An honest, experience-led review of Greenworks 40V 16" Cordless Lawn Mower user feedback, covering real-world performance, battery life, and whether it suits small to medium US lawns.
What This Mower is Really Designed For
The Greenworks 40V 16" Cordless Lawn Mower is aimed squarely at homeowners with small to medium-sized lawns who want something simple, light, and easy to live with. With a typical price range of $200 to $250, it sits in that middle ground where buyers expect decent performance, but not heavy-duty, gas-mower levels of power.
From what I can see across user reviews, this mower appeals most to people prioritising convenience over brute force. It is manual push, weighs around 37.5 pounds, and uses a single 4.0Ah battery. That combination makes it far less intimidating than traditional petrol mowers, especially for users who value comfort and easy storage.
Key Features Without the Hype
The 16-inch cutting width and five-position height adjustment suggest it is built for regular maintenance cuts rather than tackling overgrown lawns. It offers mulching and rear bagging, which should suit most everyday mowing needs, provided expectations are realistic.
Battery runtime is one of the most talked-about aspects. Greenworks suggests up to 35 to 45 minutes depending on conditions, but real-world feedback varies quite a bit. I think this is one of those cases where lawn size, grass thickness, and mowing habits make a noticeable difference.
Early Signals from User Reviews
Many users praise how quiet and easy this mower feels, especially compared to gas alternatives. That said, battery performance and cutting strength seem to divide opinion. I reckon this mower works best when used exactly as intended, light, frequent cuts on modest lawns.
Positive Reviews - What Owners Genuinely Like
When looking at positive feedback for the Greenworks 40V 16" Cordless Lawn Mower, a few themes come up repeatedly. Most praise centres around ease of use, light weight, and the general relief of moving away from gas-powered equipment. That said, many of these positive experiences are tied closely to smaller, flatter lawns and realistic expectations.
Easy To Use, Even for First-Time or Older Users
A large number of reviewers mention how unintimidating this mower feels, especially for people who are new to battery-powered tools or no longer want to wrestle with heavier machines.
Several users highlight the simple push-button start and lack of pull cords. One reviewer summed it up neatly, saying it is “very simple to operate and own” and praised how everything from battery loading to height adjustment felt straightforward.
Others echoed this sentiment, with comments like “works well and is easy to use” and “no complicated setup, no fuss, just charge the battery and go.” I think this is where the mower seems to win over a lot of buyers who value ease over features.
Lightweight And Easy to Manoeuvre
Weight is another major positive. At around 37.5 pounds, many users describe it as easy to push and control, even one-handed in some cases.
One review noted it was “light enough to push with one arm,” while another said it “feels like pushing a toy but works like a real mower.” That kind of comment comes up often, especially from users mowing tight spaces, narrow strips, or smaller yards.
This lighter feel also seems to appeal to older users. One reviewer described it as “an answer to prayer” for seniors, highlighting the quiet operation and easy handling.
Quiet Operation and Low Effort Mowing
Noise levels are frequently mentioned in a positive light. Many users appreciate being able to mow without disturbing neighbours or dealing with engine vibration.
Comments such as “extremely quiet,” “whisper quiet,” and “no vibration” appear regularly. I reckon for people living in residential areas or mowing early or late in the day, this is a meaningful advantage.
Battery Life Is Often Good, Within Limits
Battery performance receives a lot of praise in positive reviews, though it is worth noting that conditions vary. Many users report run times between 30 and 45 minutes, which aligns fairly well with Greenworks’ claims.
Examples include statements like “one battery will usually do the whole yard,” “the battery lasts long enough for my whole yard,” and “still had half a charge left after about 20 minutes.” A few even suggest longer runtimes, though those claims may depend heavily on grass type and mowing height.
Works Well for Small and Modest Lawns
Perhaps the most consistent praise comes from users with small or modest lawns. Several reviewers clearly state this mower fits their needs perfectly, with comments like “perfect for a very small yard,” “great for narrow spots,” and “ideal for small yards.”
One user openly acknowledged the mower’s limits, saying anything beyond 1,500 to 2,000 square feet “might be too much,” yet still said they would recommend it within that range.
Battery Ecosystem Adds Long-Term Appeal
Some positive reviews also mention the wider Greenworks 40V ecosystem. Owners who already have trimmers or blowers appreciate being able to share batteries across tools.
As one reviewer put it, “the one battery fits all is a must and really works well,” especially when multiple batteries are available and ready to swap in.
