Worx WG787 Review

(Rated: 4.2 / 5) Review by Frank Lowery
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Making the transition from a gas powered lawn mower to an electric one has a lot of advantages. Electric lawn mowers are considerably quieter than gas powered mowers, which means you will be able to mow your lawn at any time of day without having to worry about disturbing your neighbors. You can finish your lawn care chores early in the morning while your neighbors are still in bed, and before the day gets too hot. Then, while they are sweating while mowing the lawn in the midday sun, you will be relaxing in the shade and enjoying your weekend with your family.

Unlike gas powered lawn mowers, which give off stinky fumes and foul carbon emissions, electric mowers are zero emissions machines. Not only does that mean your clothes and yard will not smell like gas fumes after you are finished cutting the lawn, it also means that you will be significantly reducing your household’s carbon footprint by making the switch over to an electric mower. Add to that the advantage of not having to spend money on expensive gasoline or store smelly gas cans in your garage, and you can see why there are so many consumers who are switching over to electric mowers like the Worx WG787.

Review Summary

The Worx WG787 is a battery powered electric lawn mower with a 24 volt removable, rechargeable battery. The battery carries enough charge to power the lawn mower for 45 minutes, and in that time it can cut up to 1/3 of an acre. That makes this mower ideal for homeowners who have smaller yards and want to save money over the long term on fuel and maintenance costs. It is also a great choice for those of you who are concerned with the impact your household is having on the environment. The Worx WG787 is completely emissions free. The EPA estimates that gas powered lawn mowers represent about five percent of air pollution in the United States, and that a single gas powered lawn mower is responsible for adding as much as 88 pounds of carbon dioxide and an additional 34 pounds of other pollutants to the atmosphere every year.

In addition to the fact that this mower is great for the environment and will save you lots of money on fuel costs, it has a number of other great features. It is lightweight enough that anyone should be able to use it with ease, and its overall dimensions are compact enough that it will not be difficult to find storage space for it. There are three grass clippings options included in the initial purchase price – side discharge, mulching, or collection in a rear bag for later disposal or composting. The 24 volt battery charges very quickly, so you do not have to wait overnight for the mower to be ready to go. And the mower has original IntelliCut technology designed to help you power through tougher grasses.

There are a few drawbacks associated with the Worx WG787, though. The cutting deck is on the smaller side, especially considering that this is a power mower. The IntelliCut setting for denser patches of grass drains the battery very quickly. And after a year or two, the battery does not hold its charge efficiently and may need to be replaced. The body of the lawn mower is made of materials that are not very durable. And using the mulching plug affects the mower’s performance.

I will cover both the advantages and drawbacks of the Worx WG787 in more detail in the Pros & Cons section. And I will also provide a detailed product specifications chart so that you can get a good idea of how this mower compares to similar models made by its competitors.

Specifications

The Worx WG787 is a battery powered electric mower with a 24 volt, removable, rechargeable battery. The battery charges to full power in just five hours, and it carries enough charge to run the mower for up to 45 minutes and cut as much as 1/3 of an acre. The mower has overall dimensions of 38.6 x 14.1 x 17.9 inches and a cutting deck width of 17 inches. Its size is compact enough that finding storage space for it in your garage or tool shed will not be a problem, and the handle folds down for convenient storage underneath a work bench or on a lower shelf. The mower weighs only fifty pounds, which means just about anyone will be able to maneuver it around their yard with minimal effort. It is started very easily by simply inserting a safety key and pushing a start button.

The Worx WG787 has three grass clippings management options included right out of the box. You can use the traditional side discharge, attach a mulching plug that will cause the cutting deck to chop your grass clippings into fine pieces that will break down more quickly into the soil, or collect clippings in a rear bag for later disposal or composting. The cutting deck has six height adjustment options between 1.5 and 3.5 inches, and you can easily shift from one to the other using a single handle. It has wheels that are seven inches tall in the front and eight inches tall in the rear. The mower comes with a two year limited consumer warranty.

Description

The Worx WG787 is a zero emissions electric lawn mower that is powered by a removable, rechargeable 24 volt battery. The battery, when fully charged, holds enough power to run the lawn mower for 45 minutes and can cut up to 1/3 of an acre. That is the same area as six tennis courts, and it is more than enough for the average homeowner who does not have an overly huge yard.

In the event that your lawn is a bit bigger than 1/3 of an acre, you can always purchase an additional battery and swap it in when the first battery runs out of juice. Because the lawn mower is battery powered, you do not have to worry about using bulky cords that seem to inevitably get tangled up or lost in high grass. You just charge the battery, pop it into place, and you are ready to go. The battery is fully charged after just five hours, which is much faster than most other battery powered lawn mowers.

