As far as cutting height goes, the Husqvarna model can handle slightly taller grass; its range is 1 to 4.25 inches, compared to the Honda model’s 0.75 to 4 inches. It also has a slightly greater fuel capacity at 0.3 gallons, compared to the Honda model’s 0.25 gallons.

The mulching capabilities of both lawnmowers were very fine, and neither showed any problems with clumping. Our favorite aspect of the Honda GCV190 was the blade clutch system, which allows you to stop the blades while keeping the motor running. This is useful if you have to pause to move an obstacle out of the way or move the mower to another location without cutting through its path. As for the Husqvarna HU800AWD, we especially appreciated the side bumpers on the deck that function as a rake, pulling in grass to be neatly trimmed.

Ultimately, both models boast superior construction and great quality. Their engines are powerful and easy to start. The Husqvarna HU800AWD is less expensive, but both models have comparable convenient features. Decide which features are most desirable to you when making your decision.

Read the reviews here:

Husqvarna HU800AWD
Honda GCV190

Steve Holdgren is an engineer by trade and has worked for some of the largest energy related engineering firms in the world with his latest stint in Switzerland. He holds a degree is mechanical engineering… See more about Steve

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What type of lawn do you have?
If you have a lawn with inclines, then choose a rear wheel drive mower. They don’t lose traction, so you don’t have to worry about getting stuck on a hill—they simply glide right up. Front wheel drive mowers don’t handle hills as well, and you’ll end up pushing (which is not what you want to do when you buy a self-propelled mower.)

If you have flat terrain, then either choice is fine. Both rear wheel drive and front wheel drive mowers maintain traction on flat land.

Making turns
Rear wheel drive mowers are more maneuverable than front wheel drive mowers. Because front wheel drive mowers want to push forward, you have to lift the front wheels in order to make sharp turns. Thus, rear wheel drive mowers can handle quicker turns, which comes in handy if you’re trying to mow around trees and bushes.

The bagger affects the weight distribution
Because the bagger is located in the back, rear wheel drive mowers will gain more traction as the bag fills up. The opposite is true for front wheel drive—they’ll lose traction on the front wheels as the weight shifts to the back. You may experience tires spinning when this happens.

Steve Holdgren is an engineer by trade and has worked for some of the largest energy related engineering firms in the world with his latest stint in Switzerland. He holds a degree is mechanical engineering… See more about Steve

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By Steve Holdgren

The Yard Machines 12A-A13K729 is an affordable, lightweight self-propelled mower that handles thick grass and inclines with ease. The mower was simple to assemble and get going. We were pleased with how easy it was to adjust the wheel height to handle different grass heights. We noticed, however, that the bag is on the small side and does not catch all the grass clippings, so mowing can get messy. But overall, this Yard Machines mower handles well, starts easily, and is a steal at $249.

Quick Specs

• 21 inch width
• Bagger
• 0.2 gallon tank capacity
• Cutting height 1.25–3.75 inches

Prices

Steve Holdgren is an engineer by trade and has worked for some of the largest energy related engineering firms in the world with his latest stint in Switzerland. He holds a degree is mechanical engineering… See more about Steve

By Steve Holdgren

An affordable, easy-to-handle self-propelled mower, the Toro 20371 typically starts on the first or second pull of the cord. Its speed and power are impressive, although sometimes it’s difficult to keep it going in a straight line. We liked that the tank is easy to refill with fuel without spills due to the wide mouth. It handles bumps and hills fairly easily, and it is lightweight enough to maneuver with little trouble. We wish its wheels were of better material than plastic, but overall it’s a nice self-propelled mower for a low price.

Quick Specs

• Bagger
• 22 inch width
• Front wheel drive
• 0.24 gallon tank capacity
• Cutting height 1–4 inches

Prices

Steve Holdgren is an engineer by trade and has worked for some of the largest energy related engineering firms in the world with his latest stint in Switzerland. He holds a degree is mechanical engineering… See more about Steve

By Steve Holdgren

The John Deere JS28 features mow-mentum drive, which gives users greater speed control for better mowing. Its rugged steel deck can handle hilly, uneven terrains, aided by the large, 8-inch rear wheels which roll smoothly on its bearings. We were satisfied with how easily the John Deere JS28 cut through tall, thick grass with no hiccups, and with how the mulching feature worked even on damp grass—no clogging. The only concern we have heard about this mower is that it does not work as well on cold starts and needs to get warmed up. Otherwise, at $349, it’s a good deal and durable mower.

