Husqvarna 7021P

Bottom Line

The Husqvarna 7021P is loaded with features not usually found on a mower at this price. The mower has a rock-solid four-stroke Honda engine, an adjustable handle that folds flat for storage and extra-large wheels -- just a few of the reasons reviews call this the best gas push mower. The 7021P has a three-year warranty and J.D. Power and Associates ranks Husqvarna high for customer satisfaction, but some owners have problems with long-range durability.

Performance

Honda engine. This mower can mulch grass, collect clippings in a bag or discharge grass out the side without needing extra attachments. Reviews say the 7021P cuts evenly for a smooth finish. "The mower does a great job mulching, rarely leaving any clippings in sight," explains an owner at Husqvarna.com.

Experts call this mower a good value partly because of its engine. Powering the 7021P is a four-stroke Honda GCV160 engine, the same highly rated engine running the Honda HRX217VKA (Est. $600) . The engine starts reliably and meets emission standards from the California Air Resources Board (CARB).

Ease Of Use

Easy to handle. The 7021P rolls easily over rough terrain with double ball bearings and extra-large wheels. Even though it isn't self-propelled, one Amazon user says, "I find this mower just as easy to push." At 55 pounds, it's much lighter than many other mowers in our report.

A lever on each of the wheels adjusts the cutting height from 1.25 to 3.42 inches -- a more restrictive range than the Honda HRX217VKA or Toro Recycler 20333 (Est. $400) . The handle has two height adjustments, which is not enough for some owners.

Husqvarna ranks third in J.D. Power and Associates' 2011 walk-behind lawn mower customer satisfaction survey, where the brand "performs particularly well in the price factor." Unfortunately, a number of Amazon users say the mower only lasts a few seasons. The 7021P does include a three-year homeowner warranty.

Safety

Brake shuts off blades. The 7021P includes a control bar -- which runs the length of the handle -- that must be pulled back for the engine to run and the blades to turn. As soon as the bar is released, a brake stops the blades from spinning and shuts the engine off.

Few reviews reference the Husqvarna's safety features. Owners at Amazon.com say the shrapnel guard located behind the deck works well but can get in the way when pulling the mower backwards.

Noise

Nothing crazy. We didn't find any expert tests that measure the noise of the 7021P, but many owners are content with the noise level. "I wouldn't call it quiet, but it's not loud or obnoxious either," says one Amazon user. Safety experts say for this type of lawn mower, hearing protection should be used.