Best Zero Turn Mowers Under $5,000
60-inch fabricated decks from Ariens, Toro, and Cub Cadet, the John Deere Z345R, and the EGO Z6 electric zero turn.
Reviewed by Anton Schwarz
Anton compiled this guide from manufacturer specifications and published independent reviews.
Full Bio →Top Picks Under $5,000
Research-based review compiled from manufacturer specifications and published independent reviews. We have not mowed with these models ourselves.
Best Gas Ariens IKON 60" Kawasaki
23HP Kawasaki FR691V, 60" 11-gauge fabricated deck, 7 mph. The lowest list price of the 60" models here.
$4,699* See at Ariens
Best Electric — Amazon EGO Power+ ZT4204L
56V true zero turn, four 10.0Ah batteries and charger included. EGO rates it at up to 2 acres per charge.
$3,599* Check Price on Amazon
Best Dealer Network John Deere Z345R
22HP engine and 42" Accel Deep deck, sold through John Deere dealers. Deere does not list a price online.
Dealer price Find at Deere DealerVideo Review
What $5,000 Buys
The main step up in this range is deck width. Three of the gas models here carry 60-inch fabricated decks. A 60-inch deck is about 43% wider than a 42-inch deck, so it needs fewer passes on open ground.
Published specs across these picks:
- 60" fabricated decks on the Ariens, Toro, and Cub Cadet models, 10 to 11 gauge
- 23 to 24HP engines from Kawasaki and Kohler, or a 22HP-equivalent battery system on the EGO
- 7 to 8 mph listed speed
- Warranties from 2 to 5 years, with different hour limits, so read the terms
Two models here list above $5,000 on the maker's site: the Toro TimeCutter MyRIDE Max 60 ($5,399*) and the Cub Cadet Ultima ZT3 60 ($6,149*). Dealer promotions may bring them lower. Confirm the price before you buy.
Detailed Reviews
1. Ariens IKON 60" Kawasaki (918006)
Pros
- 60" Envy Elite deck, 11-gauge and 4.5" deep
- Lowest list price of the 60" models here
- Foot-operated deck lift assist standard
Cons
- Warranty capped at 300 hours
- 23HP, the smallest engine of the 60" gas models here
Our Take
The Ariens IKON 60 puts a 60-inch, 11-gauge fabricated deck on a 23HP Kawasaki FR691V at a $4,699* list price. That is $700 below the Toro 60" model and $1,450 below the Cub Cadet 60" model at list.
This replaces the IKON XL 60 we listed before. Ariens no longer shows the IKON XL in its current zero-turn lineup.
Best for: Buyers with 3 or more open acres who want a 60" deck at the lowest list price here.
See at Ariens2. EGO Power+ ZT4204L 42"
Pros
- Four 10.0Ah batteries and charger included
- EGO rates it at up to 2 acres per charge
- About 2-hour recharge with the included charger
- Adjustable hydraulic seat suspension
- 5-year warranty covers batteries and charger with registration
- No gas, oil changes, or spark plugs
Cons
- 42" stamped deck, narrower than the 60" gas picks
- Lawns over 2 acres need extra batteries or a recharge
Our Take
The EGO ZT4204L is a true zero turn with lap bar steering, not a tractor-style rider. EGO lists 22HP-equivalent output and speeds up to 8 mph.
The 5-year warranty covers the tool, batteries, and charger once you register. Batteries are the most expensive wear part on any electric mower, so register it the day it arrives.
Best for: Homeowners with up to 2 acres who want electric mowing and seat suspension.
Check Price on Amazon3. John Deere Z345R 42"
Pros
- Accel Deep deck designed for airflow and mulching
- Sold and serviced through John Deere dealers
Cons
- 42" deck, smaller than the 60" picks
- 2-year / 120-hour warranty, the shortest here
- Price not listed online
Our Take
The John Deere Z345R is sold through John Deere's dealer network, which is its main selling point: parts and service from an authorized dealer. The Accel Deep deck is John Deere's deep-deck design aimed at airflow and mulching.
Its 2-year / 120-hour warranty, as listed by Deere dealers, is the shortest in this list. Get a written dealer quote, since Deere does not publish the price.
Best for: Buyers who value local dealer support over deck size.
Find at John Deere Dealer4. Toro TimeCutter MyRIDE Max 60" (77602)
Pros
- MyRIDE suspension isolates the operator platform from the frame
- 60" 10-gauge fabricated deck
- Strong Toro dealer network
Cons
- $5,399* list price, above this budget
- Dealer-only purchase
Our Take
The Toro TimeCutter MyRIDE Max 60 pairs a 60-inch, 10-gauge IronForged fabricated deck with Toro's MyRIDE suspension. Toro lists a 24HP Kohler KT735 and a 7 mph top speed.
At $5,399* list, it costs $700 more than the Ariens IKON 60 for a similar deck. The suspension is what that money buys.
Best for: Buyers with large properties who mow long sessions over rough ground.
See at Toro5. Cub Cadet Ultima ZT3 60"
Pros
- 3-year warranty with no hour cap
- Lifetime limited warranty on frame and deck shell
- Kawasaki FS730V engine
- 7.5 mph, the fastest listed gas speed here
Cons
- $6,149* list price, well above this budget
- Dealer-only purchase
Our Take
The Cub Cadet Ultima ZT3 60 has the strongest published warranty terms among the gas models here: 3 years with unlimited hours, plus a lifetime limited warranty on the frame and deck shell. It uses standard lap bar steering.
Its $6,149* list price is $1,450 above the Ariens IKON 60. Only shortlist it if a dealer promotion brings it close to $5,000, or if you mow enough hours to hit Ariens' 300-hour cap.
Best for: High-hour homeowners who want warranty coverage without an hour limit.
See at Cub Cadet*Prices marked with an asterisk reflect the listed price at the time of review and may differ on the vendor's site.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best zero turn mower under $5,000?
For gas, the Ariens IKON 60 Kawasaki is our top pick: a 60-inch, 11-gauge fabricated deck and a 23HP Kawasaki FR691V at a $4,699* list price, sold through Ariens. For electric, the EGO Power+ ZT4204L listed at $3,599* on Amazon and is rated for up to 2 acres per charge.
Is a $5,000 zero turn mower worth it for a homeowner?
For 3 or more acres, a 60-inch deck is the reason to spend it. A 60-inch deck cuts about 43% wider than a 42-inch deck, which means fewer passes on open ground. On small or obstacle-heavy lawns, the 42-inch EGO or John Deere models here cost less.
How long will a $5,000 zero turn mower last?
Makers do not publish an expected engine life, so treat any hour figure you see as a guess. The published proxy is the warranty: Ariens lists 3 years or 300 hours, Cub Cadet 3 years with unlimited hours, Toro 3 years residential, and EGO 5 years on the tool, battery, and charger with registration.
Are electric zero turns worth it at this price?
It depends on acreage. EGO rates the ZT4204L at up to 2 acres per charge with its four 10.0Ah batteries and about a 2-hour recharge. It covers the tool, batteries, and charger for 5 years with registration. Above 2 acres, budget for extra batteries or choose gas.