Mixed Reviews - Good Fit, With Clear Limits
Mixed reviews for the Greenworks 40V 16" Cordless Lawn Mower tend to come from users who like the idea of the mower, appreciate its light weight and quiet operation, but run into practical limitations once real-world conditions come into play. These reviews are especially useful because they often describe exactly where the mower works well and where it starts to struggle.
Lightweight, But Not Always Easy to Push
Many reviewers continue to praise how light the mower feels, but some point out that being a manual push mower has trade-offs, particularly on uneven ground or thicker grass.
One user said, “I love how light this is,” but followed up by noting the charge was “not enough to cover my front yard.” Another commented that it “works pretty good after I moved and now have a small yard,” but added that “because it is not self-propelled it can be hard to push over some areas.”
I think this highlights an important point, the low weight helps overall handling, but it does not automatically make mowing effortless if the lawn is bumpy or overgrown.
Battery Life Is Fine, Until Conditions Change
Battery performance in mixed reviews is generally described as acceptable rather than impressive. Several users say it works well for small lawns but becomes limiting as grass height or yard size increases.
One reviewer mentioned, “only got half the back yard done yesterday on the one battery charge,” while another said their “800 sqft lawn wasn’t fully done on a single charge.” At the same time, others report no issues at all, finishing their yard in “20 to 30 minutes” with power left.
From what I can see, battery satisfaction seems closely tied to mowing regularly and avoiding tall or damp grass.
Struggles With Long Grass, Leaves and Clogging
This is one of the most common themes in mixed feedback. Several users mention that the mower works best when the lawn is kept short and dry.
One review summed it up plainly: “Great mower if you keep lawn short. It has no suction to cut 3 inch or higher lawn.” Another said it “slows down on taller grass and can get stuck sometimes.”
Clogging also comes up repeatedly. Users report having to stop and clear grass from underneath, especially when cutting long grass or mowing over leaves. One person noted that “the grass clogs every few minutes,” while another explained that cutting longer grass causes mulch to “get sent back to the collector and then clog up.”
Grass Bag and Mulching Are Hit or Miss
Several reviewers express mild disappointment with the grass catcher. Some say it fills quickly, others say it does not capture clippings effectively.
One user wrote that “only about half the clippings make it into the bag,” leaving the rest as mulch even when bagging is selected. Another commented that the “grass catcher bag is wearing after 2 years,” suggesting durability may vary.
Because of this, some users choose to rely on mulching instead, with one reviewer saying, “I’m never impressed with Greenworks grass catchers, so we just use the mulching feature.”
Battery Removal and Controls Can Be Frustrating
A surprising number of mixed reviews mention difficulty removing the battery. This seems to affect older users in particular.
Comments include “it is so hard to get the battery out,” “the battery was hard to disengage,” and “I can’t hold the plastic battery cover up and pull hard enough at the same time.” While some acknowledge this might be less of an issue for younger or stronger users, it is still a recurring complaint.
Instructions and controls also draw some criticism. One reviewer said the directions were “confusing,” while another admitted it took a while to understand the start sequence.
Works Best When Used as a Maintenance Mower
Despite the frustrations, many mixed reviews still end on a reasonably positive note. Users often say the mower is fine once they adjust how and when they mow.
Comments like “works better than expected,” “good for maintaining a well-cared for lawn,” and “I’ll keep it and mow more regularly next year” appear often. I reckon this mower tends to disappoint when asked to do too much, but feels acceptable when used strictly for light, frequent maintenance.
Negative Reviews - Where Things Break Down
Negative reviews of the Greenworks 40V 16" Cordless Lawn Mower are notably more detailed and emotional than the positive ones, and many follow similar patterns. While some complaints relate to individual defects, others raise broader concerns about battery reliability, durability, and long-term value. Taken together, these reviews suggest that quality consistency may be a real concern for some buyers.
Battery Problems Are the Most Common Complaint
By far the most frequent issue raised in negative reviews is the battery. Complaints range from batteries arriving dead out of the box to rapid capacity loss after limited use.
Several users report receiving a mower with a battery that would not charge at all. One reviewer stated, “Amazon sent with a dead battery,” adding that a replacement was not offered and only a partial refund was provided. Another echoed this frustration, saying, “Straight out of the box, the battery would not charge,” despite hours of troubleshooting.
Others experienced battery failure after a short ownership period. One user wrote, “Only used it 3 times. The first time was great… the second time the battery only lasted half as long,” while another said the battery “crapped out on me in 3 months, won’t take a charge anymore.”
There are also longer-term complaints. One reviewer who bought the mower in 2022 said, “the battery died in early 2024,” calling the battery lifespan “too short.” Several users pointed out that replacement batteries are expensive, with one noting that a new battery costs around $120, which changes the overall value equation.
