Riding mowers makes mowing more convenient and enjoyable. Large yards will understandably need powerful mowers capable of handling the task. For small yards, a mower of similar size is enough to get the job done.
Manufacturers naturally design residential riding mowers small and compact, but some are smaller. If mowing your yard while sitting on the smallest possible lawn mower is your thing, you’re in the right place.
This article will educate you on the smallest-sized riding lawnmowers in the market. You’ll understand everything you need to know about these machines and whether or not they’re worth your money.
It’s imperative to know that there are two additional types of riding mowers: lawn tractors and zero-turn mowers. Lawn tractors are traditional tractor-style mowers with regular car steering. You can use them with many attachments, making them a machine suitable for all seasons.
On the other hand, a zero-turn mower is a mower that can perform a zero-degree turn on its radius. This machine offers you more maneuverability because of its zero-turn feature. Rather than use a steering wheel, you use two levers to control it.
Additionally, zero-turn mowers are better for yards with hilly conditions, but you should avoid using them on hills larger than 15 degrees. Stand-on mowers are another type of zero-turn. On a stand-on mower, you stand to ride it instead of sitting down.
Things to Consider When Buying a Riding Mower
1. Deck Size
Cutting deck size is one of the primary features you should observe when buying a lawnmower. It’s what you’ll use to determine the amount of your grass that the mower will cut in one pass. Therefore, the larger the deck, the better. Deck sizes in residential riding mowers can range from 30-52 inches.
2. Storage
You’ll need to store your mower when you’re not using it in the off-season, so the size is another aspect you should consider. If you’re using it for your residential property, you should use powerful small machines to save on storage space.
3. Price
You should also consider the lawn mower’s price before you buy it. Typically, the higher the price, the better the lawnmower should be.
There are many brands selling mowers at different prices. Compare and contrast mower prices from these manufacturers. However, understand that an expensive machine that’ll last is better than a substandard cheap one.
4. Warranty
The warranty is another factor that you should consider. Most riding mowers will have a 2-3 year limited warranty upon purchase. Anything less than that is a red flag, and you should avoid such brands.
The Smallest Riding Mowers of 2024
A small mower doesn’t mean it’ll be substandard. There are small riding mowers that perform excellently well and will work better than some bigger ones out there. Most people go for small mowers because they have a small yard and won’t need a large machine.
Additionally, maintaining a small mower is simpler than a bigger one. The mowers are fuel efficient and emit fewer pollutants than their bigger counterparts.
This section will list some of the smallest riding mowers, their features, and whether or not they’re worth your money.
1. Snapper 2911525 BVE Riding Mower
Snapper is renowned for making small mowers, but the Snapper 2911525 is its smallest. Also, it’s the smallest riding lawn mower in the market currently. Despite its size, the machine has impressive features.
It comes with a 14.5 hp Briggs and Stratton Power Built 4-Cycle engine. The engine has 11.5hp and 344cc, capable of cutting your grasses faster and perfectly. It has a 28-inch cutting deck to ensure your yard gets the cut it deserves.
The mower’s seat and steering positioning make it incredibly easy to drive. It has a 28-inches turning radius and enables you to navigate obstacles better than a regular lawn tractor. The machine has a 1.35 gal fuel tank capacity.
The mower is one of the best machines you can find for small yards. However, its engine quality, cutting deck size, and fuel tank capacity all signal that it’s not best suited for large lawns. It costs around $2,199 and comes with a two-year consumer warranty.
2. Husqvarna Z242F Zero Turn Mower
Some premium names exist among small riding mowers, but the Husqvarna Z242F is one of a kind. It has all you need to work on medium size and massive lawns.
The machine comes with a 42-inch Clear Cut fabricated cutting deck. It has a 21.5hp Kawasaki FR V-Twin engine. The mower can reach a speed of 6.5mph and a fuel tank capacity of 3.5 gallons.
Its adjustable seat design also lets you change sitting conditions when you’re uncomfortable. Husqvarna also equips the mower with other top technologies like the rear engine guard, ergonomic control panel, automatic park brake, and numerous others.
The only significant downsides to this machine are its price and weight. Since you’ll be driving around and not a push mower, the weight wouldn’t be much threat. The mower is good for its $3,000 price, especially compared to Snapper 2911525 BVE. It comes with a 3-year bumper-to-bumper warranty.
