Are Honda Lawn Mowers Good?

Honda makes some of the best walk behind and sit down lawn mowers in the industry which are generally considered by landscapers to be a “bullet-proof” product. They’re easy to use, affordable, fully warrantied and very reliable with a fantastic line of 2-stroke engines that they manufacture themselves. Honda designs and manufacturers their own engines which are world renowned for their quality and reliability. In fact, most other manufacturers actually use a Honda engine to power their lawn mowers. So why not just buy a Honda.

Honda lawn mowers feature one of the best twin-blade cutting systems I’ve ever used. It’s great for creating small clippings that are easier to clean up or spread out. The steel blades are high quality, come factory sharpened and are easy to re-sharpen when necessary. But that’s not very often because they hold an edge for multiple seasons. I use Honda mowers at work and at home and rarely have to sharpen the blades.

By far the best thing about a Honda is the engine. They have more than enough HP and start up reliably every season. They’re easy to maintain and don;t need much maintenance. Just make sure to Winterize them every season if you live in a cold climate and make sure the filters are clean.

They’re super reliable and come covered by a full manufacturer warranty which can be extended if need be. If you’re looking for a great mower that’s powerful, easy to use and will keep working for many years, Honda mowers are a great choice.

In this article I’ll break down a variety of reasons why Honda Lawn Mowers are not only a good mower, but some of the best in the industry.

Honda Lawn Mowers Have The Best Engine

The best thing about a Honda Lawn Mower, and the main reason why they’re so good, is the engine. Honda makes some of the best and most reliable engines in the world. They actually design and build their own 2-stroke engines which is a huge advantage compared to the competition. In fact, if you look at other lawn mower brands, almost all advertise that they use Honda engines in their equipment. This is due to the extreme high quality of the motor. If other manufacturers advertise that they use a Honda engine, why not just buy a Honda?

Honda mower engines provide quiet, very reliable, easy to maintain and fuel-efficient power. They have the best engine in the industry by far which is why almost every other manufacturer uses them to power their equipment.

Here are a few features of a Honda mower engine that make it so great:

Honda motors are extremely high quality. They’re the standard other 2-stroke engines are measured against
They’re very easy to start
Very high quality and reliable
Honda engines are powerful. They have enough HP to easily mow the lawn while powering the walk-behind function
They’re affordable
Easy to maintain
Fuel efficient
Quiet
Very durable and long lasting
A great long term value for the money
Multiple models to choose from
Covered by a manufacturer warranty

Another reason why Honda lawn mowers are so good is that they’re easy to maintain and work on with affordable parts. If you ever need a repair or new part, they’re readily available and easy to install because the engines are so popular. If you buy a mower with a low production motor the parts can be hard to find and expensive.

Honda Push Vs Self-Propelled Mowers

One of the features that makes Honda lawn mowers so good is that they’re almost all self-propelled, meaning their rear wheels turn under power from the engine, which pushes the mower forward. This design is a huge advantage vs old fashioned mowers that you have to push yourself. And since Honda makes the best engine, they have the most dependable self-propelled mowers.

When you buy a Honda push-mower, the engine powers the blades but not the wheels.

The self-propulsion feature on Honda mowers is controlled in two different ways: The user can pull back a thin metal bar and hold it against the mowers handle to make it go forward or by pushing a lever located in the center of the handle. The latter method is found on Honda mowers that feature Select Drive which allows the user to adjust the mowers speed on the go.

It takes a lot of engine HP to push a mower while it cuts the grass. So generally the engines on self-propelled mowers are bigger with more HP. Which also means they use more gas and have a drive system which is another piece of equipment that can possibly break.

If you want a more fuel efficient mower go with a Honda push mower. The engine will be smaller and more fuel efficient while still delivering the same HP to the blades. And they cost a little less.

But I like their self-propelled models. I’ve been using them for 20 years and have never had a drive system break. They’re very reliable and worth the extra few pints of gas for a mow. And if you want the exercise they can be used with the drive system disengaged.

Honda Lawn Mower Cutting Height & Width

Honda walk-behind lawn mowers cut 21-inch wide sections of lawn at a time. Some manufacturers offer even wider cuts and some offer narrower cuts, but Honda mowers are always 21 inches wide.

