Best Zero-Turn Mower (2026): Battery and Gas Picks by Acreage

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Of the zero-turn mowers we found new and in stock on Amazon, the best for most yards of up to about 2 acres is the EGO Power+ Z6 ZT4204L, a 42-inch battery zero-turn steered with lap bars. Bob Vila's testers mowed 2.25 acres of rolling ground with it for about a month and named it the best overall electric zero-turn, Popular Mechanics lists the same Z6 as its entry-level electric pick, and ProToolReviews.com mowed for about an hour on one charge in its runtime test. EGO says its four 10.0Ah batteries cut up to 2 acres a charge, and the mower holds two more.

If you would rather fill a gas tank than charge batteries, the Husqvarna Z254F pairs a Kawasaki engine with a 54-inch deck for lawns past about 2 acres. The testers' favorite gas zero-turns, Toro's 50-inch TimeCutter MyRide (Bob Vila's best overall gas) and the Husqvarna Xcite Z345 (Popular Mechanics' gas pick for 1 to 3 acres), did not turn up as mowers in our Amazon searches, so our gas picks rest on Husqvarna's specs; see Also considered. The other three picks are a Z6 you drive with a steering wheel for up to about 2 acres, a 52-inch battery Z6 for up to 3 acres, and a 42-inch Husqvarna gas zero-turn for smaller yards. Below the picks we cover deck size by acreage, how far a charge goes, gas or battery, lap bars or a wheel, the slope limits the makers set, which are not the same for every brand, and how a zero-turn arrives and who services it.

Jump to: Also considered | Deck size by acreage | How far a charge goes | Battery or gas | Lap bars or a wheel | Slopes and safety | Setup and service | Upkeep

Start here: which zero-turn mower for your yard

Take the first line that fits your yard; the decision chart below asks the same questions in the same order.

• More than about 3 acres, or gas on more than about 2 acres: Husqvarna Z254F, 54-inch deck (pick 2).
• Gas, on a yard of about 2 acres or less: Husqvarna Z242F Special Edition, 42-inch deck (pick 5).
• Battery, up to about 2 acres, and you would rather steer with a wheel than lap bars: EGO Power+ Z6 e-Steer ZT4215S, up to 2.0 acres a charge by EGO's figure (pick 3).
• Battery, about 2 to 3 acres: EGO Power+ Z6 ZT5216L, 52-inch deck, up to 3 acres a charge by EGO's figure (pick 4).
• Battery, up to about 2 acres: EGO Power+ Z6 ZT4204L, 42-inch deck (pick 1).

Bob Vila's zero-turn guide pitches these machines at properties of a third of an acre or more and says that under half an acre a good push mower may be the more practical buy; our best lawn mower guide covers walk-behind mowers. If you want to tow a cart or trailer, read Zero-turn or lawn tractor? first, and if you mow steep ground, read Slopes and safety before you choose. Every acreage figure from EGO on this page is the maker's up-to figure, a best case.

The best zero-turn mowers, by job

1. EGO Power+ Z6 ZT4204L 42-Inch Battery Zero-Turn: best overall

The Z6 is EGO's battery zero-turn. You steer it with two lap bars, and a bay behind the seat takes up to six of EGO's 56V ARC Lithium batteries, the same packs its other lawn tools run on. The ZT4204L kit comes with four 10.0Ah batteries and a charger. Its Amazon listing says the four cut up to 2 acres on one charge, that the mower matches a 22-horsepower gas engine and tops out at 8 mph, and that the batteries recharge in about two hours on the included Z6 charger. EGO's own page says six 10Ah batteries take it to 3 acres, and gives mowing speeds of 3 to 7 mph with the top 8 mph kept for travel. The 42-inch deck is stamped steel, with 10 cutting heights from 1.5 to 4.5 inches, and it can mulch, bag or side-discharge. A screen lets you pick one of three driving modes, Control, Standard or Sport, and EGO's page lists a 5-year limited warranty, with registration, covering the mower, the batteries and the charger.

