Cub Cadet and Husqvarna are two commercial giants when it comes to zero-turn and riding mowers.
If you’re looking for reliability and quality, either brand would be a good choice.
With that being said, there are some differences between the two you should be aware of before making a purchase.
We’ve put together a detailed comparison of Cub Cadet vs Husqvarna lawn mowers for you to help you decide which brand is a better fit for your home.
We’ve even picked the top riding mowers and zero-turn mowers from each brand to give you options to consider along the way.
Detailed Comparison Of Cub Cadet VS Husqvarna Lawn Mowers
In an effort to help figure out which brand wins in the debate of Cub Cadet vs Husqvarna, we’ve taken a deep dive into each brand and compared them in the following categories.
These categories are things most homeowners consider when purchasing a riding lawn mower and are things you should look at when deciding between two models or brands.
Engine Power
When it comes to having a powerful engine in their lawn mower, both brands are fairly neck and neck, but Cub Cadet falls short – albeit slightly.
The Cub Cadet brand has your standard riding mower that tops out at 25 horsepower but also has a wide range of models with different engine powers.
Husqvarna also has a wide range of models, but theirs top out at 24. One thing Husqvarna beats Cub Cadet at is that Husqvarna lawnmowers typically feature a Kawasaki engine instead of a Kohler engine.
Kawasaki engines are usually preferred over the Kohler engine that Cub Cadet uses in their tractor mowers. Kawasaki generally makes a more powerful engine than its Kohler competitor.
Top Speed
There’s no clear winner when it comes to top speed here. Both brands have similar top speeds on their lawn mower models and zero-turn mower models.
Top speed isn’t exactly a deal breaker anyways when it comes to a lawn mower these days.
The majority of lawn mowers move at fast enough speeds that they can handle large lawns without a problem.
Deck Sizes
Both brands have lawn tractors with decks as large as 54,” but Cub Cadet is the only brand to have a model available that’s perfect for smaller lawns.
Cub Cadet has a lawn tractor with a cutting deck width of just 30″, allowing you to easily maneuver through gates and other obstacles on a property.
When it comes to zero-turn mowers, Cub Cadet has a range of 42″ to 60″, while Husqvarna has a zero-turn mower with a cutting width of a whopping 69″.
A 69″ deck is perfect for homeowners with multiple acres that they need to cut quickly and efficiently.
Features
Each brand has its own features that come pre-installed on its lawn tractors and zero-turn mowers.
Cub Cadet Features
Cub Cadet has a new Electronic Fuel Injected (EFI) tech that comes standard on their garden tractors and zero-turn mowers.
The Cub Cadet EFI cuts back on fuel consumption by up to 25% ensuring you get every penny out of that fuel tank on your lawn mower.
Cub Cadet riding mowers also come equipped with comfort features like ergonomic steering wheels, seat suspensions, and more.
Zero-turn Cub Cadet mowers also have their proprietary Synchro-Stear tech to give you enhanced control when making turns and increased confidence on steeper slopes.
Husqvarna Features
Husqvarna riding lawn mowers feature high-performance cutting decks they’ve trademarked as ClearCut deck technology.
These decks give the blades better airflow and superior performance, so you can forget about clogging your deck and giving your lawn a poor cut.
Husqvarna also realized the importance of comfort on a riding mower.
They’ve ensured their seat has thick cushions and sits atop a premium suspension system to reduce vibrations and increase user comfort.
The engineers also understand that homeowners will have to perform maintenance or even small repairs as time goes on.
They’ve designed their mowers with unprecedented serviceability giving you easy access to the transmission, cutting deck, engine, and more.
Now you’ll have no excuse not to perform that oil change or replace the spark plugs at home.
Cost
If you’re looking for a Cub Cadet riding mower, you can expect to pony up anywhere from $2,199 for their cheapest model to $6,199 for their most expensive lawn mower.
A zero-turn Cub Cadet mower will run you between $3,499 and $9,199.