This is an average blade width for a walk-behind mower, and it’s the ideal size for most residential lawns because with the body and wheels the mower can fit through a standard size gate.

Wider lawn mowers cut more grass in a single pass than a Honda, but they also require more power and fuel and can be hard to turn because they’re heavier. Wider mowers also have bigger bags which can be hard to unload. And they’re harder to push if you don;t buy a self-propelled model. Overall, it’s a tradeoff that’s not worth it in my opinion.

Honda lawn mowers allow users to adjust the cutting height to suit their grass type.

Honda mowers can be adjusted to cut the lawn as low as 0.75 inches or as high as 4 inches.
Most cool-season grasses are cut at 2.5 to 4 inches high.
Warm-season grasses are generally cut at 1 to 3 inches high.

One of the things that makes Honda mowers so good is how easy to use and versatile they are. It’s quick and easy to adjust the height of the blade by simply pressing down or pulling back a lever.

Mulching, Bagging & Side Discharge

One of the reasons why Honda lawn mowers are so good is their versatility and variety of options. They make models that discharge clippings to either the side or the back and some that include a mulching feature.

Here’s a breakdown of their designs:

Side Discharge: Grass clippings are expelled out the side of the mower and onto the lawn. The side chute can also be blocked with a fold-down guard if rear discharge or mulching functions are being used.

Rear Discharge: The rear discharge function is used along with a collection bag. When the bag is in place, it holds the rear chute open which sends clippings into the bag. When the mower is used without the bag, the chute closes and the grass either ejects out the side chute or drops beneath the mower.

Mulching: Some Honda mowers also include a mulching option. When turned on, it directs clippings downward onto the lawn. This is an eco-friendly option because the clippings biodegrade and act as a mild fertilizer. Honda mowers use a twin-blade cutting system, called Microcut, that cuts clippings into tiny pieces so they can decompose quicker.

Switching between functions is very fast and easy. Here’s how you do it:

If you want to use the back chute all you have to do is connect the bag.
To use the side chute, disconnect the bag and make sure the side flap is open.
To use the mulch option, remove the bag and make sure both the back and side flaps are closed. Then set the clip director knob to full mulch. As you cut, clippings will be finely diced and dropped below the mower to become fertilizer for the lawn.

Honda Lawn Mower Series

Honda makes lawn mowers in four categories: HRS, HRN, HRX, and HRC. Their models range from basic residential equipment to commercial-grade machines.

Not all models are sold at all locations, but they can all be purchased at a Honda dealer or online.

HRS: The Honda HRS Series is the base model lawn mower. They feature a side-discharge design with 21-inch cuts and large 8-inch wheels for better maneuverability. They come in either push or self-propelled models.

HRN: This is an upgrade from the HRS and includes some of Honda’s most popular lawn mowers. They include a powerful Honda engine, easy-start recoil cords, and the twin-blade MicroCut system that creates finer grass clippings. Available in push or self-propelled models. HRN is the mid priced Honda lawn mower.

HRX: This is Honda’s top-of-the-line residential mower series. The models in this series are self-propelled and have additional options like a leaf-shredding mode, variable speed controls, and cruise control. HRX lawn mowers are the best Honda makes for residential use, but they’re also the most expensive.

HRC: Mowers in the HRC Series are designed for heavy-duty use by commercial landscapers. But homeowners that mow frequently or have extra large yards may want to consider buying one. These are commercial-grade machines with stainless steel decks and reinforced guards and bumpers. They come in push or self-propelled models.

When shopping for a Honda mower, you should know that if the model number ends in PDA or PKA, it signifies that the mower is a push model, not self-propelled.

Honda Mowers Are High Quality

Honda lawn mowers are among the best made in the industry. They have the best 2-stroke engines by far, which are used in all sorts of power equipment by a variety of manufacturers. There’s a reason why so many manufacturers use Honda motors in their own lawn mowers, weed wackers, snow blowers, chain saws, etc. They’re powerful, durable, extremely well built, efficient and very reliable.

In addition to having excellent motors they also have other high quality parts such as:

The blades Honda uses are made out of high quality steel which is essential if you want a clean cut. Good steel is sharper and holds an edge for longer which is one of the reasons I prefer Honda mowers over the competition. I’ve used Honda mowers for over 20 years and rarely have to sharpen a blade.

