Whats better a Toro zero turn or a Cub Cadet zero turn?

2022 The Best Residential Zero Turn Mowers

March 7, 2021

 My Top Residential Zero Turn Mowers For 2022

I’m starting off this article with a list of my choice for the best zero-turn mowers for 2022. Remember – What I think is the best may not be the best for you so please take the time and read the entire article before you buy your mower. Below that list, I discuss the more popular brands and why buying a certain brand may be the best choice for you. As always, if you have any questions please ask them in the comment section at the end of this article.

There are over 400 different Zero-Turn Mowers available for your residential lawn. Of those 400 there are actually quite a few good zero-turn mowers on the market right now. Ariens, Toro, Cub Cadet, and Walker have all made major improvements in their ZTR lines. The models I list here cut great, bag well and have great parts and service networks.

By Paul Sikkema. Please Subscribe to my YouTube Channel Please Note: If you click on most of the links in this article and buy any product I will make a small commission from that sale. This is how I make money to keep this website up and running. Read more here: How to Support TodaysMower.com

I will list below three different types of residential zero-turn mowers

• Stamped Decks – Inexpensive –  Mow well, bag well, and are great for smooth lawns.
• Fabricated Decks – Good value residential mowers – Best for most people that want a mower that cuts well and will last.
• Heavy-Duty Fabricated Decks – Built with many commercial components so the mower will take a beating – Good for acreages, estates, farm lawns, farm ditches, and mowing pastures monthly.

How I rate mowers.

I rate products differently than most sites. I not only look at the price, the craftsmanship, and the quality of cut but also the dealer network, ease of warranty service, and parts networks that support the product. 

42-46 Inch Deck

42-46 inch Stamped Deck – 1/3 to 1 acre

1. 1.  Best Value: Cub Cadet Ultima ZT1 42 in. 22 HP Kohler V-Twin Zero Turn Mower Model# ULTIMA ZT1-42 Available at The Home Depot Available assembled and delivered through cubcadet.com.
   2. 
       Best Electric: Cub Cadet ZT1 42E 56 volt, 60 Ah Brushless Zero-Turn Mower. Available at CubCadet.com, The Home Depot, Local Dealer
   3. Best All-Around: Toro 42 in. 22.5 HP Time Cutter V-Twin Gas Zero-Turn Riding Mower with Smart Speed Model# 75742 Available at The Home Depot Also available at Tractor Supply, ACME Tools and your local Toro Dealer.
   4. Inexpensive: Toro 42″ TimeCutter® 452cc Zero-Turn Riding Mower with Smart Speed® Model#  75740 Available at The Home Depot Also available at Tractor Supply, ACME Tools and your local Toro Dealer.
   5. Inexpensive: Troy-Bilt 42 in. 679 cc V-Twin Zero Turn Riding Mower Model# Z42 Available at The Home Depot Also available at TroyBilt.com
   6. Best Cut By CR: John Deere Z335M 42 in. 20 HP Gas Dual Hydrostatic Zero-Turn Mower Model# BG21127 Available at The Home Depot  Also available at your local John Deere Dealer
   7. Inexpensive: Troy-Bilt 46 in. 679 cc V-Twin Zero Turn Riding Mower Model# Mustang Z46 Available at The Home Depot Also available at TroyBilt.com
   8.  Best Steering Wheel: Cub Cadet 42 in. 679 cc Fuel Injected (EFI) V-Twin ZeroTurn Riding Mower with Steering Wheel Control  Model#  RZT-SX 42 EFI Available at The Home Depot Available assembled and delivered through cubcadet.com.

42-46 inch Fabricated Deck – 1/2 to 1 1/2 Acres

1. Most Comfortable Ride Great Fabricated Deck 42 inch Mower: Toro 42″ (107 cm) TimeCutter® MyRIDE® Zero Turn Mower (75745) Available at The Home Depot Also available at Tractor Supply, ACME Tools and your local Toro Dealer.
2.  Best Value Fabricated Deck: Cub Cadet Ultima ZT1 46 in. Fabricated Deck 679 cc V-Twin Zero Turn Mower Model#  ULTIMA ZT1-46 Available at The Home Depot Available assembled and delivered through cubcadet.com.
3.  Inexpensive Fabricated Deck: Ariens Edge 42 Briggs Model 915253 Find Your Local Dealer: Ariens Dealer Locator
4. 
    Best Fabricated: Ariens IKON XD 42 Kawasaki Model 915268 Find Your Local Dealer: Ariens Dealer Locator

42-46 inch Heavy-Duty 10 ga Fabricated Decks 

1. Best Heavy-Duty, Most Agile Residential Mower On The Market: Walker Model R 42 or 48-inch commercial deck. Set up a Demo at your home here: Get A Demo

You can find a lot more information on the 42-46 inch ZTRs here: 2022 The Thirteen Best 42-46 Inch Zero Turn Mowers

