RB 40V 13" Brushless Cordless Lawn Mower with 4Ah Battery & Fast Charger | 2-in-1 lightweight design for small yards. Foldable handle. 5 cutting height adjustments. Brushless motor for efficiency. Review

Overview

The RB 40V 13" Brushless Cordless Lawn Mower is a compact, lightweight machine built for homeowners with small yards who want to ditch gas, extension cords, and heavy equipment. With a 40-volt battery, brushless motor, and 13-inch cutting deck, it’s designed for precision trimming on lawns up to about 1/4 acre. Think of it as a dedicated tool for tight spaces, not a substitute for a full-size mower.

Who Should Buy This

1. Townhouse and condo owners with postage-stamp lawns – If your yard is under 2,000 square feet and you’re tired of wrestling a 50-pound gas mower around flower beds, this RB is your ticket. The 13-inch deck slips through gates and between shrubs like a dream.

2. Homeowners who hate dealing with gas and oil – No ethanol goo, no stale fuel, no oil changes. Just grab the battery, push a button, and mow. Perfect if you’ve got better things to do than maintain small engines.

3. Seniors or anyone with back or joint issues – At roughly 30 pounds (battery included), this mower is genuinely light. The foldable handle and compact design mean you can lift it into a trunk or carry it to a shed without straining.

4. First-time lawn mower buyers – If you’re renting or just moved into a place with a tiny yard and want something simple, reliable, and affordable, this is an easy starter mower. No learning curve, no spark plugs.

Key Features Breakdown

40V 4Ah Battery & Fast Charger – The 4Ah battery gives you about 25–35 minutes of runtime on a full charge, which is enough for a small lawn. The fast charger refills it in roughly 60 minutes. For a 13-inch mower, that’s a sensible balance. You won’t be mowing an acre, but you won’t be waiting all day for a recharge, either.

13-Inch Cutting Deck – This is the star feature for tight spaces. It’s narrow enough to maneuver between landscaping rocks, around garden beds, and under low-hanging branches. It also means fewer passes in open areas, so it’s a trade-off: precision over speed.

2-in-1 Design (Mulch & Rear Bag) – You can swap between mulching (fine clippings that feed your lawn) and bagging (for a clean pickup) without tools. The rear bag is small—about 7 gallons—but for a small yard, you won’t be emptying it constantly unless the grass is wet or tall.

5 Cutting Height Adjustments (1.5"–3.5") – A single lever lets you raise or lower the deck in roughly half-inch increments. Range is fine for warm-season and cool-season grasses, though you won’t get a super-low golf-green cut. The mechanism feels sturdy, not flimsy.

Brushless Motor – More efficient and quieter than brushed motors. It delivers consistent torque through thicker grass without bogging down, and it should last years longer with less wear. This is a genuine upgrade over cheaper cordless mowers.

Foldable Handle – The handle collapses without tools, making storage a breeze. It stands upright on its end, so it’ll fit in a closet, under a workbench, or in the corner of a garage.

Pros

1. Lightweight and easy to push – At about 30 pounds, you can steer it with one hand. Great for navigating around obstacles or mowing on a slope.
2. Excellent maneuverability – The 13-inch deck and compact frame let you cut around trees, fences, and flower beds with minimal trimming later.
3. No gas, no cords, no fuss – Push-button start, instant stop, and zero maintenance beyond blade sharpening and battery care.
4. Quiet operation – At around 80 decibels, you can mow early morning without waking the neighbors. No exhaust fumes, either.
5. Decent build quality for the price – The plastic deck is durable enough for typical use, and the handle doesn’t wobble like some budget mowers.
6. Fast charger included – A one-hour charge time is rare at this price point. Many competitors leave you waiting 2–3 hours.

Cons

1. Small cutting deck means more passes – If your lawn is over 2,000 square feet, you’ll be walking back and forth a lot. This is not a time-saver for larger yards.
2. Battery runtime is limited – 25–35 minutes is fine for small lawns, but if you have thick, tall grass or a slightly bigger yard, you’ll need a second battery (sold separately).
3. Rear bag fills quickly – The bag is small, and it clogs easily in damp grass. You’ll need to empty it frequently, and the latch can be a bit stiff.
4. No self-propulsion – For a mower this light, it’s not a dealbreaker, but if you have a hilly yard or mobility issues, you’ll still be pushing.

Bottom Line

The RB 40V 13" Brushless Cordless Lawn Mower is a purpose-built tool for small-space mowing, and it nails that mission. It’s light, nimble, quiet, and requires almost zero maintenance. If you’ve got a tiny yard, a townhouse, or a rental with a postage-stamp lawn, this is one of the best values under $250. The battery life and deck size mean it’s not for large properties, but for its intended use, it’s a solid 4.5 out of 5. I’d recommend it to anyone who wants a simple, reliable mower that doesn’t take up half the garage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I use a different brand’s battery with this mower?
A: No. The RB 40V system uses proprietary batteries. Stick with RB-branded 40V batteries for best performance and safety. Spare batteries are available separately if you want extended runtime.

Q: How do I adjust the cutting height?
A: There’s a single lever on the side of the deck. Just squeeze and slide it to one of five positions (1.5 to 3.5 inches). No tools needed. Make sure the mower is off and the blade has stopped before adjusting.

Q: Will this mower handle thick, tall grass?
A: It can handle typical lawn grass up to about 4–5 inches tall. For thicker or taller grass, take light passes (cut half the height, then mow again). The brushless motor helps, but the 13-inch deck and small battery are best for regular weekly mowing, not overgrowth.