Consumer Reports Data Shows These Are The 3 Best Riding Lawn Mowers Of 2026 So Far

It finally happened. You climbed onto your trusty riding lawn mower, turned over the engine, and no dice. You knew the day would come, but let's be honest: You were hoping it wouldn't be for a while, since shopping for a new mower can be overwhelming. The good news? Consumer Reports has already done the hard work and identified the top three riding lawn mowers on the market, so finding your next one just became a lot simpler.

How does Consumer Reports decide which riding lawn mower earns one of the top three spots? According to their article, they used a two-pronged approach. First, they planted nearly 2,000 pounds of dense grass seed, then mowed, testing each tractor's bagging, mulching, and side-discharging modes. They also reviewed proprietary member satisfaction reports — in this case, they utilized ratings from over 62,000 lawn mowers purchased in the last decade. Safe to say, they know their stuff when it comes to riding lawn mowers — or in this case, lawn tractors. 

All of Consumer Report's top three riding lawn mowers of 2026 share the lawn tractor classification by virtue of their front-engine designs, traditional steering wheels, and sizable cutting decks, among other lawn tractor-specific features. As such, if you're in the market for a smaller riding lawn mower with a rear-facing engine (or a zero-turn mower, which Consumer Reports categorizes separately), you'll need to head to Consumer Reports' detailed rankings.

Let's start with the lawn tractor that Consumer Reports named its top riding lawn mower in 2026, the John Deere X354. At $5,100, it is the most expensive of the bunch, which may put off some potential buyers. However, this ultra-maneuverable workhorse received top scores from Consumer Reports in side-discharging, bagging, and mulching, meaning it may be worth another look. It also comes with a slew of high-end features, including MulchControl compatibility, cruise control, and a washout port to easily clean the blades, not to mention a four-year warranty. One possible con? Its 42-inch cutting deck is on the smaller side compared to other front-engine lawn tractors in its class.

Coming in second place is the John Deere S240-48. At a more budget-friendly $4,000, it also pulled in high scores when Consumer Reports tested its bagging, mulching, and side-discharging modes. Testers were also satisfied with its maneuverability and ability to mow evenly. Its 48-inch wide cutting deck makes it ideal for tackling bigger lawns quickly, and the high seat back will keep you comfortable. However, it received an average noise score and only has a three-year warranty — one year less than the others in the top three.

Finally, meet the John Deere X350-42. Currently priced around $4,100, this model also had high ratings in mulching and side-discharging, but ranked average in the bagging mode. Like the X354, it also includes some nifty upgrades — being able to mow while in reverse around certain yard features seems particularly handy — and has a relatively slim 42-inch cutting deck and four-year warranty. 

Picking the best riding lawn mower for your property and budget comes down to a few factors, but the most important? The area you'll be mowing. If you have lots of flower beds, trees, or other obstacles scattered throughout your yard, a 4-wheel steerer, like the X354, is worth considering. Similar to a 4-wheel drive, the 4-wheel steer function affords the lawn tractor better maneuverability in tight areas.

Another consideration is picking the right mower deck size for your lawn. While "the larger the yard, the wider the deck" is a useful rule of thumb, take into account the terrain of your yard. For example, you might have a sizable lawn, but if it has slopes and valleys, a smaller deck (like the X354 and X350-42 offer) typically ensures a more even cut. Also, don't forget to check that the deck size will fit through your gate and into your storage area!

Finally, accounting for your budget and warrantied machine failures over time is a no-brainer. Are you willing to pay a little more for a longer warranty, or would you rather have a better up-front cost? If you feel comfortable doing your own lawn mower maintenance, prioritizing a warranty might not make sense. Striking the right balance between these elements takes a bit of thought, but it's worth it every time you head out to mow the lawn.