Honda Self-Propelled Mowers: HRX or HRN for Your Lawn?
As Amazon Associates, we earn from qualifying purchases. This means we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you if you click through and make a purchase.
Honda has built a reputation for lawn mowers that last for years and are easy to get serviced, and its newest walk-behind models bring that approach to battery power. A self-propelled mower is one that drives its own wheels, so instead of pushing the full weight across the grass, you mostly steer and walk. That makes a big difference on larger lawns, on slopes and for anyone who finds pushing a heavy mower tiring. If you are shopping for a honda self propelled lawnmower for the first time, the main choice is between the HRX series and the HRN series.
All three mowers here are 21-inch battery models: the HRX-BE comes with a larger 12Ah battery, two battery bays and push-button speed control; the HRN-BV is the simpler model with an 8Ah battery and a handlebar speed lever; and the HRX-BV pairs HRX features like 4-in-1 Versamow with the smaller 8Ah battery.
Honda Self-Propelled Lawn Mowers Compared
| Model | Battery included | Runtime per charge | Drive and top speed | Warranty (residential) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda HRX-BE (HRX217YXBEXA6) | 12Ah | Up to 45 minutes, about 0.37 acre | e-Select Drive, 0 to 4 mph | 5 years |
| Honda HRN-BV (HRN216YXBVKA4) | 8Ah | Up to 30 minutes, about 1/4 acre | Smart Drive, 0 to 3.8 mph | 3 years |
| Honda HRX-BV (HRX217YXBVKA4) | 8Ah | Up to 30 minutes, about 1/4 acre | Select Drive with dial, 0 to 4 mph | 5 years |
Honda HRX-BE 21-Inch Battery Mower for Bigger Lawns
Honda
Honda HRX-BE 21-Inch Walk Behind Battery Powered Lawn Mower (HRX217YXBEXA6)
Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.
Honda HRX-BE 21-Inch Walk Behind Battery
Best for: Larger yards needing the longest runtime
Pros
- 12Ah battery, up to 45 minutes
- Two battery bays
- Push-button e-Select Drive, 0-4 mph
- 4-in-1 Versamow with leaf shredding
Cons
- Second battery sold separately
- Heavy at 99 pounds
The Honda HRX-BE 21-Inch Walk Behind Battery Powered Lawn Mower is the top of this group. It is an HRX217 model (HRX217YXBEXA6), and the listing says its motor offers the same power and high torque as Honda’s GCV series gas engines, so it keeps its speed in thick grass. It comes with a 12Ah lithium-ion battery rated for up to 45 minutes, or about 0.37 acre, per charge. “Ah” (amp-hours) is a measure of battery capacity, so a bigger number means longer mowing. The mower has two battery bays, and adding a second 12Ah battery, sold separately, doubles the runtime.
Speed is handled by e-Select Drive, an electric transmission you adjust from 0 to 4 mph with the touch of a button. The 4-in-1 Versamow system with Clip Director lets you mulch, bag, discharge or shred leaves without swapping attachments. Mulching chops clippings finely and returns them to the lawn as natural fertilizer; bagging collects them; discharging throws them out the side. The twin-blade MicroCut System uses four cutting surfaces to make finer clippings, so more fit in the 2.2-bushel bag. A dual-lever height system offers 7 heights between 0.75 and 4 inches.
In the box you get the 12Ah battery, a standard 2A charger, a charger wall bracket, the grass bag and frame, and the owner’s manual. It is red, weighs 99 pounds and carries a 5-year residential warranty plus a 90-day commercial warranty. Honda also notes a nationwide service network with parts available. This is the model to choose for a lawn larger than a quarter acre, or if you want room to grow with a second battery. For smaller yards, the 8Ah models below cover the job.
Honda HRN-BV 21-Inch Battery Mower for Smaller Yards and Beginners
Honda
Honda HRN-BV 21-Inch Walk Behind Battery Powered Lawn Mower (HRN216YXBVKA4)
Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.
Honda HRN-BV 21-Inch Walk Behind Battery
Best for: Quarter-acre lawns and first-time owners
Pros
- Smart Drive speed on the handlebar
- MicroCut twin blades
- Easy-off 1.9 bushel bag
- Compact 8Ah battery included
Cons
- Up to 30 minutes per charge
- 3-year warranty, no leaf shred mode
The Honda HRN-BV 21-Inch Walk Behind Battery Powered Lawn Mower is the HRN216 model (HRN216YXBVKA4). It uses the same claim of GCV-level power and torque, and comes with an 8Ah battery rated for up to 30 minutes, or about a quarter acre, per charge. A 12Ah battery is available separately if you want longer runs. The listing does not say whether it has one or two battery bays.
