Best Cheap Zero Turn Mowers Under $5000

Homeowners looking for riding mowers have three options available to them: a lawn tractor, a rear-engine rider, or a zero turn radius mower. For the purpose of this review, we’ll be looking at the best zero turn mower for the money.

What Is a Zero Turn Mower?

Most traditional lawn tractors tend to have their mowing decks located beneath them. On the other hand, a zero turn mower’s mowing deck can be found directly in front. This gives the machine a turning radius of zero inches which translates to speed and maneuverability.

In other words, a zero-turn mower can make a perfect 360-degree turn and is perfect for navigating around tight corners and obstacles.

A zero turn mower comes with four wheels – two drive wheels at the back and two swiveling wheels in front. It doesn’t have a steering wheel like a traditional mower. Instead, steering is controlled by two handles – one on each side which controls each individual wheel. By keeping one wheel engaged and the other stopped, you can easily accomplish the zero turn effect.

Why Is a Zero Turn Mower Better?

The number one advantage of a zero turn mower is maneuverability. Being able to navigate around tight corners, spaces, and obstacles is a huge bonus for homeowners, especially those with smaller lawns.

A zero turn mower moves incredibly fast, and can mow acres of grass in just a couple of minutes. It’s perfect for those who don’t want to spend too much time on yard work.

Manufacturers are also improving their zero turn mowers by adding more features like snow plows and fertilizer spreaders. Zero turn mowers come with traditional mulching kits and collection systems (side mounted and rear mounted) just like traditional tractors. In a way, a zero turn radius mower offers the best of both worlds.

And now we present to you some of the best zero-turn mowers under $5000 (with most of them under $3000)!

Best Affordable Zero Turn Mowers - Comparison Table

Best Zero Turn Mowers Under $3000

1. John Deere Z345M Zero-Turn Riding Mower

If you have been looking for a reliable, powerful mower that delivers ultimate satisfaction in mowing, this John Deere Z345 mower will be an excellent choice for you. The 22hp engine comes with smooth, flawless operation and is relatively inexpensive.

The mowing equipment is also user-friendly with the easy-to-use controls even for a novice. Let’s look at more of the incredible features that you get to enjoy with the power John Deere mowing equipment.

Comfort

For you to have a productive mowing session, you definitely need mowing equipment that’s comfortable and convenient. This one of a kind zero-turn riding mower has a comfy operation station that allows you to go about mowing without feeling the bumps around the compound.

This is thanks to the large wheels that come with the riding mower. More to comfort are the control arms that are in strategic positions for a convenient reach. The deck has a stamping, which remarkably reduces its weight.

Easy Maintenance

Another impressive feature of this John Deere zero-turn riding mower is that it is pretty easy to clean. Well, mowing can be quite a tough job when there are difficulties involved in getting rid of debris from the mower deck.

On the contrary, this mowing equipment features a flat deck that prevents debris from accumulating on top of it. Also, the mower’s deck comes with flip up guards that make the process of getting grass and debris off the belts effortless.

Speed

A speedy mower will enable you to cut the thick grass in your compound pretty fast without getting overly exhausted. Well, who wouldn’t want that? With the 22hp powerful engine, the mower can operate at high speed while delivering high performance as well.

This also makes it maneuver through hilly areas without much struggle. Moreover, the speed capability gives the user a fun-filled mowing session. Note that even while riding on high speeds the mower provides an excellent clipping dispersion.

Cut Quality

This impressive mowing equipment from John Deere comes with a 42-inch Accel deep deck mower that provides an attractive, clean cut. This is attributable to the deck’s outstanding ability in dealing with stubborn weeds on the mowing area.

Moreover, the mower deck also features different height settings that can cut long grass tirelessly.

Stamped Steel Design

Debris builds up on the edges of the mower likely brings about a slow mowing performance. For that reason, this deck mower comes with a stamped steel design that ensures it doesn’t have any sharp edges or corners that would attract debris buildup.

Powerful Engine

If you are regularly involved in mowing activities, you need to get yourself a mower with a powerful engine. The M44 model engine is powerful and offers a long-lasting service thanks to the cast iron sleeves. It also provides optimal fuel economy thanks to the over-head valves.

