Guide

Lawn Mower Buying Guide

Choosing the right lawn mower comes down to two things: how big your lawn is and how uneven the ground gets. This guide walks through the four mower types — push, self-propelled, riding, and robotic — and matches each to a lawn profile so you can buy once and mow easier for a decade. If you're comparing a Honda lawn mower against other brands, the same size-and-terrain framework applies.

Step 1: Measure your lawn

Small lawns are under 500 sq m (1/8 acre). Medium lawns run 500–2,000 sq m (up to half an acre). Anything larger counts as a big lawn and rewards a wider cutting deck or a ride-on. If you don't know your area, pace the perimeter and multiply — close enough beats perfect.

Step 2: Check the terrain

Flat lawns work with almost anything. Gentle slopes (up to 15°) still take a push mower, but self-propelled is easier on the back. Steep slopes and mixed terrain benefit from all-wheel-drive self-propelled models or a rear-engine rider. Robotic mowers now handle up to 35% grade on premium models but need a boundary wire or GPS zone.

Mower types

Push mowers

Best for small, flat lawns. Cheapest to buy, cheapest to service. Manual reel mowers are quiet and zero-emission; petrol push mowers cut wet grass better. Honda's HRX line is a classic option in this category.

Self-propelled mowers

The right pick for medium lawns and any slope. The drive wheels do the walking; you steer. Look for variable speed and a rear-wheel or all-wheel drivetrain if you turn a lot around beds and trees.

Riding mowers and zero-turns

Once you cross an acre, a rider pays for itself in time. Zero-turn mowers are faster on open ground; lawn tractors do better around obstacles and tow attachments.

Robotic mowers

Set-and-forget for lawns up to ~2,500 sq m. They mow little and often, mulching clippings back into the soil. Great fit for busy schedules and enclosed gardens.

Petrol, battery, or corded electric?

Petrol still wins on runtime and long grass. Modern 40V–80V battery platforms cover most residential lawns quietly and without fuel. Corded electric only makes sense for very small yards where the outlet reaches every corner.

Features that actually matter

• Cutting-height range — the wider, the more forgiving through the seasons.
• Mulching, bagging, and side-discharge in one deck.
• Foldable handle for storage.
• Wash-out port and easy-access air filter.