The best riding lawn mower for 1 acre should be available at an affordable price for sure. However, you shouldn’t compromise with the quality at all. So you should choose one that comes with excellent features at an affordable price.
Ride on lawn mower is one of the most expensive mowing devices though. Not to worry! Here we are going to review the 7 best riding lawn mowers for 1 acre with the most comprehensive buying guides. Some models are highly economical too.
7 Best Riding Lawn Mower for 1 Acre
With the most extensive research, we’ve filtered out the 7 best ride on mowers for 1 acre, including some economic options. Let’s explore the list and choose your most preferred one.
1. Ariens IKON XD-52 (52″) 24HP Kohler Zero Turn Lawn Mower
Powerful Engine:
The Ariens IKON XD-52 boasts a 24HP/725cc Kohler 7000 V-Twin OHV Engine that delivers more than enough power to mow a 1-acre lawn. The mower also features hydrostatic EZT transmission.
Commercial-Grade Deck:
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.
Exceptional Cutting Quality:
The mower features a 52” sharp cutting deck that can cover a wide area to mow at a single pass.
Dial Operated Cutting Height Adjustment:
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.
Comfortable Seat:
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.
Better Traction:
The Ariens IKON XD-52 comes with large tires that provide superior traction as well as a smooth riding experience.
Pros:
- Provide optimal power.
- Excellent cutting quality.
- Can cover a wide area in a single pass.
- Durable and reliable.
- Comfortable to use.
- Long-lasting.
Cons:
- There is nothing serious to mention so far.
Verdict:
The Ariens IKON XD-52 mower has most of the stunning features that a riding lawn mower should have. With this one, you can perfectly mow a 1-acre lawn or the larger ones.
2. Craftsman 17ARFACQ091 Hydrostatic Zero-Turn Riding Mower
Powerful Engine: Runs on a strong 24HP Kohler twin-cylinder engine. The engine features an easy and reliable starting system with no prime and no choke.
Maneuverability: Features zero-turn radius that allows maneuvering quickly and easily. You will even get the optimal efficiency, thanks to the zero-turn features. In fact, you will get the ultimate mowing experience.
Durability: The mower is made out of a robust steel frame that is designed for an enhanced mowing experience.
Cutting Height: You can Set the cutting height that works best for the task at hand, ranging from 1.25 inches to 3.75 inches.
Comfort: Owing to the Dual Hydrostatic Transmission and a comfortable high-back seat, the mower offers premium support and comfort when mowing the lawn.
Pros:
- Features a high-powerful engine.
- Long-lasting.
- Reliable and efficient.
- Excellent cut.
- Comfortable to use.
- Zero-turn features.
Cons:
- The seat height is not so high.
Verdict:
Thanks to the powerful engine and excellent cutting quality, this mowing device is surely a great one to mow a one-acre property or even more. If the seat height is not a major issue to you, then of course you should consider it if the budget matches.
3. Husqvarna Z248F Zero Turn Riding Mower
High-performance Engine: Comes with a 21.5 HP Kawasaki engine that offers reliable startups a max speed of 6.5 MPH.
Durable and Reliable: The cutting deck is made of reinforced steel, which makes it durable and reliable enough to mow your lawn.
Superior Cut: Boasts “air induction mowing technology” that draws air from the top and bottom of the deck, so it will improve grass by delivering a smoother cut.
Safety: Features a patent-pending park brake system that automatically activates or deactivates as the steering levers are moved outward or inward.
3-in-1 System: The riding mower features mulching, discharging, and bagging options. So your clipping will return the key nutrients to your lawn. But you need to buy the mulching and bagging kit separately.
Pros:
- Easy to use.
- Offers zero-turn capability.
- Durable and reliable.
- Powerful cut.
- Effective and efficient.
Cons:
- Consume more fuel.
Verdict:
If you are looking for a high-performance riding lawn mower, then the Husqvarna Z248 Riding Mower is surely a popular option for sure. With the zero-turn capacity and other impressive features, it can be the smart choice for you.
4. Simplicity 2691321 Courier Zero Turn Riding Lawn Mower
Power: The Simplicity 2691321 Courier Lawn Mower runs on a powerful 23 HP Briggs & Stratton engine.
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.
Pros:
- Durable and reliable.
- Comfortable to use.
- Excellent quality cut.
- Zero-turn maneuverability.
- Ergonomic design.
Cons:
- Need to stop the mower while adjusting the cutting height.
Verdict:
If you are looking for a versatile and functional riding lawn mower, then the Simplicity 2691321 Courier Zero Turn Riding Lawn Mower would really be a great option for sure. The mower comes with an exclusive suspension comfort system that makes sure optimal comfort while operating it.
5. Husqvarna TS 354XD (54″) 24HP Kawasaki Garden Tractor
Power: The mower comes with a 24HP Kawasaki FR Series engine that delivers optimal power to mow a one-acre lawn. Thanks to the hydrostatic transmission system, the mower will let you reach speeds of up to 5.5 mph.
Cutting Quality: Featuring a 54” ClearCut Fabricated cutting deck, the riding mower is powerful enough to mow a 1-acre lawn.
