The Best-Reviewed Riding Lawn Mowers Under $3000

If you have a large piece of land, using a self-propelled or push mower to cut the grass can be a very tedious and time-consuming prospect. This is especially true when you consider the fact that you should be mowing more frequently to help ensure a lush and full lawn. Unfortunately, riding lawn mowers are more expensive than push mowers — often prohibitively so for many shoppers on a budget. Some may cost $5,000 or more.

However, there are some more affordable options on the market. You just need to know where to look. We did the legwork for you and rounded up a list of some of the top riding mowers that are available for under $3,000. Plus, each of our picks comes highly recommended by customers, holding a minimum rating of 4 stars based on at least 450 reviews. You can learn more about the methodology we followed when selecting our products at the end of this article. But first, continue reading to discover some more affordable riding lawn mowers to help you maintain your lawn.

Those with a larger yard or one that is sloped may want to take a look at the Cub Cadet XT1 Enduro LT 50-inch. It offers a powerful 24-horsepower Kohler 7000 Series Twin Cylinder Engine to help it reliably cut the grass of a larger yard, even those that are sloped. This much horsepower makes the mower a good fit for yards that are 3 acres or larger. The mower also features a 50-inch AeroForce fabricated deck with a cutting system. Fabricated decks are typically seen as superior to stamped decks because of their durability, sturdiness, and ability to take on more complex cutting jobs. The larger deck width is another feature that will enable this riding mower to handle larger yards more efficiently.

This mower from Cub Cadet, which costs $2,799, holds a 4.3-star rating. Of the more than 2,600 buyers, 82% of reviewers gave it a 4- or 5-star rating. In their review, one customer wrote, "So far I love this tractor. I have mowed three times on a 2.5 acre yard and it is definitely better than the Husqvarna that I used to own. It feels very solid and the turning radius is much better."

When you're looking for an efficient way to mow your lawn, the Cub Cadet XT1 Enduro LT 46-inch riding lawn tractor with its 22-horsepower engine might be a good pick. While not quite as powerful as the Cub Cadet riding mower above, a 22-horsepower engine is still relatively powerful, still allowing you to use this mower on properties of 3 acres or more. One other difference between this model and the more expensive Cub Cadet above is that it has a stamped deck instead of a fabricated deck. These decks are not as sturdy as fabricated ones, but they're still able to handle standard mowing tasks, including mulching. The riding mower also features a hydrostatic transmission, which delivers smooth transitions without the need to shift. 

At $2,499, this riding mower is a bit more affordable than the 50-inch model above, which is also from Cub Cadet. The majority of customers who have purchased it are pleased with their decision to do so, earning the model an average rating of 4.3 stars. "I have no complaints about this mower, it's definitely worth the money. Seems to be very well made, has lots of power, and cuts great. I put on the extreme mulching blades, and the cut is even better than it was with the factory blades. It's going to be getting year-round use with the snowblower attachment for sure, and I won't have to deal with an underpowered engine like I have in the past," shared one individual in their review.

If you have a smaller property and don't require such a wide cutting blade, then this Cub Cadet XT1 Enduro LT 42-inch might be a good choice. A 42-inch cutting deck is typically sufficient for yards of up to three acres. However, it will take longer to cover the terrain than larger deck sizes. This mower has a 16-inch turning radius to help users maneuver around their yard, but you shouldn't expect it to make the tight turns that a zero-turn mower can handle. Like the other Cub Cadet models, this mower also features LED headlights, multiple cutting height positions, and an adjustable high back seat.

The riding mower, which costs $2,299, comes with a 4.3-star rating, indicating that most customers have been pleased with its performance. Here is what one of those reviewers had to say: "Very well built and easy to operate. Provides ample power to make even and precise cuts while also offering ultimate control and speed adjustment as necessary."

With its more compact size and relatively budget-friendly price, this 30-inch Briggs & Stratton Rear Engine Riding Mower from Cub Cadet is another one you might want to consider. While it isn't quite as powerful as some of the other mowers to make our list, its 10.5 horsepower engine should be more than sufficient for some smaller yards — under an acre in most cases. As a rear-engine mower, it also offers a more compact size than many other options on the market. This means that it will fit through most gates and shed doors, making it a more feasible pick for many homeowners. However, this model only has an 18-inch turning radius, which means that you won't be able to make the tighter turns that some other models on this round-up allow. 

Reviewers have given this riding mower an average rating of 4.3 stars, and 83% of reviewers gave it a 4- or 5-star rating. One person who purchased the mower wrote, "This mower does the job absolutely perfect. And because of its more compact size, it fits into our two-car garage along with both of our vehicles and two bicycles with no problem."

John Deere is arguably one of the most popular riding lawn mower manufacturers. While many of their mowers may not be priced to match those who are shopping on a tighter budget, the John Deere S100 42-inch Riding Lawn Mower retails for just $2,399. It has a 17.5 horsepower, single-cylinder engine and a hydrostatic transmission which work together to help you accomplish each cutting task with ease. The engine is even powerful enough for mulching, giving you a smart way to use the riding mower to prepare for winter. John Deere offers a mulch kit with a cover that is compatible with this tractor, helping to make the task neater when you're working around flower beds. If desired, you can also buy a bagger for the mower if you don't want to use it for mulching.

