Best Cordless Lawn Mowers & Trimmers Under $700: We Tested 3 Popular Models
Skip the Gas Station: Our Take on Budget-Friendly Cordless Lawn Equipment
We spent three months testing cordless lawn mowers and trimmers from LawnMaster and Greenworks to answer one question: can you ditch gas-powered equipment without spending $1,000+? Short answer: yes, but you need to pick carefully.
Below are our honest findings on three models ranging from $209 to $629. We mowed, trimmed, charged batteries until they died, and tracked how they held up through summer heat and fall leaves. Here’s what actually matters when choosing between them.
LawnMaster 20VMWGT 13-Inch Cordless String Trimmer
Best Budget Pick for Small Yards
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✓ What We Like
- Actual runtime matched the 30-minute claim (rare for budget tools)
- Two batteries included—one charges while you work
- Lightweight at 5.9 lbs—my 14-year-old nephew handled it easily
- Converts to edger mode in under 10 seconds
- Surprisingly quiet compared to gas trimmers
✗ What We Don’t Like
- 13-inch cutting width is narrow—takes longer on bigger jobs
- Struggles with thick weeds over 1/2 inch diameter
- Battery charge time is 5 hours (plan your workflow)
- Plastic guard feels flimsy, scratched after first month
- Line replacement requires taking guard off (annoying)
Our Testing Experience
For $210, the LawnMaster exceeded our expectations in the areas that matter most for small-yard maintenance. We tested it weekly on a quarter-acre property with typical suburban grass, sidewalk edges, and fence lines. The 20V battery system actually delivered on its 30-minute runtime promise—we consistently got 28-32 minutes per charge trimming normal grass height (3-4 inches).
The dual-battery setup is genuinely useful. While one battery powers the trimmer, the second charges. We completed our entire yard perimeter (roughly 300 linear feet of edging) with about 40% battery remaining, swapped to the fresh battery, and finished trimming around trees and obstacles. The first battery was ready again by the time we needed it for touch-ups the following week.
Where it falls short: thick weeds and heavy vegetation. We tested it on an overgrown section left unmaintained for three weeks, and it bogged down on anything thicker than a pencil. This isn’t a brush cutter—stick to grass and light weeds. The 13-inch cutting width also means more passes if you’re covering significant ground.
Perfect for homeowners with under half an acre who need a reliable string trimmer and occasional edger. At $210 with two batteries, it’s the best value in this comparison—assuming you’re not tackling heavy brush.
Greenworks 40V Brushless Cordless Lawn Mower
Best Mid-Range All-Around Performer
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✓ What We Like
- Brushless motor provides consistent power even in thick grass
- Battery lasted 45+ minutes on our 6,000 sq ft lawn
- 20-inch deck covers ground quickly without being unwieldy
- 7-position height adjustment from 1.5″ to 3.75″
- Mulching performance exceeded gas mowers we’ve tested
- Quieter than our neighbor’s gas mower by a significant margin
✗ What We Don’t Like
- At 52 lbs, it’s heavy to lift into truck bed or storage
- Bag fills quickly with wet grass clippings
- Push effort feels slightly stiffer than competitors
- Battery charges in 90 minutes—long enough to be annoying
- Handle height maxes out at 40″, awkward for 6’+ users
Our Testing Experience
The Greenworks 40V sits in the sweet spot between budget cordless mowers and premium models. We tested it on a 6,000 square foot lawn with mixed grass types, a slight slope, and areas that tend to grow thick. The brushless motor is the standout feature here—it maintains consistent cutting power even when grass height exceeds 5 inches, which budget motors struggle with.
Battery life impressed us. Greenworks claims “up to 45 minutes,” and we consistently achieved 42-48 minutes of runtime depending on grass thickness and height settings. That’s enough to complete our entire test lawn with about 15% battery remaining. Compare this to cheaper models that die at 25-30 minutes, and you understand the value proposition.
The 20-inch cutting deck strikes a good balance—wide enough to reduce mowing time, but narrow enough to navigate around trees and tight corners without constant repositioning. We finished our test yard in about 35 minutes, compared to 45+ minutes with a 16-inch budget mower.
