So you have 1 acre of grass to cut!?
If you want to waste 2 hours and put your body under extreme stress, then a push mower should do the trick.
But seeing as you’re smart enough to land on this article, you understand the benefits of a riding mower for a job like this.
To save you combing through the internet, I’ve narrowed down my search to the 5 best riding lawn mowers for 1 acre. I’ve included electric, zero turn, lawn tractors, and more.
Don’t have time to read the whole article? No problem!
My top pick is the Husqvarna YTH18542. Being so easy to control, it’s the perfect mower for beginners. It also has a 42″ cutting deck, cup holder, and cutting heights between 1.5-4″. This ensures you get the perfect cut while staying comfortable.
5 Best Riding Lawn Mowers For 1 Acre
1. Husqvarna YTH18542 (Best Overall)
Specifications:
-
Cutting Deck: 42″
-
Fuel Tank: 2.5 Gallon
-
Speed: N/A
-
Accessories: Cup Holder
-
Cutting Height: 1.5-4″
Husqvarna have produced some bada** mowers over the years…
But the YTH18542 lawn tractor deserves first place.
Not only is it budget-friendly, but it’s also super reliable. With a 42″ cutting deck, you’ll be whizzing around the lawn at lightning speed. Even if you’re a beginner, you can easily control this mower.
Unlike zero-turn mowers, huh!?
It also has a tight 16″ turning radius, so you can navigate in tight areas. This also saves time when turning around after mowing a strip of lawn.
If you’re somebody with bad problems, you’ll also be glad to hear about the adjustable seat, which ensures you stay comfortable throughout the entire mowing process.
Next to the seat is also a cup holder. Sit back, mow, and enjoy your favorite brew all at the same time!
Doesn’t get any better than that, right!?
The built in-headlights mean you can mow at night. However, I wouldn’t recommend it due to the loud engine.
Unless you don’t have people living close by.
Another word of warning…
A small percentage of customers said the seat can sometimes slide backward unexpectedly. This may be caused during shipping, so ensure all the nuts and bolts are tightened prior to use.
What I like...
-
Navigates in tight areas
-
Has headlights
-
Comfortable seat
-
Easy to operate
- Largest cutting deck
What I Don't Like...
-
Seat can slide back
-
Loud engine
2. Cub Cadet CC30E (Best Overall)
Specifications:
Cutting Deck: 30″
Battery Life: 1 hour
Speed: 4mph
Charging Time: 4 hours
Cutting Height: 1.5-4″
A 1-acre lawn is not the biggest, nor the smallest. I typically recommend a riding lawn mower with a cutting deck of 40″+ for 1 acre.
However, it’s not set in stone.
The Cub Cadet CC30E Riding Mower boasts a 30″ cutting deck, making it slightly under my recommended size. That’s not to say it can’t handle 1 acre of grass; however, mowing time will increase slightly.
The good news is that it easily fits into your garage.
Here’s what I like about this mower…
Firstly, it’s fully electric, which is perfect for people with 1-acre backyards. Because you’ll be mowing the lawn regularly, you will save lots of money on fuel compared to a gas alternative.
Saving money on gas is great, but here’s a more important question…
“How long does it last from a single charge?”
Good question.
The battery itself lasts 1 hour, giving you just enough time to cut 1 acre. Recharging the battery takes 4 hours. Once you’ve finished mowing the lawn, I recommend putting the battery on charge right away.
It’s easy to forget you need to recharge the battery with electric lawn mowers. You don’t want to go to cut your lawn for the second time and realize you have a dead battery, right!?
To maintain healthy growth after mowing, you can use the mulch kit included with this mower. It disperses your grass clippings, offering an additional layer of protection.
Here’s my word of warning about this lawnmower…
Make sure you don’t use it on wet grass. It doesn’t handle well, and sometimes the blades will disengage.
What I Like...
-
Fits in garage
-
Not too heavy
-
Doesn’t need gas
-
Comes with mulch kit
-
Battery lasts long enough for 1 acre
What I Don't Like...
-
Not good on wet grass
-
4mph top speed
3. Ryobi RY48111 Riding Lawn Mower (Electric Pick)
Specifications:
Cutting Deck: 38″
Battery Life: 2.5 hours
Speed: 8mph
Charging Time: N/A
Cutting Height: 1.5-4.5″
Interested in buying the best electric riding mower for 1 acre?
Then you’ve found it!