2. Beast 48ZBM19R 48 in. Zero Turn Riding Mower

Have you been searching for a powerful mower that delivers an uncompromised performance while also providing an admirable speed? You may want to check out the Beast 48ZBM19R 48-inch Zero Turn Riding Mower, which is certainly one of the best lawn mowers under $3000.

Designed with a heavy duty 12-gauge steel deck and delivering a speed of 10MPH, this beast 48ZBMI9R mower is reliable. A bit more of what this mowing equipment is all about is highlighted down here:

Cut Quality

For you to get a satisfactory clean cut for your grass, you will need to focus on cut quality while choosing a mower for the job. This powerful Beast mower comes with 18,750 ft/minute mowing blade speed that does a quick clean mowing job.

Also, the deck is adjustable up to 5 inches to allow you to attain a clean cut even while working in regions with long grass. Note the length adjustment occurs in ½ an inch per increment.

Traction

If your home or office compound is uneven, you definitely need some sort of remedy towards that to avoid having unbearable mowing sessions. If you are in this category, you have nothing to worry about because this Beast mower has got you covered.

It features large 20” x 8” rear tires and 13” x 5” front tires that provide excellent traction while eliminating the bumpy effects of riding on uneven grounds. Moreover, the high traction capability provides the user with flawless navigation while riding on rough grounds.

Belt Life

You don’t want to purchase a mowing machine that will force you to keep buying a mower belt every now and then. For this reason, this incredible Beast mower comes with belts made from top grade high-temperature rubber material that lengthens the belt’s life.

The belt life is also enhanced by the spindle brakes and the soft-touch clutch.

Accessories

The Beast 48ZBM19R 48 in Zero Turn Riding Mower also comes with some extra accessories for an enhanced user experience. These include a seat belt to ensure that you don’t fall off the mower in case you hit a bumpy surface accidentally.

A cup holder is also provided to ensure that you have your favorite drink at hand as you go about your mowing activities.

Assembly

With this affordable mowing equipment, you need not be troubled about the assembling process since it comes already assembled. All you should do is just add some gas, and you are ready to go! Moreover, starting up the machine is pretty simple with the electric start feature.

Also, important to note is that other than the equipment coming fully assembled, its quality is also harshly tested by the manufacturer before being termed fit for sale.

3. Toro TimeCutter 74710 SS3225 Zero-Turn Riding Mower with Smart Speed

The Toro TimeCutter 74710 SS3225 Zero-Turn Riding Mower with Smart Speed is a mowing machine that comes in handy for individuals with the need to mow through tight spaces. Keep reading to get to know why this lies in the category of the high-performance mowers that are available on the market.

Speed Control

This equipment not only has good speed but also comes with a speed control feature to enable you to shift speeds depending on your working environment. The speed range controls come in trim, tow, and mow options to allow you to choose the most convenient speed depending on the length of the grass you are working on.

Engine Guard

For you to have productive mowing sessions, you need your engine in good condition at all times. First, this mower comes with a powerful 452cc engine that is quite dependable and long-lasting.

Secondly, the engine is safeguarded against debris interference by the heavy gauge steel protection that surrounds it.

Mowing Deck

Featuring a 32-inch mowing deck, this equipment allows you to mow your compound within a snap of a finger. Also, this mowing deck can provide a neat even cut in all conditions. Whether you are working on flat or bumpy ground, you are assured of having a clean job at the end of the day.

Fuel Tank

It goes without saying that having regular interruptions while on your mowing sessions ends up slowing you down. To save you from such instances, this mowing equipment comes with a 3-gallon fuel tank that allows you to have long hour mowing sessions without refill interruptions.

Additionally, you never get to run out of fuel unawares thanks to the transparent construction material of the fuel tank that allows you to see the fuel levels conveniently.

Default Parking Brakes

Toro TimeCutter 74710 SS3225 Zero-Turn Riding Mower with Smart Speed comes with a simplified parking mode. You just need to push the controls outwards, and the machine gets to parking mode automatically.