48-52 Inch Deck

48-52 inch Stamped Deck – Up to 2.5 Acres

1. Best Cut By CR: John Deere Z355R 48 in. 22 HP Gas Dual Hydrostatic Zero-Turn Riding Mower. Available at The Home Depot
2. Inexpensive: Troy-Bilt Mustang 50 in. 679 cc V-Twin OHV Zero-Turn Riding Mower Available at The Home Depot Also available at TroyBilt.com

48-52 inch Fabricated Deck – Up To 3 Acres

1. Basic Features with Great Cut. Cub Cadet Ultima ZT1 50 in. Fabricated Deck 23 HP Kawasaki FR Series V-Twin Gas Engine Zero Turn Mower with Lap Bar Control. available at The Home Depot 
2. Best New ZTR for the Price: Toro Time Cutter Toro 50 in. 23 HP TimeCutter IronForged Deck Kawasaki Zero-Turn Riding Mower Available at The Home Depot Also available at Tractor Supply, ACME Tools and your local Toro Dealer.

3. 

   Toro 75745 with MyRide

    Best For Rough Lawns Toro 50 in. 24.5 HP TimeCutter IronForged Deck Zero Turn Riding Mower with MyRIDE  Available at The Home Depot Also available at Tractor Supply, ACME Tools and your local Toro Dealer.

4. Most Rugged with Great Cut: Ariens Ikon XD 52 52” Cutting Width Kohler 7000 V-Twin 24 hp/725cc Find Your Local Dealer: Ariens Dealer Locator
5. Cub Cadet Ultima ZT1 50 in. Fabricated Deck 23 HP Kawasaki FR Series V-Twin Gas Engine Zero Turn Mower with Lap Bar Control Available at The Home Depot Available assembled and delivered through cubcadet.com.
6. Best New Design: Cub Cadet Ultima ZT2 50 Available online through cubcadet.com.
7. Great Cut: Husqvarna Z248F 21.5 HP, 726cc Kawasaki 48 inch Clear Cut Fabricated Deck available at Northern Tool
8. Best Overall with Flip-Up Deck: Country Clipper XLT, joystick or twin lever, easy on and off step and handrail. Contour DTS gives a comfortable ride and the best quality of cut. Find Your Local Dealer: Country Clipper

48-52 Heavy-Duty Fabricated Deck – 5-7 Acres

1. Heavy-Duty, Most Agile Residential Mower On The Market: Walker Model R Set up a Demo at your home here: Get A Demo
2. Commercial Grade Stand-On at a Residential Price: BRADLEY 48″ STAND-ON COMPACT MOWER Find Your Local Dealer: Bradley Mowers
3. Best For Rough Lawns: Toro 48 in. Titan IronForged Deck 24.5 HP Commercial V-Twin Gas Dual Hydrostatic Zero-Turn Riding Mower with MyRIDE Available at The Home Depot Also available at Tractor Supply, ACME Tools and your local Toro Dealer.
4. Ariens APEX 48 Kohler Model 991161 ​Kohler® 7000 V-Twin 23 hp/725cc Find Your Local Dealer: Ariens Dealer Locator
5. 
    Ariens APEX 52 Kawasaki Model 991159 Kawsaki®​ FR691 Engine 23 hp/726cc Find Your Local Dealer: Ariens Dealer Locator
6. Cub Cadet Ultima ZTX4 48 in. Fabricated Deck 23 HP Kohler Pro 7000 Series V-Twin Engine Zero Turn Mower with Roll Over Protection Available at The Home Depot Available assembled and delivered through cubcadet.com.

48-52 Heavy-Duty Stand-On Fabricated Deck

1. Best Stand-On for Homeowners: BRADLEY 48″ or 52″ STAND-ON COMPACT MOWER. Briggs Commercial or Vangard engines, ZT3400 transmissions. This mower is a true commercial mower but it is priced so many homeowners should consider it. Stand-on’s are a lot more agile for properties with a lot of landscaping and work better on slopes than sit-down models. Check out Bradley here: Bradley Mowers

You can find a lot more information on the 48-52 inch ZTRs here: 2022 The Sixteen Best 48-52 Inch Zero Turn Mowers

54-62 Inch Deck

54-62 inch Stamped Deck – 3-5 Acres

1. Best Cut By CR: John Deere Z375R 54 in. 25 HP Gas Dual Hydrostatic Zero-Turn Riding Mower. Available at The Home Depot
2.  Best Cut By CR, Stronger transmissions than Z375R: John Deere Z525E 54 in. 24 HP Gas Dual Hydrostatic Zero-Turn Riding Mower. Available at The Home Depot
3. Lightweight For Soft Soil, Flat Lawns: John Deere Z535M 62 in. 25 HP Dual -Hydrostatic Gas Zero-Turn Riding Mower. Available at The Home Depot
4. Great Price: Troy-Bilt Mustang 54 in. 24 HP V-Twin Zero Turn Riding Mower Available at The Home Depot Also available at TroyBilt.com

54-62 inch Fabricated Deck – Up To 3-7 Acres

1. Cub Cadet Ultima ZT2 54 in. Fabricated Deck 23 HP Kawasaki FR Series V-Twin Gas Engine Zero Turn Mower with Lap Bar Control Available at The Home Depot Available assembled and delivered through cubcadet.com.
2. Cub Cadet Ultima ZT2 60 in. Fabricated Deck 24 HP Kawasaki FR Series V-Twin Gas Engine Zero Turn Mower with Lap Bar Control Available at The Home Depot Available assembled and delivered through cubcadet.com.
3. Toro 60 in. 24.5 HP TimeCutter IronForged Deck Commercial V-Twin Gas Dual Hydrostatic Zero-Turn Riding Mower Available at The Home Depot Also available at Tractor Supply, ACME Tools and your local Toro Dealer.

