I still have vivid memories of my Saturday morning ritual growing up: wrestling with our old gas-powered lawn mower. The endless yanking of the pull-cord, the smell of gasoline on my hands, the deafening roar that made conversation impossible, and the constant need to check the oil and fuel. It was a chore in every sense of the word. For years, this was simply the price of a well-kept lawn. The alternative—underpowered electric mowers tethered by a frustratingly short cord—was hardly an improvement. But the landscape of lawn care is changing, and the promise of a powerful, quiet, and hassle-free mowing experience is no longer a distant dream. This shift is being led by machines like the Greenworks 80V 21″ Self-Propelled Cordless Lawn Mower, a battery-powered beast that aims to deliver all the muscle of gas without any of the mess.
- [80V 21” SELF-PROPELLED 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...
- [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
- [SELF-PROPELLED] – Rear wheel drive and variable speed control for maximum traction, maneuverability, and control
What to Consider Before Buying a Cordless Walk-Behind Mower
A Walk-Behind Lawn Mower is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for achieving a pristine, manicured lawn, especially for those with small to medium-sized properties where a large riding mower is impractical and overkill. The primary benefit of a modern cordless model is the liberation from the traditional drawbacks of lawn care. You get the freedom of movement of a gas mower combined with the quiet, clean, and low-maintenance operation of an electric one. It means no more winterizing the engine, no more last-minute trips to the gas station, and no more shouting over a deafening motor. It transforms a noisy, messy chore into a quieter, more pleasant task.
The ideal customer for this type of product is a homeowner with a yard up to a half-acre who values convenience, reduced noise levels, and minimal environmental impact. It’s for the person who wants to simply push a button, mow their lawn, and put the machine away with zero fuss. It’s perfect for suburban neighborhoods with noise considerations or for anyone tired of the maintenance carousel of gas engines. However, it might not be suitable for those managing multiple acres of land or dealing with extremely rough, overgrown fields that require the sustained, brute force of a commercial-grade gas mower. In those cases, a larger riding mower or a specialized brush cutter might be a more appropriate tool.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: While robust, this mower is designed for efficient storage. Its 75-pound weight provides stability, but the key feature is its folding handle. This allows for vertical storage, drastically reducing its footprint in your garage or shed compared to the bulky, fixed frames of many traditional gas mowers.
- Capacity/Performance: The heart of a cordless mower is its battery system. The 80V platform provides significant power, and the included 4.0Ah battery is rated for up to a half-acre cut on a single charge. Performance will vary with grass thickness and terrain, but this capacity is more than sufficient for the majority of residential lawns. The 21-inch cutting width also ensures you cover a good amount of ground with each pass, reducing overall mowing time.
- Materials & Durability: Look for a steel deck. Many battery mowers cut costs with plastic decks, which can crack and flex over time. The Greenworks 80V 21″ Self-Propelled Cordless Lawn Mower features a durable 21-inch steel deck, signaling a commitment to longevity and a quality cut. The brushless motor is another critical component, offering a longer lifespan and more efficient power delivery than older brushed motors.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: This is where cordless mowers shine. A push-button start eliminates pull-cords entirely. A single-lever height adjustment system, which changes all four wheels at once, is a massive convenience. Long-term care is minimal: keep the battery charged, clean the underside of the deck with a dry brush after use, and have the blade sharpened periodically.
Keeping these factors in mind, the Greenworks 80V 21″ Self-Propelled Cordless Lawn Mower stands out in several areas. You can explore its detailed specifications here.
While the Greenworks 80V 21″ Self-Propelled Cordless 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...
Unboxing the Future of Lawn Care: First Impressions and Key Features
The arrival of the Greenworks 80V 21″ Self-Propelled Cordless Lawn Mower was an event in itself. The box is substantial, hinting at the solid machine within. We found the packaging to be excellent, with all components securely protected. Our experience mirrored that of many users who noted the assembly was shockingly simple. It required no tools and took less than five minutes; you essentially unfold the handle, lock it into place with two clamps, and attach the control bar. It’s a stark contrast to the often-fiddly assembly of gas-powered equipment.
Our first impression upon lifting it was its heft. At 75 pounds, it’s not lightweight, but it feels incredibly solid and well-built, not flimsy or cheap. The weight is centered low, and the durable steel deck inspires confidence. The plastics used for the motor housing and battery cover are thick and robust. The single-lever height adjustment moved with a satisfying, solid click through its seven positions. It immediately felt like a serious piece of equipment designed to replace, not just supplement, a gas mower.
