Best Riding Lawn Mowers for 1 Acre 2023

Having an acre (or even more!) of land in your possession, you might find it uneven with how the earth does not find it in itself to go along, or maybe you have shrubs or other plants decorating the place to make it seem fuller.

Mowing an acre can be tough. Besides the amount of work involved, you also need a mower with high maneuverability to keep your grass even. Without the best mower, you could spend hours on the lawn without making reasonable progress.

Ride on lawn mower is one of the most expensive mowing devices though. Not to worry! Here we are going to review the 6 best riding lawn mowers for 1 acre with the most comprehensive buying guides. Some models are highly economical too.

Featuring a 52-inch, 3-blade mowing deck (4” deep fully fabricated with advanced airflow), the model offers excellent cutting performance. The steel decks are welded together for superior strength, durability, and impact resistance.

The mower features a 52” sharp cutting deck that can cover a wide area to mow at a single pass.The riding mower will allow you to adjust the cutting height in 13 different positions, ranging from 1 ½” to 4 ½”. You just need to turn around the dial to set your preferred cutting height, depending on the grass size of the yard.

Featuring the plush, and high back seat with soft-padded armrests, the mower offers ultimate comfort while mowing the lawn. The model even enables seating height adjustability that makes sure superior comfort.

The Ariens IKON XD-52 comes with large tires that provide superior traction as well as a smooth riding experience.

As a zero-turn mower, though, you can change directions at a snap of your fingers when it has a 360-degree turning radius to have the ability to maneuver at all sides.

You can even mow in reverse, so goodbye forever to troublesome U-turns and annoying pauses in-between mowing!

Now, before starting it up, you better follow the instructions given from start to finish. Specific gas and oil must be applied to work at the drop of a hat.

If not, well, you’re a sitting duck with your Z525 as a dead fish.

To keep yourself from surging forward and getting yourself thrown off your seat, Craftsman features an auto-choke to control its speed, especially if it’s been a while since you got back into mowing.

A modest 46-inch cutting width is what’s available for the Z525, which is perfect for 1 to 2 acres, at max.

However, this has no adjustments for cutting height, making it exclusive for flat yards only.So, if you have a flat yard with shrubs or flowerbeds, then this should be good for you!

The blades can be easily cleaned since it has a deck wash, and Craftsman even comes with a shoot bracket and the mower!

The mower has a high-back seat with seat springs, sealed ball bearings, and intuitive controls. Since it’s a zero-turn mower, this machine also has premium maneuverability, making it that much easier to control. The only drawback is that it can be technical to assemble the first time around, and you should always observer whether the mower has drive belt that keeps coming off.

Durability: The riding mower features a fully-welded steel frame along with a thick-walled pivoting front axle. Apart from that, it comes with a robust mowing deck and ball bearings in the castor spindles that make it highly durable. With this mower, you will get a quality cut for years.

Comfort: Thanks to the exclusive suspension comfort system, the mower offers enhanced comfort while mowing the lawn.

Cutting Quality: The mower features excellent cutting quality, thanks to its 48” mowing deck.

Height Adjustment: You can adjust the cutting height in 13 different positions, ranging from 1.5 to 4.5 inches.

Safety: Features an integrated parking brake that makes sure safety, convenience, and ease of use.

of fuel tank capacity and 1.3 qts. of oil capacity. Well, the engine is manufactured by Troy-Bilt, and it is powerful enough to mow a 1-acre lawn. Apart from that, the mower features a 12V 150 cold crank amps battery.

Drive System: The mower offers a smoother drive with a forward speed of 5.5 MPH and a reverse speed of 2.5 MPH.

Mowing Deck: Comes with a 42” cutting deck. The deck is made out of 13-gauge top-quality steel which makes it robust and durable. And the convenient thing is that the deck is removable.

3-in-1 Features: The riding mower boasts 3-in-1 options: Discharging/mulching/bagging.

Cutting Quality: Featuring a couple of sharp blades, the mower offers a smoother and reliable cut. So with this riding mower, you can effectively mow your 1-acre lawn.

Height Adjustability: The Pony 42 Riding Lawn Mower will allow you to adjust the height in 5 positions, ranging from 1.5″ – 4″.

Also read:Best Lawn Mower Selection Guide for 2023

Zero Turn Mower For 1 Acre Buyer’s Guide

Engine Power

Because you’re mowing a large space, you need a mower that have a zero-turn radius with enough power and speed to cover the lawn in the shortest time. Any engine with 20 HP and above will work just fine.

Size

The bigger the mower, the bigger the cutting deck tends to be. And you need a large deck for faster mowing times.

(If you are looking for a mower for smaller area, you can also check our review of the best zero turn mover hills here)

Ease Of Use

Zero turn mowers have two levers that are quite easy to use. Many of them also have features like park brakes and roll-over protection systems to make things even easier to use.

Transmission

Mowers with hydrostatic transmission are the best option for you because they tend to have a smoother drive experience.

Cutting Size

A large cutting deck is perfect for your 1-acre [1] lawn. Decks 48 in. and wider would work great for a large cutting area.

