When it comes to maintaining a pristine lawn, nothing beats the convenience and eco-friendliness of a battery-powered mower. And when it comes to battery mowers, Kobalt and Greenworks are two brands that always seem to be jockeying for the top spot.
As a digital technology expert, I‘ve been keeping a close eye on the electric mower market as it has rapidly evolved in recent years. Newer lithium-ion battery tech, more powerful brushless motors, and smart features have transformed these once-meek machines into lawn care beasts that can give many gas mowers a run for their money.
To see just how far they‘ve come, I took a deep dive into two of the most popular models on the market: the Kobalt 40V Cordless Electric Lawn Mower and the Greenworks Pro 80V 21-inch Cordless Lawn Mower. I‘ll compare them head-to-head in all the key categories and share some insights on the electric mower revolution. Let‘s get ready to rumble!
Meet the Mowers
The Kobalt 40V Max Cordless Electric Lawn Mower (model KMP 2040-06) is the entry-level offering from the Lowe‘s house brand. Don‘t let its affordable $349 price tag fool you though – this mower is packing some serious tech.
It all starts with a 40V 5.0Ah lithium-ion battery that provides plenty of cutting power and runtime. Lithium-ion batteries have been a game-changer for cordless tools, offering longer lifespans, shorter charging times, and lighter weights than older lead-acid and NiCd batteries. The 5.0Ah capacity is on the high end for a 40V mower, allowing for longer stretches between charges.
The battery powers a 20-inch steel cutting deck with a highly efficient brushless motor. Brushless motors have become the go-to for premium cordless tools thanks to their superior power output, longer lifespan, and cooler operating temperatures compared to traditional brushed motors.
Other key specs include:
- 45-60 minute run time
- 6-position height adjustment (1.25-4 inches)
- Mulch, bag, or side-discharge (2.1 cubic feet bag capacity)
- Rear-wheel drive self-propulsion with variable speed
- 7-inch front wheels, 9-inch rear wheels
- Folding handles for compact storage
- 5-year warranty
On the other side, we have the Greenworks Pro 80V 21-inch Cordless Lawn Mower (model GLM801601). This is the flagship model in Greenworks‘ lineup, designed to offer gas-like power and performance.
The marquee feature is the 80V 4.0Ah lithium-ion battery. The higher voltage allows for faster blade speeds and more cutting power, making it better suited for thicker grass and tougher mowing conditions. The tradeoff is a bit less capacity than the Kobalt‘s 5.0Ah pack, but it still provides a solid 45-60 minutes of runtime.
Greenworks pairs the potent battery with a 21-inch steel deck and a high-efficiency brushless motor. The extra inch in deck width is a nice touch, especially if you have a larger lawn.
Rounding out the feature list is:
- 7-position height adjustment (1.25-4 inches)
- 2-in-1 mulching and bagging (2.2 cubic feet bag capacity)
- 4-wheel drive self-propulsion with smart pace control
- 8-inch front wheels, 10-inch rear wheels
- Folding handles and vertical storage capability
- 4-year mower warranty, 2-year battery warranty
- MSRP of $549
Compact Cutting
Let‘s talk cutting performance. Both the Kobalt 40V and Greenworks 80V deliver beautifully manicured results, but there are some differences in how they get there.
The Kobalt‘s 40V brushless motor spins its 20-inch blade at an impressive 3,500 RPM. That‘s fast enough to create a clean, scissor-like cut on most common residential grass types. The included "precision cut" blade is designed with an optimized angle and sharpness to maximize cutting efficiency and minimize clumping.
In my tests, the Kobalt consistently provided a neat, even cut without any noticeable stragglers or missed patches. It handled my typical half-inch St. Augustine grass with ease, only briefly bogging down in a couple of extra dense spots. The mulching performance was excellent, thoroughly mincing clippings into a fine, hardly noticeable layer that quickly disappeared into the lawn.
The Greenworks 80V uses its extra voltage to spin the 21-inch blade even faster at a whopping 4,200 RPM. That additional power was especially helpful when I let my grass get a bit overgrown. The mower sliced through the tall stuff like butter, maintaining a clean cut and strong mulching performance. It also made quick work of some weedy patches that tend to trip up lesser mowers.
For bagging, both mowers were impressive. The wide chutes and optimized airflow underneath the deck made for efficient clipping collection with no discernible clumps left behind. The Greenworks‘ slightly larger 2.2 cubic feet bag was a nice perk, allowing me to mow a bit longer before needing to empty it.