Key Benefits
- Impressive gas-like power that cuts through thick and tall grass
- Remarkably quiet operation, comparable to a household box fan
- Excellent build quality with a durable 21-inch steel deck
- Convenient and easy to use with push-button start and single-lever height adjust
- Versatile 4-in-1 system for mulching, bagging, side discharge, and leaf pickup
Drawbacks
- Some minor components, like the plastic battery door, feel less durable than the rest of the mower
- Customer service experiences have been inconsistent for some users seeking replacement parts
Putting the Greenworks 80V Mower to the Test: An In-Depth Performance Analysis
A mower can look great in the garage, but its true worth is proven on the lawn. We put the Greenworks 80V 21″ Self-Propelled Cordless Lawn Mower through a series of real-world tests, from a standard weekly trim to tackling an overgrown section of the yard that had been neglected after a week of rain. Across the board, its performance was not just adequate; it was exceptional.
The Heart of the Machine: 80V Brushless Motor and Raw Cutting Power
Any skepticism about a battery mower’s ability to match gas power vanished within the first few passes. The brushless motor is the star of the show, delivering a surprising amount of torque. We aimed it at a patch of dense, slightly damp grass that had bogged down lesser mowers, and it powered through without hesitation. The mower features smart power-sensing technology; it runs at a quieter, energy-saving speed on light grass and automatically ramps up to “Turbo” mode when it detects a heavier load. This intelligent power delivery is key to both its cutting performance and its battery efficiency.
This experience was validated by numerous users. One owner reported successfully tackling a half-acre of mixed weeds and knee-high grass that had stalled their riding mower. Another, a 50-year veteran of lawn cutting, was astonished when it chewed through three-foot-high weeds in his yard, calling it “by far, the BEST mower I have ever used!” While it can stall if you push it too fast into exceptionally thick growth—just as any gas mower would—a simple technique of tilting it back and making a second pass clears even the most stubborn patches. The quality of the cut from the 21-inch blade is clean and even, leaving behind a professional-looking finish. For those who thought electric meant weak, the powerful cutting action of this machine will be a revelation; you can see the full power specifications for yourself and understand why it performs so well.
Battery Life and Ecosystem: Freedom From the Cord (and the Gas Can)
Power is useless without runtime, and this is where the 80V system proves its mettle. The included 4.0Ah battery is a workhorse. In our testing on a standard quarter-acre suburban lot with moderate grass height, we completed the entire job in about 40 minutes and still had one of three bars of battery life remaining. This aligns perfectly with the manufacturer’s claim of cutting up to a half-acre, which we believe is achievable under ideal conditions (flat terrain, dry, and not overly tall grass). We found user reports to be consistent, with one owner of a 7,500 sq ft yard finishing with plenty of charge to spare.
For larger properties or tougher conditions, the battery might be depleted before the job is done. However, the included rapid charger is impressively fast, capable of bringing a depleted battery back to full in about an hour. As one user noted, a quick 10-minute charge was all they needed to get enough power to finish the last small section of their yard. The real game-changer, however, is the Greenworks 80V ecosystem. If you already own or plan to buy other tools like their 80V string trimmer, leaf blower, or pole saw, the batteries are interchangeable. This adds immense value and convenience, allowing you to cycle batteries and work continuously on large-scale yard projects.
Ergonomics and Ease of Use: Mowing Without the Muscle
The Greenworks 80V 21″ Self-Propelled Cordless Lawn Mower is designed from the ground up to be user-friendly. The self-propel system, driven by the rear wheels, is a standout feature. Rear-wheel drive provides superior traction compared to front-wheel drive models, especially when navigating slopes or turning with a full bag of clippings. We tested it on a reasonably steep hill, and it pulled itself up with confidence and control, a sentiment echoed by a user in hilly Costa Rica who found it far superior to their old gas mower.
The variable speed control is incredibly intuitive, managed by a simple lever on the handle. As one delighted 77-year-old owner put it, you can choose a speed between “a tortoise and a hare,” making it comfortable for any walking pace. This feature, combined with the effortless push-button start, makes the mower accessible to a wide range of users, from teenagers to seniors. Furthermore, the single-lever height adjustment is a feature you don’t realize you need until you have it. Changing the cutting height on all four wheels simultaneously with one hand in a matter of seconds is a luxury that makes adapting to different parts of your lawn a breeze. The folding handle isn’t just for storage; it also makes cleaning the underside of the deck far easier and safer.
What Other Users Are Saying
Across the board, the sentiment from other owners is overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing that they’ll never go back to gas. Users consistently praise the mower’s surprising power, its quiet operation, and its sheer ease of use. One happy customer, who was a self-proclaimed skeptic about electric mowers, is now “convinced,” praising its agility and power on his 7,500 sq ft yard.
A recurring theme is how it handles tough jobs. One owner shared their success story: “My lot is just under 1/4 acre. With all the rain we got… I had weeds as high as 3 feet covering the yard. This machine just ate them up and mulched them into nothing.”
