I still remember the Sunday morning ritual: the trip to the gas station with the red canister, the careful pouring of fuel and oil, the inevitable spill, and the Herculean effort of yanking a pull-cord until my shoulder ached. Lawn care felt like a chore, a noisy, fume-filled battle against an ever-growing sea of green. It was the price we paid for a tidy yard. When we first heard about the promise of battery-powered mowers, we were skeptical. Could a battery really replace the raw, brute force of an internal combustion engine? The search for a quieter, cleaner, and simpler solution led us to test the Greenworks 40V 16″ Cordless Lawn Mower 4.0Ah, a machine that promised gas-like performance without any of the associated headaches. For homeowners with small to medium-sized yards, the question isn’t just about cutting grass—it’s about reclaiming a piece of their weekend peace.
- Effortless Power for ½ Acre Yards- Experience gas-like performance without the hassle—35 minutes of continuous runtime from a single 4.0Ah battery (full charge in 2 hours). Perfect for small to...
- Ultra-Lightweight Design (35% Lighter)- 16" cutting deck with ergonomic handles and push-button start makes maneuvering effortless—ideal for users prioritizing comfort and ease of storage.
- Smart Cut Adjustment System- Single-lever 5-position height control (1.25"-3.375") adapts to any grass type. 2-in-1 mulching/rear-bagging system maximizes clippings management.
What to Consider Before Buying a Cordless Walk-Behind Mower
A walk-behind lawn mower is more than just a tool; it’s a key solution for maintaining the health and aesthetic of your property. For many, it represents independence from expensive lawn care services and a direct connection to their home’s curb appeal. The primary benefit of moving to a cordless electric model like this one is the profound shift in user experience. It eliminates the recurring costs of gas and oil, the complex annual maintenance, the deafening noise, and the harmful emissions. It transforms a laborious task into a quiet, almost therapeutic activity.
The ideal customer for this type of product is someone with a yard up to a quarter-acre, who values simplicity, low noise, and minimal maintenance. It’s perfect for those living in townhouses, suburban homes with smaller lots, or anyone who finds the weight and vibration of a gas mower physically taxing. However, it might not be suitable for those with exceptionally large properties (over half an acre) or lawns with extremely thick, tough, or frequently overgrown grass like unmanaged fields. For those users, a more powerful 80V model, a self-propelled version, or even a traditional gas mower might be a more practical, albeit less convenient, choice.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: The cutting width, or deck size, is paramount. A 16-inch deck, like the one on this Greenworks model, is highly maneuverable and perfect for navigating around flower beds, trees, and tight corners. For wide-open, rectangular yards, a larger deck (20-21 inches) would reduce the number of passes needed, saving time. Also, consider storage; this model’s handle folds down, making it compact enough for a crowded garage or shed.
- Capacity/Performance: In the world of cordless mowers, performance is a function of voltage (V) and battery capacity (Ah). Voltage is akin to horsepower—higher voltage generally means more cutting power for thicker grass. Amp-hours dictate runtime. The included 4.0Ah battery is a solid mid-range option, but your actual runtime will vary based on grass height and density.
- Materials & Durability: Most modern cordless mowers utilize a high-impact polymer or plastic deck to reduce weight. While not as rugged as the steel decks found on heavy-duty gas mowers, these materials are rust-proof and surprisingly durable for residential use. A user did note a potential long-term weak point in a plastic handle component, so it’s worth considering that while metal offers longevity, it comes at the cost of weight and potential rust.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: This is where cordless mowers shine. Look for features like a push-button start, single-lever height adjustment, and tool-free assembly. Long-term care is minimal: keep the underside of the deck clean, sharpen the blade annually, and store the battery indoors in extreme temperatures. The absence of oil changes, spark plugs, and fuel filters is a significant lifestyle upgrade.
Keeping these factors in mind, the Greenworks 40V 16″ Cordless Lawn Mower 4.0Ah stands out in several areas, especially for its target audience. You can explore its detailed specifications and current offers here.
While the Greenworks 40V 16″ Cordless Lawn Mower 4.0Ah is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
- Effortless Power for ½ Acre Yards- Experience gas-like performance without the hassle—35 minutes of continuous runtime from a single 4.0Ah battery (full charge in 2 hours). Perfect for small to...
- POWERED BY A RELIABLE B&S ENGINE: Equipped with a powerful 140cc B&S engine, known for its smooth start-up, consistent performance, and long-term durability—ideal for tough mowing jobs.
