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Best Honda Lawn Mowers

Updated March 2024
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Honda 4-in-1 Variable Speed Gas Walk Behind Self Propelled Lawn Mower with Select Drive Control HRX 217
Honda
4-in-1 Variable Speed Gas Walk Behind Self Propelled Lawn Mower with Select Drive Control
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Easy Operation
Bottom Line

This is a powerful, reliable mower that combines ruggedness with ease of use.

Pros

The composite deck minimizes rust and makes for a lighter mower. Works well on sloped terrain. Powerful 200cc engine that runs efficiently and quietly. Easy setup. The 4-in-1 system quickly switches between mulching, bagging, discharge, and leaf shredding.

Cons

Somewhat pricey for a mower without an electric start.

Best Bang for the Buck
Honda 3-in-1 Steel Deck Self-Propelled Lawn Mower
Honda
3-in-1 Steel Deck Self-Propelled Lawn Mower
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Solid Deal
Bottom Line

This self-propelled mower starts effortlessly, cuts to perfection, and comes at an appealing budget-friendly price.

Pros

Features an auto choke for quick starts. The self-propelled model is easy to maneuver. Offers 7 cutting heights and a twin-blade system for beautiful lawns with precise cuts. Nice price considering the brand and features.

Cons

Somewhat heavy. Debris such as wet grass may get stuck under the deck.

Honda HRX NeXite Deck 21-Inch Mower
Honda
HRX NeXite Deck 21-Inch Mower
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Feature-packed
Bottom Line

This heavily-featured Honda mower has plenty to love, but the Roto-Stop system is among the best.

Pros

The Roto-Stop system allows the blades to stop without killing the engine so you can make adjustments quickly. It has an electric start so there’s no more rope pulling, and the battery is self-charging.

Cons

A few reports of manufacturing defects such as backward bag frames or cable issues.

Honda 4-in-1 Nexite Deck Self-Propelled Versamow Hydrostatic Lawn Mower
Honda
4-in-1 Nexite Deck Self-Propelled Versamow Hydrostatic Lawn Mower
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Most Versatile
Bottom Line

Powerful and versatile, this lawn mower is built to cut, mulch, bag, and shred with ease for a gorgeous lawn.

Pros

Offers a powerful motor with cruise control for mowing speeds up to 4 mph. Auto choke function means it starts without hassles. Self-propelled with 7 cutting heights for even results. The rugged Nexite deck is constructed to last.

Cons

The mower is heavier than some competing models. Cut grass occasionally gets stuck in the chute.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

60
Models
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195
Consumers
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18
Hours
Researched
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Buying guide for best honda lawn mowers

Honda has a great line of push mowers as well as walk-behind mowers in a variety of styles to meet your mowing needs. Whether you’re looking for something for your lawn or contracting business, you may find what you need in one of Honda’s durable and easy-to use mowers.

For push mowers, Honda has lightweight machines that are easy to maneuver. When it comes to walk-behind mowers, Honda has machines with varying features in a range of prices. The company’s walk-behinds vary in engine type, transmission control, brake type, and capability. Not everyone needs leaf shredding or an electric start function, so you should consider each machine’s capabilities before you make a buying decision.

This shopping guide will help you find the best Honda lawn mower for your yard or property. If you’re ready to buy a Honda mower, take a look at our top picks in the product list above.

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Unlike walk-behind mowers that require you to push or pull the mower to adjust speed, many Honda mowers have a clutch or speed dial that you can easily adjust with one hand.

Push mowers and walk-behind mowers by Honda

Should you go with a traditional gas-powered push mower or move one step up for the ease of a walk-behind mower? Honda has great options either way, but before you buy, you should make sure you understand what comes with each type.

Honda push mowers

Honda’s HRS push mower series consists of tough side-discharge machines at a lower price than walk-behind mowers.

If you don’t mind the exercise, Honda’s push mowers are durable and lightweight, making them easy to use and transport.

Honda walk-behind mowers

Honda’s walk-behind mowers are great machines with simple controls and a variety of features.

Walk-behind mowers work much like push mowers, so if you’ve been using a push mower for years, it will be an easy transition. The engine propels the mower, often at variable speeds to match your comfortable walking speed. Steering is up to you, and stopping the machine is as simple as releasing the blade control lever, just as you would with a push mower.

Honda’s walk-behind mowers typically weigh between 80 and 100 pounds. They tend to be more expensive than the company’s push mowers, but if a self-propelled mower is what you’re after, Honda has several models to choose from.

