For years, my small townhouse lawn was a source of quiet frustration. It wasn’t large—maybe a thousand square feet—but maintaining it felt like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut. I wrestled with a heavy, cumbersome gas mower that my father had passed down. Every mow began with the same ritual: checking the oil, the tedious trip to the gas station for a tiny amount of fuel, the fumes, the pull-cord that seemed to mock my efforts, and the deafening roar that made me public enemy number one in the neighborhood on a Saturday morning. Storing it was another battle, as it greedily consumed precious real estate in my already cramped garage. I knew there had to be a better way, a solution designed not for sprawling suburban estates, but for the compact reality of modern living. This search for a quiet, lightweight, and maintenance-free alternative is what led me to explore the world of compact cordless mowers, and specifically, to the Greenworks 24V 13″ Brushless Cordless Push Lawn Mower.
- CORDLESS LAWN MOWER – Get more done, faster, with Greenworks electric lawn mowers. This 24V push lawn mower provides the power you need with up to 30 minutes of runtime on a fully charged 4.0Ah...
- 13” POLY DECK – The 13” poly deck on this cordless lawn mower allows for easy maneuverability around your yard. Brushless motor provides more torque, quiet operation and a longer life....
- VERSATILE – Battery powered lawn mower has a single lever 5-position height adjustment for the best cut in all environments. The 2-in-1 design allows you to mulch or rear bag grass clippings.
What to Consider Before Buying a Walk-Behind Lawn Mower
A walk-behind lawn mower is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for maintaining the health, appearance, and usability of your outdoor space. Whether you’re aiming for a pristine, carpet-like lawn or simply trying to keep unruly growth at bay, the right mower transforms a dreaded chore into a satisfying task. The primary benefit of modern cordless models is liberation—freedom from the noise, fumes, and maintenance of gasoline engines, and freedom from the restrictive tethers of corded electric mowers. They offer a clean, quiet, and user-friendly approach to lawn care that is better for both the user and the environment.
The ideal customer for a compact cordless mower like this one is someone facing the challenges of a small-to-medium-sized yard (typically under 1/4 acre), with limited storage space. Think city dwellers with small grass patches, townhouse owners, or retirees looking to downsize their heavy equipment. It’s for the person who values convenience, quiet operation, and simplicity over raw, unbridled power. Conversely, this type of product might not be suitable for those who have large properties with thick, dense grass varieties like St. Augustine or Zoysia, or for individuals who often let their lawns become overgrown between cuts. In those cases, a more powerful, higher-voltage cordless mower or a traditional gas-powered model might be a more practical alternative.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: Consider the cutting width (deck size) and the overall footprint of the mower. A smaller deck, like the 13-inch one on this Greenworks model, is incredibly nimble for navigating tight corners, garden beds, and other obstacles. However, it also means you’ll make more passes to cover the same area compared to a 21-inch mower. Also, check for features like foldable handles, which drastically reduce the storage space required in a garage or shed.
- Capacity/Performance: In the cordless world, performance is a function of voltage (V) and battery capacity (Ah). Voltage is a rough indicator of power, while Amp-hours (Ah) tell you how long the battery will last on a single charge. For a small mower, a 24V system is often sufficient for maintaining regular grass, but the runtime, estimated in minutes or by lawn size, is the most critical factor to ensure you can finish the job without a lengthy mid-mow charging break.
- Materials & Durability: Mower decks are typically made of either steel or a hard composite plastic (poly). Steel is heavier and more durable against major impacts but can rust if the paint is chipped. Poly decks, like the one on the Greenworks 24V, are rust-proof, significantly lighter, and resistant to dents, making them an excellent choice for smaller, more manageable mowers where weight is a key consideration.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: Look for features that simplify operation, such as a single-lever height adjustment, which allows you to change the cutting height of all four wheels simultaneously. The beauty of battery-powered mowers is their minimal maintenance. There is no gas, no oil, no spark plugs, and no air filters to change—just keep the blade sharp and the underside clean.
Keeping these factors in mind, the Greenworks 24V 13″ Brushless Cordless Push Lawn Mower stands out in several areas, particularly for its target audience. You can explore its detailed specifications here.
While the Greenworks 24V 13″ Brushless Cordless Push Lawn Mower 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: A Toy-Like Build with a Surprisingly Serious Heart
Upon unboxing the Greenworks 24V 13″ Brushless Cordless Push Lawn Mower, my first thought echoed that of several users: “It looks like a toy.” Its vibrant green and black poly shell, narrow frame, and diminutive size are a stark contrast to the hulking metal beasts I was used to. Assembly was refreshingly simple and took no more than 10 minutes, primarily involving attaching the multi-part handle with a few bolts and knobs—no complex tools required. However, it’s worth noting that a few users have reported minor manufacturing inconsistencies, like one who found a bolt hole wasn’t drilled in quite the right spot, requiring a bit of “creative problem-solving.”
