Black & Decker 40V Mower Vs. Worx 40V Cordless Mower: Which One Wins?

Here is a 2000+ word blog post comparing the Black & Decker 40V mower and the Worx 40V cordless mower:

Black & Decker 40V Mower Vs. Worx 40V Cordless Mower: Which One Wins?

Choosing the right cordless electric mower for your lawn can be tricky. Besides their green credentials and quiet operation, today‘s battery-powered mowers are packed with innovative features to help you achieve a perfectly manicured lawn with less effort. But with so many options on the market, deciding on the best model for your needs can be confusing.

In this comprehensive guide, we compare two of the most popular electric mower ranges – the Black & Decker 40V MAX* line and Worx‘s 40V Power Share system. We break down the key differences in specs, performance and value to help you determine which brand offers the best cordless mower for your specific requirements and budget.

Black & Decker 40V Mower Vs. Worx 40V Cordless Mower: Side-by-Side Comparison

To kick things off, let‘s take a look at how the vital stats and features of these two ranges measure up:

So at first glance, we can already see a few differences emerging – primarily when it comes to mowing capacities, battery performance and build construction materials. Let‘s dig a little deeper…

Black & Decker 40V Mower Vs. Worx 40V Cordless Mower: What’s the Difference?

Founded in 1910, Black & Decker is one of America‘s oldest and most trusted DIY brands. They‘re best known for power tools and hardware, but in recent years have expanded their catalog to include lawn and garden equipment too. Their cordless electric mower range is affordably priced with the homeowner in mind.

Worx is a newer brand, launched in 2004 by Chinese power tool giant Positec. Their catalog encompasses all kinds of outdoor power equipment including trimmers, leaf blowers, robotic lawn mowers and of course, cordless electric mowers. While Black & Decker focuses mainly on the value-first residential market, Worx offers light commercial-grade models too for bigger plots.

Deck Size and Cutting

The size of your lawn is the first factor to consider when choosing an electric mower. Matching deck width to lawn dimensions ensures optimum mowing efficiency. Too narrow, and you‘ll spend more time going over the same patches. Too wide, and the mower won‘t fit through gates or around landscaping features and obstacles.

For small urban plots or long narrow strips under 5,500 sq. ft., a 14” cutting deck is usually perfect. Worx offers an entry-level 40V mower in this compact size class, but Black & Decker’s smallest deck width is 16 inches.

Mid-size lawns between 5,500 and 10,000 sq. ft. are best served by mowers with a 16 to 20 inch cutting swath. Now in this range, a lot depends on whether the model you choose is self-propelled or push.

With push mowers, the necessary physical effort makes them better suited to smaller yards of around 6,500 sq. ft. max. Beyond that, self-propelled functionality helps take over some of the heavy lifting, enabling mowers to handle bigger plots.

All Black & Decker 40V mowers are push models. Worx on the other hand offers both self-propelled and push models across various deck sizes. So if your mid-sized lawn edges towards to larger end of the spectrum, a Worx self-propelled model would be the better pick.

At the higher end capacity, Worx fields a heavy-duty 40V mower with a 21” steel deck built for plots up to half an acre. With its commercial-spec construction, this model can handle really big residential plots or pro landscaping tasks.

When it comes to cutting precision, all models from both brands allow you to choose between heights ranging from 1-1/2” to 4”. Specific height settings available:

• Black & Decker 40V – 1-1/2", 2", 2-1/2”, 3”, 3-1/2", 4"
• Worx 40V – (push models) 1-1/2", 2-1/4", 3", 3-3/4" – (self-propelled models) 1-3/5", 2", 2-1/2", 3", 3-1/2”, 4"

Battery Pack and Runtime

When buying any cordless power tool, an important consideration is battery system and runtime. After all, no one wants their mower conking out halfway through cutting their lawn!

Black & Decker uses a single 40V MAX lithium-ion battery pack across the 40V MAX system, which encompasses trimmers, blowers, chainsaws etc. as well as mowers. The 40V mowers ship with a pair of 2.0Ah batteries. But here’s the thing – while you get two packs, you can only use one at a time. So in effect, runtime is limited per charge. Expect around 20 minutes max from each 2.0Ah pack. With the second battery on standby, you get double the runtime. But still, at 40 minutes total, it‘s still quite limited.

Worx takes a different approach. Their 40V mowers feature dual 20V battery ports, allowing you to use two packs simultaneously. The included batteries (either 4.0Ah or higher capacity 5.0Ah options available) deliver up to 35 minutes per charge. Run times are already better than Black & Decker, and Worx gives you the option of adding two more packs for up to 70 minutes runtime. That‘s almost double!

Another benefit of the Worx 20V PowerShare system is that the batteries are compatible across 100+ Worx tools. So if you already own other Worx products, you don’t need to buy more batteries. At 2.0Ah capacity, the Black & Decker packs limit you not only in mowing duration, but also in terms of versatility across a system.