Why it is the pick: it is the only pick here that independent testers have mowed with in this exact model. Bob Vila's testers spent about a month with it on 2.25 acres of rolling ground and named it the best overall electric zero-turn, noting its quiet running, smooth startup and intuitive controls and gauges. Its tester Mark Wolfe, who spent more than 20 years working in landscaping, found that it ran longer and moved faster than he expected. Popular Mechanics names the Z6 42 with four 10-Ah batteries its best entry-level electric zero-turn for half an acre to 1.5 acres, and notes the packs also run other 56-volt EGO tools. ProToolReviews.com mowed Bahia and St. Augustine grass from 5 inches down to about 3-1/2 and called the cut quality excellent; in Standard mode with drive and blade speeds at level 4 it mowed for right at an hour, borrowing some of a neighbor's lawn to finish the test, and estimates 1-1/2 acres is easy under the same conditions. From 6 percent charge, its batteries were full again in 1 hour 53 minutes.

Good to know: when we checked on November 11, 2026, this kit was sold on Amazon by a third-party seller, IndustrialSupplies, rather than by Amazon.com. EGO's newer 42-inch Z6, the ZT4214L, was also on Amazon that day, sold by Amazon.com, with six 6.0Ah batteries that its listing says cut up to 1.5 acres, a 24-horsepower equivalent and three driving modes up to 8 mph; Bob Vila's riding mower guide names the ZT4214L its best battery zero-turn. Bob Vila found the original Z6 at its best in Standard mode on well-kept grass, and ProToolReviews.com notes that drive speed and blade speed are set separately, with the top two blade speeds suited to thicker, wetter grass. ProToolReviews.com also notes that, as on many zero-turns, the long wheelbase takes some care when you trim close around small trees. EGO's page for the ZT4204L says it can handle 15-degree slopes under ideal conditions, and names wet surfaces, sidehilling, speed, drive mode and tire pressure as factors in its traction; see Slopes and safety for the lower limits with accessories and when towing.

2. Husqvarna Z254F 54-Inch Gas Zero-Turn: best gas

The Z254F is a gas zero-turn from Husqvarna's Z200 series. Its Amazon listing gives a 23 HP Kawasaki engine and a top speed of 6.5 mph, a hydrostatic transmission it describes as needing no maintenance, and a 54-inch ClearCut deck with a deep design for airflow and bagging; it can discharge, mulch or bag, with the mulch kit and bagger sold separately. Husqvarna's page for the Z254F lists a 24 hp Kawasaki engine and a 54-inch fabricated ClearCut deck, so the two disagree by one horsepower; plan on the lower figure. Husqvarna also lists a spring-assisted deck lift, a thick padded seat with a ventilated back, LED headlights, a removable foot plate for getting at the deck, and a parking brake that engages and releases as you move the steering levers out and in.

Why it is the pick: it is the gas answer for more than about 2 acres, and the only pick here for lawns past the 3 acres a battery kit claims, with a refuel instead of a recharge. Popular Mechanics says a 42-inch deck is enough for a two-acre lot once the house, driveway and beds are taken out, and to consider sizing up beyond that. Bob Vila's guide puts residential zero-turns at a third of an acre to 4 acres, and no battery kit on this page claims more than 3 acres a charge. This is the gas zero-turn with the widest deck that passed our Amazon check on November 11. We found no published hands-on test of the Z254F that we could read and cite, so this pick rests on Husqvarna's page and the Amazon listing.

Good to know: Husqvarna's help center says not to drive its zero-turns on slopes of more than 10 degrees, and to mow slopes up and down, never sideways. When we checked on November 11, 2026, the Z254F was sold on Amazon by a third-party seller, More Than Outdoor. A 54-inch deck needs a gate and a storage space wide enough for it; Popular Mechanics warns that a deck 50 inches wide or wider might not clear a fence gate, so measure yours first.

3. EGO Power+ Z6 e-Steer ZT4215S 42-Inch Zero-Turn: best with a steering wheel

The e-Steer is the Z6 with a steering wheel in place of lap bars. Its Amazon listing describes a wheel with advanced electronics that drives like a car and still turns on the spot, and says the kit's two 10.0Ah and four 6.0Ah batteries cut up to 2.0 acres a charge. The listing gives a 24-horsepower equivalent, three driving modes up to 8 mph, blade speed adjustable between 2,300 and 3,200 RPM on its two blades, 10 cutting heights from 1.5 to 4.5 inches on the 42-inch deck, and a color screen that pairs with the EGO Connect app. EGO's page adds cruise control. The listing gives a mower warranty of 5 years or 300 hours of use, whichever comes first, a battery warranty of up to 5 years if you register within 90 days, and a 5-year charger warranty. It was sold by Amazon.com when we checked on November 11, 2026.