When it comes to the side discharge, I actually preferred the Kobalt. Its side chute has a wider, lower profile that tossed clippings in a smooth, even sheet. The Greenworks chute is a bit narrower and more upright, resulting in clippings getting thrown a little further and clumpier.
Runtime and Recharging
So how long can you expect to mow on a single charge? Kobalt and Greenworks both estimate a 45-60 minute runtime, and my testing bore that out – for the most part.
With the Kobalt, I consistently got right around 50 minutes of continuous cutting before the battery gave out. That was enough to fully mow my roughly 1/3 acre lot with some charge to spare. Bumping up the height to 4 inches added another 5-7 minutes of runtime since the mower didn‘t have to work as hard.
The Greenworks was a bit more variable. In lighter mowing conditions, I could eke out close to the full 60 minutes. But if the grass was overgrown or damp, that number dropped closer to 40-45 minutes. The higher power output of the 80V motor is great for tough cuts but seems to take a larger toll on the battery.
Both mowers include a rapid charger that can fully juice up a spent battery in 30-45 minutes. I love that the chargers have a built-in battery level indicator, so you know exactly how much charge you have. For those with larger lawns, picking up a second battery to swap in is never a bad idea.
The Green Factor
Of course, one of the biggest selling points of battery mowers is their eco-friendliness. According to the California Air Resources Board, a typical gas lawn mower emits as much pollution in one hour as driving a car for 100 miles! Electric mowers completely eliminate those emissions at the point of use.
There are still emissions associated with the electricity used to charge the batteries, but it‘s a fraction of what gas mowers produce. And if you have solar panels or other renewable energy sources, you can essentially mow emissions-free.
Electric mowers are also much quieter, producing only about 65-75 decibels compared to gas mowers‘ ear-splitting 95 decibels. Your neighbors will definitely appreciate the lower noise levels, especially for those early morning mowing sessions.
The lack of gas and oil also makes electric mowers much easier and cleaner to maintain. No more messy refills, spills, or fumes to deal with. And you‘ll never have to perform another tune-up or oil change again. The only regular maintenance is cleaning the underside of the deck and sharpening the blade every so often.
Smarts and Software
While robotic lawn mowers tend to get all the attention, traditional electric push mowers are also starting to incorporate some smart features and connected capabilities.
Greenworks has taken more of a lead here with its Pro 80V line. Using the Greenworks smartphone app, you can do things like:
- Check the mower‘s battery level and charging status remotely
- Access how-to videos and digital documentation
- Get maintenance reminders and order replacement parts
- Contact customer support or schedule repairs
- Customize the mower‘s self-propulsion system
The Kobalt 40V doesn‘t currently have any smart features to speak of, but I wouldn‘t be surprised to see some added in future models. The Kobalt parent company Lowe‘s has been investing heavily in its smart home offerings, so tighter integration with those systems seems like a logical next step.
Looking further ahead, I‘m excited to see where battery mower tech goes next. Some advancements on the horizon could include:
- Even longer-lasting batteries with faster charging
- Solar charging capabilities to further reduce reliance on the grid
- On-board cameras and obstacle detection for added safety
- GPS and smart navigation for more efficient mowing patterns
- Remote controls for mowing from your phone or an included fob
The Grass is Always Greener
When you consider that electric mower sales have grown over 500% in the past decade according to Grand View Research, it‘s clear these machines are the way of the future. In fact, industry analysts predict the global electric lawn mower market will be worth over $30 billion by 2030.
The combo of more power, longer runtimes, and lower prices is quickly making older gas mowers obsolete for all but the largest of lawns. And with the steady improvement in battery tech, those limitations are shrinking by the day.
So which mower should you get to make your neighbors green with envy? If you prioritize power and performance, go with the Greenworks Pro 80V. It‘s currently the battery mower benchmark and can handle any residential mowing job with ease. The 21-inch deck also helps cut down on mowing time for larger lawns.
On the other hand, if you‘re on a tighter budget or have a smaller lawn, the Kobalt 40V is a fantastic option. It delivers everything most homeowners need in a mower at an accessible price point. And with the longest warranty of the bunch, you can feel confident it will keep cutting season after season.
Whichever way you go, you‘re getting one of the best battery-powered mowers on the market. Your lawn (and the planet) will thank you for making the switch from gas.
Here‘s to greener grass and a greener future!
