Riding mowers are by far the most productive grass-cutting machines ever created. They save you time, physical exertion, and typically come with several advanced features that make them even more convenient. Electric riding mowers are among the most beneficial as they are far more fuel-efficient, require no oil, or real maintenance, and are environmentally-friendly.
The very best electric riding mowers share a few similar features; long run times, wide decks with multiple adjustable settings, LED headlights, cup holders, and powerful brushless motors, to name a few. In this guide, we break down five of our current favorite models as well as discussing the overall reliability of electric riders in comparison to gas-powered versions.
Not feeling the riding mower idea? Why not have a look at some of our reviews of the best walk-behind mowers instead?
Backyard Boss Top 5 Electric Riding Mowers for 2021
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Best Overall
This rider from Ryobi is a prime example of how far electric riding mowers have come in the last decade; it is powerful, reliable, and has a big enough deck to make short work of most lawns.
- Three brushless motors
- 12-position deck
- Many advanced features
- Some assembly required
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What We Like: This classic style rider is the perfect size for the average yard and has a great ride-time per charge.
The 38-Inch Ryobi 48V 100 Ah Riding Mower is propelled by three individual brushless motors. It starts up with key ignition and puts off zero emissions while you mow. The body is both rust-proof and dent-resistant as well. The deck has 12-positions that are adjustable via a lever and cuts grass with two sharp blades. The mower also has a hitch, blade brake, and tool-free adjustments. Other advanced features include cruise control, LED headlights, USB ports, cup holder, and more. Even more impressive, the unit runs with a 70 dB sound-rating. It definitely deserves to be considered one of the best small riding mowers.
Who Should Buy It: If you have a regular size yard, or one slightly larger than average even, this rider could be the one for you.
Best Zero Turn
Powered by four robust brushless motors, this electric Zero Turn mower from Ryobi will cut up to three acres per charge.
- High-end and durable construction
- 12-position deck
- 3-in-1 functionality
- More expensive than classic riders
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What We Like: The 42-Inch 48V Ryobi has four powerful brushless motors, super quick charge time, and a really long run time. Compared to many models, this guy is a beast.
Looking for a great electric rider with a super long run-time per charge? Few electric mowers run for as long as this Ryobi with its three hours of operation per charge. It has quick and responsive handling, high-end construction, and dual precision-cut blades. The deck comes with 12 positions and the mower works as a mulcher, bagger, and side-discharger as well. There is also the option for a towing hitch. LED headlights, a cup holder, and an advanced control panel make this bad boy even more appealing.
Who Should Buy It: If you have a really big yard or large estate to mow, few 3-in-1 electric zero turns will get the job done with such convenience.
Best Commercial
Cub Cadet rarely disappoints when it comes to riding mowers, and this 42-inch zero turn rider is absolutely no exception!
- Cuts up to 2.5 acres per charge
- 15-position deck
- Top speeds of 7 mph
- Requires some assembly
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What We Like: This mower comes from one of the most trusted names in the business. It also has some of the best brushless motors and super comfy seats! That means more power and comfort as well.
This impressive rider has four strong brushless motors and runs long enough after each charge to cut up to 2.5 acres. Not only does it mow longer than most, but it also charges fast and works well with several different types of attachments. The cutting deck is plenty wide enough at 42 inches and has 15 adjustable positions to boot. The mower puts off zero emissions, requires no oil or gas, and takes extremely little maintenance. Further, it is loaded with advanced features like dual USB ports for charging devices, bright headlights, has a low dB rating and is capable of speeds of up to 7 mph.
Who Should Buy It: Anyone who runs a commercial lawn care business, or has a really big yard (more than an acre or two), will benefit the most from this Cub Cadet electric rider.
Best for Smaller Yards
For smaller yards, or those jobs with narrow passages that need mowed, few riders compare to the Craftsman E150.
- Fast charging battery
- Fits small spaces
- 18-inch turning radius
- Only runs for one hour per charge
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What We Like: This mower is pretty basic, that said, it is a solid pick that works well and requires very little maintenance.
This Craftsman has received a lot of mixed reviews, but as far as we can tell, it is a highly reliable unit from a well-known and trusted manufacturer. It has a smaller deck, making it great for tight-fitting spaces and narrow massages. Further, its 18-inch turning radius makes it even easier to maneuver. It comes with manual foot pedal control like all the good old-fashioned riders, and a telescopic wheel. Additional features include, but are not limited to, turf saver wheels, a fast-charging 1,500 watt-hour battery, and an optimal mulch kit.
