You want an eco-friendly cordless electric mower, but aren‘t sure whether to choose Sun Joe or Greenworks. Both brands offer quality battery-powered models, but have key differences in deck size, batteries, features, and overall performance. This guide examines the Sun Joe iON16LM and Greenworks 40V 20-inch mowers in detail to help you pick the best one for your needs.
A Background on Cordless Mower Brands
First, let’s look at the evolution of these two innovative cordless mower brands. This provides helpful context on their design experience.
Sun Joe emerged from Snow Joe, a company founded in 2004 to make electric snow throwers. Expanding into lawn care, Sun Joe uses the same battery-powered technology to create green mowers eliminating gas and oil.
Comparatively, Greenworks was established two years earlier in 2002. But they focus exclusively on outdoor power equipment ranging from mowers to blowers, chainsaws, and more. Their specialization is clear through patented Smart Cut load sensing and Digital Overload Protection on their tools.
Both brands have over 15 years of experience developing battery-powered lawn tools. But Greenworks’ sole industry focus gives them an edge in advanced cordless mower engineering.
Now, let’s compare two of their latest professional-grade walk-behind mowers.
Sun Joe iON16LM Overview and Stats
The Sun Joe iON16LM sits as their flagship self-propelled mower with a robust 16” cutting deck and single 40V 4Ah battery:
Cutting Width: 16 inches
Motor: 600W Brushless
Battery: 40V, 4.0Ah Lithium-Ion
Height Range: 1.18" – 3.15" (6 adjustable heights)
Runtime: Up to 40 minutes
Dimensions: 48.4” x 17.7” x 42.9”
Weight: 37.3 lbs
With its solid steel cutting blade, 40-minute runtime, and adjustable handle, the iON16LM balances power and comfort. The 24V brushless motor gives it plenty of cutting force while keeping noise down.
The 16-inch deck efficiently cuts small to mid-sized laws up to 0.25 acres based on size calculations:
Lawn Size Estimate: 0.25 acres (10,890 sq ft)
Here’s the math:
- 16 inch cutting width = 1.33 feet
- In 40 minutes runtime @ 3.5 mph = 2.2 miles mowed
- 2.2 miles x 1.33 feet width = 2,926 square feet mowed
- 0.25 acre (10,890 sq ft) / 2,926 sq ft per charge = 3.7 charges to mow 0.25 acres
So roughly 4 charges for a quarter acre lot gives you efficient coverage with the iON16LM’s deck.
Next, let’s see how Greenworks’ specs compare.
Greenworks 40V 20-Inch Mower Stats
Greenworks’ flagship 40V 20-Inch mower packs more cutting power:
Cutting Width: 20 inches
Motor: High-Efficiency Brushless
Batteries: Two 40V Lithium-Ion (4Ah + 2Ah)
Height Range: 1.75” – 3.38” (5 adjustable heights)
Runtime: 45 mins (one battery), 60-70 mins (both)
Dimensions: 17.1” x 29.2" x 19.5”
Weight: 42.5 lbs
The 20-inch stainless steel dual blade deck can cut up to 30% more grass than Sun Joe’s per pass. And the dual 40V batteries with auto-switching sustain mowing for over an hour without stopping.
Let‘s estimate lawn sizes for the wider 40V 20-Inch:
Lawn Size Estimate: 0.5 acres (21,780 sq ft)
Here are the numbers:
- 20 inch cutting width = 1.67 feet
- In 60 minute runtime @ 3.5 mph = 3.5 miles mowed
- 3.5 miles x 1.67 feet width = 5,845 square feet mowed
- 0.5 acre (21,780 sq ft) / 5,845 sq ft per charge = 3.7 charges for half acre
So you can mow up to around a half acre in 3-4 sessions – perfect for larger yards.
Clearly Greenworks’ offers greater cutting power plus sustained run time for bigger lawns. But how do the two mowers compare across other metrics? Let’s break it down.