- Powerful & Easy-Start Gas Engine: Get going quickly with the reliable 144cc 4-stroke OHV engine on this gas lawn mower. Features a convenient primer button for simplified cold starts, delivering...
First Impressions: Is “Ultra-Light” an Understatement?
Pulling the Greenworks 40V 16″ Cordless Lawn Mower 4.0Ah from its box, the first thing we noticed was the weight—or lack thereof. At just 37.5 pounds, it feels closer to a large toy than a serious piece of lawn equipment. This isn’t a criticism; it’s a revelation. Assembly was laughably simple and entirely tool-free. We unfolded the handle, tightened two locking clamps, charged the battery, and were ready to mow in the time it took the 4.0Ah battery to reach full power (about two hours). This experience is a world away from the often-frustrating assembly of gas-powered counterparts.
The build is predominantly high-quality plastic, which contributes to its featherlight feel. While some may miss the heft of a steel deck, we found the construction to be solid and well-engineered, with no creaks or flimsy parts. The push-button start and single-lever height adjustment feel modern and intuitive. Compared to older battery mowers that often felt underpowered and cheaply made, the Greenworks model immediately presents itself as a capable and thoughtfully designed machine for the modern homeowner.
What We Like
- Incredibly lightweight and easy to maneuver, even on slopes
- Whisper-quiet operation, allowing for mowing at any time of day
- Simple, tool-free assembly and push-button start
- Versatile 40V battery works with over 75 other Greenworks tools
What We Didn’t Like
- Single battery may not be sufficient for yards approaching a 1/4 acre
- Struggles and may stall in very tall, thick, or wet grass
Deep Dive: Performance Under Pressure
A mower can be light and quiet, but its primary job is to cut grass effectively. We put the Greenworks 40V 16″ Cordless Lawn Mower 4.0Ah through a series of real-world tests on different types of turf, at varying heights, to see if its performance matched its user-friendly design. We focused on three core areas: assembly and ergonomics, true cutting power, and the all-important battery ecosystem.
Assembly, Ergonomics, and The Joy of Mowing
The “out-of-box” experience is genuinely a five-minute affair. You simply unfold the handle, lock it into place, slide the charged battery in until it clicks, and you’re set. This ease of setup was echoed by numerous users, with one stating, “Minimal assembly is easy. Works pretty well for battery power. Nice not to have mess with filling and cranky pull starting.” This is the core appeal of the machine: it removes nearly every barrier to starting the job.
Once you begin mowing, its 37.5-pound weight becomes its greatest asset. Pushing this mower feels effortless. We navigated tight turns around garden beds and pushed it up a moderate incline with minimal strain. As one user with a hilly backyard in the mountains noted, “I ordered the smaller size so I could get around my house easily… it’s very, easy to push, even uphill.” This is a game-changer for users who may have found traditional, 70+ pound gas mowers to be a significant physical challenge. The operation is simple: press the safety button, pull back the bail bar, and the blade spins to life with a quiet whir. The noise level is low enough to hold a conversation, a stark contrast to the roar of a gas engine. This means no more angry neighbors if you decide on an early morning or late evening mow.
The single-lever height adjustment is another standout feature. With one hand, you can cycle through five distinct cutting heights, from 1.25 to 3.75 inches. This makes it incredibly easy to adapt to different grass conditions or seasons on the fly. While some users wished for a higher 4-inch setting for specific grass types like St. Augustine, we found the range to be more than adequate for most common lawns.
Cutting Performance: The Little Mower That Could
With a 16-inch cutting deck, this mower is clearly designed for precision and agility over raw speed. In our testing on a standard, well-maintained suburban lawn (about 1/8 acre), the Greenworks 40V 16″ Cordless Lawn Mower 4.0Ah delivered a surprisingly clean and even cut. The blade spun fast enough to slice through blades of grass cleanly rather than tearing them, which is crucial for lawn health. The 2-in-1 functionality allows for either bagging or mulching. The included grass collection bag is effective, though a few users with smaller hands found the handle design a bit challenging when full. We found the mulching performance to be quite good, finely chopping clippings and returning them to the lawn without leaving noticeable clumps, provided the grass wasn’t too long or wet.