Basically, this makes the mower operation convenient in that you don’t need to engage a separate brake anytime you need to disengage it.

Easy Maintenance

Once you obtain a clean, elegant look on your lawn, you definitely would love to leave the mower in good shape. Fine, it’s simple. All you need to do is grab your hose pipe and hold it down towards the pierced floor pan which will leave it as clean as ever.

Moreover, an hour meter is included to ensure that you know when the mower needs to be serviced.

4. Cub Cadet Ultima ZT1 42 in. Zero Turn Mower with Lap Bar Control

The Cub Cadet mower is an all-time choice for any individual that wants to engage in serious activities on both even and slightly hilly areas, for under $5000. Firstly, it is designed with an open frame design that allows the user to access the deck and the engine quickly and pretty fast during maintenance.

Also, a large capacity fuel tank is featured to enable you to work for long hours without running out of fuel. More of the features that make the Cub Cadet Ultima ZT1 42 in Zero Turn Mower with Lap Bar Control a top choice mower include:

Seat Type

This Cub Cadet mower is designed with your comfort in mind. This is thanks to the ergonomic 18-inch seat that provides maximum comfort even while riding on a bumpy surface. Furthermore, the seat is adjustable to provide the user with various sitting positions while mowing.

The advanced polymer seat suspension is also an added comfort for the user. The feature also helps in enabling the user to enjoy less exhausting mowing sessions.

Easy Maintenance

Keeping your mower well maintained is an excellent way to lengthen your equipment’s life span. This incredible Cub Cadet mower is designed with a smart jet deck washing system that makes it pretty simple to clean debris and grass accumulation in the deck.

Moreover, the mower also comes with a tubular steel frame with a high-level corrosion defense system that protects the equipment from wear and tear even when exposed to wet weather conditions.

User Experience

To make your mowing moments exciting, this mower has some unique features to make the sessions worth-while. This includes an electronic fingertip blade engagement that gives the deck a smooth, pleasant operation. The smooth front tires facilitate a 180-degree turning without losing navigation or damaging the deck.

The rear tires are also top quality and ensure excellent traction even while mowing rough areas. Also, if your mowing environment lacks proper lighting, it won’t be a limitation because this mower comes with an LED light for such instances.

Fuel Capacity

Mowers with a small fuel tank capacity tend to slow you down due to the regular refills that will be needed in between the mowing sessions. To save you from this trouble, this powerful budget mowing machine comes with a 3.5-gallon fuel tank capacity that allows you to enjoy long hour mowing sessions without refill interruptions.

Speed

One common factor with zero turn mowers is they provide optimal speed for quick mowing. As such, this Cub Cadet Ultima ZT1 42 in Zero Turn Mower features a 7 mph Fwd / 3.5mph Rev zero-turn speed that allows you to give your lawn a neat, pleasant look within no time.

This way you can mow up to 3 acres without getting excessively exhausted.

5. Ariens 915223 IKON X Zero-Turn Riding Mower

The Ariens 915223 IKON X Zero-Turn Riding Mower is a classic mowing unit that doesn’t only leave your lawn looking professionally clean but also enables you to get back the needed nutrients into your yard. This is thanks to the mulch kit.

Also, a shoulder support mechanism is featured to keep your shoulders at a rested position while mowing. Now let’s have a closer look at additional features that come with this one of a kind Ariens mowing unit.

LED Headlight Kit

Don’t let yourself get any limitation on your mowing activities if you are likely to experience low light conditions while cutting grass to keep your lawn clean. This high-performance machine is designed with an LED headlight that allows you to keep mowing even while on poorly lit environments.

Comfortable Seat

Having a comfortable sitting position for your mower, you are definitely going to have a satisfactory mowing session. Regarding that, this Ikon X zero turn Arien riding mower features an ergonomic seat with armrests for a comfortable non-slippery sitting position.

While on the seat, you also won’t experience discomfort from the uneven ground thanks to the high traction wheels that come along.

Deck Power

A powerful deck is also another factor that makes this mower pretty admirable. The mower’s 52-inch deck is made of heavy 11 gauge steel and is fabricated as well. With this, you are assured of achieving an even flawless grass cut for your lawn.

