A lawn mower is a big investment, but it should be an exciting one because every yard needs a reliable lawn mower to keep it looking pristine. There are a lot of factors to consider, and Cub Cadet® is here to provide some guidance. Learn about all the different types, specifications, and features.
Key considerations by yard profile
Yard size: Matching your lawn mower to your yard size is probably the most important consideration. Time spent mowing: When considered together, yard size and the time you want to spend mowing will really help you narrow down your lawn mower choices. Riding lawn mowers are traditionally recommended for larger properties. However, if you have a smaller yard but want to significantly reduce your mowing time, a rider might be your best option.
Terrain type: Not all yards are created equal. A small, hilly yard might require a little more power or larger tires. Obstacles: Mowing around trees will require more precise turning, which means a tighter turn radius or a walk behind with caster wheels can come in handy. Gates and storage space: Big or small, you’re going to have to store your machine somewhere. Take stock of your garage or shed to make sure you currently have or can make enough room. And if your yard has a gate, take a minute to measure the width to ensure the mower will fit with ease. Mow frequency: If you plan on mowing every single week like clockwork, consider mulching your grass clippings to put the nutrients back in your soil. If you prefer to mow less frequently, make sure your machine either comes with a bagger or has a bagger attachment you can purchase separately.
Types of mowers
Lawn mowers come in two general types - walk behind mowers and riding lawn mowers. Within those categories there are many shapes and sizes.
Reel mowers: Nothing fancy here, these machines have no engines, are all operator effort, and provide a quiet operation so you can mow earlier or later, depending on your schedule. Push mowers: You’ve probably seen a push mower before, these predominately use gas-powered engines to propel the blades, requiring the operator to push the machine forward. Lithium-ion battery powered options are available if you’re looking for a quieter operation with minimal maintenance. Self-propelled mowers: Certain walk behinds feature a transmission that propels the machine forward with two primary speed types. Single-speed offers a set speed that can be engaged or disengaged. Variable-speed systems allow you to set your pace more precisely by squeezing on a lever or the handles. Self-propelled mowers also come in three different drive types - front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. Wide-area walk behinds: If you’re looking to get the job done more efficiently than a standard deck walk behind (21” or less), wide-area walk behind mowers come with a larger deck. Mini riders: These Cub Cadet riding lawn mowers have a 30” deck size and are ideal for smaller properties because of their compact size, but still have many of the same features of a riding lawn mower. Zero-turn mowers: Named for their turning radius, zero-turn lawn mowers are ideal for large properties of at least one acre or more. Zero-turns can turn on a dime, helping you to trim close to lawn edges quickly, and navigate around trees and other obstacles with relative ease. Most zero-turn mowers are attachment capable. Zero-turns utilize two control styles, lap bars or a steering wheel.
What are the benefits of an electric lawn mower? In addition to the traditional gas engine powered mowers, now there are cordless electric-powered options available thanks to the latest lithium-ion battery technology. Cub Cadet offers a zero-turn, a lawn tractor, a mini rider, and a walk behind push mower equipped with this battery technology. Low maintenance: When compared to its gas equivalent, an electric lawn mower may be a higher investment up front, but that investment unlocks some significant advantages. One of the biggest benefits of a battery-powered mower is the reduction of regular maintenance, eliminating the need to change belts, filters or oil. Flexible recharging: Cub Cadet’s lithium-ion technology is designed to provide consistent power throughout the life of the charge without power fade. Quiet operation: You probably know when your neighbors are cutting the lawn, unless they’re using an electric lawn mower.
