We Tested 3 Zero-Turn Mowers on 5 Acres, and Our Favorite Made Us Feel Like We Were Floating Across the Lawn

If you’re caring for a large property, it pays to do your research on zero-turn mowers for 5 acres. While lawn tractors used to be the best machines available for tasks like mowing the grass, plowing the driveway, and hauling firewood, they really aren’t the most efficient tools on the market for lawn care. Those who want to mow their acreage quickly and achieve a great-looking finish are increasingly turning to zero-turn mowers. 

Unlike a lawn tractor, a zero-turn mower is a grass-cutting specialist. It is built for maximum maneuverability thanks to independent wheel motors that let it turn on a dime. This precision allows it to cut an acre of grass in half the time, saving fuel and ongoing effort.

If you need a mower for 5 acres or more, a model from our list of top zero-turn mowers could be perfect for your property. We tested three of the units featured in this guide, selecting the Toro 60″ Titan MyRide Zero-Turn Riding Mower as the best overall option for its speed, maneuverability, deck size, and operator comfort. Ahead, explore key features we considered while compiling this list and find out why the machines we’ve highlighted are among the best zero-turn mowers for 5 acres. 

1. BEST OVERALL: Toro 60″ Titan MyRide Zero-Turn Riding Mower 
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2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Husqvarna Xcite Z350 Zero-Turn Riding Lawn Mower
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3. BEST FOR RUGGED TERRAIN: Bobcat ZT3500 Zero-Turn Riding Mower
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4. MOST USER-FRIENDLY: John Deere Z515E ZTrak 60″ Zero-Turn Riding Mower
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5. ALSO CONSIDER: Bad Boy ZT Elite 60″ Zero-Turn Riding Mower
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Zero-Turn Mowers for 5 Acres Comparison

Our Top Picks

If you have a large property, the average lawn-mowing cost to hire the chore out will likely be hundreds of dollars each time. The right zero-turn mower for 5 acres will pay for itself in a season or two while also allowing you to complete the chore relatively quickly. 

Our Ratings: Mowing Speed 4.5/5; Cut Quality 5/5; Maneuverability 4/5; Operator Comfort 5/5; Value 4.5/5 

The Toro Titan MyRide 60-inch zero-turn mower is a powerhouse designed for homeowners with large lawns who want professional results and a comfortable ride. Its 26-horsepower (hp) Kohler engine and expansive 60-inch fabricated steel deck allow you to make quick work of even the biggest yards. In testing, it took us a bit of adjusting to get the suspension system configured correctly. Still, once we had it set, the combination of that suspension, the large rear tires, and the premium high-back seat delivered an exceptionally smooth ride. Even over rough or uneven terrain, we experienced less fatigue and more comfort during long mowing sessions.

The Titan’s controls were intuitive and responsive, making it surprisingly easy to maneuver around obstacles and tight corners. Convenient features like the foot-operated deck lift and automatic parking brake may not seem essential, but they definitely made the job easier. We also appreciated this mower’s heavy-duty construction since we expect to use it season after season. The only potential downsides are that the 60-inch deck might be too wide for narrow gates or tight areas, and while it handles flat or gently rolling terrain with ease, it’s not ideal for steep slopes. 

Read our full review: Toro 60″ Titan MyRide Zero-Turn Riding Mower

What our tester says: “I gave this Toro a perfect comfort score since it cruises across the landscape in a way that makes me feel like I’m almost floating above it. It also turns on a dime, making it easy to mow open areas at max speed.”—Mark Wolfe, Product Reviews tester and writer 

Get the Toro zero-turn mower for 5 acres at Tractor Supply Co. or Toro.

Our Ratings: Mowing Speed 4.5/5; Cut Quality 4.5/5; Maneuverability 4/5; Operator Comfort 4.5/5; Value 4.5/5 

Husqvarna’s Xcite Z350 zero-turn riding mower features a 24 hp Kohler engine and a 54-inch, 10-gauge steel deck for a professional experience at a residential price. The powerful motor and thick deck aren’t just durable and reliable—they also deliver an efficient performance and a clean, even finish. Like our top pick, the Xcite Z350 features a customizable suspension system and high-back seat that make mowing comfortable and help reduce fatigue during long grass-cutting sessions.

During our tests, I really fell in love with the Husqvarna’s SmoothRide suspension system and intuitive controls. After making a few adjustments to fit my frame, I felt consistently comfortable in the seat (I recommend springing for the optional armrests) and could move freely without bottoming out on hard bumps. I appreciated that the easy-to-use controls were located right on the hand grips and that it has a digital dashboard that shows fuel levels and maintenance needs. Even though it’s one of the smaller models on our list, this zero-turn mower is still too wide to fit through narrow gates and isn’t designed for use on steep or hilly terrain, so take your individual property into consideration when deciding if it’s right for you.  

