Greenworks MO60L516 Review
Great Mower, Questionable Runtime Claim
The Greenworks 60V 21 inch push mower pairs a steel deck with an IPX4 weather rating, which suits damp grass and rough ground. Plan for about 45 minutes a charge rather than the 60 on the listing, because three official sources give different figures.
The verdict
Greenworks built the 60V 21 inch push mower for conditions that destroy cheaper mowers. A heavy duty steel deck, an IPX4 weather rating, 10 inch rear wheels and dual self sharpening blades all point the same direction, which is damp grass and uneven ground.
Rated 4.5 stars from 587 reviews with over 500 sold in the past month, it is a genuinely good mower. There is one problem, and it is a big one.
Nobody can agree how long the battery lasts
Three official sources give three different runtime figures for the same mower. Amazon’s listing says up to 60 minutes. The box the mower arrives in says up to 45 minutes. The Greenworks website says 45 in one place and 50 in another.
An owner named Ravi R went looking for a straight answer. He called Greenworks six times, waited on hold for 60 minutes once and over 20 minutes on the other attempts, and reached two agents who contradicted each other. One told him close to 60 minutes. The other told him 45 is the average.
So he measured it himself. Flat lot, dry day, only two days of regrowth, deck set high, which is about as favorable as conditions get. He got just under 45 minutes.
His conclusion is the honest one. Plan for a third of an acre on a single battery rather than the half acre on the listing. Thirty five people found that review helpful, which tells you it matched other owners’ experience.
Where the build quality earns its money
Erika D had grass that was tall and thick in patches because it rains constantly where she lives and she struggles to time cutting between showers and work. The Greenworks cut through sections she says her gas mower would have struggled with.
That is what the steel deck, the 3,200 RPM blade speed and the self sharpening dual blades are for. Greenworks compares the blade speed to a 150cc gas mower and claims 50 percent more torque than their own 40V machines.
The dual battery bay deserves a mention too. Load two batteries and the mower switches automatically when the first runs flat. Erika rates that feature highly, and it is the cleanest answer to the runtime problem.
Practical tips from owners
Craig R has worked out two things worth copying. Bagging rather than mulching gives better battery life, so he bags unless the lawn needs the clippings. And turbo mode genuinely helps in tall grass but drains the battery at double speed, so he used it in his first season and now just goes over long patches twice instead.
Erika needed 2.5 battery charges to do her front and back yard the first time, then under 2 charges a fortnight later when there was less growth to deal with. Another owner with a quarter acre of thick grass gets two cuts per charge.
One warning from a Canadian owner: a replacement 60V battery runs about $250 in Canadian dollars. Factor that in, because at 4 years the battery warranty is good but batteries still wear.
Who should buy it
Buy this if your conditions are hard on equipment. Damp climate, rough ground, grass that gets away from you. The steel deck and IPX4 rating are a real advantage over the plastic decked mowers that dominate this category, and nothing else in our top ten offers both.
Skip it if you were buying on the 60 minute figure, or if your yard is small and flat. The EGO LM2114 cuts the same width, costs $150.00 less, and its runtime claim survives contact with owners.
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What stands out
- Steel deck and IPX4 rating, built for damp grass and rough ground
- Two battery bays that auto switch, so you can load a spare and keep going
- Self sharpening dual blades that adjust power in thick grass
- 3,200 RPM blade speed, which Greenworks compares to a 150cc gas engine
- 4 year warranty on both tool and battery
What to watch
- Amazon, the box and the Greenworks website all state different runtime figures
- One owner measured just under 45 minutes in ideal conditions
- Turbo mode works but doubles battery drain
- Heavier than most of this lineup at 59.5 lbs
- Reports of long waits for Greenworks customer service
Full specification
| Cutting width, inches | 21 |
|---|---|
| Voltage | 60V |
| Battery included | 5.0Ah included, 270Wh |
| Runtime, minutes | 45 |
| Charge time | About 50 minutes |
| Cutting heights | 7 positions |
| Drive | Push |
| Grass bag capacity | Included |
| Mulching | Yes, plus side discharge and turbo leaf mode |
| Weight, lbs | 59.5 |
| Suits lawns up to | Up to 1/3 acre |
| Warranty | 4 year tool, 4 year battery |
Buy it if
You mow in a damp climate or on rough ground where a plastic deck would not last, and you are willing to buy a second battery.
Skip it if
You are buying on the 60 minute runtime figure. Plan for 45 minutes and a third of an acre, or look at the EGO LM2114 for $150.00 less.
Questions people ask
How long does the Greenworks 60V 21 inch mower really run?
Expect around 45 minutes. Amazon lists up to 60 minutes, the box says up to 45, and the Greenworks website says both 45 and 50. An owner who timed it in best case conditions, flat and dry with the deck set high, measured just under 45 minutes.
Can this mower handle half an acre?
Greenworks says yes. The owner who measured his runtime disagrees and puts it closer to a third of an acre on one battery. Two batteries would cover half an acre.
What does the turbo button actually do?
Turbo raises power for tall or thick grass and it works. One owner reports it noticeably improves cutting in long grass but eats the battery at double the normal rate, so he saves it for the first cuts of the season.
Does it come with a battery and charger?
Yes, a 60V 5.0Ah battery and a rapid charger that Greenworks says refills it in about 50 minutes. One owner describes the charger as loud while running.
Is the steel deck worth it over plastic?
If you mow damp grass or rough ground, yes. The steel deck and IPX4 rating are the reason to pick this over a lighter plastic deck mower, and no other mower in our top ten has both.
