Our team has spent years testing cordless lawn mowers on real lawns — from tight suburban lots to thick, spring-grown fescue — and the Greenworks 40V 16-Inch Cordless Mower has been a fixture in our budget cordless lineup for good reason. We pushed it through overgrown grass, timed battery runs, and compared it directly against rivals in our Greenworks 40V 16-inch brushless cordless lawn mower review to see where this model wins and where it falls short. If you’re shopping larger equipment, our Greenworks 80V 42-inch riding mower review puts this pick in context.
Quick Verdict
The Greenworks 40V 16-Inch Cordless Mower is an excellent value for small to medium yards up to roughly a third of an acre, earning a 4.5 out of 5 in our testing. It’s lightweight, starts instantly with the push of a button, and requires virtually zero maintenance — but the modest 16-inch deck and included 4.0Ah battery mean larger lawns will demand patience or a second battery.
Pros
- Lightweight design (35% lighter than steel) simplifies pushing and storage, benefiting users with limited strength or small sheds.
- Battery power eliminates gas and oil maintenance, ideal for eco-conscious homeowners who want a clean, instant start.
- 5-position height adjustment gives flexibility for different grass types and seasonal cutting needs.
- Mulch or bag options let you manage clippings based on lawn health or aesthetic preferences.
- 3-year warranty provides peace of mind for a battery-powered mower investment.
Cons
- 16-inch deck is narrower than typical 20-21 inch mowers, meaning more passes and longer mowing time on larger lawns.
- Battery runtime of up to 1/3 acre may not be enough for larger properties or thick, wet grass, requiring a recharge or spare battery.
- Push-only operation (no self-propelled) may be tiring on slopes or for users with mobility issues.
The Greenworks 40V 16 in Push Lawn Mower is a battery-powered walk-behind mower designed for homeowners with small to medium lawns up to about one-third of an acre. It is best suited for those who prioritize lightweight design and low maintenance over raw cutting power. The mower delivers a 16-inch cutting path and runs on a 40V 4.0Ah battery, which is included along with a charger. Its main strengths are its ease of use and minimal upkeep, but the deck size and battery runtime may limit its appeal for larger or more demanding yards.
Key features include an ultra-lightweight construction that is 35% lighter than steel-deck mowers, making it easy to push and maneuver. A single-lever height adjustment offers five positions, allowing you to set the cut height to your preference. The 2-in-1 system supports both mulching and rear bagging, giving you flexibility in managing grass clippings. Being battery-powered, it starts instantly, runs quietly, and produces no emissions, which is a significant advantage for neighborhoods with noise restrictions or for users who dislike dealing with gas and oil.
Setup is straightforward: the mower arrives mostly assembled, and the battery charges in a few hours. The 16-inch deck is compact, which helps with storage in tight spaces, but it also means you will make more passes to cover your lawn. The mower is a push model, so you provide the propulsion, which is fine on flat ground but can be tiring on slopes. Maintenance is minimal—no oil changes, filters, or spark plugs—but you will need to keep the blade sharp and store the battery properly during the off-season.
Overall, the Greenworks 40V is a solid choice for a small, flat lawn where you value simplicity and eco-friendliness. However, if your yard is larger than a third of an acre, has thick grass, or includes steep terrain, you may want a mower with a wider deck, a self-propelled drive, or a larger battery capacity. For those with a modest lawn, this mower offers a convenient, low-fuss cutting experience.
Best For: Homeowners with small to medium lawns (up to 1/3 acre) who prefer a lightweight, push-style electric mower and want to avoid gas and oil maintenance.
Why It Fits: The 40V battery and 4.0Ah capacity are designed to handle up to a third of an acre on a single charge, and the mower is 35% lighter than steel-deck models, making it easy for most users to push and maneuver.
Think Twice If: Your lawn is larger than a third of an acre, has thick or tall grass, or includes steep slopes, as the battery may run out mid-job and the push operation could be strenuous.
Bottom Line: This is a practical, low-maintenance mower for small, flat lawns, but consider a self-propelled or gas model if your terrain is more demanding.
Battery Runtime: Cuts up to 1/3 acre per charge with the included 4.0Ah battery, though actual runtime varies with grass conditions and technique.
Lightweight Build: 35% lighter than steel-deck mowers, reducing effort during pushing and lifting.
Height Adjustment: Single-lever control with 5 positions lets you set the cutting height to match your lawn's needs.
2-in-1 Cutting System: Choose between mulching for natural fertilization or rear bagging for a clean collection.
Maintenance-Free Operation: No gas, oil, or emissions; instant start and quiet operation.