Quick Specs

• 190cc
• Pull start
• Front wheel drive
• 9-position height adjustment

Prices

Steve Holdgren is an engineer by trade and has worked for some of the largest energy related engineering firms in the world with his latest stint in Switzerland. He holds a degree is mechanical engineering… See more about Steve

By Steve Holdgren

Combining the Honda and Husqvarna names, the Husqvarna HU700FH has great power but runs fairly quietly. Starting on the first or second pull, it runs smoothly up and down hills. The variable speed control, located on the handles, gives you the ability to set the pace, and the grips on the handles are comfortable on the hands. We liked that the bagging feature shoots grass all the way to the back of the bag, preventing clumps from blocking the front of the bag and forcing you to empty it repeatedly. For the price of $329, the Husqvarna HU700FH offers superb traction and maneuverability around obstacles.

Quick Specs

• Auto-choke engine
• Front wheel drive
• CARB compliant

Prices

Steve Holdgren is an engineer by trade and has worked for some of the largest energy related engineering firms in the world with his latest stint in Switzerland. He holds a degree is mechanical engineering… See more about Steve

By Steve Holdgren

A lightweight, affordable self-propelled mower, the Lawn Boy 10604 packs a lot of power. It runs easily up inclines, making the work easier for you. In fact, at full speed, you’d have to jog to keep up, but the speed control is easy to adjust. This Lawn Boy 10604 is ideal for medium to large lawns, as it’s a bit too bulky for small yards. The cutting, mulching, and bagging features work great, although you may need to empty the bag a few times per run. We were impressed with the easy start-up—just one pull and the mower was up and running.

Quick Specs

• Rear wheel drive
• Non-CARB compliant
• Height adjustment 1–4 inches

Prices

Steve Holdgren is an engineer by trade and has worked for some of the largest energy related engineering firms in the world with his latest stint in Switzerland. He holds a degree is mechanical engineering… See more about Steve

By Steve Holdgren

One of the nicest features of the John Deere JS36 is that when you release the control, the engine and blades stop immediately. This provides greater control to the person mowing. The John Deere JS36 also offers solid construction and design, including a simple pivoting lever to raise or lower the deck with no hassle. Another perk is the fuel stabilizer, which drips into the fuel tank to keep the fuel fresh for quick, easy engine starts. John Deere also boasts its mow-mentum drive system, which gives you countless speeds ranging from 0 to 3.6 mph. With high quality and reliability, the John Deere JS36 is a great value at $400.

Quick Specs

• Rear wheel drive
• 190cc engine
• Recoil start

Prices

Steve Holdgren is an engineer by trade and has worked for some of the largest energy related engineering firms in the world with his latest stint in Switzerland. He holds a degree is mechanical engineering… See more about Steve

By Steve Holdgren

With a powerful Honda engine, the Husqvarna HU800H starts easily with a single pull and runs smoothly. Best suited to medium to large lawns, its speed controls are on the handles; a drawback is that you have to hold them down the entire time, which can quickly tire the forearms. The mower has good traction on hills, and its double ball-bearings provide good maneuverability. With solid construction, including the heavy deck and large bag, the Husqvarna HU800H is reasonably priced at $459.99.

Quick Specs

• Recoil start
• 0.24 gallon fuel tank capacity
• 4-cycle
• 1 cylinder
• Rear wheel drive

Prices

Steve Holdgren is an engineer by trade and has worked for some of the largest energy related engineering firms in the world with his latest stint in Switzerland. He holds a degree is mechanical engineering… See more about Steve

By Steve Holdgren

With the Honda GCV190, handling tough, steep terrain becomes a breeze. The self-propelled mower starts with a single pull, even after being stored way for the winter. One especially nice feature is the blade stop system, which allows you to stop the blade while keeping the motor running in case you need to move any obstacles out of the way. This saves considerable time and effort. The quality of construction is also laudable—Honda takes pride in its machinery. With the ability to vary the degree of bagging and mulching, you have more options. We were impressed with the consistently fine mulching. Overall, it’s a solid purchase.

Quick Specs

• Bagger
• Blade stop system
• Rear wheel drive
• 0.25 gallon tank capacity
• Cutting height .75–4 inch

Prices

Steve Holdgren is an engineer by trade and has worked for some of the largest energy related engineering firms in the world with his latest stint in Switzerland. He holds a degree is mechanical engineering… See more about Steve

By Steve Holdgren

A great value at $399, The Honda 21 in. 3-in-1 Variable Speed Self-Propelled Gas Mower is well worth the price for its incredible power, top-notch construction, and durability. It can handle tall, tough grass with ease, and it rolls up and down hills with no issues. We were pleased with how simple it was to assemble and get it started—even with a slow pull of the cord, the mower started up instantly. The handling is also superb. All-in-all a solid machine, this Honda self-propelled mower is built to last and perform well.

Quick Specs

• 21-inch blade
• Rear wheel drive
• 1-gallon tank capacity
• Cutting height 1.8–4 inches

Prices

Steve Holdgren is an engineer by trade and has worked for some of the largest energy related engineering firms in the world with his latest stint in Switzerland. He holds a degree is mechanical engineering… See more about Steve