The real test, however, came when we moved to a patch of overgrown, thick grass that hadn’t been cut in two weeks. Here, the mower’s limitations became apparent. It has intelligent power-sensing technology that spins the blade faster when it detects a heavy load. As one user described, “heavy grass bogs it down some, then it spins back up as it compensates.” In our test, it managed to get through, but we had to slow our pace considerably and occasionally overlap passes. One impressive user report stated, “On one charge I was able to cut my back yard. I hadn’t cut the grass in about 6 months!” by going back and forth over the tallest points. While possible, this isn’t its ideal use case. It performs best when used consistently for weekly maintenance. For thick turf like St. Augustine, as a user pointed out, the 40V motor can be underpowered, requiring multiple battery charges for a small yard. This is an important consideration for those in southern climates.
Battery Life, Runtime, and the Power of the 40V Ecosystem
Battery performance is the heart of any cordless tool, and it’s where user experiences vary the most. Greenworks claims up to 45 minutes of runtime, but we found a more realistic figure, consistent with user feedback, is around 30-35 minutes of continuous mowing on a standard lawn. One reviewer mentioned a discrepancy in advertising, noting their box stated 35 minutes of runtime for a 1/4 acre, not 45 minutes for a 1/2 acre. Our testing suggests the 35 minute/quarter-acre estimate is the most accurate one to set expectations by.
For a small yard of 5,000 sq. ft. or less, this is typically enough to get the job done on a single charge. However, many users with slightly larger lots confirmed our suspicion: “A 2nd battery is needed if your yard is not small.” The two-hour charge time means that tackling a larger yard in one go is impossible without a backup battery. If you have a larger property, investing in a second battery isn’t just a recommendation; it’s practically a necessity. A helpful tip from one long-time owner: if the mower suddenly stops, the battery may have overheated. Let it cool down for 10-15 minutes before placing it on the charger to avoid a fault signal.
The true value proposition, however, extends beyond the mower itself. The included 40V 4.0Ah battery is the key to an entire ecosystem of over 75 Greenworks tools. This single battery can power your string trimmer, leaf blower, hedge trimmer, and even a chainsaw. This interchangeability offers incredible value and convenience, reducing clutter and cost. One satisfied customer who has owned the mower for years wrote, “The Greenworks weedeater I got last year is also working perfectly, right along with the electric pressure-washer I bought 6 years ago.” This long-term reliability and system-wide compatibility make the Greenworks 40V 16″ Cordless Lawn Mower 4.0Ah not just a product purchase, but an investment in a complete lawn care solution.
What Other Users Are Saying
Across the board, user sentiment for the Greenworks 40V 16″ Cordless Lawn Mower 4.0Ah is overwhelmingly positive, particularly among those with the small-to-medium yards it was designed for. A recurring theme is sheer delight at its simplicity and quietness. One owner exclaimed, “OMG, I love love love it!! This is my 1st electric mower… It’s so light, easy to push and pull, not loud and cuts beautifully.” Another confirmed its surprising capability, stating, “My yard was out of control with thick weeds and this mower did a great job.”
However, the feedback also provides a clear picture of its limitations. The most common critical point revolves around battery life. Many echo the sentiment that a single battery isn’t enough for their yard size, with one user stating plainly, “the only problem is one battery, as it is not enough for the whole territory.” This reinforces our recommendation to purchase a second battery for any yard approaching a quarter of an acre.
A more concerning, though less common, piece of feedback touched on long-term durability. One user who owned the mower for two years reported that a plastic part holding the handle had begun to break, and a replacement was unavailable. While our unit felt robust, this highlights a potential trade-off of the lightweight plastic construction versus heavier, metal-framed alternatives. It serves as a reminder that while the mower offers incredible convenience, its longevity may not match that of a premium-priced, heavy-duty gas machine.
How Does It Compare to the Alternatives?
The Greenworks 40V 16″ Cordless Lawn Mower 4.0Ah occupies a specific niche. To understand if it’s right for you, it’s essential to see how it stacks up against other popular options, including more powerful models from Greenworks and a traditional gas competitor.
1. Greenworks 80V 21″ Brushless Cordless Push Lawn Mower 4.0Ah
- [80V 21” LAWN MOWER] - Get more done, faster, with Greenworks electric lawn mowers. This 80V lawn mower cuts up to 1/2 acre with a fully charged 4.0Ah battery (varies based on grass condition and...