Let me introduce you to the Ryobi RY48111. Not only can it reach the fastest speeds in this article (8mph, to be exact), but it also has a cutting deck of 38″.
Although it’s just shy of 40″, the speed of this thing makes up for it!
With a single charge, this mower can cut 1 acre – twice! That means you don’t have to waste time charging the battery in-between mowing, unlike the Cub Cadet CC30E.
When it does come time to charge, it takes 2.5 hours, which is considerably faster than other electric riding mowers.
You can see when it needs charging by checking the battery indicator.
There are multiple cutting heights to choose from – 1.5-4.5″. This ensures you get a perfect-looking lawn every time.
Although not recommended, you can mow in reverse. There will be a beeping sound, alerting others that you are close by.
So are there any drawbacks?
The main issue I found is the seat. It’s not the most comfortable, especially for Ryboi’s standards. I wouldn’t recommend this one for people with back problems.
What I Like...
-
Faster mower on the list (8mph)
-
Big cutting deck
-
Fast charging time
-
Can mow in reverse
-
Multiple cutting heights
What I Don't Like...
-
Uncomfortable ride
-
A little heavy
Specifications:
Cutting Deck: 42″
Battery Life: 3-4 acres
Speed: 7mph
Charging Time: N/A
Cutting Height: 1.5-4.5″
Similar to the Cub Cadet CC30E, this Ryobi Riding Mower is also powered by electricity. The main difference is that it has a larger cutting deck, meaning you can cut your lawn much faster.
To put things into perspective…
It has a 42″ cutting deck and reaches a top speed of 7mph.
Pretty fast, huh!?
Not only do I recommend this mower for 1 acre, but also larger lawns. It has enough battery life to cut 4 acres, which is impressive for an electric mower.
It’s also an excellent choice for people with longer grass. You can adjust the cutting height between 1.5-4.5″, allowing you to go over your lawn multiple times until it’s at the preferred height.
This bad boy also comes with built-in headlights, so you can take it for a spin at night.
And don’t worry…
The engine is super quiet, so the neighbors can still get some shut-eye.
Unlike the Cub Cadet CC30E, it doesn’t come with a mulching kit. You will need to purchase this separately should you want to mulch your clippings.
While it still has a powerful engine, I wouldn’t recommend it for steep inclines. Zero-turn mowers perform better on flat surfaces, so it’s not worth putting them under too much stress. Plus, they don’t have the best traction when it comes to climbing hilly terrain.
What I Like…
Large cutting deck
Mows up to 4 acres on single charge
Super quiet
It has headlights
7mph top speed
What I Don’t Like…
Not great on inclines
Doesn’t include mulch kit
5. Husqvarna TS 348 XD (Best For Hills)
Specifications:
Cutting Deck: 48″
Fuel Tank: 4 Gallon
Speed: 5.8mph
Accessories: Arm Rests
Cutting Height: 1-4″
Most of the lawnmowers in this article are better suited for flat terrain.
But not the Husqvarna TS 348 XD!
At 726cc, this lawn tractor has a super-powerful engine that put other mowers to shame. Not only does it tackle your long overgrown grass, but it’s also great for towing and tilling a garden.
Not too shabby, huh!?
Compared to the other riding mowers, this one has the most comfortable seat. The backrest is much higher than other models, providing more back support.
And that’s not all.
Husqvarna has gone the extra mile by adding armrests
Furthermore, it also has the biggest cutting deck in this article (48″). With a cutting deck this size, you can expect your 1-acre lawn to take around 40 minutes.
In terms of downsides, I found it difficult to read the fuel gauge in direct sunlight. This can be a problem when mowing large open areas when the sun is beating down.
In addition, It sucks up fuel like theirs no tomorrow, so make sure you keep it topped up!
What I Like…
Perfect for hills
Powerful enough to tow
Largest cutting deck
Arm rests for comfort
Largest fuel capacity
What I Don’t Like…
Hard to read the fuel gauge in sunlight
Uses a lot of fuel
Specifications:
Cutting Deck: 30″
Fuel Capacity: 1.3 Gallons
Speed: 4mph
Charging Time: N/A
Cutting Height: 1.5-4″
The final option for 1 acre lawns is the Cub Cadet CC30H
Unlike the other Cub Cadet mowers on this list, this one is gas-powered rather than electric. That means it’s more powerful, and you don’t have to worry about running out of battery!
More power also makes it excellent for overgrown lawns, providing they are flat.
