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.
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.
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!
