Self-Propelled Gas Mowers

Honda lawn mowers edge out the best from Toro

Comparison tests rank self-propelled Honda and Toro lawn mowers at the top, but the latest J.D. Power & Associates survey of owners gives Honda a decisive edge. Neither brand is immune to complaints or repair problems, but we found that owner-written reviews also give Honda the overall lead. Honda's OHV engines and fuel systems have met California's latest emissions standards for several years -- well in advance of state and 2012 federal requirements -- on all Honda lawn mowers, nationwide. Toro makes lower-emission lawn mower models for sale in California, but it can be difficult to buy them in other states.

The 21-inch Honda HRX217HXA (*Est. $700), a top-rated lawn mower in comparison tests, provides cruise control plus variable speeds up to 4 miles an hour. A single-lever adjustment is all that's required to alter the clippings-discharge mode to any point between full mulching and full bagging, so you can choose to bag just part of the clippings. Both professional and owner reviews say this system works extremely well. A blade brake clutch lets you stop the Honda lawn mower blades without stopping the engine. This is a desirable convenience when you're moving things out of the way or emptying the bag -- and also helps prolong engine life.

The Honda GCV190 OHC/OHV residential engine earns top marks for quiet, durability and fuel-efficiency. The Honda HRX mower deck, made of durable, rustproof polymer, carries a limited lifetime warranty, while the rest of the lawn mower is warranted for five years. The recoil starter gets good reviews, but if you prefer an electric start, it's available on the Honda HRX217HMA (*Est. $850) .

There are two main drawbacks to the Honda HRX lawn mowers. Adjusting the cutting height requires using a lever on each of the four wheels. Also, the handle, though adjustable in length, is still too long for some users. Keep in mind, too, that even a top-rated mower brand can need repairs -- so be sure an authorized service provider is nearby.

Budget self-propelled gas mowers

Less expensive self-propelled gas mowers don't offer quite the convenience of the Honda HRX, but it's still a good value. The 21-inch Honda HRR216VKA (*Est. $400) has a less powerful 160cc engine, but earns high marks for both bagging and mulching clippings. As noted earlier, Honda is the top-ranked lawn-mower brand in the 2011 J. D. Power and Associates customer-satisfaction survey, and the Honda OHV engine earns high marks for fuel efficiency, quiet performance and low emissions. The Honda HRR216VKA lawn mower is available nationwide, but meets California's stringent fuel and engine emissions requirements.

Comparison tests show that this budget Honda mower doesn't cut quite as evenly as the more expensive Honda HRX mowers discussed above. The deck is steel, so it can eventually rust, and the warranty on the mower as a whole is for just three years. However, objective tests show that the twin-bladed Honda HRR216VKA excels at both mulching and bagging clippings, and performs well in side-discharge mode as well. Over 100 owners reviewing this mower at HomeDepot.com make it one of the top-rated lawn mowers there. The 83-pound weight (86 pounds with a tank of gasoline) makes this mower relatively easy to push around.

If you can afford a bit more, the Honda HRR216VXA (*Est. $500) adds a more adjustable handle -- something some taller users miss on the VKA model. This top HRR lawn mower also offers larger wheels and two major conveniences: a blade brake override plus single-lever cutting-height adjustment with a maximum of 4 inches. (The cheaper VKA mower maxes out at 3.25 inches.). The VXA mower is heavier than the VKA, though, at 97 pounds dry weight.

Toro lawn mowers are Honda's main competitors in this price range, and most reviewers say Toro mowers are easy to use. As a brand, though, Toro doesn't rank as well as Honda for either performance or durability, in the latest J. D. Power and Associates customer surveys. Another consideration is that most Toro mowers use fuel systems and engines that pollute more than Honda mowers; CARB-certified Toro models are hard to find outside California.

Toro does offer a three-year "guaranteed to start" warranty on its recoil starters, and Toro lawn mowers come with convenient hose ports to make washing under the deck easier. The Toro Personal Pace drive system earns both praise in most reviews, as does the Honda Smart Drive system; both have both fans and critics among owners. Since this seems to be a matter of personal preference, if possible try both systems before choosing.

Objective tests show the 22-inch Toro Recycler 20333 (*Est. $400) doesn't bag clippings as well as the comparably priced Honda HRR216VKA -- probably because the Honda mower uses a twin blade while the Toro lawn mower has a single one. Otherwise, though, tests show the Toro Recycler 2033 performs well. Even at this budget price, the Toro mower has a blade brake override (for both convenience and longer engine life), and the maximum cutting height is 4 inches.

The similar, less expensive Toro Recycler 20332 (*Est. $375), lacks the blade brake override. Still, this budget mower earns high marks at Popular Mechanics for value, and mostly positive reviews from owners at HomeDepot.com. The choice between a Honda and Toro budget mower may come down to which is easier to repair in your area.