Quick answer
A 42″ deck is the right size for lawns of about ½ to 1½ acres, and it fits through most garden gates and sheds. Our top gas pick is the Husqvarna Z242F Special Edition zero-turn (21.5 HP Kawasaki, welded deck, Hydro-Gear EZT drive). For a traditional tractor, choose the Husqvarna TS 120. For quiet, low-maintenance mowing, the EGO TR4204 electric tractor is the pick.
42 inches is the smallest common riding mower deck, and for many suburban yards it’s the best fit. It’s narrow enough to get between trees and through gates, and big enough to cut mowing time in half compared with a walk-behind. The main choice is between a lawn tractor (steering wheel, better on slopes, can tow) and a zero-turn (faster, tighter turns, best on flat ground).
| 1 |  | Husqvarna Z242F Special EditionBest Overall (Gas Zero-Turn) | Check price |
| 2 |  | Husqvarna TS 120Best Gas Lawn Tractor | Check price |
| 3 |  | EGO Power+ TR4204Best Electric Lawn Tractor | Check price |
| 4 |  | EGO Power+ Z6 (42″)Best Electric Zero-Turn | Check price |
| 5 |  | Greenworks PRO 80V 42″ Lawn TractorBest Electric for Up to 2 Acres | Check price |
The best 42-inch riding lawn mowers
1Husqvarna Z242F Special EditionBest Overall (Gas Zero-Turn)
The Z242F pairs a 21.5 HP Kawasaki V-twin with a welded (fabricated) 42″ deck. That’s sturdier than the stamped decks on most mowers at this size. A Hydro-Gear EZT transmission and a 3-year consumer warranty round it out. It’s fast and maneuverable on flat-to-gently-sloped yards.
- Engine: 21.5 HP Kawasaki V-twin
- Deck: 42″ fabricated (welded), 2 blades
- Transmission: Hydro-Gear EZT
- Fuel: 3.5 gallons
- Warranty: 3-year consumer
Best For: Flat or gently sloped lawns of ½–1½ acres with trees and beds.
Pros:
- Welded deck at this size is rare
- Kawasaki V-twin
- Fast, tight turns
Cons:
- Zero-turns are less safe on slopes than tractors
- No towing like a tractor
- Takes practice to steer smoothly
2Husqvarna TS 120Best Gas Lawn Tractor
A no-nonsense 42″ tractor with a 19 HP Briggs & Stratton engine, a twin-blade stamped deck and a pedal-operated hydrostatic transmission that keeps both hands on the wheel. Tractors steer with the front wheels, so they’re the safer choice on sloped yards, and they can tow a cart or spreader.
- Engine: 19 HP Briggs & Stratton, 540 cc
- Deck: 42″ stamped, 2 blades
- Transmission: pedal-operated hydrostatic
Best For: Sloped yards and owners who want to tow attachments.
Pros:
- Easy pedal hydrostatic drive
- Better on slopes than a zero-turn
- Tows carts and spreaders
Cons:
- Single-cylinder engine
- Stamped deck
- Slower than a zero-turn
3EGO Power+ TR4204Best Electric Lawn Tractor
EGO’s tractor runs on six 56V batteries (rated as equivalent to a 21 HP gas engine), cuts up to 1.5 acres per charge, and has no belts on its dual-motor deck. It also has cruise control, LED lights and a tow hitch.
- Power: 6 × 56V batteries included
- Runtime: up to 1.5 acres
- Deck: 42″ stamped steel, dual brushless motors
- Cutting height: 1.5″–4.5″, 12 positions
- Warranty: 5-year tool
Best For: Quiet, low-maintenance mowing up to about 1.5 acres.
Pros:
- No oil, gas or belts
- Very quiet
- Batteries run other EGO tools
Cons:
- High upfront cost
- Recharging takes hours
- Runtime drops on hills
4EGO Power+ Z6 (42″)Best Electric Zero-Turn
The electric zero-turn version has three drive modes (Control, Standard, Sport) up to 8 mph, blade speed from 2,300 to 3,200 RPM, and a wide frame EGO says improves balance on slopes. It runs up to 1.5 acres on six included batteries.
- Power: 6 × 56V batteries, rated equivalent to 24 HP gas
- Runtime: up to 1.5 acres
- Speed: up to 8 mph, 3 modes
- Warranty: 5 years or 300 hours
Best For: Flat lawns where you want zero-turn speed without gas.
Pros:
- Quick and quiet
- Adjustable blade speed
- Low maintenance
Cons:
- Most expensive here
- Zero-turn slope limits apply
- Charge time between big jobs
5Greenworks PRO 80V 42″ Lawn TractorBest Electric for Up to 2 Acres
Greenworks rates this tractor for up to 2 acres on six 5.0Ah batteries. It adds a 200 lb cargo bed, LED headlights and app-based GPS tracking, with a reinforced 12-gauge steel deck.
- Power: 6 × 80V 5.0Ah batteries
- Runtime: up to 2 acres (manufacturer)
- Deck: 42″ reinforced 12-gauge steel
- Extras: cargo bed, LED lights, app with GPS
Best For: Larger lots going electric.
Pros:
- Longest rated runtime here
- Useful cargo bed
- Sturdy deck
Cons:
- Expensive
- Limited stock online
- Charging six batteries takes planning
Tractor or zero-turn?
Lawn tractor
Steering wheel, better on slopes, tows carts and spreaders. Slower turns.
Zero-turn
Lap-bar steering, pivots in place, mows faster around obstacles. Best on flat ground.
Gas
Unlimited runtime with a refill. Needs oil, filters and fuel care.
Electric
Quiet, little maintenance. Runtime is limited by battery charge.
Frequently asked questions
How big a yard is a 42-inch riding mower good for?
Roughly ½ to 1½ acres. Beyond about 2 acres, a 46–54″ deck saves real time, if your gates and storage allow it.
Will a 42-inch mower fit through a gate?
The overall width (with the discharge chute up) is usually around 50–60″, wider than the deck itself. Measure your gate against the mower’s listed overall width.
Is a fabricated deck worth it?
Welded (fabricated) decks are thicker and resist rust-through and bending longer than stamped decks. They’re worth paying for if you’ll keep the mower for many years.
Related: Best riding mowers for hills · Best mower lifts
How we chose: This is a researched guide. We compared engine or battery power, deck construction, transmission, runtime, features and warranty from current manufacturer listings. We didn’t field-test these mowers. Prices and stock change often, so check the listing or your local dealer.
Update log: November 2026: rebuilt the guide. We updated the picks to current models, added electric tractor and zero-turn options, a tractor vs zero-turn guide and an FAQ.