Greenworks 40V Electric Lawn Mower Review

Kevin Barrett
7 min readSep 3, 2021
Greenworks 40V 21 inch Self-Propelled Cordless Electric Lawn Mower

Are you looking for a new lawn mower? Maybe even going to an electric mower?

The lawn mower is one of the most important tools in a gardener’s toolkit. The emergence of electric lawn mowers is a game-changer because electric mowers are a more environmentally friendly option than their gas-powered counterparts. In this article, I will be reviewing Greenworks 40V 21 inch Self-Propelled Cordless Electric Lawn Mower so that you can decide if it’s right for your needs or not.

**This post contains affiliate links to products that I use and recommend. If you use these links to buy something I may earn a commission. Thanks!

The advantages of an electric lawn mower over a gas lawn mower

An electric lawn mower is a great alternative to gas-powered models. There are many reasons that electric lawnmowers are the preferred choice of many homeowners and landscapers alike, including:

  • Easier starting when compared to a standard push mower which requires manual cranking. With an electric start, all you need to do is press the button on your handle to start the blades turning smoothly.
  • No more having to keep a supply of gas on hand in order to keep your electric lawnmower functional
  • No more pulling on a cord and starting the gas engine. Electric lawn mowers are much quieter than their gas counterparts, making them ideal for early morning or late night use when you don’t want to disturb anyone while getting some yard work done.
  • Electric motors have no carbon emissions so they make for an environmentally friendly option that won’t produce any smog whatsoever! This is especially important if you live near other people who might be sensitive or allergic to gasoline fumes from a regular push mower.
  • Easy to store vertically since there is no gas or oil at risk to spill.
  • Batteries can be used on other lawn care equipment if they are in the same family of products.
  • Despite being electric powered, electric lawnmowers still pack plenty of power which means it’ll take less time for most homeowners to complete tasks like trimming around objects and edging.

About Greenworks

Greenworks is a lawn-care company that specializes in electric lawn maintenance. Their electric mowers are made of the best quality materials and covered by a two-year warranty, making them an environmentally safe option than their gas-powered counterparts.

Greenworks offers electric options for all types of situations including cordless electric mowers, electric rotary cutters, and string trimmers. All their products run on lithium-powered batteries that range from 24-volt to 80-volt.

Greenworks offers many different styles and sizes, so you are sure to find something perfect for your needs!

Greenworks 40V 21 inch Self-Propelled Cordless Electric Lawn Mower

Overview

The Greenworks 40V 21-inch Self-Propelled Cordless Electric Lawn Mower is great for homeowners who want to cut down on their carbon footprint. This environmentally friendly machine features brushless motor technology that provides more torque, quieter operation, and longer life.

How long does the battery last?

One of the concerns that potential electric lawn mower owners mention is the battery life. A Greenworks cordless electric mower relies on a rechargeable lithium battery that has to be the voltage for its specific model, in my case, it’s 40 volts.

Greenworks 40V 21 inch Self-Propelled Cordless Electric Lawn Mower Battery
Greenworks 40V 5.0 Ah Battery

My property has about a quarter of an acre of flat lawn–no hills. If I mow my lawn once a week with this electric mower without having to cut too much off I can mow my entire property with one fully charged 40V 5.0 Ah Battery which is about an hour of battery time.

Battery Duration Factors

The battery’s duration of charge can really depend on how much of your grass you are cutting. If you’re doing a deep cut on tall grass or mowing wet grass, the battery drains much more quickly because the mower itself is having to use a lot more power to work.

I’ve found that using the bag attachment to collect my grass clippings instead of just mulching can increase the battery’s duration as it will keep the mower blade clear and running smoother.

Because it is a self-propelled mower, it will obviously take more power from the battery than a regular push mower. But the self-propelled functionality is totally worth having. You can save power by not using this functionality and just push it yourself.

Battery Lifespan

Lithium batteries for lawn mowers like the 40V 5.0 Ah battery I have generally have a lifespan of 1000 charges. Greenworks also has a 3-year warranty on its batteries according to their website.

Battery Charging

The electric battery takes about 30 minutes to an hour to fully charge which is pretty standard for most electric lawn mowers on the market today like Toro, Black and Decker, etc.

