Who Makes Lawn Mowers? Brand Ownership Explained With Real Models

Most of the big lawn mower names you see in a store trace back to a handful of parent companies: Stanley Black & Decker (through MTD) owns Cub Cadet, Troy-Bilt and Craftsman outdoor power gear, Toro owns Exmark and Lawn-Boy, Husqvarna Group owns Husqvarna and McCulloch, and Techtronic Industries owns the Ryobi name for outdoor tools. If you want one mower from a maker whose ownership is easy to trace, the Toro Recycler 21 Inch 60V and the Honda HRN-BV are the cleanest starting points, because the brand on the deck and the company behind it are the same story. This guide answers the “who makes lawn mowers” question brand by brand, then shows real models from each family so you can connect the label to a machine.

One caution up front. Brand ownership changes through acquisitions, licensing deals and bankruptcies, and some mower brands are private labels built by another factory. Where a fact is well documented we say so; where it is not, we say “check the label or manual” instead of guessing. This guide is research-based. We did not personally use these mowers, and we do not give factory locations because those are not reliably public for most models.

Top Picks at a Glance

• Best Overall for Clear Brand Lineage: Toro Recycler 21 Inch 60V
• Best for a Self-Propelled Battery Mower From an Engine Maker: Honda HRN-BV 21-Inch
• Best Compact Battery Mower From a Swedish Maker: Husqvarna Lawn Xpert LE-322R
• Best Cordless Push Mower From a Battery Specialist: EGO Power+ LM2112
• Best Budget Pick From a Famous Name: CRAFTSMAN V20 20 in Push Mower
• Best Lawn Tractor Where Engine and Mower Makers Differ: Husqvarna TS 120 (42 inch) with Briggs engine
• Best Example of a Mower With a Named Engine Brand: PowerSmart 22-Inch with 150cc B&S Engine

Quick Comparison of the Models

1. Toro Recycler 21 Inch 60V: Best for Clear Brand Lineage

• 21-inch steel deck, foldable and lockable handle
• 60-volt Max battery platform with a 3-phase brushless motor
• Recycler cutting system, which Toro is known for in its walk-behind line
• Battery and charger: check the exact kit you are buying

Best for: shoppers who want a mower whose brand, design and parent company are the same thing. Skip if: you need a self-propelled drive; this listing is a push mower.

Toro is a Minnesota-based company that has been building its own mowers for decades and also owns other well-known names, including Exmark for commercial cutting and Lawn-Boy, which Toro acquired in 1989. That ownership trail is one of the easiest in the industry to follow. When you buy a Toro, you are buying a machine designed and sold by the same company, which matters if you care about parts support and warranty clarity.

In practice, a foldable handle means the mower stores flat against a garage wall. The brushless motor is a durability and efficiency feature, not a power promise; it cuts friction wear. Check the maker page for runtime and bag capacity because we do not list those numbers here.

Pros: clear brand ownership; foldable storage; brushless motor; recycling deck design. Cons: push only; battery kit details vary by listing; 60V batteries are not interchangeable with other brands.

2. Honda HRN-BV 21-Inch: Best Self-Propelled Battery Mower From an Engine Maker

• 21-inch walk-behind, battery powered
• Variable speed self-propelled drive
• Model number HRN216YXBVKA4 as listed
• Battery details: not listed in the short title, check the maker page

Best for: people who know Honda for gas engines and want to try battery power from the same maker. Skip if: you want the lowest possible price or a gas engine.

Honda is best known as an engine maker, and its mowers carry that reputation. A common source of confusion is that many other mower brands put Honda engines on their decks; those mowers are not Honda mowers. The HRN-BV is a Honda-made battery machine, so the engine question disappears. The brand on the deck is the maker.

The variable speed drive lets you walk at your own pace rather than at one fixed speed, which is useful on lawns with tight turns. For slopes and large lawns, check the maker manual for guidance rather than assuming any self-propelled mower suits every hill.