3. Husqvarna Z254 Zero Turn Mower
Husqvarna has a thing with producing compact riding lawnmowers, and the Z254 is another machine that proves just that. With a 52-inch cutting deck, it’s the smallest lawnmower with that large deck. It has a 25hp Kohler engine capable of reaching a top speed of 6.5mph.
It’s an elite mower without a shadow of a doubt. If you want to work on large yards with a small mower, it’ll serve you just fine. You can also buy it for your small yards if it’s within your budget.
The advantage is that it’ll mow your small yards quicker than usual because of its large deck size. It costs around $3,399 and has a 3-year consumer warranty.
4. Ryobi RY48111 38” Electric Riding Lawn Mower
If gasoline-powered lawnmowers aren’t your thing, there are small electric mowers that’ll work perfectly for our yard. Electric riding mowers let you save more on maintenance because it doesn’t have spark plugs, fibers, belts, or any other accessories.
It’s environmentally friendly and doesn’t exhaust any gas or fumes. It requires you to charge the battery, and you can use it for around 2.5 hours. This 2.5 hours of usage can last you for 2 acres or more.
The mower has a 38-inch mowing deck, more than enough for small yards. Another notable feature is that it emits just 70 dB of noise. You won’t need to worry about waking up the neighbors when you mow early morning anymore.
It costs around $5,500 to buy the Ryobi RY48111 electric riding mower and has a 3-year limited warranty. The price is high because electric mowers are generally more expensive than gasoline-powered ones. If you consider that you’ll spend less on maintenance, the mower is a good buy for the long term.
5. Ariens Zoom 915213 Small Zero Turn Mower
Ariens Zoom 915213 is another zero-turn mower with premium features. It has a 42 inches deck, designed compactly to ensure you get a precise cut anytime you want to mow. It has a 19 hp professional-grade Kohler 600 V-Twin Engine.
The mower can reach speeds of 6 mph and has a 2-gallon fuel tank capacity. It has high-padded seats designed to give you peak comfort while operating it. You also get the foot-operated deck lift which enables you to regulate your cutting height.
The mower is zero-turn, allowing you to mow the tightest spaces in your yard. It’s comparatively easy to use thanks to its features, and you’d barely regret getting it for your yard.
The only disadvantage of the mower is that you may experience traction issues on wet terrain. It’s best to skip if you’re not used to operating a zero-turn in wet conditions. Additionally, the exhaust can get hot after some use.
Expect to spend around $3,785 on this mower. While it’s on the expensive side, it’s worth it. However, you can stick to the less expensive ones mentioned earlier if you’ll use them strictly for a small yard. It has a 3-year limited consumer warranty.
6. Troy-Bilt 452CC Mustang FIT
The Troy-Bilt Mustang FT 34 is one of the smallest lawnmowers in the market. It has a 452 Troy-Bilt Dual EZT engine and a ground speed of 7 meters, faster than all the others on this list. The mower has dual suspension springs, making it better equipped to absorb impacts and bumps.
The mower’s size doesn’t reduce its cutting capabilities, thanks to its 34-inch deck. Its deck uses a side discharge cutting mode for a more precise cut and an Integrated Premium Deck Wash for better cleaning. It costs around $2,399 to buy the Troy-Bilt 452CC Mustang FIT, and the product comes with a 3-year limited residential warranty.
Conclusion
These are some of the smallest riding lawnmowers you can buy for your small yards. Mowers like the Troy-Bilt 452CC Mustang FIT and the Snapper 2911525 BVE are best suited for small yards. Others, like the Husqvarna Z242F and Husqvarna Z254, can work on small and big yards.
If a small machine that won’t take a toll on your strength is what you need, you can consider purchasing auto mowers. Many brands now have auto mowers that can cut your grasses unprompted.
You only need to set them up and watch your grasses look beautiful daily. However, you should note that auto mowers are regularly expensive.
Alex is a skilled gardener and lawn care expert with over 5 years of experience in the field. He developed a passion for horticulture at a young age and has since dedicated his life to mastering the art of landscaping. When he's not tending to gardens and lawns, Alex enjoys hiking, camping, and spending time with his family.
