Best Electric Riding Lawn Mowers for Homeowners
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Looking for the best electric riding lawn mower 2021 buyers still search for? For most homeowners it is the one whose deck width, acre-per-charge runtime and battery count match your lawn and your patience for recharging. The six EGO Power+ models below are the electric riders in our product data, and they split into two groups: zero-turn machines with a 42-inch or 52-inch deck, and one lawn tractor with a 42-inch deck and a rear tow hitch. Every spec here comes from the listing text, so where a listing is silent we say so.
Quick answer
- For a mid-size yard, a 42-inch zero-turn such as the ZT4214L or ZT4204L is the listed middle ground. The ZT4204L lists up to 2 acres per charge with four 10.0Ah batteries.
- For larger acreage, the ZT5216L lists up to 3.0 acres per charge with six 10.0Ah batteries and a 52-inch deck.
- If you want to haul or pull loads, the TR4204 is the only tractor-style model in this group, with a rear tow hitch.
- Pick the e-Steer ZT4215S only if a steering wheel matters more to you than a lap bar.
How to choose an electric riding mower
The listings in our product data do not state model years, so none of the models below is presented as a 2021 release; the “2021” in the search phrase only describes what buyers look for. Start with the lawn, not the brochure. Measure the area you actually mow, leave out beds and trees, and compare that figure with the acres per charge each listing gives. The listings tie runtime to the battery count they ship with, so a model that lists 1.5 acres on six 6.0Ah batteries will not match one that lists 3.0 acres on six 10.0Ah batteries. Check which batteries come in the box before you compare headline numbers.
Deck width is the next decision. The 42-inch decks cover a wider path than a standard push mower and turn tighter than a tractor, which suits suburban lots with beds and fences. The 52-inch deck on the ZT5207L and ZT5216L is the choice when the open lawn is large and the mower will spend most of its time in straight passes. The listings for those two also describe a wide frame for balance on slopes, which matters more than deck width on a hilly lot.
Drive style is a matter of feel. Five of the six models use a lap-bar zero-turn or tractor control layout with three driving modes. The e-Steer ZT4215S replaces the lap bars with a steering wheel that the listing describes as driving like a car. The TR4204 adds cruise control and a top speed of up to 6 MPH, while the zero-turn models list up to 8 MPH.
Weight and storage are often overlooked. The ZT5207L lists an item weight of 527.4 pounds and a product size of 76.8 inches long by 38.4 inches wide. That is a machine that needs a garage bay or a dedicated shed, not a corner of the yard. Check the door width and floor space before you order.
Sizing and runtime
The listings give acres per charge as a rough guide, and they are written for ideal conditions. Thick grass, slopes, a high cutting height and a full bag all cut into runtime. Plan on the low end of any figure if your lawn is wet or overgrown.
Battery count is the other lever. Each EGO listing names the battery pack it ships with, and most also say that additional batteries extend the cut. The ZT4204L listing says you can add more batteries to cut 3, 4, 5 or more acres. The recharge time on that model is listed at about two hours with the included Z6 wall charger.
Power and performance claims
EGO’s listings describe the power of each machine as a gas-engine equivalent. The ZT5207L lists 25 HP equivalent. The ZT5216L lists 27 HP equivalent. The ZT4214L and ZT4215S list 24 HP equivalent, and the TR4204 lists up to 20,000 watts, equivalent to a 21 HP gas engine. The ZT4204L lists 22 HP equivalent. These are manufacturer comparisons, not independent test results, and we have not measured them. Read them as how EGO describes the machines.
Blade speed is adjustable on the zero-turn models. The ZT5216L lists 2,500 to 3,600 RPM, the ZT4214L lists 2,300 to 3,200 RPM, and the ZT4215S lists 2,300 to 3,200 RPM. All of them list 10 cutting heights from 1.5 to 4.5 inches, except the ZT4204L, which lists 10 positions from 1.5 to 4.5 inches as well. The TR4204 lists twelve cutting height positions across the same 1.5 to 4.5 inch range.
Compare the six models
EGO Power+ Electric Riding Lawn Mower, 52″ Deck with Zero Turn Radius, ZT5207L
This is the largest deck in the group, a 52-inch zero-turn that the listing says is powered by up to six EGO 56V ARC Lithium batteries and includes six 12.0Ah batteries and a charger. It lists up to 4 acres on a single charge, a top speed of 4 to 8 MPH, and an item weight of 527.4 pounds. The listing calls it the first platform-compatible rider powered by EGO 56V batteries. It suits large open lawns where the included battery pack matters most. Its weight and footprint rule out tight storage.
EGO Power+ Electric Riding Lawn Mower, 42″ Deck with Zero Turn Radius, ZT4204L
The ZT4204L pairs a 42-inch stamped steel deck with four 56V 10.0Ah batteries. The listing says it cuts up to 2 acres on one charge, reaches up to 8 MPH, and recharges in about two hours with the Z6 wall charger. It has an LCD interface with Standard, Control and Sport driving modes and offers mulching, bagging and side discharge from the same deck. For a lot in the one-to-two-acre range that still needs a zero-turn, it is the model that matches the listed numbers most directly.
EGO Power+ Electric Riding Lawn Mower, 42″ Deck Lawn Tractor, TR4204
The TR4204 is the tractor-style model. Its 42-inch stamped steel deck uses dual brushless cutting motors with no belts, and the listing says the machine cuts up to 1.5 acres on six included 6.0Ah batteries. It has a digital LCD with three blade settings, three drive speeds and cruise control, and tops out at 6 MPH. The listing adds a rear tow hitch, LED lights, a USB port and Bluetooth, and a 5-year tool warranty. Choose it when hauling or towing around the property matters more than zero-turn agility.
