With modern self-propelled or robotic lithium-ion battery-powered lawnmowers, homeowners and businesses have myriad options for getting a smoothly cut, velvety emerald lawn. Two choices include 40-volt mowers from the Kobalt brand and 80-volt mowers produced by GreenWorks. Both mowers harness electric power to get the job done without the foul-smelling exhaust fumes of gasoline mowers.
Kobalt is the tool and power tool house brand of the Lowe’s home improvement chain. Several companies build the Kobalt line for Lowe’s, including Chevron and Rexon Industrial of Taiwan. Lowe’s sells the Kobalt line as its highest quality tools and mowers, above the Project Source and Blue Hawk brands. GreenWorks makes affordable lawnmowers that still offer plenty of performance with an 80-volt battery as the power source. Here’s how Kobalt 40V Mower Vs Greenworks 80V Mower measure up against each other.
Kobalt 40V Mower Vs Greenworks 80V Mower: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Kobalt Gen4 40-Volt Mower | GreenWorks Pro 80-Volt Mower | |
| Price | $429 | $550 |
| Mowing width | 20 inches | 21 inches |
| Runtime (full charge) | 46 minutes | 45 minutes |
| Accessories | Side discharge, bagging, mulching | Side discharge, bagging, mulching |
| Front wheels | 7 inches | 8 inches |
| Rear wheels | 9 inches | 10 inches |
| Height adjustments | 6 | 7 |
| Variable speed | Yes | Yes |
| Folds for storage | Yes | Yes |
Kobalt 40V Mower Vs Greenworks 80V Mower: 5 Must-Know Facts
- Both lawnmowers use rear-wheel drive self-propulsion.
- The Kobalt Gen4 cuts a 20-inch swatch, and the GreenWorks Pro cuts 21 inches.
- Battery runtime is 46 minutes for the Kobalt and 45 minutes for the GreenWorks.
- Kobalt 40V and Greenworks 80V mowers run on lithium-ion batteries and include a charger.
- Both mowers include attachments for mulching, side discharge, and bagging of grass clippings.
- Up to 40 minutes runtime per charge.
- Mulch, rear bag, and side discharge grass.
- Mows up to 0.5 acres.
- 7-position single lever.
Kobalt Gen4 40-Volt Mower vs GreenWorks 80-Volt Mower: What’s the Difference?
Both are cordless, self-propelled mowers. The two machines cut similar swaths through the grass, and neither is robotic, requiring human guidance (though not pushing). Though color does not impact performance, each brand is instantly identifiable by its tint matching its name. The Kobalt Gen4 40-volt boasts a cobalt blue color, while the GreenWorks 80-volt sports large amounts of pale, fresh green.
Both mowers draw on 100% electric power, eliminating the need for gasoline or resulting gas fumes. They trundle along under their power, making them well-suited to all users. Homeowners with little body strength or tired after a long day’s work must do no more than guide the mower back and forth over their lawn.
Price
The MSRP for the Kobalt Gen4 40-volt lawnmower is $429 before any discounts or savings. This price includes a single 6.0-Ah 40-volt lithium-ion battery and a battery charger. The owner can buy extra batteries separately, with these available under the manufacturer item number #380990. For this price, the mower comes with a 3-in-1 mulching, bagging, and side discharge kit.
The GreenWorks Pro 80-volt is priced much higher at $550 MSRP. Like the Kobalt, it has a single battery (4.0-Ah, 80-volt) and a charger. It also includes the attachments needed to set it up for side discharge, bagging, or mulching. While priced higher, the GreenWorks Pro is also a more powerful mower. It also includes a few extra features like the potentially power-saving Smartcut technology.
Power
Kobalt builds tools with 20-volt, 40-volt, and 80-volt batteries, and the Kobalt Gen4 20-inch mower falls into the middle range. A full charge should be enough for a maximum of 46 minutes of operation. The company claims this is enough runtime to cut approximately half an acre of lawn. The Kobalt’s battery is usable with over 45 other outdoor power tools in the “Kobalt 40V Family,” including leaf blowers, trimmers, and more.
The GreenWorks Pro’s 80-volt battery can also power a whole lineup of GreenWorks’ other tools. The battery fits into over 50 of GreenWorks’ outdoor products, powering everything from trimmers and leaf blowers to chainsaws and garden tillers. The included fast charger charges this 5.0-Ah lithium-ion battery in 30 minutes, while a fully-charged battery supplies roughly 45 minutes of runtime.
