Greenworks MO48L2211 48V 17 inch Electric lawn mower: In-Depth Review and Customer Opinions

of the Greenworks 48V 17-inch Electric Lawn Mower

The Greenworks MO48L2211 is a battery-powered, cordless electric walk-behind lawn mower. It is designed to be eco-friendly and easy to use without the maintenance that comes with gas mowers. Some of the key specifications include:

• 48V 2.0 Ah lithium-ion battery
• Brushless motor for powerful cutting and quiet operation
• 17-inch steel deck with 2-in-1 side discharge/mulching options
• 12.5 foot pounds of torque
• 7 position height adjustment from 3⁄4 inches to 2 and 3⁄4 inches

This electric model from Greenworks is meant for residential use on small to medium-sized lawns, up to half an acre. The brushless motor and 17-inch cutting path aim to provide efficient cutting performance on grass while the cordless design offers freedom of movement around the yard.

Design & Build Quality

The Greenworks MO48L2211 cordless mower has a durable design built to handle frequent use. The deck is made from sturdy steel that can withstand bumps and knocks without getting easily dented or damaged.

Despite the rugged construction, the mower only weighs 52 lbs making it easy to maneuver and store when not in use. Assembly out of the box is straightforward with no complex tools required. Simply attach the handlebar and clip on the grass catcher to have it ready to mow within minutes.

The build quality focuses more on reliability over fancy features. Everything from the wheels to the motor housing is made to survive years of mowing sessions without issues. So while it lacks some conveniences found in pricier models, it makes up for that with a robust chassis ready for rough terrain.

Overall, the no-nonsense design of the Greenworks focuses on a sturdy heavy-duty build able to withstand frequent use season after season. It's a practical option for those wanting a mower built to last rather than loaded with tech features.

Cutting Performance

The Greenworks MO48L2211 electric mower has impressive cutting performance that can handle most lawns. Its sharp, steel 17" deck uses an efficient brushless motor to deliver excellent cutting power on both thick and thin grass.

The mower has 7 cutting height positions ranging from 1.125” to 3.375”, giving you a lot of flexibility to achieve your desired lawn height and cut. The cutting heights are easily adjustable with a single lever, allowing quick changes when needed.

Many customers report this mower reliably cuts through taller and thicker grass without bogging down or leaving uncut patches, which can be an issue with some underpowered electric mowers. Its robust construction and torque from the brushless motor give it the muscle to cut high grass on the first pass. Of course, very overgrown yards may still require going over some areas a second time.

The 17” wide cut allows the mower to cover a lot of ground efficiently when mowing, reducing cutting time compared to a smaller deck. It also performs well mowing near obstacles like fences and trees thanks to its compact size while still covering a decent width in open areas. Overall if you need to cut thicker grass or tall weeds, the cutting performance of the Greenworks 17” brushless mower should be up for the task.

Battery Life

The MO48L2211 48V 17 inch electric lawn mower comes equipped with 2 rechargeable 48V 4.0Ah, 192Wh lithium-ion batteries included.

Run Time

On a single charge, the mower delivers a total runtime of approximately 45 minutes when cutting a 17-inch high lawn at maximum power. Benchmarked against other cordless electric mowers in the same class, this battery life is fair but not spectacular. Homeowners with small to medium sized lawns under 6000 sq ft should get enough mowing capacity from 1 battery charge. Those with larger yards may need to charge up 1 extra battery to complete heavier duty mowing tasks.

Charge Time Each lithium-ion battery takes 60 minutes or less to charge from empty to full capacity when using the included rapid charger. This average charge rate helps top-up the batteries relatively quickly and get the mower up and running for the next mowing session.

Noise Level

The Greenworks MO48L2211 electric mower operates at a fairly quiet 68 dB, which is comparable to a normal conversation. This makes it substantially quieter than most gas-powered mowers that can reach noise levels over 100 dB. The quieter sound output is achieved due to the battery-powered brushed motor, which generates less noise compared to gas motors. This makes the Greenworks mower well-suited to use in neighborhoods or residential areas at any time of day without creating too much noise pollution. The quiet operation allows the user to listen to music or have a conversation while mowing the lawn without needing to raise their voice. Overall, the noise level is one of the standout features of this electric mower, allowing peaceful lawn care.

Ease of Use

The Greenworks 48V 17 inch cordless electric lawn mower packs a brushless motor that helps make it easy to start and operate. The push button start and variable drive speed control lets you start up and power through mowing effortlessly.

The design of the mower allows for maneuverability and navigating different terrain. With a 17 inch cutting deck and medium profile, the mower offers the ability to cut in and around tighter spaces and move around landscaping elements. The high speed motor makes up for the smaller size allowing for efficient cutting.

