Key Points
- Worx offers a range of sizes for their 40V cordless mower, including a 14-inch option, while Makita’s smallest cordless mower has a 17-inch cutting swath.
- Makita’s 36V mowers have a wider range of cutting heights and more cutting height settings compared to Worx’s 40V mowers.
- Worx’s 40V mower has a longer runtime of up to 70 minutes per charge, while Makita’s 36V mowers offer a runtime of up to 40 minutes per charge.
- Makita batteries charge faster than Worx batteries, with Makita’s 18V battery going from empty to fully charged in 15 to 45 minutes compared to Worx’s 60 to 120 minutes.
- Makita mowers have sturdier build quality with alloy steel decks, while Worx mowers have ABS plastic decks but higher-end models have alloy steel decks.
Whether your state has banned gas-powered lawn equipment or you want to upgrade to an electric mower, modern battery-powered models bring gas-like convenience in eco-friendly packaging. While competition among manufacturers is fierce, Worx and Makita know how to stand out. The former delivers good performance at affordable prices, while the latter suits larger lawns and heavy-duty applications.
To find the best model for your lawn, check out this head-to-head between the Worx 40V cordless mower and the Makita 36V cordless mower.
Let’s get into it!
Worx 40V Cordless Mower vs. Makita 36V Cordless Mower: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Worx 40V Mower | Makita 36V Mower | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for… | Lawns up to 1/2 acres | Lawns up to 3/4 acres |
| Sizes | 14” to 21” | 17” to 21” |
| Motor Type | Brushed, brushless | Brushed, brushless |
| Operation Mode | Push or self-propelled | Push or self-propelled |
| Battery | 2 x 20V (4.0 Ah or 5.0 Ah) | 2x18V (4.0 Ah or 5.0 Ah) |
| Max Runtime | 70 minutes | 40 minutes (with two batteries) |
| Cutting Heights | 1.16” to 4” | 0.8125” to 4” |
| Cutting Height Settings | 5 to 7 | 10 to 13 |
| Waste Management | Bagging, mulching, side discharging | Bagging, mulching, rear discharging |
| Average Price | Around $170 to $550 | Around $350 to $770 |
- 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
- Single lever with 6 height adjustments
- Cut area of up to 5,000 sq ft
- Bag up or mulch your grass
- Intellicut for thick, tough grass
- Lightweight and compact (29lbs)
- Battery compatible with other power tools.
Worx 40V Cordless Mower vs. Makita 36V Cordless Mower: What’s the Difference?
Founded in 2004, Worx is a brand name owned by Positec Tool Corporation. The Chinese-American company specializes in entry-level and mid-range battery-powered tools and garden care equipment, including walk-behind and robotic mowers. Its cordless mower lineup includes mowers that you have to push yourself, as well as self-propelled models suitable for small to mid-sized yards.
Makita is a popular lawn equipment company founded in Japan in 1915. It now operates factories in various countries across the world, including the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. While the mowers manufactured by Makita are more expensive than Worx, you can expect exceptional build quality and pro-level performance.
However, deciding whether Makita is worth the premium can be challenging. This in-depth comparison might help you make up your mind. Let’s break down the key differences between these two major brands.
Cutting Deck
When buying a lawnmower, most people go for the largest cutting deck. Yet, even if a large mower completes the task in fewer passes, it isn’t always the best option. A smaller mower is easier to maneuver in a narrow plot or on a small lawn with multiple obstacles, such as trees and flowerbeds.
Worx wins in this case, as the brand offers its 40V mowers in four sizes, including a 14-inch option. The smallest cordless mower from Makita has a 17-inch cutting swath. At this size, it is more suitable for mid-sized yards or small lawns with no obstacles. The larger models have cutting swaths between 18 and 21 inches and suit lawns up to three-quarters of an acre.
A crucial factor to remember is that Worx’s sizes refer to the cutting deck width, whereas Makita sizes its mowers based on the cutting swath. This essentially means that the Worx 40V mower’s cutting swath is about an inch smaller than the cutting deck width specified in the model’s name. The Makita 36V mower, on the other hand, has a cutting deck about one inch wider than the cutting swath specified in the model’s name. This distinction is especially important if you have a narrow lawn. For instance, the Makita 36V 17-inch mower will not fit in an 18-inch space, but the Worx 40V 17-inch mower will.
Cutting Heights
In addition to the cutting deck size, two other important factors to consider are the cutting height range and the number of cutting height settings. Makita wins this round as its 36V mowers feature cutting heights between 0.8125 and 4 inches and 10 to 13 cutting height settings. Thanks to these features, the Makita mowers are a good choice for all grasses, including varieties with a short recommended mowing height, such as Bermudagrass and Zoysia.
The Worx 40V mowers are also suitable for most types of grass, including warm-season varieties that should be cut shorter. However, the actual range varies from 1.16 to 4 inches, which is a bit more limiting. These mowers also have fewer cutting height settings, between five and seven, depending on the model.
Operation Time
The tables turn in Worx’s favor when it comes to runtime. Its 40V mower runs on two 20V batteries that offer an operation time of up to 70 minutes per charge. The amp hours of the batteries affect the actual runtime, however, and the 70-minute performance is only obtained from the 5.0 Ah batteries when mowing in optimal conditions.