Maneuverability

Electric mowers are lightweight and easy to maneuver compared to gas models. But it still pays to consider ergonomics as you will be pushing the mower for extended periods.

Black & Decker uses ABS composite plastic for its 40V mower decks to keep weight down. The 16” model weighs 38 lbs and the 20” version 47 lbs. These aren’t super lightweight but are still easy enough to control and direct, even on moderately sloped terrain.

Worx also favors ABS plastic for their smaller 14” and 17” mowers. The lightest is the 14” at 29.1 lbs. From the 20” size upwards, Worx switches to tougher, heavier but more durable steel construction. The trade-off for robustness is increased weight – the 20” model tips the scales at 52.9 lbs and the mighty 21” commercial mower at 75 lbs. But the larger Worx mowers compensate by offering self-propulsion, taking over the hard work from you.

Build Quality

While Black & Decker Mowers are built from quality components, their use of plastic does raise some durability concerns compared to Worx’s metal decks. Plastic can degrade and crack more rapidly with exposure to sun, knocks and winter weather extremes. Metal mowers better withstand the rigors of regular use, retaining integrity for longer. Worx offers greater choice here – resin for its smaller residential-targeted models and steel for commercial-grade performance.

Best Budget Mower

If excellent value for money is as important to you as performance, the Worx WG779 14” cordless mower packs an impressive roster of features into a very attractive price point. Despite its compact dimensions, the WG779 can tackle lawns up to 5000 sq. feet while offering single-lever height adjustment between 1.5” to 3.75”, mulching/rear bagging and a 29.1 lb lightweight maneuverable frame. Yet it costs under $300 – smaller and cheaper than Black & Decker’s equivalent 16” model. The Worx PowerShare battery system also gives you optional expanded versatility across Worx’s extensive range of outdoor tools.

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Waste Management

Mowing is only half the process when it comes to maintaining a neat, lush lawn. You also need to decide how to handle all those clippings zooming out the back of your mower! Turning them into mulch is an eco-friendly option that returns nutrients to the soil while suppressing weed growth. Many homeowners prefer to collect clippings however through rear bag attachments. So how do our contestants fare on waste management flexibility?

While Black & Decker mowers can mulch, their single blade system does not pulverize clippings too finely. Worx however uses a 2-stage NutriCut system for super-fine mulching that’s gentler on your soil. Black & Decker again offers more versatility with the option of side discharge chuting unavailable on entry-level Worx models. But larger Worx models catch up, with metal-bladed models offering all three modes – mulching, bagging and side discharge.

Price

Budget is for most buyers the ultimate deciding factor when comparing similar models. Good news here is that both brands offer very competitively priced options catering to varying needs.

The latest pricing across mowers in the Black & Decker 40V range spans $329.99 to $349 depending on cutting deck size. Worx undercuts even those value prices with its 14” starter at just $218. But its larger, heavy-duty commercial models reach up to $529.99.

So Black & Decker consistently occupies the more affordable end of the pricing spectrum. But Worx gives you greater choice to match capability with budget depending on your exact lawn conditions and workload requirements.

Black & Decker 40V Mower Vs. Worx 40V Cordless Mower: 7 Must-Known Facts

To recap on the key comparative pros and cons before deciding on your perfect cordless match:

• Black & Decker 40V mowers best suit smaller residential plots up to 1⁄4 acre.
• The 40V 2.0AH batteries deliver total runtimes up to 40 minutes.
• 6-7 variable cutting height settings accommodate all grass types.
• Lightweight durable ABS resin construction.
• Worx 40V mowers span a wider range up to 1⁄2 acre capacity.
• Dual 20V lithium battery design enables up to 70 minutes runtime.
• Commercial models feature heavy-duty steel decks.

Black & Decker 40V Mower Vs. Worx 40V Cordless Mower: Which One Is Better? Which One Should You Buy?

In the battle between Black & Decker vs Worx, there‘s no absolutewinner. Each has strengths catering to different needs.

For smaller yards on a budget, Black & Decker gives you reliable cutting performance at an affordable price point. Runtime could be longer, but for modest urban lawns, the lower voltage battery system keeps costs down.

Where longer runtime, self-propulsion or steel build quality are priorities, Worx models edge ahead. We particularly like their clever, expandable dual 20V battery setup. And the ability to scale up to heavy-duty commercial-grade mowers makes Worx our top pick for larger lawns.

Ultimately, defining your operational requirements is the best guide to choosing the right cordless electric mower for you. Consider yard dimensions, grass type, obstacles, runtime needed per session and budget. Measure these against the standout features and capabilities of both the Black & Decker and Worx stables. Once your must-haves are clear, the best value mower for your property will become equally evident!