine
  • 46-inch cutting deck
  • 3-gallon gas tank
  • Deck washing mode
  • Readystart system

Pros

  • Solidly built
  • Easy and comfortable to drive
  • Great turning radius can make sharp turns
  • Very easy to clean
  • Smooth handling and performance

Cons

  • You need to buy the attachments separately
  • The seat is quite slippery

Final Word

With an outstanding combination of great quality and attractive pricing, these machines are easily, in my opinion, the best riding lawn mowers for the money that you can get. If you want to truly get the most bang out of your buck – look no further.

Thanks as always for reading and be sure to leave your thoughts below, we love to read your opinions!

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