Greenworks 48V 17″ Brushless Mower + String Trimmer + Blower Kit Review: The Complete Cordless Yard Solution Tested

I remember those Saturday mornings vividly. The ritual began not with the satisfying hum of a job well done, but with a series of frustrating pulls on a stubborn starter cord. It involved a trip to the garage, fumbling with a greasy gas can, carefully mixing oil, and the inevitable spill that left a pungent odor on my hands and in the air for hours. Mowing the lawn felt like a chore designed to test my patience. The deafening roar of the gas engine meant no listening to music or podcasts, and the heavy, vibrating machine left me more exhausted than the work itself warranted. I knew there had to be a better way—a quieter, cleaner, and altogether more pleasant approach to maintaining my yard. This search for simplicity and efficiency is what led me to explore the world of battery-powered yard tools, a world where the primary barrier to entry is finding a complete system that delivers on its promises without breaking the bank.

What to Know Before You Cut the Cord on Your Gas Mower

A battery-powered Walk-Behind Lawn Mower, especially one that comes as part of a complete kit, is more than just a piece of equipment; it’s a key solution for homeowners seeking a hassle-free, eco-friendly lawn care experience. The core benefits are undeniable: push-button starts, whisper-quiet operation, zero emissions, and the elimination of ongoing fuel costs and messy maintenance like oil changes and spark plug replacements. This shift represents a move towards convenience and sustainability, transforming a dreaded chore into a more manageable and even enjoyable task. The freedom of a cordless system means no tangled wires and the ability to tackle every corner of your property with ease, making it a compelling upgrade from both traditional gas and corded electric models.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone with a small to medium-sized yard, typically up to a half-acre, who values convenience and low maintenance above raw, uncompromising power. It’s perfect for suburban homeowners, those with physical limitations who benefit from a lightweight design, or anyone living in a community with noise restrictions. On the other hand, it might not be suitable for those with very large properties (an acre or more), or for professional landscapers who require all-day runtime and the ability to slash through severely overgrown fields. For those users, a high-powered gas mower or a commercial-grade battery system with a fleet of swappable batteries might be a more practical, albeit more expensive and demanding, alternative.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: The cutting width, or deck size, directly impacts how many passes you’ll need to make. A 17-inch deck, like the one on the Greenworks 48V 17″ Brushless Mower + String Trimmer + Blower Kit, is ideal for small to medium lawns, offering excellent maneuverability around flower beds and obstacles. Also, consider storage. Many battery models feature collapsible handles for compact, vertical storage, a significant advantage for those with limited garage or shed space.
• Capacity/Performance: This is primarily about the battery system and motor. Voltage (V) indicates power, while Amp-hours (Ah) dictates runtime. A 48V system built from two 24V batteries offers a good balance. A brushless motor in the mower is a critical feature, as it runs more efficiently, quietly, and has a longer lifespan than older brushed motors. Pay attention to what’s included; two 4.0Ah batteries provide a solid starting point for runtime.
• Materials & Durability: Mower decks are typically made of steel or a durable polymer (plastic). Steel is heavier and can be more robust against impacts, but it can also rust. A poly deck, as used here, is rust-proof, significantly lighter, and makes the mower much easier to push and lift, though it may be more susceptible to damage from large rocks.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: The beauty of battery power is its simplicity. Look for features like a single-lever height adjustment, which allows you to change the cutting height of all four wheels simultaneously. Maintenance is minimal: keep the underside of the deck clean, sharpen the blade annually, and manage the batteries by storing them in a temperature-controlled environment and not leaving them on the charger indefinitely.

While the Greenworks 48V 17″ Brushless Mower + String Trimmer + Blower Kit 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:

First Impressions: Unboxing the Greenworks 3-in-1 Yard Dominator

Opening the box for the Greenworks 48V 17″ Brushless Mower + String Trimmer + Blower Kit felt like unwrapping an entire lawn care arsenal in one go. The packaging was efficient, with each component securely nested. My immediate impression of the mower was how incredibly light it felt. At a total weight of 58 pounds for the entire kit, the mower itself is easy to lift with one hand—a stark contrast to the hulking gas machines of my past. Assembly was a breeze, confirming reports from many users who found it intuitive. It took less than 15 minutes, requiring no tools other than my own two hands. You simply unfold the handle, lock it into place with the cam locks, attach the grass collection bag frame, and slide the two 24V batteries into their designated slots. The trimmer and blower required minimal assembly as well, snapping together in seconds. The overall build is primarily a high-quality, durable plastic, which contributes to the light weight and gives confidence that it won’t rust. The signature Greenworks green and black color scheme is sharp, giving the tools a modern, capable look right out of the box. This thoughtfully designed kit makes an excellent first impression as a cohesive and user-friendly system.

