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Greenworks G-MAX 40V Review

The G-MAX isn't very expensive but we didn't think it was very good at all
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Price:   $130 List | $115 at Amazon
Pros:  Inexpensive, great battery life
Cons:  Pitifully weak
Manufacturer:   Greenworks
By Austin Palmer, David Wise, and Jenna Ammerman  ⋅  Jul 11, 2019
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53
OVERALL
SCORE

RANKED
#6 of 10
  • Power - 50% 2
  • Battery - 25% 9
  • Ergonomics - 15% 8
  • Noise - 10% 8

Our Verdict

The Greenworks G-MAX 40V is an inexpensive blower that has an excellent runtime, is very ergonomic, and is one of the least loud products we have tested. In fact, it actually earned some of the highest scores of the entire group in three out of four of our metrics, which would lead you to think that the G-MAX should have earned an award or at least be a strong contender for one. Unfortunately, it did absolutely terrible in our power test, earning one of the lowest scores of the group and putting it in the back of the group overall. It might be an alright option if you don't want to spend a ton and only have extremely light debris to move but if that's not the case, then we would definitely recommend going with a different product.


Compare to Similar Products

(change comparison)
 
This Product
Greenworks G-MAX 40V
Awards  Editors' Choice Award Top Pick Award Best Buy Award Best Buy Award 
Price $130 List
$115.25 at Amazon		$329 List$329 List$235 List
$228.42 at Amazon		$160 List
$89.99 at Amazon
Star Rating
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Pros Inexpensive, great battery lifeJam-packed with power, good battery lifePlenty of strength, quietExcellent power, solidly ergonomic, quieter than averageMuch more affordable, exceptionally ergonomic
Cons Pitifully weakCould be a bit more ergonomic, quieterUnimpressive battery life, so-so ergonomics and comfortModerate battery life, has a high-pitched undertoneNot the most powerful, can be earsplitting to operate
Bottom Line The G-MAX isn’t very expensive but we didn’t think it was very good at allIf you want the best you can get when it comes to cordless leaf blowers, we highly recommend the Ego Power+ 580 CFMThe XBUO2PT1 is a solid blower on its own merits and has interchangeable batteries with handheld Makita power toolsIf you want a powerful leaf blower that isn’t going to blow your budget, you should snap up the Snapper 82-Volt MaxIf you are a budget-conscious shopper looking for a new leaf blower, we highly recommend the Ryobi
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Rating Categories Greenworks G-MAX 40V Ego Power+ 580 CFM Makita XBU02PT1 Snapper 82-Volt Max Ryobi 40V RY40460
Power (50%)
10
0
2
10
0
9
10
0
8
10
0
7
10
0
6
Battery (25%)
10
0
9
10
0
6
10
0
4
10
0
5
10
0
5
Ergonomics (15%)
10
0
8
10
0
5
10
0
5
10
0
6
10
0
7
Noise (10%)
10
0
8
10
0
5
10
0
7
10
0
6
10
0
3
Specs Greenworks G-MAX 40V Ego Power+ 580 CFM Makita XBU02PT1 Snapper 82-Volt Max Ryobi 40V RY40460
Model Number 24212 LB5800 XBU02PT1 SXDBL82K RY40460
Measured Weight w/ Battery 6 lbs 10 lbs 9.2 lbs 8.7 lbs 9 lbs
Turbo Boost? No Yes No No Yes
Variable speed Yes, dial Yes, trigger or cruise control dial Yes, dial Yes, trigger or cruise control dial Yes, trigger
Included Battery Size 4 Ah 5 Ah 5 Ah 2 Ah 4 Ah
Measured Charge Time 2 hrs 1 hr 30 min 1 hr 30 min 2 hrs 45 min
Measured Run Time on Turbo Boost N/A 19 min 17 sec N/A N/A 18 min 5 sec
Measured Run Time on Highest Standard Mode 38 min 50 sec 36 min 53 sec 14 min 37 sec 15 min 17 sec 26 min
# of Batteries Included 1 1 2 sets 1 1
Nominal Voltage 40V 56V 36V (2 x 18V) 82V 40V
Measured Operator Sound Level Highest Setting 84.3 dBa 94.5 dBa 84 dBA 83.9 dBa 93.3 dBa
Operating Modes On/Off switch with speeds 1-6 Variable speed pulling trigger with turbo button Variable speeds with trigger and speed settings 1-6 Variable speed pulling trigger Variable speed pulling trigger with turbo button

Our Analysis and Test Results

This product finished overall just a few points behind the Ryobi RY40460 and ahead of the HUSQVARNA 320iB. Both the HUSQVARNA and the Ryobi are substantially more powerful than the G-MAX but the Greenworks has a way better battery life. Both the HUSQVARNA and the Ryobi are a bit more expensive but we would recommend either of them over the G-MAX unless you are just trying to dust off your porch or something similar.

