Greenworks 80V 21″ Self-Propelled Lawn Mower Review: The Cordless Contender That Almost Conquers All

I remember those Saturday mornings vividly. The smell of gasoline fumes hanging in the air, the frustrating pull-start cord that always seemed to fight back, and the deafening roar of a 2-stroke engine that announced my lawn care chores to the entire neighborhood. For years, this was the accepted ritual of maintaining a pristine yard. But it was always a chore I dreaded, filled with messy oil changes, winter storage prep, and the constant need to have a gas can at the ready. That’s why the promise of powerful, battery-operated lawn equipment has always been so alluring—a vision of simple, quiet, and clean yard work. The question has always been whether a battery could truly replace the raw, brute force of gasoline. We set out to answer that question with this in-depth Greenworks 80V 21″ Self-Propelled Lawn Mower review.

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, beauty, and usability of your outdoor living space. It’s the difference between a chaotic, overgrown patch of weeds and a manicured carpet of green that invites bare feet and backyard barbecues. The main benefit of a quality mower is consistency—the ability to achieve an even, clean cut week after week, which promotes healthier grass growth and discourages pests. For many, the move to a battery-powered model like the Greenworks 80V series is driven by a desire to escape the maintenance headaches, noise pollution, and environmental impact of traditional gas mowers. The freedom from gas, oil, spark plugs, and filters is a significant lifestyle upgrade.

The ideal customer for this type of product is a homeowner with a small to medium-sized lawn, typically up to half an acre, who values convenience and low maintenance. If you prioritize a quiet operation to avoid disturbing neighbors (or your own peace) and appreciate the simplicity of push-button starting, a high-voltage cordless mower is likely a perfect fit. However, it might not be suitable for those with exceptionally large properties (over an acre) where even the longest-lasting batteries may require multiple charges to complete the job. Similarly, professionals who require all-day, non-stop operation may still find the runtime limitations of battery power restrictive compared to the quick refueling of a gas mower.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: Consider the mower’s cutting width (deck size) and its physical footprint. A 21-inch deck, like the one on this Greenworks model, is a fantastic sweet spot for balancing cutting speed on open areas with maneuverability around obstacles. Crucially, look for storage-friendly features. Models offering vertical storage can be a game-changer, reducing the space needed in a crowded garage by up to 70%.
• Capacity/Performance: For battery mowers, the key metrics are voltage (V) and amp-hours (Ah). Voltage is a measure of power (higher is generally more powerful), while amp-hours relate to runtime. An 80V system is at the top end of the residential market, delivering performance that rivals gas. Also, look for features like brushless motors, which are more efficient and durable, and smart technology that adjusts power based on grass conditions.
• Materials & Durability: The mower deck is the foundation of the machine. A steel deck offers maximum durability and rigidity, capable of withstanding bumps and impacts better than plastic composite decks, though it does add weight. Pay attention to the wheels and handle construction as well, as these are frequent points of failure. Some user experiences point to weaknesses in handle joints, a crucial factor for long-term satisfaction.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: The entire appeal of battery power is simplicity. Look for features like single-lever height adjustment, which allows you to change the cutting height of all four wheels simultaneously. A self-propelled system with variable speed is essential for hilly terrain or for reducing user fatigue. The biggest long-term care consideration is battery health—ensure you follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for charging and storage.

Making the switch to battery power is a big decision, and it’s important to get it right.

While the Greenworks 80V 21″ Self-Propelled 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:

First Impressions: Heavy-Duty Build with a Few Quirks

Unboxing the Greenworks 80V 21″ Self-Propelled Lawn Mower, the first thing that struck us was its substantial feel. At over 64 pounds, this is no lightweight plastic toy. The 21-inch steel deck feels robust and ready for serious work. Assembly was remarkably straightforward, a sentiment echoed by many users. For the most part, it involved simply unfolding the handle and tightening a couple of knobs—we were ready to mow in under ten minutes. The massive 80V 4.0Ah battery has a reassuring heft to it, looking more like something from a small electric vehicle than a lawn tool. However, we did notice some potential weak points during setup. The handle assembly, while functional, has some plastic components and joints that feel less durable than the rest of the mower. Some users have reported these parts breaking or the handle becoming flimsy over time, which is a definite concern we’ll be monitoring. While our packaging was intact, reports of banged-up boxes and minor shipping damage are common enough to mention, so a thorough inspection upon arrival is a good idea. Despite these initial quibbles, the overall first impression is of a powerful, well-equipped machine that you can check the latest price and availability for online.

