Greenworks 40V 16" Cordless Lawn Mower Review: Worth It?

We gave the Greenworks 40V cordless mower a try. Right away, it felt easy to handle, and honestly, it’s lighter than you’d expect.

Getting around edges and those awkward little slopes? No big deal. The push-button start is a nice touch—no yanking cords, click and go.

If you’re after something quieter and less messy than a gas mower, this one’s worth a look. It’s not perfect, but it’s less of a hassle.

The battery lasted us about 45 minutes, which was enough to get our small to medium-sized yard done without stress. Adjusting the height is a breeze, and switching between mulching or bagging clippings is pretty smooth.

However, if you’ve a larger lawn, you’ll likely need to recharge partway through. Some tricky corners took a bit more elbow grease than I’d hoped.

Bottom Line

If you want a lightweight, easy-to-use mower for a small or medium yard, this Greenworks model is a solid pick. It cuts well, runs quietly, and skips the usual gas and oil hassle.

Give it a try and see if it fits your yard care needs. Sometimes, you just don’t want to deal with fumes and noise.

Overview of the Greenworks 40V 16" Cordless Lawn Mower

This mower’s lightweight and compact size make it genuinely easy to handle. We zipped it around our small-to-medium lawn, and the push-button start kept things simple.

The battery life landed pretty much where we hoped—about 45 minutes of mowing before it needed a break. Not bad at all for a battery-powered model.

Height adjustment is straightforward. There’s a single lever with several options, so you’re not fumbling around.

Mulching and bagging both worked fine, keeping the yard tidy. However, it does struggle a bit with thicker grass and covering larger areas.

All in all, if you want a low-maintenance, quiet mower for smaller yards, this is a practical choice. It’s not a powerhouse, but it gets the job done.

Effortless Power and Runtime

Mowing felt smooth and steady, no weird jerky stops. The battery gave us about 45 minutes of decent power, which is enough for small or medium yards if you don’t dawdle.

Charging is reasonable—around two hours from empty to full. That’s not lightning fast, but it’s not a dealbreaker either.

The mower didn’t choke on thicker grass, which surprised me a bit. If your lawn’s bigger than half an acre, though, you’ll want a backup battery or plan for a break.

The light weight made everything easier, honestly. Less strain, less sweat, and the whole thing just felt less like a chore.

So, the balance between runtime and power is decent. It’s practical for regular yard work, and you skip the noise and hassle of gas models.

Lightweight Design and Maneuverability

Pushing and turning this mower is almost weirdly easy. At about 37.5 pounds, it’s way lighter than any gas mower I’ve dragged around.

This made tight spots and slopes much less annoying. You don’t need to be a bodybuilder to get the job done.

The handle is comfortable, and the push-button start is just nice. But with a smaller 16-inch deck, you’ll do more passes on bigger lawns. Not a major issue, but worth noting.

Overall, it’s a good balance of lightness and control. For yards under half an acre, it makes mowing feel a lot less like a workout.

Adjustable Cutting System

The adjustable cutting system is refreshingly simple. Just one lever, five height settings—no fiddling around.

You can set the grass height from about 1.25 inches up to just over 3 inches. That’s enough range for most lawns.

The system’s pretty smooth, though I did notice it can be a bit stiff switching between some positions. Not a dealbreaker, but you might have to nudge it.

The 16-inch deck covers a fair area, and changing heights doesn’t get complicated. Plus, mulching or bagging is built in, so you’ve got options.

Overall, the adjustment is reliable and practical. Not totally effortless, but it gets the job done for different grass types.

Quiet and Maintenance-Free Operation

This mower is impressively quiet. You can mow early or late without feeling like you’re waking the whole neighborhood.

The noise is significantly quieter than any gas mower I’ve used. It’s actually peaceful, if you can believe it.

Maintenance? Almost nothing. No oil changes or spark plug drama—just charge the battery and check the blade periodically.

