Honda VS Craftsman Lawn Mowers
Both Honda and Craftsman lawn mowers have been on the market for a long time and they make good lawn mowers.
Chances are, you are about to purchase one of the two. It gets a bit tricky when you have to choose between these two brands.
So, let’s help you compare the two mowers, and help you decide which one suits your mowing needs and budget.
This article focuses on the metrics and shows you the pros and cons of choosing either mower.
Ready? Let’s dive right into it:
About the Honda Brand
Honda was founded in 1946 and it launched its first walk-behind lawn mower in 1978. The first mower was built with a low-vibration, low-noise, and high-output engine.
The company manufactures about half a million lawn mowers annually, in Australia, China, France, and Italy.
Honda manufactures ride-on mowers, HRN residential series, HRX residential mowers, HRS side discharge model series and HRC commercial walk-behind mowers.
Apart from lawn mowers, they manufacture a wide range of products such as snow throwers, generators and water pumps. Honda products are known for their reliability and durability.
Top 3 Honda Lawn Mowers
Features
Engines
Honda lawn mowers run on four-stroke GCV/GXV engines which enables superb mowing, minimal exhaust gas emission and efficient fuel consumption. The engines have a 0.98-quart fuel tank capacity.
Cutting Deck
Most Honda mowing machines come with a 21-inch cutting deck.
The HRX models have decks that are made of NeXite, a rust-proof material that is sturdier than steel while other models have steel decks.
Cutting Height
Each model series has a different cutting height range.
HRS models have a cutting height that ranges from 1-3.5 inches, HRR mowers’ cutting heights can be adjusted from 1.125-4 inches while HRX and HRC series range from 0.75-4 inches.
Some of their riding mowers such as Honda SDA have a cutting height of 1-4 inches while the H models cut grass to a height of 5 inches.
Handles
The handles are designed for utmost operator comfort. They are easily accessible and can be grasped from several positions.
Wide Range of Accessories
Honda lawn mowers offer a wide variety of accessories such as leaf shredder, lawn mower cover, side discharge chute (for HRC models), and spark arrestors to complement your lawn mower.
Pros
- They are easy and comfortable to use.
- Several Honda mower models come with innovative features such as Roto-Stop Blade System (VYA, HZA, HXA and HYA models) and Versamow System (HRX models) for superior mowing performance.
- Honda lawn mowers are reliable and durable.
Cons
- Honda lawn mowers are a bit pricey.
- DIY repairs are a bit difficult.
About the Craftsman Brand
The Craftsman trademark was registered by Sears on May 20, 1927.
The company launched its first-ever lawn mower in 1934 and has not looked back since then. Their product lines include Craftsman professional, Craftsman industrial, and Evolv.
They manufacture different types of walk-behind mowers, riding, zero-turn mowers, and other outdoor tools.
Craftsman mowing machines offer durability, flexibility, reliability, and comfort.
Top 3 Craftsman Lawn Mowers
Features
Different Deck Sizes
Craftsman lawn mowers have a wide range of deck sizes which range from 20 to 54 inches.
Accessories and Attachments
They support a host of accessories such as mulch kit, mower cover, tractor blade and a back sweeper to aid its versatility.
Powerful Engines
Craftsman mowers run on Honda, Kohler, Briggs and Stratton engines to provide adequate power to mow demanding slopes and terrains.
The horsepower of their engines ranges between 13.5 -50 HP.
Quality
The Craftsman brand is known for its high-quality mower parts.
Pros
- They are cheap and easy to maintain
- They run on powerful engines for smooth lawn mowing operation
- Craftsman mowers are durable, reliable and flexible.
Cons
- Parts may fall apart more often than expected..
- They have a loose turning radius.
Honda vs Craftsman Lawn Mowers: Which is Better?
Price
Honda has a wide range of mowers that ranges from $419 to over $5000.
On the other hand, Craftsman has a set of walk-behind mowers that cost between $182 to $942 while their riding mowers cost up to $5000 and above.
Both brands fall within the same price range.
Working Duration
Both Honda and Craftsman have an average lifespan of 8-10 years if properly maintained. Craftsman holds a 2-year warranty while Honda lawn mowers have a better warranty of 5 years.
Design
Craftsman Walk-behind mowers such as Craftsman M215 and M105 have a solid build-up and are very easy and comfortable to use.
They have features such as auto-choke feature, dust control system, and deck wash system.
Craftsman riding mowers come with a mow-in-reverse system, high back seat, and auto-choke feature for top-notch mowing performance.
Honda lawn mowers are marked by several innovative features such as Versamow system, ball bearing wheels, Roto-Stop Blade Stop System, Variable Speed Drive, and Auto Choke System.
Both brands have attractive product designs. You can choose based on what suits your mowing needs.
Deck Size
The main difference between them is that the deck sizes of Craftsman mowers are larger than Honda mowers’.
Most Honda mowers have a 21-inch cutting deck. Although there are Honda ride-on mowers that have a deck size of 38-42 inches.
Craftsman walk-behind mowers have a cutting deck that ranges from 20-to 21 inches while their riding mowers offer deck sizes that range from 42-54 inches. This shows that some Craftsman models have larger deck sizes.
Cutting Capabilities
Both lawn mower brands can side discharge, mulch, or bag via the 3-in-1 option.
BUT, some Honda models such as the HRS and HRX series offer a 4-in-1 function (side discharge, mulching, bagging, and leaf shred).
Bottom Line: Honda or Craftsman?
Both Honda and Craftsman lawn mowers are durable and reliable. They both have solid mowers for different yard sizes and mowing needs.
If you are looking for a light and eco-friendly mower with solid cutting power and performance on small to medium-sized lawns, we recommend the Honda 664100 HRX217VKA GCV200 Versamow System. The corded electric lawn mower comes with Clip Director and MicroCut Twin Blades.
Check Honda 664100 HRX217VKA Price
Top Recommended Handy Tools for Troubleshooting & Servicing Your Lawn Mower
| Multimeter – This is useful for checking voltage, continuity & current to identify electrical problems in your mower | Filter Wrench – For loosening your mower’s filter. |
| Carburetor Cleaner – Choke and Throttle Body Cleaner for cleaning clogs & buildup in the fuel system. | Blade Balancer–Balances Blades After Sharpening. |
| Fuel Stabilizer – This stabilizes & cleans your fuel to reduce fuel system buildup | Battery Inflator – This helps to ensure your mower tires stay inflated to prevent steering or uneven cutting issues. |
| Socket & Allen Wrench Set – These tools are needed to service & troubleshoot your mower problems | Tachometer– Evaluates your mower’s engine performance and provides accurate data about the status of the engine |
| 12-Volt Battery Charger – This is useful for charging your mower battery. | Lawn Mower Blade Sharpener– Adjustable Lawn Mower Blade Sharpener for Right and Left Hand Blades. |