Today, electric riding mowers are stealing the spotlight, outshining their gas-powered counterparts. They offer a greener alternative with notable advantages for many users.
While the array of options, features, and brands like Ryobi and Greenworks can be overwhelming, I’ve simplified the task by testing and reviewing the top 5 electric riding mowers for performance and durability.
Quick Answer
In my opinion, the best electric riding lawn mower is the John Deere Z370R electric mower, showcasing performance comparable to or surpassing some gas-powered alternatives.
5 Best Electric Riding Lawn Mowers
1. John Deere Z370R Riding Lawn Mower
I’m not going to sugarcoat this – the John Deere Z370R is a pricey electric riding lawnmower but if you desire sheer performance, power, and hours of comfortable run time coupled with innovative features such as a wide mowing deck so you can cut more grass in your yard with a single pass and little or no maintenance, it is definitely worth a second look.
Part of the Z300 Series of mowers, the John Deere Z370R electric riding mower is equipped with a class-leading 3.2 kWh (3.56 kWh maximum) Sealed Lithium-Ion Battery, which when fully charged allows you to cut up to 2 acres, making it a great choice for both smaller and larger yards.
This best electric riding mower is backed by an impressive 5-year/200-hour warranty, which is much more than most of the Z370R’s competitors including certain gas-powered lawn tractor models.
The John Deere Z370R mower is fitted with a really wide 42″ Accel Deep cutting deck, which features rounded corners and is made from a single piece of solid metal.
The mower deck of the Z370R electric riding mower has a flat top with a large discharge opening, which cuts the material without getting recut. This deck delivers excellent cut quality, productivity, durability, and versatility.
Another noteworthy trait of the John Deere Z370R mower is its zero operating emissions and low noise during operation.
The John Deere Z370R electric riding lawnmower boasts a stamped steel construction, resulting in less material build-up, less turbulence and power consumption, and industry-leading cut quality.
But that’s not all, this electric riding mower from the John Deere hangar is equipped with two adjustable mower wheels that collectively provide excellent traction in wet and rugged terrain.
The John Deere Z370R can be had with optional MulchControl and 6.5-bu (230-L) rear bagger for collecting grass clippings and leaves.
Pros:
Cons:
Verdict:
The John Deere Z370R mower is a great choice for both novice and seasoned gardeners but does take some time to get used given the lack of a steering wheel.
I like the fact that I can use for to cut up to 2 acres on a single charge and that it doesn’t do much more than whisper during operation.
2. Ryobi RY48111 Electric Riding Lawnmower
Founded in 1943, Ryobi is a leading Japanese manufacturer of power tools that offer plenty of power, and the RY48111 is yet another bestseller in the company’s massive lineup of products.
With the Ryobi RY48111 eclectic riding lawnmower, you can bid adieu to belts, spark plugs, and filters, making it a cost-efficient investment.
It is one of the few battery-powered models that can cut up to 2.5 hours per charge and offers zero emissions. Plus, the RY48111 electric riding lawnmower is factory-fitted with three high-powered brushless motors that deliver power like gas-powered models.
Unlike most models in this space, the RY48111 electric riding mower features cruise control, making it a joy to use for sprawling yards. It offers several cutting options to choose from including mulching, side discharge and bagging, and sprints at a max speed of 7 MPH.
The RY48111 lawnmower from the Ryobi stable comes with a manual deck that offers 12 positions to choose from and a standard 120V outlet to charge compatible devices.
It not only looks good but tips the scales at a lightweight 678 lbs, making it easy to maneuver for young and old and everyone in between.
The Ryobi electric riding lawnmower provides a 38″ cutting width and a cutting height between 1.5″ and 4.5″. It is backed by a 3-year warranty against any manufacturer defects.
Pros:
Cons:
Verdict:
The Ryobi RY48111 electric lawnmower is a sleek yet solid machine that comes with most bells and whistles only seen in much higher-priced models. It features a 7 MPH maximum speed, which allows me to cover more ground in less time.
3. Greenworks Electric Riding Lawnmower
Greenworks isn’t a newbie in the lawn care tool space, and today offers more than a whopping 100 tools to choose from. The company’s electric riding mowers are geared toward small-sized residential lawns, medium-sized lawns, and larger lawns and most models showcase a compact footprint.
The Greenworks CRT426 CrossoverT electric riding mower is an award-worthy model that offers a 42″ deck size. It arrives fully loaded with six (6) 8.0Ah batteries and three (3) dual port turbochargers, which can be used to power 75+ tools with any Greenworks 60V battery.
The Greenworks CrossoverT electric riding lawnmower provides a constant blade speed of an unmatched 17,000ft/min, making it possible to cut up to 10 times faster than gas mowers.
This smart riding electric lawnmower features the most advanced power-cutting system in the industry and can sense extreme conditions and automatically adjust the power sent to the blade motors.
A higher blade speed also means you can cut tall grass, wet grass, and thick grass without any hiccups. The Greenworks CrossoverT electric lawn mower allows you to mow all day via a technique the company calls “Mow, Swap, and Go”
I already mentioned you get 6 ah rechargeable batteries in the box, but the secret to this technique is the onboard dual port, which accepts one battery only for virtually endless runtime and coverage.
The Greenworks mower basically functions as a cordless electric lawn mower with no pesky cords bogging you down during operation. It is one of the handful of battery-powered mowers that is 4x quieter than other similar models yet offers 14 percent faster cutting performance.
It boasts a total power output of 24 HP and features a lightning-fast 17K ft/min blade tip speed, so you can expect nothing less than crisp cuts each time.