Why it is the pick: ProToolReviews.com found the wheel easy to learn from the first minutes. Their tests were of the first e-Steer, the ZT4205S with four 12.0Ah batteries; this ZT4215S is EGO's next-generation model. ProToolReviews.com put one of its crew members with the least zero-turn time on the ZT4205S and reports: "Literally minutes after getting on for the first time, he was mowing like a Pro." It drives with an accelerator pedal and pull-back paddles on the wheel for reverse, and the steering is electronic power steering, so there is no muscling the wheel. On a first spring cut in taller, dry grass it mowed for just under 53 minutes with blades and drive set to high, which at 6 mph ProToolReviews.com works out to 2.25 acres. Bob Vila named the ZT4205S the zero-turn with the best steering system, and its testers mowed a 2-acre property and a neighbor's on a single charge.

Good to know: ProToolReviews.com and Bob Vila both saw glare on the first model's screen in direct sun. The first e-Steer, ZT4205S, was not available on Amazon when we checked on November 11, 2026. Popular Mechanics says lap bars take a couple of practice sessions to learn and that it has not yet tested a steering-wheel zero-turn; the wheel is for buyers who would rather skip that learning step. EGO gives this kit up to 2.0 acres a charge; past about 2 acres, the battery pick here is pick 4, steered with lap bars.

4. EGO Power+ Z6 ZT5216L 52-Inch Battery Zero-Turn: best battery for big lawns

The ZT5216L is EGO's next-generation 52-inch Z6. Its Amazon listing says the six included 10.0Ah batteries cover up to 3.0 acres per charge and that the mower matches a 27-horsepower gas engine, with three driving modes up to 8 mph, blade speed adjustable between 2,500 and 3,600 RPM on its three blades, and 10 cutting heights from 1.5 to 4.5 inches. EGO's page gives the deck as 52-inch, 10-gauge fabricated steel, and lists IPX5-rated weather-resistant construction. The warranty terms match pick 3's. It was sold by Amazon.com when we checked on November 11, 2026.

Why it is the pick: it is the battery zero-turn for 2 to 3 acres. Its six 10.0Ah packs hold the most energy of any kit here (see How far a charge goes), and its welded deck is the thicker kind; Popular Mechanics says fabricated decks are thicker and so more durable, and suggests one for large rural properties with washboard ground. ProToolReviews.com notes that EGO followed its first 42-inch Z6 with a 52-inch version that raised both the power and the deck size. We found no published hands-on test of the ZT5216L itself, so this pick rests on EGO's specs and the testers' results on the 42-inch Z6.

Good to know: the older 52-inch Z6, the ZT5207L, did not pass our stock rule on Amazon when we checked on November 11, 2026, so it is not a pick. A 52-inch deck, like pick 2's, needs a wide gate.

5. Husqvarna Z242F Special Edition 42-Inch Gas Zero-Turn: best compact gas

The Z242F Special Edition is the 42-inch member of Husqvarna's Z200 series. Its Amazon listing gives a 21.5HP Kawasaki V-twin engine, a 42-inch fabricated (welded) deck with two blades, a Hydro-Gear EZT transmission, a 3.5-gallon fuel tank and a 3-year consumer warranty. Husqvarna's page for this Special Edition (model 970 72 99-05, the model number on the Amazon listing) lists a top speed of 6.5 mph, a 10-gauge steel deck with a wash port, six cutting heights from 1.5 to 4 inches, cast iron blade housings with sealed ball bearings, an upgraded 15-inch seat and all-terrain tires. Like pick 2, it has a parking brake that works off the steering levers.

Why it is the pick: it is the gas choice for yards of about 2 acres or less, where a 54-inch deck is more machine than the lawn needs and a 42-inch deck fits through more gates. Popular Mechanics says that on a smooth, well-kept yard a smaller engine, around 21 horsepower, is plenty for most mowing jobs, and Bob Vila suggests a 3-gallon tank for 4 acres or less, which its 3.5-gallon tank clears. As with pick 2, we found no published hands-on test of this model that we could read and cite; the pick rests on Husqvarna's page and the listing. When we checked on November 11, 2026, it was sold on Amazon by More Than Outdoor.

Good to know: Husqvarna's 10-degree slope limit and its up-and-down rule apply to this model too. Gas means oil and air filter care, which Popular Mechanics puts at about once a season for the filter; see Upkeep.