Putting the Greenworks Trio to the Test: A Comprehensive Performance Analysis

An all-in-one kit is only as good as its weakest link. To truly understand its value, we had to push each component of the Greenworks 48V 17″ Brushless Mower + String Trimmer + Blower Kit in real-world conditions, from a routine trim of our test lawn to tackling the post-mow cleanup. We evaluated the mower’s cutting power, the battery’s endurance, and the effectiveness of the supporting tools to see if this package truly delivers a complete and satisfying lawn care experience.

Mower Performance: The Brushless Heart of the Kit

The 17-inch mower is undoubtedly the star of this show. Powered by two 24V batteries running in series to deliver 48V of power, its brushless motor spools up instantly with the push of a button and the pull of the safety bar. The sound is more akin to a powerful fan than a lawnmower, a feature many users celebrate. One noted, “It’s so quiet, you can cut grass at 3 am if you wanted,” and our testing confirmed this. You can easily hold a conversation while it’s running.

The cutting performance on a regularly maintained lawn is excellent. The blade spins at a high RPM, leaving a clean, even cut. We found the single-lever height adjustment system to be one of its best ergonomic features. A single, easy-to-press button on the deck allows you to cycle through the 6 height positions, from a low 1.25 inches to a high of nearly 4 inches. This is a massive improvement over older mowers that required adjusting each wheel individually. The 17-inch poly deck, while compact, makes the mower incredibly nimble. We navigated tight corners and landscaped beds with an ease that a larger, heavier steel-deck mower simply can’t match. This maneuverability was a key factor for one user who said, “I have a steep incline that I have to mow… I was able to mow all of that long, horrible patch easily! The mower is lightweight so I can actually pick it up.”

The 2-in-1 functionality offers mulching or rear bagging. The mulching plug is easy to install and does a decent job of returning fine clippings to the lawn. The grass collection bag is a bit on the small side, but it attaches and detaches effortlessly. However, where we did find a limitation—a sentiment echoed in user feedback—was in very tall or dense, wet grass. When pushed too hard in these conditions, the mower’s overload protection would kick in and shut the unit off to protect the motor. As one user pointed out, “it doesn’t like when the grass is too tall it seems to stall if you try to do too much at a time.” This isn’t a brush hog; it’s a maintenance mower that excels when used consistently on lawns that aren’t severely overgrown.

Battery Life and Charging: The Double-Edged Sword

Here we arrive at the most critical and debated aspect of the Greenworks 48V 17″ Brushless Mower + String Trimmer + Blower Kit: its battery life. The kit includes two 4.0Ah 24V batteries and a dual-port charger. In our testing, using the mower continuously on a standard suburban lawn with moderately thick grass, we achieved approximately 25 minutes of runtime before the batteries were depleted. This was enough to comfortably mow a small front and back yard, roughly 1/8 to 1/5 of an acre. A user with a small yard confirmed this, stating, “We mowed the backyard and front yard which takes 15 minutes at most. After we were done we checked the battery level and both had only one bar missing.”

However, for anyone with a yard approaching or exceeding a quarter of an acre, the included batteries will almost certainly not be enough to finish the job in one go. This is the single most common complaint among users. “The 2 batteries that come with it don’t last the whole lawn,” one review plainly states, while another calculates, “For a county lot needs 3 charges when using bagger.” The included 2A dual-port charger takes roughly two hours to fully charge one 4.0Ah battery, meaning you’ll face significant downtime between sessions.

This reality doesn’t make the kit a bad value, but it does require setting proper expectations. If you have a small lot, the included power is likely perfect. If your lawn is larger, you should consider the purchase of this kit as an entry point into the Greenworks 24V ecosystem and immediately budget for a second pair of 4.0Ah batteries. Having a second set charged and ready allows you to swap them out and continue working, effectively doubling your runtime and making the system viable for much larger properties. It’s a crucial consideration that separates a happy customer from a frustrated one.

The Supporting Cast: Evaluating the Trimmer and Blower

A combo kit’s value is also measured by its accessories. The included 12-inch string trimmer and 320 CFM blower share the same 24V battery platform (using one battery at a time), making them convenient grab-and-go tools. It’s important to note that, unlike the mower, both of these tools use brushed motors. This means they are not as efficient or powerful as their brushless counterparts, but for the light-to-medium duty tasks they are designed for, they are quite capable.

The string trimmer features a 12-inch cutting path and an auto-feed head that uses standard 0.065-inch line. For basic edging along sidewalks and trimming around mailboxes or trees, it works perfectly. It’s lightweight and easy to handle. One user who was 6 feet tall noted it felt a bit short for him, but another said it was “perfect for a 5 foot person,” suggesting its ergonomics may favor users of average height or shorter. It sliced through standard weeds and grass without issue. For thick, woody brush, you’d want a more powerful tool, but for routine maintenance, it’s a solid performer.

