The Greenworks 25022 Lawn Mower, Tested by the Spruce

We purchased the Greenworks 25022 Lawn Mower so our reviewer could put it to the test on her lawn. Keep reading for our full product review.

Growing up, my parents disliked grass-cutting so much that they bricked in our yard. So, you could say I was predisposed to avoid (and even dislike) lawn maintenance, and I know I’m not alone. Even shopping for a lawn mower—whether a corded or uncorded, ride-on or push model—can be a chore and not to mention an investment. Electric lawn mowers are more affordable and eco-friendly than their gas counterparts, and they supposedly don’t sacrifice power. Could the Greenworks 25022, a top choice for small- to mid-sized lawns, change my mind about mowing? 

Safety: Read the manual

Before you begin, read the provided safety instructions carefully. Children under the age of 14 should not operate this equipment, and bystanders should be at least 50 feet away. Don’t use this mower in the rain or wet conditions, and don’t operate with wet hands. Exercise caution and avoid slopes exceeding 2.5 feet every 10 feet.

Clear the yard of stones, sticks, wires, toys, etc., and make sure you put on the proper attire (no loose clothing or accessories); protective goggles, gloves, and footwear are also advised. To reduce the risk of electric shock, this mower has a polarized plug, which can only be used with a polarized extension cord. Though the mower is double-insulated, the extension cord and receptacle must still be grounded to avoid electric shock.

Ease of Assembly: Simple

The Greenworks 25022 was surprisingly easy to assemble. The directions were clear and, because the product itself is relatively lightweight at 56 pounds, I was able to do it by myself. 

All that’s required is aligning the upper and lower handles on either side of the body and securing with the cam locks and wing nuts. Then, I attached the grass catcher bag onto the back before plugging in the long, heavy-duty outdoor extension cord. I made sure to loop the cord through the cord retainer on the handle to keep it from accidentally unplugging while mowing. Setup probably took 15 minutes at most, start to finish, including reading through the instruction booklet.

To start, I pushed the “on” button and squeezed the bail switch bar across the handlebar, pulling it up to meet the top bar, which activates the mower. To turn off you simply release the bail switch. 

Design: Sleek and easy to tweak

This Greenworks mower has a streamlined, bright green and black design. It features a 20-inch deck with 7-inch front wheels and 10-inch rear wheels and a powerful 12-amp motor. The lawn mower’s handle is comfortable to hold and folds down with a light squeeze for easy, compact storage.

The height of the handlebar can be adjusted to three different positions by loosening the upper handle knob. To set, simply retighten the knob at the desired handle height. Several members of my family ranging from 5-foot-3 to 5-foot-9 tried out this mower, and it was suitable for each of us.

I like to keep my grass a bit on the longer side, so this mower’s adjustable grass length feature was a big bonus. The blade can accommodate seven different positions, from 1.5 to 3.75 inches (conveniently noted on the mower’s body), and I found it was simple to adjust by shifting the lever near the right rear wheel. 

This Greenworks model’s three-in-one debris removal settings give me three options for grass clippings: mulch (via the mulch plug), side discharge (via the side discharge chute), or rear baggage (via the grass catcher bag). 

Performance: A powerhouse

I found this mower easy to use and efficient. It did everything I could want. The 12-amp motor isn’t too loud, and there was no smell as in gas models. Yet, it had enough power to effectively and evenly cut the grass and deal with whatever leaves were left on the lawn. 

Years of tethered vacuuming have made navigating with a cord a non-issue for me, but others may not like this about the Greenworks 25022. I found that it helped to follow a set route to save time as well as to reduce the likelihood of the cord getting in the way. 

The easy-to-push powerhouse maneuvered across the yard with no difficulty, and I was able to reach the edges and corners of the yard with the 20-inch deck. I worked up a light sweat, but I wasn’t exhausted after I was done.

I appreciated having so many debris removal options and thought it was simple enough to shift settings, say from mulching to bagging, for different parts of the lawn. (Note that the mower should always be switched off and unplugged when installing or removing the grass catcher bag, the side discharge chute, or the mulch plug.) I didn’t experience any issues with debris spilling in any of the modes.

Emptying the grass catcher bag was easy: It detaches and reattaches easily and can hold all the yard waste from one full mowing session. I dumped it directly into my compost bin. 

Ease of Cleaning and Maintenance: Breezy

There’s not much maintenance involved with this mower, beyond regularly clearing leaves, grass, and other debris from the motor. Using a compressed air gun or leaf blower makes this really simple (never, ever use water). I was especially careful to do this before storing the mower so that the cut grass and other debris wouldn’t dry on the blade or in the inner workings of the mower. 

You’ll also want to periodically sharpen or replace the lawn mower blades (always while wearing padded leather gloves). When not in use, the lawn mower should be stored indoors in a dry, clean area.

Price: Watch the pricetag

This model retails for an average of about $150, which is a great price for a hard-working electric lawn mower. The majority of comparable electric lawn mowers on the market retail from between around $150 to about $220, which puts this product in the low- to mid-range. Keep in mind, though, that the cost varies quite a bit with different retailers, so it’s wise to shop around. 

The warranty applies to material defects occurring during personal use for four years. In case of defect, Greenworks will repair or replace defective parts free of charge during this period. Note that this warranty does not apply for machines used commercially.

Greenworks 25022 Lawn Mower vs. Earthwise 50520 Lawn Mower

Both of these corded electric lawn mowers have similar specifications—they boast a 20-inch deck, a 12-amp motor, and push-button start. Both models run on electricity rather than gas and therefore don’t give off unpleasant fumes. They even offer a similar three-in-one rear bag, side discharge, and mulching system. 

Where they differ is in price. They can both be found at a range of prices, but the Earthwise model (view on Amazon) usually costs more. The average for the Earthwise model is around $230, while the average for the Greenworks lawn mower is closer to $170. So, for the money, the Greenworks lawn mower is definitely the better deal.