Factors such as the grass height, the type of grass, and the amount of moisture on the grass blades (e.g., dew or water droplets from rain or sprinklers) can all reduce the battery performance. Mowing on slopes can shorten the runtime too, and the brand’s self-propelled mowers also drain the battery faster than the push-behind models. When accounting for all these factors, the actual runtime typically varies from 45 to 50 minutes.
Most of the Makita 36V mowers are similar to Worx and run on two batteries. These mowers offer a runtime of up to 40 minutes per charge. To increase runtime for professional applications, some self-propelled models feature a four-battery bay. These mowers still use only two batteries at a time, but they switch automatically from the set of drained batteries to the charged one when four batteries are loaded in the bay.
Battery Charge Time
Makita batteries drain faster than Worx, but they also charge faster. Depending on the amp hours, a Makita 18V battery can go from empty to fully charged in 15 to 45 minutes. Worx’s batteries require about 60 to 120 minutes of charge time.
Each brand uses interchangeable batteries, meaning that if you have a compatible tool, you can swap the batteries for extended runtime.
©Vladimir Shulikovskiy/Shutterstock.com
Waste Management
Both Worx and Makita equip their cordless mowers with various waste management functions, but there are some differences between the two.
The greatest distinction is that the entry-level Worx 40V mowers can only bag or mulch the grass. In addition to these two options, the higher-end models can also discharge the clippings through a side chute.
All of the Makita 36V mowers feature 3-in-1 waste management functions, but instead of the side discharge, these models discharge the clippings at the rear. This feature is a plus compared to Worx, as the mower won’t throw the cuttings onto flowerbeds or fences when mowing around them.
Build Quality
The two brands manufacture reliable mowers designed to withstand the test of time, but Makita mowers are usually sturdier. Most models come with alloy steel decks and sturdy plastic components. Some entry-level models have plastic decks, but these are made of a ballistic-grade material that resists shocks and vibrations without cracking.
Worx equips most of its 40V mowers with ABS plastic decks that feel flimsier compared to Makita. However, the high-end models, including those in the Worx Nitro lineup, have alloy steel decks and higher-quality plastic components.
User Experience
Today’s cordless mowers are intuitive to use, and things are no different for Worx and Makita. Both brands offer mowers that are straightforward to assemble. The cutting height settings are adjusted with a touch of a lever or button.
In general, though, the Worx 40V cordless mowers are lighter and easier to push than Makita. However, the extra weight of the Makita 36V mower improves the results. A heavier deck can help push down onto any uneven patches of grass so that all grass blades are cut at the same height. The downside is that the extra heft can compact the soil, something that most grass types don’t like.
As far as storage is concerned, both the Makita and the Worx mowers have foldable handles and take up little space in a shed or garage.
Price
Another difference between Worx and Makita is the price. The former is more affordable, its 40V mowers ranging in price from around $170 to $550. Makita is known for its high-quality tools, but you have to shell out more cash. The entry-level models have starting prices of around $350. A self-propelled 36V 21-inch mower can set you back up to $770.
Both brands sell their mowers with or without battery packs. Bundles, including the batteries and chargers, are more expensive but typically cheaper than buying the mower and battery pack separately. Alternatively, you could save some bucks by sharing the batteries with other tools in the ecosystem.
Worx 40V Cordless Mower vs. Makita 36V Cordless Mower: 5 Must-Know Facts
- Available in sizes from 14 to 21 inches, the Worx 36V cordless mower is ideal for lawns up to half an acre.
- The Makita 36V cordless mower comes in sizes from 17 to 21 inches. It suits lawns up to three-quarters of an acre and heavy-duty residential or light commercial applications.
- The Worx 40V mower uses two 20V batteries that deliver up to 70 minutes of runtime.
- Most of the Makita 36V mowers use two 18V batteries that deliver up to 40 minutes of runtime. Some of the commercial-grade models use two battery sets for a total runtime of up to 80 minutes.
- Generally, the Worx mowers are cheaper, but the Makita mowers feel sturdier and mow the lawn better.
- 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
- Single lever with 6 height adjustments
- Cut area of up to 5,000 sq ft
- Bag up or mulch your grass
- Intellicut for thick, tough grass
- Lightweight and compact (29lbs)
- Battery compatible with other power tools.
Worx 40V Cordless Mower vs. Makita 36V Cordless Mower: Which One Should You Pick?
Choosing between the two brands comes down to your needs. The Worx 40V cordless mower is the best choice for narrow or small to mid-sized lawns with multiple obstacles. These mowers are lighter and easier to maneuver around trees and flowerbeds. They have fewer height adjustments than Makita but can mow all grass types with good results.
The Makita 36V cordless mower is the best for small lawns with few obstacles, larger yards, and commercial applications. Despite its shorter runtime, the mower’s weight can improve efficiency and help cut uneven patches perfectly. This translates to fewer passes to obtain the desired results and a shorter time spent on the task.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Virrage Images/Shutterstock.com.
