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Maintaining a gorgeous lawn used to mean dealing with loud engines and messy gas and oil. But now that our team has tested dozens of electric mowers—corded, battery-powered, and even robotic options—it’s become obvious that gas models aren’t the only ones that offer heavy-duty cutting power and versatile disposal.
In fact, Greenworks’ new 4-in-1 cordless push mower was such a solid performer in our lineup of mulching lawn mowers that it earned our award for the best mower for smaller yards. Its 21-inch steel deck and 80-volt battery are ideal for lawns up to ½ acre, it offers a convenient array of disposal options, and it’s just as simple to store as it is to operate. Read on to learn more about how it held up in our tests.
Key Takeaways
- Best for smaller yards. The Greenworks 80V mower is ideal for lawns up to ½ acre with its 21-inch steel deck and 80-volt battery.
- Handles varied terrain well. SmartCut technology adjusts power for clean cuts on different grass types, though not recommended for slopes over 15 degrees.
- Convenient features enhance usability. Instant start, quiet operation, LED headlights, and EZ Fold handles make it user-friendly.
- Quick recharge time. The rapid charger restores battery life in just 60 minutes, ensuring minimal downtime.
Bottom line: The Greenworks 80V 4-in-1 mower offers powerful performance and convenience, making it the top choice for smaller yards.
Best Mulching Mower for Small Yards
Greenworks 80V 21" Cordless 4-in-1 Push Lawn Mower
Rating: 4.9/5
Buy at Amazon Buy at Lowe's Buy at WalmartWhat We Like
- Convenient 4-in-1 disposal system
- Handle folds to cut storage footprint by 70 percent
- 7 height adjustments from 1⅜ to 4 inches
- Brushless motor offers more torque and a longer lifespan
What We Don’t Like
- Isn’t self-propelled
- 62.8 pounds; not safe for slopes over 15 degrees
Product Specs
- Type: Push
- Power: 80-volt 4Ah battery
- Deck size: 21 inches
- Weight: 62.8 pounds
- Disposal options: Mulching, bagging, side discharge, rear discharge
How does the Greenworks 80V mower handle tough terrain?
Our lawn is a bit of a mixed bag: a small flat section in the front, a U-shaped trench that spans one entire side, and plenty of obstacles across the back (a large deck, oddly shaped landscaping bed, horseshoe pits, and several trees). Not only that, some of the yard sits in full sun, which makes the grass wispy and dry, while other parts enjoy at least some shade, allowing them to grow thick and dense. Given that varying terrain, it’s always interesting to see how well a mower—especially one that’s not self-propelled—will navigate it.
At 62.8 pounds with a 21-inch steel deck, the Greenworks MO80L415 cordless push mower was easiest to use on the flatter parts of our yard. While the 10-inch rear wheels provided excellent traction and smooth maneuvering overall, the brand doesn’t recommend using it at all on slopes over 15 degrees, so this model won’t be a good choice if you have any real hills.
Cut quality was excellent in every area, thanks to what Greenworks calls SmartCut technology, a sensor that automatically sends extra power to the blade when the mower encounters thick, tall, or wet grass. That meant we got just as clean and even a cut on the drier, shorter sections as we did the overgrown areas. Early in the spring, we set the cutting height higher and mulched our grass, and now that summer is in full swing, we’re mowing it a little bit shorter and bagging it. Come fall, we’ll take full advantage of the Turbo Leaf Pickup option to minimize the many, many weekends we’ve traditionally spent raking.
What size yard is this Greenworks mower best for?
With up to 38 minutes of runtime on a single charge, this mower’s 80-volt 4.0Ah battery is best for yards of ½ acre or less. In our tests, it’s had more than enough juice to finish our ⅓-acre property every time. If you do run out of power, however, the included rapid charger will get you up and running again in just 60 minutes, which is remarkably fast for a battery of this size.
Beyond battery life, the Greenworks 21-inch cordless 4-in-1 mower offers several user-friendly features that make yard work less of a chore. It starts instantly with the push of a button, runs quietly enough to keep the neighbors happy, and has high-intensity LED headlights that make mowing early in the morning or late in the evening safer and easier. And once the work is done, its EZ Fold handles let you collapse the machine in seconds, reducing its footprint by 70 percent by allowing you to store it vertically.
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Photo: Michelle Larson for BobVila.com