Cordless lawnmowers can help you keep your lawn pristine without toxic fumes. Power is critical when choosing such a tool. The battery pack affects the mowing performance and runtime. Yet a larger battery isn’t always better. A 40V mower might be perfect for a small yard and save you some bucks. This rundown between the Black & Decker 40V mower vs. Worx 40V cordless mower might help you find the best battery lawnmower for your property.
Black & Decker 40V Mower Vs. Worx 40V Cordless Mower: Side-by-Side Comparison
Black & Decker 40V Mower | Worx 40V Cordless Mower | |
---|---|---|
Best for | Yards up to ¼ acres; residential use | Yards up to ½ acres; residential and commercial use |
Operation mode | Push | Push or self-propelled |
Cutting width | 16”, 20” | 14”, 17”, 20”, 21” |
Cutting height settings | 6 to 7 | 6 to 7 |
Cutting heights | 1-1/2” – 4” | 1-1/2” – 3-1/2” or 1-3/5” – 4” |
Waste management | Mulch, bagging, rear discharge | Mulch, side discharge; bagging available on some models |
Battery | 2 x 40V 2.0Ah | 2 x 20V 4.0Ah; 2 x 20V 5.0Ah; 4 x 20V 4.0 Ah |
Runtime | Up to 40 minutes | Up to 70 minutes |
Motor type | Brushless | Brushless |
Material | ABS plastic | ABS plastic or alloy steel |
Price | $329.99 – $349.00 | $218.26 – $529.99 |
Black & Decker 40V Mower Vs. Worx 40V Cordless Mower: What’s the Difference?
Maryland-based Black & Decker is the American symbol of power tools and hardware equipment. The brand’s residential line of gardening and lawn care tools is geared toward homeowners on a budget, but the equipment is durable and reliable. These features appeal to folks who want to save a buck, but you’ll have to settle for a limited choice. Black & Decker’s 40V mower lineup comprises two push models, with unique flaws and strengths.
Worx isn’t as old as Black & Decker and isn’t American, either. The brand name, owned by Chinese manufacturer Positec Tool Corporation, encompasses a variety of gardening and lawn equipment tools. The 40V mower lineup features push and self-propelled models offered in various sizes and with different battery packs. Some options are ideal for mid-sized yards up to half an acre. The smaller mowers from the brand are perfect for homeowners and residential use. However, a larger, self-propelled option addresses those with more extensive lawns or professionals.
- Single-level cut height adjustment
- Foldable handle for compact storage
- Mulch, bag, or discharge modes
- Best for mowing lawns upto 1/4 an acre
- 3-year limited warranty
Deck Size and Cutting
Matching the cutting deck to the size and layout of your outdoor space is crucial. Too small of a mower will keep you on the lawn for ages. A larger cutting swath can help you complete the task faster, but it might not fit in narrower spaces.
A 14-inch mower is typically perfect for lawns up to 5,500 square feet or long, narrow yards. Worx offers its 40V mower in a 14-inch deck size with a 13-inch cutting swath, but Black & Decker’s smallest size is 16 inches.
Mowers in the 16 to 20-inch category suit yards up to 10,000 square feet – or about a quart of an acre. However, not all models are suitable for lawns this size. Push models are better for smaller lawns, no larger than 6,500 square feet. If your lawn is larger than this, a self-propelled mower can take some of the burden off you. Black & Decker’s 40V mowers are not self-propelled. Once again, Worx saves the day with its self-propelled 20-inch mower.
Worx also proposes a commercial-grade 40V mower with a 21-inch deck. This model is ideal for lawns up to half an acre. Cutting heights vary in Worx mowers from 1-1/2 to 3-1/2 inches in the push models to 1-3/5 to 4 inches in the self-propelled mowers. Both Black & Decker mowers feature cutting height adjustments between 1-1/2 and 4 inches.
Battery Pack and Runtime
The battery pack is one of the most important aspects of a cordless mower. Both Black & Decker and Worx mowers come with 40-volt battery packs, but they go differently about it. Black & Decker uses 40V Max batteries. The brand includes two batteries in the box of each mower, but you can only use one at a time. A spare battery increases the runtime, but the energy charged (amp hours) is relatively low – 2.0Ah. You’ll only get about 20 minutes of runtime per charge, or 40 minutes when using both batteries.
Worx – like all power tool brands, including Black & Decker – uses interchangeable mower batteries. However, to ensure compatibility with all other tools in the ecosystem, the Worx 40V mowers feature a double slot that accommodates two 20V batteries at a time. These batteries have 4.0Ah of energy charge and deliver an extended runtime compared to Black & Decker.
Worx batteries deliver up to 35 minutes on a single charge despite their lower voltage. However, some 40V mowers from the brand come with sets of four 20V 5.0Ah batteries and a dual charger. This means you can replace the drained batteries mid-way through the job for a total runtime of up to 70 minutes.