Safety And Comfort

For safety and comfort and avoid a potential harm from your zero turn mower, look out for features like a high-back seat, armrests, foot-operated deck lifts, and rollover protection systems.

Also read:The 9 Best String Trimmers of 2023

Best Riding Lawn Mower for 1 Acre Review in 2023

Best Riding Lawn Mowers for 2 Acres

Take advantage of this bargain to get an 18-hp zero-turn riding mower to maintain 2 or more acres of lawn. The gas riding mower features a 10-gauge steel deck that measures 42 inches in width. It can be equipped with a mulching kit, but this is an add-on that needs to be purchased separately.

This Husqvarna mower has a smooth hydrostatic transmission system that’s easy to use, and it is also designed with a patent-pending park-brake system that will automatically activate or deactivate. Get comfortable on the padded driver seat, but before starting the mower, make sure the 3.5-gallon fuel tank is full. Keep in mind that the mower does not have headlights, so the job will need to be complete before the sun starts to set.

This electric Ego Power+ riding mower solves these issues by operating at a much quieter level and using rechargeable batteries for power. The mower can be equipped with up to six batteries to provide a runtime of about 1 hour, though it only comes with four batteries. The two extra batteries, as well as the mulching kit, need to be purchased separately.

However, this mower does come with a charger that can charge up to six batteries simultaneously. While it still takes about 2 hours to charge all six batteries, having a single charger is much easier than trying to deal with six individual chargers. The engine produces a power output equivalent to that of a 22-hp gas engine, despite the fume-free operation. It also features LED headlights for dim lighting and a 42-inch cutting deck.

What to Consider When Choosing the Best Riding Lawn Mowers for 2 Acres

Don’t rush into a decision without fully understanding the different riding lawn mower types and various product considerations, including the engine, power capacity, deck size, maneuverability, controls, and safety features that can help keep users protected while they work.

Type

Riding lawn mowers that are large enough to tackle 2-acre lawns come in three main types: rear-engine riding mowers, lawn tractors, and zero-turn mowers.

Rear-engine riding lawn mowers have an engine that is located behind the driver’s seat, which gives this type of mower its name. These mowers are smaller than lawn tractors and have narrow mowing decks with an average width of about 30 inches. The smaller size and power also result in a lower cost.

Lawn tractors feature a steering wheel and pedals, allowing new users to acclimate quickly to the controls. These machines commonly come with hydrostatic transmission systems for smooth speed adjustments, though they have a broader turn radius than zero-turn mowers, which can affect their maneuverability.

Zero-turn mowers are the ideal option for expansive yards that are 2 or more acres in size because these machines typically have larger cutting decks than rear-engine riding mowers while boasting a zero-degree turn radius and superior maneuverability. However, these great features come at a cost, and unfortunately, zero-turn mowers are the most expensive type of the three.

Engine

The next consideration is the type of engine and the power output. Riding mowers are typically powered by gas engines, but some newer models use a series of rechargeable batteries. This innovative design reduces the noise and fumes created by the lawn mower, but it comes with a major drawback: The batteries need time to charge. While simply pouring some gas into the tank gets a gas mower started again, an electric riding mower usually needs several hours to fully recharge the batteries.

However, if gas is not readily available in the garage or workshop, then it can be more troublesome to have to hop in the car to go and fill up a gas can instead of just connecting the batteries to a charger. Both engine types have benefits and shortcomings, so the final decision is a matter of personal preference. Just make sure the engine is powerful enough to complete the job.

Look for a riding mower with an engine that can operate at about 17 to 29 hp. You can find riding mowers with a higher power output, but it isn’t necessary for a 2-acre lawn.

Fuel/Battery Capacity

When the job is almost complete, it’s incredibly frustrating to have the riding mower die because it’s run out of fuel or the batteries need to be charged. Before deciding on a riding mower, research the fuel or battery capacity of the mower. Electric riding mowers operate on battery power, which can typically run for about 1 to 2 hours. However, when the batteries die, they will take several hours to recharge, which may prevent users from mowing the entire yard.

Gas-powered riding lawn mowers for 2 acres generally have a fuel capacity of about 2 to 5 gallons of gas. It’s recommended to carry a small can of gas so that the lawn mower can be refueled if it runs out of gas in the middle of a job.

Deck Size and Material

The size of the deck is directly related to the speed and efficiency at which the user can cut the lawn because the wider the deck, the more area the user can cut with one pass of the riding mower. Cutting decks are typically made with steel, though the gauge of the steel can be thicker or thinner depending on the specific product. Thick-gauge steel is more durable, making it a good choice for rocky yards where a lot of pebbles and stones can be kicked up into the deck.

On average, a cutting deck can range from just 30 inches in width to more than 50 inches in width. However, to maintain 2 acres efficiently, it’s recommended to have a riding mower with a deck that is at least 42 inches in width. If the property is significantly larger, consider investing in a mower with a deck that is more than 50 inches wide.

