Best Riding Mower for Hills: 4 Picks and How to Read Slope Ratings
Four riding mowers for hilly ground, three gas tractors and one steering-wheel electric zero-turn, with what each listing does and does not say about slopes.
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Top picks at a glance
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- 1
Best Overall for HillsHusqvarna TS 375XD9.5/10View on Amazon - 2
Best Electronic Diff LockHusqvarna TS 354XD9.5/10View on Amazon - 3
Budget Pick 54-InchHusqvarna TS 154X9.5/10View on Amazon - 4
Best Steering-Wheel Zero-TurnEGO Z6 e-Steer ZT4215S9.5/10View on Amazon - 5
CRAFTSMAN 42" Gas Riding Lawn Mower with 17.5 HP* Briggs andView on Amazon - 6
Remote Control Flail Mower with 459cc High-Power EngineView on Amazon
Hills change the buying question from deck width to traction, weight and what the manual says is safe. These four riders are three gas garden and lawn tractors with 54 inch decks and one steering-wheel electric zero-turn, and none of the listings states a slope rating, so we say so for each and show how to check your own slope against the manual.
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Quick picks
- Best Overall for Hills Husqvarna TS 375XD: Fabricated 54 in deck with a named differential lock on a garden tractor Check price on Amazon
- Best Electronic Diff Lock Husqvarna TS 354XD: Hydrostatic transmission with an electronic differential lock Check price on Amazon
- Budget Pick 54-Inch Husqvarna TS 154X: 54 in deck and a Tuff Torq K46 hydrostatic Check price on Amazon
- Best Steering-Wheel Zero-Turn EGO Z6 e-Steer ZT4215S: Steering wheel instead of lap bars, 5-year warranty and the highest Acre Score here Check price on Amazon
Our acreage picks
Husqvarna TS 375XD 54 in 24 HP Garden Tractor with Differential Lock
Gas garden tractor with a fabricated 54 inch deck, a 24 HP Kawasaki V-twin and a differential lock.
Who it's for: owners of 2 to 5 acres with rolling ground who want a fabricated deck and a differential lock on a tractor.
Who should skip it: anyone who needs a published slope rating or stated transmission before buying.
Read the full review
The TS 375XD listing gives a 24 HP, 726cc Kawasaki FR Series V-twin and a 54 in, 3-blade fabricated deck, and names a differential lock. It states a weight of 680 lb. It does not state a transmission type, cutting heights, a slope rating or a warranty term.
Pros
- Fabricated 54 in 3-blade deck
- 24 HP, 726cc Kawasaki V-twin
- Differential lock named on the listing
- Stated weight of 680 lb
Cons
- No slope rating is stated
- No warranty term is stated
- Transmission and cutting heights are not stated
- Few owner reviews on the listing
EGO Power+ Z6 e-Steer 42 in Electric Zero-Turn Mower (ZT4215S)
Battery zero-turn with a steering wheel instead of lap bars, rated up to 2 acres per charge.
Who it's for: owners of 1 to 2 acres with gentle slopes who want a steering wheel and no engine.
Who should skip it: owners of steeper hills, where the manual slope rating should decide.
Read the full review
The ZT4215S replaces lap bars with an e-Steer steering wheel. The listing says its wide frame gives exceptional balance on slopes, but it states no slope rating. Six batteries (two 10.0Ah and four 6.0Ah) are rated up to 2 acres per charge, top speed is 8 mph, the deck is 42 in with ten cutting heights from 1.5 to 4.5 in, and the mower warranty is 5 years or 300 hours.
Pros
- Steering wheel instead of lap bars, which some owners find easier on slopes
- Six batteries rated up to 2 acres per charge
- 5-year mower warranty (or 300 hours) stated on the listing
- Wide frame that the maker says gives balance on slopes
Cons
- No slope rating is stated
- A zero-turn steers with its rear wheels, so traction is the concern on hills
- A 42 in deck means more passes on bigger lawns
- Battery warranty needs registration within 90 days
Husqvarna TS 154X 54 in 24 HP Briggs Lawn Tractor
Gas lawn tractor with a stamped 54 inch deck, a 24 HP Briggs engine and a Tuff Torq K46 hydrostatic transmission.
Who it's for: owners of gentle slopes who want a 54 in tractor.
Who should skip it: anyone with steep or wet slopes who wants a differential lock.
Read the full review
The TS 154X listing gives a 24 HP Briggs PXi engine, a 54 in stamped 3-blade deck, a K46 Tuff Torq hydrostatic transmission, a 3 gallon tank and ground speeds of 5 mph forward and 2 mph reverse. It does not state a differential lock, slope rating, weight or warranty term.
Pros
- Tuff Torq K46 hydrostatic transmission named on the listing
- 54 in 3-blade deck
- 3 gallon fuel tank
- Stated 5 mph forward and 2 mph reverse
Cons
- Stamped deck, not fabricated
- No differential lock is stated
- No slope rating or warranty term is stated
- Weight is not stated
Husqvarna TS 354XD 54 in 24 HP Tractor with Electronic Differential Lock
Gas tractor with a 54 inch ClearCut deck and a hydrostatic transmission with electronic differential lock.
Who it's for: owners of 2 to 5 acres of rolling ground who want an electronic differential lock.
Who should skip it: anyone who wants a warranty stated on the listing.
Read the full review
The TS 354XD listing describes a 24 HP engine, a 54 in ClearCut deck, a hydrostatic transmission with an electronic differential lock, an alloy steel heavy-duty frame and a brush guard style bumper. It does not state engine brand, weight, a slope rating or a warranty term, and the brand field on the listing is a third-party seller name, so confirm the model and warranty with the seller.
