Key Points
- Makita and Greenworks are two popular brands that offer cordless lawnmowers as green alternatives to gas-powered mowers.
- Makita’s 36V mower has a wider range of cutting height settings and a larger cutting swath compared to Greenworks’ 40V mower.
- Both Makita and Greenworks mowers have reliable batteries that provide sufficient runtime for mid-sized lawns.
- Makita mowers have a rear discharge chute, while Greenworks mowers have a side discharge.
- Makita mowers are better for larger lawns and heavy-duty applications, while Greenworks mowers are more budget-friendly and suitable for narrow yards.
Whether you want to go green or live in a state that has banned gas-powered mowers, a cordless lawn mower is your best bet if you don’t want to depend on an electric cord.
To keep up with the times, companies like Makita have introduced a range of cordless lawnmowers in their lineups. Other brands, such as Greenworks, emerged as green alternatives to gas-powered lawn tools right from the start. But who makes the best cordless lawnmower, Greenworks or Makita?
Find out in this comparison between the Makita 36V cordless mower and the Greenworks 40V cordless mower.
Let’s get to it!
Makita 36V Cordless Mower vs. Greenworks 40V Cordless Mower: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Makita 36V Cordless Mower | Greenworks 40V Cordless Mower | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for… | Yards up to 3/4 acres | Yards up to 1/2 acres |
| Sizes | 17”, 18”, 21” | 14”, 16”, 17”, 19”, 20”, 21” |
| Motor Type | Brushed, brushless | Brushless |
| Operation Mode | Push and self-propelled | Push and self-propelled |
| Battery | 2x18V, 4.0 Ah to 5.0 Ah | 1 x 40V, 2.0 Ah to 5.0 Ah |
| Runtime | Up to 40 minutes | Up to 45 minutes |
| Cutting Heights | 0.8125” – 4” | 1.375” to 3.75” |
| Cutting Height Settings | 10 to 13 | 5 to 7 |
| Waste Management | Mulch, bag, rear discharge | Mulch, bag, side discharge |
| Price Range | Around $349 to $770 | Around $230 to $530 |
- Variable speed setting of 1.5 to 3 MPH using a control on the handle
- 3-in-1 function that can mulch, bag, or discharge grass cuttings
- Commercial-grade steel deck with 21-inch cutting width
- Can mow up to 1/2 acre with four18V 5.0Ah batteries (included)
- Quiet Mode setting can reduce noise with constant speed at 2,300 RPM
- 40V battery and standard charger included
- Single-lever, 5-position height adjustment
- Mower offers 2-in-1 bagging and mulching capability
- Ultra-compact with the handle folded
Makita 36V Cordless Mower vs. Greenworks 40V Cordless Mower: What’s the Difference?
Founded in 1915 in Japan, Makita is a popular manufacturer of power tools and landscaping equipment. The company released its first cordless power tool in 1978, becoming one of the first brands to pass from gas and corded to battery-powered alternatives. Today, Makita has factories all over the world and is one of the leading brands in the residential and commercial lawnmower industry.
Originally developed in Sweden, Greenworks is a leading manufacturer of cordless lawnmowers. The brand is now owned by Chinese multinational Globe Holdings Ltd., but the design and development of each mower is Swedish. Most Greenworks mowers are developed for residential use, even though models with larger battery packs can provide more power and longer runtime.
Since both Makita and Greenworks develop reliable tools, it can be challenging to decide which one is right for you. Let’s break down the key differences between these two brands so that you can find the better one.
Cutting Settings
When choosing a lawnmower, the main factors to check are the cutting height and cutting height adjustments. The former tells you how low or high you can cut the turf. As a rule of thumb, most grass varieties require a cutting height between 1.5 and 2.5 inches during the growing season. However, there are some exceptions, such as the warm-season varieties, Bermudagrass and Zoysia.
These grasses usually thrive when cut shorter, typically at around one inch from the ground. If you have one of these grass types and want to follow the rules, the Makita 36V mower could be the right one for you.
This mower has a cutting height range between 0.8125 and 4 inches. Moreover, it has between 10 and 13 cutting height adjustments, depending on the model. With so many options, it is fairly easy to find the right cutting setting for your lawn.
The Greenworks 40V cordless mower has a smaller interval and fewer adjustments. You can set the height between 1.375 and 3.75 inches, depending on the model. The adjustments vary from five to seven, which basically means that you can’t micro-tune the height in the way you would on a Makita mower.
Cutting Swath
Another important thing to check is the cutting swath, as well as the width of the cutting deck. The former refers to the width of the grass patch a mower can cut in one pass. The cutting deck width refers to the width of the deck’s metal frame and is generally about one inch larger than the cutting swath.
While a larger cutting swath can help you finish the task in fewer passes, a large deck is not always better. For instance, a narrower mower is easier to maneuver in tight spaces and around trees, flowerbeds, and other obstacles.
If you want to have your pick, Greenworks might be the better choice. This brand offers its 40V mower in six cutting deck sizes between 14 and 21 inches. Makita’s 36V mowers only come in three sizes, with cutting swaths between 17 and 21 inches.