Read our full review: Husqvarna Xcite Z350 Zero-Turn Riding Lawn Mower

What our tester says: “To me, this feels like a commercial-grade mower with consumer-grade speed. Its maneuverability and responsiveness are excellent, and I really like the start/stop and PTO controls on the hand grips.”—Mark Wolfe, Product Reviews tester and writer 

Get the Husqvarna zero-turn mower for 5 acres at Amazon.

Our Ratings: Mowing Speed 5/5; Cut Quality 4.5/5; Maneuverability 4.5/5; Operator Comfort 4.5/5; Value 4/5 

The Bobcat ZT3500 zero-turn riding mower is a premium mower built for large residential properties or professional use. Its robust 21.5 hp Kawasaki engine, heavy-duty 7-gauge steel frame, and 52-inch stamped deck can reach speeds up to 10 mph while delivering an even cut. It features large 23-inch drive tires and a high-back adjustable seat with spring suspension to offer a level of comfort not often found in commercial-grade mowers.

This Bobcat zero-turn mower demonstrated exceptional cutting power and comfort during our tests. It distributed clippings evenly with no clumping or missed patches, even in damp conditions. The intuitive controls allow for smooth acceleration, deceleration, and precise steering, making it easy to maneuver around landscaping and tight corners. It also offers excellent fuel efficiency, using only about 3 gallons of gas to mow 6 acres. While the ZT3500 comes at a somewhat high price point and is only available through Bobcat dealers, its build quality, life expectancy of up to 20 years or longer, performance, and comfort features justify the investment for those with large properties.

Read our full review: Bobcat ZT3500 Zero-Turn Riding Mower

What our tester says: “I was able to mow my 3-acre test area in just over an hour with the  Bobcat. The ride was comfortable, the mower maneuvered easily around all our landscaping, and the grass looked great.”—Mark Wolfe, Product Reviews tester and writer 

Get the Bobcat zero-turn mower for 5 acres at Bobcat.

More Great Options

Although we’ve yet to test these zero-turn mowers for 5 acres, we chose them for our lineup based on their quality, features, and customer ratings. If you’re still looking for the right model for your property, you’ll likely find it here.

Those looking at relatively cheap zero-turn mowers will be pleasantly surprised to learn there’s no need to sacrifice functionality and quality to save on the bottom line. John Deere’s Z515E 60-inch zero-turn riding mower offers similar performance to its premium model, the Z530R, at a discounted price. The John Deere–branded Briggs & Stratton V-twin 24 hp engine, 60-inch triple-blade 10-gauge steel stamped deck, 22-inch rear wheels, and 18-inch cut-and-sewn seat provide outstanding comfort and performance for the money. Mowing heights range from 1 to 4 inches, and the fuel tank holds 4.5 gallons. The mower is also relatively lightweight, weighing a bit under 800 pounds, though it’s still better for flat terrain and not steep hills.

Although the Z515E lacks some premium upgrades found on other John Deere models, it holds up very well within the industry in terms of power, performance, and comfort. It’s also incredibly easy to operate, thanks to color-coded controls, smooth steering levers, and an intuitive layout that makes mowing feel like less of a chore, even for first-time users.

Get the John Deere zero-turn mower for 5 acres at Lowe’s or John Deere.

Starting with its 7-gauge steel deck and continuing through the 26-hp Kohler engine and commercial-grade hydraulics, the Bad Boy ZT Elite is overbuilt—in the best of ways. Its thick steel build and powerful engine add up to a stout 841-pound mower that will handle flat and rolling terrain with ease. The 60-inch deck adjusts to mowing heights from 1.5 to 4.5 inches, and the fuel tank holds 6.5 gallons of gas. 

When it comes to comfort, the ZT Elite offers an 18-inch high-back seat with armrests, along with a patented independent front-suspension system to cushion the ride. It’s also user-friendly, with intuitive controls and thoughtful features like a cup holder and storage cubby. The 22-inch tires are slightly narrower than comparable models at 11 inches wide, as opposed to the 12-inch widths seen on the others in this lineup, which likely improves maneuverability but may temper comfort and traction slightly. 

Get the Bad Boy zero-turn mower for 5 acres at Tractor Supply Co. or your local Bad Boy dealer.

How We Chose and Tested the Best Zero-Turn Mowers for 5 Acres

To choose a lineup of the best zero-turn mowers for 5 acres, we scoured the internet for medium to large models built with homeowners in mind. We quickly honed in on about a dozen mowers with 52- to 61-inch three-blade decks and 21 to 26 hp engines. To further narrow these down, we considered build quality, user-friendly features, fuel capacity, and maximum speed. To ensure our picks would fit a range of budgets regarding overall lawn care costs, we were careful to include high-quality picks at a variety of price points without sacrificing reliability or durability. 

