Husqvarna Riding Mower vs John Deere: The Honest Comparison

The battlegrounds (where your choice gets obvious)

1) Cut speed: deck width is the cheat code

If you have a lot of open lawn, deck width matters.
A 54-inch deck can finish faster than a 42-inch deck in the same conditions.

That’s the Husqvarna advantage right away.
You get more cut per pass. [husqvarna.com]

But if your yard is tight with gates and trees, a smaller deck is easier.
The Deere’s 42-inch deck is easier to snake around stuff. [deere.com], [lowes.com]

Simple rule:

• Big, open lawn → favor Husqvarna. [husqvarna.com]
• Tight lawn with obstacles → favor Deere. [lowes.com]

2) Hills and traction: this is where Husqvarna can pull away

Hills are not about horsepower.
They are about grip.

The TS 354XD has an electric locking differential.
That feature helps keep both rear wheels driving when one starts to slip. [husqvarna.com], [lowes.com] [husqvarna.com]

The S130 is a 2-wheel drive lawn tractor with a lighter build.
It can do uneven lawns, but steep hills can still be a traction fight. (This is a common limitation for lighter 2WD tractors.) [deere.com], [lowes.com]

If you mow slopes or wet grass often:
Husqvarna’s diff lock is a real advantage. [husqvarna.com]

3) Transmission “truth”: match the machine to the job

Both use hydrostatic drive.
But the Husqvarna is positioned as a commercial-grade hydrostat with locking diff. [deere.com], [husqvarna.com] [husqvarna.com]

That usually matters when you do harder work:

• more slope
• more towing
• thicker grass
• longer sessions

The Deere S130 uses the TLT200 hydrostatic transaxle.
It’s a good fit for standard residential mowing, but it’s not trying to be a heavy ground-engagement machine. [deere.com] [deere.com], [lowes.com]

Bottom line:
If you push a light mower beyond its “lane,” the transmission is often the first place you feel it.

4) Comfort and controls: both do the basics well

Husqvarna highlights a high-back seat with armrests and a comfort-focused steering wheel.
John Deere’s S130 is built around easy controls, cruise control, and a simple dash layout. [husqvarna.com], [lowes.com] [lowes.com], [deere.com]

Most buyers are happy with comfort on both.
The bigger difference is feel: the Husqvarna tends to feel “bigger and more planted,” while the Deere feels “lighter and simpler.”

5) Maintenance: the Deere’s Easy Change is a real selling point

John Deere’s S130 includes the Easy Change 30-second oil change system.
It’s made to reduce mess and time. [deere.com], [lowes.com]

Husqvarna’s TS 354XD uses a more traditional setup (oil filter and typical service points).
It’s not hard.
It’s just not as “quick-change” focused. [husqvarna.com]

If you hate maintenance:
This point goes to Deere.

Customer review patterns (what people praise and complain about)

This section matters because it shows what happens after the honeymoon.

Husqvarna TS 354XD: what owners keep repeating

Common praise includes strong performance and durability feel on rougher mowing, plus good cut results. [lowes.com], [husqvarna.com]

Common complaints show up around:

• headlights issues
• deck alignment
• transmission mount/drive concerns
• occasional stalling or mechanical quirks [lowes.com]

You’ll also see some “support/warranty frustration” style complaints in the review feed. [lowes.com]

What that means:
It’s a more capable machine, but not immune to setup and quality-control headaches.

John Deere S130: what owners keep repeating

This is a huge listing with 1,585 reviews and an average around 4.2/5 on Lowe’s.
So the patterns are loud and clear. [lowes.com]

Common praise includes:

• smooth ride
• easy controls
• strong cut for typical residential lawns [lowes.com]

Common complaints focus heavily on:

• delivery damage (scratches, dents, missing hardware) [lowes.com]
• won’t start on arrival (often battery-related in reviews) [lowes.com]
• belt off / not drivable after delivery complaints [lowes.com]

What that means:
The Deere platform is solid.
But your experience can depend a lot on who assembled and delivered it.

My blunt take

If your yard is flat and you just want to mow with low stress, the John Deere S130 is the safer emotional buy.
It’s popular for a reason. [lowes.com], [deere.com]

But if you have slopes and you’re tired of wheel slip, the Husqvarna TS 354XD is built for that life.
That locking differential is not marketing fluff. [husqvarna.com], [lowes.com]

Also: 54″ vs 42″ is a time difference you feel every week. [husqvarna.com], [deere.com]

The “Day 1” checklist (do this before your first mow)

This prevents 80% of “my mower is broken” problems.

1. Check the battery is charged and cables are tight (especially after delivery). [lowes.com]
2. Inspect belt routing and tension before mowing (delivery can knock belts loose). [lowes.com]
3. Level the deck and set tire pressure (cut quality depends on this). [lowes.com], [lowes.com]
4. Test PTO engagement briefly, then shut it off and re-check for odd noise or vibration. [lowes.com], [lowes.com]
5. Do a short 10–15 minute mow first. Then check for loose fasteners.

Short test first.
Full send later.

Who should buy what? (fast decision guide)

Buy the Husqvarna TS 354XD if…

• You mow hills, wet grass, or uneven ground and want more grip. [husqvarna.com], [lowes.com]
• You want a 54-inch deck to cut faster on open lawn. [husqvarna.com]
• You’re mowing around 2–3 acres (typical recommendation range shown in listings). [lowes.com]

Buy the John Deere S130 if…

• Your yard is 1–2 acres and mostly flat with obstacles. [lowes.com]
• You want easy controls and simple upkeep with Easy Change. [deere.com], [lowes.com]
• You want a lighter machine that stores easier (462 lb listed). [lowes.com]

FAQ (quick answers)

Is Husqvarna or John Deere “more reliable”?

At this level, reliability is more about delivery quality + basic maintenance than the badge.
The Deere S130 has a very large review base, and many negatives point to delivery and setup issues.
The Husqvarna TS 354XD also shows some recurring hardware/adjustment complaints. [lowes.com] [lowes.com]

Which is better for hills?

If you have real slopes, the Husqvarna has the edge because it has an electric locking differential. [husqvarna.com], [lowes.com]

Does deck size matter that much?

Yes.
A 54″ deck covers more ground per pass than a 42″ deck.
On open lawn, that’s real time saved. [husqvarna.com], [deere.com]

What’s the #1 mistake buyers make?

They buy a mower for horsepower and ignore traction and delivery/setup.
Then they blame the brand.

Final verdict (simple and honest)

If your yard has hills, the Husqvarna TS 354XD is the smarter tool.
Diff lock plus the wider deck is a strong combo. [husqvarna.com], [lowes.com]

If your yard is mostly flat and you want easy, low-drama mowing, the John Deere S130 is the smoother path.
Just be strict about delivery inspection.

Nataliya Vaitkevich

Expertise: Consumer Product Testing, Comparison Analysis, and Value Assessment. Nataliya is a seasoned product reviewer who puts everyday items through their paces—from kitchen gadgets to cutting-edge electronics. Her methodology focus on helping readers find the best value for their money. She cuts through the marketing hype to deliver honest, practical advice you can trust before you buy.

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