What is the Best Ryobi Riding Mower? (2023)

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Lawn care maintenance isn’t easy, so mower brands like Ryobi offer advanced technology to make the task manageable. But as with all brands, not all their products are made equally. If you don’t want to get a mower that poorly matches your needs and expectations, our lawn care specialists determined the best units in this Ryobi riding mower review.

Premium Option
RYOBI RY48ZTR75
Editor’s Choice
RYOBI RY48130
Budget Option
RYOBI RY48111
RYOBI RY48ZTR75
RYOBI RY48130
RYOBI RY48111
• 4 brushless motors
• Steel deck: 42 inches
• Battery capacity: 2.5 charge
• Manual deck adjustment
• Zero-turn mower
• Cutting deck: 30 inches
• Battery operated
• Adjustable deck
• Double steel blades
• LED worklights
• Corded electric
• Quiet cutting system
• Run time: 2.5 hours
• Manual operation
• Cruise control features
Premium Option
RYOBI RY48ZTR75
RYOBI RY48ZTR75
• 4 brushless motors
• Steel deck: 42 inches
• Battery capacity: 2.5 charge
• Manual deck adjustment
• Zero-turn mower
Editor’s Choice
RYOBI RY48130
RYOBI RY48130
• Cutting deck: 30 inches
• Battery operated
• Adjustable deck
• Double steel blades
• LED worklights
Budget Option
RYOBI RY48111
RYOBI RY48111
• Corded electric
• Quiet cutting system
• Run time: 2.5 hours
• Manual operation
• Cruise control features

Reviews of the Top Ryobi Riding Mowers

1. RYOBI RY48130

Massive riding lawn mowers can be hard to maintain and store, so we were delightfully pleased when we bumped into RYOBI RY48130. This low-maintenance unit has no sparkplugs, filters, or belts. Given that it’s battery-powered, users can expect quiet and zero-emission operations. 

Besides having a lower price tag than some of its competitors, this RYOBI unit runs with three brushless motors. You may not know it, but this type of engine delivers power similar to gas mowers. 

The cutting operation during the entire test was efficient and convenient, all thanks to its cruise controls and different cutting options. 

What We Like

What We Don’t Like

2. RYOBI RY48111

Being cheap is not offensive [1] if you’re buying a great product like RYOBI RY48111. Unlike the traditional gas mowers, this unit operates with a 100Ah Lead Acid Battery that produces fewer sound emissions during the cutting operation. 

Equipped with a dual blade, its mower deck has a cutting width of 38 inches. Its easy deck adjustments are also the main reason why we included this unit in our list. 

Equipped with cruise control features, maneuvering this riding mower in bumpy slopes on the lawn is easy. You will not be burdened with a riding mower that fails to forward or reverse when working on your lot. It also has LED lights, which help us to operate the unit any time of the day. 

What We Like

What We Don’t Like

3. RYOBI RY48ZTR75

If you’re not so tight on the big ol’ wallet, RYOBI RY48ZTR75 is another option you can consider. While it’s not as affordable as other models, this zero-turn mower impressed our testers with its four brushless motors and 75Ah batteries. 

Specifically made for complex landscapes and medium-sized lawns, this unit boasts 42 inches cutting width. Its deck is made of alloy steel material, making it highly suitable to use in any land condition. On top of that, it has multiple deck positions that can be adjusted manually. 

The advanced control settings like slow-speed functions and LED headlights also made our test drive easier. 

What We Like

What We Don’t Like

Ryobi Riding Mower Buyer’s Guide

Power

When purchasing battery-operated equipment, it is essential to consider the power capacity that aligns with the size of your lawn. The riding mowers included in this review are suitable for small to medium-sized lawns. They offer a power runtime ranging from 1 to 2.5 hours per charging session, typically covering mowing areas of approximately 1 to 2.5 acres. Selecting a mower with an appropriate power capacity ensures sufficient runtime to efficiently mow your lawn without interruptions.

Cutting Deck

The mower deck is basically the body of your cutting equipment, so it’s best to get one that’s made of steel or aluminum for added durability. The size of the deck will also depend on how big the lawn area that you’ll be mowing. For instance, a 42-inch riding lawn mower is ideal for medium-sized lawn. 

Control Panel and Lighting

Overall, the riding mower product line under Ryobi has a pretty reliable control panel. If you’re a user who prefers sturdy switch gears, these units are the best ones our testers would recommend. Listed mowers also include LED work lights, which means you can work on your lawn even at the break of dawn. 

FAQ

Where are Ryobi riding mowers made?

Ryobi riding mowers are made in Shelbyville, Indiana. This location was the only known US manufacturing site of the brand, and its product line was launched around 1985. Besides riding mowers, the company also offers different lawn and gardening tools suited for new homeowners. 

Our Top Pick For a Ryobi Riding Mower:
RYOBI RY48130

After the series of tests we conducted, our lawn care experts decided to hail RYOBI RY48130 as our top pick in this Ryobi Riding Mower Review. Besides having an affordable price, this unit has everything one needs to maintain a small lawn, from an adjustable deck to work lights. We also took into consideration its easy controls that suit trimming beginners. 

Robert Johnson is a woodworker who takes joy in sharing his passion for creating to the rest of the world. His brainchild, Sawinery, allowed him to do so as well as connect with other craftsmen. He has since built an enviable workshop for himself and an equally impressive online accomplishment: an extensive resource site serving old timers and novices alike.
Robert Johnson
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