Who Should Buy It: If you have a smaller yard, or run a lawn care service and need a secondary rider for those hard-to-reach places you can't go with your bigger mowers, this Craftsman could be the smartest investment for you.
Best Value Pick
For the money, the Weibang 30-Inch E-Rider is probably one of the most impressive classic electric riding mowers currently on the market.
- 2 hour run time per charge
- Many other advanced features
- One-handed adjustments
- Produced by a lessor known brand
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What We Like: The Weibang E-Rider 30-Inch may be an underdog, but it comes with one of the best batteries, a powerful motor, and plenty of advanced features especially for a smaller model.
Weibang's 30-Inch E-Rider features an OEM brand brushless motor and a long-lasting 72V Lithium-Ion battery. The combination allows for two hours of solid operations in between charges. The wheels are 13 inches wide, making the mower a great choice for properties with a few bumps and slight hills. It also comes with some really convenient features like a cup holder, battery level indicator, key start, reverse-gears, and one-handed adjustments as well. Even though it is from a "newer" company than most of the choices on our list, it is more than a safe investment.
Who Should Buy It: If you're on the market for an advanced riding mower, that isn't too big, size and price-wise, as well as comes with great features and a long run-time, this one could be it.
How Reliable Is an Electric Riding Mower?
Believe it or not, electric mowers are extremely reliable these days. In many cases, they are even more reliable than the "good" old-fashioned gas-powered ones. In part, electric mowers are so reliable due to their high-end components, solid bodies, and powerful brushless motors. The fact that they lack many of the problem-parts of older mower types also helps out a lot. For example, there are no air filters or oil filters to get clogged or need cleaning. There is also no fuel pump or gas tank to worry about either.
What to Look for in an Electric Riding Mower
Before just picking the first electric riding mower that works with your budget, there are a few significant factors to consider first. If you want to find the best electric rider for you, you'll want to look for:
Motor, Battery, and Runtime
A few different factors affect the run-time of an electric rider. First, the type and number of motors. For the most part, electric units use brushed and brushless motors. Brushless is much more powerful and requires some extra juice. Batteries range from 40V and 60 Ah to 72V and 100 Ah, generally speaking, and are typically Lithium-Ion. The combination of the motors and battery determines how many hours, or acres of cutting, the mower will run for after each charge.
Deck Size and Adjustments
Most of the electric riding mowers we've looked at range from 28 to 48 inches in width. The number of available adjustments also ranges widely. A good rider will have anywhere from 10 to 15 various height settings for their decks. The best electric lawn mowers come with one-handed levers for quick and easy adjusting as you go. If you have grass to cut on properties that have more than one type of grass, or terrain types, this factor is even more important to pay attention to.
Advanced Features
The advanced features that come with electric riding mowers are among the best found in any mowers. Of course, the type and amount of these benefits vary from model to model. The best of these features include USB ports, battery level indicators, cup holders, LED lights, comfortable seats, key starters, hitches/tow packages, cruise control, and more.
Comfort and Ease of Use
One big factor that many folks tend to overlook, believe it or not, is the level of comfort and ease of use that a mower has to offer. This is critical to think about before purchasing a rider that you will be driving around for hours each year. A comfortable seat, easy-to-use controls, and a steering system that fits you well, at the very least should be a primary concern while shopping. That said, the more advanced features, as listed above, also go a long way in raising overall comfort and ease of use.
Sound Level
How loud, or quiet, a mower is matters a lot. Not just to you, but also to your family, pets, and neighbors. Thankfully, today, the best electric riding mowers tend to come with very reasonable dB ratings, ranging from 70 dB to 90 dB.
Price and Warranty
The overall cost of your new mower is of course another aspect to take into consideration. Not just the ticket price either. You will also need to consider how much spare parts, maintenance, and repairs may cost in the long run. In addition, most of the best models come with decent money-back guarantees and/or manufacturer warranties.
Picking the Best Electric Riding Mower for You
Choosing the right electric riding mower for you and your yard, or commercial lawn care business is a personal decision. No one model is the best for everyone. That's why we've provided such a versatile range of riders for you to consider. Hopefully, our list helps make your decision that much easier.
Our very top pick is the Ryobi 38-Inch 100 Ah Battery Electric Riding Mower. It has a wide enough deck for most yards, cuts up to two acres per charge, comes with lots of advanced features, and is one of the quietest running electric riding mowers on the market.