Its Smart Drive control lets you adjust speed while your hands rest on the handlebar, with five positions from 0 to 3.8 mph. The twin-blade MicroCut System is here too, feeding a 1.9-bushel easy-off bag. A sliding Clip Director switches between mulching, bagging and discharging, but leaf shredding, part of the HRX’s 4-in-1 system, is not listed. The height system offers 7 settings between 1 and 4 inches, so it does not cut quite as low as the HRX models. It rides on 8-inch wheels and measures 62.2 inches long, 22.6 wide and 40.8 tall with the handle up; the weight is not listed.
The box includes the 8Ah battery, 2A charger, wall bracket, grass bag and frame and manual. The warranty is 3 years residential plus 90 days commercial. The HRN is the friendliest choice for a first mower on a quarter-acre lawn or smaller. If you mow in fall leaves or want the longer warranty, the HRX-BV is the upgrade.
Honda HRX-BV 21-Inch Battery Mower for HRX Features on a Smaller Lawn
Honda
Honda HRX-BV 21-Inch Walk Behind Battery Powered Lawn Mower (HRX217YXBVKA4)
Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.
Honda HRX-BV 21-Inch Walk Behind Battery
Best for: HRX features on a quarter-acre lawn
Pros
- 4-in-1 Versamow
- Dial plus Select Drive speed control
- 2 bushel bag
- 5-year residential warranty
Cons
- 8Ah battery, up to 30 minutes
- Heaviest listed at 115 pounds
The Honda HRX-BV 21-Inch Walk Behind Battery Powered Lawn Mower (HRX217YXBVKA4) sits between the other two. Like the HRX-BE, it has the 4-in-1 Versamow system for mulching, bagging, discharging and leaf shredding, the MicroCut twin blades, a 2.2-bushel bag and 7 cutting heights from 0.75 to 4 inches. Like the HRN-BV, it ships with an 8Ah battery rated for up to 30 minutes, or about a quarter acre, with a 12Ah battery available separately.
The drive system is different again: you set your walking speed with a speed adjust dial, then engage the Select Drive control, with variable speed from 0 to 4 mph. The listing does not say how many battery bays it has. It is red, and the listed weight is 115 pounds, which is more than the HRX-BE despite the smaller battery; the listing does not explain the difference, so treat it with caution.
It includes the 8Ah battery, 2A charger, wall bracket, bag and frame and manual, with a 5-year residential and 90-day commercial warranty. Choose it if you want the HRX’s leaf shredding, lower cutting height and longer warranty on a lawn of about a quarter acre. For bigger lawns, the HRX-BE’s 12Ah battery is the better fit.
How to Choose the Right Honda Self-Propelled Lawn Mowers
Start with lawn size. Honda rates the 8Ah models at about a quarter acre per charge and the 12Ah HRX-BE at about 0.37 acre. If your lawn is bigger than that, plan for the HRX-BE and possibly a second battery. Grass height and slopes use more power, so leave some headroom.
Next, think about slopes and effort. All three are self-propelled, which is the most helpful feature on hills. The HRX models reach 4 mph and the HRN tops out at 3.8 mph. Try to match the speed to a comfortable walking pace; a variable drive means you can slow down on turns.
Then consider clippings. If you want to shred fall leaves, pick an HRX with 4-in-1 Versamow. If you mostly mulch or bag, the HRN handles that. The HRX models also cut slightly lower, which suits fine lawns.
Finally, weigh warranty and storage. The HRX models carry 5 years, the HRN 3 years. Every model includes a charger wall bracket for tidy garage storage, and Honda points to its nationwide service network for parts over the years.
If you are also weighing gas power, our guide to Honda self-propelled mowers with electric start covers those models and explains how a gas engine compares for very large lawns.
Shoppers who want to see how other cordless platforms handle bigger yards can compare these Honda models with other high-voltage battery self-propelled mowers before deciding.
FAQ
What is the difference between Honda HRX and HRN mowers?
In these listings, the HRX models add 4-in-1 Versamow with leaf shredding, a larger 2.2-bushel bag, a lower 0.75-inch minimum cutting height, 4 mph top speed and a 5-year warranty. The HRN has a 1.9-bushel bag, 1-inch minimum height, 3.8 mph top speed and a 3-year warranty.
How long does a Honda battery lawn mower run?
The 12Ah HRX-BE is rated for up to 45 minutes (about 0.37 acre). The 8Ah HRN-BV and HRX-BV are rated for up to 30 minutes (about a quarter acre), depending on conditions.
Can I add a second battery?
The HRX-BE has two battery bays, and Honda says a second 12Ah battery doubles runtime. The HRN-BV and HRX-BV listings mention a separate 12Ah battery but do not say whether they have two bays.
Is a self-propelled mower worth it for a small yard?
Battery mowers with a 21-inch deck are heavy, and self-propelled drive removes most of the pushing effort, which helps on slopes and for anyone with limited strength.
What comes in the box?
Each includes a battery, a 2A charger, a charger wall bracket, a grass bag with frame and an owner’s manual.
Related reading: honda self propelled lawn mower.