How we chose these

Our rules: each pick was in stock on Amazon on November 11, 2026, with no low-stock warning and a new offer in the buy box. We searched Amazon's catalog for the testers' residential picks from Toro, John Deere, Husqvarna, Cub Cadet and Bobcat and for other common zero-turn brands, and most of the testers' favorites did not turn up as mowers in our Amazon catalog searches or did not pass our stock rule (see Also considered), which is why every pick comes from EGO or Husqvarna. We then ranked by published hands-on evidence: picks 1 and 3 rest on independent tests by Bob Vila and ProToolReviews.com (pick 3's tests are of the model before it, and we say so), and Popular Mechanics also lists pick 1's Z6. Picks 2, 4 and 5 have no hands-on test we could read and cite, and we say so where they appear; they rest on the makers' pages and the Amazon listings.

Every spec on this page is the maker's or the listing's, named where it appears; where the two differ we print both. Every runtime or acreage result is the tester's, and the battery energy and slope figures in the tables are our arithmetic, with the method shown. Slope limits come from EGO's pages and operator's manual and from Husqvarna's help center.

Also considered: zero-turns we looked at

Several of the testers' favorites did not reach this list because of how, or whether, they sell on Amazon. All checks were made on November 11, 2026.

• Toro 50-inch TimeCutter MyRide. Bob Vila's best overall gas zero-turn. Bob Vila's large-acreage pick, the Toro 60-inch Titan MyRide, and Popular Mechanics' Toro picks, a 42-inch TimeCutter and the 60-inch Titan Max MyRide for 5 acres or more, are in the same position: our Amazon catalog searches for Toro's zero-turns returned parts and accessories, not the mowers.
• Husqvarna Xcite Z350. Another of Bob Vila's picks. It did not pass our stock rule on Amazon on November 11, 2026, and neither did the Xcite Z375 and Z380, the Z254FX or the MZ61. Popular Mechanics' gas pick for 1 to 3 acres, the Xcite Z345, turned up only as covers and a grass bag in our searches.
• John Deere Z370R, Bobcat ZT3500 and Cub Cadet Ultima zero-turns. Bob Vila's picks for low upkeep and rugged terrain and Popular Mechanics' best overall electric; Popular Mechanics also lists the Cub Cadet Ultima Z2. Our searches turned up parts, covers and accessories for them, not the mowers.
• EGO Z6 e-Steer ZT4205S. The tested first e-Steer; not available on Amazon that day. Pick 3 is its successor.
• EGO Z6 ZT5207L and Greenworks MaximusZ. The older 52-inch Z6 and Greenworks' 54-inch and 60-inch battery zero-turns all failed our stock rule on Amazon on November 11, 2026.
• Ariens Zenith 60 and a Craftsman 46-inch gas zero-turn. Neither passed our stock rule on Amazon on November 11, 2026.

What size zero-turn do you need?

Deck width sets how much grass each pass takes. Popular Mechanics' rule of thumb is that a 42-inch deck handles a two-acre lot, with the house, drive and beds taking up part of it, and that larger lots call for a wider deck. Bob Vila's guide puts residential zero-turns at about a third of an acre to 4 acres and says commercial models make sense past 4 acres or for several large yards mowed regularly; it adds that residential models are not designed for daily use or very rough terrain, while commercial ones are more powerful and durable and built for repeated daily use. ProToolReviews.com is more cautious on deck size: it treats a 42-inch rider as the place to start on lawns of up to about an acre, and past an acre suggests looking at decks up to 60 inches. Popular Mechanics also reminds buyers that a wider deck needs more storage room and may not fit through a fence gate.

On the picks, that works out as follows. From about half an acre (0.5 acre) up to 2 acres, a 42-inch deck: pick 1 on battery, pick 3 if you want a wheel, or pick 5 on gas. Near the 2-acre edge, ProToolReviews.com calls 1-1/2 acres easy on pick 1's four packs and says 2 acres is plausible where you make long runs between turns; the Z6 holds two more packs, or pick 4 covers more. From 2 to 3 acres on battery, the 52-inch ZT5216L, pick 4, which EGO says covers 3.0 acres a charge; on gas, the 54-inch Z254F, pick 2. From 3 to 4 acres, pick 2, since no battery kit here claims more than 3 acres a charge. Past about 4 acres, Bob Vila points to commercial machines, which this page does not cover.

Mowing speed matters less than it looks. ProToolReviews.com calls 7 mph or more a good benchmark for homeowners who want some top-end speed and 5 to 6 mph just fine for more casual mowing, and Popular Mechanics checks in its tests whether a mower still cuts well at full speed. Every pick here tops out between 6.5 and 8 mph by its maker's or listing's figure.

