As you look to upgrade from gas to battery for your lawn mower, two big names stand out—Worx and Makita. They build some of the best cordless electric mowers today for home and pro use. But how do you decide which fits your needs and budget?
I‘ve been geeking out on lawn tools for years, so I put together this detailed comparison guide to walk you through the key differences between Worx 40V and Makita 36V mowers. Read on to see which model range best suits your yard size, features, and more!
At a Glance: Worx 40V vs Makita 36V Cordless Mowers
Worx offers excellent value and runtimes for typical homeowners with small-to-medium yards up to half an acre. The lighter plastic decks enhance maneuverability around obstacles.
Makita brings extreme ruggedness and productivity for larger lawns over half an acre. The pro-grade steel decks and torque handle challenging mowing conditions.
Both brands make quiet, eco-friendly brushless motor cordless mowers. But Worx focuses on approachable pricing, while Makita emphasizes quality construction for intensive commercial use.
Worx 40V vs Makita 36V: How They Compare
Before jumping into the nitty-gritty details, here is a high-level overview:
| Worx | Makita | |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Small-to-medium yards | Large yards, professional use |
| Cutting Widths | 14" to 21" | 17" to 21" |
| Battery Runtime | Up to 70 minutes | Up to 40 minutes (80 for pro models) |
| Decks | Plastic | Steel |
| Prices | $170 to $550 | $350 to $770 |
Now let‘s dig into the specs and features of each lineup!
Cutting Deck Sizes: Maneuverability vs. Width
One of the first things to evaluate in a walk-behind mower is the cutting deck size, as this determines the maximum swath you can cut in each pass.
In this regard, Worx offers greater flexibility for navigating tight spaces…
- Worx 40V deck sizes: 14, 17, 20, 21 inches
- Makita 36V deck sizes: 17, 18, 20, 21 inches
As you see, Worx has a smaller 14-inch model that can squeeze into really narrow areas between obstacles that the larger Makita can‘t handle.
However, Makita‘s bigger decks do allow you to cover more ground in fewer passes on wide open lawns. So they bring efficiency when you‘ve got lots of open space.
According to landscaping experts, you should match the deck size to your yard and needs:
- Use narrow 14 to 17 inch decks for small, complex yards with many obstacles
- Pick wider 20 to 21 inch decks for large open lawns over half an acre
It‘s about finding the right balance of maneuverability and maximum cutting width.
Looking Deeper: Cutting Swath vs. Deck Size
There is oneSpecification distinction in how Worx and Makita measure mower sizes that‘s good to know.
- Worx lists the full cutting deck width (e.g 21 inches)
- Makita cites the actual cutting swath (e.g. 20 inches)
The cutting deck includes the full width of the mower from wheel to wheel. But the blade itself cuts a path slightly narrower than the total deck—that‘s the cutting swath.
So a Makita "21 inch" mower has a roughly 20-inch wide cutting path, while a Worx "21 inch" mower cuts a true 21 inch swath.
Bottom line: Worx decks run about 1 inch wider than the Makita model numbers suggest. This matters most for narrow gates, trees, and other tight clearance scenarios.
Cutting Height Adjustments
Your grass type and desired lawn aesthetic determine the best cutting heights…
- Low-growing grass like bermuda and zoysia thrive around 1 to 2 inches
- Fescues and other tall grasses look best from 3 to 4 inches
- Kentucky bluegrass falls in the middle at 2 to 3 inch heights
So look for a mower that includes your target heights within its overall cutting range.
For cutting height flexibility, Makita pulls ahead:
- Worx range: 1.16 to 4 inches
- Makita range: 0.8 to 4 inches
Furthermore, Makita offers extra precision with 10 to 13 height settings per model. Worx has only 5 to 7 preset options.
That greater adjustment variety ensures a perfect cut—it‘s one reason the Makita suits golf course and other professional use.
Pushing the Limits: Runtimes & Batteries
Let‘s talk about how long these mowers can run before needing a recharge…
Both brands use lithium-ion batteries for lightweight, eco-friendly performance.
But thanks to its dual 20V (40V equivalent) battery setup, the Worx 40V mower can run for a whopping 70 minutes per charge!
That leads all competitors and lets you power through large yards on one charge. Under real-world mowing loads with hills, thick grass, etc, you can expect a 45 to 60 minute duration.