Pros:
Cons:
Verdict:
There are several things to love about the Greenworks CrossoverT electric riding lawnmower including blazing cutting performance and intelligent traction control.
Adding to its long list of features its instant and agile response to various conditions and IPX 4 waterproof rating.
4. Cub Cadet CC30E Electric Riding Mower
The Cub Cadet CC30E electric riding mower is regarded as a mini riding electric mower and that’s what it exactly is – a mower that features a sleek and compact footprint.
It comes with a robust robotically welded chassis and offers an 18-inch turning radius. Even with its sleek design, the Cub Cadet CC30E electric riding mower has a lot to offer under its hood including a powerful lithium-ion battery, which charges quickly in four hours with the included fast charger, after which delivers up to 1 hour.
Adding to this, the Cub Cadet CC30E electric riding mower is fitted with a digital battery gauge that lets you know when the mower needs to be plugged in.
The CC30E electric riding lawnmower is fitted with a 56V MAX transmission system and can travel 4 MPH / 6.4 km/h forward and 2 MPH / 3.2 km/h in reverse.
It comes with a brushless electric motor, and offers a cutting height between 1.5″ and 4″. The cutting deck can be adjusted between 5 positions and features a manual deck lift.
The Cub Cadet CC30E electric riding mower comes with a 3-year unlimited-hour warranty and a 3-year warranty on its frame.
Pros:
Cons:
Verdict:
The Cub Cader CC30E electric riding mower does come with a great set of features including a brushless electric motor, but falls short when it comes to battery power, making it an excellent choice for small-sized to medium-sized yards.
Even though it is 65 percent quieter than gas-powered lawn mower models and corded mowers, it doesn’t come with extra batteries to increase the runtime.
All-in-all, the Cub Cadet CC30E electric riding mower is engineered to deliver clean cuts but if you’re looking to mow larger yards, it isn’t a good option.
You may be interested in my article on cub cadets starting problems and resolution.
5. Troy-Bilt TB30E XP Electric Riding Lawnmower
The Troy-Bilt TB30E XP electric riding lawnmower is in a league of its own owing to several reasons including its compact design that helps you save on storage space and its ability to mow up to an acre of grass per charge.
It comes with a 56-volt MAX lithium-ion battery, which when fully charged provides 60 minutes of runtime. The Troy-Bilt TB30E XP electric riding lawnmower is a great choice for novice and professional landscapers and can be used easily in most weather conditions.
It is approximately 65 percent quieter than gas lawnmowers and features a foot pedal control and push-button start system. The Troy-Bilt TB30E XP electric riding lawnmower is built in America and is equipped with a comfortable padded adjustable high back seat for a comfortable ride.
The Troy-Bilt electric riding lawnmower comes standard with a rear bagger to remove grass clippings and leaves for a tidy yard. It comes with a 3-year warranty on the 56-volt battery, so you can rest assured it will serve you well for many years to come.
Pros:
Cons:
Verdict:
The Troy-Bilt TB30E XP electric riding lawnmower is a good-looking machine that comes with the right set of features including a rear bagger.
However, it would be a near-perfect machine if it came with a larger 80-volt battery that offered more runtime per battery charge.
Electric Riding Lawnmower Buying Guide
Buying the best electric riding lawnmower is a big ticket purchase, which is why it’s important to consider the following factors to ease your buying decision.
How I Rated the Best Electric Riding Lawnmowers?
I rated the best electric riding lawnmowers such as the Ryobi 38-inch mower based on performance and durability. There are several factors to consider in terms of performance such as motor power and blade speed since electric mowers don’t come with a gas engine.
Type of Electric Riding Lawnmower
When on the shopping trail for the best electric riding lawnmower, you’ll come across two common types – riding mowers and zero-turn mowers. The biggest difference between the two is riding mowers come with a traditional steering wheel whereas zero-turn mowers are controlled by two leavers – one on each side.
Lawn Sizes
Electric lawnmowers are available in a wide range of sizes but buying the biggest machine to cut grass in a small yard isn’t a good idea.
For example, buy a 30-in to 42-in cutting-width electric riding mower for a 1-acre lawn, a 42-in to 52-in cutting-width mower for a 2-acre lawn, and a 0-in to 54-in cutting-width model for a 3-acre lawn.
Height Adjustments
If you’d like to cut your grass at different heights, you need to make the necessary blade height adjustments. The more height adjustments, the more you have to cut grass at different heights.
Mower Blades
Electric riding mowers typically come with super sharp mower blades that deliver crisp cuts. The only maintenance cost you will probably incur is when you replace the mower’s blades.
Battery Power
If you have a larger-sized yard, buy an electric riding mower that comes with a big battery for longer runtime, or else you’ll have to stop charging the battery frequently.
Safety Features
Riding lawnmowers can come with several safety features that prevent issues such as rollover. There have been several incidents of lawnmower rollovers, some which have resulted in death.
My Recommendation – Final Thoughts
Imagine being able to cut the lawn in the wee hours of the morning or any time of day without waking up the neighbors. Or without filling fuel in a gas-guzzling 200cc gas engine, which can produce more than 90 decibels of noise.
If this sounds good, then an electric riding lawnmower might be a great option for you. Buying the best electric riding lawnmower, however, can be a bit tricky as there are a plethora of models and brands available.
My #1 choice on this list – the John Deere Z370R electric riding lawn mower leads the pack owing to its superior features and unmatched cutting performance.
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Hi, Alex Kuritz here. Growing up I remember that my family had one of the best lawns in the neighborhood. Richly green and lush. I did a lot as I grew up in terms of caring and tending for not only my family’s lawn but also my neighbors. I can say I have years of experience, and I am here to share it with you.