And since it's powered by batteries, there's no annoying pull cords to start it or gas tanks to refill, which is always a hassle. The 2 included 2Ah lithium ion batteries can hold a full charge for longer storage. The batteries easily slide on and off for swapping to a fresh battery if needed and when not in use.

The bagless cuttings collection system is easy to empty and has over 4 cubic feet of capacity so you can cut for longer without stopping to empty. The collection box detaches quickly and neatly deposits grass clippings. Occasional cleaning of the blades and deck is simple with a deck wash out port that connects to a garden hose.

Overall, the mower is designed for quick, hassle-free operation with convenient storage and minimal maintenance requirements. The lithium ion batteries, electric motor and push button start makes starting and using this mower much simpler compared to dealing with gas powered options.

Special Features

The Greenworks 48V cordless electric lawn mower comes with some handy special features that improve the mowing experience.

LED Lights

It has built-in LED headlights that illuminate the front of the mower. This allows you to see where you're mowing clearly even in low light conditions or at night. The LED lights provide bright visibility without draining the battery quickly.

Onboard Storage

There is an onboard storage area behind the handles where you can store a couple of accessories while mowing. This includes things like gardening gloves, safety glasses, pruners, etc. The storage tray keeps the items handy but out of the way.

Safety Features

Safety is always a top concern with any power equipment. This mower has a couple of good safety features built-in. It automatically turns off the blades if you let go of the bail switch. There is also a lockout feature to prevent accidental startups. It also meets several safety certification standards.

Cost Considerations

When considering the Greenworks 17 inch electric mower, there are some key cost factors to weigh.

Initial Cost The initial purchase price is higher than comparable gas push mowers, typically ranging from $250 to $350 depending on the retailer. However, there are often sales and promotions that make the price more affordable. Given you'll never need to purchase gas or oil, the higher initial price is offset over the lifetime ownership of the mower.

Ongoing Operating Costs An electric mower has no gas, oil changes, engine tune-ups, filter replacement, or spark plug changes. The only ongoing cost is period battery replacement every 3-5 years or 500 charging cycles. This is only roughly $140 for a replacement 48V lithium-ion battery. Compared to the cumulative cost of gas and maintenance for a gas mower, it is exceptionally affordable. You'll enjoy several worry-free years of mowing with little to no maintenance. Most owners report $0 spent on maintenance in the first 5 years of ownership.

Cost Advantage Over Gas Push Mowers Over a 5 year period, total cost of ownership is lower for the Greenworks electric mower compared to an equivalent gas mower. Gas mowers can cost $100-200 per year for fuel, oil changes, minor repairs, and upkeep. In contrast, electric mowers only require minimal periodic expense for battery pack replacement every 3-5 years. In addition, electric mowers retain their used market value better due to less mechanical wear and tear.

Pros & Cons

The Greenworks MO48L2211 has several notable positives as well as a few potential downsides to consider.

Pros

• Great cutting performance, even on tall grass and weeds
• Quiet for an electric lawn mower
• Above-average battery life
• Lightweight and easy to maneuver
• Brushless motor for less maintenance
• Mulch, rear bag, and side discharge options included

Cons

• Higher price than some comparable electric mowers
• Frequent stops to empty grass catcher when bagging
• Batteries and charger sold separately
• Not quite as powerful or rugged as a gas mower

The Greenworks mower offers excellent electric cutting performance and a premium build in a fairly compact package. For the price, most buyers find it provides good value compared to other similar electric and battery-powered lawn mowers on the market. Homeowners with smaller yards are likely to be quite satisfied with its overall combination of features, battery life, quiet operation, and mulching capabilities.

Conclusion

The Greenworks 17-Inch 48V Cordless Electric Lawn Mower is a quality battery-powered mower that offers strong performance and maneuverability for smaller yards up to 1/4 acre. Its brushless motor provides plenty of power to cut grass evenly, while the large rear wheels and lightweight body make it easy to push and turn. The two included 4Ah batteries deliver up to 60 minutes of runtime per charge.

In the end, this Greenworks mower is best suited for homeowners with small, flat lawns without thick grass that needs frequent mowing. It may struggle on large, uneven yards with dense grass. The quiet operation and zero emissions make it a great eco-friendly option for suburbia.

For those seeking alternatives, the Snapper SP60V 60V 21-Inch Cordless Electric Lawn Mower offers a larger cutting deck and more power to handle bigger lawns and taller grass. It costs more but will get the job done faster on expansive properties. The American Lawn Mower 1204-14 14-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower is also worth considering for tiny lawns under 1/5 acre. It requires no gas or battery yet still cuts efficiently.

Overall, the Greenworks 48V 17-Inch Cordless Electric Mower delivers solid performance if matched properly to lawn size and terrain. It earns high marks for battery life, maneuverability, and quiet operation. For mowing small, simple yards, it's an outstanding electric option that will serve homeowners well for years.