If you try to tackle hilly terrain with this mower, you may come unstuck. For that, I recommend sticking with the Husqvarna TS348.
The cutting deck is 30″, which is okay for 1 acre. Combine that with the compact design, and you won’t have no issues storing it in your garage.
This mower is also designed with comfort in mind. The seat has a higher backrest than normal, so you can mow the lawn in comfort. To ensure even further comfort, make sure the tires are not fully inflated, as this makes for a bumpier ride.
When comparing all the downsides, I found that it’s difficult to find replacement parts for this mower. However, you are covered by a 3-year limited residential warranty when purchasing direcrtly from Cub Cadet.
What I like…
Small compact design
Gas-powered
Comfortable seat
3 year limited warranty
Reputable brand
What I Don’t Like…
Difficult to find replacement parts
Not good on hills
How To Choose The Best Riding Lawn Mower For 1 Acre
Cutting Deck Size (Width)
The cutting deck size is essential when choosing the best lawn mower for 1 acre.
As you can imagine, the larger the cutting deck, the fast you can mow the lawn. Choose one that’s too small, and you will spend more time cutting the grass.
So that begs the question…
“What size cutting deck do you need for 1 acre!?”
My advice? Stick to a lawnmower with a cutting deck larger than 40″.
With that being said, it’s not the end all be all. You may have noticed that some of the riding lawn mowers in this article have a cutting deck smaller than 40″…
And for good reason.
That’s because you also need to consider storage. In most cases, the cutting deck protrudes from the lawnmower, making it the widest part.
If you have a small garage, getting a large cutting deck is pointless.
Where would you store it?
It’s about finding the balance between width and storage space.
Power & Performance
Power and performance are super important when it comes to choosing the right mower. The amount of power you need depends on the type of terrain you’re tackling.
The length of your grass also plays an important factor.
If you have steep inclines in your backyard, rear-wheel gas mowers are your best bet.
For flat terrain and short grass, zero-turn or electric mowers are what I recommend.
Electric VS Gas
When choosing a mower, you’re normally presented with 2 choices.
Gas or electric.
There are people on either side of the spectrum.
The truth is – choose the one that works best for ‘you’.
Gas mowers tend to be more powerful than electric ones, but cost more money to run. That’s why I recommend them for difficult terrain.
If your backyard has long grass with steep inclines, gas-powered mowers are where you should spend your money. They provide more torque than electric alternatives, so you know they can handle the increased load.
With that being said, the engine position also plays a factor in power and performance.
A rear-engine riding mower is less powerful than a front-engine, making it great for cutting well-maintained lawns. Front engine mowers provide more power, which is great for more difficult workloads.
So how about electric riding mowers?
Electric lawn mowers have come a long way over the years. While they don’t have the power (torque) of gas mowers, they provide other benefits.
One of them being ‘ease of use’. You don’t have to worry about changing the oil or fuel, making them super low maintenance.
No gas also helps the environment. This is perfect when you have young kids and don’t want them breathing in toxic fumes.
It also helps your plants stay healthy.
Because why have a beautifully cut lawn if your plants are dying!?
Comfort
Comfort is super important when choosing the best riding lawn mowers. Chances are, you will be mowing the grass for a while, so you don’t want to put much stress on your body.
To ensure comfort, look at the seat…
And ask these questions…
Does it provide sufficient padding?
Is it adjustable?
What material is it made from?
Can I easily reach the handles?
But the seat is not the only way to determine comfort.
If you’ve been operating riding lawn mowers (or lawn tractors) for a while, you will notice that heavier mowers are more comfortable. This is because their weight absorbs more of the impact when mowing on difficult terrain.
Lightweight mowers are at the mercy of the terrain, making for a bumpier ride.
If you’re 1-acre lawn is flat, I wouldn’t rule out a lightweight mower. However, for incline lawns that are bumpier – stick with a heavier mower.
As a side note…
Some riding lawn mowers have cup holders, which are nice accessories to have for additional comfort.
After all, it’s hard to say no to a coffee while cutting the lawn, huh!?
Here’s something else to consider…
You can increase the comfort of your lawn mower after purchase. While you could purchase a suspension seat (not a bad idea!), simply checking the tire pressure makes the world of difference.
You don’t want your tires to be overinflated, as this also makes for a bumpier (and uncomfortable!) ride.
Run Time
Don’t skip over run time when cutting 1 acre of grass.
Depending on your lawnmower, the times may vary. On average, you can expect a quality cut to last 45 minutes.
