Snapper Riding Lawn Mowers: Here's What To Know Before You Buy

If you're looking for the best riding lawn mower to cut your grass, you probably want to stick with a quality brand name. Snapper is a brand with more than seven decades of service. It made the first self-propelled rotary lawn mower in 1951, called the Snappin' Turtle. It still has models on the market, including riding lawn mowers. But the brand has undergone some significant changes in the past couple of decades. If you once noticed Snapper mowers available at major retailers like Walmart, you may no longer see them for sale at these places. Some models show up as discontinued on retailer websites. You may be wondering whether purchasing a new Snapper riding model is a good idea right now. So what happened to Snapper riding mowers (and who makes Snapper riding mowers)? 

Determining the brand's current status requires looking at its recent history. Some people may believe Snapper went out of business, but this isn't entirely true. Simplicity Manufacturing bought the company in 2002. Briggs & Stratton then purchased Simplicity in 2004, including acquiring the brand name. Snapper-branded products have been available at places like Amazon, Grainger, and Menards recently. Briggs & Stratton announced late in 2023 that it no longer is making riding mowers that carry the Snapper brand name. This decision includes both zero turn and riding lawn mowers and applies to North America only. However, Briggs & Stratton will continue to offer these models in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. So, can you still buy Snapper riding mowers in the United States? Learn more about your options.

Snapper still lists both riding and zero-turn mowers on its website, but it does not sell them through its own website. Even though Briggs & Stratton is no longer manufacturing new Snapper models in North America, you may still be able to purchase existing models that are in stock at your local dealers. The Snapper website has a dealer search function that lets you attempt to find a local dealer who carries these residential models. Although some major retailers, such as Menards and Amazon, carry some Snapper products, such as pressure washers or walk-behind mowers, you'll have to contact a local dealer for information on purchasing a riding model. 

Is Snapper a good riding lawn mower? The SPX Riding Mower ($3,799 MSRP) has a 42-inch cutting width. Meanwhile, the 360Z XT Zero-Turn Mower ($6,049 MSRP) has a 48-inch cutting width. Both of them carry a three-year warranty. YouTube reviewer Individualized Repair Inc. said the Snapper 360Z is a good model, but you may notice some engine issues because key parts, like the camshaft, consist of plastic. 

One of the primary reasons Briggs & Stratton mentioned for halting manufacturing of Snapper riding mowers in North America was a multi-year market decline, which shows issues with consumer confidence. Briggs & Stratton does promise to continue maintaining warranties and parts support for Snapper riding mowers, giving customers confidence that their riding mower will last with proper maintenance. Ultimately, though, unless you simply love the Snapper brand name, it may be safer to stick with a brand that is still being actively manufactured.