All the other parts on the mower like the wheels, cables, bars, covers, etc. are very high quality as well. I’ve never had anything serious break and if they do, the mower is covered by a manufacturer warranty.

Honda lawn mowers are built on a high quality chassis with a durable metal body. They’re durable, long lasting and resistant to rust.

Because so many people use Honda motors, the parts are very easy to come by and are very affordable. If the mower ever needs work done, it’ll be cheaper to repair than most other comparable lawn mowers.

Honda Lawn Mowers Have The Best Blades

Honda lawn mowers use a twin-blade cutting system that creates smaller clippings than other mowers. This makes cleanup or spreading clipping much easier. If you cut the grass into smaller pieces, it’s easier to bag then or spread them out as mulch.

Because the clippings are smaller, bags can hold 30% more clippings than mowers with a single-blade cutting system.

The blades of a Honda mower spin counter clockwise against one other which can cut a single piece of grass several times. This is what creates such small clippings.

Honda uses high quality steel to forge it’s mower blades. They come with a sharp edge from the factory and are easy to re-sharpen. Because the quality of their steel is high, they hold a sharp edge for a long time. In fact, if all you cut is grass you may never have to re-sharpen the blades. I’ve had an older model Honda mower for about 5 years and have never had to sharpen the blades.

Blades are made of high quality steel
They’re easy to sharpen but rarely need it
Twin-blade system cuts clippings smaller than other mowers
Because the clipping are smaller more fit into the bag
Blades are very durable
Rust resistant when properly cared for

If you mow over brush and small branches they may get a little dull over time. But they’re easy to re-sharpen with any knife sharpening stone.

The blades are very durable. I’ve been using Honda mowers for over 20 years and have never broken a single blade or seen one rust.

Honda Mowers Are Easy To Empty

Honda lawn mowers use a bag with a wide opening that makes emptying easier when they’re full. This is a big help because all mower bags eventually have to be dumped out. They also have a twin-blade system which cuts the grass into very small clippings. The combination of small clippings and a wide bag are what makes Honda mowers so much easier to empty than most other mowers.

Honda also has an easy to use connection system that makes connecting and detaching the bag from the mower fast and easy to do. This is something I really like about my Honda mower because it’s very easy to detach and dump out even when it gets heavy and full of clippings. I’ve tried other mowers that were harder to detach which is a pain when the bags full.

Honda Mowers Feature The Versamow Cutting System

The Honda Versamow System is a feature for Honda HRX lawn mowers that allows you to decide how much grass is bagged and how much is mulched. It’s a 4-in-1 system featuring mulching, bagging, discharging, and leaf-shredding.

Versamow is built-in, so no tools or attachments are necessary.

The best part about Versamow is that you can partially mulch leaves to improve the mowing performance of your yard in various conditions. It gives the mower more versatility when mowing your grass.

Improved Mulching: You can choose how much grass is bagged and how much is mulched to reduce clumping.

Improved Bagging: the Versamow System includes MicroCut Twin Blades which cut grass into finer pieces and allows the bag to hold more.

Superior Cutting Performance: Versamow provides the best cutting performance of any Honda lawn mower because it’s adjustable to different conditions.

4-in-1 Versatility: You can easily choose between mulching, bagging, discharging, or leaf-shredding.

No Tools Or Attachments Required: Everything you need to use Versamow is built-in so you don’t have to worry about additional parts or tools to use it.

Versamow is one of the reasons why Honda mowers are so good at what they do.

It’s a very versatile system that adapts to whatever conditions you have in your yard. This is a fantastic feature because it eliminates the need for other pieces of equipment in your shed or garage. And you don’t have to worry about additional tools or equipment because everything you need is built right into the mower.

Honda Mower Features

One of the things that makes Honda mowers so great is their functionality and features. They include lots of cool options like the Roto-Stop blade system, select drive speed controls, adjustable throttle controls and cruise control.

Here’s a list of features you can find on Honda mowers:

Roto-Stop Blade System: Honda’s Roto-Stop Blade Stop System allows you to stop the blades while the engine keeps running. With most other mowers, when you let go of the handlebar, the engine shuts off. You have to restart the mower to continue cutting. This is a great feature to have if your lawn is big enough to fill multiple bags.