Pros: known maker; variable speed drive; battery power means no oil changes. Cons: premium over basic push mowers; battery runtime not listed here; check the box contents.

3. Husqvarna Lawn Xpert LE-322R: Best Compact Battery Mower From a Swedish Maker

• Battery powered, self-propelled
• Brushless motor
• Marketed for small yards in the listing
• Deck width and runtime: not listed here, check the maker page

Best for: small lawns where quiet running and low upkeep matter. Skip if: you have a large lawn that needs a wide deck.

Husqvarna is a Swedish company, now a group that also owns McCulloch and other outdoor brands. That is a different ownership path from Toro or the Stanley Black & Decker family. A useful detail: Husqvarna sells a wide range, from robotic mowers to lawn tractors, so the Husqvarna badge on a mower does not tell you which product line, engine or factory it came from. Always read the model number.

Pros: self-propelled; brushless; part of a large outdoor-equipment group. Cons: premium tier; limited specs in the short title.

4. EGO Power+ LM2112: Best Cordless Push Mower From a Battery Specialist

• Cordless push mower
• 56V battery system, 4.0Ah battery and charger included in the listing
• Model LM2112 (the number suggests a 21-inch class deck; confirm on the maker page)

Best for: buyers who already own, or plan to buy, other 56V EGO tools. Skip if: you want a self-propelled drive.

EGO is a battery-first brand. It is generally reported to belong to Chervon, a Chinese power tool maker, though you should confirm that on the maker’s own about page since corporate structures change. For shoppers, the practical meaning is this: the battery is the platform. One 56V pack runs the mower, trimmer and blower, so choosing an EGO mower is really choosing an EGO battery family.

Pros: shared battery platform; battery and charger included; push design is simple. Cons: push only; platform lock-in; battery runtime depends on grass and settings.

5. CRAFTSMAN V20 20 in Push Mower: Best Budget Pick From a Famous Name

• 20-inch deck
• High efficiency brushless motor
• 2 x 5Ah batteries and 2 chargers included
• Push mower

Best for: small lawns and shoppers who want a familiar brand without spending much. Skip if: your yard is large or hilly.

Craftsman is the best example of why brand and maker are not the same. Sears sold Craftsman to Stanley Black & Decker in 2017, and MTD, which Stanley Black & Decker bought in 2021, has been described as building most current Craftsman mowers. Both statements point to Stanley Black & Decker as the ultimate parent, but sources are not perfectly consistent, so check the label on the deck and the manual for the manufacturer named there.

Pros: two batteries and two chargers; brushless motor; well-known name. Cons: V20 is a lighter-duty battery system; push only.

6. Husqvarna TS 120 (42 inch): Best Lawn Tractor Where Engine and Mower Makers Differ

• 42-inch deck
• 19HP Briggs engine
• Lawn tractor, not a walk-behind
• Model 970846301 as listed

Best for: larger lawns where a rider makes sense. Skip if: your yard is small enough for a walk-behind.

This listing shows the key point of the whole guide: the tractor is a Husqvarna, the engine is a Briggs unit. When someone asks “who makes this mower,” there are often two answers: who built the machine, and who built the engine. For service, you may deal with both: engine parts and oil questions go to the engine maker’s manual, deck and drive questions go to the mower maker.

Pros: wide deck; well-known mower brand; separate engine support network. Cons: premium; needs storage space; more maintenance than battery mowers.

7. PowerSmart 22-Inch With 150cc B&S Engine: Best Example of a Named Engine on a Budget Deck

• 22-inch, self-propelled, rear-wheel drive
• 150cc Briggs and Stratton engine
• 3-in-1 mulching system and 6 cutting heights

Best for: gas self-propelled mowing without a premium price. Skip if: you want a mower from a legacy brand with a dealer network.

PowerSmart is a less-known label, and its listing leans on the engine brand to build trust. That is common: a lesser-known deck with a known engine. It is a fair way to buy a mower, as long as you understand you are buying two things from two makers, and warranty terms may differ for each.