Sizing and deployment guidance
A general rule of thumb is: The bigger the yard, the bigger the lawn mower you’ll need. If your yard is less than an acre - or the size of a standard suburban home - a walk behind lawn mower should do just fine. Reel mowers are great for homeowners that have less than one-fourth of an acre. A push or self-propelled mower is ideal for yards less than a half-acre. If your yard is bigger than a half-acre, consider a wide-area self-propelled lawn mower with a 23”, 28” or 33” deck. For properties of 1 acre or more, consider a lawn tractor or a zero-turn mower as these come with large deck sizes and powerful engines, allowing you to easily and quickly tackle the task. Size is not the only factor. For example, your yard may be less than one-half an acre, but if it consists of mostly uneven terrain and lots of obstacles you might want to consider a self-propelled lawn mower, a model with high-rear wheels or front caster wheels to help navigate it.
When to buy and try
Like with most other necessities, it’s best to begin your research before mowing season starts. The timing will also depend on where you live. We recommend you take your time comparing and test drive options at your local dealer before the mowing season breaks.
Your perfect fit
Your perfect fit is striking a balance between your needs and preferences. Engine size: Bigger yards need bigger lawn mowers, and bigger lawn mowers need more power to get the job done. Deck size: Similar to engine size, the bigger the deck, the more grass you can cut in one pass, allowing you to work more efficiently. Drive type: As explained above, there are three primary drive types for self-propelled walk behind mowers. Discharge options: Disposal of grass clippings is an important part of cutting grass. Attachments: Many lawn tractors and zero-turns are attachment capable, allowing you to use them for more than just cutting grass. Not all attachments are available on all models, so consider what else you want to use your lawn mower for.
Self-propelled walk behind lawn mowers come in handy when you’re facing uneven terrain or simply want to put less effort into pushing your machine. Front-wheel drive: FWD delivers traction to the front wheels and helps maneuver easily around beds and trees. Rear-wheel drive: RWD delivers traction to the rear wheels and will help control handling for good performance on slight hills. All-wheel drive: AWD is ideal for yards with varying terrain. Riding mowers are more involved, so naturally they’ll operate differently utilizing either a speed adjuster, levers, pedals, or a combination. Speed transmissions: This is the entry-level transmission. Set your speed and direction prior to mowing and go. Continuous variable transmissions: CVT transmissions utilize a shifter and a pedal to give the user control over direction and speed. Shift into forward, reverse, or neutral then press down on the pedal. Hydrostatic transmissions: A premium drive system that allows the operator to directly control the speed of the mower through the pedals (one for forward and another for reverse).
Clippings handling and mowing methods
There are three primary ways your lawn mower processes grass clippings: side discharge, rear bagging and mulching. During your search, you’ll probably run into terms like 2-in-1 and 3-in-1, particularly when looking at walk behind lawn mowers. Riding lawn mowers generally do not use the 2-in-1 or 3-in-1 vernacular, but still predominately rely on the same three methods to process grass clippings. Side discharge: This is the most common method of disposal as the grass clippings will discharge out from the mower’s side chute as you mow to circulate them across the yard. It’s quick, easy and efficient; ideal if you have a small lawn, short grass or mow frequently. Keep in mind that this method may come with some additional cleanup work if your grass is on the longer side as clippings could spray onto your driveway and on the sidewalk. Bagging: Instead of discharging the grass clippings all over your yard, the mower sucks them into a bag, usually attached to the back of the mower. If you’re looking for a clean-cut, well-kept look, bagging is your best option as grass clippings will be collected with the bag. Bagging also may pick up on other debris - like weeds and leaves - from the yard while you mow, saving you time by integrating multiple tasks into one. Just be sure you don’t accidentally clear debris that is too big for your mower to handle as that could cause damage to the machine. Keep in mind that depending on the size of the bagger and your yard, you may need to empty the bagger multiple times throughout your cut, adding time to the task. To set your mower up to mulch, you will need to install a mulch kit. This replaces the standard blade with a mulching blade and plugs the discharge chute, allowing your mower to work like a blender.
