Best Riding Lawn Mower for Hills (2024)

For safety reasons, you really shouldn’t use a riding mower on an incline of more than 15 degrees. But otherwise, a riding mower really can make grassy hills, slopes, inclines, and overall uneven terrain a heckuva lot easier to maintain. In this article, we present the 9 best riding lawn mowers for hills, in categories like the best battery-powered lawnmower, the best budget mower, the best small mower, and more. While researching this article, we also looked for features that help make a mower particularly well-suited for uneven ground, like a small turning radius — zero-turn being most ideal for hills — large rear wheels for better traction, and a locking rear differential. 

We know riding mowers can be a bit intimidating for some who are accustomed to using push mowers. But trust us, the mowers included in this list are not only great for hills; they’re easy to assemble and even easier to operate. By the time you’re finished reading, you’ll be more than ready to mow that hilly backyard with confidence.

And with cupholders and comfortable seats common among these mowers, you may not even break a sweat.

Our Top Picks

What is the best riding lawn mower for steep hills? Here’s a quick trip through the top 9 mowers included in our ranking.

A Closer Look: Best Riding Lawn Mower for Hills

Ready for a deep cut? Here’s everything we like, and some things reviewers didn’t like, about each mower we mentioned.

With an 18.5 HP Briggs & Stratton Intek engine, the best rated riding lawn mower for hills is the gas-powered Husqvarna YTH18542. What makes this Husqvarana the best lawn mower for steep hills is the foot pedal-operated hydrostatic transmission, meaning you can change direction and speed without taking your hands off the wheel. That’s particularly important for safety when mowing an incline. 

Otherwise, we like the 42” cutting deck and 16” cutting radius — remember, when it comes to hills, the smaller the turn radius, the better. There’s also air-induction mowing technology for a clean and consistent cut with improved airflow within the reinforced deck. Don’t miss the dual, anti-scalp wheels. Also, the 13” seat is mid-back and ergonomic, and overall the mower is easy to operate. Consumers call it a good product at a good price, well-built, and easy to use. 

Following closely behind the YTH18542 is the Husqvarna Z254, a zero-turn mower with a 54” cutting width. Among other benefits, zero-turn mowers are easier to maneuver, which is important to consider when mowing a steep incline. Also notable for safety, there’s a patent-pending parking brake system, automatically activating or deactivating as the steering levers are moved outward or inward.

Also catching our attention, the Z254 has a 26 HP Kohler engine, reaching max speeds of 6.5 MPH. Additionally, clippings can be mulched, discharged, or bagged (but the mulching kit and bagger or sold separately). According to one report, the controls are easy to use. Overall, the mower has lots of power and speed and cuts very well, users say, even on five acres of rough terrain.

To save fuel and help the environment, choose the best battery-operated riding lawn mower for hills, the Ryobi RY48111. With a 38” cutting width and a zero-turn radius, this 48-volt mower is powered by 100Ah lead-acid batteries. The batteries are included with purchase and provide about 2-and-a-half-hours of run time on a single charge. The mower is also quiet, running at only about 70 dB, with 12 manual deck adjustments ranging from 1.5” to 4.5”. We like the cupholder and that the whole thing charges through a standard 120-volt outlet. 

We felt confident including the RY48111 based on feedback from a user on a hilly lot, calling the mower a champ, and adding the battery life is more than adequate. The mower also did great on another hilly property, according to reports, providing a nice even cut with a great turning radius. It’s rear-wheel drive, providing good traction in rough terrain. We were especially encouraged by a report the mower climbed a steep hill in a side yard. The ride is a bit bumpy, though, based on feedback.

Depending on how steep the hill is you need to mow, a zero-turn radius mower (meaning, in effect, no turning at all is required) may be your best option. The best zero-turn riding lawn mower for hills is the “pro-sumer” Toro 75742. In addition to a zero-turn radius, there’s a 42” cutting deck, and it all runs on a 22.5 HP V-twin engine with a hydrostatic transmission. It’s also rear-wheel drive, with 11” front wheels and 18” inch wheels in the back.  

With Toro, hills aren’t a problem, based on feedback. One user who bought the mower for their uneven terrain called the steering responsive and another added that the 75742 cuts the grass evenly without some of the grassy chunks common from other riding lawn mowers. The cup holder and storage compartments are convenient, and the seat is comfortable, we learned. The fenders are also effective for deflecting mud and dirt. Some do say, however, that the mower bogs down a bit when the grass is too thick. It’s also sometimes difficult to start.