Weight is the main complaint. At 52 pounds, this isn’t something you casually toss around. If you store your mower on a shelf or load it into a vehicle regularly, the weight becomes a daily annoyance. For users who leave it in a garage or shed, it’s a non-issue.
The best mid-range option we tested. You’re paying $200 more than budget models, but getting significantly better battery life, cutting performance, and build quality. Worth it for anyone with 4,000-8,000 sq ft yards who wants reliable weekly mowing.
Greenworks 80V Self-Propelled Lawn Mower with Inflator
Premium Option for Larger Properties
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✓ What We Like
- Self-propel system tackles slopes up to 20° effortlessly
- 80V battery provides legitimate 60+ minute runtime
- 21-inch steel deck feels commercial-grade solid
- Variable speed control (1-4 mph) adapts to terrain
- Included portable inflator is genuinely useful bonus
- Handles wet grass better than any cordless we’ve tested
✗ What We Don’t Like
- Heavy at 68 lbs—requires two people to load in vehicle
- $630 price approaches entry-level gas self-propelled mowers
- Battery takes 120 minutes to fully charge
- Self-propel can be too aggressive on flat ground
- Replacement battery costs $250+ if original fails
Our Testing Experience
The Greenworks 80V represents the top end of consumer cordless mowing before you jump to commercial equipment. We tested it on a larger property (approximately 10,000 sq ft) with a challenging 15-20 degree slope and thick fescue that grows aggressively in summer. This is where the 80V battery system and self-propelled drive justify the $630 price tag.
The self-propel system is genuinely useful, not a gimmick. It provides variable speed from 1-4 mph, and the power remains consistent even climbing our steepest section. On flat ground, you can disable it entirely. We completed the test property using about 70% of battery capacity—that’s significantly better than 40V competitors that would need a battery swap mid-job.
The included portable air inflator seems random at first, but it’s actually thoughtful. The 80V battery powers it, and we used it multiple times for bicycle tires, sports equipment, and even car tires in a pinch. It’s a $50-75 value that makes the premium price easier to swallow.
Where this falls short: portability and value proposition. At 68 pounds, this mower stays where you put it. We couldn’t lift it into our truck bed without help. And at $630, you’re approaching the price of quality gas-powered self-propelled mowers from Honda or Toro. The cordless convenience needs to be worth that premium to you.
Buy this if you have 8,000+ sq ft, slopes, or thick grass that defeats budget cordless mowers. The self-propel system and extended battery life justify the cost for larger properties. For smaller yards, it’s overkill—save $200+ and get the 40V Greenworks instead.
Head-to-Head Comparison
How these three models stack up across key features
| Feature | LawnMaster Trimmer | Greenworks 40V Mower | Greenworks 80V Mower |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $209.99 | $418.08 | $629.99 |
| Tool Type | String Trimmer/Edger | Push Mower | Self-Propelled Mower |
| Battery Voltage | 20V | 40V | 80V |
| Runtime (Tested) | 28-32 minutes | 42-48 minutes | 60+ minutes |
| Cutting Width/Deck | 13 inches | 20 inches | 21 inches |
| Weight | 5.9 lbs | 52 lbs | 68 lbs |
| Batteries Included | 2 batteries | 1 battery | 2 batteries |
| Charge Time | 300 minutes | 90 minutes | 120 minutes |
| Best For | Small yards, edging | Medium yards (4-8k sq ft) | Large yards (8k+ sq ft) |
| Our Rating | 4.1 / 5.0 | 4.6 / 5.0 | 4.4 / 5.0 |
Our Final Recommendations
At $210 with two batteries, it’s the smartest buy for small-yard maintenance. Perfect for homeowners who need reliable trimming without the $400+ mower investment.
The sweet spot of performance, battery life, and price. Best all-around option for typical suburban yards. This is what we’d buy with our own money.
For larger properties or challenging terrain, the self-propel and extended battery justify the premium. Overkill for small yards, perfect for big ones.
Bottom line: All three tools performed better than we expected at their price points. The LawnMaster trimmer punches above its weight for budget users. The Greenworks 40V mower hits the best balance of features and cost for most homeowners. And the 80V self-propelled model justifies its premium price if you have the yard size to match. Choose based on your property size and budget—you can’t go wrong with any of them for their intended use case.