That might seem like a lot, but for zero-turn mowers, this actually isn’t a bad price at all. Some models from other brands can cost as much as $15,000.
A Husqvarna riding mower is slightly cheaper than Cub Cadet – depending on the model you purchase.
The most expensive Husqvarna riding mower is $4,899, while the cheapest is $2,399.
Husqvarna zero-turn mowers, on the other hand, will run you more than Cub Cadet’s zero-turns.
The cheapest zero-turn mower from Husqvarna is $3,299, while the most expensive residential model is $6,299.
Husqvarna does offer more expensive commercial models, but we don’t suggest homeowners purchase them unless they seriously know what they’re getting into.
Warranty
Cub Cadet offers a non-commercial warranty, excluding normal wear and tear, for three years from the original date of purchase.
This means that if anything is defective or breaks within three years of purchasing your Cub Cadet, you can bring it to a dealer or warranty service center and get it repaired free of charge.
Husqvarna offers a similar bumper-to-bumper warranty that also lasts three years.
When in doubt, it’s always good to call up your local dealer or even Husqvarna and Cub Cadet themselves before purchasing to figure out exactly what their warranties will and won’t cover.
Top Cub Cadet Riding Lawn Mower
Cub Cadet is one of the fastest-growing lawn care equipment businesses in the USA, and for good reason.
Their riding lawn mowers are getting more and more popular every year thanks to their price, reliability, and efficiency.
Cub Cadet XT1 LT42
The Cub Cadet XT1 LT42 is a great choice for those with 1.5 acres or less of somewhat flat land.
This model comes with a 42-inch steel twin-blade deck with various cutting positions giving you more versatility than ever.
It comes equipped with a 541cc 20hp Kohler 5400 engine. While Kawasaki is generally preferred, Kohler is not a brand you should shy away from based on the name alone.
At $2,399, the Cub Cadet XT1 LT42 is a great price for riding mowers and is a great choice for anyone looking to stop pushing a mower around their property.
Cub Cadet XT2 SLX54
Homeowners with a larger lawn size might opt for the Cub Cadet XT2 SLX54
This riding mower has a larger cutting deck than the previous option and is aimed at properties larger than 2 acres.
The patented Tuff Torq hydrostatic transmission means that there’s no messing around with a shifter, just press the pedal, and you’re off.
It is slightly more expensive than the Cub Cadet XT1 LT42, but with the larger cutting deck and more powerful engine, you’ll be thanking yourself for not purchasing a smaller model.
Top Cub Cadet Zero-Turn Mowers
Riding mowers are great for flat terrain, but for hilly terrain, you’re going to want to purchase one of Cub Cadets Zero-turn mowers.
Cub Cadet Ultima ZTS1 46
The Cub Cadet ZTS1 46 is a great choice for those with a property that isn’t flat and needs a robust option to handle it.
The ZTs1 46 can handle 20-degree inclines, and the dual hydrostatic transmission ensures you’ll be bustling along almost effortlessly at a top speed of 7 miles per hour.
The 46″ cutting deck offers an adequate width for most lawn sizes, and the 725cc 22hp Kohler 7000 engine is powerful enough to handle even thick grass.
At just $4,999, you will be extremely satisfied with how effortless and less time-consuming taking care of your lawn will become.
Cub Cadet Z-Force SX 54
If you aren’t a fan of the dual handles most zero-turn mowers have, the Cub Cadet Z-Force SX 54 is a great pick.
It features your standard steering column with power steering but still has that zero-turn maneuverability homeowners have come to love.
This model features a larger deck at 54″ and a slightly more powerful 726cc 24hp Kawasaki twin engine. It can hit a top speed of 8 miles per hour and can handle lawns larger than five acres in size.
With a $6,199 price tag, this zero-turn is perfect for larger yards with uneven terrain. Similar commercial models from other companies like Husqvarna or Gravely could run you twice that price.