However, no product is perfect, and it’s important to present a balanced view. A few users have encountered issues. One highly critical review stated the mower “bogs down, shuts off, and leaves you standing there” in anything thicker than a “golf green.” While this was an outlier in our analysis and contrary to our own testing, it highlights that performance can be dependent on grass type and user technique. More common were criticisms directed at specific components and customer service. One user noted the plastic battery door cover feels flimsy and poorly designed. Others have reported difficulty getting timely support or finding replacement parts for issues like a broken spring or a detached handle after extended use, suggesting that while the core machine is robust, long-term support can be a potential pain point.
How Does the Greenworks 80V Compare to the Competition?
The Greenworks 80V 21″ Self-Propelled Cordless Lawn Mower exists in a competitive market. To understand its place, we compared it against a few distinct alternatives that cater to different needs and budgets.
1. Greenworks DT13B00 13 Amp 14-Inch Corded Dethatcher
- 2-IN-1 DESIGN - 13A 15-Inch Dethatcher / Scarifer provides the power and versatility to keep your lawn healthy.No load speed : 3200 RPM
- LIGHTWEIGHT, EASY TO USE - Lightweight design allows for easy manuevering. Easy push button start
- QUICK RELEASE - Quickly and easily switch between the included dethacther and scarifier attachments
It’s important to clarify that this is not a lawn mower, but a specialized lawn care tool. A dethatcher, or scarifier, uses tines to remove the layer of dead grass and roots (thatch) that can choke a lawn. While our reviewed Greenworks mower is for cutting, this tool is for seasonal lawn renovation. It’s an excellent companion for the serious lawn enthusiast looking to improve grass health, but it cannot replace a mower. Being corded, it lacks the freedom of a battery-powered tool and is best suited for smaller, unobstructed yards where managing a cord isn’t a major hassle.
2. Greenworks 80V 21″ Self-Propelled Lawn Mower w/ 4.0Ah Battery & Charger
- CORDLESS LAWN MOWER – Get more done, faster, with Greenworks electric lawn mowers. This 80V self-propelled mower provides the power you need with up to 45 minutes of run-time on a fully charged...
- DURABLE 21” STEEL DECK – The 21” steel deck allows you to handle large areas of grass quickly and easily. Brushless motor provides more torque, quiet operation, and a longer life.
- SELF-PROPELLED – Rear wheel drive and variable speed control for maximum traction, maneuverability, and control
This model is a very close sibling to the one we reviewed, sharing the same core 80V platform, 21-inch steel deck, and self-propelled functionality. It appears to be an earlier or alternative configuration within the same product line. For a potential buyer, the choice between these two will likely come down to price, availability, and minor feature differences that may exist at the time of purchase. It serves as a testament to the strength of the Greenworks 80V platform and provides a direct, powerful alternative from the same brand, reassuring buyers that the core technology is sound and well-established.
3. Sun Joe 15” Cordless Push Reel Lawn Mower
- High-Performance Motor: Experience impressive cutting efficiency with a robust 360-watt motor designed to deliver strong, consistent power. Whether tackling thick patches or routine trims, this mower...
- Innovative 5-Blade RAZOREEL System: Achieve a beautifully manicured lawn in fewer passes with the 15-inch cutting width and advanced 5-blade RAZOREEL system.
- Customizable 4-Position Height Adjustment: Easily tailor your lawn to the ideal height with the 4-position manual adjustment lever. Easily fine-tune the cutting height from 0.6 inches up to 2.0...
This Sun Joe mower represents a completely different approach to lawn care. It’s a manual reel mower, which provides a scissor-like cut that is very healthy for the grass. The “cordless” aspect refers to its small onboard battery that likely powers some auxiliary function, but the cutting action is primarily human-powered. With a narrow 15-inch cutting width, it’s designed for small, flat, and very well-maintained lawns. It’s ultra-quiet, emissions-free, and a great form of exercise. However, it lacks the power and self-propulsion of the Greenworks 80V model and would struggle with tall, thick, or uneven turf.
The Final Cut: Is the Greenworks 80V 21″ Self-Propelled Cordless Lawn Mower Worth It?
After extensive testing and analysis, our verdict is a resounding yes. The Greenworks 80V 21″ Self-Propelled Cordless Lawn Mower is a triumph of engineering that successfully closes the performance gap between gas and electric mowers. It delivers on its promise of gas-like power in a quiet, clean, and incredibly convenient package. The robust steel deck, powerful brushless motor, and user-friendly features like the self-propel system and single-lever height adjust make it a joy to use.
While we noted minor concerns about the durability of some plastic parts and inconsistent customer service reports, these are outweighed by the machine’s outstanding core performance and build quality. For the homeowner with a lawn up to a half-acre who is ready to escape the noise, fumes, and maintenance of a gas engine, this mower is not just a viable alternative—it’s a significant upgrade. It transforms a weekend chore into a quick, quiet, and satisfying task.
If you’ve decided the Greenworks 80V 21″ Self-Propelled Cordless Lawn Mower is the right fit, you can check its current price and purchase it here.
Last update on 2025-11-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API