Quick verdict
A light mower with a short deck follows ground a heavy wide mower bridges and scalps. The Greenworks 40V 16-inch is the proven light all-rounder, the Greenworks 40V 17-inch brushless is the better motor for thicker bumpy grass, and the Sun Joe 24V-X2-17LM is the budget pick for a small uneven lot. Set all three a notch higher than usual.
Greenworks 40V 16-Inch Push Mower
Greenworks says the composite deck makes this mower 35 percent lighter than a steel-deck mower of the same size, and that lightness is what lets it follow dips instead of scalping the crests. A single lever sets five heights, the 4 Ah pack covers a third of an acre and the price has made it the default budget cordless for a decade.
The best lightweight mowers for uneven ground: Greenworks 40V 16-inch, Greenworks 40V 17-inch brushless and Sun Joe 24V-X2-17LM, compared on weight, deck width, cutting heights and runtime.
The picks at a glance
| Tool | Best for | Score /100 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greenworks 40V 16-Inch Push Mower | Best Lightweight All-Rounder | 8.6 | Check price |
| Sun Joe 24V-X2-17LM 17-Inch Cordless Mower | Best Light Mower With Steel Blade | 8.2 | Check price |
| Greenworks 40V 17-Inch Brushless Push Mower | Best Brushless Lightweight | 8.5 | Check price |
The picks, reviewed
Greenworks 40V 16-Inch Push Mower
Greenworks says the composite deck makes this mower 35 percent lighter than a steel-deck mower of the same size, and that lightness is what lets it follow dips instead of scalping the crests. A single lever sets five heights, the 4 Ah pack covers a third of an acre and the price has made it the default budget cordless for a decade.
Reasons to buy
- Light composite deck
- Single-lever height
- Third-acre rating on 4 Ah
- Low price
Reasons to avoid
- 16-inch deck means more passes
- Five heights
- Older stock has a brushed motor
Sun Joe 24V-X2-17LM 17-Inch Cordless Mower
Two 24V packs give 48 volts to a 670-watt brushless motor under a 17-inch deck, with six heights from 1 to 3 inches and an 11-gallon bag with a fill window. It is light, narrow enough to steer around humps and sold at a low price; runtime is a modest 25 minutes, which suits a small bumpy lot.
Reasons to buy
- Brushless 670 W motor
- Six heights
- Bag window
- Light and narrow
Reasons to avoid
- About 25 minutes of runtime
- Top height is 3 inches
- Plastic build
Greenworks 40V 17-Inch Brushless Push Mower
The newer Greenworks 40V 17-inch adds a brushless motor and six heights to the light-deck formula, with up to 35 minutes on the included 4 Ah pack and a quarter-acre rating. The extra inch and the quieter, torquier motor make it the better of the two Greenworks for a bumpy lawn that is also thick.
Reasons to buy
- Brushless motor
- Six cutting heights
- Light deck
- Quarter-acre rating
Reasons to avoid
- 35 minutes of runtime
- Plastic deck
- Narrow bag
Why weight and width matter on bumpy ground
A heavy 21-inch mower on an uneven lawn bridges every dip and scalps every crest, leaving brown stripes where the blade dug in. A light mower with a narrower deck rides over the humps and follows the contours, and it is easier to lift and steer when a wheel drops into a hole. The three mowers in this guide are all under about 40 pounds with their batteries and all have 16 or 17-inch decks, which is the combination that cuts an uneven lawn evenly.
This guide is built from the published specifications and manuals of each mower and from recurring owner feedback. We have not run these mowers ourselves.
How the three compare
| Mower | Deck | Motor | Heights | Runtime claim |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenworks 40V 16 | 16 in composite | Varies by stock | 5 | 1/3 acre |
| Greenworks 40V 17 | 17 in | Brushless | 6 | 35 min |
| Sun Joe 24V-X2-17LM | 17 in | 670 W brushless | 6 | 25 min |
Greenworks 40V 16-inch: the proven light mower
The composite deck that makes this mower a third lighter than a steel equivalent is the feature that matters on uneven ground. It rides over humps rather than plowing into them, a single lever sets the height and the 4 Ah pack covers a third of an acre. Five heights is one fewer than the others, but the top setting clears crests on most lawns. It has been the budget cordless benchmark for years and owner feedback is long and consistent.
Greenworks 40V 17-inch brushless: the better motor
The newer 17-inch adds a brushless motor, which is quieter, has more torque for a bumpy lawn that is also thick and lasts longer, plus a sixth height. Runtime is up to 35 minutes on the 4 Ah pack and the rating is a quarter acre. For an uneven lawn that gets thick in spring this is the better of the two Greenworks.
Sun Joe 24V-X2-17LM: the budget pick
Two 24V packs feed a 670-watt brushless motor under a 17-inch steel blade with six heights and an 11-gallon bag with a window. It is light, narrow and cheap. The catch is runtime, about 25 minutes, and a top height of 3 inches, so it suits a small bumpy lot mowed often rather than a large one.
Mowing uneven ground well
Mow a notch higher than on flat ground. Change direction each week so the same crests are not scalped twice. Slow down over the worst dips and lift the front wheels lightly over crests. Over a few seasons, topdress the dips with a sand and soil mix after aerating, which fixes the cause while the light mower manages the symptom.
Which one should you buy
Buy the Greenworks 40V 16-inch for the proven light all-rounder at a low price. Buy the Greenworks 40V 17-inch brushless for thicker bumpy grass and a quieter motor. Buy the Sun Joe 24V-X2-17LM for a small uneven lot on the tightest budget.
How we research
This guide is built from the published specifications, manuals and warranty terms of each product and from recurring owner feedback. We have not run these products ourselves; where a maker does not publish a figure we say so rather than guess.
What to look for
Weight
Under 40 pounds with the battery is the target. A light mower rides over humps instead of plowing into them.
Deck width
A 16 or 17-inch deck follows contours a 21-inch deck bridges, which is what causes scalping on crests.
Height range
Uneven lawns are mowed a notch high. Six heights with a top of 3 inches or more gives room.
Wheel size
Larger rear wheels roll over dips; check the listing photos for 8 to 10-inch rears.
Our verdict
A light mower with a short deck follows ground a heavy wide mower bridges and scalps. The Greenworks 40V 16-inch is the proven light all-rounder, the Greenworks 40V 17-inch brushless is the better motor for thicker bumpy grass, and the Sun Joe 24V-X2-17LM is the budget pick for a small uneven lot. Set all three a notch higher than usual.
FAQs
A wide heavy deck bridges a dip and its blade dips into the crest on each side. A narrower, lighter deck follows the ground.
One notch higher than you would on flat ground, usually 3 inches or more, so crests are not scalped.
Topdressing the worst dips with sand and soil over a few seasons fixes the cause. A light mower manages the lawn meanwhile.
No. Reel mowers need flat ground to cut evenly.
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