In addition to being environmentally friendly, the fact that the Worx WG787 does not need gas will save you a lot of hassle and money over the long run. No more keeping smelly gas cans in your garage or spending hundreds of dollars on fuel to cut your grass. Electric engines also tend to require less maintenance than combustion engines – you will never have to change a single spark plug or clean any air filters on this mower. And because it is so much quieter than a gas mower, you can use it at any time of day without worrying about disturbing your neighbors. That means you can cut your lawn early in the morning before the summer sun is too hot, and be relaxing and enjoying your weekend in comfort.

The mower has overall dimensions of 38.6 x 14.1 x 17.9 inches, which along with its convenient fold down handle make it a breeze to store just about anywhere in your garage or tool shed. You can even store it under a work bench or on a low shelf. And because the Worx WG787 only weighs fifty pounds, even with the battery, just about anyone will be able to maneuver it around their lawn without too much trouble. Other battery powered lawn mowers are considerably heavier and can pose a challenge to people with smaller frames or who do not have the necessary strength to push them.

The Worx WG787 has three grass clippings options included right out of the box. You can use the traditional side discharge, which will leave neat rows of grass clippings on your lawn, where they will eventually break down and release their stored nitrogen and other nutrients into the soil. Or you can insert a mulching plug that causes the cutting deck to chop grass clippings into even smaller pieces that will break down more quickly into the soil. Either option will help keep your lawn looking great and reduce the need for synthetic fertilizers. The mulching option does affect the cutting deck’s performance, which is something which I will get into more detail in the Cons section. Finally, you can collect grass clippings in a removable rear bag assembly for later composting or disposal.

Worx has developed IntelliCut technology for this and other mowers it manufactures. This technology is designed to give you the option of setting the cutting blade to a higher rate of speed, which allows the mower to tackle tougher kinds of grass like St. Augustine or Bermuda grass as well as dense patches on the lawn. One of the main problems associated with battery powered electric mower is their inability to handle tough spots without getting bogged down. The IntelliCut technology helps you to avoid this problem. At the same time, running the mower on the higher IntelliCut setting causes it to drain the battery much more quickly. So if you have the kind of lawn that will require you to use this setting, you may want to consider purchasing a backup battery.

The Worx WG787 has six height adjustment options that range from 1.5 to 3.5 inches. This is a fairly good range to allow you to select the best option to keep your grass looking and feeling its best. You do not want to ever cut your lawn shorter than 1/3 its original height, because doing so opens it up to a raft of problems, including inability to withstand heat waves, susceptibility to disease, and invasions by crab grass and other weeds. Having several height options with a good range is the best way to avoid these problems.

Pros

There are plenty of great features that make the Worx WG787 an excellent choice for the homeowner who has an average sized yard and who wants to not only save the environment but also some money over the long term. This mower is zero emissions, unlike gas powered mowers, so you will get a more environmentally friendly cut with it. It is lightweight enough that just about anyone can easily operate it, and it has small enough dimensions that it is easy to store. The mower has three grass clippings management options included right out of the box. The battery charges very quickly so you do not have to wait overnight before you can start mowing your lawn. And it has a unique IntelliCut mowing system designed to help you power through tougher grasses or dense patches. Let’s take a look at each of these great features in more detail.

