An acre is nearly as big as a football field, and two acres are large to mow. Push mowers are among your worst options for this area type for obvious reasons. Riding tractors are a good option if you get a good model.
Zero-turn mowers are the best machines that you can use to mow this lawn type. They have top-notch engines, are fast, and deliver the best performance among all mower types. There are many zero-turn mowers from top brands in the market, but not all are suitable for mowing up to two acres at a go.
This article will educate you on some of the best zero-turn mowers for 1-2 acres. You’ll learn the characteristics that you should look for in these mower types and why you should buy them.
Most of the residential zero-turn mowers in the market should be capable of mowing up to two acres. Therefore, you don’t need to overspend before you get a mow for that space.
At the same time, you shouldn’t go for a machine with minimal specs or deck size to get good performance. Go for a mower with a good hp, wide deck, comfortable sitting, and good fuel tank capacity or battery run time in the case of electric mowers.
Here are detailed explanations of the factors you should consider when selecting a zero-turn mower for two acres.
Gasoline vs. Electric Mowers
Gasoline-powered mowers used to be the most popular years back, but electric ones are here to stay. You should carefully evaluate your options as to whether or not you should buy a gasoline or electric mower before you buy a zero-turn.
While you’ll need gas to keep the engine running on a gasoline-powered mower, you’ll need to recharge the battery if you buy an electric mower. Both mower types work almost perfectly when mowing 1-2 acres. A good gasoline mower will last you 2 acres after one refill, and a decent electric mower will let you cut the same area after one charge.
You should note that it naturally costs more to purchase electric-powered machines than gas-powered ones. However, electric-powered mowers cost less maintenance, make fewer noises, and are generally sleeker than gasoline.
Fuel Tank Capacity or Battery Run Time
The fuel tank capacity is the total fuel your gasoline-powered mower can take. You don’t need a mower with five gallons fuel tank capacity for two acres, although having one is a plus. Anything two gallons or above will comfortably do the job.
If you want to buy an electric mower, the battery run time is what you should worry about. Any electric mower that can run for over 2 hours would last two acres. Avoid buying a battery-powered zero turns with less than a 2 hours run time when working on large yards.
Cutting Deck
The cutting deck is another factor you should consider when buying a mower for two acres. You should pay attention to the deck type, width, and height. Most zero turns will come with a fabricated or stamped mower deck type.
Fabricated decks are produced with steel that the manufacturer wields together. It’s much more impact resistant and is considered the better of the two. Stamped decks are durable and best suited for a lawn without many obstacles.
Width and height are other essential factors in choosing a deck. While broader decks are better, going for a deck too wide when working with two acres isn’t the best option. You should go for mowers with deck widths of 42-46 inches.
The height of the deck will typically range between 1-4 inches. Consider getting a mower with an easily adjustable deck height for easy operation.
Speed
The mowing speed is also crucial when mowing one to two acres. Zero-turn mowers will have an of 6-10 mph. You should avoid zero-turn mowers under six mph. Even if you get a mower with reasonable speed, you should avoid mowing at speeds over five mph.
Transmission
Hydrostatic is the elite transmission on lawnmowers, and it’s what you should go for when choosing a mower for 1-2 acres. While manual and automatic can also function well, hydrostatic offers a smoother driving experience than the other two. Most recently made zero-turn mowers come with manual or automatic transmissions.
Best Zero Turn Mowers for 1-2 Acres
1. EGO POWER+ Z6 Zero Turn Mower 42 Inch
Let’s start with one of the best electric mowers money can buy, the EGO POWER+ Z6 Zero Turn Mower 42 Inch. The first thing about the mower is that it’s insanely beautiful. Homeowners can easily get deceived by the aesthetics and pay for it even if its specs are not elite.
However, Ego equipped the machine with features that match the beauty, and using it will be a good experience all through. The batteries are 56V Arch Lithium Batteries that EGO uses with its other product. They will let you mow for two hours comfortably after a single charge.
If you want extra mow time with the mower, you can buy two extra batteries to add one acre to the machine’s run time.
The machine lets you mow with up to 8 mph, up there with the top zero turns in the market. While the mower makes noise while you cut the grass, it’s quiet if you compare it to its gasoline counterparts.
It has a 42 inches cutting deck, letting you raze through the toughest grasses. The mower has nLED headlights, which help you mow in low light conditions.
The best way to know what the EGO POWER+ Z6 Zero Turn Mower 42 Inch is capable of is to buy it. It isn’t a risk, and putting your money into it is worth it. The mower costs $6,599 and comes with the EGO PLUS 5-Year warranty if you register the mower 30 days after purchase.
2. Toro Timecutter 708cc Zero Turn Mower 42 Inches
The Toro Timecutter 708cc Zero Turn Mower is unarguably one of the best gas-powered zero turns that you can find in the market. It excels in almost all ramifications and has the 22.5hp Toro V-Twin series engine. The mower’s dual hydro hydrostatic transmission ensures a smooth ride while mowing your lawn.