Transmission and Maneuverability

There are several types of transmissions that can affect the maneuverability of the riding lawn mower, including gear driven, automatic, and hydrostatic.

Gear-driven transmission systems use a set of toothed wheels with different gear ratios or gear sizes to shift between low and high revolutions per minute (rpm). The driver needs to control the shifter manually to put the lawn mower in the desired gear, including reverse. This system is the most basic option and the most difficult for the driver.

Automatic transmission systems operate with the same set of toothed wheels as gear-driven systems. However, like automatic cars, automatic riding lawn mowers shift gears automatically without requiring the manual intervention of the driver.

Hydrostatic transmission systems function similarly to an automatic system in that the driver doesn’t need to worry about using a manual shifter, but instead of a set of toothed gears and belts, hydrostatic transmissions use hydraulic fluid. This allows for smooth acceleration in both forward and reverse.

Controls and Comfort

It’s important to know how to control the riding lawn mower before hopping up into the seat and driving into the yard. Depending on the type of riding lawn mower, users may be dealing with a standard steering wheel with simple foot pedals for braking and acceleration. However, they could also end up in a zero-turn mower with lap bars that are made to control each rear wheel independently for increased maneuverability.

Comfort is another factor that is often overlooked, but if users will be spending an hour or more sitting on the lawn mower, they’ll want to take the time to find a comfortable option. Padded seats with shocks to absorb the motion of the mower are a great choice. Some riding mowers also feature cupholders, armrests, and built-in storage for easy access. Users should select a mower they can feel comfortable riding on and controlling.

Safety

If safety isn’t a primary concern when looking for a new riding mower, then step back and consider that these machines have heavy-duty rotating cutting blades capable of slicing through sticks, vegetation, weeds, and more. Riding mowers are dangerous machines that can drive at an average of 6 miles per hour (mph) over uneven terrain. A blade-clutch system allows the driver to disengage the blade without stopping the motor to reduce the risk of accidental maiming.

Hills and valleys can be hazardous obstacles, so it’s recommended to look for a mower with a flip-prevention mechanism. Most people finish mowing when the sun is still high in the sky, but for those users who prefer mowing in the evening, it’s a good idea to find a riding mower with headlights, a reverse-awareness system, and bumpers in case the mower hits any hard-to-see objects.

What are the Benefits of Riding Lawn Mowers?

There are certain advantages that riding lawnmowers provide, including;

1. Faster Mowing

In contrast, to push mowers which require you to walk the unit across the entire yard, riding lawn mowers allow you to mow while operating the machine like a car. It’s a faster way of clearing out the grass on your lawn since the machine runs on wheels. So, if you are looking for a way to save time, then riding mowers could be the answer you seek.

2. Less Tedious

Another benefit of riding lawn mowers is that they offer an effortless way to mow your lawn. On the other hand, push mowers are tedious to use since they rely on physical exertion to move. This means that you’ll get worn out even when mowing a standard-sized yard since you are manually pushing the unit.

On the other hand, raiding lawn mowers are easy to operate and do most of the heavy lifting. It’ll be more of riding the machine than cutting since the cutting deck will handle that automatically. That’s why they are an excellent option for people who want to escape the fatigue that comes with using push lawnmowers.

3. Better Control

Mowing lawns can be easy when the ground is flat and evenly leveled across the entire compound. However, when the terrain starts to get rough, the mowing gets harder. Pushing a mower uphill and downhill is an exhausting task and will probably result in inconsistent grass heights.

You can avoid all the hassle with riding lawn mowers since these machines are designed to work well even on rough terrain. Operating them on unleveled surfaces is much easier than pushing a lawnmower on your lawn. So for more consistent cuts and improved control over the mowing process, you should get yourself the best riding lawn mowers.

4. Great for Large Lawns

If you have a small lawn, you can comfortably use a push mower since it might not be necessary to invest in an expensive solution like a riding mower. However, when you need to clear out large areas, the most effective way is with the best riding lawn mower. These units will save you time and energy while providing perfect results that leave your lawn looking amazing.

5. Versatility

The last advantage riding lawn mowers provide is their adaptive capabilities. Some are designed for compatibility with various accessories that let you use them for multiple functions in addition to mowing your lawn. This makes riding lawn mowers more efficient since they can handle different tasks as you swap out the attachments for the ones you need.

Why Trust Yeaig?

The author, Yeaig, is a certified lawn care specialist with a passion for helping homeowners find the best riding lawn mowers for effectively maintaining their one-acre lawns. He is dedicated to assisting individuals in choosing riding lawn mowers that provide efficient and comfortable mowing experiences. Yeaig is constantly exploring ways to improve lawn care, especially when it comes to selecting the most suitable riding lawn mowers for 1-acre properties. Through extensive research and analysis of numerous user reviews, he has curated a list of the top-performing riding lawn mowers designed to deliver superior performance on one-acre lawns. The mowers mentioned in the list are carefully selected for their durability, cutting capabilities, and user satisfaction.

Also read:How To Transport A Riding Lawn Mower Without A Trailer