Select Drive Variable Speed Control: The Select Drive variable speed control allows you to easily adjust your speed by spinning a dial on the handle bar. This is another great feature because you can adjust the speed of the mower as you walk instead of having to stop and re-start.

Cruise Control Hydrostatic Transmission: Honda’s Cruise Control hydrostatic transmission is very quiet and allows you to set and easily change your speed at any time between 0 and 4 mph. This is another great feature I use all the time. You can set the speed exactly where you want it just like in a car. But it’s only available in an HRX model.

Because of all these great features, Honda mowers make cutting the lawn a lot easier than it used to be.

Additional Honda Lawn Mower Features

Honda lawn mowers are designed for performance and reliability. They’re dependable, versatile, easy to use and have the best engines in the business. And they’re loaded with options.

Here are a few additional features you’ll find on various Honda models:

Electric start: A mower with electric start eliminates the need for cord pulling. It has a starter built in that starts the motor by turning a key. This is a great feature to have if you don’t like pull start 2-stroke engines. However, most Honda mowers don’t come with electric start. Currently, only a few HRX models have electric start.

Adjustable Handlebar: Some Honda lawnmower models have an adjustable handlebar which can make mowing a bit more comfortable.

NeXite: Honda’s coats the under-deck of their mowers with NeXite, which is a product that resists rust, corrosion and stuck on grass.

What Brand Lawn Mower Is The Most Reliable?

The most reliable lawn mower I’ve ever used has been Honda. I’ve been a builder and landscaper for over 20 years and have used just about every brand mower including Honda, Toro, Craftsman, Troy-Bilt and John Deere. The most reliable, durable and dependable has always been my Hondas. The engines are extremely well built and in my opinion “bulletproof”. As long as you maintain them properly with oil and filter changes when needed, they’ll run for years.

I have Honda lawn mowers that are 20 years old and still running fine. They start up every time with no problems, don’t smoke and still have great power. For the money you really can’t beat them in terms of reliability.

If you’re looking for a residential lawn mower for your own home, I’d go with a Honda. However, if you’re a landscaper or have a really big yard to cut, I’d get a Toro or John Deere mower. From what I’ve tested, John Deere and Toro make better commercial grade equipment.

What Makes Honda Mowers So Good?

The main reason why Honda mowers are so good is the engine. Honda makes world class 2-stroke engines that are used by a variety of manufacturers. Honda 2-stroke engines are used in lawn mowers, snow blowers, chainsaws, weed wackers, blowers, edgers, etc. Their engines are durable, powerful and very reliable.

Even other top Lawn mower manufacturers like Toro use Honda engines to power their mowers. What more can you say about the quality of Honda engines.

Another reason why Honda mowers are so good is the wide variety of features they include.

Easy to adjust blade height
Speed controls
Cruse control
Twin-blades cut clippings into tiny pieces
Mulch options
High quality steel blades

Honda mowers are very well built, reliable and definitely worth the money.

FAQs

Buying a new lawn mower is an investment. A few questions are likely for those looking for the best Honda self-propelled mower or even a push-type model.

How Long Do Honda lawn Mowers Last?

How long a Honda lawn mower lasts depends on the model, how often you use it and how well it’s maintained. But overall they’re very durable and last longer than other mowers because of how well they’re made which is mainly due to their world class engines. I’ve had Honda mowers for over 20 years that are still running fine because of standard maintenance like oil and filter changes and cleanings.

If you want your Honda mower to last as long as possible, make sure you check the owners manual and service it as recommended. Always make sure it has the recommended amount of clean oil and a clean filter.

Can Honda Lawn Mowers Mulch Grass?

Yes, most Honda mowers come with a mulching feature which chops up lawn clippings into small pieces which are left on the grass as fertilizer. But it depends on the model you buy.

What’s The Difference Between A Honda Push & Self-Propelled Lawn Mower?

A push mower must be physically pushed by hand while a self-propelled mower is powered by the mowers engine. Because the engine on a self-propelled mower must power both the blades and rear wheels, the engine tends to be bigger with more MP. This typically means less fuel efficiency.

How Do I Stop A Walk-Behind Mower?

To stop most Honda walk-behind self-propelled lawn mowers, simply release the thin bar that you hold against the handlebar to make the mower move. This will cut power to the rear wheels but won;t stop the blades. You can continue to cut the grass as normal by pushing the mower yourself.