Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
For a 2023 budget benchmark, Consumer Reports put lawn tractors at about $1,850 to $5,000. In a comparison published in 2023 and updated in 2024, Inside The Yard named the Troy-Bilt Pony 42 its best-value riding mower and the Husqvarna YTH18542 its top choice. Those are dated, publisher-specific recommendations—not guarantees of the lowest price or the best fit for every property.
What counted as cheap in 2023?
Consumer Reports’ Buying Guide 2023 placed lawn tractors at about $1,850 to $5,000. Its model table listed the John Deere S120 at $2,100 with an overall score of 85, and the John Deere S170 at $2,600 with a score of 86. These are figures from that 2023 guide, not current offers or a promise of what a buyer would pay locally. Consumer Reports’ 2023 lawn mower and tractor buying guide also cautions that a larger engine does not necessarily mean better mowing.
Which riding mowers were value picks?
Troy-Bilt Pony 42: Inside The Yard’s best-value pick
Inside The Yard named the Troy-Bilt Pony 42 its best-value riding mower in a comparison published March 24, 2023 and updated April 3, 2024. The publisher says it considered customer reviews and product specifications, and that firsthand experience was included only sometimes; this was not a controlled test of every model. Treat “best value” as that publisher’s assessment, not a universal ranking. Read Inside The Yard’s comparison.
Husqvarna YTH18542: Inside The Yard’s top choice
The same comparison named the Husqvarna YTH18542 its top choice. That recommendation reflects Inside The Yard’s selection, not evidence that it suits every lawn better than the Pony 42. Compare the exact model’s price, deck, transmission, cutting options, service support and fit for your property before deciding.
Recommended Free Tools
#1 Best Overall
- PEAK POWER TECHNOLOGY: Combines power of up to six EGO 56V ARC Lithium batteries to deliver up to 20,000 watts of power, equivalent to a 21-horsepower gas engine.
- LONG RUNTIME: Cordless tractor cuts up to 1.5 acres on a single charge with six included 6.0Ah batteries.
- CUSTOMIZE YOUR RIDE: Digital LCD display includes three blade settings, three drive speeds, and cruise control. Mows at up to 6 MPH.
- TWELVE CUTTING HEIGHT POSITIONS: Easily adjust the cutting deck on the electric riding mower to get the grass height you want, anywhere from 1.5 to 4.5 inches.
- REAR TOW HITCH: Haul loads around your property with Power Beyond Belief.
John Deere S120 and S170: Consumer Reports’ dated reference points
Consumer Reports’ 2023 table gives the S120 a score of 85 at $2,100 and the S170 a score of 86 at $2,600. Those historical guide figures offer comparison context, but they should not be read as today’s prices or as evidence that either is the cheapest available mower.
How to choose a budget riding mower for your yard
Measure the route, not just the lawn
More deck width can reduce passes across a broad, open lawn. But a wide mower may be awkward or unable to pass through gates, between trees, around beds, or into storage. Measure the narrowest access points and storage opening, then compare them with the exact mower’s dimensions. Husqvarna’s buying guidance likewise recommends matching cutting width to the open area and the number of obstacles. Husqvarna’s guide to buying a riding lawn mower.
Rank #2
- 24HP/726cc FR730 engine
- 54 inch FAB Deck
Choose how you want to handle clippings
- Bagging: collects clippings for a tidier finish, but requires emptying the bag and checking that a compatible bagger is available.
- Side discharge: can suit taller grass or less frequent mowing, though clippings remain on the lawn.
- Mulching: cuts clippings into smaller pieces and is suited to frequent mowing; confirm that the mower includes or supports the required mulch kit.
Husqvarna discusses these trade-offs in its buying guidance. Attachments and accessories are model-specific, so confirm fitment for the exact mower rather than assuming a bagger or mulching kit will work.
Match the controls and machine to the terrain
Compare how each mower is driven and controlled, and read the operator’s manual for slope limits and safe operating instructions. Consumer Reports warns that zero-turn mowers can be difficult to control and stop on steep slopes; do not choose one for steep ground without checking the exact model’s manual and safety guidance. A lawn tractor or zero-turn is not automatically safe on every incline.
Rank #3
- Briggs & Stratton 19 HP 540cc Engine
- Pedal-Operated Transmission: Keep both hands on the wheel for more control
- 42-Inch Twin Blade Stamped Mower Deck
Look beyond the engine size
Engine displacement or horsepower alone does not establish how well a mower cuts. Also consider the deck, cutting options, drive controls and the mower’s fit to the lawn. Before buying, check parts and service availability for the exact model and confirm whether routine maintenance is manageable for you.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What changed after 2023?
Current listings are useful for checking what is offered now, but they cannot be used to rewrite a 2023 buying guide. Troy-Bilt currently lists a Pony 42 starting at $2,099, with a 547cc engine, 42-inch twin-blade steel deck and 7-speed Shift On The Go transmission. The manufacturer’s price and availability can change. Troy-Bilt’s current Pony 42 listing.
Rank #4
- Cleaner, more even cuts than gas with constant 17K ft/min blade speed
- Out-cut traditional gas-powered mowers and conquer 2.5 acres with an industry-leading 8mph mowing speed
- 4X quieter than gas with LED Lights for early morning and late evening mowing
- Industry's only rear storage bin with universal front and rear attachment capability
- Removable battery isn't limited to just the mower—it's compatible with over 75 other Greenworks 60v tools
Separately, Pro Tool Reviews identifies the Cub Cadet XT1 Enduro line as a best-for-the-money option and gives a current price range of $2,299–$3,899. That is a current comparison, not a 2023 price quote, and the range does not identify one price for every XT1 configuration. Pro Tool Reviews’ riding mower comparison. Check the exact model identifier, local stock and current price before purchase.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
