When looking to purchase a high-ticket mower, choosing from these many options is not a walk in the park. When you take away their prices, comparing them becomes more challenging, and worse, you might get a model that’s not suitable for your setup and needs.
Luckily, our team of experts has reviewed the best zero-turn mowers under $5,000 and formulated a buying guide just for you to get your money’s worth.
Reviews of the Top Zero Turn Mowers Under 5000
1. Husqvarna Z254F 54" 26HP Kohler Zero Turn Mower
Our experts chose the Husqvarna Z254F 54″ 26HP Kohler Zero Turn Mower as our best zero turn mower under 5000 because of its versatility on any landscape. The 25 HP Kohler 7000 series V twin engine allows this machine to cut grass at about 3 to 4 acres per hour meter. Plus, you can go from zero to 6.5mph thanks to the quick-start choke system.
Apart from the potent V twin cylinder engine, users get to pick amongst six blade cutting positions and three mower blades for different landscapes. These features are easy to manipulate because users don’t have to toggle with any preset gears.
Plus, there’s the ClearCut inch blade 54 inch cutting deck that raises grass for a precise cut by generating air. This means the machine features ensures a beautiful lawn almost by itself.
What We Like
- Has a V twin engine
- Comfortable deluxe high back seat (almost 18 inch)
- Comes with integrated transmissions
- ClearCut 54 inches cutting deck ensures an excellent, uniform cut
- Hydrostatic zero turn riding
- Easy-to-use panel
- Front and Rear-engine guard shields the mower from impact and the user from heated surfaces
- Anti-scalp caster wheels help raise and lower the deck without impacting the lawn
- Comes with a cup holder
- Variable cutting height
- Large fuel tank
What We Don't Like
- New level of maneuverability might take some getting used to
- Struggles when cutting thick grass
2. MZ61 61" from Husqvarna 27HP Briggs Stratton Zero Turn Mower
The Husqvarna MZ61 is a 61 inch zero turn lawn mower cutting deck has a features of adjustable cutting height that you can shift between 1.5 to 4.5 inches cutting height above the ground.
It comes with 25 HP to 27 HP Briggs endurance motor. Users will also gain near-complete control over this mower Husqvarna MZ61 commercial zero turn mower machine because adjustments can be made without leaving the control station. Briggs and Stratton also manufactured the famous Swisher ZTR2454bs engine, one of the popular mowers in the market.
The MZ61 zero turn lawn mower huge machine features need an equally massive amount of power and its 27 HP Briggs Stratton hydrostatic zero turn engine covers that. Choose a model that has a large 60 inch fuel tank capacity. This, plus its air induction mowing technology, ensures a superior cut on every pass.
What We Like
- Maximum ground speeds of 8 mph
- Powerful briggs stratton engine
- Comes with an hour meter
- Capable of longer sessions
- Air induction mowing technology to lift grass up for a cleaner cut.
- Adjustable cutting height
- Hydraulic wheel-drive that allows the Z61 to rotate around its axis.
- Ergonomically designed deck lifting system
- Fuel capacity of five gallons
- Comes with cupholders and foam-padded hand grips
- Suitable for heavy-duty landscaping
What We Don't Like
- Might create skid marks during turns and no anti-slip tires
- No fuel gauge
3. Ariens IKON-X 52" 24 HP Kawasaki FR691 Series Zero Turn Mower
If you’re looking for the best zero turn mower under 5000, then you may have struck gold with this heavy-duty mower. The Ariens IKON-X features like a smaller but not any less sophisticated version of the IKON-XL and the apex 60.
This model features are extremely efficient, like the apex 60 it offers a 24 HP Kawasaki engine/ 726cc kawasaki engine , EZT transmission, and a 52-inch cutting deck that works well for large areas in less time. There’s even a rear load bay for any equipment you want to bring.
The IKON-X 52 inch built with fabricated deck is made of 10-gauge fully tubular steel frame fabricated deck design enhances its longevity quotient for maximum durability. It can also move at seven mph, which is good when you’re mowing a large lawn. However, it’s still the 24 HP Kawasaki engine 10 gauge steel that enhances it, giving it the ability to climb up slopes, inclines, and rocky terrain without a hitch in less time.
(Another affordable lawn mower that you might want to take a look at is the Scag Patriot Lawn Mower.)
What We Like
- Affordable commercial zero turn mower
- Fuel-efficient
- Ergonomic controls
- Comfortable and padded high back seat with armrests
- 12-gauge steel for added durability
- Quiet operation
- Suitable for both residential and commercial mowing
What We Don't Like
- There have been complaints of replacement part scarcity in some areas
- Smaller fuel tank
4. Craftsman Z525 Zero Turn Gas Powered Lawn Mower
Not everyone needs a huge 11 gauge steel 50 inch cutting deck in a best zero-turn mower. This medium-sized Craftsman still has a reasonably wide one as a 46-inch zero-turn mower under 5000.
It’s certainly enough to trim two to five acres. It also offers customers a 679cc twin-engine, dual hydro-gear 2800 EZT drive system with comfortable seat, dual steering levers, a 360-degree turning radius, and an auto-choke system.
All of this combined makes the Craftsman Z525 one of the best mowers to clear away thick lawn. It allows it to work unimpeded on hills or rocky land and start as quickly as a car. Plus, the included deck wash saves time on underside cleaning.