Operator comfort and features
We’ve talked a lot about your yard, but you’re the one doing the work, so don’t forget to take into account what you, the operator, needs out of your machine. Lawn mowers come engineered with many features to help make the task easier on you. Comfort: Features like soft-touch handle grips on a walk behind or a premium cut and sew high back seat on a rider can provide a more premium experience and reduce vibration from the unit. Traction: If your yard has uneven terrain, consider a walk behind mower with high rear wheels or front caster wheels as this will help navigate it smoothly. Height adjustment: On a walk behind, look for dual- or single-level adjustment if you want to quickly adjust the cutting height instead of adjusting a lever or bolts at each wheel. Blade engagement: Cub Cadet riding lawn mowers will allow you to disengage the blades so it can be used for more than just cutting grass.
Zero-turn specifics
Zero-turn lawn mowers are predominantly controlled using two lap bars, which operate independent of one another. To move the mower forward, you push both lap bars away from yourself in an even motion, and the opposite to mow in reverse.
Attachments and versatility
Many lawn tractors and zero-turns are designed to do more than just cut grass and are engineered to accept a variety of attachments and accessories (sold separately). Not all attachments are compatible with all models, so be sure to look closely to make sure the attachment works with the mower you’re considering. Baggers: Twin- or triple-bagger attachments save raking time and allow for quicker clean-up. Mulch kits: Recycling grass clippings back into your lawn through mulching is one of the best ways to ensure your lawn stays healthy. Striping kit: Adding patterns to your yard gives it the well-manicured look of a golf course or a professional sports field. Sun shades: Helps shield the operator from the sun while mowing. Hauler: The Cub Cadet hauler can hold up to 10 cubic feet of soil or mulch, brick, stone, shrubs, plants, or even garbage bins. Leaf collector: Designed to fit on top of the Cub Cadet hauler (sold separately) to enable quick and easy pick up of leaves in your yard using an XT1 or XT2 riding lawn mower. All-season plow: The 12-gauge steel blade can move snow, dirt, gravel, mulch, and other commonly used materials that you need to maintain your yard.
Brand and guidance
Cub Cadet lawn mowers are engineered to unlock all the possibilities of your yard. With thoughtfully designed features that are rigorously tested, Cub Cadet lawn mowers deliver a premium experience and results season after season. You can use our product finder on CubCadet.com to narrow down your search and find the best mower for you yard. Whether you’re cutting your home lawn or working in the lawn care industry, a good mower is one of the most important outdoor tools. When you live or work on a large property, a riding mower helps make lawnmowing go much faster than it would with a walk-behind mower. If you’re asking, “What’s the best riding mower?” the answer depends on several factors. Different types of riding mowers fit different tasks. Stand-on riding mowers don’t have a seat. The operator stands on a small platform at the rear of the mower. The mowers have a smaller footprint than other riding mowers, making it easier to fit them on an equipment trailer. They’re typically very maneuverable, and since you’re standing it’s easy to see and avoid obstacles. They’re also better than other zero-turn mowers at handling hilly terrain. Zero-turn mowers are fast and highly maneuverable for large, flat lawns, but not ideal for hills. Lawn tractors are slower and less maneuverable but offer advantages like hills and attachments. Early battery-powered riding mowers had some serious limitations, but modern ones provide good performance for small to mid-size yards. Gas-powered riding mowers remain widely available and powerful, with a broad price range. They’re easy to refuel on the go, making it simpler to cut large or multiple yards in commercial work. Deck sizes vary; larger decks cut faster but reduce maneuverability. When shopping, durability matters: check engine brands, deck construction, and comfort of the seat or standing platform. Antivibration systems can help with longer sessions. Read about the features of each mower you’re considering. A mulching deck can reduce the need to bag or rake clippings. Visiting a local dealer to test sit and feel is a great next step.
Manual vs Hydrostatic Transmission - What’s the Difference and How to Operate - Riding Lawn Mower
When purchasing a riding lawn mower, consider safety dimensions and local regulations. According to safety considerations, it’s important to practice safe operation and wear protection when necessary. Regardless of which mower you choose, don’t forget to practice safety. Always stay clear of a hot engine. As with all Briggs & Stratton products, our lawn mower engines are supported by America's largest service network.