Pros: named engine; rear-wheel drive; 3-in-1. Cons: less established brand; support route can be split.

Also Consider

• Greenworks 60V 21in Self-Propelled: a battery self-propelled alternative with a brushless motor and 4-in-1 system as listed.
• YARDMAX 22 in. 201cc Select PACE: gas, front-wheel drive, 6-speed CVT; a private-label style brand, so check the label.
• Husqvarna Z254F 54 in. Kawasaki Zero Turn: shows another engine-versus-mower split, with a Kawasaki engine.
• RYOBI OLM1833B Cordless Lawnmower: an 18V ONE+ device with a 33 cm cutting width, sold without battery and charger.

Who Makes Which Mower Brand? Quick Answers

Who builds Craftsman lawn mowers?

Craftsman is a Stanley Black & Decker brand, and current mowers are commonly described as built by MTD, which Stanley Black & Decker acquired in 2021. Sears sold the Craftsman name in 2017. Craftsman lawn tractors and riding mowers follow the same trail, but look at the deck label to see the exact manufacturer on your model.

Who makes Cub Cadet, Troy-Bilt and Bolens?

MTD made these for years, and MTD is now part of Stanley Black & Decker. Yard Machines and Remington also sit in that family.

Who makes Toro, Exmark and Lawn-Boy mowers?

Toro builds Toro mowers, owns Exmark and acquired Lawn-Boy in 1989. Check Toro’s own site for the current brand list because portfolios change.

Who makes Husqvarna lawn mowers?

Husqvarna Group, a Swedish company, which also owns McCulloch. Jonsered is also a Husqvarna Group brand, but mower availability under that name varies, so check before assuming.

Who makes Ryobi lawn mowers?

Ryobi-branded outdoor tools belong to Techtronic Industries, after MTD’s former Ryobi outdoor division stopped using the name around 2003. Home Depot sells them but does not own the brand.

Who makes Dewalt and Kobalt lawn mowers?

Dewalt is a Stanley Black & Decker brand. Kobalt is a Lowe’s house brand; the actual factory is not always public, so read the manual and the label for the manufacturer named.

Who makes Hyper Tough, Hustler, Bad Boy, Big Dog and Grasshopper mowers?

Hyper Tough is a Walmart house brand, which means another company builds it. Hustler, Bad Boy, Big Dog and Grasshopper are commercial-style and zero-turn brands from separate makers; their ownership has changed over time, so we do not state current owners. Check each brand’s own site.

Who makes Scotts, Echo, Bobcat, Cenex, Noma, Pulsar, Atlas, Amerisun, Black Max, Brute, Full Boar, Bilt Hard and Cheetah mowers?

Several of these are store, regional or private-label names, so the label alone does not say who built the machine. The reliable method is to read the serial plate and manual for the manufacturer name. We are not asserting factory locations or ownership for these.

Who makes 4×4 garden tractors?

The phrase usually refers to garden tractors sold under several brands, not one maker. Use the model number and manual to identify the manufacturer.

How We Chose

This guide is research-based. We used manufacturer pages, listing details and published industry coverage to link brands to parent companies, and we did not personally use these mowers. We picked one representative model per major maker so the brand talk connects to a real, currently sold machine, and we limited specs to what the listings state. Where ownership sources conflict, we say so. Ownership of mower brands changes, so verify on the maker’s own site before relying on it for warranty or parts decisions.

Buying Guide

Separate the brand, the maker and the engine

Brand is the badge. Maker is the company that assembled the mower. Engine maker is the company that built the motor, such as Briggs or Kawasaki. A mower can have three different names across those roles. Ask for all three before you compare warranties.

Check the serial plate first

The plate on the deck or frame names the manufacturer and model. That plate, not the front badge, decides which parts catalog and manual you need.

Match the battery to a platform you will keep

Battery mowers lock you into a voltage family such as 20V, 56V or 60V. If you already own trimmers or blowers on one platform, buy a mower on it. A mower with batteries included, as in the Craftsman and EGO listings, can reduce start-up cost.