54-62 inch Heavy-Duty Fabricated Deck – Up To 10 acres or more

1. Toro TITAN 54 in. IronForged Deck 24.5 HP Commercial V-Twin Gas Dual Hydrostatic Zero-Turn Riding Mower Available at The Home Depot Also available at Tractor Supply, ACME Tools and your local Toro Dealer.
2. Toro 60 in. Titan IronForged Deck 24.5 HP Commercial V-Twin Gas Dual Hydrostatic Zero-Turn Riding Mower with MyRIDE Available at The Home Depot Also available at Tractor Supply, ACME Tools and your local Toro Dealer.
3. 
    APEX 60 Kawasaki Model 991163 Kawasaki®​ FR730 engine​ 24 hp/726cc Find Your Local Dealer: Ariens Dealer Locator
4. Cub Cadet Ultima ZT3 60 in. Fabricated Deck 24 HP Kawasaki FS Series Engine with Front Wheel Suspension Available at The Home Depot Available assembled and delivered through cubcadet.com.
5. Cub Cadet Ultima ZTX4 54 in. Fabricated Deck 24 HP Kohler Pro 7000 Series Engine with Roll Over Protection Available at The Home Depot Available assembled and delivered online through cubcadet.com.
6. Cub Cadet Ultima ZTX4 60 in. Fabricated Deck 24 HP Kohler Pro 7000 Series Engine with Roll Over Protection Available at The Home Depot Available assembled and delivered through cubcadet.com.
7. Cub Cadet Ultima ZTX5 60 in. Fab Deck 24 HP Kawasaki FR V-Twin with Roll Over Protection and Front Wheel Suspension Available assembled and delivered through cubcadet.com. Also available at The Home Depot
8.  Ariens APEX 60 Kawasaki Model 991163 60” Cutting Width​ Kawasaki®​ FR730 engine​ 24 hp/726cc Find Your Local Dealer: Ariens Dealer Locator

9. 

   Ariens Zenith

   Ariens ZENITH 60 Kawasaki Model 991158 Kawasaki®​ FX730V engine 24 hp/726cc​  Find Your Local Dealer: Ariens Dealer Locator

You can find a lot more information on the 54-72 inch ZTRs here: 2022 The Sixteen Best 54-72 Inch Residential Zero Turn Mowers

Yes, You need a new Gas Can!

Remember – DO NOT buy E15 fuel. It will ruin your engine! With today’s ethanol-blended fuel you need a gas can that seals tight. It helps the fuel last longer and the escaping vapors won’t wreck the environment. But the biggest problem is to find one that works. The cheap ones ($20 or more now) don’t have vents so it takes forever to fill the tank on your lawn tractor. The cheap ones are also flimsy and the spouts break after the first year.

Well, I’ve found two brands that work great! I have both brands and I use them all the time. They are vented inside the spout so the fuel pours quickly yet seals tightly when not in use.  I’ll give you links at Amazon for two sizes. I suggest buying the size so that you don’t keep more than a month of fuel around the house.

“recommended” No-Spill 1405 2-1/2-Gallon Poly Gas Can. A good size for snow blowers and push mowers. 

“recommended” No-Spill 1450 5-Gallon Poly Gas Can (CARB Compliant) This one has a second handle in the back so it is very easy to use and hang onto when pouring into your fuel tank. A good size for lawn tractors and zero-turns.

If you have a problem holding a gas can the SureCan is a great can. It’s very comfortable to use and built well.

SureCan – Gas Can with Rotating Spout. 

Fuel Stabilizer: When I go to the gas station and buy fuel I always put fuel stabilizer in the storage tank. It helps keep the fuel fresh and some stabilizers also clean your carb and fuel system without messing it up. There a many good brands but I’ve used SeaFoam for years and it’s always worked well. I use 2 tablespoons per gallon of fuel.

Seafoam 

I also recommend K100

Other fuels stabilizers to check out: Fuel Stabilizers

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About The Author

Paul

About Paul Sikkema Paul Sikkema has been writing about snow blowers, riding mowers, and other lawn and garden equipment for over 10 years. Paul does most of his writing out in his workshop where he feeds the wildlife and birds in the yard. He spends as much time with his granddaughter as he can. Please Subscribe to my YouTube Channel Please Note: If you click on most of the links in this article and buy any product I will make a small commission from that sale. This is how I make money to keep this website up and running. Read more here: How to Support TodaysMower.com