WORX Nitro 40V 16″ Cordless Lawn Mower w/ 2.0 Brushless Motor Review: A Lightweight Contender with Surprising Power

For years, my weekend lawn care ritual was a symphony of frustration. It started with the ceremonial yanking of a pull-cord, a battle of wills against a stubborn gas engine. Then came the fumes, the deafening roar that made my ears ring for hours, and the constant vibration that left my hands numb. I remember one particularly sweltering Saturday, wrestling my old, heavy gas mower—a veritable tank, as one user aptly described their own—up a slight incline, feeling every ounce of its weight. It was loud, dirty, and exhausting. That’s when I decided there had to be a better way. The dream was simple: a mower that started with a button, ran quietly, and didn’t require me to be a weightlifter to maneuver. This search for a peaceful, powerful, and lightweight lawn care solution is what led me to test the WORX Nitro 40V 16″ Cordless Lawn Mower w/ 2.0 Brushless Motor, a machine that promises to solve these exact problems for homeowners with small to mid-sized yards.

What to Consider Before Buying a Cordless Walk-Behind Lawn Mower

A cordless walk-behind lawn mower is more than just a tool; it’s a key solution for reclaiming your weekend peace. It eliminates the hassle of gasoline, oil changes, and tangled extension cords, offering a cleaner, quieter, and more user-friendly experience. The primary benefits are undeniable: push-button starts, significantly lower noise levels (a blessing for your ears and your neighbors), zero emissions, and reduced maintenance. For anyone tired of the noise and fumes of traditional gas mowers, or the limitations of corded models, a battery-powered unit represents a significant upgrade in convenience and quality of life.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone with a lawn up to a quarter-acre who values ease of use, low maintenance, and a quieter operation. It’s perfect for suburban homeowners, those with physical limitations who find heavy gas mowers difficult to operate, and anyone looking to make a more environmentally conscious choice. However, it might not be suitable for those with very large properties (over half an acre) where even the best batteries might not complete the job on a single charge. Similarly, professionals who need all-day, non-stop cutting power may still find the infinite runtime of a gas mower more practical. For those with larger yards, a higher-voltage, wider-deck cordless model or a riding mower might be a better alternative.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Deck Size & Lawn Area: The cutting width (deck size) determines how many passes you’ll need to make. A 16-inch deck, like the one on this WORX model, is ideal for smaller lawns up to 1/4 acre, offering excellent maneuverability around flower beds, trees, and other obstacles. Larger lawns (1/4 to 1/2 acre) benefit from wider decks (18-21 inches) to reduce mowing time.
• Battery System & Runtime: This is the heart of a cordless mower. Look at the voltage (V) for power and the amp-hours (Ah) for runtime. A 40V system is a sweet spot for power and weight. It’s crucial to see if the mower’s batteries are part of a larger ecosystem of tools, like the WORX PowerShare platform, which adds immense value to your investment as you can use the same batteries for trimmers, blowers, and more. Consider if the advertised runtime aligns with your lawn size and grass type.
• Materials & Durability: Mower decks are typically made of high-strength polymer (plastic) or steel. Polymer decks, like the one on the WORX WG737, are incredibly lightweight, rust-proof, and resistant to dents. Steel decks are heavier and offer more rigidity, which some users prefer for rugged terrain, but they can be prone to rust if not maintained properly.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: Key features to look for are a single-lever height adjustment, which allows you to change the cutting height of all four wheels simultaneously, and a simple push-button start. Cordless mowers require minimal maintenance—just keep the underside clean, sharpen the blade annually, and store the batteries properly. This is a massive advantage over the spark plugs, oil changes, and fuel stabilizers required for gas engines.

Understanding these factors will ensure you choose a mower that not only meets but exceeds your lawn care expectations, turning a chore into a more enjoyable task.

While the WORX Nitro 40V 16″ Cordless Lawn Mower w/ 2.0 Brushless Motor 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: Compact, Clever, and Ready to Work

Unboxing the WORX Nitro 40V 16″ Cordless Lawn Mower w/ 2.0 Brushless Motor was a refreshingly simple affair. One of the most common pain points with new equipment is a complicated assembly process, but WORX has largely eliminated that here. As one user noted, “Out of the box it’s pretty much all assembled.” We found this to be true; the process involved simply unfolding the handle and locking it into place. However, we must agree with the user feedback regarding the instruction manual—it’s sparse and relies on small, black-and-white diagrams that can be more confusing than helpful. Thankfully, the machine’s design is intuitive enough that we figured it out quickly without much frustration. The first thing that struck us was its weight. At just under 34 pounds, it feels incredibly light and manageable. Lifting it out of the box was a one-person job, a stark contrast to the hulking gas mowers of the past. The high-strength polymer deck feels robust and durable, not at all cheap or flimsy. Paired with the two included 20V 4.0Ah PowerShare Pro batteries and the dual charger, the entire package feels complete and well-thought-out, ready to tackle a small yard right away. This mower’s initial feel inspires confidence in its ability to be both nimble and effective.