Comfort counts on a big lawn. Bob Vila suggests looking for suspension, a generously padded seat, a high backrest, cushioned armrests and an adjustable seat, since you sit on the mower for a long stretch, and ProToolReviews.com looks for a well-cushioned seat whose spring tension you can adjust, with enough travel that you are not scrunched up.

How far does a battery zero-turn go on a charge?

EGO's Z6 mowers all take the same 56V batteries, and the size of the kit decides how far one charge goes. The table multiplies 56 volts by each kit's total amp-hours for a nominal energy figure, our arithmetic, and sets it beside the acreage EGO's listing gives for that kit. More stored energy lines up with more acres, and the 42-inch ZT4214L, the newer sibling of pick 1 named in its Good to know, shows that a kit of six smaller packs can hold less than four larger ones.

Testers' results sit close to those claims. ProToolReviews.com mowed for right at an hour on pick 1's kit and estimates 1-1/2 acres is easy in similar conditions; it ran the first e-Steer, with four 12.0Ah packs, for just under 53 minutes, which it works out to 2.25 acres at 6 mph; and Bob Vila's testers of the first e-Steer mowed a 2-acre property and a neighbor's on one charge. Bob Vila lists how the mower is driven and the terrain among the things that change runtime, and ProToolReviews.com expects runtime to drop a bit in the fast, thick growth of spring and summer. The Z6 holds two more batteries than pick 1's kit includes. ProToolReviews.com notes the original Z6 needs at least 15Ah of EGO 56V packs to mow, and EGO's manual for the newer 42-inch Z6 recommends batteries totaling 30Ah or more for best performance. Charging happens on the mower: ProToolReviews.com refilled pick 1's four packs from 6 percent in 1 hour 53 minutes, and the first e-Steer's four in 2.5 hours or less.

Battery or gas zero-turn?

Bob Vila's guide says gas zero-turns are more common and come in a wider price range, and that gas models tend to be more powerful but weigh more and need regular refills, while battery models run without emissions and never need gas, though recharging takes time. Popular Mechanics adds that gas mowers need more upkeep, with oil levels to watch and an air filter to change about once a growing season.

• Pick battery if your lawn is within what one charge covers (up to 3 acres on pick 4 by EGO's figure), you want a quiet machine with no oil or fuel, or you already own EGO 56V tools, since the packs swap between them.
• Pick gas if you mow more than 3 acres, want to finish a big lawn without a recharge stop, or would rather top up a tank than plan around charging time.

Warranty terms differ too. EGO's listings for picks 3 and 4 cover the mower for 5 years or 300 hours, whichever comes first; Husqvarna's listing for pick 5 gives a 3-year consumer warranty. Popular Mechanics says all of its zero-turn picks carry at least three years, some with an hours-of-use cap.

Lap bars or a steering wheel?

Most zero-turns steer with a pair of lap bars, each controlling one drive wheel: on gas models through a hydrostatic transmission for each wheel, and on battery models through an electric motor for each wheel, which Popular Mechanics says comes to the same result in practice. Popular Mechanics explains the idea: move one bar while holding the other steady and the mower arcs forward or back; send one bar all the way forward and the other all the way back and it spins in place. It says the bars are easy to pick up after a couple of practice sessions, and suggests starting slowly, mowing straight lines in the middle of the yard before working along beds and edges. It also warns about turfing, where an aggressive, fast pivot lets the tires tear up the grass.

A steering-wheel zero-turn like pick 3 trades the bars for a wheel and an accelerator pedal. ProToolReviews.com found that its crew member with the least zero-turn experience was mowing well within minutes on the first e-Steer, and that its inside wheel reverses slightly at full lock to make the turn tight. Bob Vila says steering-wheel zero-turns are relatively rare and that one may make operation simpler if you are new to zero-turns. EGO's driving modes help either way: ProToolReviews.com says Control mode suits new drivers and careful work around landscaping, and recommends Standard for most mowing.