Honda lawn mower features

Not all Honda mowers have the same capabilities. Below, we discuss some features to look for.

Bag capacity

Bag-equipped mowers in the HRR series feature 1.9-bushel bags, while the HRX  and HRC mowers all have 2.5-bushel capacity. The larger bag can be more cumbersome, however. Either way, you will be emptying your bag multiple times with most yards.

Blade safety system

Most Honda lawn mowers use a traditional flywheel brake, which stops the engine and blade when released. One step up from this is the Roto-Stop Blade Stop System, which some HRR and HRX models have. The Roto-Stop BSS works much like a flywheel brake, but releasing the blade control lever stops the blade while keeping the engine running. This feature saves you the effort of restarting the engine when you need to leave the mower briefly.

"Honda’s hydrostatic transmission uses a hydraulic pump to achieve a gradient of speeds."
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Clip direction

Some Honda mowers have a clip director that allows you to switch from bagging, mulching, leaf shredding, or discharging.

  • HRR mowers feature a three-in-one clip director for mulching, bagging, or discharging.

  • HRX mowers have a four-in-one clip director for mulching, bagging, discharging, or leaf shredding. You can mulch and bag at the same time with the Versamow system, which also allows you to control how much grass is mulched and how much goes in the bag.

Cutting height

Cutting height varies between each series. HRS mowers have a range of 1 to 3.5 inches, while HRR mowers range from 1.125 to 4 inches. Both the HRX and HRC series have a range of .75 to 4 inches to suit a variety of lawns.

Deck

All Honda decks measure 21 inches in diameter. The HRX series feature NeXite decks, which are made of a rust-proof material that’s more durable than steel.

The HRS, HRR, and HRC series feature steel decks, which are very rugged, even if they aren’t as tough as the NeXite decks.

Electric start

Anyone who has used a recoil start (or pull-start) lawn mower knows how unpleasant and frustrating this task can be. Some Honda mowers have electric-start engines. With the simple turn of a key, the engine starts on the first try. And unlike standard electric-start batteries that require charging, Honda’s electric-start batteries are self-charging.

Engine

Two engines are available with Honda mowers: the GCV160 and the GCV190.

The GCV160 offers 4.4 HP, and the GCV190 offers 5.1 HP. Both are four-stroke engines with 0.98-quart fuel tank capacity.

Handle Positioning

While HRS mowers have single-position handles, HRR and HRC series mowers have two-position handles, and the HRX offers the most flexibility with three positions.

Mulching, bagging, discharging, and leaf-shredding capabilities

The HRS series offers mulching and discharging capabilities, while the HRR series can mulch, discharge, and bag. The HRX series does it all with mulching, bagging, discharging, and leaf shredding, while the HRC series can mulch, bag, and optionally, discharge.

Transmission control

For walk-behind mowers, transmission can be controlled in a number of ways. Honda has several transmission control systems to choose from.

  • Adjustable smart drive transmissions, as seen in some HRR and HRX mowers, have five speed settings from zero to four miles per hour. The speed is controlled with a paddle on the handlebar, which can easily be twisted with either hand.

  • Select drive transmissions allow you to set a maximum speed before you begin mowing. Then, you can partially or fully engage a lever to adjust your speed as you mow.

  • Cruise control hydrostatic transmissions offer the most versatility, allowing you to choose any speed between zero and four miles per hour. You can use cruise control to set a steady speed, and the clutch lever can be used to speed up or slow down as you mow.

Honda lawn mower prices

Walk-behind mowers usually cost more than push mowers, but the higher price usually translates to greater convenience and added features.

  • Inexpensive

Most of Honda’s push mowers – and some Honda walk-behind mowers – fall in the $375 to $550 price range.

  • Moderately priced

Mid-range mowers include most of Honda’s walk-behind mowers and even commercial push mowers in the range of $600 to $800.

  • Expensive

In the range of $800 to $1,250, you’ll find some of Honda’s HRX mowers and most of their commercial HRC series.

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The leaf-shredding feature of HRX mowers is incredibly efficient and deposits leaves into the bag, so you don’t have to worry about raking.

FAQ

Q. Can you mow wet grass with a Honda mower?

A. Due to the danger of slipping and the possibility of clogging the deck, you should always mow dry grass.

Q. How do you stop a walk-behind mower?

A. Just like a push mower, you simply release the blade control lever to stop the engine. With mowers equipped with Roto-Stop BSS, release the blade control lever and return the throttle lever to the off position to stop the engine.