Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I'm going to compare this to my previous lawn mower: Toro 22" Recycler with Personal Pace. I'm replacing this mower as I like the idea of batteries instead of gas. I have used this twice since getting it. Once in 5 inch high grass, and then in 7 inch high grass (same yard). Both times I used the bagging feature, so I do not have experience with the mulching or side chute features. Below are what I find to be the major points in lawn mowers, and how this mower compares to a high quality gas mower (both retail for about the same price). The main point in buying a lawn mower is of course mowing the lawn. Both mowers have shown to chop threw tall grass without stopping (while in bagging mode). You can hear the RPMs of the Greenworks mower rev up when needed, then back down when the grass isn't so thick. Reminds me of a gas mower, but in reverse (with gas, the motor bogs down instead of turning up). Once thing I have noticed with the Greenworks mower is that it seems to leave random blades of grass standing all over the lawn. This point goes to the Toro (albeit only by a small margin). When mowing, I prefer to not get too sweated up. In using the Toro for 5 summers, the personal pace feature made it a breeze. I never got tired, and rarely even broke much of a sweat. The Greenworks mower is approximately 30 pounds lighter, but is not self propelled. Even with how light it is, it's harder to push, especially up inclines. It's a bit easier to turn and pull backwards than the Toro, but not much. This point goes to the Toro. I also like a mower to be easy to use. The Toro has always started for me on first pull. The Greenworks is just a button. The Toro is easier for switching to/from mulching/bagging. The Greenworks is easier for changing the height of the mower. Where the Greenworks wins this category is in stopping the mower. Release the bar, and it stops. This makes it faster/easier to cut power and clean out near the blade if needed. A lawn mower should also be easy to maintain. This category completely goes to the Greenworks. With any gas mower, you need to winterize it (in this part of the country). You need to replace oil in the spring. You need to clean the air filter. None of those things are needed with a battery powered mower. However, both mowers need to have the blade sharpened for optimal cutting. The Toro's blade is straight, making it a bit easier to sharpen. The blade that comes with the Greenworks isn't. Maybe I can find one that is. A lawn mower also needs to handle the full yard before running out of power. This is pretty much a non issue with gas mowers, as having a gas can on hand is standard. And refilling it is generally easy. But for a battery powered mower, this is a bigger worry. It takes me 45min to 1 hour to mow my lawn depending on how many times I need to empty the bag (how long the grass is). Both times I mowed I blew through the 4A battery about 3/4 of the way through, and then popped in a second 4A battery (from my chainsaw). This second battery rand down to about 50%. If I had a larger lawn, this would be a problem. OF course, with batteries, I don't have to worry about spilling gas all over. For me, it's basically a tie. If I were to stop here (which is where the major points end), the Toro would actually beat the Greenworks, and I may be considering returning it. But below are a few important smaller considerations. I have three kids, all under 4, and most of the time I mow when they are in bed. The gas mower didn't bother them too much, but did have an effect. The Greenworks is so much quieter, I could mow in the morning before people woke up and be ok. It's truly quieter than a vacuum cleaner. There is no engine noise, just the spinning blade. Sometimes I wonder if the neighbors think I'm using a toy mower. Big advantage to to the Greenworks. I don't like smelling like fumes. So not having a gas engine pumping fumes all over me and my clothes is another big win for the Greenworks. Finally, storing a lawn mower in my current garage is kind of tight. The Greenworks is shorter (mower portion), skinnier, and can be easily folded down. Another advantage for the Greenworks. In the end, I will be keeping the Greenworks. It's a fine mower that gets the job done. I will be missing the self propelled action though.