Greenworks MaximusZ MZ5481 Zero-Turn Riding Lawn Mower Review
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Last updated October 31, 2026
The Greenworks MaximusZ MZ5481 is a good buy for a homeowner with roughly 2 to 3 acres of fairly open lawn who wants gas-free mowing, a wide 54-inch cut and zero-turn maneuverability. It is a poor fit if you need to mow 4 acres on one charge, mow steep or very rough ground, or want a machine you can refuel in two minutes.
This review covers the six-battery kit: two 16.0Ah packs and four 6.0Ah packs with a 1.5kW turbo fast charger.
What the MZ5481 does well
Cut quality and torque
The 54-inch fabricated steel deck spins its blades at a tip speed of about 17,900 FPM, and three independent blade motors keep that speed up in tall or wet grass where a belt-driven gas deck bogs down. Cutting height runs from 1.5 to 4.5 inches on a single lever.
Zero-turn maneuverability
Two independent drive hub motors and lap-bar steering turn the machine tight around beds and trees, and top speed is 8 mph.
Quiet operation
At full blade speed the machine measures around 85 dB, well below a gas zero-turn. That matters for early-morning mowing and for neighbors.
Low routine maintenance
There is no oil, no spark plugs, no fuel and no belts to tension. The upkeep is batteries, blades and deck cleaning.
Utility beyond mowing
A 200 lb dump bed, a 300 lb rear tow capacity and a 2-inch front receiver let it double as a small yard hauler for dirt, mulch and a trailer.
Comfort and convenience
The machine has a roll bar, LED lights, USB-A and USB-C ports, two cupholders and a phone slot. The seat is suspended.
Warranty
The limited warranty runs 4 years and covers the tool and the batteries.
Four cutting modes
The deck mulches, bags, rear-discharges and side-discharges. Bagging needs the separate bagging kit; the machine ships with a mulch plug and a discharge chute.
Where the MZ5481 falls short
The limits of the MZ5481 are mostly about range and about what battery ownership asks of you.
Range is the headline limit
The up to 4 acres figure is an ideal-conditions number. On the six-battery kit, plan on about 2 acres at full 8 mph and around 3 acres at a moderate pace. Size your property around that, not around the sticker.
Battery handling is physical work
Six packs come off and go back on, and the 16.0Ah units weigh around 17 lb each. Expect roughly ten minutes of swapping and carrying per charge cycle, plus hauling packs to the charger.
Charging is sequential
The 1.5kW charger fills packs one after another. The two 16.0Ah packs take about 2 hours and the four 6.0Ah packs about 1.5 hours, so a full set is roughly a 3-hour job. The charger's fan runs whenever it is plugged in, even after the packs are full.
The display is basic
A 4-inch LCD is dim in bright sun and scratches easily.
Start-up delay
About 8 seconds pass from key-on to ready.
Ride quality
Only the seat is suspended. The chassis is stiff over roots and rough ground.
Turf damage on tight turns
The inside rear tire can scuff and tear turf when you pivot hard.
Slope limit
The machine is rated to 15°. Rear-wheel drive means traction, not power, is the ceiling on hills.
Weight and transport
At 848.8 lb it needs a trailer, not a pair of ramps and a pickup bed.
Battery replacement is the long-term question
Six packs will eventually need replacing, and that is the main cost risk of the platform.
No bagger in the box
Bagging requires the separate bagging kit.
The product in this review
Greenworks MaximusZ MZ5481
See on AmazonThe specifications that actually matter
These are the figures that decide whether the MZ5481 fits your yard and your routine.
| Specification | Figure | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Power source | 80V battery system, five motors (two drive, three blade) | No gas, no oil, no belts |
| Cutting width | 54 in | Wide passes, fewer laps |
| Cutting height | 1.5 to 4.5 in, single-lever adjustment | One lever sets the whole deck |
| Top speed | 8 mph | Fast transport between zones |
| Blade tip speed | About 17,900 FPM | Clean cut in tall or wet grass |
| Deck | Fabricated steel, mulch, bag, rear and side discharge | Mulch, bag, rear discharge or side discharge |
| Included batteries | (2) 16.0Ah and (4) 6.0Ah, plus 1.5kW turbo fast charger | Sets your acreage per charge |
| Battery architecture | Three columns (drive, left blade, right blade); at least three packs installed, one per column; only packs above 4.0Ah are recognized | Other 80V packs in the lineup work if they clear 4.0Ah |
| Weight | 848.8 lb | Trailer required for transport |
| Dimensions | 76.77 in long, 73.23 in wide, 56.3 in high | Check gates and shed doors |
| Max slope | 15 degrees | Rules out steep banks |
| Utility | 200 lb dump bed, 300 lb rear tow, 2-inch front receiver | Hauls dirt, mulch and a trailer |
| Features | LED lights, USB-A and USB-C, two cupholders, phone slot, roll bar | Comfort and visibility on the job |
| Warranty | 4-year limited, tool and battery | Covers the packs as well as the machine |
Which bundle you are getting
The MZ5481 model number ships with different battery counts and capacities.
What owning one is actually like
Ownership of the MZ5481 settles into a rhythm of charging, mowing and swapping packs, and the battery count sets your ceiling more than the deck does.
A mowing session, start to finish
Charge the packs, load at least three (all six for full range), swap packs mid-job on bigger lawns, then recharge.
Realistic acreage math
At 54 inches and about 6.5 mph you cut roughly 2.4 acres per hour. One acre is about 25 minutes, two about 50 minutes, three about 1 hour 15 minutes.
Seasonal reality
Winter storage and deck care
Clean the deck after mowing and store the packs indoors over winter.
Safety
A quiet machine is one people and pets do not hear coming. Pull the packs before touching blades.
Buy the Greenworks MaximusZ MZ5481 if you have roughly 2 to 3 acres of open lawn, want a quiet, low-maintenance, wide-deck zero-turn with real hauling utility, and are prepared for the battery routine. Skip it if you need to cover 4 acres per charge, mow steep or rough ground, or want refuel-in-two-minutes simplicity.
It suits homeowners with large properties who want commercial-style cut and maneuverability without gas. Buy the largest battery bundle you can, because adding packs later is the expensive path and the smaller bundles' acreage claims are the ones that disappoint.
Frequently asked questions
How many batteries does the Greenworks MaximusZ MZ5481 need installed to operate?
The Greenworks MaximusZ MZ5481 needs at least three packs, one in each of the drive, left blade and right blade columns. Full range requires all six packs.
Can the Greenworks MaximusZ MZ5481 use other Greenworks 80V batteries?
Other 80V packs from the Greenworks lineup work in the MaximusZ MZ5481 only if they are rated above 4.0Ah. The mower does not recognize packs at or below that threshold.
How many cutting height positions does the Greenworks MaximusZ MZ5481 offer?
The Greenworks MaximusZ MZ5481 deck has 14 cutting height positions between 1.5 and 4.5 inches. A single lever sets the deck across that range.