Greenworks 40V 16" Cordless Lawn Mower, Ultra-Light Push Mower with 4.0Ah Battery & Charger

Small, simple, and quiet—that’s how I’d sum up my time with the Greenworks 16-inch mower. It’s aimed squarely at small to medium suburban lawns and folks who value ease of use over bells and whistles. After a season of regular mowing, I’ve come to appreciate its strengths and understand its limits.

Setup and first impressions

Out of the box, setup was quick. The battery had enough charge for a short test cut while the fast charger got to work. The push-button start is immediate and satisfying—no cords to pull, no priming, no fuss. The mower itself is genuinely lightweight, which matters more than I expected. It’s easy to carry up a step, steer around tight landscaping, and park in a small corner of the garage. The 16-inch deck is compact, which helps with maneuvering but, naturally, means more passes on larger lawns.

The height adjustment is a single lever controlling all four wheels, with clear detents across five positions (roughly 1.25 to 3.375 inches). The range covers typical cool-season mowing heights for most of spring and fall. If you prefer to keep turf very tall in summer (near 4 inches), you’ll find the top end a bit conservative. For most weekly cuts, I settled into the second-highest setting.

Cut quality and performance

In maintained grass, this mower cuts cleanly edge-to-edge. I spent most of my time mulching, and it left a tidy finish with no apparent clumps when the lawn wasn’t too wet. The narrow deck does a nice job along beds and curved borders; fewer scalps than I get with heavier, wider mowers. It tracks predictably and feels balanced, so you can steer with one hand to skirt around stepping stones or swing around a tight radius.

When I asked more of it—taller growth or damp patches—the motor kept up respectably, but there are limits. In thick, week-and-a-half growth, I found it best to raise the deck for an initial pass, then drop one notch for a cleanup pass. Pushing it too hard in heavy, wet tufts can bog the blade and, on one occasion, tripped the overload protection. Letting the deck clear and resuming solved it, but it’s a reminder that a light, 16-inch, 40V mower is happiest on a regular mowing schedule.

Bagging is straightforward. The rear bag seats securely and fills evenly. On a fast-growing spring lawn, it fills quickly (16 inches of intake means smaller bagging volume per pass), so expect more frequent emptying if you’re catching clippings. Mulching is the more “set it and forget it” mode here—the mower produces fine clippings when grass height is controlled.

Battery life and charging

Greenworks includes a 4.0Ah battery and a fast charger. The stated 35 minutes of runtime lined up with my use. In dry, weekly growth on mostly flat turf, I routinely finished about 3,500–4,000 square feet with a bar or so left on the battery; thicker grass or more hills consumed closer to the full charge. Recharge time was around two hours from low. If you’re maintaining a larger property or you sometimes skip a week, a second battery is the difference between stopping to recharge and rolling straight through.

The reality of a 16-inch deck is worth highlighting. Even if the battery lasts, you’re making more passes than a 20–21-inch mower. On a true half acre of mowable turf, you’ll be out there a while. For townhome lots, small suburban yards, or detailed spaces with landscaping, the smaller deck is more feature than bug. For wide-open yards, I’d want more width and either a second battery or a larger pack.

Ergonomics and noise

This mower is easy to push. With no self-propel to add weight or complexity, the light chassis and smooth-rolling wheels make a noticeable difference, especially when you’re weaving between trees or backing out from under shrubs. The handle height feels natural and the controls are simple: a safety bar and a start button.

Noise is low enough to hold a normal conversation while mowing. Greenworks rates it under 75 dB, and that tracks with my experience. Early-morning or late-evening cuts won’t irritate neighbors, and you don’t walk away with ringing ears.

Maintenance and storage

There’s almost nothing to maintain beyond the blade. Keep it sharp, and this mower rewards you with clean cuts and efficient mulching. I make a habit of flipping it up (battery removed) after each mow to brush out the deck—this helps avoid buildup that can lead to clumping or reduced airflow. With no gas, oil, or filters, seasonal upkeep is minimal. The included three-year warranty on both tool and battery is a strong vote of confidence, and the battery’s compatibility with Greenworks’ wider 40V line is genuinely useful if you’re running a trimmer, blower, or other tools in the same ecosystem.

Storage is easy thanks to the compact footprint. The mower’s size is a boon if your shed or garage is already crowded; it tucks into a narrow spot without a fight.

Where it shines

• Small to medium lawns: It’s perfect for 3,000–6,000 square feet of mowable area, especially with obstacles and narrow passages.
• Frequent maintenance: On a weekly schedule, it delivers a tidy, consistent cut without drama.
• Ease of use: Push-button start, single-lever height adjustment, and light weight make mowing accessible for users who don’t want to wrestle a heavier gas unit.
• Quiet neighborhoods and HOA constraints: The subdued sound level and zero emissions at the point of use are noticeable quality-of-life improvements.
• Tool ecosystem: If you already own 40V Greenworks tools, battery sharing simplifies yard work days.

What could be better

• Deck width: The 16-inch deck keeps things nimble but extends mowing time on larger lawns. If you’re near a half acre of turf, consider a wider deck.
• Max cutting height: Topping out around 3.375 inches, the mower doesn’t quite reach the extra-tall settings some homeowners prefer during summer stress.
• Bag capacity per pass: Expect frequent emptying in bagging mode during peak growth, simply due to the narrow intake.
• Overgrowth tolerance: It will handle a skipped mow, but you’ll often need a higher first pass and possibly a second pass for best results.

Practical tips for best results

• Mow before the lawn gets out of hand—weekly cuts keep the blade spinning easily and improve mulching.
• If grass is tall or damp, start at a higher height setting and step down.
• Keep the blade sharp; it makes a big difference in runtime and cut quality.
• Clear the deck after mowing to maintain airflow and avoid clumping on the next cut.
• Consider a second 4.0Ah battery if your lawn regularly takes you past 30–35 minutes.

Recommendation

I recommend the Greenworks 16-inch mower for homeowners with small to medium lawns who value simplicity, low noise, and minimal maintenance. It excels at routine, weekly mowing, is genuinely easy to maneuver, and keeps the whole experience low-effort—from the push-button start to the quick, single-lever height changes. The included 4.0Ah battery and fast charger are sufficient for typical suburban lots, and the two-hour recharge plus battery sharing with other 40V tools adds real convenience.

It’s not the right choice if you have a sprawling, open yard or if you routinely let grass get tall and heavy; a wider deck and potentially higher-voltage system will serve you better there. But for the majority of modest lawns, this compact, quiet mower strikes a practical balance of capability and comfort at a fair price—and it makes weekly mowing feel like less of a chore.