The standard Makita 36V pairs two 18V batteries for up to 40 minutes runtime. They drain faster thanks to the larger loads from steel decks and torque-driven wheels.
However, pro-level Makita mowers have a quad 18V battery bay to double capacity. An automated switch mechanism seamlessly swaps the second set of fresh batteries when the first depletes. That unique feature pushes the Makita to 80+ minutes for nonstop commercial use.
Both brands use the same batteries across their power tools—so you may be able to share packs between mowers, drills, trimmers and more. But only use identical Ah-rated batteries in the mower itself.
An advantage for Makita is faster charging times:
- Makita 18V batteries recharge in just 15-45 minutes
- Worx 20V batteries need 60-120 minutes to replenish
So if you buy backup packs, Makita gives more flexibility to hot swap quickly.
Construction Quality: Plastic vs. Steel Decks
The mower deck materials radically differ between the two brands…
Worx opts for featherweight plastic decks on most models:
- Injection-molded ABS plastic resists dents and corrosion
- Steel blades bolted underneath cut the grass
- Weighs 25-35 lbs for easy maneuverability
High-end Worx Nitro mowers upgrade to cast aluminum for greater impact resistance.
Comparatively, Makita uses rigid cold-rolled steel mower decks:
- Commercial-grade 10-gauge steel prevents flexing
- Extra weight improves traction and cutting efficiency
- More demanding 36V brushless motor requires stability
Expect 45 to 75+ lb heft from the Makita depending on cutting width. The robust metal holds up better under intense use, but plastic grants maneuverability.
For homeowners doing routine mowing of typical suburban lawns, Worx offers a winning blend of value, features and adequate durability. Commercial landscapers or those with acres of tall grass need Makita‘s brute force construction.
Which Has Better Features For You?
Today‘s battery mowers provide excellent convenience features on top of their cordless freedom. From variable speed self-propulsion to pet-friendly operation and beyond, manufacturers cram them with functionality.
You‘ll find comparable capabilities across Worx and Makita at each price point. A couple worth noting:
IntellicutTM (Worx) and Auto Choke (Makita) – Clever electronic trickery optimizes cutting power for denser grass and weeds
Quiet Operation (both) – Whisper quiet brushless motors cut decibels along with grass
LED Headlights (both) – Illuminate dim evening lawn maintenance sessions
Makita touts smartphones integration for monitoring battery status and maintenance alerts. Worx instead focuses connectivity across their broader smart yard ecosystem.
But generally features run closely matched, with ergonomics and durability separating the brands more than gadgets. Finding self-propel, height adjustment method, handle comfort and similar preferences may guide your choice more than any single tech feature.
Cost Considerations: Affordable Worx vs Premium Makita
As you evaluate electric mowers from Ego, Greenworks and more, sticker price plays a role too. Let’s compare base costs:
Worx 40V Cordless Mowers
- Deck sizes: 14”, 17”, 20”, 21”
- Prices: $170 to $550
- Batteries and chargers generally included
Makita 36V Cordless Mowers
- Deck sizes: 17”, 18”, 20”, 21”
- Prices: $350 to $770
- Bare tool (no battery) options available
As expected based on their positioning, you’ll pay a premium for the pro-tier Makita models compared to the Worx homeowner-focused lineup.
You’ll also want to consider long term costs—Makita’s steel decks resist wear better across years of use. And advantage of their 18V system is battery compatibility across 100+ tools for your toolbox. But Worx provides good value for limited lawn needs.
Which Is Better For My Situation?
We‘ve covered a ton of details! To wrap up, here is guidance on choosing the right cordless electric mower for your yard:
Look at Worx 40V For:
- Compact 14” model for navigating tight landscaping
- Small or mid-sized yards under half an acre
- Tight budget priority over commercial grade
- Occasional mowing needs only
Go With Makita 36V For:
- Large open grass over half an acre
- Thick weeds and tall grass over 4 inches
- Frequently mowing extended distances
- Professional landscapers or golf courses
Either brand pairs perfectly with solar panels and green living. For typical homeowners, I suggest the Worx 40V as the best bang for your buck. But intensive commercial use requires Makita‘s resilience.
Hopefully this detailed side-by-side comparison gives clarity for choosing between Worx and Makita‘s excellent electric mowers! Let me know if any other questions come up. Happy landscaping!
