Greenworks LMF403 40V 21″ Self-Propelled Cordless Mower Review

The Greenworks LMF403 looks like a sexy piece of kit. No one can deny that. But in the lawn mowing game that doesn't usually mean a lot. You want to know if it's likely to do a good job on your lawn. At a glance, it certainly looks like something that would appeal to any small-medium size yard owner that wants to "go green" and look good doing it! It features a steel deck (no crappy plastic here), 3 different cutting options, a dual-port battery design and a self-propel system to help make mowing easier on your body. Does it work as good as it looks? We're going to find out in this Greenworks LMF403 review.

Greenworks LMF403 Pros: What Consumers Like About This Mower?

As part of our research to put together this Greenworks LMF403 review, we looked into hundreds of people's experiences with this mower, and as you'll see below, there's a lot to like about it.

• Mow in Peace – I guarantee this is something you’ll very much appreciate. It may not seem like the most important factor when you’re thinking about which mower you should put your money down for, (and it isn’t) but the fact this mower is really very quiet (for a mower) is a big plus. If your previous mower was electric, the difference you notice may be marginal, but if you’re changing over from a gas mower, boy are you in for a pleasant surprise!
• Assembly is a Breeze – I’ve personally experienced hatred towards a product countless times before actually having used it, all because of an overcomplicated assembly process, poor instructions or both (that’s when I really get quite mad!). Luckily for you though, if you buy the Greenworks LMF403 the chances are very good that you won’t have any such problems. Most users say that it goes together very easily and in very little time. Phew!
• A Clean, Consistent Cut – The vast majority of folks that have bought it say that the Greenworks LMF403 produces a nice even cut on most types of grass. With electric mowers I always recommend you mow little and often (this is a golden rule you should always follow to be honest), keeping on top of your lawn care to enjoy the best results with your mower. Do that, and I doubt you’ll have any issues with the cutting ability of this mower, unless you attempt to tackle very thick grass or weeds, which it likely won’t fare so well with. You can bag, mulch or side discharge your clippings, so you have the full range of options available.
• The Battery is Good Enough – When you're buying a cordless electric mower, the battery really is the be-all and end-all. I can never stress that enough when people ask me for advice. If run time and power output are poor, it renders all of the other features on the mower pretty much useless. From what I can tell after researching, the battery on the Greenworks LMF403 seems to do ok. I did find some complaints about it, but there seems to be a general consensus that the batteries charge up pretty quickly and you get approximately 25-30 minutes of runtime on a 5Ah battery. Obviously the more you use the self-propel feature (we’ll cover that in a minute), the quicker the battery will run down, so you just have to be mindful of that. The mower allows you to carry two batteries onboard; one powering the mower and the other as backup. Honestly, the runtime here should go a long way to helping you decide whether to buy it or not. Is 25 minutes enough to mow your lawn? If not, are you happy to pay the extra $ for another battery to get 50 minutes?
• Very Simple to Start Up – Another perk of electric mowers is how simple they are to turn on. It’s just like turning on any of the appliances you use inside your home. There’s a button, you push it, and it works. Very simple, but again it’s one of those little things that helps to make mowing a pleasant experience as opposed to an uncomfortable ordeal.
• Light Enough and Easy to Move – This unit weighs 67 pounds, which is not light, but not heavy either. Pretty standard for a mower of this size. Most folks seem to say that they find the weight to be very comfortable and that it’s easy to move around the lawn. You also have a self-propel system (rear-wheel drive) with multiple speed settings that makes moving it around much easier, and is very handy if you have parts of your lawn that are not entirely flat. But as mentioned earlier, using this will result in a shorter runtime on the battery. You can also use the self-propel to move the mower to and from wherever you store it without running the blade, should you need to.
• It Feels Decent – You know the first time you touch something whether it feels cheap and nasty or whether it feels like a quality, solidly built product. People tend to think the latter with the Greenworks LMF403. And let’s be frank here, you do expect that given the price, but you definitely do notice the superior engineering and finish when compared with some of Greenworks’ cheaper offerings.
• Stores Well + No Gas – Another nice touch is that the mower can be stored vertically if required. This isn’t something unique to this mower – lots of mid-high end mowers are now designed with this space-saving storage feature, but nevertheless, it’s very much appreciated if your shed or garage is already rammed. And you won’t need to put up with storing (and smelling) gas just to mow your lawn either. Like the noise, that’s something that you won’t miss when changing from gas to electric.

Greenworks LMF403 Cons: What People Complain About

• Battery Compartment Not Universally Loved – The only part of the mower – other than the battery – that we found numerous complaints about was the battery compartment. Several people complained about its design and the way the batteries sit, which can make it hard to get at them and remove them. A few people were also a bit miffed that you have to swap the batteries over when the first one runs out, rather than the mower just starting to use the second one automatically. Design flaws? Maybe. But not deal breakers.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Greenworks LMF403

Is the Greenworks LMF403 Self-Propelled?

Yes, the Greenworks LMF403 has a real-wheel drive self-propel system.

Is the Self-Propel Function Variable Speed?

Yes, there are multiple speed settings so you can find the one that best suits your pace.

I Already Have Batteries from Other Greenworks Products - Can This Mower Be Bought Without the Battery?

Yes, Greenworks offer this same model without the battery at a lower price. See the Greenworks MO40L02