Briggs and Stratton vs Honda: Which Lawn Mower Engine is Better?

Both Briggs and Stratton and Honda have a great reputation for producing durable and high-quality lawn mower engines.

Trying to decide between the two engines, then this Briggs and Stratton vs Honda comparison article might be useful.

In this article, we compare the two lawn mower engine brands so that you can decide which one is best for you. 

Ready? Let’s dive right into it:

Briggs and Stratton Brand Overview

Briggs & Stratton Corporation is an American Fortune 1000 manufacturer of gas engines. It has its headquarters in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.

The firm was founded by Stephen Foster Briggs and Harold M. Stratton in 1908. 

They started with the production of cast-iron engines but they did not gain popularity until they manufactured lightweight aluminum engines in 1953.

The firm has thirteen facilities in the United States of America and eight more in China, the Netherlands, Mexico, Australia, Canada, and Brazil.

Apart from producing small engines, they are one of the leading manufacturers of lawn and garden turf care, power generation, and job site products.

Honda Brand Overview

Honda is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of internal combustion engines. The firm was founded in 1946 by Soichiro Honda and Takeo Fujisawa. 

Apart from engines, they produce a wide range of products such as water pumps, automobiles, motorcycles, generators, lawn mowers, and snow throwers. 

They are well-known for their durability and reliability.

Key Differences Between Briggs and Stratton and Honda Lawn Mower Engines

The main difference between them is that Honda mower engines offer a higher level of horsepower (5.5 hp -189hp) while Briggs and Stratton mower engines are cheaper.

Best Briggs and Stratton Lawn Mower Engines

1.  Briggs & Stratton 49T877-0004-G1 Commercial Turf Series 27 Gross HP Engine

Its cyclonic air filter offers maximum debris protection and lasts 2.5X longer than panel-style air cleaner systems. 

It is an ideal option for riding tractors and zero-turn mowers.

2. Briggs and Stratton Intek Series, 19HP, 540cc, Single Cylinder Engine

The overhead valve design enhances cooler operation and long valve life. It is also easy to set up.

3. Briggs and Stratton 44N877-0005 24HP Endurance Series 16 Amp

The engine is easy to install. A user liked the fact that the engine has great startups and can run smoothly. It offers you an outstanding value for your money.

4. Briggs and Stratton 31R907-0007-G1 17.5 Gross HP Engine

The float carburetor also provides consistent and easy starting while its patented linear balancing system enhances smoother engine performance. It uses an electric starter for easy operation.

5. Briggs and Stratton 17.5 HP 500cc INTEK Engine

It comes with a patented linear balancing system to ensure a smoother performance. Its cast-iron cylinder sleeve and dual-element air filter ensure longer engine life. 

It features a fuel pump, oil filter, and a 9amp charging system for top-notch engine performance.

Best Honda Lawn Mower Engines

1.  Honda GX200

The Honda GX200 engine is one of the best engines manufactured by Honda. It comes with an overhead valve to enhance combustion efficiency. 

Furthermore, the engine has a high power-to-displacement ratio.

It is equipped with an easy-to-grip soft recoil starter handle and an automatic decompression system for an easy and quick start.

3. Honda GX340 4-stroke Engine

The Honda GX340 4-stroke engine offers excellent performance. It has a digital CDI ignition system with variable timing for fuel efficiency. 

The overhead-valve design enhances optimal power transfer and increased efficiency.

The 4-stroke engine features a large capacity, multi-chamber exhaust system, and muffler to ensure a quiet operation.

3. Honda GXV50

The Honda GXV50 comes with a heavy-duty recoil starter and an automatic mechanical decompression system to enhance easy starting.

The GXV50 mode runs smoothly thanks to the engine’s ball bearing that is supported by the crankshaft. 

In addition, the OHV design delivers optimal power transfer and higher efficiency.

4. Honda GSV 190

The Honda GSV190 is equipped with features like a cast iron cylinder liner and three-piece oil control for increased durability.  

The engine has a compact, lightweight and quiet OHC design.

The GSV190 engine is a perfect choice for demanding homeowner applications and commercial equipment alike.

The internal timing belt provides quiet operation while the dual-lube system ensures ultimate engine lubrication.

The engine comes with an auto-choke system for an easy start. It is perfect for light commercial and residential use. 

5. Honda GCV 160/190

The Honda GCV 160/190 engine is perfect for residential lawn mowers. It is quiet, powerful, and lightweight. 

The engine has an electronic ignition and automatic mechanical decompression system for an easy start.

It comes with a compact combustion chamber, unilock construction, and overhead cam design to help reduce fuel consumption. 

The timing belt design provides quiet operation and improves lubrication. The horizontal cross-flow intake port enables a smooth flow of fuel. 

In addition, the engine is easy to use and maintain thanks to its timing belt design and easy-accessible spark plug.

