If you are tired of tripping over gas cans or fighting a heavy pull-cord while the neighbors watch, you are not alone. This Greenworks 48V model has earned a 4.2-star rating from over 2,200 owners who mostly just wanted something that didn’t take up half the garage or require a mechanic’s degree to start.
When looking at push lawn mowers, it is easy to get sucked into buying a massive, self-propelled commercial rig that weighs a ton. This 17-inch mower is the opposite; it uses a lightweight poly deck to keep the weight at just 42.5 pounds, making it easier to handle for a quick Saturday trim than those overpriced “pro” models.
Most people choose this unit because they have a standard suburban lot and just want to get the job done before soccer practice starts without smelling like exhaust for the rest of the day.
The Bottom Line
The Verdict: At roughly $239.99, this is a solid, middle-of-the-road choice that avoids the “premium tax” of higher-voltage systems while still outperforming the cheap corded versions. It is not a heavy-duty brush cutter, but it works well for what it is.
Ideal For: The homeowner with a smaller yard or a sloped front lawn who needs something light enough to push uphill without gasping for air.
The Tradeoff: The 17-inch cutting path is a bit narrow, so you will be making more passes than you would with a standard 21-inch gas mower.
The Storage & Setup Truth
Living with this mower is pretty quiet. Because it only weighs 42.5 pounds, you can actually hang it on a heavy-duty garage hook or tuck it into a corner behind the trash bins. The handle folds down reasonably well, though you have to manhandle it a bit since there isn’t a dedicated carrying handle on the body itself. The wheels are plastic but they roll fine on standard St. Augustine or Fescue.
- Setup Friction: Assembly is basic. You mostly just attach the handle and decide if you want the mulch plug or the bagger on. It takes about five minutes.
- Storage Footprint: It is compact enough that it won’t crowd out your car in a tight one-car garage.
- Authority Signal: Greenworks has been a category bestseller for years, and they back this with a 2-year warranty which is decent for electric outdoor gear.
Where Owners Feel the Relief
- The 45-minute runtime is exactly enough to finish a typical 1/4 acre lot on a single charge if you aren’t letting the grass get calf-high.
- Most reviews mention how nice it is to just push a button and start working immediately without checking the oil or buying Stabil.
Where It Might Annoy You
- The plastic deck can get scuffed up if you hit rocks, and the green finish shows dust and fingerprints pretty quickly.
- It is not a powerhouse for thick, wet grass; if you wait three weeks to mow, the motor might stall out in the heavy patches.
Handling the Routine Without the Drama
Anyway, most of the 2,200+ reviews focus on the fact that this thing just works when you need it to. One thing people notice after a month of ownership is that they actually enjoy mowing more because the noise level is so low. You can hear a podcast through basic earbuds while you work, which is a nice change of pace.
The mower uses two 24V batteries simultaneously to hit that 48V power mark. Using the 4.0Ah batteries provided, you get enough juice to handle the routine without the drama. If the grass is dry, it cuts clean. If the grass is damp, you might see some clumps, but that is standard for most walk behind lawn mowers in this price bracket.
The Practical Reality
- Daily Handling: It feels like pushing a slightly heavy vacuum cleaner. The handle knobs might loosen after a few months of vibration, so just give them a quick twist before you start.
- Ecosystem Value: Since these batteries work with over 200 other Greenworks tools, it makes sense if you already have their leaf blower or string trimmer in the shed.
- The Build: While it feels “plasticky” compared to an old steel deck mower, it is rust-resistant, which is a massive plus if you store your gear in a damp shed.
Numbers vs. Real Life
Here is how the technical stuff actually changes your Sunday afternoon. It is not about the peak voltage; it is about whether you get to go back inside before the sun gets too hot.
| The Spec | Real-World Consequence |
|---|---|
| 42.5 Pounds | Easy to maneuver around flower beds and won’t leave ruts in soft soil. |
| 45-Minute Runtime | Enough to finish the lawn while the baby is still napping. |
| 17-Inch Deck | Narrow enough to fit through small garden gates where wider mowers get stuck. |
Keeping It Headache-Free
Wipe down the underside of the deck once in a while. Grass tends to cake up around the mulch plug, and if it dries there, it makes the next mow less efficient. Also, the battery chargers are “rapid,” but they still take a couple of hours. A blunt tip to avoid regret: charge the batteries the night before. There is nothing more annoying than being ready to mow at 8 AM and realizing your batteries are sitting at one bar.
Don’t leave the batteries in the charger all winter or in the middle of a 100-degree garage. Bringing them inside the house will probably help them last a lot longer than the standard two-year cycle some owners report.
Who Should Still Look Elsewhere
Sometimes the smart buy is actually the bigger machine, depending on your specific dirt. Why the expensive stuff is often just extra weight for small lots, but some yards are just too much for a 17-inch blade.
- Greenworks 60V 21-Inch: This is for the heavy duty seeker. If you have a half-acre or thick, unruly weeds, the 60V brushless motor has way more torque.
- Greenworks 24V 13-Inch: This is for the ultra-budget seeker or someone who only has a tiny patch of grass in a townhome. It is basically a string trimmer with wheels.
The Smart Buy for Standard Homes
This Greenworks model is the safe bet for a normal home because it balances price and power without making things complicated. It is one of the more reliable push lawn mowers for people who value their time and their storage space more than having the most powerful engine on the block.
- Buy it if: You have a small to medium yard and want a lightweight machine that doesn’t require a gas station run.
- Skip it if: You have more than 1/3 of an acre or your grass is consistently thick enough to bog down a standard vacuum.
- The Payoff: You finish the yard in 30 minutes and can hang the mower up and be done while your neighbor is still trying to get his old gas mower to prime.
Greenworks 48V (24V x 2) 17" Cordless (Push) Lawn Mower (200+ Compatible Tools), (2) 4.0Ah Batteries and Dual Port Rapid Charger Included
- CORDLESS LAWN MOWER – Get more done, faster, with Greenworks electric lawn mowers. This 2 x 24V (48V) push mower provides up to 45 minutes of run-time with (2) fully charged 4.0Ah batteries (varies based on grass condition and operator technique).Mower storage temperature range - 32°F (0°C) - 113°F (45°C), Mower operation temperaturerange - 32°F (0°C) - 113°F (45°C).
- DURABLE / LIGHTWEIGHT 17” POLY DECK – 17 in. rust-resistant lightweight deck designed for easy maneuverability
- VERSATILE – Single lever, 5-position height adjustment for the best cut in all environments. The 2-in-1 design allows you to mulch, and rear bag grass clippings
- MAINTENANCE FREE – This push lawn mower is virtually maintenance free, with no gas, no oil, and no emissions. Push button start, quiet operation, and delivers gas-like performance
Common Owner Hesitations Answered
Is a 17-inch deck really enough?
For most suburban lots, yes. You might spend five extra minutes walking compared to a 21-inch mower, but the ease of turning around trees and corners usually makes up that time.
Will it handle tall weeds?
It can, but you have to go slow. If you try to sprint through 8-inch tall weeds, it will stall. It is a maintenance mower, not a brush hog.
How long do the batteries actually last?
Review synthesis shows most people get about 30 to 35 minutes of “real” mowing time. The 45-minute estimate is for light grass on a flat surface. If you are bagging or cutting thick grass, expect a little less.