The handheld blower delivers up to 320 CFM of airflow at 90 MPH. These numbers place it squarely in the “light duty” category. It’s excellent for clearing grass clippings off your driveway, patio, and walkways after a mow. It can also handle dry leaves on hard surfaces without a problem. However, it will struggle with large piles of wet, matted leaves. We found it to be a perfect cleanup tool for post-mowing tidiness, but it wouldn’t be our first choice for a major fall leaf cleanup. The runtime on the blower is about 15-20 minutes with a 4.0Ah battery, which is plenty of time for its intended purpose. The inclusion of these tools makes the package a comprehensive starter kit for a new homeowner.

What Other Users Are Saying

Across the board, user sentiment for the Greenworks 48V 17″ Brushless Mower + String Trimmer + Blower Kit paints a very clear picture. The positive feedback consistently centers on its convenience and ease of use for its target audience. One owner sums it up perfectly: “This is the perfect mower for our small yard… I had concerns going from a gas powered self propelled mower to electric, but this mower is so lightweight. Mowing was easy!” Another longtime Greenworks customer who upgraded was thrilled, saying, “This new mower is even better than the original! Almost everything about this mower has been significantly improved.” The quiet operation and compact storage are also frequently lauded features.

However, the constructive criticism is just as consistent and provides a crucial reality check. The primary issue, by a wide margin, is battery life. A user with a small yard stated, “My yard is pretty small but the batteries only last about 20 mins so it took me 3 tries to get it all mowed.” This sentiment is echoed repeatedly, with another saying, “Would buy again but definitely need an extra set of batteries.” A secondary concern relates to power in challenging conditions, with one user reporting, “Kept stopping over and over towards end of charge. Small yard but hilly… Definitely less power than my small gas powered mower.” This feedback is vital, confirming that the kit shines in specific scenarios (small, well-kept lawns) but may require additional investment (more batteries) or patience for more demanding jobs.

How Does the Greenworks Kit Compare to the Competition?

The Greenworks 48V 17″ Brushless Mower + String Trimmer + Blower Kit offers incredible value, but it’s important to see how it stacks up against other options. Whether you need more power, prefer the traditional gas route, or are looking for a direct competitor, here’s how the landscape looks.

1. Greenworks 21″ Cordless Lawn Mower 5.0Ah

For those who love the Greenworks ecosystem but have a larger lawn, this 60V model is the logical step up. Its 21-inch steel deck covers more ground with each pass, reducing mowing time. The higher 60V power platform and larger 5.0Ah battery provide more torque for thicker grass and significantly longer runtime than the 48V kit. However, this is a premium, mower-only option. You’re paying more for a more powerful mower but lose the all-in-one value of the trimmer and blower. It’s the right choice if your primary need is a robust mower for a half-acre lot and you plan to build out your tool collection separately.

2. BILT HARD 21 Inch Gas Lawn Mower 3-in-1 Push

This BILT HARD mower represents the traditional gas-powered alternative. With a 201cc 4-cycle engine, it offers raw power that even the best battery mowers can struggle to match, especially in wet, overgrown conditions. There are no runtime limits beyond the size of your gas can. The trade-offs are significant: it’s much louder, heavier, requires regular maintenance (oil, gas, spark plugs), and produces emissions. This is the choice for someone with a large, challenging property who prioritizes brute force over the convenience, quiet, and cleanliness of a battery system.

3. WORX 40V 17″ Cordless Lawn Mower 2 Batteries Included

The WORX 40V mower is perhaps the most direct competitor to the Greenworks mower itself. It features the same 17-inch deck size, making it similarly lightweight and maneuverable for smaller yards. It also runs on a dual-battery system (2x20V) for 40V of power and includes two batteries. Where the Greenworks package pulls ahead is in its overall value proposition. While the WORX mower is a capable machine, the Greenworks 48V 17″ Brushless Mower + String Trimmer + Blower Kit also includes the essential trimming and cleanup tools for a comparable, and often better, price point, making it a more complete starter package for a new homeowner.

The Final Cut: Is the Greenworks 48V Combo Kit Right for Your Yard?

After extensive testing and analysis, our verdict on the Greenworks 48V 17″ Brushless Mower + String Trimmer + Blower Kit is overwhelmingly positive, with one important condition. This kit represents an exceptional value and a perfect entry point into cordless lawn care for anyone with a small yard, a townhome, or a property of up to roughly a quarter-acre. The mower is the highlight—it’s lightweight, shockingly quiet, easy to use, and delivers a clean cut. The included trimmer and blower are more than capable for post-mow cleanup and light-duty maintenance, creating a truly comprehensive system right out of the box.

The critical factor is battery life. If your lawn is on the larger side of that recommendation, you must be prepared to either break your mowing into multiple sessions or invest in a second pair of batteries. If you go in with that expectation, you will be thrilled with the performance and convenience. For the right user, this kit isn’t just a set of tools; it’s an upgrade to their entire lawn care routine. If you’re ready to ditch the gas can and starter cord for good and embrace a quieter, cleaner way to maintain your property, we can confidently recommend this package. You can check the latest price and see its full feature set right here.