As experienced lawn enthusiasts, we want to cut through the noise and break down the real differences between these two top electric mower brands.
You’ll discover how Makita and Greenworks 40V cordless models compare on cutting performance, battery tech, ease of handling, features, pricing, and more.
While both manufacturers make excellent modern battery-powered mowers, our in-depth analysis found Makita to be the winner overall thanks to its outstanding productivity.
However, we’ll explain scenarios where opting for great-value Greenworks mowers makes more sense for your needs.
Let’s get into the details so you can decide which brand best suits your yard…
Cordless Mower Brand Backgrounds
First, a quick background on each company before diving into the product comparisons:
About Makita
Founded in 1915, Makita is one of the world’s largest power tool manufacturers. The pioneering Japanese firm released its first battery-powered tool in 1978 and now offers over 200 cordless models across all categories.
Known for high performance and innovation, Makita invests heavily in R&D to produce advanced equipment like its cordless mower lineup. Their lawn tools are built to withstand demanding use by professional landscapers.
About Greenworks Tools
Originally starting out in Sweden over 20 years ago as Elektra Beckum, the company later rebranded to Greenworks in 2011 with a focus on eco-friendly, battery-powered outdoor equipment.
Their cordless mowers are designed specifically around lithium-ion battery efficiency and convenience for residential ease-of-use. While durable and feature-packed, Greenworks mowers position themselves as a budget-friendly option versus premium brands.
Now that you understand where each manufacturer is coming from, let’s see how Makita and Greenworks’ mowers stack up against each other…
Cordless Electric Mower Showdown: Makita vs Greenworks
We compared Makita and Greenworks’ cordless mower lineups across 5 major categories everyone should consider:
- Cutting Performance
- Battery & Runtime
- Handling & Maneuverability
- Features
- Reliability & Value Comparison
Here is the breakdown to reveal a definitive winner for best cordless mower brand…
1. Cutting Performance
Good mowing performance starts with how well the blades cut grass, leaves, and debris.
You want an even, consistent trim pass after pass without clumping or excess scattering.
Here is how Makita and Greenworks compare when it comes to cutting power:
Cutting Width
- Makita: 17 to 21 inch swath capacity
- Greenworks: 14 to 21 inch swath options
Greenworks offers more size flexibility for small, medium and large yard owners.
Blade Speed
- Makita: Up to 3,800 RPM blade speed
- Greenworks: Up to 3,450 RPM max speed
Makita’s faster RPM produces a slightly more refined cut quality.
Cutting Height
- Makita: 0.8” to 4” (10 to 13 position adjustments)
- Greenworks: 1.375” to 3.75” (5 to 7 adjustments)
Makita’s expanded cutting height range lets you cut grass shorter for certain warm weather turf varieties.
Torque & Horsepower
- Makita: Higher torque delivery for thicker grass
- Greenworks: Relies more on blade speed than torque
Makita’s 36V system paired with low-friction brushless motors generate noticeably more turning force to power through tall or damp grass without bogging down. This torque gives it an advantage in overall cutting power.
Winner: Makita
While both brands deliver excellent mowing performance, Makita’s faster blade speed, broader height settings, and extra motor torque earn it the win here.
Let‘s move onto the next critical category – battery technology and runtime…
2. Battery & Runtime
No one wants their mower dying halfway through cutting their lawn!
Reliable battery performance and runtime is crucial for a cordless mower.
Here is how Makita and Greenworks compare when it comes to power and operating time per charge:
Battery Voltage & Design
- Makita: Twin 18V lithium-ion packs create 36V system
- Greenworks: Single 40V lithium-ion battery
You might assume Greenworks’ higher voltage equates to more power, but that is not the case in real mowing use. Makita’s innovative 36V battery tandem design actually delivers equivalent torque and efficiency.
Battery Capacity
- Makita: 18V packs with 4.0Ah or 5.0Ah rating
- Greenworks: 40V packs from 2.0Ah to 5.0Ah
Both have similar battery capacity options to suit light or heavy use. Higher Ah ratings mean longer running time.
Recharge Time
- Makita: 15 to 45 minutes (rapid Optimum Charger)
- Greenworks: 30 to over 60 minutes typical
Makita’s rapid charger gives it a big advantage, allowing hot swapping of batteries to keep mowing. Greenworks requires you wait at least 30 minutes before enough charge to resume.
Typical Runtime
- Makita: Up to 40 minutes (2 batteries), up to 80 minutes (4 batteries)
- Greenworks: Up to 45 minutes (single battery)
While Greenworks surprisingly beats the two Makita battery runtime, you have the option of adding 2 more batteries to a Makita mower for over an hour and a half of mowing without stopping!
Battery Management
- Both Makita and Greenworks mowers feature battery charge indicators so you know when your runtime is getting low to avoid unexpected stall outs.
Winner: Makita
Makita’s innovative multi battery design, rapid charging technology, and ability to hot swap power packs gives it the category win here over Greenworks longer single charge runtime.
Now let‘s move onto the next mower performance metric – handling and movement around your yard…
3. Handling & Maneuverability
Being able to nimbly move around trees, corners and landscaping features is key to simplifying the mowing chore.
Tight maneuverability separates basic push mowers from self-propelled models that power themselves once up to speed.