That means less hassle and lower costs compared to gas options. The only catch: if you’ve got a bigger yard, keep an eye on the battery level so you don’t get stranded halfway through.

Battery Compatibility and Ecosystem

The battery system here is pretty flexible. The 40V 4.0Ah battery lasted us around 45 minutes—enough for most small or medium yards.

What’s cool is that it works with over 75 other Greenworks tools. If you already own some, or plan to, that’s a real bonus.

On the flip side, you’re limited to this battery type. So if you need more runtime, you’ll have to swap batteries or pause to recharge.

The charger is standard and works fine, but it’s not exactly speedy. Waiting for a full recharge takes a bit.

Key points:

• Compatible with a bunch of Greenworks tools
• Decent runtime for average yards
• Extra batteries needed for longer sessions
• Charger isn’t super fast

Overall, if you’re already in the Greenworks ecosystem, it fits right in. If not, you might feel a little boxed in.

Eco-Friendly Benefits

Using this mower, it’s clear that it helps reduce pollution. No exhaust fumes, and it’s noticeably quieter—better for the environment and your ears.

The cordless design means zero gas or oil spills. That’s less mess and less waste to worry about.

The battery lasts long enough for most small lawns, and since it’s rechargeable, you’re not constantly tossing out dead batteries.

Pros:

• No emissions while mowing
• Saves money—no gas or oil needed
• Works with other Greenworks gear, so less battery waste

Cons:

• Battery life might be a pain for bigger yards if you don’t have spares

All in all, it makes lawn care simpler and greener, without sacrificing much in terms of power.

Storage and Assembly Experience

Assembly was about as easy as it gets. Out of the box, attaching the handle and grass bag took just a few minutes—no extra tools needed.

The lightweight build made it easy to move around, which is handy for storage if you’re short on space.

Storing it is simple, too. The compact size fits into tight spots like a garage corner or even a shed.

Just be a bit careful with the plastic parts—they can scratch if you’re rough. Overall, setup was quick, and it doesn’t hog space when you put it away.

Pros and Cons

We put this mower through its paces, and a few things really stood out. Here’s a quick rundown to help you figure out if it’s your kind of mower.

Pros

• Lightweight and Easy to Handle: Way easier to push than any heavy gas mower. The slim build and comfy handles cut down on fatigue, especially in smaller yards.
• Good Battery Life: The 45-minute runtime was enough for our half-acre lawn. Charging took about two hours, so you won’t be waiting all day.
• Quiet Operation: Seriously, it’s so much quieter than gas mowers. You can mow early or late without annoying the neighbors.
• Simple Height Adjustment: The single lever allows for quick and easy height adjustments. It’s nice not to mess around when the grass changes.
• Versatile Clipping Options: Mulching or bagging? You’ve got both, and cleanup is easier because of it.

Cons

• Limited Cutting Width: The 16-inch deck means more trips back and forth on big lawns. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it can get tedious.
• Battery Compatibility Limits Runtime: The battery’s fine for small yards, but you’ll need extras for bigger jobs or take charging breaks.
• Assembly Needed: You’ll have to put the handles and bag together. Not a huge job, but it’s something to keep in mind.
• Less Power for Thick Grass: Dense or tall grass slows down the mower. You might have to go slower or make extra passes compared to a gas mower.

All in all, this mower is a great fit for smaller lawns and anyone looking for a quieter, low-maintenance experience. For large yards or particularly tough grass, you may want something more robust.

Customer Reviews

We checked out what other folks are saying, and most users love how light and easy this mower is to push. People mention that it handles small to medium-sized yards well and is extremely quiet compared to gas models.

The battery usually lasts long enough for a typical yard, but some users report that heavy or thick grass can drain it faster. That’s pretty common with battery mowers, though.

Some folks wish the cutting width was a bit bigger for large yards. Assembly takes a little time, but nothing crazy.

