Maintain Greener Grass With A Riding Mower That Makes It Easy

According to the current Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, adults should aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity every day. But not everyone wants that workout to come from mowing the lawn. Driving a riding lawn mower takes the strain out of yard work, especially on bigger properties. Instead of pushing a heavy mower under the hot sun, you can sit back, steer, and cover more ground with much less effort.

Of course, picking the right riding lawn mower can feel overwhelming with so many options on the market. Some models keep it simple, while others come with extras like adjustable cutting heights, bagging and mulching systems, or attachments for hauling tools and supplies. Choosing the right one is worth the time since the right machine keeps your lawn neat without extra hassle. While riding mowers cost more upfront, they often save money over time by cutting mowing hours and helping you avoid paying for lawn care services. If you're ready to upgrade, here are two riding lawn mowers that can make mowing much easier.

The Cub Cadet Enduro XT1 at Home Depot gives homeowners a reliable way to start the riding lawn mower experience without dealing with unnecessary strain. The 46-inch deck cuts a wide path and works well for lawns up to 2 acres, helping you finish the job with fewer passes. Even with its larger size, the 16-inch turning radius lets you steer smoothly around trees, shrubs, and garden edges. Priced at around $2,700, this mower runs on a 22-horsepower Kohler 7000 Series V-Twin engine, which gives the blades plenty of power to handle thick or tall grass.

The high-back seat sits 15 inches tall to give extra support and comfort while mowing. You can adjust both the cutting height and speed to match the lawn's condition, and switch to reverse mowing when needed. The mower also includes headlights for better visibility — and a cup holder, because lawn work goes better with your coffee or cold drink close by. Moreover, the translucent fuel tank lets you check fuel levels at a glance. After mowing, you can clean the deck by attaching a garden hose to the wash port, lowering the deck, starting the riding lawn mower, and letting the blades wash away any grass buildup.

While it doesn't have the shock absorption you might want on rougher ground, the mower handles most tasks with ease. Perhaps this is why the reviews are strong as well. It holds an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars on the Home Depot website. It also comes with a three-year warranty and access to Cub Cadet's nationwide dealer network for service and repairs.

If the Cub Cadet XT1 pushes past your budget, take a look at the John Deere S100 at Lowe's. It's under $2,400 and gives you plenty of cutting power and comfort features for smaller properties. The 42-inch Twin Blade Edge cutting system handles lawns up to 1 acre, and the 18-inch turning radius lets you move smoothly around trees, garden beds, and other obstacles.

A 17.5-horsepower single-cylinder engine keeps the blades moving through flat yards with light obstacles. You control speed and direction with side-by-side pedals that make it easy to switch between forward and reverse while mowing. The mid-back 11-inch seat, extra space for your feet, and cushioned floor mats to reduce vibration help keep you comfortable, even when your "quick mow" turns into an afternoon project.

The stamped deck cleans up easily, and the grease fittings keep the moving parts in good shape. Aside from all these helpful features, the reviews don't disappoint either. The John Deere S100 holds a 4.2 out of 5-star rating on Lowe's website. It also comes with a two-year or 120-hour bumper-to-bumper warranty, supported by John Deere's service network.