Slopes and safety

On a slope a zero-turn's drive tires can lose grip; EGO's manual warns that wet grass can make them slip even with the brakes working properly. The makers' limits differ, so read the manual for the mower you buy. EGO's operator's manual for its newer 42-inch Z6 (the mower in the ZT4214L kit) says not to mow slopes greater than 15 degrees, to keep to 10 degrees with accessories such as the bagger, cargo box or sun shade fitted, and not to tow on inclines of more than 5 degrees (it adds 9 percent); EGO's page for the original ZT4204L also gives 15 degrees under ideal conditions. Husqvarna's help center says not to drive its zero-turns on slopes of more than 10 degrees. Both say to mow up and down a slope, not across it. Popular Mechanics, which tests sidehills up to about 20 degrees, says makers generally advise against anything steeper than 10.

Slopes are hard to judge by eye. The table converts each limit to percent grade and to the rise over a 10-foot run, our arithmetic (the tangent of the angle). To check a slope, lay a straight 10-foot board pointing downhill, lift the low end until the board is level, and measure the gap from the board's end to the ground. EGO's manual also prints a slope guide you can copy or cut out. Tires matter too: Popular Mechanics found that open, more aggressive treads spun and slipped less than typical turf tires on damp grass and slopes, and Bob Vila suggests very deep treads if you mow wet grass or rough ground.

On a slope, EGO's manual says to avoid stopping if you can and to set the parking brake if you must, not to mow wet grass, to keep away from drop-offs, ditches and embankments, and, if the tires lose traction, to disengage the blades and go slowly and carefully straight down. Husqvarna's help center adds to slow to your lowest speed before heading up or down a hill and to make every turn slowly. The Consumer Product Safety Commission's riding mower fact sheet repeats up and down, not across, says not to mow a slope you cannot back up or feel uneasy on, and says to keep small children well away from where you mow and never give them a ride, even with the blades off. EGO's manual also caps a towed cart at 250 lbs total rolling weight.

Zero-turn or lawn tractor?

Popular Mechanics sums up the trade: a zero-turn is faster and nimbler, gets around trees and beds more easily and makes stripes easier to lay, while a lawn tractor's weight distribution makes it better suited to towing a small trailer, a wood chipper or a bagger; it says a zero-turn needs a front weight kit to do those jobs safely. Bob Vila adds that on a simple rectangular yard a standard riding mower may serve just as well, and that for very rough ground a lawn tractor may suit better than a zero-turn. On slopes, use each maker's limit above for the models it names; whichever kind of rider you consider, check the slope limit in its manual against your steepest ground before you buy. Our lawn mower guide's riding mower section covers when a rider of either kind is worth it. For lawn tractors, see our riding lawn mower guide.

How does a zero-turn arrive, and who services it?

EGO's manual for its newer 42-inch Z6 (the mower in the ZT4214L kit) shows how much setup to expect: the mower comes strapped to a steel shipping frame, and you cut the straps with scissors or side cutters (it warns against a knife), take off the frame supports, using the two wrenches supplied for the front ones, and push the mower forward off the frame, a job it says needs at least two people; you then fit the seat and the two steering levers and check the tire pressure. It recommends keeping the bottom shipping frame for moving the mower to service later, and says to contact EGO customer service if a part arrives damaged or missing. For the Husqvarna picks, check Husqvarna's manual for its own steps.

For repairs, EGO's page for the ZT4204L says to call EGO for the nearest authorized servicing dealer, so check that one is within reach before you buy. ProToolReviews.com points out that gas riders can usually be serviced within a reasonable drive of home, while battery riders have fewer service centers close by so far.

Upkeep and storage

Popular Mechanics' maintenance list for zero-turns: sharpen or replace the blades at least at the start of each season, clean caked clippings from under the deck, check tire pressure, and look over the belts. Reaching the blades means taking the deck off or lifting the mower safely with a mower jack. Gas models add oil and an air filter, the filter about once a season. For the blades themselves, our mulching blades guide covers matching a set to your deck, and before winter storage of a gas model see how to use fuel stabilizer in a mower.

The battery Z6 skips the engine work. EGO's manual for the newer 42-inch Z6 lists tire pressures of 32 PSI front and 7 PSI rear, a storage range of -4 to 158 degrees Fahrenheit, and a charging range of 41 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit, and ProToolReviews.com points out the deck wash connection for a garden hose on pick 1; Husqvarna lists a deck wash port on pick 5. To tow a leaf sweeper behind any of these, on the EGO picks keep EGO's 5-degree towing limit in mind, and on the Husqvarnas check the manual for theirs.