What truly struck me, though, was the weight. At just 24 pounds, I could genuinely lift it with one hand, a feat unimaginable with any gas mower. This isn’t just a novelty; it has profound implications for usability, especially for users who may have difficulty maneuvering heavier machines or need to carry their mower up a few steps to a patio or storage area. The handle folds down easily, making its storage footprint incredibly compact. It slid effortlessly into a corner of my shed that a traditional mower could never occupy. Despite its lightweight, plastic-heavy construction, the unit feels solid enough for its intended purpose. The single-lever height adjustment clicked satisfyingly through its five positions, and the 4.0Ah battery snapped into place with a reassuring click, ready to bring this seemingly toylike machine to life.
Key Benefits
- Extremely lightweight and easy to maneuver at only 24 pounds.
- Brushless motor provides quiet operation and requires virtually zero maintenance.
- Compact design with a folding handle is perfect for limited storage spaces.
- Simple, tool-free assembly and single-lever height adjustment for ease of use.
Limitations
- Included 4.0Ah battery offers a limited runtime of about 30 minutes, insufficient for larger lawns.
- Can struggle with very tall, thick, or wet grass, requiring multiple passes or slower mowing.
A Deep Dive into the Greenworks 24V Mower’s Real-World Performance
A mower’s true worth is proven on the turf. Over several weeks, I put the Greenworks 24V 13″ Brushless Cordless Push Lawn Mower through its paces on my small lawn, testing its maneuverability, cutting power, and, most importantly, its battery endurance. It’s a machine with a very specific set of talents, and understanding them is key to appreciating its value.
The Featherweight Champion: Design, Portability, and Storage
The single most defining feature of this mower is its lack of weight. At 24 pounds, it feels less like a piece of heavy machinery and more like a household appliance. This changes the entire dynamic of mowing. Pushing it requires almost no effort on level ground. Weaving around flower beds, trees, and patio furniture is effortless. A user perfectly captured this experience, stating, “First I noticed how surprisingly light the machine is. I could easily lift with one hand.” This isn’t just about comfort; it’s about accessibility. It makes lawn care a viable task for people who might be unable to handle a 60- or 70-pound gas mower.
The narrow 13-inch deck is a double-edged sword that, for the target user, is mostly a benefit. Yes, it means more walking to cover an area, but on a small, cluttered lawn, that narrowness is a godsend. It allows you to get into tight strips of grass between a fence and a walkway, reducing the amount of follow-up work needed with a string trimmer. The compact design extends to its storage capabilities. After mowing, a few quick turns of the handle knobs allow it to fold down into a package that can be stored vertically against a wall or tucked away on a shelf. For anyone living with a small garage, a packed shed, or even apartment dwellers with a balcony closet, this compact storage is a game-changing feature that traditional mowers simply cannot offer.
The Heart of the Machine: Brushless Motor and Cutting Quality
At the core of the Greenworks 24V 13″ Brushless Cordless Push Lawn Mower is its brushless motor. This technology is a significant step up from older, brushed motors, offering better efficiency (which translates to more runtime from the battery), quieter operation, and a much longer lifespan with no parts to wear out and replace. The difference in noise level is astounding. It produces a low hum, more akin to a powerful fan than a lawn mower. I could comfortably hold a conversation while it was running, and my neighbors were blissfully unaware I was even doing yard work.
When it comes to the cut, the results are impressive—with some important caveats. On my regularly maintained lawn, the mower delivered a clean, even cut. The 3550 RPM blade speed is sufficient to slice through standard grass types neatly, and the 2-in-1 functionality gives you the choice to either mulch the clippings back into the lawn or collect them in the included rear bag. The bag is small, in keeping with the mower’s overall design, but is adequate for a small yard. The single-lever height adjustment, with its range from 1 to 3.5 inches, is incredibly convenient for adapting to different grass lengths through the seasons. However, this is not a brush hog. As one user rightly pointed out, “if you let your yard go 2 or 3 weeks, it’s gonna struggle.” When I tested it on a patch of taller, thicker grass, the motor audibly strained and would occasionally shut off—a safety feature to prevent overload. Another user reported it had trouble with tough St. Augustine grass, suggesting its power is best suited for less demanding turf types. It performs its intended job beautifully: maintaining an already managed lawn.
The Elephant in the Room: Battery Life and Power Management
This brings us to the most critical and polarizing aspect of the Greenworks 24V 13″ Brushless Cordless Push Lawn Mower: its battery performance. The mower comes with a single 24V 4.0Ah battery, which Greenworks claims can provide up to 30 minutes of runtime. My testing found this to be an accurate, even slightly conservative, estimate under ideal conditions (dry, moderately tall grass). I was able to mow my entire front and back lawn (about 1,200 sq. ft. total) with a single charge, finishing with one bar of battery life to spare.
However, this runtime is a hard limit. For lawns approaching or exceeding 1/8 of an acre (about 5,000 sq. ft.), one battery will not be enough. This sentiment was the most common point of criticism among users. One stated frankly, “my only gripe with this product is the battery life. I can only mow for five minutes before the battery starts to die,” which, while likely an exaggeration or the result of extremely tough conditions, highlights the frustration. A more balanced take came from another owner: “The battery it comes with (4.0AH) only last for about 30mins max… Get an additional battery if you have a large yard space to eliminate time waiting on charging.” This is the most crucial piece of advice for prospective buyers. If your lawn is small and simple, the included battery is perfect. If you’re pushing the size limit or have thick grass, budgeting for a second battery is not just a suggestion; it’s a necessity to avoid the 2-hour charging intermission. Considering this, the mower’s value proposition hinges entirely on the scale of your lawn care needs. For the right person, the lightweight convenience makes this a worthwhile trade-off, and for them, the complete mower and battery package is a fantastic deal.