Inconsistent Runtime and Sudden Power Loss
Even when the battery works, runtime appears unpredictable for some users. Multiple reviewers mention seeing charge indicators that do not match real-world performance.
One frustrated buyer wrote, “I get about halfway done and the mower dies,” even though the battery still showed half charge. Another said the mower would “start it, then it dies immediately,” despite a full charge.
Some describe rapid power drop-offs, with comments like “RPM drops as soon as it starts to cut the grass” and “starts up with high RPMs then quickly goes down and just doesn’t seem powerful enough.”
Stalling, Shutdowns, And Underpowered Cutting
A large number of negative reviews mention the mower stalling, shutting off, or struggling under even moderate conditions.
Users report issues such as “runs a couple of seconds then shuts down,” “keeps turning off,” and “will not stay running.” One reviewer summed it up bluntly: “Seriously under powered. Do not let your grass get too long.”
Cutting performance also draws criticism. Several users say the mower leaves uncut strips, requires multiple passes, or struggles with grass as short as four inches. One particularly frustrated review described the results as “leaves uncut pieces right in the center… like a Mohawk haircut.”
Problems With Grass Collection and Clogging
Grass clippings and bagging performance are another sore point. Many negative reviewers say the grass catcher clogs almost immediately or fails to collect clippings properly.
One user wrote, “Grass catcher clogs in 2 feet,” while another said it “keeps clogging every few minutes.” Others report that mulch and clippings end up back on the lawn rather than in the bag, even when bagging is selected.
Several reviewers mention the mower shutting off when trying to mow over mulch or clippings left behind, adding to frustration during use.
Build Quality and Materials Raise Concerns
A recurring theme in negative feedback is the perception that the mower feels cheaply made. Words like “plastic,” “clanks,” and “cheap screws” appear repeatedly.
One user described it as “very plastic,” while another said it felt “cheaply made, keeps falling apart,” noting loose screws and handle parts that would not stay together. Another reviewer simply called it “low quality” and said it ended up “in the landfill 3 years later.”
Handle adjustment issues also come up, with one tall user stating, “the handle does not adjust… it kills my back.” Others mention broken latches or cam locks that are “extremely difficult to close” or fail altogether.
Battery Removal and Safety Key Issues
Battery removal remains a major frustration in negative reviews. Some users describe the battery as being “almost impossible to remove,” while others say it became physically stuck inside the mower.
One reviewer had to return the mower because the “battery got stuck inside the lawnmower.” Another said the battery was so difficult to remove that it made regular charging a chore.
A smaller but notable complaint involves the plastic safety key. One user lost theirs and found replacements “very difficult to locate,” adding unexpected cost and inconvenience.
Customer Service and Warranty Frustrations
Several negative reviews express dissatisfaction with customer support and warranty handling. One reviewer described the mower as a “disposable lawn mower,” explaining that it failed just three months outside the warranty period and repair was not economically sensible.
Others report long troubleshooting calls with limited results. One user said, “called customer support… really sucks,” and ultimately returned the mower through Amazon instead.
There are also complaints about receiving used or incomplete products. One reviewer stated the mower arrived “used, not new and badly dulled blade,” while another said it arrived “incomplete, with grass and scratches.”
Final Tone from Negative Reviewers
The overall tone of negative reviews is one of disappointment rather than minor annoyance. Many reviewers explicitly say they returned the mower or switched back to gas.
Comments like “Find a different one,” “Spend more or hire help,” and “Stay with gas” appear multiple times. While some acknowledge positives like low noise and light weight, many feel those benefits do not compensate for reliability issues.
Pros for the Greenworks 16 Inch Cordless lawnmower
1, Lightweight And Easy to Handle - One of the strongest positives is how light the mower feels in use. At around 37.5 lbs, many users say it is easy to push with minimal effort, even with one hand. I think this is a real advantage for anyone who struggles with heavier gas mowers or simply wants something easy to manoeuvre around tight areas.
2, Quiet Operation Compared to Gas - The mower runs noticeably quieter than petrol alternatives. This may help if you live in a neighbourhood with noise restrictions or prefer early morning or evening mowing without bothering others. Several users highlight this as one of the most immediately noticeable benefits.
3, Simple Push-Button Start - There is no pull cord, priming, or warm-up routine. You insert the battery, press the button, and start mowing. For many owners, this convenience alone makes it feel less stressful to use than a traditional mower.