1. Zero emissions for a more environmentally friendly cut : Unlike gas powered lawn mowers, which each produce about ninety pounds of carbon dioxide emissions every year and are estimated to be responsible for up to five percent of the pollution in the United States, electric lawn mowers do not produce any emissions. That means you will never again smell gasoline fumes in your clothes or yard after you are done cutting your lawn. It also means you will be able to significantly reduce your household’s carbon footprint when you opt to go electric. That is not to mention the significant savings you will have by switching to electric: gas prices are higher than ever these days, and only seem to continue rising. By comparison, electric power is relatively cheap, so you will be able to save hundreds of dollars over the long term on fuel costs.
2. Lightweight and compact for easier maneuverability and storage : The Worx WG787 weighs only fifty pounds, which makes it considerably lighter than most other battery powered electric lawn mowers. At this weight, just about anyone will find it fairly easy to maneuver around their yard, regardless of body type or strength level. Other battery powered electric lawn mowers can weigh almost twice as much and be cumbersome and unwieldy. The lawn mower has dimensions of just 38.6 x 14.1 x 17.9 inches, which makes it one of the most compact power lawn mowers with a cutting deck size of 17 inches you can find. The handle also conveniently folds down for easier storage. That means you will not have any trouble finding storage space for it in your garage or tool shed, and you can even keep it underneath a work bench or out of the way on a lower shelf.
3. Three grass clippings options for greater convenience : Many manufacturers cut corners on their power lawn mowers by either not including grass clippings management options in the initial purchase price, forcing consumers to spend more on expensive “accessories,” or they do not offer them at all. With the Worx WG787 you get three grass clippings management options right out of the box: you can use the traditional side discharge, which will leave clippings in neat rows on the lawn, where they will break down and supply their stored nutrients to the soil. Or you can engage the mulching plug to get even smaller grass clippings which will break down even faster. Or you can attach the rear bag and collect grass clippings for later disposal or composting. The rear bag holds up to fifteen gallons’ worth of grass clippings, which should be more than enough space for the average lawn without needing to be emptied in the middle of the job.
4. Rapid charging time on the removable battery : Most rechargeable batteries for electric mowers take well over ten hours to charge, but this is not the case for the battery on the Worx WG787. This battery reaches a full charge in just five hours, so you will not have to plan to far ahead to be ready to cut your grass. Once it is fully charged, the battery charger shuts off automatically, so you do not have to worry about damaging the battery by overcharging it. And a fully charged battery carries enough power to run the lawn mower for up to 45 minutes and cut up to a third of an acre of grass. That is as much area as six professional tennis courts, and it should be more than enough for the average sized yard. If your yard is a bit bigger than that, you can easily swap out a dead battery for a fresh one and get back to mowing your lawn in a matter of minutes.
5. IntelliCut mowing technology helps with dense patches : One of the major drawbacks associated with many battery powered electric mowers is the fact that they do not have enough power or torque to handle tougher grass varieties like St. Augustine or Bermuda grass, and easily get bogged down in denser patches of grass. But Worx has come up with an innovative piece of technology to help you get around this problem. The Worx WG787 has an IntelliCut system, with which you can increase the amount of torque that is being supplied to the cutting deck. That causes the mower’s blade to spin at a considerably higher rate, which will power it through tough or denser grasses with ease. You will not have to worry about the mower getting slowed down by tough grass or having to make multiple passes to get a dense patch of grass cut.

In addition to all of these great features, the Worx WG787 comes with a two year limited consumer warranty that will protect you if anything should go wrong with the mower. But with its rapid charging time and ability to cut up to six tennis courts’ worth of grass on a single charge, not to mention its IntelliCut technology that is designed to help you power through tougher lawns or dense patches of grass, you will probably be quite satisfied with this product. Its price tag, while competitive, places it at about the mid range of pricing for comparably sized battery powered electric lawn mowers. But with the considerable savings you will have on gas and maintenance, this mower will practically pay for itself after just a few years of use.

Cons

Even with all of these great features, there are a number of areas where the Worx WG787 could stand to have a bit of improvement. For starters, it has a cutting deck width that is on the smaller side, especially in terms of power mowers. And after a year or two of use, you will find that the battery does not hold enough charge to reliably power the mower through full jobs. The IntelliCut technology, while innovative and quite useful, tends to drain the battery a lot more quickly than the regular setting. The lawn mower’s body and frame are not constructed out of particularly durable material, which could be problematic over the long term. And using the mulching plug tends to affect the performance of the cutting deck. Let’s look into each of these cons in some more detail.

