Gas push mower Craftsman 38905 *Est. $225
Budget self-propelled lawn mower Toro Recycler 20333 *Est. $400
Best luxury lawn mower Honda HRX217K2HMA *Est. $900
Electric lawn mower Black & Decker MM875 *Est. $250
Cordless lawn mower Black & Decker CMM1200 *Est. $400
Manual reel mower Scotts Green Classic 2000-20 *Est. $140

See All Lawn Mowers

Honda HRX217K2HMA

*Est. $900

Best luxury lawn mower

Fuel-efficient, durable and relatively quiet
Low emissions, CARB-certified
Variable cruise-control speed
Variable adjustment between mulching and bagging
Blade brake stops the blade, but not the engine

Longer handle uncomfortable for some
Self-propelled speed too slow for some
No drain plug necessitates tipping the mower for oil changes

Our Analysis

May 2009. The 21-inch Honda HRX217K2HMA is a top-rated self-propelled gas lawn mower with luxury features that include an electric ignition, a Honda OHV engine and variable-speed cruise control. It's noted for its variable mulching and bagging system, letting the user use one lever to set a percentage of clippings to be bagged rather than having to choose one or the other modes. The Honda HRX217K2HMA meets California's strict standards for emissions. If you can live with a mower that doesn't do as good a job at mulching, the less expensive Lawn-Boy 10795 Insight Platinum (*est. $550) doesn't have a California Air Resources Board-compliant fuel system but does use a less polluting Honda OHV engine. It has a faster maximum speed and longer warranty.

The top three comparison reviews -- Consumer Reports, NoisePollution.org and Choice (the Australian equivalent to Consumer Reports) -- put the Honda lawn mower through objective comparison tests. The single-product review at ConsumerGuide.com is less formal but more detailed. Reviews at Consumers Digest and Men's Health magazines are based more on features. We found more than 50 owner-written reviews of the Honda HRX series of lawn mowers at Epinions.com, and a review in Popular Mechanics magazine is useful in comparing the cruise-control system on the HRX series with that of the newer HRR lawn mowers.

Our Sources

1. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe

Consumer Reports compares the similar Honda HRX217HXA (which lacks electric start) with 31 other self-propelled lawn mowers and 18 mowers of other types in this roundup review. All are ranked based on performance, handling and ease of use.

Review: Lawn Mowers, Editors of ConsumerReports.org, May 2009

2. NoisePollution.org

This older review recommends the Honda HRX217HXA based on comparison tests of performance, ease of use and noise level.

Review: Quiet Lawns, Editors of NoisePollution.org, Summer 2004

3. Choice.com.auDetails/Subscribe

Tests here (by the Australian equivalent of Consumer Reports) give high scores to a Honda mower, finding it quieter and easier to use than another brand available in the United States, Yardman. Both mowers cut evenly, but the Honda mower cuts closer to edges.

Review: Un titled, Editors of Choice, Sept. 2008

4. ConsumerGuide.com

This detailed review praises the Honda HRX217HXA (similar except for lacking electric start) for its easy-starting Honda OHV engine, variable mulching/bagging, rustproof deck and more. The only drawbacks noted are the long handle and the fact that the Xenoy deck can be damaged by contact with concrete curbs -- though a protective metal guard can be added.

Review: Honda HRX217HXA Self-propelled Mower Review, Editors of ConsumerGuide.com, July 2008

5. Consumers DigestDetails/Subscribe

This review recommends a Honda self-propelled lawn mower, based on its ease of use, performance and durability. Ranking depends more on price and features than on actual testing.

Review: Lawn Mowers: The Changing Landscape, Steve Trusty, April 2008

6. Men's HealthDetails/Subscribe

This brief article recommends the similar Honda HRX217HMA for its average 84-decibel noise level, which is low among lawn mowers.

Review: Special Report: Silent Running, Seth Porges, Mar. 2006

7. Epinions.com

These reviews date back several years, but more than 50 owners review various models in the Honda HRX series of lawn mowers. Though it receives many five-star ratings, a few reviewers give it the lowest possible rating, citing serious problems and recommending Toro instead.

Review: Honda HRX Series Self Propelled Lawn Mower Reviews, Contributors to Epinions.com

This brief review notes that the Smart Drive on the newer Honda HRR series of lawn mowers isn't as comfortable to use as the Honda HRX mowers, because it can strain the hand and wrist.

Review: Honda's Thumb Operated Lawnmower Controls, Roy Berendsohn, Apr. 2007

9. ConsumerAffairs.com

One owner writes about a Honda HRX series mower here. The complaint concerns poor warranty service from Home Depot after problems with a defective throttle.

Review: Consumer Complaints About Honda Lawn Mowers, Contributors to ConsumerAffairs.com, May 2005

10. 3Luxe.com

This site recommends the Honda HRX217HXA as one of the three best lawn mowers available, but readers are about evenly split on their choices, and the picks are based on features only.

Review: Honda HRX217HXA Lawnmower Review, Editors of 3luxe.com