4, No Fuel or Engine Maintenance - There is no gas, oil, spark plug, or seasonal servicing to worry about. Over time, this may reduce running costs and maintenance effort, especially for users who dislike dealing with small engines.
5, Works With the Greenworks 40V Battery System - If you already own Greenworks 40V tools, the shared battery platform can make sense. I reckon this is one of the mower’s stronger value arguments, provided you already have spare batteries on hand.
6, Compact And Easy to Store - The smaller 16-inch deck and lightweight frame make storage easier than full-size mowers. For sheds with limited space or garage storage, this may be a practical benefit.
Cons for the Greenworks 16 Inch Cordless lawnmower
1, Battery Reliability Is Inconsistent - The biggest drawback is battery performance. While some users get close to the advertised runtime, others report rapid drain, sudden shutdowns, or batteries failing within months. This inconsistency makes long-term ownership harder to predict.
2, Replacement Batteries are Expensive - When the battery fails outside warranty, the cost of a replacement can be significant. Several users point out that buying a new battery changes the value calculation entirely.
3, Limited Power for Thick or Long Grass - The mower may struggle with grass that is wet, thick, or longer than expected. Stalling and power drop-offs are common complaints, and this mower seems to perform best when lawns are kept short and maintained regularly.
4, Grass Collection and Clogging Issues - Bagging and mulching performance receives mixed to negative feedback. Some users experience frequent clogging, poor collection, or clippings being left behind.
5, Build Quality Feels Budget-Oriented - Multiple reviewers describe the mower as feeling plastic-heavy or lightly built. Loose fasteners, handle issues, and durability concerns come up more often than you would expect at this price range.
6, Battery Removal can be Frustrating - A surprising number of users complain about the battery being difficult or awkward to remove, which becomes annoying when charging frequently.
7, Not Ideal for Larger Lawns - Despite claims of covering up to half an acre, real-world feedback suggests that anything beyond a small yard may require multiple charges or an additional battery.
Who This Mower is For
- You have a small, flat yard that is cut frequently
- You value light weight and ease of use over raw power
- You want a quiet mower for residential areas
- You already own Greenworks 40V tools and spare batteries
- You prefer low maintenance and gas-free operation
- You are comfortable accepting some trade-offs to stay within a $200 to $250 budget
I think this mower can work reasonably well for light-duty mowing where expectations are realistic and conditions are controlled.
Who This Mower is Not For
- You may want to look elsewhere if:
- Your lawn is medium to large or grows quickly
- You often deal with thick, wet, or overgrown grass
- You expect consistent battery performance over several years
- You do not want to risk buying replacement batteries
- You prefer heavier-duty build quality
- You want a mower that can handle missed weeks or tougher conditions without stalling
I would not recommend this mower to anyone replacing a powerful gas mower and expecting the same cutting confidence.
Final Verdict - Proceed with Caution
On paper, this Greenworks 40V 16-inch cordless mower sounds like an ideal entry into battery-powered lawn care. It is lightweight, quiet, easy to start, and avoids the hassle of petrol, oil, and engine maintenance. For some owners with very small, flat lawns, it does exactly what they need, especially when used regularly on short grass. However, once you move beyond first impressions, the long-term picture becomes harder to ignore.
Battery Issues
A significant number of buyers report battery-related failures, including rapid capacity loss, sudden shutdowns, and batteries that stop charging altogether. When this happens outside of warranty, replacement costs can be high enough to undermine the mower’s original value. That alone raises concerns about reliability.
Inconsistencies
Cutting performance is also inconsistent. While the mower can handle light, dry grass reasonably well, many users struggle with thicker growth, damp conditions, or lawns that are not cut frequently. Stalling, clogging, and missed patches are common complaints. Grass collection performance is mixed at best, and some owners describe the mulching and bagging results as disappointing.
Build quality is another sticking point. The mower feels lightweight, but not always in a reassuring way. Reports of loose parts, handle issues, and general durability concerns suggest this is not a mower built for years of dependable service.
When you add up the battery uncertainty, performance limitations, and build quality concerns, the positives no longer outweigh the risks for most buyers. Even though some owners remain happy, the number of negative and repeat complaints makes it difficult to recommend with confidence.
Overall Rating ⭐⭐☆☆☆ (2 out of 5)
This mower may work for a narrow group of users with very small, well-maintained lawns and modest expectations. For everyone else, there are simply too many compromises and too much long-term uncertainty to justify a higher score.
If you are looking for a cordless mower that feels genuinely reliable and capable over time, it may be worth spending a little more or considering alternative models with stronger battery track records and better build quality.
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