Maneuverability
Cordless mowers are often assumed to be self-propelled. However, this isn’t always true. Entry-level battery-powered mowers are simple, push-behind machines that rely on you for propulsion. This is the case for both Black & Decker models, and you should consider the weight and overall maneuverability before buying – significantly if your terrain is sloped.
The brand’s mowers are made of ABS plastic to keep weight low. The smaller, 16-inch size weighs 38 pounds and is relatively easy to maneuver around obstacles and on inclines. The larger, 20-inch mower is heftier at 47 pounds but still easy to push and work.
Worx’s push-behind mowers vary in size from 14 to 17 inches. They are slightly smaller than Black & Decker’s but lighter, at 29.1 and 38.1 pounds, respectively. The 20 and 21-inch variants are both made of metal and a lot heavier, but also self-propelled. These mowers are better choices for more extensive lawns and could suit owners who would instead control the trajectory than push the machine themselves.
Build Quality
Black & Decker is one of the most popular brands of entry-level landscaping equipment. However, even if the tools are reliable, they are not the most durable. The lawnmowers from the brand are made of ABS plastic. While this is a resilient material, it can become brittle or crack with time. The cutting deck isn’t as resistant as metal or ballistic plastic.
Worx’s entry-level line of 40V mowers also features a plastic construction. Yet, the quality is typically superior to Black & Decker. The larger mowers – 20 and 21 inches – come with metal cutting decks and are built to last.
This feature makes Worx top-of-the-line mowers suitable for light commercial or heavy-duty residential applications. Black and Decker’s 40V mowers suit light to medium-duty residential applications.
Waste Management
Cutting the grass is only part of the mowing process. You must also decide what to do with the clippings. Most lawn owners prefer to turn them into mulch to inhibit weed growth and naturally bring nutrients back into the soil.
Black & Decker and Worx 40V mowers can mulch grass blades, but they go about it differently. Black & Decker has a single-blade system that can shred grass but doesn’t turn it into excellent mulch. Worx features a proprietary system called Nutricut dual-stage mulching. The mower shreds the clippings two times, pulverizing them into a fine powder.
Bagging is another popular waste management option, and it is available from both Worx and Black & Decker. The latter also allows you to dispose of the grass clippings through a side discharge system. This system throws the cut grass blades back onto the lawn, so you can gather them with a rake and throw them into the compost pile.
The larger Worx 40V mowers feature all three waste management systems as well. However, the 14 and 17-inch mowers only feature mulching and bagging, with no discharge whatsoever.
Price
Beyond specs and capabilities, the deciding factor for most people is the price. Black & Decker and Worx are similarly priced, although the former is cheaper. However, if you want one of the higher-end options from Worx, you’ll have to drop some cash.
The 20-inch mower with a metal deck can set you back $419,99. That isn’t excessive, considering that Black & Decker’s 20-inch mower – which features a plastic deck – costs $349. However, there is a wider gap between Black & Decker and Worx if you fancy the larger 21-inch model. In this case, you can expect to spend as much as $529.99.
Black & Decker 40V Mower Vs. Worx 40V Cordless Mower: 7 Must-Known Facts
- Black & Decker’s 40V mower lineup includes a 16-inch model ideal for yards up to 5,500 square feet and a 20-inch variant suitable for lawns up to a quarter of an acre.
- Both mowers come with two 40V 2.0Ah batteries for a total runtime of up to 40 minutes.
- Black & Decker mowers are suitable for all grass types as they offer more cutting height options.
- The Black & Decker mowers are made of resilient and durable ABS plastic
- Worx’s 40V mower lineup comprises push and self-propelled options ranging in size from 14 to 21 inches, suitable for lawns up to half an acre.
- All Worx 40V mowers feature a dual-slot battery system with 20V batteries (4.0Ah and 5.0Ah options available). Depending on the battery pack, you can get up to 70 minutes of runtime.
- The larger Worx mowers feature metal rather than plastic decks. They are more durable and suitable for light commercial applications.
Black & Decker 40V Mower Vs. Worx 40V Cordless Mower: Which One Is Better? Which One Should You Buy?
Worx 40V cordless mower is superior to Black & Decker in almost every way. The main advantage is the presence of two 20V 4.0Ah or 5.0Ah batteries that increase the runtime. These batteries are compatible with Worx’s ecosystem’s 20V and 40V power tools. While the smaller models don’t allow you to discharge the clippings, they mulch grass much better than Black & Decker. You also get more cutting height adjustments and the freedom to choose between push and self-propelled models. Moreover, the smallest 14-inch model is cheaper than Black & Decker.
Black & Decker’s main advantage is the cutting deck design. You can mow the grass closer to the lawn’s edges, reducing the need for ulterior trimming. However, both 40V mowers are push models and heavier than Worx. Maneuverability is slightly reduced, and so is durability – the plastic parts are less resistant compared to Worx.
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