- [BRUSHLESS MOTOR / DURABLE STEEL DECK] - This electric mower features a durable 21" deck, and a highly efficient brushless motor that provides more torque, quiet operation, and longer life
- [LED HEADLIGHT] – High visibility LED lights allow for early morning and late evening mowing. 3x quieter than gas!
For those who love the Greenworks ecosystem but feel the 40V model is underpowered for their needs, this 80V version is the logical step up. The jump to 80V provides a significant boost in torque, making it far more capable of tackling thick, dense grasses like St. Augustine or Zoysia without bogging down. The larger 21-inch steel deck covers more ground with each pass, drastically reducing mowing time on larger lawns. It’s the ideal choice for homeowners with yards between a quarter and a half-acre who want the convenience of battery power without sacrificing the raw performance often associated with gas mowers.
2. Greenworks 40V 21″ Self-Propelled Lawn Mower 5.0Ah
- 40V 21” LAWN MOWER - Get more done, faster, with Greenworks electric lawn mowers. This 40V self-propelled lawn mower provides up to 45 minutes of run-time with fully charged 5.0Ah battery (varies...
- BRUSHLESS MOTOR / DURABLE STEEL DECK - This electric mower features a durable 21" deck, and a highly efficient brushless motor that provides more torque, quiet operation, and longer life
- SINGLE LEVER HEIGHT ADJUST - 7 position height adjustment provides the best cut in all environments. 3-in-1 design offers rear bag, side discharge, and mulching capabilities
This alternative addresses a different pain point: physical exertion. While our reviewed 16″ model is incredibly light, mowing on steep hills or for extended periods can still be tiring. This 21-inch model adds a self-propel feature, which uses the battery to power the wheels, making it effortless to guide across challenging terrain. It remains within the same convenient 40V battery system but provides a larger cutting deck for efficiency and includes a higher-capacity 5.0Ah battery for extended runtime to compensate for the power drawn by the drive system. This is the perfect mower for users with hilly or uneven yards who prioritize ease of use above all else.
3. BILT HARD 21 Inch Gas Lawn Mower 3-in-1
- Powerful Engine - Featuring a robust 201cc 4-stroke OHV engine that delivers 9.0 ft.lb of torque, this gas powered lawn mower ensures efficient and reliable performance every time.
- Efficient & Versatile Mowing - Our 21-inch lawn mower features 3-in-1 steel deck with mulching, side discharge and rear bagging and provides an extensive mowing path for efficiency. No choke, no...
- Adjustable Cutting Height - Offering a single lever four-wheel synchronized height adjustment from 1.2" to 3.75", this lawn mower lets you customize the mowing height to perfectly match your lawn...
For the traditionalist or the owner of a large, unruly property, gas power still holds its ground. The BILT HARD mower, with its 201cc 4-cycle engine, offers raw, uncompromising power that no battery model in this price range can match. It will chew through tall weeds and wet, heavy grass without hesitation and can run for as long as you have fuel. It also offers a 3-in-1 system (bag, mulch, side-discharge), adding versatility. The trade-offs, of course, are significant: it’s loud, heavy, requires regular maintenance (oil, gas, filters), and produces emissions. This is for the user who needs maximum power and runtime and doesn’t mind the classic gas mower experience.
The Final Verdict: Is the Greenworks 40V 16″ Cordless Mower for You?
After extensive testing and analysis, our conclusion is clear: the Greenworks 40V 16″ Cordless Lawn Mower 4.0Ah is an outstanding machine for its intended purpose. It is arguably the perfect first electric mower for anyone with a small to medium-sized yard (under a quarter-acre). Its ultra-lightweight design, whisper-quiet operation, and push-button simplicity remove all the traditional hassles of lawn care. It transforms a weekend chore into a quick, quiet, and even pleasant task.
Its weaknesses are directly related to its strengths. The 16-inch deck and 40V motor, which make it so agile and light, are not built for tackling large, overgrown properties or exceptionally tough turf. Likewise, the single 4.0Ah battery that keeps the kit affordable is best suited for smaller lawns. If you have a larger yard, plan on purchasing a second battery from the outset. For the right user, however, this mower is not just a tool; it’s a significant lifestyle upgrade. It’s a well-built, reliable, and incredibly user-friendly machine that makes lawn maintenance simple and stress-free.
If you’ve decided the Greenworks 40V 16″ Cordless Lawn Mower 4.0Ah is the right fit for your yard and you’re ready to ditch gas for good, you can check its current price and purchase it here.
Last update on 2025-11-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API