Need a solution for mowing your hills that’s less like a tractor, and more like the small and compact riding lawn mower you typically see? For the best small riding lawn mower for hills, check out the TS 354XD from Husqvarna. Though comparably compact, the 354XD boasts a 54” cutting width and a 16” turning radius. There’s also a hydrostatic transmission, and it’s all powered by a 24 HP Kawasaki V-Twin engine.

More than anything, though, what makes the best small riding lawn mower for hills is the locking rear differential. This design keeps the speed of the front and rear axles tied together, helping the mower climb and descend hills safely and navigate other sorts of obstacles in hilly terrain. The wheels are also anti-scalp, perfect for uneven ground, and comments describe the TS 354XD as easy to start and good on hills.

The mower is also easy to assemble, we learned, but the high-back seat could offer more shock absorption, according to some. 

It’s possible to have the best riding lawn mower for hills without spending all your money. The best-rated cheap riding lawn mower for gardeners on a budget is the TB 30 from Troy-Bilt. In addition to a 30” cutting deck and a 16” turning radius, the gas-powered mower offers a 6-speed shift-on-the-go transmission, and a 382cc single-cylinder OHV Troy-Bilt engine with auto choke. It’s also compatible with a broad array of attachments.

More than anything, what makes the Troy-Bilt the best affordable riding lawn mower for hills are the large rear wheels (18” in the back, 13” in the back) contributing a smoother ride on uneven ground. Reports also state the mower stays well-balanced on smaller hills and inclines, especially at the highest deck height. No matter the size of the hill, it is vital to take them slowly, we found out. But otherwise, the TB 30 tows and handles sharp turns well, according to reports. It’s also easy to operate.

The best pro-level, commercial-grade riding lawn mower for hills is, naturally enough, a Beast. As well as a roll bar for safety, especially important when steep slope mowing, the gas-powered Beast 48ZBM20R offers a 48” cutting width, zero-turn radius, and hydrostatic transmission. We also like 11-gauge steel deck, ¼-inch steel frame components, and 7-gauge reinforced clutch plate. This thing reaches speeds of up to 10 MPH, and the tires are the largest in the category, with a blade tip speed reaching nearly 19,000 feet per minute. 

Trust us when we say, this mower lives up to its name. Users call the control and speed amazing, adding it’s easy to operate, powerful, and nimble. The mower does take a bit to warm up, according to reports. Still, otherwise, the mower works well at an angle, some say, and at extreme temperatures. Even those who’ve never used a riding mower say it’s easy to get the hang of with a bit of practice, and for what you get, the price can’t be beat.

Mow that hill in style and luxury with the Husqvarna MZ61. With a 61” inch cutting width, among the largest in our list, and a zero-turn radius, the gas-powered MZ61 has an 11-gauge steel cutting deck and a hydrostatic transmission. Earning the mower, our pick for best luxury is the ergonomically designed deck lifting system, helping the rider make adjustments directly from the operator’s seat, and the high-back seat with armrests. 

But that’s not all. In terms of comfort, the MZ61 also boasts foam-padded hand grips and vibration dampeners. As far as hills are concerned, the uphill traction is great, users say, though try to plan your trip to avoid steep downgrades. Otherwise, though, the mower runs great and is powerful. Turning is easy, according to one report, and it’s easy to use for a beginner. Some lawn striping issues have been reported, however.

In terms of fuel efficiency, the best riding lawn mower for steep hills is the Cub Cadet XTI. With a 42” cutting width and a 16” run radius, the Cub Cadet offers a hydrostatic transmission and an optimized steering system for handling around obstacles, especially important on an incline, as well as an automotive-style turning radius for better maneuvering and better cutting in uneven or bumpy terrain.

The Cub Cadet also earns high marks for comfort, with push-button cruise control, a high-back seat, and comfort-grip steering. Consumers report more than enough power for hills. According to one report, the Cub Cadet performed well on a property with hills and steep inclines, and provided a clean cut on a property with some hills, another user said.

Our Process

For this guide on riding lawn mowers for hills, our team spent 5 hours researching the most popular options from over 45 brands and manufacturers big and small. We then read about twenty seven user reviews (both positive and negative) to discover what shoppers thought about each riding lawn mower for hills. After comparing this data, we narrowed our list down to the top 9 on the market. You can count on this research to guide you to a mindful purchasing decision.

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