This feature also enables you to cut the long grass in your yard without much effort. Furthermore, the deck mower is 4½ inches deep, which allows you to get as deep as you may need while mowing.

Fuel Capacity

Though not large compared to other mowers under the same category, this Ariens zero turn mower is designed with a 2.8-gallon fuel tank capacity that’s sufficient to mow your lawn for a reasonable amount of time.

Speed

Featuring a ground speed of 7 mph/3 mph FWD/REV, this mower enables you to clean up your compound within no time. Moreover, with the speed feature, you get to spend less on fuel, and your mowing sessions do not drain out all your energy.

Assembly

If you lack technical know-how on how to assemble some of these mowing machines, you don’t have to worry about hiring a professional to do the job for you. This is because the mower comes to you fully assembled.

All that is left is to fuel it and get going as soon as you wish to give your lawn a brand new impressive look!

Kawasaki Engine

Talking of the Kawasaki engine feature, it goes without saying that this mower can be categorized as a commercial-grade mowing unit. The engine offers a high torque that gives excellent mowing results in all working conditions.

Best Zero Turn Mower Under $5000

6. Ryobi RY48ZTR100 Zero Turn Mower

This incredible Ryobi zero turn mower, one of the best lawn mowers under $5000, is a perfect choice for any individual that’s looking for a high-performance easy-to-use machine to keep your compound clean. To begin with, the mower offers a quiet operation in that you won’t cause disturbance to your neighborhood anytime you engage in mowing activities.

Below are more of the outstanding features of this fantastic mowing equipment.

Powerful Battery

Every serious mower out there needs a mower that will provide them with an uninterrupted mowing session. With this in mind, this Ryobi zero turn mower comes with a highly powerful battery that provides you with a 3-acre continuous mowing with zero interruptions.

With this, you won’t have to slow down your mowing activities due to frequent power interruptions. Moreover, the powerful battery provides you with all the speed you need to go about your mowing activities within a short duration.

Comfort

Comfort is an essential factor you should have in mind every time you go searching for a mowing unit because it contributes highly to your how productive sessions get to be. First, the Ryobi mower comes with comfortable 4 adjustment seat positions that keep you shielded from bumpy effects while working on uneven ground.

This is thanks to the wide mower tires. Also, the mower design makes it easy for you to mount on and off. More to comfort is the highly spacious footrest surface.

Accessories

For an enhanced user experience, this mower comes with several accessories that make your mowing activities less exhausting and exciting as well. Cup holders are included to ensure that you never get dehydrated while mowing.

Another accessory is the LED lights that allow you to mow comfortably in poorly lit conditions. Also, several storage compartments are provided for convenient storage of any other equipment you may need while mowing.

Fully Electric

Are you looking for an affordable mower that doesn’t come along with the hassle of oil, gas, or belts? This Ryobi RY48ZTR100 Zero Turn Mower will be the best option for you. This is because the mower is purely electric; thus, it doesn’t require spark plugs, filters, belts, or gas.

Other than enjoying a high-quality performance, this feature ensures you get to enjoy a pure gas free atmosphere as you mow. It is one of the best choices of a mowing unit you can ever make both for your pocket and performance.

Rugged Steel Frame

If you are looking for a mower that’s to be used frequently, you will need one that’s durable enough to withstand regular mowing. This Ryobi zero turn mower is made with a heavy gauge steel material that makes it pretty durable.

With such, you get a chance to enjoy quality long hour mowing services for the longest time without experiencing breakdowns every now and then.

Conclusion

We highly recommend a zero turn mower if you have a small to medium lawn with obstacles like trees or lawn furniture. The ability to make 360-degree turns on the spot makes lawn mowing a breeze. So if you’re wondering which is the best zero turn mower for the money, simply choose any of the mowers from our list, and we promise you’ll make the right decision!

Many are surprised that the Internet can be one of the cheapest places to buy a zero turn mower. But we've provided you with the best options for the best zero turn mowers under $5000 that you can purchase from the comfort of your home!

Note: Amazon prices are subject to change, but all of these zero turn mowers were under $5000 at the time of writing this article.