Buying Guide: Best Lawn Mower Cover for 2022
Lawn mowers are delicate machines that need care and regular maintenance. One might think that spending $25+ on a lawn mower cover is not sensible and a lawn mower cover is not among the necessary accessories or expenses related to lawn mower ownership. In this article we will try to contradict this common belief and prove that buying the best lawn mower cover for your needs is essential to ensure the long life and reliability of any push mower, lawn tractor or even zero turn mower.
Why would you need a lawn mower cover?
These days regular push lawn mowers are fairly affordable and don’t cost a fortune as before. Still, you don’t want to buy a new one for every season just because it does not start, right?
On the other hand, lawn tractors, riding mowers or zero turn radius mowers are rather expensive machines that can cost up to $5000. These expensive power tools are huge investments and they can last up to 15-20 years when looked after and maintained properly.
Storing your mower off season without a cover will expose it to dust, pets, possibly rodents, and these can do great damage to any machine. Dust gets into the moving parts, bearings, joints and the engine.
Even between the usual, weekly mowing schedule dust can accumulate on the lawn mower and surely you don’t want to spend the first 15 minutes of the mowing chore by cleaning off the mower itself.
How to choose the best lawn mower cover?
Lawn mower covers come in all kind of shape, size and materials. Let’s see the different kinds of covers and what to look for when you decide to buy one for your lawn mower:
- Size is the most important factor when choosing a lawn mower cover, there’s a huge difference between what is needed for a push mower and a lawn tractor. For regular push mowers, covers are usually one-size-fits-all is true, while for lawn tractors, ride on and zero turn mowers will have ranges in size given for the cover which is based on the deck size (e.g. cover suitable up to 54″ deck)
- Material defines durability, indoors / outdoors usage, level of water resistance and various other properties. It is useful to decide first where the mower will be stored, in the shed, garage or outdoors and pick the right material for the needs. There are premium lawn mower covers that protect not just from rain but UV light (damaging to paint and rubber parts), ballooning and moisture building up, among many things.
What is a denier?
You will often see a number and letter when the cover material is described, such as 600D. This means that the cover is 600 denier. But what is a denier?
Denier is a unit of measurement that is used to determine the thickness of fiber, more precisely the linear mass density of fibers (grams per 9000 metres of the fiber). Denier is a natural reference, hence the odd 9000 number; one denier is approximately a single strand of silk, while a 9000-meter strand of silk weights about one gram.
No worry if this is somewhat confusing, what is important, is that a 600D polyester cover is stronger than a 500D polyester cover.
This comparison is only applicable for the same materials. Since polyester is not as strong as nylon, a 300D nylon will be more heavy duty than a 300D polyester cover.
Push lawn mower covers
Premium Waterproof Lawn Mower Cover by ToughCover
Heavy Duty 600D Marine Grade Fabric. Universal Fit. Weather, UV & Mold Protection. With Drawstring Storage Bag
Key Facts
ToughCover is a highly popular brand in the United States. This particular cover is designed for push or walk behind mowers with universal fit – no matter the brand or engine type. It fits cordless mowers as good as gas powered mowers.
This Premium Lawn Mower Cover by ToughCover is water, UV and mold resistant, protects from dust, pollen and other debris in all-weather and all-season conditions. It is made out of 600D marine-grade polyester fabric, making it fairly heavy duty mower cover, especially among competitors.
Using it is simple, it slips over the top of the mower and it comes with an elastic drawstring to secure it around the base.
Feedback
Being the best seller push mower sized cover, customers rated the ToughCover mower cover as outstanding. A general consensus is that the cover is very high quality, thick and sturdy.
It reportedly held up against nasty 50 mph winds and rainstorms, keeping the lawn mower safe and dry.
People seem to be very happy with their purchase and find it an awesome lawnmower cover.
Minor complaints are referring to the drawstring at the bottom to be difficult to reach or get to, in particular when used on bigger mowers.
