Separated at worth—get similar mower features for less

If you have a self-propelled, walk-behind mower, you might be in the same camp as the 20 percent of respondents to our recent survey who'd upgrade to a lawn tractor or zero-turn-radius mower if they could. But with prices for the better lawn tractors typically upwards of $1,500, trading up might not be easy to justify these days.

With that in mind, Peter Sawchuk, who oversees Consumer Reports' mower tests, has made a few comparisons among models that are roughly similar but differ in price—often significantly. "Some lawn tractors are also manufactured by the same company but sold under different brand names," says Sawchuk. "It's often worth the time to compare prices and features."

Take three dealer-sold lawn tractors: The 42-inch Cub Cadet GT 2042, 42-inch John Deere X304, and 46-inch Snapper NXT2346. All are considered premium tractors and have comfortable handling. The Cub Cadet and Deere have advanced engines from, respectively, Kohler and Kawasaki. The Snapper's, while a notch down, is a professional-grade Briggs & Stratton engine that's better than what you'll find in most less-expensive tractors. And all scored identically for side-discharge cutting, the most common mowing mode for tractor users. But the Cub Cadet and Deere, at $3,600, cost $1,000 more than the Snapper.

Sometimes even a $100 difference is enough to sway a buying decision. Two models we judged CR Best Buys, the $1,700 John Deere D110 and $1,600 Craftsman 28856, have the same 42-inch deck and scored comparably. But for $100 less than the Deere, the Craftsman has a better Briggs engine—a 24-horsepower V-twin compared to the Deere's 20-HP single-cylinder. The Craftsman also has a higher-back seat with more lumbar support, tighter turning, and cruise control.

And of wide-deck tractors, the recommended Craftsman 28861, $2,800, and Craftsman 28858, $2,000 (see photo, with the 28858 in the foreground) have the same 54-inch, three-blade deck and electric power take-off, which engages blades with a switch instead of a lever. But what you get for the $800 difference is the 28861's higher ground speed—good only for going to and from the area you'll mow—arm rests and a brush bumper you'll have to swing forward to lift the tractor's hood. Otherwise, the pair scored identically.

—Ed Perratore