The not so stand out Greenworks G-MAX 40V.
The not so stand out Greenworks G-MAX 40V.

Performance Comparison


We bought all of the cordless leaf blowers in this review and tested them side-by-side to see which ones are truly worthy of earning our recommendation. We divvied the various tests into four weighted rating metrics, with the G-MAX's results in each described below.

We were not impressed with the power of the Greenworks.
We were not impressed with the power of the Greenworks.

Power


Accounting for half of the Greenworks' overall score, our power metric assessed just how much strength each blower has and how proficient they are at clearing leaves, litter, and other debris. Regrettably, the G-MAX did distinguish itself in this metric — not by doing well but by doing exceptionally poorly and earning a 2 out of 10.

For our first assessment, we measured how high the Greenworks could levitate a beach ball. It only managed to hold it at a distance of 22" from the nozzle, with the best blowers able to float the beach ball at heights of more than triple that.

The G-MAX is able to give the beach ball a small boost.
The G-MAX is able to give the beach ball a small boost.

Next, we spread out sand on the pavement to see just how far away the G-MAX could effectively move material. This is where this product really fell short compared to some of the other models, maxing out moving sand at a distance of a little more than 5' (64 inches). This is a drastically shorter range than the very best blowers, which could move sand almost 20' away!

A sub-par showing by the Greenworks.
A sub-par showing by the Greenworks.

When it came to clearing mixed debris from a section of our parking lot, the G-MAX did a pretty pitiful job. Its meager range means that you have to walk around quite a bit and makes it really time-consuming to clean larger areas. It also struggles to move heavier items or dirt that is stuck on.

Battery


After evaluating the power of each cordless leaf blower, our next metric focused on what makes them cordless: their battery system. This accounts for a quarter of the final score for the Greenworks G-MAX, which earned a 9 out of 10 for its phenomenal performance.

The G-MAX was a top performer for total run time.
The G-MAX was a top performer for total run time.

The Greenworks runs on a nominal voltage of 40 volts and includes a single 4 amp hour lithium battery. Starting with a battery with 100% charge, we were able to run the G-MAX for a whopping 38 minutes and 50 seconds — one of the longest runtimes of the entire group!

The charger and battery pack for the Greenworks.
The charger and battery pack for the Greenworks.

It's about average when it comes to recharging time for these products, with the included charger taking about two hours to completely refill a spent G-MAX battery.

Ergonomics


Next, we graded and rated how comfortable and ergonomic the Greenworks is to hold and operate, which is responsible for 15% of its total score. It again did quite well, meriting an 8 out of 10.

The G-MAX is one of the lightest models we tested.
The G-MAX is one of the lightest models we tested.

This cordless blower is one of the lighter models that we have seen, only tipping the scale at 6 lbs. or so.


The G-MAX also has great balance, resting at a great blowing angle without much effort on your part at all.

The variable speed control is accessible by thumb.
The variable speed control is accessible by thumb.

Even better, you can reach the dial speed adjustment without any issues when holding it like this. However, you do need to use your other hand to turn the blower on or off.

Noise


For our final metric, we awarded points based on the noise levels produced by each cordless leaf blower, which is responsible for 10% of the final score. The Greenworks G-MAX finished with a strong showing, earning an 8 out of 10.

The G-MAX will take twice as long or longer than the top performers to clear an area.
The G-MAX will take twice as long, or longer, than the top performers to clear an area.

This leaf blower is fairly quiet for these products, only producing about 84.3 dBa for the operator. This drops off fairly quickly for bystanders, only registering 68.3 dBa for someone about 50' away.

Value


The G-MAX is fairly inexpensive but it isn't very powerful, so it isn't the best budget buy out there.

An attachment for the G-MAX that seemed to hamper performance rather than improve it.
An attachment for the G-MAX that seemed to hamper performance rather than improve it.

Conclusion


We would readily recommend the G-MAX if it was a little more powerful but we just can't get past its pitiful performance at cleaning up debris in our tests.


— Austin Palmer, David Wise, and Jenna Ammerman