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.
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.
We look at Honda gas push mowers and Honda walk-behind mowers, noting the pros and cons of each.
We assess which Honda lawn mowers offer the best handle positioning. HRS mowers have single-position handles, HRR and HRC mowers have two-position handles, and the HRX has three handle positions, thus providing the most flexibility.
Most Honda lawn mowers have a flywheel brake, which stops the engine and blade when released. However, HRR and HRX Honda models have a Roto-Stop Blade Stop System that is a step above a regular flywheel brake. We note the Honda mowers that have this feature in our research.
Honda mowers have one of two engines: the GCV160 or the GCV190. We compare both engines in our research, noting that the GCV160 offers 4.4 HP, and the GCV190 offers 5.1 HP.
Since the cutting height varies between each Honda series, we note the height in our research. HRS models cut between 1 and 3.5 inches, HRR models cut between 1.125 and 4 inches, and HRX and HRC models cut between .75 and 4 inches.
The best Honda lawn mowers have a clip director so you can choose between bagging, mulching, leaf shredding, and discharging.
Honda lawn mowers come equipped with a 1.9-bushel bag (HRR series) or a 2.5-bushel bag (HRX and HRC mowers). We note the bag capacity of every Honda mower in our research.
We note each Honda’s deck material. The HRS, HRR, and HRC series all feature steel decks, whereas the HRX series has a NeXite deck. NeXite is a rust-proof polymer that’s stronger than steel.
When researching walk-behind mowers, we note what type of transmission control systems each model has. There are three kinds: adjustable smart drive transmissions, select drive transmissions, and cruise control hydrostatic transmissions.
We often review Honda lawn mowers with electric-start engines because we understand that many readers appreciate how easy it is to start an electric-start mower.
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."
STAFF
BestReviews
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.
Most of Honda’s push mowers – and some Honda walk-behind mowers – fall in the $375 to $550 price range.
Mid-range mowers include most of Honda’s walk-behind mowers and even commercial push mowers in the range of $600 to $800.
In the range of $800 to $1,250, you’ll find some of Honda’s HRX mowers and most of their commercial HRC series.
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.
