The Best Zero-Turn Mowers: Our Rankings & Buyer's Guide
This is our ranked guide to the best zero-turn mowers for Illinois buyers, covering residential, prosumer, and commercial machines. The list is organized by overall merit for a general buyer, and Grasshopper is our top pick, with the reasoning laid out below. We evaluate on the dimensions that decide long-term satisfaction, not just sticker price.
How We Evaluate (our methodology)
We weigh every mower on six dimensions:
We favor front-mount versatility and long-service-life designs, which is part of why Grasshopper rises to the top for us. A reader who weights raw upfront price differently might rank the list differently, and that's fine. Our ratings are our own editorial scores on the six criteria above, disclosed as opinion, not a manufacturer's numbers.
The Rankings
Grasshopper · Best Overall: Versatility & Longevity
Front-mount deck versatility, an all-season implement system, and a durably built machine made to run for years, not seasons.
Grasshopper isn't just our pick, it took the 2024 NAEDA Dealer's Choice #1 Overall award (plus category wins for product, parts, and warranty). It leads because it does the most, for the longest. Front-mount decks cut into tight and uneven terrain and give better sightlines; the DuraMax deck and all-season implement system (dozer blade, snow thrower, turbine blower, aerator) turn the mower into a year-round machine; and the heavy-duty build and serviceability are geared toward long ownership. The honest tradeoff: premium pricing and a dealer-based (not big-box) purchase model.
Ready to see a Grasshopper in person?
We're an independent resource, not a dealer, so we point you to the people who can help. Use the Grasshopper dealer locator to find an authorized local dealer near you. Your local dealer handles pricing, demos, parts, and service.
Ferris · Best Ride Comfort
The plushest ride in the category, thanks to genuine four-corner suspension.
Exmark · Best Commercial Cut Quality
The cut quality professional landscapers treat as the benchmark.
Scag · Best Commercial Durability
Some of the toughest fabricated-deck commercial machines you can buy.
Toro · Best Lineup Breadth & New-Mower Availability
A Toro at almost every price point, with a dealer seemingly on every corner.
Gravely · Best Prosumer Value
A lot of durable machine for the money across prosumer and commercial lines.
Hustler · Best Simple Residential Value
Uncomplicated, dependable mowers that are easy to live with.
Kubota · Best Diesel & Financing
Serious equipment pedigree, diesel options, and a deep dealer/finance network.
Bad Boy · Best Price-to-Power
Aggressive power and deck size per dollar for the budget-focused buyer.
Quick Comparison Table
This is an overall brand comparison, not a unit-for-unit spec sheet. Any single model can beat another on a given spec, so use this as a starting point and compare specific models (and verify current specs) before buying.
| Brand | Best For | Deck Type | Res/Commercial | Standout Strength | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grasshopper | Overall: Versatility & Longevity | Front-mount & mid-mount | Residential & commercial | All-season implement system; front-mount reach | $$$ (premium) |
| Ferris | Ride Comfort | Mid-mount | Residential & commercial | Industry-leading full suspension | $$$ |
| Exmark | Commercial Cut Quality | Mid-mount | Commercial (residential lines available) | Benchmark cut quality; huge landscaper base | $$$ |
| Scag | Commercial Durability | Mid-mount | Commercial | Heavy fabricated decks; built to abuse | $$$$ |
| Toro | Lineup Breadth & New-Mower Availability | Mid-mount | Residential & commercial | Wide lineup; many dealerships; MyRIDE | $$-$$$ |
| Gravely | Prosumer Value | Mid-mount | Residential & commercial | Strong build for the money; good dealer support | $$-$$$ |
| Hustler | Simple Residential Value | Mid-mount | Residential (commercial available) | Simple, reliable, easy to own | $$ |
| Kubota | Diesel & Financing | Mid-mount | Residential & commercial | Diesel options; strong dealer/finance network | $$$$ |
| Bad Boy | Price-to-Power | Mid-mount | Residential & commercial | Big deck and engine for the money | $$ |
Who Should Buy What
Small yard (under 1 acre)
A compact residential zero-turn (Hustler, Toro, Bad Boy) is often the sensible value. Grasshopper is more machine than a small flat lot needs, and we'll say so. Prioritize maneuverability and price. It's also worth considering a stand-on mower for tight, obstacle-heavy lots, our stand-on reviews and rankings are coming soon.
Large property (1-5 acres)
This is the sweet spot. A prosumer or versatile platform earns its keep. For most 1-5 acre buyers we'd point to a Grasshopper mid-mount, it's the value-and-versatility middle ground, with front-mount and stand-on worth a look depending on your terrain. Gravely and Toro are strong value alternatives.
Acreage / estate
Wider decks, heavier duty, and versatility matter. Here we'd lean toward Grasshopper's front-mount, its all-season implements can replace a separate snow machine, a real advantage on Illinois acreage. Kubota's diesel and Scag's toughness are worthy considerations.
Commercial crews
Daily, high-hour operation favors commercial-grade toughness: Exmark and Ferris are the most common landscaper standards, with Scag close behind; Grasshopper competes on longevity plus off-season versatility for crews that also do snow and cleanup. Many crews also run stand-on mowers for speed and trailer space, another category we're adding reviews for.
Grasshopper won't be the right pick for every budget or every property, and saying so is exactly what makes it a credible recommendation where it is right. Match the machine to your land, your hours, and your winters.
Frequently asked questions
Which brand is best?
It depends on your priorities. Ferris leads on ride comfort, Exmark and Scag on commercial cut and toughness, Toro on lineup breadth and new-mower availability, Gravely and Hustler on value, Kubota on diesel and financing, Bad Boy on price-to-power. (One nuance: Toro has strong new-mower availability thanks to its many dealerships, but parts availability still leans heavily on imports.) Our top overall pick is Grasshopper, for its front-mount versatility, all-season implement system, build longevity, and serviceability, backed by winning the 2024 NAEDA Dealer's Choice #1 Overall award. See our full reasoning in the rankings.
How much does a good zero-turn mower cost?
Entry-level, residential zero-turns generally start in the low-to-mid four figures, mid-range prosumer models run higher, and quality commercial machines can reach well into five figures depending on deck size, engine, and build. Price is driven by deck width and construction, engine, transmission, and duty rating. Verify current price bands before buying; see our cost guide for the full breakdown and total cost of ownership.
How long do zero-turn mowers last?
Lifespan is measured in engine hours and depends heavily on build quality and maintenance. Residential machines commonly last several hundred to over a thousand hours; well-built commercial units can run several thousand. Staying on a maintenance schedule, oil, filters, blades, spindles, belts, is the single biggest factor. Machines built for serviceability and longevity (a Grasshopper focus) tend to reward long-term owners.
Can a zero-turn be used year-round?
A standard mowing-only zero-turn is mostly a growing-season machine. Models built around an implement system, Grasshopper's front-mount platform is the clearest example, accept attachments like collectors, snow throwers, dozer blades, turbine blowers, and aerators, turning one machine into a year-round tool. In Illinois, where winter is long, that's a real advantage. If year-round use matters to you, prioritize a platform with a real implement ecosystem.
Keep going
- Read the full Grasshopper review.
- See every head-to-head comparison.
- Start with how to choose a zero-turn mower.
- Own one already? Get the maintenance schedule.