--- title: "Honda HRX BE Lawn Mower Review: Honda Goes Battery-Powered" description: "We tested Honda's battery-powered HRX BE lawn mower for a month to see if it lives up to the brand's gas-powered legacy." date: "2026-08-10" modified: "2026-08-10" authors: - name: "Mark Wolfe" job_title: "Staff Writer" link: "https://www.bobvila.com/authors/mark-wolfe/" url: "https://www.bobvila.com/reviews/honda-hrx-be-review/" categories: - "Lawn & Garden" - "Lawn Care" - "Lawn, Garden & Pool" - "Mowers" - "Reviews" --- # Honda HRX BE Lawn Mower Review: Honda Goes Battery-Powered ![Honda HRX BE\_mowing]() *Photo: Debbie Wolfe for BobVila.com* It was a long wait, but I finally got an opportunity to test a new battery-powered Honda lawn mower: the HRX BE. Not long ago, Honda produced the gold standard of self-propelled walk-behind lawn mowers, with legendary engine reliability and an innovative stacked-blade cutting system. Consumers and lawn care pros were willing to pay a premium for Honda’s gas lawn mowers because they delivered outstanding cut quality and lasted for decades. I wanted to find out if the new battery-powered units could live up to that hard-earned, long-standing reputation. After a month-long test, I believe they do—though I think they could be made even better. ## Testing the Honda HRX BE Self-Propelled Lawn Mower ![Honda HRX BE mowing]() *Photo: Debbie Wolfe for BobVila.com* When the mower arrived, I noted several carry-over features from Honda’s premium gas lawn mowers. The impact-resistant, rustproof Nexite deck, twin-blade MicroCut system, and VersaMow 4-in-1 clipping management system were copied and pasted from those earlier models. In essence, they simply swapped out the gas engine for an electric power head. So the big question was how the legacy features developed for gas power would perform when paired with the new high-torque 1.5 kW brushless motor and e-Select Drive variable-speed self-propel system. I tested the Honda HRX BE over the course of a month in a variety of mowing conditions on a half-acre lawn. I also used it for the annual mowing of a 1,000 square foot pollinator garden. I noted the running and charging times (which mirrored the manufacturer's claims), noise levels, and subjective observations regarding mowing power and performance. Before getting into the details, I’ll provide a quick overview of the kit. ### What’s In The Box The HRX BE runs on a 58-volt 12Ah (amp-hour) lithium-ion battery. It has two battery ports. The basic kit includes the mower with a single battery and standard 2-amp charger that recharges the battery in about 6 hours. It also comes with a collection bag. I tested an upgraded kit with two batteries and an 8-amp fast charger that recharged a depleted battery in just 90 minutes. Each battery delivers up to 45 minutes of run time per charge, enough to mow a little more than 16,000 square feet. When loaded with two batteries, the mower automatically switches to the fresh battery when the first one is depleted. ![Honda HRX BE\_integrated mulch plug]() *Photo: Debbie Wolfe for BobVila.com* ### Mowing Performance With two batteries attached and fully charged, I was able to mow roughly 0.75 acres of grass per charge. Battery mower brands habitually claim “gas-like performance,” but this one truly delivered in multiple ways. There was no drop-off in cut quality compared to gas. The [Honda HRX BE]() generated strong airflow under the deck that stood grass blades upright for a clean, level cut, even in dense grass and overgrown areas. The dual-blade cutting system chopped clippings to a very fine texture, eliminated clumps when mulching or discharging, and enabled efficient bagging. Not once did it bog down during testing. The controls were located at the top of the handlebar for fairly intuitive operation. These included the main power switch, blade control bail and roto-stop button, speed selector buttons, and drive control paddle. I liked having the roto-stop option to disengage the blade temporarily while the self-propel system was still moving (to cross a gravel area, or something similar). I also liked the substantial weight of the mower while operating on rough ground because it prevented the bouncing and slipping I’ve experienced with lightweight electric mowers. The speed of the drive system surprised me, though. Settings higher than 3 were too fast for mowing in my yard. ![Honda HRX BE\_dual battery port]() *Photo: Debbie Wolfe for BobVila.com* ### Honda Gas vs Honda Battery The mowing experience felt nearly identical to that of a Honda gas mower, with the exceptions of the noise, the self-propel system, and the weight. As for noise, I recorded the [HRX BE]() at an average of 77 dB (decibels), or about 20 dB lower than my old gas model. The self-propel system worked well, but the top-end speed was surprisingly fast, and it had a hard start. The weight without batteries was similar to that of a gas mower, but the batteries each weigh 8 pounds, so the ready-to-work weight difference was especially noticeable in tight spots where I had to maneuver the mower manually, without the drive system. ![Honda HRX BE\_nexite deck]() *Photo: Debbie Wolfe for BobVila.com* Overall, this is a really good battery mower from Honda, but a few improvements could make it even better. Brand loyalists will be able to make the transition from gas and get a very familiar experience. Those who have used other battery powered lawn mowers will appreciate the outstanding mowing performance, but will also recognize some things that have been left out. For example, this model cannot be stored vertically because of the shape of the deck, and it takes two steps instead of one to adjust the height-of-cut. Also, the 6-hour standard recharge time is much longer than other popular brands for equivalent mowing time. ## Product Comparisons | **Product** | **Cut width (inches)** | **Mobility** | **Run/charge times (minutes)** | **Kit includes** | **Price** | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Honda HRX BE]() | 21 | Self propelled | 90/180 | (2) 58V 12Ah batteries | $2,497 | | [Ego Power+ LM2135SP]() See our [review.]() | 21 | Self propelled | 60/60 | 56V 7.5Ah battery | $599 | | [Milwaukee M18 Fuel 2823-22HD]() See our [review.]() | 21 | Self propelled | 60/120 | (2) 18V batteries | $1,199 | | [Ryobi RY40HPLM03K2]() See our [review.]() | 21 | Self propelled | 75/120 | (2) 40V 6Ah batteries | $849 | | [Echo DLM-2100R2-2]() See our [review.]() | 21 | Push | 70/150 | (2) 56V 5Ah batteries | $599 | ## Premium Performance, Premium Price The Honda HRX BE self-propelled lawn mower is picking up where Honda’s old gas models left off, producing arguably the best cut quality of all the battery mowers we’ve tested. That level of performance comes at a premium price point. The base model with one battery and a 2-amp charger will set you back about $1,299, while a kit with two 12Ah batteries and an 8-amp charger hits the $2,497 mark. Those are the highest prices among all comparable models we’ve tested over four years of testing. Only time will tell, but if this mower’s durability matches that of its gas-powered forerunners, it will be worth the price. ## So, is the Honda HRX BE right for you? If you are in the market for a new self-propelled lawn mower, the HRX BE should be on your list for consideration. While it is first and foremost the seamless transition from gas power to battery power that Honda brand enthusiasts have needed, it is an outstanding option for anyone who values pro-level cut quality. Plus, it comes from one of the most dependable brands in outdoor power equipment. If that’s what you’re looking for, the HRX BE is probably right for you. ## Meet the Tester Mark Wolfe is a multimedia reporter and twenty-year green industry veteran. After decades of mowing, edging, planting, pruning, irrigating, and renovating landscapes, he now tests and writes reviews about the latest hand tools, plant care products, outdoor power equipment, and other outdoor living goods. ## Author Mark Wolfe is a BobVila.com staff writer with an extensive background in the horticulture industry. Since 2020, he has contributed numerous gardening and home improvement articles, along with a variety of tool and product reviews.