Kobalt 40V Lawnmower
The Kobalt 40 V cuts a 20-inch stripe of lawn with each pass, matching the width of most other mowers. Kobalt built its 40-volt lawnmower with a brushless motor, extending motor life and delivering more power to the cutting blades. The rugged construction continues with a beefy steel mower deck able to withstand years of use.
Users start the Kobalt Gen4 lawnmower with a straightforward push button. The mower propels itself using rear-wheel drive, requiring the operator to do no more than steer. The user can adjust the speed of the powered rear wheels from a crawl to faster mowing. Slow speeds can be used to chew through long, thick grass. Faster speeds enable a quick touch-up on an already mowed lawn.
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Besides the variable speed control, the operator can choose from one of six deck heights. A single lever adjusts the mowing height quickly and easily. The minimum cutting height is 1.25 inches, while the mower rides on 7-inch front wheels and 9-inch rear wheels.
The user chooses from one of three mowing setups. The Kobalt Gen4 40-volt can be set to mulch grass, chopping it fine to fall between the blades and nourishing the roots. There is also a choice of a rear discharge bagging attachment and a side discharge spout. Kobalt includes panels in the package to close off the attachment opening that isn’t currently in use. When the user finishes with the unit, the handle folds telescopically to make the lawnmower more compact for storage.
GreenWorks Pro 80-volt 21-inch Lawnmower
The GreenWorks Pro 80-volt lawnmower cuts a slightly wider swath than the Kobalt Gen4 at 21 inches. The difference likely isn’t enough to matter in most cases, however. Once again, a brushless motor drives the GreenWorks Pro, developing plenty of torque and boosting the product’s lifespan. The company built the deck from steel to keep the mower rigid and make it stand up to more accidental dings, plus wear and tear over time.
A push-button starter makes yanking on a gasoline mower’s rope starter a memory of the distant past. The user picks from one of seven adjustable heights, but the GreenWorks Pro lawnmower has an extra trick up its sleeve. Its onboard electronics include a sensor for its Smartcut technology. Smartcut detects the length of grass being cut and automatically adjusts the power fed to the blades. This means a light touch-up trim will use hardly any power. But the GreenWorks Pro will put high energy into effectively chopping through dense, long grass.
©yackers1/Shutterstock.com
Like its Kobalt competitor, the GreenWorks 80-volt mower propels itself with rear-wheel drive. Its 8-inch front wheels and 10-inch rear wheels are a little bigger, making it slightly better on bumpy ground. It can readily climb a 20° slope using only its power and no extra pushing from the user. When the mowing job is complete, the lawnmower features a folding handle for “vertical storage.” The company says it occupies 70% less space in a garage or shed.
- Tool only (does not come with a battery)
- Cordless
- Brushless
- Self-Propelled
- 21-inch deck
Kobalt 40V Mower Vs Greenworks 80V Mower: Which One Is Better?
The Kobalt 40V and the GreenWorks Pro 80 mowers are well-made, effective battery lawnmowers. The two self-propelled garden tools have almost identical performance, including adjustability, battery runtime, mowing width, and additional features. In the final analysis, Kobalt wins on affordability, saving slightly more than a hundred dollars. While the GreenWorks costs more, it is more powerful and includes the Smartcut feature. Its 80-volt battery is also compatible with higher-powered outdoor tools, such as GreenWorks chainsaws. The Kobalt is a good choice for thrifty buyers, while the GreenWorks offers slightly more functionality and versatility at a higher price.
Kobalt 40V Mower and Greenworks 80V Mower: Technology Updates
Both the Kobalt 40V and Greenworks 80V mowers recently received technology updates:
Kobalt 40V:
- “Smart Mowing” feature uses GPS to map and mow your lawn in straight lines.
- Support for the new Kobalt Link app for smartphone control.
Greenworks 80V:
- “Power Boost” feature temporarily increases the mower’s power for tough mowing.
- Support for the new Greenworks Connect app for smartphone control.
Both mowers have also received bug fixes and performance improvements.
Kobalt 40V Mower and Greenworks 80V Mower: What’s Next
Future technology updates for Kobalt 40V and Greenworks 80V mowers may include:
- Support for new smart home platforms: Integration with Amazon Alexa or Google Home for voice control.
- Improved connectivity: Transition to Wi-Fi for extended control range and easier software updates.
- New safety features: Addition of a perimeter wire to restrict mowing in specific areas.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©yackers1/Shutterstock.com.