When choosing the right model for you, keep in mind that all Makita mowers have the cutting swath stated in the model’s name. The actual width of the cutting deck is about one inch larger than the indicated swath. Greenworks names its mowers based on the cutting deck width, which means that the cutting swath is about one inch smaller.
Runtime
The main downside of cordless lawnmowers is their limited runtime, but both the Makita and the Greenworks mowers come with reliable batteries that provide enough power to mow up to a mid-sized lawn per charge.
In Makita’s case, the manufacturer equips its cordless mowers with two 18V batteries. The company specifies the nominal voltage of the battery, which means you’ll get a total of 36 volts, just as advertised. This mower runs on both batteries, so it won’t start if only one battery is inserted. However, it uses interchangeable batteries with other 18V landscaping tools.
On a set of two batteries, the Makita 36V cordless mower delivers up to 40 minutes of runtime. Some self-propelled models designed for commercial use feature a four-battery bay that allows you to load two battery sets at a time. This configuration extends the runtime to up to 80 minutes — when the first battery set is drained, the mower switches to the charged set automatically.
Greenworks uses one 40V battery with a capacity of 2.0 to 5.0 amp-hours. Depending on capacity, you can expect up to 45 minutes of runtime per charge. However, the cutting performance isn’t that different compared to Makita. Despite the apparently higher-voltage battery, Greenworks specifies the total voltage the battery can output in power surge conditions. The nominal voltage is the same as Makita’s, 36 volts.
Like Makita, Greenworks uses interchangeable batteries within its ecosystem. However, if you don’t have a compatible tool and don’t want to invest in a new set of batteries, know that Makita’s batteries charge in about 15 to 45 minutes. Greenworks batteries charge a little slower, but you won’t have to wait for more than an hour.
©yackers1/Shutterstock.com
Waste Management
Grass clippings are the by-product of lawn mowing, but modern mowers let you choose what to do with them. Both the Makita and the Greenworks mowers allow you to bag the clippings (and dispose of them later), discharge them back onto the lawn, or turn them into mulch.
The primary difference between the two mowers is that Makita uses a rear discharge chute, whereas Greenworks uses a side discharge. If you have a standard lawn with few obstacles, the type of discharge doesn’t really matter. However, if you don’t want to throw the cuttings onto flowerbeds or fences when mowing around them, you should opt for a mower with rear discharge.
Maneuverability
Both Makita and Greenworks include several push and self-propelled models in their respective cordless mower lineups. They are all relatively easy to maneuver, but Makita wins this round with the excellent balance between weight and maneuverability ease.
Even though the Greenworks 40V mower is lighter and easier to push, the Makita 36V mower has an increased mowing performance thanks to its heavier deck, which pushes down on uneven patches of grass to cut all blades at the same height.
Price
Makita and Greenworks both manufacture a range of mowers in their 36V and 40V lineups, respectively. The price differences between the brands aren’t excessive, but the Makita mowers tend to be more expensive. Depending on the size and type (push or self-propelled), a Makita 36V cordless mower can set you back around $349 to $770. Greenworks manufactures smaller 40V mowers with starting prices of around $230. At the opposite end, the Greenworks 40V self-propelled 21-inch mower costs around $530.
Makita 36V Cordless Mower vs. Greenworks 40V Cordless Mower: 5 Must-Know Facts
- Makita manufactures a range of 36V mowers suitable for residential or commercial use. You can choose from push and self-propelled models.
- Greenworks also manufactures a range of push and self-propelled 40V mowers, most of them designed for residential use.
- The Makita 36V cordless mower uses two 18V batteries for a total of 36V. Some models have a 4-battery bay for extended runtime of up to 80 minutes per charge.
- The Greenworks 40V cordless mower uses one 40V battery with a runtime of up to 45 minutes per charge.
- Makita’s batteries charge faster than Greenworks, in about 15 to 45 minutes, depending on the amp-hour capacity.
- Variable speed setting of 1.5 to 3 MPH using a control on the handle
- 3-in-1 function that can mulch, bag, or discharge grass cuttings
- Commercial-grade steel deck with 21-inch cutting width
- Can mow up to 1/2 acre with four18V 5.0Ah batteries (included)
- Quiet Mode setting can reduce noise with constant speed at 2,300 RPM
- 40V battery and standard charger included
- Single-lever, 5-position height adjustment
- Mower offers 2-in-1 bagging and mulching capability
- Ultra-compact with the handle folded
Makita 36V Cordless Mower vs. Greenworks 40V Cordless Mower: Which One Is Better?
Both Makita and Greenworks manufacture reliable cordless mowers that deliver consistent performance and satisfactory runtime. While the choice often comes down to preference, the Makita 36V mower is a better option for larger lawns and heavy-duty applications.
From more cutting height settings to a heavier deck that delivers cleaner cuts and a runtime of up to 80 minutes, this mower has it all. Thanks to the rear discharge, the Makita 36V mower is also a better choice if your lawn has obstacles and you don’t want to discharge the clippings onto them.
The Greenworks 40V mower is more competitive when it comes to price, and it comes in cutting deck sizes under 17 inches. These factors make it a better choice for narrow yards and lawn owners on a budget.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©danymages/Shutterstock.com.
