DeWalt and Greenworks come at cordless outdoor tools from very different starting points. DeWalt built their empire on jobsite power tools — drills, saws, impacts for construction professionals. Their FLEXVOLT 60V line extends that ecosystem into outdoor equipment. Greenworks came up as an outdoor cordless specialist and built the 80V line specifically for gas-equivalent outdoor performance.
The core question isn't "which is a better brand?" — both are legitimate. It's whether you want a dedicated outdoor platform (Greenworks) or one that unifies your outdoor tools with your existing construction power tools (DeWalt). This comparison walks through the honest strengths of each so you can pick the right platform for your situation.
The Fundamental Positioning Difference
Before comparing specs, understand what each platform is really designed to do:
- DeWalt FLEXVOLT 60V: A construction-tool extension. The FLEXVOLT battery works as 20V (for construction tools) or 60V (for outdoor and heavy-duty power tools). DeWalt's outdoor lineup is deliberately narrower than a dedicated outdoor brand — mostly aimed at the "construction pro who also needs to clear brush" or the "homeowner already invested in DeWalt power tools."
- Greenworks 80V: A dedicated outdoor platform. Built from the ground up for outdoor use with 75+ tools across every outdoor category. Not designed to share batteries with construction tools — designed to be the complete outdoor tool ecosystem.
This structural difference drives most of the tradeoffs below. If you already own DeWalt drills and impacts, FLEXVOLT's cross-compatibility is a huge advantage. If you're starting fresh and buying primarily for yard work, Greenworks' outdoor-first design wins on tool breadth and value.
Voltage and Power
| Greenworks 80V | DeWalt FLEXVOLT 60V | |
|---|---|---|
| Marketed voltage | 80V | 60V MAX |
| Nominal voltage | 72V | 54V |
| Gas equivalent (string trimmer) | ~27cc | ~25cc |
| Gas equivalent (chainsaw) | ~40cc | ~35cc |
| Mower voltage config | Single 80V battery | 2 × 60V FLEXVOLT batteries required |
Two things to explain here:
The "MAX" voltage marketing convention. Both brands use the "MAX voltage" number for marketing — Greenworks 80V, DeWalt 60V MAX. Nominal voltage (the actual sustained voltage under load) is 72V and 54V respectively. Direct comparison: Greenworks delivers about 33% more sustained voltage than DeWalt FLEXVOLT, which translates to noticeable torque advantage on heavy loads.
DeWalt's mower requires two batteries in parallel. The DeWalt 60V FLEXVOLT mower needs 2 batteries to run — one alone won't power it. This isn't a design flaw, but it does mean you need at least 2 FLEXVOLT batteries even to start mowing. Greenworks 80V mowers run on a single battery (though dual-battery models exist for extended runtime).
Tool Ecosystem Breadth
| Greenworks 80V (outdoor only) | DeWalt FLEXVOLT 60V (outdoor) | |
|---|---|---|
| Total outdoor tools | 75+ | ~8–10 |
| Push mower | ✓ | ✓ |
| Self-propelled mower | ✓ | ✓ (dual-battery) |
| Riding mower | ✓ (Crossover Z 42") | ✗ |
| String trimmer | ✓ (multiple sizes) | ✓ (15", 17") |
| Handheld hedge trimmer | ✓ (up to 26") | ✓ (26") |
| Pole hedge trimmer | ✓ (20" blade, 9' pole) | ✗ (attachment only) |
| Chainsaw | ✓ (up to 18") | ✓ (up to 20") |
| Pole saw | ✓ (10") | ✓ (as trimmer attachment) |
| Leaf blower | ✓ (770 CFM) | ✓ |
| Backpack blower | ✓ | ✗ |
| Pressure washer | ✓ (3000 PSI, 80V) | ✗ |
| Cultivator | ✓ | ✗ |
| Snow thrower | ✓ | ✗ |
| Edger | ✓ (dedicated) | ✓ (attachment only) |
| Cross-compatibility with construction tools | ✗ | ✓ (200+ DeWalt 20V/60V tools) |
This is the core tradeoff:
- Greenworks 80V has 6–8x more outdoor tools, covering categories DeWalt FLEXVOLT doesn't touch (riding mowers, pressure washers, cultivators, snow throwers, dedicated edgers, backpack blowers).
- DeWalt FLEXVOLT batteries cross-work with 200+ DeWalt construction tools, from drills and impacts to circular saws and grinders — a genuine advantage if you already own DeWalt power tools.
If you never touch construction tools, Greenworks' dedicated outdoor breadth wins hands-down. If you're a DIY-heavy homeowner with a DeWalt drill collection, FLEXVOLT's cross-compatibility may outweigh the smaller outdoor lineup.
Battery Ecosystem Economics
The battery-cost math looks different for each platform:
Greenworks 80V: One dedicated outdoor battery type. Buy the first tool as a kit (battery + charger), then add tool-only versions of every subsequent outdoor tool. Over 4–5 outdoor tools, you save $600–$1,200 vs. buying separate kits.
DeWalt FLEXVOLT 60V: Same FLEXVOLT battery works across outdoor tools AND DeWalt's construction tools. If you already own DeWalt 20V/60V batteries from your power tool collection, you may not need to buy separate outdoor batteries at all — massive savings for a construction professional. If you don't already own DeWalt batteries, you'll be buying at the FLEXVOLT price point (typically $200–$350 per pack), which is comparable to Greenworks 80V.
The critical variable is whether you already own DeWalt 20V/60V batteries. If yes, DeWalt FLEXVOLT's outdoor lineup effectively becomes tools-only, no battery investment needed. If no, both platforms cost roughly the same to enter.