Performance Deep Dive: Power, Endurance, and Practicality

A mower’s true worth is proven on the lawn, not in the box. We put the Greenworks 80V 21″ Self-Propelled Lawn Mower through its paces on a variety of turf conditions, from a well-manicured suburban lawn to a patch of overgrown, slightly damp grass, to see if its performance matched its powerful specifications.

Power and Cutting Performance: A True Gas Challenger

Let’s get straight to the point: the 80V power plant in this mower is the real deal. Paired with the brushless motor, it delivers a formidable amount of blade torque that genuinely rivals mid-range gas mowers. We were immediately impressed. Where lesser battery mowers bog down and stall in thick patches of St. Augustine grass, the Greenworks powered through with confidence. This is where its SmartCut Technology is supposed to shine, automatically ramping up blade speed when it detects tougher grass. In practice, the transition is seamless; you simply hear the motor whine a bit higher and feel the machine continue to cut without hesitation. One user perfectly captured this, stating it “tore it up and churned through stuff that would have bogged down” their old mower.

The 3-in-1 functionality (mulch, bag, side-discharge) adds great versatility. We found the mulching performance to be excellent, leaving behind fine clippings that disappeared into the turf. However, the bagging performance revealed a potential weakness. The mower cuts the grass cleanly, but some users—and our own testing confirmed this—found that it lacks the high-lift suction of a powerful gas mower. This means the bag doesn’t fill as completely or as efficiently. As one owner noted, you often have to empty the bag when it’s only half full to prevent trails of clippings from being left behind on the lawn. For those who meticulously bag every blade, this requires a small adjustment in mowing style, but for mulchers, it’s a non-issue. The single-lever, 7-position height adjustment is fantastic, providing a cutting range from a tight 0.14 inches to a lush 3.38 inches, easily accommodating different grass types and seasons. It’s a feature that really sets it apart, and you can see its full feature set and user reviews to learn more.

Battery Life and Ecosystem: The Cordless Heartbeat

The entire cordless experience hinges on the battery, and the included 4.0Ah battery is a beast. Greenworks claims up to 45 minutes of runtime, and in our testing, this was fairly accurate for a standard, well-maintained lawn of about 1/4 to 1/3 of an acre. We were able to complete the entire property with one bar of battery life to spare, a result that aligns with many happy customers. The rapid charger is another huge plus, capable of taking the battery from empty to full in just 60 minutes. This means that even if you have a larger yard that requires a second mowing session, you won’t be waiting half the day for a recharge.

However, battery performance is highly variable. When we tasked the mower with a neglected, thicker lawn and used the self-propel feature continuously, the runtime dropped closer to 25-30 minutes. This explains the discrepancy seen in user feedback, where some are thrilled with the longevity and others claim it dies in 15 minutes. Your runtime will depend entirely on the demands you place on the motor. For thick, wet, or very tall grass, expect to use more juice. It’s also critical to acknowledge the rare but serious negative reviews concerning battery failures or, in one extreme case, a fire. While this appears to be an exceedingly rare occurrence, it underscores the importance of using and charging the battery strictly according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The true long-term value, however, comes from the Greenworks 80V ecosystem, which includes over 75 compatible tools. Investing in this mower means you can later add a string trimmer, leaf blower, or chainsaw that all run on the same powerful battery, creating a convenient and versatile yard care system.

Ergonomics and Usability: A Mixed Bag of Brilliantly Simple and Oddly Flawed

This is where our experience with the Greenworks 80V 21″ Self-Propelled Lawn Mower became a tale of two products. On one hand, the core usability is fantastic. The push-button start is a revelation. The single-lever height adjustment is effortless. The vertical storage is a masterstroke of engineering, allowing a large machine to take up a tiny corner of the garage. It’s quiet, clean, and simple to operate. For these reasons, many users, especially those moving from gas for the first time, are absolutely thrilled.

On the other hand, the self-propel system is a significant letdown. It works, but as one user bluntly put it, it’s “useless” and “like walking in slow motion.” We have to agree. Even at its maximum speed, the pace is more of a slow stroll than a brisk walk. For anyone who likes to get their mowing done efficiently, you will quickly find yourself pushing the 64-pound mower manually to speed things up, which defeats the purpose of the feature. This seems to be the single most common and valid complaint about the mower. Furthermore, the durability of the handle and its plastic components remains a concern. We saw several reports of broken handle knobs and plastic pieces popping off within the first year of use. We also ran into the issue one user detailed about a sticky safety switch near the handle base, which initially prevented the mower from starting. A few forceful pushes on the switch resolved it, but it’s a quality control issue that shouldn’t exist. These ergonomic and build quality flaws are what hold an otherwise excellent mower back from true greatness.