EGO Power+ Z6 Zero Turn Electric Riding Lawn Mower, 52″ Deck, ZT5216L
The ZT5216L is the 52-inch zero-turn with the longest listed runtime in this group. The listing says it cuts up to 3.0 acres on one charge using six included 10.0Ah batteries, and it lists 27 HP equivalent power. It has three driving modes, an up-to-8 MPH top speed, a color digital screen and the EGO Connect app for battery status. The listing also states a 5-year mower warranty, up to 5-year battery warranty and a 5-year charger warranty, with the mower warranty ending at 300 hours of use if that comes first. It is the pick when acreage and warranty length matter most.
EGO Power+ Z6 Zero Turn Electric Riding Lawn Mower, 42″ Deck, ZT4214L
The ZT4214L is the 42-inch version of the Z6 zero-turn. It lists up to 1.5 acres on six 6.0Ah batteries and a 24 HP equivalent. Its dual blade system adjusts from 2,300 to 3,200 RPM, and the listing names the same three driving modes and the same 5-year warranty package as the ZT5216L. It is the smaller-battery option in the Z6 line, which suits a lot of about an acre or a little more and a buyer who wants the Z6 controls for less runtime.
EGO Power+ Z6 e-Steer Zero Turn Electric Riding Lawn Mower, 42″, ZT4215S
The ZT4215S is the only steering-wheel model here. The listing says it drives like a car, with no lap bars, and it uses two 10.0Ah batteries and four 6.0Ah batteries for up to 2.0 acres per charge. It shares the 42-inch deck, the 24 HP equivalent rating, the three driving modes and the Z6 warranty terms with the ZT4214L. Buy it if the lap-bar layout is the obstacle, and accept that the listing gives it a shorter runtime than the ZT4204L.
Review: the ZT4204L in more depth
If you want one model to read closely, the ZT4204L gives the clearest set of listed numbers. The 42-inch stamped steel deck offers three-in-one cutting, and the listing gives a height range of 1.5 to 4.5 inches across 10 positions. That range covers a low-cut lawn and a longer summer cut without a separate kit. The deck is the same size as the TR4204 and the ZT4214L, so the cut width will be familiar if you have used either.
Power comes from four 56V 10.0Ah ARC Lithium batteries. The listing says they recharge in about two hours with the included Z6 wall charger. For a homeowner who mows on a weekend and charges overnight, that schedule is practical. For a larger lot, the listing notes that more batteries extend the work, so the cost of extra packs should go into your budget before you buy.
The LCD interface gives you Standard, Control and Sport driving modes. Control mode suits people who are new to zero-turn steering or who mow around obstacles, and Sport mode suits open lawns. Speed reaches up to 8 MPH according to the listing, which is faster than the TR4204. The listing describes the machine as having the equivalent of 22 HP, which is a manufacturer figure we have not verified.
Close alternatives in the same family are the ZT4214L, which has smaller batteries and a shorter listed runtime, and the ZT4215S, which trades the lap bars for a steering wheel. If the ZT4204L is priced beyond your budget, the ZT4214L is the nearest option in the group, and the ZT4215S is the one to consider if you find lap bars hard to use.
FAQ
Which of these mowers covers the most acres per charge?
The ZT5216L, which the listing says cuts up to 3.0 acres on a single charge with six included 10.0Ah batteries. The ZT5207L is listed at up to 4 acres, but its figure rests on six 12.0Ah batteries, so compare battery packs before you assume it is the bigger runtime.
Is there a tractor model in this group?
Yes. The TR4204 is listed as a lawn tractor with a 42-inch deck and a rear tow hitch. It is the only model in the group with a tow hitch.
Do these mowers use the same batteries?
Each listing says the machines work with all EGO 56V ARC Lithium batteries, and the included batteries work with other EGO power tools. Batteries are sold separately, so check the pack count in the listing you choose.
How long is the warranty?
The ZT4214L, ZT4215S and ZT5216L list a 5-year mower warranty, up to 5-year battery warranty and 5-year charger warranty, with the mower warranty ending at 300 hours of use if that comes first. The TR4204 lists a 5-year tool warranty. Read the warranty text that ships with your unit, because the listing summary is not the full terms.
Can these mowers handle a slope?
The listings for the 52-inch and 42-inch Z6 zero-turns describe a wide frame for balance on slopes. The listings do not state a maximum slope angle, so check the owner’s manual for the limit before you mow a steep grade.
Which one should a first-time buyer pick?
Start with the ZT4204L if your lawn is one to two acres and you want the zero-turn layout. Move up to the ZT5216L if the lawn is larger. Choose the TR4204 only if towing is the main job.
Mistakes to avoid
- Comparing acre figures without checking the battery count in each listing.
- Assuming a 52-inch deck fits a standard garage door or shed.
- Ignoring the cutting height range if you need a low cut for a particular grass type.
- Treating manufacturer horsepower equivalents as measured results.
Bottom line
Match the listed acres per charge to your lawn, then pick the deck width you can store. For one to two acres, the ZT4204L is the clearest choice in this group. For larger lawns, the ZT5216L is the step up. The TR4204 is for towing, and the ZT4215S is for buyers who want a steering wheel.
Related reading: match an electric mower to your lawn size and winterize an electric lawn mower.