Where Greenworks 80V Wins
The strengths that push most outdoor-focused buyers toward Greenworks:
- Higher sustained voltage. 72V nominal vs 54V nominal is a 33% real voltage advantage. Meaningful torque difference on heavy loads — thick grass, dense brush, hardwood cutting.
- Dramatically broader outdoor lineup. 75+ tools vs 8–10. If you're building out a complete outdoor tool kit, Greenworks 80V covers categories DeWalt doesn't (riding mowers, pressure washers, cultivators, snow throwers, backpack blowers).
- Single-battery mower operation. Greenworks 80V mowers run on one battery. DeWalt FLEXVOLT mowers require two. That means DeWalt requires 2x the battery investment just to start mowing.
- Better warranty coverage. Greenworks offers 4 years on both tool and battery. DeWalt FLEXVOLT is typically 3 years on the tool, 3 years on the battery.
- Better price-to-performance for outdoor-primary use. If you're buying primarily for outdoor use (not extending an existing DeWalt collection), Greenworks 80V typically delivers more per dollar.
- Dedicated categories DeWalt doesn't have. Riding mowers, pressure washers, and cultivators are on Greenworks 80V — you'd have to leave the FLEXVOLT platform entirely to get these on the DeWalt side.
Head-to-Head: The Flagship Mower Comparison
| Greenworks 80V 21" Self-Propelled | DeWalt DCMWSP700Y2 2×60V 21" Self-Propelled | |
|---|---|---|
| Deck size | 21" | 21" |
| Voltage config | Single 80V battery | 2 × 60V FLEXVOLT batteries required |
| Batteries included | 1 × 4.0Ah 80V | 2 × 4.0Ah FLEXVOLT |
| Runtime | Up to 45 min | Up to 85 min (with 2 batteries) |
| Cutting area | ~½ acre single battery | ~½ acre with dual batteries |
| Drive | Self-propelled, variable speed (RWD) | Self-propelled RWD |
| Warranty | 4 years tool + battery | 3 years |
DeWalt's dual-battery approach delivers slightly more total runtime per session but requires 2 batteries as baseline. Greenworks 80V's single-battery design is simpler and offers dual-battery options for those who want extended runtime — but doesn't require them.
Which Platform Is Right for You?
Straight recommendation based on situation:
Choose Greenworks 80V if:
- You're primarily buying for outdoor use (not extending existing power tool investment)
- You want a complete outdoor tool ecosystem on one battery platform
- You need product categories not on FLEXVOLT (riding mower, pressure washer, cultivator, snow thrower)
- You want the highest sustained voltage in the residential cordless market
- Long warranty coverage matters (4 years on both tool and battery)
- You want single-battery mower operation without dual-pack requirement
FAQ
Can I use FLEXVOLT batteries in Greenworks tools (or vice versa)?
No. Battery platforms are proprietary — DeWalt batteries only work in DeWalt tools, Greenworks batteries only work in Greenworks tools of the same voltage class. You commit to one platform when you buy in.
Is 60V FLEXVOLT actually as powerful as 80V Greenworks?
Not quite. FLEXVOLT's nominal (sustained) voltage is 54V vs. Greenworks 80V's 72V nominal — a real 33% voltage difference under load. In practical terms, this shows up as torque under heavy load (thick grass, hardwood cutting). Both are gas-equivalent, but Greenworks has more headroom.
Why does DeWalt's mower need two batteries?
Design choice. DeWalt built their FLEXVOLT mower around dual-battery operation to distribute power draw and extend runtime. It works well — but it means the entry cost is higher (you need 2 batteries minimum) and you can't downsize to a single-battery setup.
What if I want a riding mower with DeWalt FLEXVOLT?
DeWalt doesn't offer one. If you want a battery riding mower, Greenworks 80V's Crossover Z is one of few residential zero-turn options in the cordless market. DeWalt buyers wanting a riding mower would need to shop outside the FLEXVOLT platform.
Which platform is better for occasional-use homeowners?
Depends on your existing tool ownership. If you already own DeWalt power tools, DeWalt FLEXVOLT extends that investment naturally. If you don't, Greenworks 80V's broader outdoor ecosystem and lower per-tool cost usually wins.
Which brand has better resale value?
DeWalt generally holds resale value slightly better due to broader brand recognition and construction-tool cross-compatibility. But this mostly matters if you plan to sell used tools — most homeowners keep their tools for the full lifecycle.
The Bottom Line
Both platforms are legitimate cordless systems with genuine strengths. DeWalt FLEXVOLT wins for construction professionals and DIYers already invested in DeWalt power tools — the shared-battery advantage is real and substantial. Greenworks 80V wins for outdoor-focused buyers who want a complete outdoor ecosystem, higher sustained voltage, broader tool categories, and better warranty coverage.
For most Canadian homeowners buying primarily for outdoor use, the Greenworks 80V platform is the better long-term buy. For construction-focused buyers extending an existing DeWalt collection, FLEXVOLT's compatibility advantage is genuine gold.
Keep reading:
- Greenworks 80V vs EGO 56V — The Battery Showdown — How Greenworks 80V compares to the leading dedicated outdoor competitor.
- Greenworks vs Ryobi — A Canadian Buyer's Comparison — Power, price, battery tech, and Canadian availability compared.
- One Battery System Saves You Money — The Greenworks Ecosystem — Why staying inside one battery platform saves Canadian homeowners hundreds.
- Greenworks Lawn Mower Review — Every Model for 2026 — Full lineup review across the entire 80V platform.