![8 Best 42-Inch Riding Lawn Mowers of 2021 [Reviews]](https://i0.wp.com/thewisehandyman.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Husqvarna-YTH18542-Riding-Lawn-Mower.png?resize=500%2C500&ssl=1)
Are you in the market for a 42-inch riding lawn mower? You’ve come to the right place.
Riding mowers are one of the best tools on the market for keeping a yard trimmed, especially if you’ve got lots of ground to cover or are running a commercial operation. And the 42 inch riding mower is just about the perfect size. It can fit through most gates, is maneuverable, and can cut around tight edges while still being able to cover a lot of ground.
When I was running my landscaping company, a 42 inch rider was standard on every truck. So if you’re looking for a 42 inch, here are our picks for the 8 best options on the market.
At a Glance – Our Top Picks
The 8 Best 42 Inch Riding Lawn Mowers
1) Husqvarna YTH18542 Riding Lawn Mower
One of our favorite overall units, Husqvarna’s 42-inch beast offers an 18.5 HP engine, an auto-choke feature, and heavy-duty steel construction. This helps it stand up to some of the rigors of mowing on rough terrain. More notably, it’s also a largely maintenance-free machine capable of working for extended periods without significant trouble.
A rear differential system provides increased traction on wet or inclined areas, while the ergonomic design makes it more comfortable to use for extended periods. A 2.5-gallon fuel tank gives it plenty of stamina, and it’s easy to refill while in use.
Why We Like It
- Durable cutting deck
- Powerful engine
- User comfort is a priority
- Numerous additional features
Our Verdict
It’s hard to beat the Husqvarna in the 42-inch range, and some people even thought this should be our top choice in this category. It’s strong enough to cut almost anything, durable enough for commercial work, and somehow more affordable than it has any right to be.
The only real downside is common to all gas-powered riding mowers: the noise. If that’s not a problem for you, this is one of our top choices.
Editor Rating: 5/5
2) Troy-Bilt Pony 42-in. 17.5 HP Manual Drive
We’re not entirely sure how to feel about a unit whose strength is measured in horsepower being called a “Pony”, but Troy-Bilt’s 42-in. unit is a solid and reliable choice. A seven-speed system gives it flexibility for different types of terrain, while its ability to mow in reverse can help you maneuver around some tight corners in minimal time.
However, its turning radius is a little wide for this list at 18-inches, while the low-back seat doesn’t provide quite as much support.
Why We Like It
- Cup Holder
- Automatic Headlights
- Reasonable selection of optional accessories
- Suitable for up to 2 acres
Our Verdict
Troy-Bilt’s Pony is a solid blend of everything you want in a riding mower: It’s affordable, it comes with a few useful features, and it’s reasonably reliable for getting the job done. It’s a solid lawn mower at a bit cheaper of a price than the Husqvarna.
Editor’s Rating: 5/5
3) Ryobi Electric 42-Inch 75AH Zero Turn
Ryobi’s all-electric model isn’t just environmentally-friendly, it’s smaller than most of its competitors and therefore provides a distinctly different feel while driving. It includes four batteries that power one motor each, allowing it to deliver power as needed even if one part of the unit gets caught.
Most people can get about two hours of work on each charge, though it cuts more grass than you might expect in that timeframe thanks to its high overall speed. However, it is a little more expensive than most of the competition.
Don’t believe you can have an electric 42 inch mower? Watch this video of the Ryobi 75ah in action.
Why We Like It
- Extremely quiet machine
- Lasts a long time for an electric unit
- No emissions
Our Verdict
Ryobi’s 42-inch electric riding mower is easily one of the best options on the market despite its cost. The LED lights are a nice touch that don’t drain the battery too much even on a long ride, while the quiet nature of an electric cutter helps avoid complaints from the neighbors.
The main downside to this unit is its range. If you need to mow more than 2 to 2.25 acres at a time, you should either get a gasoline mower or find an alternative electric unit.
Editor Rating: 5/5
4) Cub Cadet XT1 Enduro Series LT42 Lawn Tractor
Cub Cadet’s XT1 is a comfortable 42 inch lawn tractor with a variety of seasonal attachments, which is always nice to see included in the box instead of sold separately. It’s quite nimble with a 16-inch turning radius, though it’s not quite as good as a zero-turn unit there, and it has twelve cutting height positions for maximum control during each pass.
Built-in corrosion defenses and a deck wash system help it remain clean and ready to use, though, like all riding mowers, you should store it indoors if you can.
Why We Like It
- Excellent selection of accessories
- Comfortable, adjustable seat
- Decent speed of 5.5 mph
Our Verdict
While this isn’t our favorite unit, it’s still a solid choice if you’re looking for a reliable 42 inch mower with enough options to handle most regular jobs. It’s also significantly more affordable than our top two picks, which can make all the difference if you’re trying to buy a riding mower on a tighter budget.
However, it is rather poor for mulching, so consider getting another unit if that’s what you’re buying a machine for.
