Which is better for a yard with lots of trees and beds?

The Z246. Its zero-turn radius lets you pivot around trunks and borders instead of backing up. The XT1 needs wider arcs and more maneuvering.

Which cuts faster on a large open lawn?

The XT1's 50-inch deck covers more ground per pass, but the Z246 runs up to 7 MPH. On wide open turf the two are close; with obstacles the Z246 wins.

Which is better on slopes?

The Z246. Zero-turn mowers with wide rear tires and lap-bar control hold hillsides more predictably than a lawn tractor.

Both use proven commercial-grade engines, Kawasaki and Kohler. The XT1's fabricated deck resists dents better; the Z246's simpler drive has fewer parts to wear. Maintenance matters more than the badge.

Is the XT1 worth stepping up to over the Z246?

Only if you want a wider fabricated deck, a steering wheel and attachments like a bagger or snow blade. If your priority is fast mowing around obstacles, the Z246 is the better fit.

Can I tow a cart or run a bagger with either?

The XT1 is built for it, with a range of Cub Cadet attachments. The Z246 is mowing-focused and has far fewer add-ons.

Cub Cadet Z246 Zero Turn Mower vs Cub Cadet XT1 Enduro LT 50

The Z246 is the zero-turn: it cuts around obstacles fast and holds slopes better, with a Kawasaki engine and a 46-inch deck. The XT1 LT50 is a lawn tractor with a wider 50-inch fabricated deck, a Kohler engine, a hydrostatic pedal drive and a 4.2 rating from thousands of owners. Pick the Z246 for large open lawns with trees and beds; pick the XT1 for a simpler tractor feel, a wider cut and year-round attachments.

Choose the Cub Cadet Z246 if you have a big yard with trees, beds and slopes and want to mow around them without backing up.
Choose the Cub Cadet XT1 Enduro LT50 if you want a wider fabricated deck, a conventional steering wheel and the option to run attachments like a bagger or snow blade.

Prices

Cub Cadet Z246 Zero Turn Mower: $3,699.00 at The Home Depot (checked today)
Cub Cadet XT1 Enduro LT 50: $1,467.75 at Fashodre (last seen Nov 10)
Difference: the Cub Cadet XT1 Enduro LT 50 is $2,231.25 cheaper than the Cub Cadet Z246 Zero Turn Mower at the latest prices (Nov 10 and Nov 14)

	Cub Cadet Z246 Zero Turn Mower	Cub Cadet XT1 Enduro LT 50
Drive type	Zero-turn with lap bars and a 0-degree turning radius	Lawn tractor with a steering wheel and hydrostatic pedal transmission
Deck width	46 inches	50 inches
Deck build	Stamped steel deck	AeroForce fabricated deck
Engine	726cc Kawasaki, 21.5 HP	725cc Kohler, 24 HP
Cut height settings	15 positions from 1 to 4.5 inches	Standard height adjustment on the tractor deck
Speed	Up to 7 MPH forward, 3.5 MPH reverse	Tractor ground speed, slower than a zero-turn
Attachments	Limited; mowing-focused	Compatible with baggers, spreaders and snow equipment
Owner feedback	Fewer owner ratings to draw on	4.2 out of 5 from 4,718 ratings

Spec	Cub Cadet Z246 Zero Turn Mower	Cub Cadet XT1 Enduro LT 50
Cutting Width (min) (")	46.0	—
Cutting Width (max) (")	46.0	—
Engine brand	Kawasaki®	—
Engine displacement	726cc	—
Engine output	21.5HP	—
Forward speed	7 MPH / 11.3 km/h	—
Reverse speed	3.5 MPH / 5.6 km/h	—
Deck cutting width	46 in	—
Cutting height range	1'' - 4.5''	—
Deck positions	15	—
Turning radius	0°	—
Rear tires	20”x 8”-8"	—

Cub Cadet Z246 Zero Turn Mower vs Cub Cadet XT1 Enduro LT 50

Prices

Cub Cadet Z246 Zero Turn Mower vs Cub Cadet XT1 Enduro LT 50

Prices

Cub Cadet XT1 Enduro LT 50

What separates them

Price history

Prices at every store