Top Husqvarna Riding Mowers
Husqvarna mowers are known for their superior quality and reliability. Actually, almost all of Husqvarna’s products are known for that.
There’s a good reason that some homeowners only buy Husqvarna equipment and stick to it.
Here are two Husqvarna mowers you should consider if you’re looking to purchase a riding mower in the near future.
Husqvarna TS 148XK
Slightly more expensive than Cub Cadet’s XT1 LT42 at $2,999, the TS 148KK is a great option for homeowners looking to upgrade from a push mower.
This riding mower has a 48″ cutting deck and uses a Kohler engine that puts out 24hp to power the three blades underneath and keeps you cruising along at five miles an hour.
You can even hook up various attachments like a mulching kit, snow blower, front scooper, and more.
Husqvarna TS 354XD
The more powerful and more commonly recommended model, the TS 354XD has a number of features that make it an improvement over the TS 148XK.
For starters, it has a larger cutting deck at 54″ and uses larger engines to cut even the thickest grass and ensure smooth operation.
This model also comes equipped with LED headlights for those times you find yourself cutting near dusk, a high back seat with suspension for better comfort, a brush guard to protect the mower, cruise control, and more.
While it is one of the more expensive riding mowers at $4,899, it is well worth every penny, and the heavy-duty steel frame and covers prove it.
Top Husqvarna Zero-Turn Mowers
Certain lawn tractors just can’t handle larger lawns, wet grass, and rocky terrain.
Luckily, Husqvarna zero-turn mowers give you smooth operation even in less-than-optimal conditions.
Here are our two top picks you should consider looking at if you’re thinking of buying a zero-turn mower.
Husqvarna Z142
The Husqvarna Z142 can be considered Husqvarna’s entry-level zero-turn mower.
It has the smallest cutting width at 42″ and has a 2-cylinder Kohler 6600 series engine that puts out 17hp.
Probably the best thing about this mower, besides the features, reliability, and quality, is the price.
For just $2,899, you can have a quality zero-turn mower and upgrade from that riding lawn mower you’ve used for years.
Husqvarna MZ 61
The MZ 61 is one of Husqvarna’s top zero-turn mowers. It has one of the larger deck sizes at 61″ and can cut about four acres of land an hour, making quick work of even the largest properties.
The Kawasaki FR Series engine inside puts out 24hp and can run easily cut through tall grass with ease thanks to the multiple blades under the deck operated by an ergonomic control panel near the dash.
This model also has some safety features, not on the other zero-turn mowers featured in this article, notably a rollover protection system.
The MZ 61 also tries to make maintenance easier for homeowners by providing easy access service points to all of the typical parts of the machine you’ll regularly need to get to.
Which Brand Wins In The Cub Cadet VS Husqvarna Debate
When it comes to these two brands, there’s no clear winner.
While we like Husqvarna for their reliability and the fact that they’ve been a giant in the industry for the last few decades, Cub Cadet is definitely making a name for themselves too.
If you’re trying to decide between these two brands, it might be better to simply decide which mower is a better fit for your yard than which brand is better.
Simply look at what each mower model from both brands offers and compare it to your own needs.
Do you care more about the price? Do you only like Kawasaki engines? Do you have rough terrain and need a large zero-turn mower?
Once you’ve answered these questions, you should be able to find yourself a mower from either brand that fits your specific needs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
Is Cub Cadet a good brand?
Cub Cadet is a great brand if you're looking for reliable outdoor lawn mowers and equipment.
They're one of the fastest-growing outdoor equipment companies in the United States today.
Who makes the Cub Cadet Zero Turn Mower?
MTD Products manufacture Cub Cadet mowers. MTD Products is an American manufacturer of different outdoor power equipment and lawn mowers.
Who makes the Husqvarna Zero Turn Mower?
The Husqvarna Group manufactures all Husqvarna lawn mowers.
The Husqvarna Group is a Swedish company that is one of the oldest continuously run companies in the world. They've been in operation since 1689.
