Simplicity Vs. John Deere: Which Lawn Tractor Is Better?

Two names top the list for lawn tractors and mowers – Simplicity and John Deere. Both companies offer high-quality landscaping equipment, but which one outshines the other?

John Deere excels with special features, frame construction, and warranty. Simplicity comes out ahead with lowest cost. Both companies are based in the United States and focus on lawn and gardening equipment. John Deere is also known for agricultural equipment. Both brands offer a good range of attachments for their lawn tractors and mowers.

Let’s take a look at the two companies and compare features and models.

Founded in 1922 by William J. Niederkorn, Simplicity Manufacturing Company was originally based in Wisconsin where it manufactured garden and lawn equipment, including a walk-behind tractor. During World War II, the company temporarily changed to manufacturing surface grinders and controllers for electric fencing. In 1957, the company built its first riding lawn tractor, and, in 1957, the company was bought by Allis-Chalmers. Simplicity came under the original management team again in 1983 and has since bought Snapper and built lawn equipment for large retail brands.

John Deere began in 1837 when its founder developed the world’s first self-scouring steel plow to replace traditional cast iron plows. He tested his new product in front of a crowd of farmers who applauded the improved design. As demand for the steel plow grew, John Deere moved his manufacturing plant to just outside of Moline, Illinois. The plant was established along the Mississippi River that provided power for operations. In 1868, the company was incorporated and became Deere & Company. Today, John Deere has manufacturing and distribution centers around the world.

The Simplicity Broadmoor™ lawn tractor features power steering, a deluxe tractor control panel, electric height cut, the Free Floating™ deck, and the Suspension Comfort System™. It is available in 5 two-cylinder, 724cc engine models. Maximum speeds range from 5.8 to 6.7 miles per hour. All models have cast iron front axles, disc brakes, and 10-gauge steel frames. Attachments include a turbo cutting collection system, wide body cart collector, soft-sided snow cab, tire chains, rear weights, mulching kit, triple grass catcher, dump cart, tow-behind tiller, snow blades and blowers. Models from the Simplicity Broadmoor collection cost between $4,850 to $6,950.

The John Deere x300 series features power 2- or 4-wheel steering, MulchControl™, Twin Touch™ foot pedals, Edge™ rear discharge deck, and the Accel Deep™ mower deck. It is available in 13 models with a 22-horsepower V-twin John Deere Cyclonic engine or 23-horsepower V-twin John Deere iTorque™ Power System. Frames are made from 12-gauge steel. Models from the x300 series feature electronic gauges and cruise control. Attachments include MulchControl™, power flow bagger, carts, grass groomer, brush guard, angling kit, wheel weights, snow blades and blowers, sun shades, and soft-sided enclosures. Models from the John Deere x300 series cost between $3,200 to $6,400.

The Simplicity Regent™ has similar features than the Broadmoor™ series, but at a slightly lower price point. The series ranges from $3,150 to $4,100, depending on which of the 5 models you choose. Simplicity Regent™ lawn tractors are 3” shorter than the Broadmoor™ models. Maximum speed of the Regent™ series is 5.5 miles per hour, compared to 6.7 miles per hour for the Broadmoor™ series. They have the same engine size, brake design, and front axle design.

But how does the Simplicity Regent™ series stack up against the John Deere x300 series? Frames are made from the same 12-gauge steel as the John Deere x300 series. The cost of a Simplicity Regent™ lawn tractor comes in at around $50 to $2,300 less than the x300 series from John Deere. Available attachments are comparable between the two brands.

The Simplicity Conquest™ lawn tractor features power steering, Tuff-Torq® transmission, fabricated deck, Briggs & Stratton® commercial series engine, Automated Controlled Traction™, Free Floating™ mower deck, deluxe instrument panel, and Suspension Comfort System™. It is available in two models, each with a two-cylinder, 724 cc engine with a maximum speed of 7.2 miles per hour. Both models come with cast iron front axles, disc brakes, and 10-gauge steel frames. Attachments include the turbo collection system, cart collector, mulching kit, Clean Sweep™ triple grass catcher, tire chains, weights, tiller, soft-sided enclosure, carts, snow blade, and blower. Simplicity Conquest™ models range from $7,350 to $8,8,50.

The John Deere x500 series features power 2- or 4-wheel steering, MulchControl™, Twin Touch™ foot pedals, and the Accel Deep™ mower deck. It is available in 7 models with a 24- to 25.5 horsepower John Deere iTorque™ Power System. Frames are made from 12-gauge steel. Models from the x500 series feature electronic gauges and cruise control. Attachments include MulchControl™, power flow bagger, carts, grass groomer, brush guard, wheel weights and chains, snow blades and blowers, sun shades, and soft-sided enclosures. Models from the John Deere x500 series cost between $6,800 and $8,700.

The Simplicity Prestige™ lawn tractor features power steering, Briggs & Stratton® commercial series engine, Automated Controlled Traction™, Free Floating™ mower deck, deluxe instrument panel, Suspension Comfort System™, and a hydraulic tractor attachment lift. It is available in one model with a two-cylinder, 810 cc engine with a maximum speed of 8.7 miles per hour. The Prestige™ comes with a cast iron front axle, disc brakes, and 10-gauge steel frames. Attachments include the turbo collection system, cart collector, dump cart, weights, Clean Sweep™ triple grass catcher, snow blower and blade, tire chains, soft-sided enclosure, and mulching kit. The Simplicity Premier™ retails at $10,300.

The John Deere x590 comes with a 48” or 54” deck, 2-wheel power steering, MulchControl™, electronic throttle control, and the Accel Deep™ mower deck. It is available in 2 models with a 25.5 horsepower John Deere iTorque™ Power System. Frames are made from 12-gauge steel. John Deere x590 models feature electronic gauges and cruise control. Attachments include MulchControl™, power flow bagger, carts, grass groomer, tire chains, snow blades and blowers, sun shades, and soft-sided enclosures. Models from the John Deere x590 series cost between $8,500 and $8,700.

Simplicity and John Deere offer high-quality, well-designed lawn tractors and mowers. Both companies offer a nice selection of models and attachments across a good range of price points. Simplicity and John Deere are based in the United States, and John Deere has manufacturing and distribution centers around the world.

With its expertise in innovative solutions, John Deere excels with special features, durability, power, ease of maintenance, and maneuverability. The company also offers better warranty coverage for its products. Simplicity is the best option if you are looking for a good quality lawn tractor or mower at an affordable price.

When you are choosing between the two brands, decide on the features that are most important to you, such as power, speed, attachments, budget, maintenance, durability, and comfort.