When it came time for testing, we chose 3 zero-turn units and used each to mow a 3-acre area a minimum of two times. The terrain varied from flat and gently sloping to areas of short, steep inclines and consistently wet patches. We navigated around beds, between gates, and through narrow corridors; as we did so, we noted maneuverability, seat and deck adjustments, noise, comfort, and cut quality to sort and rank our top picks.

What to Consider When Choosing a Zero-Turn Mower for 5 Acres

After settling on the idea of a zero-turn mower, there are numerous choices to make. For those with large acreage, the key shopping considerations include the cutting deck, engine, fuel capacity, transmission, and, of course, operator comfort. 

Cutting Deck

The construction and adjustability of the mower deck are arguably the most important features. “The wider the better” holds true to a certain extent, with most owners of 5 acres or more choosing a 60- or 61-inch zero-turn mower deck. However, decks as narrow as 54 inches may be more appropriate for maintaining shorter grass on undulating terrain or where narrow passages and other obstructions factor in. For open and flat grassy areas, however, commercial zero-turn mowers with wider decks may be better.

The deck itself may be either fabricated or stamped. A fabricated deck is assembled by welding individual pieces of steel together, while a stamped deck is pressed from a single sheet of steel. Fabricated decks offer superior rigidity and durability, but stamped decks offer better airflow. Deeper decks, both fabricated and stamped, pull the grass up straighter for a cleaner cut than shallower alternatives.

Other factors to consider include the number of blades, height-adjustment increments, overall height-adjustment range, and bagging and mulching capabilities. When the deck size is the same, a mower with three shorter blades cuts cleaner with less risk of clogging than a mower with two longer blades. The more height-adjustment options, the greater overall flexibility the mower has for different types of grasses and growing conditions. The same goes for bag mowers and mulching lawn mowers.

Engine Power and Type

Battery-powered zero-turn mowers are available, though any residential electric model with adequate size and battery runtime may still be overly expensive. Also, electric zero-turn mower deck sizes rarely exceed 42 inches, making them better for properties of up to 2 acres. 

For those reasons, it’s still faster and more efficient to get a clean cut on a large property using gasoline engine power. Typically, a zero-turn lawn mower for 5 acres will be powered by a two-cylinder gas engine, like a V-twin engine. The engine power of the lawn mower ranges from 21 to about 26 hp. The most common engine size for mowers with 60-inch decks is 24 hp, which delivers plenty of power to the drive wheels and two or three blades.

In addition to maneuverability, the other way that zero-turn mowers outpace lawn tractors is with faster mowing speed. Zero-turn mowers boast an average maximum speed of about 8 miles per hour; lawn tractors mow 4 to 5 miles per hour at best.

Fuel Capacity and Battery Runtime

Residential zero-turn lawn mowers usually hold between 3 and 7 gallons of fuel, while some commercial-grade models hold more than 12 gallons. Ideally, the fuel capacity of the mower should be enough for you to cut all the grass without stopping to refuel. 

However, this isn’t always the case, especially when choosing among the most reliable zero-turn mowers for 5 acres or more. For 5 acres of grass, look for a zero-turn mower with a fuel capacity of at least 3 gallons, but keep in mind that tough terrain with lots of obstacles may increase fuel consumption. 

Transmission 

Residential zero-turn riding lawn mowers use dual hydrostatic transmissions to power the two-drive wheels independently. The hydrostatic system uses fluid pressure to transfer power from the engine to the wheels. This configuration eliminates the clutch and gears for smooth acceleration when the drive lever is moved forward or backward. The additional transmission is reflected in the higher cost of a zero-turn mower relative to that of a lawn tractor.

Safety and Comfort 

Performance may be top of mind while shopping for lawn mowers, but safety and comfort features make the difference between a machine that is simply adequate and one that’s enjoyable to operate. Look for zero-turn mowers with suspension and features like seat-safety switches, ROPS, seatbelts, and automatic parking brakes to prevent accidents and injuries. In terms of comfort, a high-back seat, armrests, a cupholder, large rear wheels, and a seat-suspension system can make mowing a pleasure.

FAQs

If you’ve made it this far, you may have additional questions about the best zero-turn mowers. Read on for answers to common concerns.

Meet the Tester

Mark Wolfe is a writer and product tester with a background in the nursery and landscaping industry. For more than 20 years, he mowed, edged, planted, pruned, cultivated, irrigated, and renovated beautiful landscapes. Now he tests and writes reviews about the latest outdoor power equipment, hand tools, lawn care products, and other outdoor-living goods.

Additional research provided by Timothy Dale.

 

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