Editor’s Rating: 4/5
5) Poulan Pro PP155H42
This unit doesn’t have a name that’s very easy to remember, but that’s okay because it’s still one of the best 42″ riding mowers currently on the market. Notable features for this unit include a 15.5 HP mower, a tight 6″ turning radius, and six cutting heights. Having about half the cutting heights of our previous option is why this unit is #4 on our list, but for owners who don’t need the variety, this is a better unit overall.
Mulch and bagging attachments are optional for this machine, which helps keep its price comfortably low.
Why We Like It
- Powerful engine
- Surprisingly tight turning radius
- More affordable than most other models
Our Verdict
The price point is the key detail for this product. Normally retailing for a little over $1200, it’s roughly a third of the cost of the top unit on our list. That difference matters, especially when it also comes with reliable performance across many types of terrain. The weak point of this unit is its small fuel tank, though you can partially mitigate that by refueling mid-mow.
Editor’s Rating: 4/5
6) John Deere E120 42″ Lawn Tractor
John Deere is one of the most famous names in lawn care, so we weren’t surprised when one of their units made our final list. This model is a little more expensive than our #4 option, but it comes with a choke-free start system and, importantly, a 30-second oil change system. Both of these are outstanding features for commercial users.
Other notable features include an adjustable seat back and access to many different accessories, including some (like snow blowers and carts) that few other riding mowers have access to. In terms of flexibility, this may well be the best option on our list.
Why We Like It
- Reasonable price point
- Many optional accessories
- Separate pedals for forward and reverse
- Powerful 20 HP engine
Our Verdict
While we don’t like this unit quite as much as our top four models, it’s still a high-quality machine. More relevantly, those optional accessories are more valuable than many people realize. If you need flexibility and can afford the cost of the extra bits and pieces, this unit will do what others won’t.
The drawbacks are the low number of cutting heights and the fact that you can’t see the fuel tank to estimate how much gas you have left.
Editor’s Rating: 4/5
7) John Deere Z345R Zero Turn
The Z345R isn’t quite as good as the early options on our list, but it does have one important feature: zero turning. For those who aren’t familiar with the term, zero-turn mowers are capable of turning in place and navigating some of the tightest areas that people have. This is particularly useful in small yards, which may not have the room to turn around regularly.
The Z345R comes with a few cupholders, an 18-inch high seat, and a powerful engine that’s suitable for slopes. Unfortunately, it’s more expensive than most of the options on our list, and the zero turn capability isn’t worth quite enough to place it any higher.
Why We Like It
- Full access to John Deere accessories
- More power than most zero-turn mowers
- Multiple cup holders help with extended jobs
Our Verdict
The price is the sticking point on this model. It usually sells for just under $3000, which is more than twice the cost of our #4 pick. Riding mowers need to have a lot of features if they’re asking that kind of money, and we think this unit is just a little too expensive for what it provides. However, it is worth considering if you need a zero-turn mower.
Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5
8) Ariens Zoom 42-inch
Ariens isn’t as well-known as John Deere, but don’t let that dissuade you from checking out this unit. The Zoom comes with a foot-operated deck lift to adjust cutting heights, a 19 HP engine, and a seat-side lever for adjusting the deck height. A garden hose attachment makes it easy to wash out the deck, while the stamped deck provides efficient airflow.
Why We Like It
- Multiple unusual features for riding mowers
- Highly adjustable and flexible from the operator’s seat
- Excellent airflow
Our Verdict
While this is the last option on our list, it’s certainly not the worst unit. The main flaws of this model are its relatively high price and the lack of access to as many accessories as companies like John Deere offer. However, if you can afford it, this model is reasonably comparable to all of the other units on this list and worth comparing to them to see if it’s a better fit for your needs.
One other thing to note is that this is a read-mounted engine unit. That has both pros and cons, but if you’re used to engines being in the front, you may need to adjust your driving style.
Editor’s Rating: 3/5
Buyer’s Guide Questions
Riding mowers are distinguished by their size, engine type (gas or electric), and additional features. In general, small turning radiuses are better, with “zero-turn” mowers (which can turn in place) being the best of all.
That’s up to you. Regular mowers are best for small yards, while riding mowers are best for people who have large areas or mobility issues. Also, regular mowers are better for hills that are too steep for riding mowers.
Riding mowers usually have a nozzle where you can attach a hose and wash out the blade area without having to get under the mower. Most only require minimal maintenance as long as you store them properly, but make sure you know where your local repair shops are.
Top Pick
The Husqvarna YTH18542 Riding Lawn Mower is a 42 inch mower that offers an excellent balance of price, features, and power. This makes it our top overall pick, even though it’s not the absolute best riding mower on the market.
Premium Choice
The Ryobi Electric 42-Inch 75AH Zero Turn is more expensive than its competitors – and that’s saying something in an industry where everything is expensive – but its electric setup helps it stand apart from the competition. It’s far quieter, too, which makes it easier to use this mower without irritating everyone else.
Great Value
The Troy-Bilt Pony 42-in. 17.5 HP Manual Drive mower is much more affordable than many other riding mowers. There are cheaper options on the market, but few of them have the same build quality.
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