What Other Users Are Saying

Across thousands of reviews, a clear picture emerges. The majority of owners are very satisfied, primarily celebrating the transition away from gas. One user, who hadn’t mowed his own lawn since the 1980s, called it a “great product,” highlighting how much quieter and easier it is than a gasoline mower. Another exclaimed it was the “best $500 I’ve spent,” praising its gas-like power and the convenience of the Greenworks battery system they were already invested in. Many echo the sentiment that it’s a game-changer for regular residential lots, with one Florida owner noting they could mow their entire 1/4-acre lot and still have 1/3 of the battery remaining.

However, the negative feedback is just as consistent and focuses on a few key areas. The most prominent complaint is the sluggish self-propel speed. A young, capable user found it “so slow” that they were forced to push the heavy mower manually, a significant drawback. The second major theme involves build quality and durability. Reports of flimsy handles that break during unpacking, plastic parts failing, and even critical components like the fan blade warping after two years are concerning. These issues suggest that while the core powertrain is robust, some of the supporting components may not stand the test of time, turning a significant investment into what one user called a “disposable mower.”

How Does the Greenworks 80V Mower Compare to the Alternatives?

No product exists in a vacuum. To understand its value, we need to compare the Greenworks 80V 21″ Self-Propelled Lawn Mower to other options that might be on a buyer’s radar. This includes not just similar mowers, but also different types of lawn tools that solve related problems.

1. LawnMaster GVB1316 16″ Electric Dethatcher

This LawnMaster tool isn’t a mower, but it’s a crucial alternative for someone whose primary lawn problem is health, not just length. If your grass is struggling with thatch buildup—a layer of dead grass that chokes out new growth—no mower will fix it. The LawnMaster is a specialized tool for scarifying and dethatching, pulling up this suffocating layer to let air, water, and nutrients reach the soil. It’s a corded electric model, meaning you’ll have to manage a power cable, but it’s far less expensive than a full mower. Someone might choose this if they already have a functional mower but need to perform a serious lawn renovation before regular cutting can be effective.

2. Greenworks 80V 21″ Self-Propelled Cordless Lawn Mower 4.0Ah

This is a direct and compelling alternative, appearing to be a slightly different or updated version of the model we reviewed. It shares the same core specifications: 80V power, a 21-inch deck, a 4.0Ah battery, and the self-propel feature. The key listed difference is the inclusion of LED headlights, a useful feature for those who like to mow in the cooler evening hours. If you’re set on the Greenworks 80V platform, it would be essential to compare the current pricing and any subtle feature differences between this model and our main review unit. It represents the closest competitor and is perfect for a buyer who wants the latest iteration of this powerful cordless platform.

3. Greenworks 24V 13″ Brushless Lawn Mower 4.0Ah

This model is an excellent alternative for homeowners with very small yards, townhouses, or limited storage space. The 24V system is significantly less powerful than the 80V, and the 13-inch cutting deck is much smaller. However, this mower is also incredibly lightweight, much cheaper, and far easier to maneuver in tight spaces. It’s a push mower, lacking the self-propel feature, but its light weight makes this less of an issue for small, flat lawns. A buyer would choose this over the 80V model if their top priorities are budget, storage space, and maneuverability, and they simply don’t need the power or wide cutting path for their small patch of grass.

The Final Verdict: A Powerful But Flawed Step into the Future

After extensive testing and analysis, our verdict on the Greenworks 80V 21″ Self-Propelled Lawn Mower is one of qualified recommendation. Its power is undeniable, delivering a clean, consistent cut that truly challenges the dominance of gasoline engines. The convenience of its push-button start, single-lever adjustments, and game-changing vertical storage is a massive quality-of-life improvement. For homeowners with up to a half-acre who primarily mulch their grass and walk at a leisurely pace, this mower is an absolute dream and a fantastic way to escape the noise, fumes, and maintenance of gas.

However, we cannot ignore its shortcomings. The frustratingly slow self-propel system is a major flaw for anyone who wants to mow quickly. Furthermore, the recurring concerns about the durability of the handle and other plastic components suggest potential long-term reliability issues. If you are a fast walker or prioritize bulletproof, long-haul construction above all else, you may want to look elsewhere. But if you fit the ideal user profile and are ready to embrace the quiet, clean future of lawn care, the Greenworks 80V mower is a powerful and compelling option. To see if its unique combination of power and convenience is the right fit for your yard, we highly recommend you find the best price for it today.