Related guides

• Best lawn mower: walk-behind, robot and riding mowers by yard size.
• Best electric lawn mower: battery push and self-propelled mowers.
• Best riding lawn mower: lawn tractors and riders, sized by lawn.
• Best mulching blades: blades by mower and deck.
• Best fuel stabilizer: storing a gas mower over winter.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best zero-turn mower?

Of the zero-turns we found new and in stock on Amazon, for most yards of up to about 2 acres, the EGO Power+ Z6 ZT4204L, a 42-inch battery zero-turn that Bob Vila's testers mowed 2.25 acres of rolling ground with for about a month and named the best overall electric zero-turn. For gas and bigger lawns, the Husqvarna Z254F with a 54-inch deck, picked on Husqvarna's specs; for a steering wheel instead of lap bars on up to about 2 acres, the EGO Z6 e-Steer ZT4215S. The testers' gas favorites, Toro's 50-inch TimeCutter MyRide (Bob Vila's best overall gas) and the Husqvarna Xcite Z345 (Popular Mechanics' gas pick for 1 to 3 acres), did not turn up as mowers in our Amazon searches.

What size zero-turn mower do I need?

Popular Mechanics says a 42-inch deck handles a two-acre lot and to consider a wider one beyond that. On this page that means a 42-inch deck up to 2 acres, the 52-inch EGO ZT5216L from 2 to 3 acres on battery, and the 54-inch Husqvarna Z254F past 2 acres on gas, up to about 4 acres. Check your gate width before buying a wide deck.

How many acres can a battery zero-turn mow on one charge?

By EGO's figures, from up to 1.5 acres for the ZT4214L's six 6.0Ah batteries to up to 3.0 acres for the ZT5216L's six 10.0Ah batteries; the ZT4204L and the ZT4215S e-Steer are both given up to 2 acres. ProToolReviews.com mowed for just under 53 minutes on the first e-Steer and worked that out to 2.25 acres at 6 mph.

Is a gas or battery zero-turn better?

Battery zero-turns are quieter, need no fuel or oil and share packs with EGO's other 56V tools, and EGO's kits here cover up to 3 acres a charge. Gas suits lawns past that, or anyone who would rather refuel than wait on a charge, and Popular Mechanics notes gas models need more upkeep.

Can a zero-turn mower handle hills?

Residential zero-turns like these, only gentle ones. EGO's manual for its newer 42-inch Z6 says not to mow slopes greater than 15 degrees, or 10 degrees with a bagger or other accessory, and Husqvarna says not to drive its zero-turns on slopes of more than 10 degrees. Both say to mow up and down, not across. A 10-degree slope rises about 21 inches over a 10-foot run.

Are zero-turn mowers hard to drive?

Popular Mechanics says lap bars take a couple of practice sessions to learn and suggests starting with straight passes in the open middle of the yard. A steering-wheel model can shorten that: on the first EGO e-Steer, ProToolReviews.com had its crew member with the least zero-turn experience mowing well within minutes.

Is a zero-turn mower worth it for 1 acre?

Often, yes. Bob Vila pitches zero-turns at properties of a third of an acre or more, and Popular Mechanics names its 42-inch EGO pick for half an acre to 1.5 acres. Under half an acre, Bob Vila says a good push mower may be the more practical buy.

What is the most reliable zero-turn mower?

None of the testers we cite ranks zero-turn brands for reliability. Bob Vila calls Toro's 50-inch TimeCutter MyRide one of the most reliable zero-turns it tested, noting that it started consistently, and Popular Mechanics calls fabricated decks, like those on picks 2, 4 and 5, thicker and more durable, while adding that for most owners the deck type is not a major concern.

How fast does a zero-turn mower mow?

The picks here top out at 6.5 to 8 mph by the makers' and listings' figures. EGO's page for the ZT4204L gives mowing speeds of 3 to 7 mph with 8 mph for travel. ProToolReviews.com calls 7 mph or more a good benchmark for homeowners who want speed and 5 to 6 mph fine for more casual mowing.

The bottom line

For most yards of up to about 2 acres, buy the EGO Power+ Z6 ZT4204L, the one pick here that independent testers have mowed with in this exact model. For gas and lawns past 2 acres, the 54-inch Husqvarna Z254F; for a steering wheel on up to about 2 acres, the Z6 e-Steer ZT4215S; for 2 to 3 acres on battery, the 52-inch Z6 ZT5216L; and for gas on a smaller yard, the 42-inch Husqvarna Z242F Special Edition. Whichever you choose, check its slope limit against your steepest ground before you buy.

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