Deep Dive: Analyzing the WORX WG737’s Real-World Performance

A mower’s true worth is proven on the lawn, not in the spec sheet. Over several weeks of testing on a typical quarter-acre suburban lot with varied grass conditions, we put the WORX Nitro 40V 16″ Cordless Lawn Mower w/ 2.0 Brushless Motor through its paces. We evaluated its core functions: raw cutting power, battery endurance and management, and the overall user experience from start to finish. Here’s our detailed breakdown.

Power and Cutting Performance: The Little Mower That Could

The moment you press the start button and engage the bail handle, the first thing you notice is the sound—or lack thereof. At a rated 96 dB, it’s a gentle hum compared to the roar of a gas engine. This was a key factor for one user who bought it to manage their tinnitus, a testament to its quiet performance. But don’t let the low noise fool you; the Brushless Motor 2.0 technology packs a serious punch. On our first pass through moderately tall, dry grass, the mower glided through without any hesitation, leaving a clean, even cut. The specialty mulch blade did an excellent job, chopping clippings into fine bits that disappeared back into the lawn.

Where the WORX Nitro 40V 16″ Cordless Lawn Mower w/ 2.0 Brushless Motor truly impressed us was in tougher conditions. We found a patch of overgrown, thick weeds, similar to what one user described as “weeds that were at least 20 inches and much thicker than grass.” Like them, we were floored. The mower’s Intellicut technology was audible and tangible; you could hear the motor spin up to a higher RPM as it encountered the dense growth, chewing through it without stalling. It’s a “beast,” as that user rightly called it. We also confirmed another user’s advice: “Don’t strain the mower on tall grass start high then adjust lower.” By setting the single-lever height adjustment to its highest setting (3.5 inches) for the first pass and then lowering it for a second, we achieved a perfect finish even on neglected areas. The bagging function also worked flawlessly, with the 1.1-bushel bag filling up efficiently thanks to the blade’s excellent lift. For a 16-inch mower, its power-to-weight ratio is simply outstanding.

Battery Life and Ecosystem: Managing Expectations

Battery performance is the make-or-break feature for any cordless tool, and it’s where we saw the most varied user feedback. WORX claims this mower can handle up to 1/4 acre on a single charge of the dual 4.0Ah batteries. In our testing, we found this to be achievable, but with a major caveat: conditions must be ideal. On a well-maintained lawn with dry, moderately tall grass, we finished our slightly-less-than-a-quarter-acre plot with one bar of battery life remaining, just as one happy customer reported. This is where the Intellicut feature shines, conserving power when the load is light.

However, when we tasked it with that overgrown, weedy section, the batteries drained significantly faster as the motor worked overtime. This aligns with reports from users who experienced disappointing battery life. One user noted it would shut down randomly, and the batteries were hot to the touch afterward. We also experienced the batteries getting quite warm under heavy load, which is typical for lithium-ion packs being pushed to their limit. The included 2A dual charger is also a point of contention. It’s functional, but as one user stated, “the batteries take a ridiculously long time to charge.” A full recharge from empty took us several hours. The takeaway here is one of managing expectations. If you mow regularly and keep your grass under control, you’ll likely be very satisfied. If you often let your lawn become a jungle, you might need a second set of batteries or need to split your mowing into two sessions. The tremendous value of the PowerShare system cannot be overstated; owning these batteries unlocks access to over 140 other WORX tools, creating a powerful and versatile ecosystem for your home and garden.

Ergonomics and Usability: A Joy to Push and Store

This is where the WORX Nitro 40V 16″ Cordless Lawn Mower w/ 2.0 Brushless Motor truly runs circles around its heavier competition. At 33.76 pounds, it’s a featherweight. One user with physical limitations said it was “incredibly easy to operate,” and we wholeheartedly agree. Pushing this mower feels more like guiding a vacuum cleaner than doing yard work. Weaving around landscaping, making tight turns, and navigating slopes was effortless. The compact 16-inch deck, while requiring more passes on open ground, is a huge asset in complex yards with lots of obstacles. The simple push-button start and single-lever height adjustment, which moves cleanly through its 6 positions, make operation dead simple.

Storage is another huge win. The handle folds down completely in seconds, allowing the mower to be stored vertically against a wall or horizontally on a shelf, taking up minimal garage space. This compactness is a feature buyers specifically sought out and praised. However, our long-term durability assessment raises some of the same concerns a few users pointed out. The foam rubber handle grip, while comfortable, showed signs of potential wear. One user reported it cracking after only five uses, and another mentioned it tore after a month. We also read isolated but concerning reports about more significant build quality issues, such as wheels becoming loose or plastic safety components breaking. While our test unit felt solid, these user reports suggest that while the core components (motor, deck, batteries) are robust, some of the peripheral parts may be a weak point over time. Despite this, the overall ease of use makes it a top contender for those prioritizing a lightweight and hassle-free experience, and its user-friendly design is a major selling point.