Also Read: High-Quality Riding Lawn Mowers Under $1500
What We Like
- Ready start engine ensures a quick start, much like a car.
- Large rear roller wheels provide stability for obstacles and small hills.
- Can get to a top speed of 7 mph
- Adjustable cutting height
- Easy-to-use cruise controls
What We Don't Like
- Not efficient for mowing large lawns or terrains
- Could deliver more than 20HP
Zero Turn Mowers Under 5000 Buyer's Guide
With our list, we’re pretty sure you can find a model that’s perfect for you from our top picks. However, you should also know how to choose one, so here are the top features and factors you should keep in mind.
Build and Size
Choosing the best zero turn mower for your needs will require a measurement of your lawn or backyard. How many acres is it? What’s the features of the landscape like?
Our experts believe that answering these two questions will allow you to choose the best mower for your needs. For example, a 2-acre lawn can be mown by a machine with a width in the 30s. However, it’ll be much faster with 42 inches or 46-inch steel deck mower.
Mowers come wider than 50 inches require large lawns; five, six, or seven acres. A 60-inch or 61-inch deck will get the job done even faster than 42 inch and 50 inch.
Plus, you should always take note of what a mower’s made of. Is it steel? What’s its gauge? Our experts emphasize that a good riding lawn mowers should be durable. Hence, check out models made from steel. They don’t topple over easily, even if there’s a storm.
If you are looking for a power tool to clean up your hills, you can check the best riding lawn mowers for hills, too.
Maneuverability
What does your landscape look like? Do you have an open, spacious area, or is it filled with densely packed trees and various obstacles? Is the terrain smooth or rocky? Considering these factors will assist you in determining the most suitable type of mower for your needs. If you have a rocky or sloped yard, a mower with a robust engine would be recommended.
And if you have many obstacles in your yard that you’ll need to go around, a mower comes with responsive controls and the ability to change directions quickly would be best.
Cutting Deck Size
The cutting deck size of a lawn mower determines the path it’ll take in one pass. For example, a large cutting deck requires a large, open field to work correctly. On the other hand, a smaller deck will not be able to manage large fields but will be easier to maneuver and do good work in a small area.
Once you know how large your field is, you’ll be able to choose a good cutting deck size. However, most zero-turn lawn mowers have 30 to 60 as their cutting deck size.
Engine Power
A good riding lawn mower is much better with a potent engine power to ensure a smoother ride . Most commercial-grade mowers have twin-cylinder engines, which offer better performances even through wet grass. Two of the best manufacturers are Kawasaki and Briggs & Stratton.
Also, an engine’s horsepower is essential when deciding which one to go for. The higher this factor, the easier a zero-turn mower can get up steeps and turns. Generally, an engine’s horsepower is between 14 and 30 HP. Here’re a few guidelines to help you decide how powerful your mower should be:
- Flat, one-acre terrains – 10 to 20HP (e.g., the Dixon 3303 zero-turn mower)
- 15-degree sloped, one-acre terrains – 20 to 25HP (e.g., the Troy Bilt zero-turn mower with 25 HP Kohler engine unit with a floating front axle and Husqvarna z254 with 24 HP)
- Two acres or more – 25 HP or more (e.g., the turn riding mower Husqvarna MZ61 with variable cutting height)
Speed
The average speed of zero-turn mowers is 6.5mph. This is good enough to cut down an acre or two within a short time. But if you have a larger area to mow, our team recommends going with a machine with a maximum speed of 7mph or 8mph adjustable cutting height. They’ll make mowing jobs in your lawn much easier.
Our team suggests checking the manufacturer’s manual to find out how fast the zero-turn mower can move you intend to get.
Comfort and Safety
On a zero-turn mower, comfort is essential, especially if you’re going to seat there for over an hour you have to look for mower with comfortable seat. Choose one with a high back padded seat with armrests and cup holder to keep you comfortable in your mowing experience and stave off operator fatigue. Also, a mulching kit is basically a way to convert your tractor or push lawn mower into a mulcher or bagged with a 9-bushel triple bag collection system.
Not only seat is important. Also, consider the foot area. If it’s important to you, check out units with anti-flip foot areas. Those with spacious foot areas can also make your lawn mowing a comfortable ride.
Aside from comfortable seat, foot area, also, check what safety features a mower has before you buy. Kill-switches, hour meter, automatic chokes, parking brake, and flip prevention are some of the best features to look out for.
Price and Warranty
The lawnmower industry is on the rise, but you can still get a great one for a lower price [1]. However, you may not be able to get a good commercial zero turn mower under 5000 with 3 years warranty. At $5000 and below, you can get a mower with a two or 3 years warranty, which is the least the manufacturer can do.
Also check:
What is a Zero Turn Mower?
A zero-turn mower is a lawn mower with the ability to make sharp turns quickly. The turning radius of these machines is approximately zero, hence its name. Each zero-turn mower has its own way of achieving this, and as the number of manufacturers increases, so do the methods.
Our Top Pick for a Zero Turn Mower Under 5000: Husqvarna Z254F
Our team of experts deem the Husqvarna Z254F – 54 inches as the best zero turn mower under 5000. Its Kohler engine and hydrostatic transmission kick up enough torque to guarantee a strong performance on most landscapes.
The user-friendly settings allow you to accelerate and decelerate the motor according to conditions. Three mower blades and six cutting positions allow amazing versatility while also easily slicing through tall, rough, or wet grass.
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