WeatherPRO Lawn Mower Cover
Waterproof, Premium Heavy Duty – Manufacturer Guaranteed – Weather and UV Protected Covering for Push Mowers – Secure Draw String and Large Size for Universal Fit
Key Facts
WeatherPRO has made a very similar cover to the ToughCover we reviewed just earlier. It’s a universal fit great for walk behind mowers including gas and electric lawn mowers. Suitable for both indoors and outdoors use, the WeatherPRO provides all-weather protection against dirt, dust, leaves, birds, rust, you name it.
It fits smaller snow blowers too, apparently.
Material is a thinner 300D polyester but with durable polyurethane lining, to improve resistance against tears.
According to the manufacturer it fits walk behind lawn mowers with brands Toro, Troy Bilt, Greenworks, Lawn Boy, Snapper, MTD, Murray, Briggs and Stratton, Ariens, Cub Cadet, Weed Eater, Yard Machines, Worx, Black & Decker, Poulan, Kobalt, Ryobi, Homelite, Bolens and many more.
Feedback
Customers like this lawnmower cover and ratings are close to 5/5. Some bought this cover after the previous, less capable cover blew off in a storm, but the WeatherPRO seemed to do the job and stay in place.
The WeatherPRO might be the best lawn mower cover for the money, as it is a little cheaper than the one made by ToughCover, while rated highly approximately to the same degree.
Riding mower covers
Family Accessories Waterproof Riding Lawn Mower Cover
Waterproof Riding Lawn Mower Cover – Best Quality, Heavy Duty, Durable, UV and Water Resistant Cover For Your Ride-On Garden Tractor – by Family Accessories
Comes in two sizes Medium L76″xW47″xH47″ and Small L72″ x W44″ x H43″. The mower cover is generously sized and covers the entire mower but it is recommend that you measure your mower to find out which size fits better. An oversized cover might come loose easier, especially in high winds and stormy weather conditions.
One of the greatest features of this tractor cover is the two air vents, that prevent water condensation even in humid and warm states as Florida.
Durable materials are must haves and there is no exception with this cover, utilizing 600D polyester fabric, ensuring durability over time. It is tear resistant, protects against harmful UV rays and waterproof with polyurethane coating.
The manufacturer offers 1 year warranty for the original purchaser against manufacturing defects. Don’t expect your return accepted if you tear your cover by accident though.
Feedback
Customers are most impressed with the quality of this riding mower cover. The elastic edges are highly regarded as well, securing the cover on mowers and tractors even in severe wind conditions.
Choosing the right size will make sure that it covers the whole tractor, including the deck, wheels and seat. We recommend to double check sizes before ordering.
With all honesty we did not come across with negative reviews, so we can recommend this as one of the best riding lawn mower covers for 2022 easily!
Zero turn mower covers
Classic Accessories Zero Turn Lawn Mower Cover
Classic Accessories 52-150-040401-00 Zero Turn Riding Mower Cover, Black, Up to 60″ Decks
Key Facts
Some riding lawn tractor covers could do but for best results it is worth considering special zero turn mower cover for your ZTR mower.
Lawn tractors have classic design and tend to be narrow but tall constructions, while modern zero turn radius lawn mowers tend to sit lower on the ground, feature bigger decks, different wheel setup and sizes and high, comfortable seats backs. For all these reasons we recommend buying the best zero turn mower cover, because they cost pretty much the same as classic, baggy tractor covers.
This particular riding mower cover features the usual goodies: weather and UV protection, elastic cords to secure them and air vents to reduce condensation and prevent ballooning in winds.
Available in two sizes:
- Classic Accessories Zero Turn Riding Mower Cover up to 50-Inch decks
- Classic Accessories Zero Turn Riding Mower Cover up to 60-Inch decks
They come with handles to make installation quick and easy and a storage bag to keep it stored when not in use.
Manufacturer offers 1 year limited warranty.
Feedback
Existing customers are generally glad that they went for a zero turn mower cover and this Classic Accessories cover in particular.
It is a tight fit for some mowers but as long as the right size of the two is chosen, it should match and fit all residential zero turn riding mowers. One disappointed customer had a Bad Boy Outlaw commercial size mower but that did not fit, unfortunately.
This cover is not 100% waterproof as some other, more expensive premium covers, but the water-resistance is good and can protect mowers in damp conditions and light rain.