Comfort: The riding mower features a comfortable highback seat that makes sure optimal comfort while mowing the lawn.
Longevity: The mower will last longer for sure as it is made out of top-quality materials.
Verdict:
Featuring the commercial-grade ground-engaging transmission, the mower is powerful enough. The mower has loads of impressive features. The most important thing is that the mower is comfortable to ride and easy to mow the lawn. Overall, you will get an amazing experience with this mower.
6. Troy-Bilt Pony 42 Riding Lawn Mower
Power: The Pony 42 Riding Mower comes with a 439cc single-cylinder engine. And the engine has 1.36 gal. 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″.
Pros:
- Extremely powerful.
- Highly durable and reliable as well.
- Comes with a wider cutting deck.
- Features smoother cut.
- Easy to use.
Cons:
- Aluminum made transmission.
Verdict:
Well, Troy-Bilt Pony 42 Riding Lawn Mower is one of the most affordable riding lawn mowers. In fact, if you are looking for the best riding lawn mower under $1500, then this one would be really a smart choice for you.
7. Husqvarna MZ61 Zero Turn Riding Lawn Mower
Power: Boasts a 27 HP Briggs & Stratton Endurance engine that provides reliable startups with optimal speeds.
Cutting Deck: Comes with a 54” cutting deck that is made up of fabricated 11-gauge steel that makes it highly durable. And the cutting deck offers excellent cut, thanks to its 3 sharp blades.
Comfort: Features an ergonomically designed cushioned seat along with comfortable handlebars to make sure your optimal comfort while mowing the lawn. You even can adjust the height of the operating seat depending on your needs.
3-in-1 System: Thanks to the 3-in-1 system, you can mulch the clippings and then discharge and bagging with a 9-bushel triple bag collection system. The mulching kit and bagger attachment are not included. So you need to buy it separately.
Pros:
- Features ergonomic design.
- Comes with durable construction.
- Wider cutting deck.
- Smooth cut.
- Comfortable to use.
Cons:
- A bit expensive.
Verdict:
If you are looking for a commercial-grade zero-turn riding lawn mower, then the Husqvarna MZ61 is a perfect option for you. Mowing a 1-acre property would be fun with this powerful lawn mower. Although it’s an expensive lawn mower, the mower will be worth it for sure.
How to choose the best riding lawn mower for 1-acre?
Riding lawn mowers are a great option for mowing larger lawns with ease. They even come with an impressive array of features and deliver results with minimal effort. These are some of the things to consider below while looking for the best riding lawn mower for 1 acre.
Engine
HP (Horsepower) generally indicates the performance of your lawn mower. A lawn mower with a powerful engine will perform far better than that of a mower with a less powerful engine. The transmission and mowing aspects mostly depend on the power of the engine. So you should choose a mower with 18 HP to mow a 1-acre lawn.
Cutting width
The cutting width is one of the most important things to measure the performance of your lawn. When you need to mow a 1-acre lawn, you should choose a mower that comes with more cutting width. To be more specific, a mower that has a 52-inches cutting width will take less time to mow a 1-acre lawn than a mower that has a 32-inches cutting width.
So you should choose a riding lawn mower that comes with a wider cutting deck to mow your 1-acre lawn. But if your lawn has small trees and other obstacles, then you should use a chainsaw to remove the obstacles first. Otherwise, you will more likely experience blade damage.
Fuel capacity
The fuel tank determines the consistency of production and can play a role in how long you can mow without stopping to refuel your mower. Riding Mowers with a large fuel capacity require refueling after long periods of use, which makes them more suitable for heavy-duty work on larger lawns. To be straight, you shouldn’t use a mower with a smaller fuel capacity. Because you will get efficient mowing experience with the mower that has a large fuel capacity.
Transmission
The transmission transfers the power from the engine to your wheels, giving you control. Your mower even does not move forward or backward without the transmission. There are three types of transmissions out there: 1. Manual Transmission, 2. Automatic Transmission, and 3. Hydrostatic Transmission. Each one has both pros and cons.
Manual Transmission:
Manual transmission can be more difficult to disengage without a clutch while driving. However, most of the lawn mowers with this type of transmission are cheaper than others. Moreover, the automatic transmission allows you to propel your mowing device with an accelerator pedal similar to cars. Moreover, it can provide easier control, especially over obstacles.
Automatic Transmission:
The automatic transmission offers easy-to-start and stop features. But the mowers with automatic transmission are more expensive than the mowers with manual transmission.
Hydrostatic Transmission:
It will be almost similar to an automatic transmission. But the mower with the hydrostatic transmission uses fluid systems instead of oiled belts to deliver power. So these mowers are easy to maintain and drive as well.
Conclusion
Ariens IKON XD-52 (52″) 24HP Kohler Zero Turn Lawn Mower is the overall best riding lawn mower for 1-acre lawns. The comes with a heap of impressive features at an affordable cost. In fact, all the mowers listed above are perfect for mowing a 1-acre lawn or the larger ones. Hope you are now confident enough to choose the best riding mower to mow your 1-acre lawn. Happy Mowing!