Lawn mower / Mulcher suggestions

I own and operate a lawn business in the summer.I use larger machines than you have looked at, but am familiar with them as well. I would buy the $600 honda from Home Depot. A lot of the pros run them as well. Much lighter with a composite deck and a great motor.
Ignore JD small mowers. JD does not make any of them, they contract it out and paint green.

Most of the mowers you can buy in the box store are the same as from a mower dealer. The difference is that the dealer will setup and assemble their mowers, and they offer higher end models.

I personally use a $200 push mower from home Depot if I am forced to use a little mower. I try to never take on a customer that I can't use my large machines on so very limited actual use with small push mowers.