Its 3-gallon fuel tank capacity is more than enough to last you two acres. You can mow the lawn up to 7 mph going forward and three mph in reverse.
It’s incomplete to talk about the mower without mentioning the deck. Toro equipped the machine with a 42-inch fabricated cutting deck. The mower is also a good choice if you want one with excellent mulching, bagging, and side discharge capabilities.
You can get the mower at any authorized dealer for around $3,499. It comes with a 3-year warranty.
3. Husqvarna Z242F Zero Turn Lawn Mower
The chance that you’ll find a Husqvarna mower in any “the best” list is very high: that’s how good the brand is. One of its elite residential mowers is the Husqvarna Z242F. It has impressive specs and will function almost perfectly for yards 2 acres or under.
It has an 18hp FR Series Kawasaki 603cc engine and a fuel tank capacity of 3.5 gallons. The mower has a 42 ClearCut fabricated cutting deck with heights from 1 inch to 4.5 inches. You can expect to reach a speed of 6.5 mph on the machine going forward and three mph in reverse.
Life on the mower is good, and controlling it is incredibly easy. Husqvarna also equipped it with many safety features to ensure you use it on different yard types and even slopes. If you want simplicity at a relatively reasonable price, then the Husqvarna Z242F is a machine you should consider.
4. Troy-Bilt Mustang Z42
The Troy Bilt Mustang Z42 is another top mower that’ll effortlessly help you mow through 1-2 acres of lawn. You’d get a powerful 22hp/725cc twin-cylinder Kholer engine. It has improved performance and is quieter than most other zero-turns of similar specifications.
It has a 42 inches steel deck equipped with anti-scalp wheels to help prevent turf damage. You get one of the cleanest cuts you can find anywhere when you mow with the Troy-Bilt Mustang Z42, and you can decide to purchase the optional mulching kit. Expect a front speed of around seven mph and a reverse speed of 3.5 mph.
The machine’s 3.5 gallons fuel tank capacity ensures you cut through over 2 acres of lawn without worry. It costs $3,224 and has a three-year limited warranty.
5. Ryobi Electric Zero Turn Mower
The Ryobi Electric Zero Turn Mower is another machine you should seriously consider if you’re a fan of electric models. It has a 42 inches stamped steel deck with a cutting height that ranges from 1.5-4.5 inches. The deck has two cutting blades to ensure a faster and cleaner cut.
You can reach a forward speed of 7 mph on the mower and four mph in reverse. Its onboard control panel gives you total control over the speed and other essential functions. Not to mention that sitting on the machine is one of the most comfortable experiences you can get on any zero-turn.
It uses a 100Ah battery that lets you cut up to three acres at a go. If you’re considering a bigger space, you should note that the battery has a 10 hours recharge time. The Ryobi Electric Zero Turn Mower costs $3,999 and has a 3-year limited warranty.
6. John Deere Z355R ZTrak Mower
The John Deere Z355R has a comparatively small fuel tank capacity of 2 gallons but will do your 1-2 acre yard perfectly fine, thanks to its fuel efficiency. If you don’t plan to use it on areas bigger than two acres, the machine is worth the buy.
John Deere equipped the mower with a 22hp V-Twin engine. You get a 48-inches AccelDeep Mower Dec which is more than enough to serve your 1-2 acre yard. The mower has 18-inches two suspension seats with armrests to ensure maximum comfort.
It can reach a forward speed of 7 mph and a reverse speed of 3.5 mph. You can get the machine for around $3,599, and John Deere got you covered with its 2-year or 120-hour warranty. If you want a durable mower that offers a smooth mowing experience, the John Deere Z355R Zero Turn is all yours.
7. Craftsman 46 Inches Hydrostatic Gas Zero Turn Mower
The Craftsman 46 Inches Hydrostatic Gas Zero Turn mower has a 23hp Hohler Twin Cylinder engine. It has a fuel tank capacity of 3.5 gallons and is best suited to run through 2 acres. You get a maximum speed of 5.5 mph, which is low compared to other models.
Craftsman compensated for the speed by giving your dual hydrostatic transmission, making controlling the mower smoother than ever. You also get a comfortable backseat and control grips to ensure that life on the machine feels good.
All these features ensure you can comfortably use its 46 inches stamped steel deck to cut your grasses perfectly. You can adjust the deck height from 1 inch to up to 3.75 inches, and Craftsman also went down the traditional 4 inches plus cutting height.
The mower costs between $3,399-$3,499 and has a 4-year warranty.
Conclusion
These are some of the best zero-turn mowers for 1-2 acres. All the mowers on this list are from top brands and will cut your lawns better than you think due to their high specs. They aren’t necessarily premium or commercial models because, realistically, you don’t need those to work on a two-acre yard.
No matter the zero-turn you buy, understand that adequate maintenance is crucial to getting the best out of it. Follow the manufacturer-recommended maintenance procedure irrespective of the machine type that you buy.
If you’re the type who despises carrying out regular maintenance, electric models are easier to manage than their gasoline counterparts.
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.