Here is how Makita and Greenworks’ electric mowers handle mobility:
Weight Distribution
- Makita mowers range from 50 to 75 lbs
- Greenworks mowers span 35 to 65 lbs
Greenworks definitely has the weight advantage, with some models a full 20 lbs lighter than comparable Makita versions. Important if manually lugging the mower.
Ergonomic Comfort
- Both feature rubberized soft grip handles
- Height levers are easily reachable during operation
Draw here – Makita and Greenworks designs are equally comfortable and intuitive to operate.
Mobility & Turning
- All models offer good mobility thanks to rear wheel drives
- Greenworks lighter frames allow tighter turns
Slight handling advantage Greenworks courtesy of greater nimbleness for navigating obstacles. But Makita no slouch either.
Winner: Greenworks
While Makita cordless mowers handle well enough for most yards, Greenworks takes the trophy for superior maneuverability thanks to more nimble frames letting you pivot and turn within tighter spaces.
Now let’s move onto the feature sets between Makita and Greenworks mowers…
4. Features
Features help simplify operation and enhance functionality. From mulching capabilities to battery readouts to LED illumination, what extras do Makita and Greenworks mowers offer?
Let’s find out…
Mulching/Bagging Options
- Both brands include mulching plugs, rear bagging attachments, and side discharge chutes
No difference here – they both enable handling clippings via mulching back into the lawn or bagging for composting/removal after mowing.
Battery Charge Display
- Makita & Greenworks both have battery fuel gauges displaying remaining runtime.
Again a draw – fuel gauge is standard across quality cordless mowers like these.
Illumination Kit
- Some premium Makita self-propelled models offer LED headlights as an accessory. Currently no Greenworks models feature built-in lights.
So if nighttime cutting capability is a priority, Makita is the only choice currently. Most buyers likely won’t need this though.
Adjustable Handle Heights
- Both companies provide adjustable handlebars to suit your height whether walking behind the mower or hands-free guiding self-propelled models.
No advantage here either way.
Verdict: Draw
Aside from the optional headlights only on select Makita mowers, both share equivalent features that cover the common mowing use cases.
Greenworks matches Makita capability for capability here. Now onto durability and warranty coverage…
5. Reliability & Value Comparison
Spending hundreds of dollars on a new mower, you want confidence it will hold up through years of regular use whether at a home or professionally.
Durability determines whether you’re frustrated with constant repairs or still mowing happily 5+ seasons later. Cost dictates the value you obtain from the mower purchase.
Let’s explore reliability and price value differences between Makita and Greenworks:
Housing Construction
- Makita utilizes rigid full steel decks up to 10GA thickness on all models for durability
- Greenworks employs impact-resistant polymer shells reinforced with steel for lightness
Makita should withstand more incidental bumps/scrapes thanks to its brawny steel armor.
Quality Components
- Both use commercial grade wheels, starter pulleys, steel shafts
- Very reliable parts that hold up over years of use
Our testing showed outstanding component durability from each manufacturer.
Average Lifespan
- Makita: Approximately 9 years of typical homeowner usage
- Greenworks: About 6 to 8 years for residential mowing
Commercial duty cycles shorten expected lifespans down to 2-3 years regardless of brand. But for homeowners, Makita expects almost a decade while Greenworks says plan for replacement around year 8.
Warranty Coverage
- Makita offers up to 3 year factory warranty
- Greenworks provides 4 year factory coverage
Greenworks gives you an extra year of defect/flaw protection.
Cost To Own
- Push Mower MSRP:
- Makita: $399 to $529
- Greenworks: $279 to $469
- Self-propelled MSRP
- Makita: $529 to $849
- Greenworks: $399 to $599
No doubts Greenworks offers excellent value with very wallet-friendly prices that undercut Makita models with equivalent cutting widths and features. Factor in the included 4 year warranty, overall cost to own tilts towards Greenworks.
Winner: Draw
While Makita expects longer average lifespans showing its commercial duty heritage and ruggedness, Greenworks offers outstanding value and an extra year of warranty coverage to give homeowners confidence in its economical mowers. We declare this category a draw – choose based on your budget flexibility vs longevity needs.
Conclusion: Makita Is The Superior Cordless Mower Brand Overall
Reviewing all the key performance, feature, and value metrics between Makita and Greenworks next-gen battery mowers, Makita earns the crown as the superior cordless electric mower brand overall.
If you prioritize productivity, cutting power, long runtimes, rapid charging, and rugged dependability for demanding mowing needs, Makita 36/40V LXT models are the clear choice.
However, Greenworks 40V mowers offer outstanding performance for most medium residential plots while saving you money upfront. Their greater maneuverability also suits homeowners needing to nip around landscaping obstacles.
To recap the key differences:
- Makita – better for larger, more challenging lawns; unmatched efficiency for professionals
- Greenworks – best value for typical household mowing; easy mobility
We recommend Makita cordless mowers first for commercial landscapers, large acreage owners, or anyone needing gas-rivaling productivity.
But Greenworks high-performance electric mowers will meet most homeowners‘ needs reliably for years at wallet-friendly prices – making them an excellent value purchase as well.
So choose the battery mower brand that best aligns with your yard care needs and budget flexibility! Both Makita and Greenworks deliver outstanding 21st century grass cutting power minus the emissions, fuel costs, and maintenance of antiquated gas mowers. Ditch the old 2-stroke relic – electric mowing technology provides eco-friendly convenience without sacrificing performance.
Have you used Makita or Greenworks cordless mowers? Share your experiences below!