Briggs and Stratton Lawn Mower Engine Vs Honda Lawn Mower Engine

Here is a head-to-head comparison of the two lawn mower engine brands:

Cost

Generally, Honda engines are pricier than Briggs and Stratton engines. They deliver remarkable results and they tend to last longer than many lawn mower engines out there.

On the other hand, Briggs and Stratton engines are also durable and reliable but are pretty affordable than Honda engines.

The Winner: Briggs and Stratton. Their engines are cheaper than Honda engines.

Power

Briggs and Stratton engines have a horsepower that ranges from 5hp-37HP.

On the other hand, Honda mower engines have a horsepower that ranges from 5.5 HP to 189 Hp.

Winner: Honda. Most of their engines offer a high-power output than Briggs and Stratton engines.

Reliability

In terms of reliability, Honda mower engines are well-known for their high horsepower ratings. 

Users cite fewer issues with their Honda engines compared to several engines in its category.

Some Honda engine models such as Honda GC and GS models have OVH design, unilock construction, and compact combustion chamber to increase the overall reliability of the engine,

Briggs and Stratton’s engines are also reliable but not to the extent of Honda’s. Some users noted that the engine developed leaks and carburetor issues.

For instance, the Briggs and Stratton 27HP 49T877-0004-G1 Commercial Turf Series engine has issues with oil leakage. 

Some users also encountered starting problems in cold weather conditions.

The Winner: Honda. Users cite fewer problems with Honda mower engines than Briggs and Stratton engines.

Ease of Use

The Honda engines come with a wide range of ease-of-use features. This includes an auto-choke system and automatic mechanical decompression system for easy starting. 

The timing belt design eliminates the need for conventional drive gears and enhances a quiet and smooth performance. 

Other ease-of-use features include electronic ignition, auto throttle, and valvetrain. 

On the other hand, the Briggs and Stratton mower engines come with a “ReadyStart” for ride technology to enable you to start the mower with ease.

Read: Briggs and Stratton vs Honda

Some engine models also have Magnetron electronic ignition for quick starts. Some users liked the fact that Briggs and Stratton’s engines are easy to install.

The Winner: Honda. It has more ease-of-use options than Briggs and Stratton engines.

Fuel Efficiency

In terms of fuel efficiency, Honda mower engines are better than Briggs and Stratton mower engines.

For instance, the Honda V-twin engine model comes with a hemispherical combustion chamber and integrated cylinder and head to help reduce fuel consumption.

The Winner: Honda. Their engines are more fuel-efficient than Briggs and Stratton’s engines.

Weight

Most Honda lawn mower engines come with a lightweight and compact design while Briggs and Stratton lawn mower engines are bulkier.

The Winner. Honda. They have a lightweight and compact design

Lifespan

The lifespan of an engine depends on how you maintain it.

Briggs and Stratton engines can last for at least five hundred hours. Generally, their commercial engines are designed to run up to 1000 hours.

The Honda engine can also last for up to 1000 hours if properly maintained. There are larger ride-on mowing machines that can last for a much longer time.

The Winner: It’s a tie. The longevity of your engine depends on its maintenance.

Warranty

Briggs and Stratton’s engines are backed by a two-year warranty while Honda mower engines offer a better warranty package of 5 years.

The Winner: Honda. Their engines offer a better warranty package than the Briggs and Stratton engines.

Brands That Use Briggs and Stratton and Honda Lawn Mower Engines

You can find Briggs and Stratton engines in a wide range of lawn mower brands such as Craftsman, Husqvarna, Brute, Briggs and Stratton, Bolens, Snapper PRO, and Poulan Pro mowers.

On the other hand, you can find Honda engines in mowers like Husqvarna, Toro, Troy-Bilt, Yard-Man, and Mountfield.

Winner: Briggs and Stratton. A broader range of brands makes use of Briggs and Stratton engines.

Maintenance

Both brands require regular maintenance on their engines. You need to follow the user’s manual to maintain the oil filter, oil level, air filter, spark plugs, and muffler.

In terms of maintenance, the replacement parts of Honda lawn mower engines are expensive and they are also expensive to repair.  

Almost all small engine shops can handle Briggs and Stratton engines while DIY repairs are much easier than on Honda’s engines. 

In addition, the replacement parts for Briggs and Stratton engines are affordable.

The Winner: Briggs and Stratton. The DIY repairs are much easier on Briggs and Stratton engines. 

Lower Emissions and Noise

In terms of lower emissions and noise, Honda is a better choice than Briggs and Stratton engines.

Honda lawn mower engines come with a timing belt to ensure a less noisy mowing operation.

The Winner: Honda. Their engines generate lower emissions and lesser noise

Final Verdict: Which One Should You Buy?

Briggs and Stratton and Honda brands manufacture durable, efficient, and high-quality engines. 

Their lawn mower engines provide excellent performance to enhance optimal cutting results on lawns. If you have a tight budget, you can choose Briggs and Stratton engines

However, if you are more concerned about efficiency and engine power, we recommend Honda mower engines because they offer a high level of horsepower and have better fuel efficiency.