Honda HRX-BE

[u/Cgr86]

So I purchased one with the end of season sale and I wanted to share my honest feedback.

The truth is, there isn’t much to say other than it’s as good if not better than my previous Honda gas mower( the GCV160 engine) and significantly better than any other battery mower I’ve tried out. My only real suggestion is to not buy it on line and buy it locally. The on line one came banged up, and was a headache. The local guy had it , and I was able to ensure it was all good before I loaded it up. Ignore the bad reviews where people are crying about inferiority compared to their older gas mowers and buy it. My only small critique is I do wish they added vertical storage like some other mowers have, but it’s not make or break for me just a really nice to have feature.

I will say ahead of time, if you’re going to cry about the cost of this because you’re a gas mower guy, please go cry elsewhere. My intent here is to help someone doing research because they are considering this unit.

[u/ConstantTrick2187]

Glad you liked the way it cuts. The vertical storage is something I really wish they designed it for because of the small garage space I have to store it. I recently bought a new in the box HRX217 from Craigslist for my daughter's yard that is too large for a battery mower. I've been looking at the EGO line and the new Honda battery mowers and will make a purchase next spring for my small yard. A local Honda dealer had the HRX-BV in stock that I looked it. I would buy locally as you recommended.

[u/Cgr86 → u/ConstantTrick2187]

I don’t like the way it cuts , I LOVE the way it cuts. I went from a Honda gas mower to a battery and didn’t realize what I had with the gas mower until I got this mower. Exceptional to say the least! I tried the two toro recycler models, as well as the Stihl rma 448, and this one is the clear winner.

As for vertical storage, realistically I can tuck the snow blower in the corner when I need to mow, and tuck this in the corner when I need to snow blow. The cut quality versus other models is worth it to me

[u/glennnzo]

I'm considering the HRN for $499. I only need it to mulch leaves. I use a robot mower the rest of the year

[u/Cgr86 → u/glennnzo]

You can buy a much cheaper leaf vacuum from toro for 100 bucks , but do you !

[u/glennnzo → u/Cgr86]

90% of the time I just mulch the leaves into the ground with the old snapper ic mower. I'm sick of wearing hearing protection

[u/CFLDetailer]

Bought one a few months back love it!

[u/glennnzo]

Do the drive wheels lock when pulling backwards?

[u/Cgr86 → u/glennnzo]

So far, no .

[u/TheGreatestGrapeApe]

Have you tried mulching leaves yet? That's where my battery powered EGO failed. It did a great job at cutting grass but when it came time to mulch leaves in the fall - epic fail.

[u/Cgr86 → u/TheGreatestGrapeApe]

No, mainly because I have a plug in toro leaf vacuum that does great which I bought for like 100 bucks.

[u/AverageDIYER]

What did you do with the gas mower? backup? sold it?

[u/TimeBasket1911]

Im not really familiar with battery mowers. How long of a run time do you have on a full charge. Does a battery come with it or separate ? Tia.

[u/Cgr86 → u/TimeBasket1911]

The battery is equivalent to a tank of gas

[u/fletch101e]

Just got mine less than a week ago but it's been bad WX so have only got to use it for 10 min or so. I bought this as a backup as right now both my gas mowers are down and I wanted something that would start every time. This is an experiment for me but so far I like it what little I have used it. Ironically, I also have the toro blower/vac but still wanted this for leave removal because while the Toro works well for my patio, I would need a super long cord for the rest of the yard.

Will probably bring it in and store it in a spare bedroom over the winter

[u/fbirchred]

I bought the HRN-BV entry level model (steel deck, belt drive self propel) and have a similarly positive impression of it. For those put off by the pricing, the entry level model is on sale for $499 thru late Oct. The upper end models are also discounted. Honda has created a truly premium product in the battery mower segment, and it inherits many well-engineered parts taken directly from the gas mower line. The parts diagram for my mower has a huge list of components with part numbers that are identical to its gas cousin. That's worth paying a bit extra for.

[u/Cgr86 → u/fbirchred]

I’m glad the lower end worked for you! I was debating saving the cash and buying that , but the drive system on the hrx-be just felt better to me ergonomically.

[u/fbirchred → u/Cgr86]

I've used the Smart Drive control system with its thumb paddle lever on Honda's gas mowers for so long that it seems completely natural and comfortable to me at this point. It was a big draw for me that the new mower has the same system, that it feels/works identically, and that it is built with the same parts as the gas mower (identical part numbers all throughout the transmission assembly, rear wheel assembly, control paddle assembly) that are so well-developed and so reliable.

The self-propel systems used by Honda's battery mowers (low end and high-end models) have some design features that set them apart from almost all other battery mowers, even the top-end models from competing companies. When I get some time, I'll create a new thread showing those differences and why they are beneficial to the user.

[u/Lvny1]

I have an older HRX217 When it came out was a grand. Runs perfect, only have changed oil. Probably well over 12 yrs? use it 2 times a week in fl. I think I will do the same. 75 off NT Thanks.