What Other Users Are Saying

After compiling our own findings, we dug deep into user feedback to get a broader perspective. The consensus is overwhelmingly positive, especially regarding the mower’s core strengths. Users consistently praise how lightweight and easy it is to push, with one person calling it “perfect for mowing the ditch lines next to the highway” where their riding mower couldn’t go. The surprisingly potent cutting power is another common theme, with many, like us, being “wowed” and impressed that it’s “almost as powerful as my old gas mower.” The quiet operation is a universally loved feature.

However, the critique is just as consistent in a few key areas. The most common complaint is the confusing, minimalist instruction manual, which several users compared unfavorably to IKEA’s. Battery life is the most polarizing topic; while many find it sufficient for their 1/4-acre lots, an equal number report it runs out before they can finish, especially in tougher conditions. A few users also raised valid concerns about long-term durability. One noted, “the foam rubber is cracking,” after just a few mows. More serious reports mentioned a “plastic safety bar” breaking or wheels becoming wobbly, pointing to potential quality control issues on certain units. These mixed reviews paint a clear picture: it’s a fantastic performer for its intended use case, but may have some trade-offs in battery endurance under heavy load and the longevity of some non-critical parts.

How Does the WORX Nitro Mower Compare to the Alternatives?

The WORX Nitro 40V 16″ Cordless Lawn Mower w/ 2.0 Brushless Motor occupies a specific niche focused on lightweight maneuverability. But how does it fare against other options? We looked at three distinct competitors to help you decide.

1. Wild Badger Power 18″ Cordless Lawn Mower

The Wild Badger Power mower is a very direct competitor to the WORX Nitro. It operates on the same 40V battery platform and features a brushless motor. The most significant difference is its slightly wider 18-inch cutting deck. This two-inch advantage means fewer passes and slightly faster mowing times on open, straight sections of lawn. However, that extra width and likely heavier build may come at the cost of the supreme nimbleness that defines the WORX model. For a user with a simple, rectangular yard who wants to finish a bit quicker, the Wild Badger is a compelling alternative. Those with intricate landscaping or a need for the absolute lightest machine will likely prefer the WORX.

2. Greenworks 80V 21″ Brushless Push Lawn Mower 4.0Ah

The Greenworks 80V model represents a significant step up in both power and size. Its 80V platform delivers substantially more torque, making it better suited for tackling very thick, dense, or wet grass without bogging down. The 21-inch steel deck is built for durability and covers a much larger area with each pass, making it a far better choice for homeowners with lawns approaching the half-acre mark. This power and size come with trade-offs: it is significantly heavier than the WORX mower and less maneuverable in tight spaces. This is the mower for someone who prioritizes raw power and efficiency on a larger property over the lightweight agility of the WORX.

3. PowerSmart 21 in. Gas Lawn Mower

For those not yet sold on the battery-powered revolution, the PowerSmart 21-inch gas mower is the traditionalist’s choice. Its 144cc gas engine provides undeniable power and, more importantly, unlimited runtime—as long as you have a can of gasoline, you can keep mowing. This makes it suitable for very large properties or for clearing severely overgrown areas where battery life would be a constant concern. The trade-offs are all the things the WORX mower solves: it’s loud, produces fumes, requires regular maintenance (oil, spark plugs, fuel filters), and is much heavier and harder to start. This is for the user who needs maximum power and runtime above all other conveniences.

The Final Verdict: Is the WORX Nitro 40V 16″ Cordless Mower for You?

After extensive hands-on testing and analysis, our conclusion is clear: the WORX Nitro 40V 16″ Cordless Lawn Mower w/ 2.0 Brushless Motor is a phenomenal machine for its target audience. If you have a lawn of a quarter-acre or less and your top priorities are light weight, easy maneuverability, quiet operation, and minimal maintenance, this mower is an absolute triumph. Its power is genuinely surprising, and its ability to tear through tough spots with its Intellicut technology is deeply impressive for such a compact unit. It transforms mowing from a noisy, strenuous chore into a quick and almost pleasant task.

That said, it’s not without its compromises. Homeowners with lawns that consistently grow thick and tall, or those who often mow damp grass, may find the battery life falls short of the 1/4-acre claim. While the core of the machine is solid, be prepared for potential long-term wear on cosmetic components like the handle grip. For the right user, however, these are minor trade-offs for the immense convenience it offers. If you’re ready to ditch the gas can and pull-cord for good and want a nimble, effective tool for your small to mid-sized yard, we can wholeheartedly recommend it. You can check the latest price and see its full feature set right here.