Gas mowers are loud, high-maintenance beasts. No wonder homeowners are defecting in waves to battery-electric alternatives from brands like Dewalt and Greenworks. But which cordless mower claims the throne – Dewalt with its 20V Max or the Greenworks 80V? I‘ve mowed over the specs and consumer experiences to crown a winner.
First, let‘s talk about why battery mowers have grown so popular. No more yanking starter cords or inhaling fumes. Electric motors spin up instantly sans smoke or odor. Maintenance goes from finicky to nearly forgettable outside charging batteries. Plus, the latest lithium-ion packs deliver enough juice to tackle even large yards on a single charge.
What‘s not to love about ditching gas for batteries?
Well, a whole market of options to choose from for one thing! Dewalt and Greenworks have emerged as two frontrunners which caught my eye. Dewalt needs no introduction – their power tools are legendary. Yet their mower pedigree is still untested.
Greenworks makes affordable outdoor equipment that challenges premium brands. Their 80V battery platform continues gaining steam.
Both aim to become THE battery basecamp for your entire property. Let‘s see how their flagship mowers stack up to decide a winner!
Mower Showdown: Dewalt 20V Max vs Greenworks 80V
Dewalt enters the ring swinging with their 20V Max mower sporting improved efficiency and convenience over earlier models. Packing dual 20V batteries, it better competes against heavyweight single units.
The Greenworks 80V mower enters as defending budget champ with over 25% more voltage from its lone battery matching some 2X configurations. Its expanded tool ecosystem gives it an edge in versatility.
Let‘s scrutinize their specs to see how they differ:
| Key Specs | Dewalt 20V Max | Greenworks 80V |
|---|---|---|
| Voltage | 40V (2x 20V Battery) | 80V (single battery) |
| Motor Power | Brushless 5.0 HP | Brushless 5.5 HP |
| Cutting Width | 21.5" | 21" (25” width available) |
| Cut Speed (MPH) | 3.5 | 3.7 |
| Terrain Handling | Mediocre | Excellent |
| Run Time Per Charge | 30-45 min | 50-60 min |
| Charging Time | 60 min | 60 min |
| Noise Level (db) | 60 | 58 |
| Emissions | Zero | Zero |
| Mulch/Bag/Side Discharge | Yes | Yes |
| Price | $699 | $550 |
Some key takeaways:
- The Dewalt seems more powerful by using 2x 20V batteries, but the single 80V Greenworks battery outputs more voltage and torque
- The Greenworks edges out Dewalt in critical performance metrics like runtime, noise level, and terrain handling
- Both utilize quiet, emissions-free brushless motor technology that requires minimal maintenance
Interestingly, their basic specs appear evenly matched. The Greenworks higher voltage gives it an advantage but there are other factors to weigh. Let‘s dive deeper!
Dewalt 20V closer look
As a long-time Dewalt power tool owner, their mower grabbed my interest right away. First off, it looks aggressive sporting the signature yellow and black colors. The rugged all-metal build feels straight off a factory production line.
Yet strolling through forums and reviews revealed some recurring complaints:
- Plastic gear case raises durability concerns
- Mediocre battery life between 30-45 minutes
- Requires 2x 20V batteries to operate
Multiple batteries prove my biggest headache. You must keep TWO pricey 20V packs charged to avoid waiting on the next one mid-mow. Most competitors operate off a single battery with the option to add a secondary for extended life.
Having said that, the dual 20V battery configuration supplies serious cutting power. Buyers already invested in the 20V ecosystem will have batteries to spare. Just be prepared to be tethered to that charger regularly!
The performance meets expectations but lags category leaders a bit. A decent option but not outshining rivals given its premium pricing. Next let‘s examine if Greenworks can impress more.
Greenworks 80V closer look
Greenworks made a splash several years back delivering discounted electric outdoor tools rivaling premium brands. Normally I approach "bargain" alternatives skeptically but reviews won me over.
Their second generation 80V mower fixes early complaints with more torque, better handling, and improved components. While plastic still makes up the chassis, the brushless motor and drivetrain components have been beefed up.
Owners praise its sliced through tall, damp grass that bogs down other battery mowers. The variable speed self propulsion glides effortlessly up slopes without strain. Mowing up to 60 minutes on a charge bests nearly every competitor as well.
The 80V battery platform continues expanding too. Trimmers, blowers, snowblowers and more tools integrate the same battery. While not pocket friendly upfront, not being locked into ONLY a mower makes the long term investment easier to swallow.
About my only gripe is no batteries ship standard. But fork over $199 for a 80V pack and you’re set for ages. Additional batteries run just north of $250 which isn’t awful considering competitors.
All told its the full package – stellar cutting power, generous runtime, coordinated tool compatibility, and wallet friendly pricing. Hard to beat!
Recent Upgrades
I always want to buy the latest and greatest. Let‘s see what Dewalt and Greenworks have tweaked over the past year in these models:
Dewalt 20V Max
- Safer – Added rear wheel drive for improved control reducing injury risk
- Smoother – Additional torque boosts cutting power through dense grass
- Durable – New belt tensioning extends the belt lifespan significantly
Greenworks 80V
- Cleaner Cut – Redesigned deck improves airflow and grass clippings collection
- Longer Run Time – Optional dual battery kit upgrades mow time to 70+ minutes
No revolutionary changes but some solid refinements. Dewalt focused on safety and durability while Greenworks boosted convenience. Both brands continue iterating to raise performance.
What‘s on the Horizon?
Lithium ion batteries still have headroom to expand capacity thanks to renewable energy advances. We should expect expanded runtimes over 75 minutes becoming the new normal.
Electric smart mower technology will migrate over from robots models as well. Features like automatic charging, security alerts, and scheduled mowing through mobile apps offer previews of this convergence.
As for Greenworks, their 80V modular battery platform will continue spreading across outdoor tools. I foresee solar charging integration on the roadmap within a few years too.
Dewalt will be working overtime defending its 20V battery supremacy. While their mower lags currently, don‘t expect them to concede competition in their flagship battery line lightly.
No matter the brand, electric mowers provide a preview of the maintenance free, eco-friendly future of lawn care.
And the Winner Is…
I entered this matchup expecting to crown my beloved Dewalt given their reputation. However, the Greenworks 80V mower simply outclasses it for most homeowners.
The 20V Max serves Dewalt devotees well, especially those with existing batteries. Yet performance falls slightly behind competitors while demanding the hassle of TWO batteries to operate. Too many compromises for an expensive investment.
Meanwhile the Greenworks 80V exceeds expectations delivering robust power in a smartly designed package. Its expanded and affordable 80V outdoor tool platform demonstrates real staying power. As their battery tech continues rapidly improving, I suggest grabbing their mower before prices inevitably rise.
For eco-conscious suburbanites wanting an affordable, fume-free mower that can tame wilderness backyards, Greenworks 80V clinches the title! Let it faithfully maintain your lawn for years as you sip lemonade admiring theradio silence where generator drones used to persist. After all, yardwork should be relaxing. Once you go cordless, noisy gas gear seems barbaric by comparison!
Let me know if you have any other questions! I’m happy to dig into the pros and cons more or talk landscaping strategies. Here’s to many more weekends enjoying carefree, emissions free mowing!