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Best Greenworks Lawn Mowers

Updated August 2023
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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. Read more  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.Read more 
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
GreenWorks PRO Cordless Lawn Mower
GreenWorks
PRO Cordless Lawn Mower
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Top Performer
Bottom Line

A powerful, clean, quiet, and low-maintenance alternative to gas-powered mowers.

Pros

Expected to mow for 45 min. straight and provide enough gusto to cut through thick grass. Quite simple to assemble and get going, with its efficient battery life. Also stores easily for its size.

Cons

Quite heavy. No self-propelled version.

Best Bang for the Buck
Greenworks 16" Corded Lawn Mower
Greenworks
16" Corded Lawn Mower
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Best Value
Bottom Line

Light and agile. Ideal for many urban gardens.

Pros

Effective at cutting both backward and forward. Works especially great for mulching. We love the grass-catching bag that minimizes mess. Customers report they adapt easily to the cutting cadences of this model.

Cons

A few owners had problems with the mower tripping breakers when starting.

Greenworks 17" Cordless Lawn Mower
Greenworks
17" Cordless Lawn Mower
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Simple Yet Solid
Bottom Line

A good, midsize cordless that won’t break the bank.

Pros

We love the 4 yr. warranty that comes with this model. Engineered for high use. This model will continue to perform over time with proper care and maintenance as well. Put to use in a mere 10 min. upon arrival.

Cons

Modest performance, particularly in thick grass. Sometimes needs second cut.

Greenworks 20" 12 A Corded Lawn Mower
Greenworks
20" 12 A Corded Lawn Mower
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Feature-Packed
Bottom Line

Big, powerful, full-featured mower offers excellent value.

Pros

If you don’t mind the cord, this mower has everything. 3-in-1 discharge, 7 cutting heights, big wheels for easy maneuverability, folding handle for compact storage. All the power you need at a bargain price.

Cons

Not self-propelled. A few owners have experienced motor faults.

Greenworks 20" Cordless Lawn Mower
Greenworks
20" Cordless Lawn Mower
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Twin Blade
Bottom Line

Powers through grass with ease thanks to innovative twin blade design.

Pros

Twin blade system offers good width of cut and superior mulching, without straining the motor. 2 battery ports enable the mower to automatically switch to the backup when main battery drains, thus providing extended run time.

Cons

Great for lawn maintenance, but struggles with long, thick grass.

HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

59
Models
Considered
174
Consumers
Consulted
28
Hours
Researched
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Buying guide for best greenworks lawn mowers

Greenworks is a company focused on producing a wide range of zero-emissions garden tools. Their lawn mower range is extensive, with one of the widest selections of corded and cordless models on the market.

The company has made a big investment in the development of its cordless lawn mowers. So big, in fact, that it now produces more battery-powered lawn mowers than corded lawn mowers.

If you’re in the market for a Greenworks lawn mower, there are several factors to consider. This is particularly true if you’re shopping for a cordless lawn mower from Greenworks. We highlight these factors in the following shopping guide, along with other technical aspects you’ll want to consider when making your lawn mower choice.

Read on to learn more about Greenworks’ fantastic selection of zero-emissions lawn mowers.

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Don’t rush your mowing job. A moderate pace will give the blade the opportunity to cut properly, so you don’t have to go over the same area twice.

The power question

There’s a longstanding debate about the relative merits of gas, corded, and cordless garden tools. Gas motors have historically been the most powerful options, but they are noisy, have a negative impact on the environment, and demand considerably more maintenance than tools that don’t need gas to run.

High-end cordless models are a viable alternative to gas, thanks to improvements in battery technology. These are clean, quiet tools that you can take with you anywhere. The only real drawback is that they’re still considerably more expensive than their corded counterparts.

Corded garden tools will always be popular because they’re light, affordable, and well-suited to modest urban yards. For example, with an extension cord, you could easily mow a small yard of about 100 square feet. Unfortunately, you can’t daisy-chain cords for a greater range. It’s not recommended for safety reasons, and the power drop that occurs over a distance could hamper your power supply.

Greenworks lawn mower features

Motor

Should you buy a Greenworks mower with a brush motor or a brushless motor? Corded lawn mowers usually have brush motors because they’re relatively inexpensive and also reliable. The power supply is not a problem, as the tool plugs into the wall. On a cordless lawn mower, however, brush motors don’t use battery power very efficiently. The alternative is a brushless motor, and this is what we’d generally recommend. However, a lawn mower with a brushless motor tends to cost a lot more.

Battery, voltage, and amp hours

Lithium ion (Li-ion) is the dominant battery type across lawn mowers, as it is far better than nickel cadmium (NiCad) when it comes to this type of tool. All Greenworks cordless lawn mowers use Li-ion batteries.

Voltage gives you a way to compare outright power, but ampere hours (Ah) are equally important because they tell you how long a battery can maintain that power level. A 4 Ah battery will last at least twice as long as a 2 Ah battery — and possibly even longer. Though some lawn mowers require specific sizes, you should choose the maximum battery output where possible. The only proviso here is that lower Ah batteries recharge much faster. (But with a more powerful 4 Ah battery taking around an hour to charge, we still prefer that option.)

