Are Honda's Top-Rated Lawn Mowers Worth Buying? Here's What Reviews Say

After a brief hiatus when Honda stopped producing gas-powered lawn mowers altogether, they are back in 2025 with a whole new collection. There are three ranges: the HRN residential series, the HRX premium residential series, and the HRC commercial series. All are walk-behind models, although the majority are self-powered. Those available at the time of writing have four-stroke petrol engines ranging from 160cc to 200cc. Four battery-powered models are due to be released in the fall.

Honda's reputation for producing reliable, durable motors is well-known across all their machinery, from cars and motorcycles to generators and lawn mowers. For 2025, the latter boasts a host of innovative features that will appeal to those looking for the best ways to mow lawns more efficiently. Smart Drive is variable to suit user preference and can be adjusted one-handed. Twin blades (four cutting edges in all) produce finer clippings that are easier to bag or mulch, with side discharge another option. The auto choke provides fuss-free starting.

Reading the specifications is one thing, but real-world performance is what matters. Honda lawn mowers carry premium price tags, so the big question is whether they are worth buying. We looked at what reviews had to say to find out. Most customers are very positive about their purchase and would recommend it to others. However, Honda lawn mowers aren't flawless.

On Honda's website, most of their mower reviews average four stars or better. Comments like "great lawn mower" and "fantastic mower" are common. One owner reinforced Honda's reputation for quality by saying, "The Honda HRC216HXA commercial mower with the GX series engine is built like a tank!" Another called it the "best mower on the planet."

It's a similar story at Home Depot (although they currently only stock two models) and at Acme Tools (where you can pre-order the battery-powered range). One Home Depot customer said their HRX commercial model (one of 11 essential lawn tools for healthy green grass) "starts easily, cuts clean, and the hydrostatic cruise control makes mowing effortless. The blade stop feature is super handy when clearing debris." At Acme Tools, a buyer of the entry-level HRN push mower was equally happy with the performance and economy of their tool, saying it "always starts [on the] first pull, wheel height adjustment is quick and easy, and gets two complete mowings on one tank of gas."

So most of the reviews think that Honda's top-rated lawn mowers are worth buying. Ease of starting, reliability, and power are all underlined as top features. One owner perhaps summed up what many thought when he said, "If you need to buy a mower, go buy a Honda. You [will] thank me later."

Although generally reliable, Honda lawn mowers aren't entirely fault-free. Almost a quarter of the ratings for the entry-level HRN residential series on Honda's website had some level of dissatisfaction, with the majority of the complaints about failure of the self-propelled drive. Problems are less common with the HRX premium residential series, although a couple of reviews report oil leaks. To be fair, complaints about the current models in the HRC commercial series are virtually unknown.

Price will also be a serious consideration. On the plus side, one of the HRN models is among top-rated self-propelled mowers that will keep your grass beautiful. On the negative side, the recommended retail price is $599. A comparable mower from popular brand Toro, for example, is $120 less. It's a similar story across all models. The least expensive of the HRC commercial range costs $949, and you have to push it! Also, bear in mind that every one of the Honda lawn mowers has a 21-inch deck. Not what most people would choose for a large yard.

Honda's latest lawn mowers are packed with user-friendly features, and the majority of reviews tell us that their reputation for quality and reliability is well deserved. However, it's a very competitive market with a host of well-known brands vying for your hard-earned dollars. You'll want to compare specifications and prices carefully before you decide whether Honda's top-rated lawn mowers are actually worth buying.