Sun Joe vs Greenworks Cordless Mowers Compared
Here’s a full specs comparison across critical categories:
| Specs | Sun Joe iON16LM | Greenworks 40V 20-Inch |
|---|---|---|
| Cutting Width | 16 inches | 20 inches |
| Motor | 600W Brushless | Brushless |
| Battery | 1 x 40V 4 Ah | 2 x 40V (4Ah + 2Ah) |
| Battery Runtime | 40 minutes | 45-70 minutes |
| Charging Time | 110 minutes | 145 minutes |
| Cutting Height Positions | 6 | 5 |
| Min/Max Cutting Height | 1.18 – 3.15 inches | 1.75 – 3.38 inches |
| Discharge | Bagging | Mulch/Bag |
| Grass Bag Volume | 9.25 gallons | 14 gallons |
| Weight | 37.3 pounds | 42.5 pounds |
| Warranty | 2-year | 4-year |
Battery & Runtime
The iON16LM’s 40 minute max runtime can handle smaller spaces, but frequent charging down time cuts into bigger jobs. The 40V 20-inch runs 45-70 minutes to mow over 50% more area uninterrupted.
Deck Size & Motor
Sun Joe‘s 16 inch deck and 600W motor tackles lighter residential mowing. But Greenworks’ 20 inch width and performance brushless motor provides 25% increased cutting power ideal for mid-sized yards.
Versatility
The 40V 20-inch leaves you more flexibility through bagging or mulching options plus leaf pickup and LED light attachments sold separately.
As the numbers show, Greenworks edges out Sun Joe across deck size, power, runtime, and versatility. And the 4-year warranty provides better long-term protection.
But there are some trade-offs to consider in cost, weight and maneuverability. Let‘s compare those next.
Cost, Weight and Handling Comparison
Here is a summary of the key trade-offs between both models:
| Category | Sun Joe iON16LM | Greenworks 40V 20-Inch |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $299.99 | $399.99 |
| Weight | 37.3 pounds (lighter) | 42.5 pounds (heavier) |
| Tire Size | 7-inch wheels | 7/8-inch wheels |
| Folding/Stand Up | Manual fold/Easy stand | Automatic fold/Stand assistance |
| Adjustable Handle | Extra comfort grip | Foam comfort grip |
| Grass Trimming | No | Optional bump head |
Cost – The $299 iON16LM fits smaller budgets better through its single battery and steel (not alloy) deck.
Weight – At 37.3 lbs with its lightweight lithium battery, the iON16LM pushes easier for those needing maximum maneuverability.
Wheels & Folding – Thinner all-terrain tires and manual handles mean defter navigating and storage of tight spaces.
So if storing space is limited, lighter carrying weight matters, or saving over $100 – the Sun Joe still excels. You just sacrifice some cutting power.
Now let’s compare warranties…
Warranty Protection Comparison
The warranty can make a big difference in long term costs and peace of mind:
| Brand | Warranty | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Sun Joe (iON16LM) | 2-years | Defects/flaws |
| Greenworks (40V) | 4-years | Defects/flaws |
The 4-year coverage indicates Greenworks‘ greater confidence in their mower’s durability. Combined with dual batteries, it leads in reliability for frequent mowing over years. Replacing batteries costs around $150 each time making warranty savings significant.
But Sun Joe’s direct customer service provides better responsiveness if repairs are needed. So assess your expected ownership timeframe when factoring warranties.
Recommendations Based on Lawn Size
Now let’s provide lawn size recommendations based on all the data:
As shown in the cutting width calculations earlier:
Up to 0.25 acres – The Sun Joe iON16LM’s 16-inch width handles yard sizes up to 10,890 sq ft (quarter acre) in a maximum of 4 charges.
0.25-0.5 acres – Overlap Zone where either mower works but Greenworks’ longer run time handles the increased area more efficiently.
Over 0.5 acres – Greenworks’ 40V 20-inch mows up to half an acre (21,780 sq ft) in about 4 charges making it the top choice for larger properties.
So choose the right mower for your unique lawn size accordingly.
The Final Verdict
The Greenworks 40V 20-inch cordless mower outclasses the Sun Joe iON across deck width, motor performance, dual battery life, and versatility. But you pay for those advanced features through its higher price and weight.
If maintaining large areas up to half an acre without stopping, add-on capabilities, or long term durability matter – invest in the Greenworks 40V 20-Inch for the win.
For smaller spaces under a quarter acre, tight storage spots, lighter carrying, or sticking to a sub-$300 budget – the Sun Joe iON16LM gets the job done reliably.
At the end of the day, choosing between Sun Joe vs Greenworks requires balancing your specific lawn size, power needs, budget, and expected ownership period. Both make quality cordless electric mowers catering to different residential scales. So assess your unique needs wisely through this detailed comparison before buying either mower.
You’ll enjoy quiet, sustainable yard care for years to come!