What Other Users Are Saying
Sifting through feedback from other owners, a clear and consistent picture of the Greenworks 24V 13″ Brushless Cordless Push Lawn Mower emerges. The praise is almost universal for its core design principles. One first-time mower owner summed it up perfectly: “The mower is light weight and easy to assemble… It does look like a toy but it’s powerful enough to get the work done.” This sentiment of being “surprisingly effective for its size” is a common thread. Another user, who had owned their mower for years, praised its longevity and the sheer convenience of ditching gasoline, stating, “It’s so nice not to have to deal with carburetors.”
On the flip side, the constructive criticism is just as consistent and focuses almost exclusively on power and endurance. The most frequent complaint is the battery life. As one user bluntly put it, “I wouldn’t recommend this unless someone has the money to blow on multiple batteries.” This is not a failure of the product, but rather a misalignment of expectations. It underscores that this mower is a specialized tool. Another user noted its limitations on specific grass types, saying, “I don’t think it can handle St Augustine grass,” and experienced the motor tripping and getting stuck. This collective feedback validates our findings: it’s a brilliant machine for small, maintained lawns, but it can quickly be overwhelmed when pushed beyond its intended scope.
How Does the Greenworks 24V Mower Stack Up Against Alternatives?
No product exists in a vacuum. To truly understand the Greenworks 24V 13″ Brushless Cordless Push Lawn Mower, it’s essential to compare it to other options on the market that a prospective buyer might be considering.
1. LawnMaster GVB1316 16″ 13 Amp Electric Dethatcher
See latest priceThis LawnMaster product highlights a key distinction in lawn care: maintenance versus restoration. While the Greenworks mower is for regular cutting, the LawnMaster is a corded dethatcher/scarifier designed to remove the layer of dead grass (thatch) that can choke a lawn’s roots. It’s a tool for periodic, deep lawn health treatments, not weekly mowing. A buyer might choose the LawnMaster if their primary problem isn’t grass length but a lawn that feels spongy, looks unhealthy, and doesn’t absorb water well. It’s a complementary tool, not a direct competitor, but for someone focused on overall lawn vitality, it’s a crucial piece of equipment that the Greenworks mower doesn’t replace.
2. Wild Badger Power 14″ Cordless Electric Lawn Mower 4Ah
See latest priceThe Wild Badger Power mower is a more direct competitor and represents a slight step up in power and size. With a 40V system and a 14-inch cutting deck, it offers a bit more muscle for tougher grass and covers slightly more ground with each pass. This makes it a compelling alternative for someone whose yard is just on the edge of what the Greenworks 24V model can handle. If you have a slightly larger “small” yard or a grass type that’s a bit more robust, the extra power from the Wild Badger’s 40V system could provide a more confident and efficient cut without a significant increase in the machine’s overall footprint or weight.
3. Greenworks 80V 21″ Self-Propelled Lawn Mower
See latest priceThis is the big brother in the Greenworks cordless family and showcases what’s possible at the higher end of the battery-powered market. With an 80V power system, a wide 21-inch steel deck, and a self-propelled drive system, this mower is in a completely different class. It’s designed for medium to large lawns (up to 1/2 acre or more) and can tackle thick, overgrown grass with power that rivals gasoline mowers. A user would choose this model over the 24V version if they have a substantial lawn, hills, or simply desire the convenience of a self-propelled system to eliminate the effort of pushing. It represents a significant investment but provides a corresponding leap in performance and capability.
The Final Word: Is the Greenworks 24V 13″ Mower Right for You?
After extensive testing and analysis, our verdict on the Greenworks 24V 13″ Brushless Cordless Push Lawn Mower is clear: it is an exceptional tool for a very specific job. This is not the mower for the homeowner with a quarter-acre of sprawling turf. Instead, it is the perfect solution for the person with a small patch of green, limited storage, and a deep appreciation for quiet, hassle-free living. Its featherlight build makes it accessible to nearly anyone, its brushless motor is quiet and maintenance-free, and its compact, folding design is a marvel of space-saving engineering.
Its primary weakness—the limited battery runtime—is only a weakness if the tool is used for the wrong task. For a small townhouse yard, a city garden, or for quick touch-ups, the 30-minute runtime is perfectly adequate. If you have a lawn that fits this description and you are tired of the noise, fumes, and weight of traditional mowers, this machine will feel like a revelation. It transforms lawn maintenance from a laborious chore into a quick, quiet, and almost pleasant task.
If you’ve decided the Greenworks 24V 13″ Brushless Cordless Push Lawn Mower is the right fit for your small-space lifestyle, you can check its current price and purchase it here.
Last update on 2025-10-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API