Note: Greenworks Smartcut technology attempts to get the most from the battery by sensing the power required and adjusting supply automatically. Not all Greenworks lawn mowers have this technology, however.

Run time

Run times are often described as “under ideal conditions” and can be a little optimistic. We would expect to get 10% to 15% less than quoted. Having said that, GreenWorks mowers are still some of the most impressive around.

Cutting deck size

The cutting deck size on GreenWorks lawn mowers varies from 14 to 21 inches. A 14-inch cutting deck would be fine for small yards and makes for a compact, easily maneuverable machine. A 21-inch cutting deck can cut a large lawn in fewer passes. If you choose a cordless GreenWorks lawn mower with a 21-inch cutting deck, that will mean less power drain on the batteries but more heft in the machine.

Dual battery system

Some cordless Greenworks lawn mowers have dual battery systems. The primary battery is a 4 Ah model, but if this runs flat, the machine automatically switches to a 2 Ah back-up battery. Be careful, though, because some similar-looking models only provide storage for a second battery. You’d still have to swap the batteries out manually.

Two blades

An interesting innovation with some Greenworks mowers is that they run two blades instead of one. This is claimed to give a better cut and finer mulch without loss of width.

Self-propel feature

Many mowers are self-propelled, which makes life easier if you have sloping lawns or have a reduced physical ability. However, this feature will inevitably shorten battery run time, so not all cordless models offer it.

Mulching or collection bag

Most Greenworks models offer mulching or bag collection (2-in-1). Some also offer side ejection (3-in-1).

Height adjustability

There’s good height adjustability across the range of Greenworks lawn mowers, though it’s greater on some models than others. It’s a spec you’d definitely want to check into before making your lawn mower choice.

Fold-down handles

Some Greenworks lawn mowers have fold-down handles, which make your lawn mower easier to store.

Greenworks lawn mower prices

The Greenworks lawn mower range is extensive, providing quality tools to suit most budgets. However, there is a significant price difference between corded and cordless Greenworks lawn mowers.

If you want a budget-priced Greenworks corded mower, you can find one for between $130 and $150.

The Greenworks cordless lawn mower range is more extensive, and prices are more varied. For example, a 17-inch 40V model will cost you around $300. A top-of-the-line 80V model will cost closer to $500.

Tips

  • Be mindful of where you store your lawn mower battery. Cold temperatures sap the power from batteries. In extreme cases, the cold could cause permanent damage to a lawn mower battery. If you generally store your mower in a shed over winter, it’s a good idea to find a different (and warmer) location for the battery so it doesn’t freeze.

  • Always plug corded garden tools into a ground-fault circuit interrupter, also known as a GFCI. In the event of a short circuit, it will prevent you from getting an electric shock.

  • Keep in mind that a battery adds significantly to the overall weight of a lawn mower. If you regularly transport your mower to another location, this could be an important consideration before purchase.

  • If you’re thinking of buying other Greenworks cordless tools, check the cross-compatibility of batteries first (and never assume they’re the same). You could potentially save a lot of money on batteries if you were to own batteries that are compatible with the lawn tools you already own.

Other products we considered

If you’re looking for an environmentally friendly lawn mower that is powered simply by human effort, the cleverly designed Greenworks 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower fits the bill. The 20-inch deck gives plenty of cutting capacity, and the 10-inch front wheels make it easy to move around. It’s compact and inexpensive.

The Greenworks 14-Inch Corded Lawn Mower is the ideal tool for a small yard. At under 35 pounds, it’s a breeze to move around, yet it shares the same impressive feature set as the rest of the range. The Greenworks 21-Inch 40V Cordless Mower solves that annoying recharging problem by providing a second battery and onboard storage for it, so you don’t have to wander back to the house when it comes time to change batteries. It doesn’t quite have the power of an 80V model, but for many, it’s the perfect cordless solution.

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Make sure the blade is reasonably sharp. It doesn’t need a razor’s edge, but if it’s blunt, it will smash the grass fibers rather than cut them.

FAQ

Q. Do Greenworks lawn mowers need to be assembled?
A.
Yes, but you could hardly call it that! In most cases, assembly is just a matter of attaching the handle. You’ll also need to plug in the battery if it’s a cordless model.

Q. Do electric mowers need much maintenance?
A.
No. Unlike gas mowers that need regular oil and filter changes, both corded and cordless lawn mowers require virtually no maintenance. All they need is a good cleaning after use, a quick check to make sure cables are intact and handle bolts are tight, and occasional blade sharpening.

Q. Are cordless lawn mowers really as powerful as corded lawn mowers?
A.
It depends on the model. A number of Greenworks cordless mowers are a match for their corded counterparts. There are even some from GreenWorks lawn mowers that deliver a performance to rival a gas-powered mower. With run times of up to an hour, it might be you that needs a break to recharge, not the mower!

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