The grass bag gets good feedback it’s easy to empty and holds a decent amount. Overall, if you want a simple, cordless mower without bulk or noise, this one fits the bill.

Pros

• Lightweight and easy to maneuver
• Quiet operation
• Decent battery runtime for small lawns

Cons

• Not great for big or super thick grass
• Assembly takes a bit of time

Conclusion

After using the Greenworks 40V mower, we think it strikes a nice balance for small to medium yards. It’s easy to push, does the basics well, and you don’t have to mess with gas or loud engines.

The runtime is suitable for average yards, but if you’ve more ground to cover or thicker grass, you’ll want to consider extra batteries or plan for charging breaks.

It’s not as powerful as some big gas mowers, but it doesn’t need to be for most homeowners. Assembly is simple, and the compact size is a big plus for storage and tight spaces.

Bottom line: if you want a quiet, eco-friendly mower that’s easy to use, and you don’t need heavy-duty muscle, this is a practical choice. Most folks will find it keeps their lawn tidy with way less hassle.

Frequently Asked Questions

After a few weeks with the 40V mower, we heard many of the same questions repeatedly. Here’s a quick guide based on our experience—hopefully, it helps you decide if this mower is a good fit for you.

What are the key features of the Greenworks 40V 16-inch cordless lawn mower?

It’s lightweight—about 37.5 pounds—and easy to push around. The 16-inch cutting deck and five height settings let you choose anywhere from 1.25 to 3.75 inches for your grass.

It runs on a 40V 4.0Ah battery, and the push-button start means you’re up and running in seconds. You can mulch or use the rear bag for clippings, and it’s quiet. The battery also works with other Greenworks tools, which is handy if you’re building a collection.

How does the battery life of the 40V mower compare to other models?

Expect approximately 45 minutes of runtime per charge, which is suitable for small to medium-sized yards (up to half an acre, give or take). Charging takes about two hours, so you’re not sitting around forever.

The power is reliable for the runtime, but if your yard’s big, you’ll want a second battery or plan for breaks. Compared to gas mowers, you save on maintenance, but the run time is a bit shorter than some gas models.

What is the cutting performance like for the Greenworks 40V 16-inch model?

It cuts clean and consistently on normal grass. No clogging, and the single-lever height adjustment is smooth.

It moves easily across different terrains because it’s so light. The only downside is the smaller 16-inch deck—bigger lawns just take more time.

Can the Greenworks 40V mower effectively handle tall and wet grass?

Tall grass takes more effort and usually a couple of passes for a clean cut. Wet grass tends to stick to the deck, but it doesn’t stop the mower outright.

It’s not built for super-thick or overgrown lawns, but it gets through average, slightly damp grass if you’re patient. For heavy or wet grass, you’ll want to slow down and clean the mower now and then.

How user-friendly is the assembly and operation of the Greenworks 40V cordless mower?

Assembly? Honestly, it’s pretty straightforward. You’re mostly just snapping on the handle and hooking up the grass bag—nothing wild or confusing.

The push-button start is a nice touch. Seriously, there’s no wrestling with a pull cord, which is a relief.

Maneuvering the mower felt comfortable, at least for us. That light frame and the ergonomic handle really make a difference.

And the noise level? It’s surprisingly quiet. You can mow early in the morning or late in the day without feeling like you’re waking up the whole block.

What are the maintenance requirements for the Greenworks 40V 16-inch lawn mower?

Maintenance? Honestly, it’s pretty minimal. There’s no gas to mess with, no oil changes, and you can forget about engine tune-ups entirely.

Mostly, you’ll want to keep the blades sharp. That’s probably the biggest thing.

It’s also a good idea to clean the deck now and then, especially if you’ve just cut wet or tall grass. That stuff can really build up.

For the battery, charge it after use and store it in a safe location. Nothing too fancy.

All in all, it saves you a lot of effort compared to a gas mower. With fewer parts to worry about and less that requires regular checking, it's a simpler system. Kind of a relief, honestly.