I’ve found that after draining a battery completely after a pretty tough mow, the battery will be too hot to charge right away. The battery charger will indicate that the battery is overheated with a solid red light. It’s best to wait an hour to let the battery cool down before charging it.

Battery Versatility

Using this electric mower with my other Greenworks 40V products like the 40V String Trimmer and Edger and the 40V Leaf Blower saves money because they all can use the same battery. The two 40V 5.0 Ah batteries that I have can mow my entire property, trim all the edges, and blow all the debris away in one go.

Greenworks 40V (150 MPH) Cordless Leaf Blower using the Greenwork 40V 5.0 Ah Battery
Greenworks 40V Cordless Leaf Blower using the same battery as I use for the mower.
Greenworks 40V 13-Inch Cordless String Trimmer/Edger
Greenworks 40V 13-Inch Cordless String Trimmer/Edger using the same battery as I use for the mower.

Secondary Battery Storage

The mower body has a dual battery port design that enables one battery to be stored while the other fuels the mower.

Greenworks 40V 21 inch Self-Propelled Cordless Electric Lawn Mower Battery Storage
Inside the body of the mower, there are two slots for batteries — one to actually power the mower and the other as a backup to switch out when the first one dies.

I bought a second 40V 5.0 Ah Battery in case I need to cut more than usual and switch out a battery when the first one dies. This second battery storage is super convenient to have two batteries handy if you need to change the first one out if you’re in the middle of a mow.

How well does it cut grass?

I have no issue with how the Greenworks 40V 21-inch electric lawn mower cuts my grass. Every mow has been an even cut. It has a single lever for adjusting the height of the blade in case I want to change from mowing tall to shorter grass.

Since it weighs about 49 pounds this electric lawn mower makes it really easy for me to maneuver around trees, shrubs, flowers, and other obstacles on my property.

Three modes of discharge

With its 3-in-1 design, you can mulch your clippings into nutrient-rich fertilizer for your lawn; rear bag them so they don’t scatter all over your yard, or side discharge them so they’re easy to collect in one place.

Greenworks 40V 21 inch Self-Propelled Cordless Electric Lawn Mower — Mulching mode
Mulch Mode
Greenworks 40V 21 inch Self-Propelled Cordless Electric Lawn Mower — Bag Mode
Bag Mode (bag included with mower)
Greenworks 40V 21 inch Self-Propelled Cordless Electric Lawn Mower — Side Discharge Mode
Side-discharge Mode (side chute included with mower)

It’s super easy to switch them out depending on the kind of cut you want to do for your lawn. I’ve had no trouble using each feature.

Quiet around the house

Like most electric mowers, it is relatively quieter than gas lawn mowers. This makes it great for me when I mow my lawn early on Saturday mornings so I don’t disturb my family or neighbors.

How to clean your Greenworks 40V electric lawn mower

It’s very easy to keep your Greenworks electric mower clean. Since there is no gasoline, you don’t have to worry about spillage.

I clear out the back chute on whatever discharge mode I’m on so that there isn’t a build-up of grass that sets. When I first got the mower, I had a few mows of damp grass and didn’t clean this chute which led to mold growing in the build-up of grass.

After every use, I just use my Greenworks Leaf blower (which I use with the same battery as the mower) and knock off all the loose grass.

Storage

Because it is an electric mower and you don’t need to worry about gas spillage, you can prop the whole thing vertically against a wall to save space. Just unlock the foldable handle arms and the mower will stand upright.

Greenworks 40V 21 inch Self-Propelled Cordless Electric Lawn Mower standing upright against a wall for storage
Mower propped against a wall in my garage.

Conclusion

It’s time to get your lawn in shape for the summer season. If you are looking for a cordless mower that is easy to maneuver and doesn’t require gasoline, then this might be just what you need! This electric lawn mower provides 40V of battery power so it can work all day long without running out of juice. In my honest opinion, it is the best electric lawn mower out there. Check out more details and see if this product could make your life easier too!

Learn more about the Greenworks 40V 21 inch Cordless Brushless Lawn Mower.

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