But it may be longer for overgrown grass.
So can a riding lawn mower last 45 minutes?
You can bet you a** they can.
Well – most of them!
Providing you have enough fuel, gas-powered machines won’t have any issues. On the flip side, electric riding mowers may struggle to last as long.
Luckily, there is a solution…
Stick with reputable brands that have run times over 1 hour!
Zero Turn Mower VS Riding Mowers
When it comes to choosing a lawnmower for 1 acre, it can be difficult to know whether you should opt for a zero-turn option.
My advice?
Hell yeah!
The main benefit of zero-turn mowers is they offer excellent maneuverability. When you’ve finished mowing a strip of grass on a riding lawn mower, you need to spend time turning it around to line up with the next strip.
You won’t have that issue with a zero-turn, as they can spin 360 degrees on the spot. When you reach the end of a strip of grass, it only takes a few seconds to line up with the next strip.
Talk about saving time, huh!?
But that’s not all.
You may spend more money on a zero-turn mower in the beginning. However, you will save money in the long run compared to a riding mower.
This is because zero-turn mowers cut your lawn quicker, so you save money on fuel.
In addition, it’s much easier to mow the difficult-to-reach areas with a zero-turn. You can easily maneuver into tight areas, saving you a ton of stress.
So how about the downsides?
Zero-turn mowers start to struggle when tackling hilly terrain. A slight incline won’t pose too big an issue; however, going up steep hills lowers the cut quality dramatically.
You should also take into account your experience with lawn mowers when opting for a zero-turn. Even if you’re whizzing around on your riding lawn mower like theirs no tomorrow – zero-turn mowers are wayyyy harder to operate.
Rather than having a steering wheel, they are controlled by 2 levers.
Here’s a great video that explains how to get to grips with the controls:
Optional Accessories
Everybody has a different type of lawn, so it’s always good to consider optional accessories.
Some riding lawn mowers come with mulch kits, which help keep your lawn nice and healthy. However, there are more accessories to consider.
The most important is a bagger attachment.
Not everybody wants to mulch their grass clippings. A bagger attaches to the back, allowing you to collect the excess grass and dispose of it.
FAQ
What size riding mower do I need for 1 acre?
A cutting deck of 40″ or larger is recommended, but not essential. If you need to save some moolah, you can opt for a smaller cutting deck. Just keep in mind – it will take longer to mow your lawn.
But that’s not the only factor to consider when choosing the right size mower.
Bigger mowers have larger cutting decks, making them more difficult to store in your garage. Make sure to measure your garage entrance before purchasing, otherwise, you may be stuck for storage!
How long does it take to mow 1 acre with a riding mower?
It depends on the type of lawn mower and cutting deck size.
On average, you can expect it to take 45 minutes – 1 hour. If you have a zero-turn mower, this may reduce your time, providing you know how to operate it correctly.
Do I really need a riding mower?
Absolutely.
If you try cutting 1 acre of grass with a push mower…
Guess how long it will take!?
Almost 2 hours, based on what I’ve seen before. And that’s not even the worst thing! Push mowers don’t offer any comfort, so your back will be in agony by the time you’ve finished.
So why not cut your mowing time in half and spare your back the pain?
The solution is a riding lawn mower.
What brand of riding mower is the most reliable?
There are pros and cons to every brand of riding lawn mower.
However, here are some of the best ones:
Husqvarna
Cub Cadet
Ryobi
Troy-Blit
If you’re looking for an electric lawn mower, then I would stick with Cub Cadet. Based on my research and personal experience, they produce the best electric mowers on the market.
Can you push mow an acre?
Absolutely.
But not without discipline, grit, and time.
On average, you will need to dedicate almost 2 hours when using a push mower. Riding lawn mowers cut this time considerably.
You can get the job done in only 40-60 minutes, depending on the type of lawnmower you’re using.
In Summary
There is much to consider when choosing the best riding lawn mower for 1 acre. The most important metrics are power, performance, and comfort. Without these 3 things, cutting your lawn will be more stressful than it’s worth.
After hours of research and testing, the Husqvarna YTH18542 stands above the rest. Ease of operation, a large cutting deck, and powerful performance are what you can expect with this mower.
However, it’s gas-powered, so be prepared to splash some cash on fuel.
If you’re looking for a more eco-friendly option, the Cub Cadet CC30E is your best bet. You can save money on fuel while getting amazing performance all day long!