Key Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Voltage | 40V lithium-ion |
| Deck Width | 16 inches |
| Included Battery | 4.0Ah + charger |
| Cutting Area per Charge | Up to 1/3 acre |
| Height Adjustment | Single-lever, 5 positions |
| Cutting Modes | 2-in-1: mulching and rear bagging |
| Start Method | Push-button start |
| Weight | ~35% lighter than comparable steel-deck mowers |
| Platform Compatibility | 75+ Greenworks 40V tools |
| Warranty | 3-year limited |
Performance & Build Quality
We tested this mower across multiple mowing sessions on a roughly quarter-acre residential lot, including a deliberately neglected patch of tall fescue, to see how it handles real-world conditions rather than showroom grass.
Cutting Performance
For regularly maintained lawns, the cutting quality is genuinely impressive for the price. The 2-in-1 mulching and rear-bagging system performs well in both modes: mulched clippings disappeared evenly into the turf, and the rear bag filled cleanly without excessive clogging in dry conditions. As expected from a 16-inch deck and a single battery, dense or overgrown grass drains the battery noticeably faster and requires slower passes. That’s a limitation of the class, not a defect — but buyers should know the “up to 1/3 acre” figure assumes reasonable grass height.
Handling and Ease of Use
The standout attribute is the weight. Greenworks claims this unit is roughly 35% lighter than comparable steel-deck mowers, and our hands-on testing confirms it — maneuvering around flower beds and tight corners is dramatically easier than with a comparable gas machine, and carrying it into storage is a one-person, no-drama task. The push-button start fired instantly every time during our evaluation: no priming, no choke, no pull cord. The single-lever height adjustment moves all wheels simultaneously through five positions, taking seconds rather than the fiddly wheel-by-wheel adjustments gas mowers demand.
Noise and Maintenance
Noise levels are dramatically lower than a gas mower — we could hold a conversation while mowing — which makes early-morning or evening sessions far more neighbor-friendly. Maintenance is essentially limited to blade care and keeping the deck clean: no gas, no oil, no spark plugs, no air filters. Over a few seasons, that adds up to real savings in time and money.
Battery and Ecosystem
The included 4.0Ah battery delivered consistent runtime in our tests, comfortably covering a small lawn on a single charge. The bigger long-term value is the 40V platform itself: the battery and charger are interchangeable across 75+ Greenworks 40V tools, so the mower can anchor a full cordless ecosystem — or slot into one you already own. The 3-year limited warranty provides solid peace of mind for a budget-priced machine.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Extremely lightweight and easy to maneuver around obstacles
- Instant, reliable push-button start — no pull cord ever
- Near-zero maintenance compared to gas mowers
- Quiet operation suitable for early or late mowing
- Versatile 2-in-1 mulching and rear bagging
- Single-lever 5-position height adjustment is fast and convenient
- Compatible with 75+ Greenworks 40V tools — great ecosystem value
- Backed by a 3-year limited warranty
Cons:
- 16-inch deck means more passes on larger lawns
- Included 4.0Ah battery may fall short on thicker grass or close to the 1/3-acre limit — a spare battery is a smart add-on
- Struggles with wet, overgrown grass and clogs more easily than wider gas decks
- Plastic-heavy build won’t feel as rugged as premium steel-deck models — flaws, but not dealbreakers for the price and intended yard size
Who Should Buy / Who Should Skip
Buy it if: you have a small to medium lawn (up to about 1/3 acre), want to escape gas-and-oil maintenance entirely, value lightweight handling, or already own — or plan to expand into — the Greenworks 40V ecosystem. It’s also a great fit for anyone who mows early in the morning and needs quiet operation.
Skip it if: your lawn is larger than a third of an acre, you regularly let grass grow tall and thick between cuts, or you want a wider deck to cut your mowing time in half. In those cases, consider a higher-voltage or larger-deck model instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the included 4.0Ah battery last per charge?
In our testing, the 4.0Ah battery comfortably handled a small lawn on moderate-height grass and approaches Greenworks’ stated 1/3-acre maximum under ideal conditions. Cutting tall or wet grass can reduce runtime significantly, so a second battery is worthwhile if your yard sits near that limit.
Can this mower handle thick or overgrown grass?
Yes, but with patience. It cuts through denser growth at a slower pace and drains the battery faster. For chronically overgrown lawns, mow in two passes at progressively lower heights for the best results.
Does it come with a battery and charger?
Yes — the mower ships with a 4.0Ah lithium-ion battery and charger, so it’s ready to use out of the box with no separate purchases required.
Is the Greenworks 40V battery compatible with other Greenworks tools?
Yes. The battery works across the 75+ tool Greenworks 40V platform, including trimmers, blowers, and chainsaws, which is one of the strongest value arguments for choosing this mower.
How quiet is it compared to a gas mower?
Dramatically quieter. You can converse while mowing, and we found it comfortable to use without hearing protection — a stark contrast to typical gas-engine noise levels.
What maintenance does it require?
Virtually none beyond basics: keep the battery charged, clean the deck occasionally, and sharpen or replace the blade as needed. There’s no gas, oil, spark plug, or air filter to service.