With more than 1,900 reviews, this mower holds a 4.2-star rating and nearly 80% of users gave it either a 4- or 5-star rating. "I love this mower so far, cuts well and even bags pretty well with the regular blades. Turns a lot tighter than I thought it would. And it's a nice-looking tractor too for the price. Will try out the mulching part in the spring as I am running the bagger for the fall cleanup," shared one customer.

With its 500cc Briggs & Stratton motor, 18-inch turning radius, and 42-inch cutting deck, Troy-Bilt's 42-inch Pony Riding Lawn Mower is another top pick for those with smaller yards of up to one acre. It has a 7-speed continuously variable shift-on-the-go transmission (CVT) and a long-lasting AGM battery. A CVT helps the engine operate at optimum power, adjusting to the conditions of the terrain. A few other notable features include the adjustable cutting height, convenient step-thru frame that makes it easy to get in and out of the seat, and the durable steel deck.

With its $1,999.99 retail price, this model from Troy-Bilt is also among the least expensive on our list. Nearly 500 customers have reviewed this mower, giving it an average rating of 4.2 stars. One individual who was happy with their decision to give this riding lawn mower a try said, "Great purchase, good price, and it works as intended, cut down the yard mowing time to half, so it's a fantastic addition to the lawn equipment. Never owned a riding mower before, so coming from a push mower to this riding beast is great. Easy to use, quick read of the manual, and ready to go."

The John Deeres S110 Riding Lawn Mower features a 42-inch cutting deck and a 19-horsepower engine, making it a suitable choice for those with up to one acre of property. The lawn tractor has the power necessary if you need a mulching mower (with a separate purchase of the necessary attachments), allowing it to help simplify leaf clean-up and other non-mowing tasks. This model also offers a 15-inch open-back seat to keep you supported and comfortable and a hydrostatic transmission for a smoother and less bumpy ride without the need to shift.

This lawn tractor retails for $2,499, and nearly 900 customers have reviewed it, giving it an average rating of 4.2 stars. Overall, customers found that the tractor was easy to use, offered good maneuverability around their yard, and did a good job cutting their grass. "I like the comfortable seat, the tight turning radius, the many adjustments for the deck, the ability to change directions without changing gears," shared one customer.

If mowing your yard requires some sharp turns to avoid obstacles, the 5-inch Turn Tight radius of the Craftsman T2200K riding mower may help simplify the job for you. Compared to many other mowers on this list with a 16- or 18-inch turning radius, the 5-inch turning radius of this mower will make it much easier to maneuver in tight spaces, greatly simplifying your mowing work. This 20-horsepower riding mower also offers a hydrostatic transmission, foot pedal controls, and a 42-inch stamped steel deck that can help users tackle yards of up to 1½ acres. 

This riding lawn mower retails for $2,599, and the majority of customers who reviewed it recommend it, with 63% giving it a 5-star rating. One customer shared the following about their purchase: "This is Craftsman's upgraded rider. Pretty much has everything you want in a reasonably priced rider. And it is as close to a zero turn as you can get — without the high price!"

Those looking for a more powerful John Deere lawn tractor might find that the S140 Riding Lawn Mower checks all the boxes. It has a 48-inch cutting deck, a 22-horsepower engine, and a hydrostatic transmission. These features mean that you can use it to mow yards that are 3 acres or larger. The three-blade Edge Cutting System utilizes 12-gauge steel blades to deliver smooth and even cuts at your preferred height (between 1 inch and 4 inches). The lawn tractor is designed with durability in mind with its full-length welded, 12-gauge frame and 2-year warranty. This model is also compatible with various attachments that you can purchase separately including a snow blower, bagger, mulcher, or lawn aerator.

The $2,899 retail price makes this tractor one of the more expensive options on this list, but it also offers a larger cutting deck and more horsepower than many of the other options we covered. It has a 4.1-star rating, which is based on more than 600 reviews. One satisfied user shared, "I have always wanted a riding lawn mower & when I finally got the chance to get one, I had to get a Deere! First, the ride is very comfortable & after mowing for over an hour (if you have a big yard) it doesn't feel like you're sore or uncomfortable; as the seat is very cushioned. I also love how big the deck is, it takes one pass & everything is cut neatly & nothing is missed. The horsepower is great too! It has a lot of get up and go!"

As with other brands, there are pros and cons to weigh if you're considering purchasing a Murray riding lawn mower. The Murray MT200 Riding Mower's relatively low retail price of $1,999 can certainly make it a more appealing pick. Beyond its more affordable price tag, this mower also offers several other positive features, including its 19 horsepower Briggs & Stratton engine, automatic transmission, and ability to mow up to 2 acres on a single tank of gas. It has a 42-inch dual-blade cutting deck with 13 adjustable cutting heights to help you achieve the manicured lawn you've always dreamed of. 

More than 1,300 customers have reviewed this riding lawn mower, giving it an average rating of 4 stars. 55% of reviewers gave the riding mower a 5-star review and an additional 20% gave it a 4-star review. "Fantastic lawn tractor, this is the third Murray Lawn Tractor I have owned over 40 years and this is by far the best one yet. A good mix of power and easy to use," wrote one customer who was pleased with their decision to try this mower.

We used customer reviews to help us curate this list of the best riding lawn mowers under $3,000. Beyond simply looking at the average rating for each product, we also considered how many reviews that rating was based on, as well as the percentage of 4- and 5-star ratings. All of the riding lawn mowers that we selected had a minimum rating of at least 4 stars with at least 490 reviews.