Pros
- Hydrostatic transmission with an electronic differential lock
- 54 in ClearCut deck
- Heavy-duty frame with a brush guard style bumper
- Steering wheel and an extra-high vinyl seat
Cons
- No slope rating is stated
- No warranty term is stated
- Engine brand and weight are not stated
- Listing appears to be third-party worded
Other machines to compare
CRAFTSMAN 42" Gas Riding Lawn Mower with 17.5 HP* Briggs andCheck price on Amazon
Remote Control Flail Mower with 459cc High-Power EngineCheck price on Amazon
Side-by-side specs
| Model | Acre Score | Deck | Engine or battery | Transmission | Differential lock | Weight | Max slope (manual) | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Husqvarna TS 375XD | 9.5/10 | 54 in fabricated | 24 HP Kawasaki V-twin | Not stated | Yes | 680 lb | Not stated | Not stated |
| Husqvarna TS 354XD | 9.5/10 | 54 in ClearCut | 24 HP | Hydrostatic | Electronic | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
| Husqvarna TS 154X | 9.5/10 | 54 in stamped | 24 HP Briggs PXi | Tuff Torq K46 hydrostatic | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
| EGO Z6 e-Steer ZT4215S | 9.5/10 | 42 in | 56V, 2 x 10.0Ah and 4 x 6.0Ah | Not stated | Not stated | 619 lb | Not stated | 5 years (or 300 hours) |
Specifications are manufacturer rated as listed, collected 6 October 2026.
Acreage and terrain fit
Husqvarna TS 375XD
Husqvarna TS 354XD
Husqvarna TS 154X
EGO Z6 e-Steer ZT4215S
Buying guide: choosing a riding mower for hills
Read the manual slope rating
The maker’s manual sets the maximum slope for the mower, and that figure, not the listing, is the limit. To measure your own hill, use the Slope Calculator: a 2 ft rise over a 10 ft run is 11.3 degrees, or 20 percent. Compare that number with the manual before you buy, not after.
Lawn tractor vs zero-turn on slopes
A tractor steers with the front wheels and drives the rear wheels, and many owners prefer it to a lever-steered zero-turn on slopes. A zero-turn steers with its rear wheels, so traction is the issue on a hill. The EGO ZT4215S swaps the lap bars for a steering wheel, but it is still a zero-turn and the listing does not state a slope rating. See zero-turn and lawn tractor guides.
Differential lock and tires
A differential lock sends power to both rear wheels so one wheel does not spin on loose or wet ground. The TS 375XD listing names a differential lock and the TS 354XD listing says its hydrostatic transmission has an electronic differential lock. The TS 154X and EGO listings do not mention one. None of the listings states tire type, so check the specification sheet.
Weight and center of gravity
The TS 375XD listing gives 680 lb and the EGO ZT4215S 619 lb. The TS 354XD and TS 154X listings do not state a weight. The EGO listing says its wide frame gives balance on slopes, which is a maker claim, not a rating.
ROPS and seat belt
A roll bar with a seat belt is the main protection if a rider tips. None of the four listings mentions ROPS or a seat belt, so check whether your model offers a kit or an option and use the belt whenever the roll bar is up.
When to switch to a walk-behind or trimmer
Where the manual rating is lower than the slope, a rider is the wrong tool. A walk-behind brush mower or a string trimmer handles steep banks without a rollover risk. See the walk-behind and robotic mowers hub.
Turn rise and run, or a phone level reading, into degrees and percent, then compare it with typical mower slope ratings.
Never mow a slope steeper than the maximum your manual lists, and mow up and down slopes rather than across. Use the ROPS and seat belt where the machine has them (follow the manual on when a folding ROPS may be lowered), never carry passengers, keep children and pets out of the yard while you mow, and disengage the blades before reversing. Refuel only with the engine off and cool. See CPSC riding lawnmower safety. Read our Safety Disclaimer.
The Acre Score explained
The Acre Score weighs five factors: performance (deck, engine or battery, speed), build quality (deck and drive system), value (specs for the money), safety (published slope rating, ROPS, seat belt and operator controls) and warranty (years and coverage). A factor the listing does not state scores zero. That is why safety is zero for all four here, and why the Acre Score is not a ranking of hill ability. It is a ranking of what each listing publishes.
| Product | Acre Score | Perf. /35 | Build /25 | Value /25 | Safety /10 | Warranty /5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Husqvarna TS 375XD | 9.5 | 33 | 22 | 19 | 0 | 0 |
| Husqvarna TS 354XD | 9.5 | 33 | 21 | 19 | 0 | 0 |
| Husqvarna TS 154X | 9.5 | 33 | 19 | 21 | 0 | 0 |
| EGO Z6 e-Steer ZT4215S | 9.5 | 33 | 21 | 19 | 0 | 4 |
Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each product’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score.
FAQ: mowing large lots
What is the best riding mower for steep hills?
A garden or lawn tractor with a heavy frame and a differential lock is the usual starting point, and the manual slope rating decides which models are acceptable on your hill. None of the four listings here states a rating.
What slope can a riding mower handle?
It depends on the model and is stated in the owner’s manual, so no single figure applies. Measure your slope in degrees with the Slope Calculator and compare it with the manual.
Are zero-turns safe on hills?
Only within the manual limit. A zero-turn steers with its rear wheels and can lose traction on a slope, so many owners with hills choose a tractor.
Mow hills up and down or across?
Follow the owner’s manual. Many makers tell riding mower owners to drive up and down a slope rather than across it, but this varies by model, so read your manual first.
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