Think about service access

A famous parent company does not guarantee nearby service. Look for authorised dealers or parts listings for the specific model. For gas mowers, the engine maker’s manual covers oil and spark plugs, so use it rather than guessing.

Be careful with private labels

Store-label mowers can be good value, but the builder is often not named on the box. If the maker is unclear, ask the seller, read the manual and check warranty terms before you buy.

Common Mistakes When Researching Mower Makers

• Assuming the engine brand is the mower brand: a Honda engine does not make the mower a Honda.
• Trusting old forum posts about ownership: brands have changed hands since many were written.
• Assuming the retailer is the maker: a store that sells a brand rarely owns it.
• Ignoring the manual: it names the manufacturer and the correct oil and part numbers for your exact model.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who makes the most lawn mowers?

We could not verify a single reliable ranking, so we do not name one. Several large groups, including Stanley Black & Decker (MTD), Toro, Husqvarna and Techtronic, each own multiple brands.

Is a mower with a Honda or Briggs engine made by Honda or Briggs?

No. The engine is a component. The mower is built by the brand named on the deck. Use the engine manual for engine service and the mower manual for deck and drive questions.

Are store-brand mowers worse?

Not automatically. Quality depends on the actual factory and design, which is often not stated. Compare warranty length, parts availability and the manual.

How can I find out who made my mower?

Look for the serial plate on the deck or frame and read the manufacturer name and model number. Then check the maker’s website or manual for parts and support.

Does the parent company affect warranty?

It can. Warranty terms are set by the seller of the brand, and they can change after acquisitions. Read the current warranty for your model.

Are battery mowers made by different companies than gas mowers?

Sometimes. A brand may build its gas line in-house and source battery models from another maker. The label and manual tell you who built your specific machine.

Can I rely on this guide for ownership today?

Use it as a starting point. Ownership can change, and some sources conflict, so confirm on the brand’s own page before you decide.

How to Trace Any Mower to Its Maker in Five Steps

If your brand is not listed above, you can trace it yourself. The method works for store brands, older tractors and used mowers, and it avoids relying on forum rumours.

1. Find the serial and model plate. It is usually a sticker or stamped plate on the deck, under the seat or on the frame. Photograph it. The plate often names the manufacturer in small print and gives the model and serial number.
2. Read the manual’s cover and warranty page. The company that writes the warranty is the one accountable for the machine, and its name and address are normally printed there. Manuals are also posted on most brand sites, so you can read yours online if the paper copy is lost.
3. Separate the engine plate. The engine carries its own label, such as Briggs and Stratton, Kohler or Kawasaki. That tells you where to look for oil type, spark plug and filter details, not who built the mower.
4. Check the brand’s own website for a parts lookup. If the brand has an official parts diagram for your model number, you have found the support owner. If the lookup redirects to another company, that company is likely the parent or the licence holder.
5. Ask the seller in writing. For private labels, ask who manufactures it and who handles warranty claims. A clear answer is a good sign; a vague one is a reason to compare other models.

Keep in mind that licensing makes this trickier than ownership alone. A brand owner can license its name to another company to build and sell mowers, which means the badge owner and the builder differ. That is why we keep saying to read the label and manual rather than trusting the badge or an old article, including this one.

Which One Should You Buy?

If clear ownership and service matter most, start with the Toro Recycler 21 Inch 60V or the Honda HRN-BV. If you want a famous name on a small budget, the CRAFTSMAN V20 20 in is the simple choice for a small lawn. If you want a rider, the Husqvarna TS 120 shows how engine and mower makers can differ, so read both manuals. Whichever you choose, check the serial plate and manual for the actual manufacturer.

Sources

• Toro Company brand and product pages
• Husqvarna Group brand pages
• Stanley Black & Decker MTD acquisition announcement
• Honda Power Equipment product pages
• Consumer Reports lawn mower buying guide
• MTD Holdings overview (Wikipedia)

Last updated: October 2026