1. Cutting deck width is on the smaller side : When you purchase a power mower, you expect the deck width to be rather large. At just seventeen inches, the deck width on the Worx WG787 is considerably smaller than most other battery powered electric mowers, and it is even smaller than some manual push reel mowers. This is a big drawback, because a smaller deck width means you will have to make more passes in order to finish cutting the lawn. And more passes mean, quite simply, more time spent on the job. There is really no reason why cutting decks should ever be any smaller than at least eighteen inches, and this is especially true for power mowers. What is the point of spending more money if it isn’t going to save you any time in the long run?
2. Battery does not hold a charge well after a year or so : This is another big problem for the Worx WG787. When you purchase a battery powered electric mower, you should reasonably expect that the battery will hold its charge for at least a couple of years before you have to replace it. The battery that comes with this model charges quickly and provides 24 volts of power, but in spite of the fact that the charger shuts off when it is fully charged, the battery still wears out relatively quickly. Of course, if your mower is still under warranty you can always get a replacement for free – and I strongly recommend you do so. But this is still a major hassle, and one we would hope to avoid.
3. IntelliCut fast speed drains battery quickly : While the IntelliCut technology is great for homeowners who want a battery powered electric mower but whose lawns are planted with tougher grasses like St. Augustine or Bermuda grass, or who have dense patches in their lawns, there is a drawback to using this technology. If you run your Worx WG787 on the higher setting of the IntelliCut speed options, it will drain the battery very quickly. That makes this technology great for small patches of dense grass, but less practical for entire lawns planted with tough grass. If this is your situation, you will probably have to purchase a backup battery to keep your lawn mower running at high speeds through the entire job.
4. Lawn mower body, frame and wheels are not very durable : The body of the Worx WG787 is constructed using relatively soft plastic, which the Phillips head screws that attach it to the cutting deck and frame tend to chew into somewhat. The body is also not really durable enough to hold up to repeated, long term use on tougher jobs. The frame is likewise somewhat flimsy, and also will not hold up to tough jobs. And the wheels are made out of thin plastic that will inevitably succumb to wear and tear, especially if you are using the mower on a lawn that has rough, uneven ground. Considering the price tag that this lawn mower carries, one would expect it to be manufactured out of more durable materials. If you have a small enough lawn that is also relatively even and flat, and you do not intend to subject the mower to heavy duty use, the materials should not be a problem. But otherwise, you may want to consider a tougher, more durable mower.
5. Mulching plug affects the mower’s performance : It is great to have multiple grass clippings management options included right out of the box with this mower – that is one of the first accessories manufacturers often cut corners on. But the mulching plug tends to affect the performance of the cutting deck, and will slow it down when you are using it. One way to get around this is to run the mower on the higher IntelliCut setting, although as we have seen this will drain the battery more quickly. The other option is to resign yourself to the fact that mulching the lawn will just take more time than running the mower with the side discharge or bagging options, but that is a hassle, and takes a lot of the convenience of having a mulching plug included out of the equation. Of course, you don’t have to mulch your clippings to get them to break down into the soil, but if this is something you prefer to do, be prepared for poor performance.

Most of these drawbacks on the Worx WG787 are going to present over the long term, so you should be prepared to deal with them if you do decide to purchase this mower. For starters, you are almost certainly going to have to purchase a backup battery for the Worx WG787, although I must say that this is not a bad idea no matter what kind of battery powered mower you decide to buy, because they will all die eventually. And if you do want to use the IntelliCut technology to power through tough, dense grass, having a backup battery will also be a good idea, since it tends to drain the battery very quickly. The small cutting deck width is not a problem if you have a rather small yard, but can be if your yard is closer to 1/3 of an acre, as you will have to make extra passes. Consider these Cons carefully and weigh them against the Pros I discussed above before you decide if this is the right mower for you.

Product Comparison

Of course, one of the best ways to find out if a particular product is the right one for you is by comparing it to similar ones. This way, you not only get a more complete idea of how a particular lawn mower stacks up against ones made by its competitors, but also a better picture of what the market as a whole is like. Comparison shopping is hands down the best way you can decide if a particular product is the best option for a given price. Once you have a better idea of what is out there, you can make your purchase choice with more confidence. I always provide detailed product specification tables for my readers that compare whatever lawn mower I’m reviewing with two others in its class. The following table compares the product specs of the Worx WG787 with those of the Toro 20360 and the Worx WG788.

	Worx WG787	Toro 20360	Worx WG788
Dimensions	38.6 x 14.1 x 17.9 inches	56.7 x 21.5 x 38.9 inches	38.6 x 15.5 x 22.8 inches
Power	24V Removable Battery (Inc. 1 battery)	36V Removable Battery (Inc. 1 battery)	36V Removable Battery (Inc. 1 battery)
Charge Time	5 Hours to 100%	15 Hours to 100%	16 Hours to 100%
Deck Size (cutting swath)	17-inch	20-inch	19-inch
Mulch/Bag/Discharge	Mulch, bag, and discharge	Mulch and bag	Mulch, bag, and discharge
Cutting Area	up to 1/3 acre	up to 1/4 acre	up to 1/2 acre
Runtime charge (conditions may vary)	up to 45 minutes	up to 45 minutes	up to 60 minutes
Drive System	Manual Push	Manual Push	Manual Push
Starter	Key + Push button	Push Button	Key + Push button
Height Adjustment	Handle (6 positions)	Each wheel (8 positions)	Handle (6 positions)
Height Settings	1-1/2- to 3-1/2-inch	1- to 4-inch	1-1/2- to 3-1/2-inch
Wheel Size	7-inch front / 8-inch rear	7-inch front / 8-inch rear	8-inch front / 8-inch rear
Weight	50 pounds	77 pounds	87 pounds
Warranty	2 years	2 years	2 years

As you can see, the Worx WG787 has the smallest overall dimensions of the three mowers, which will make it easier to find storage space for it. It is also the lightest of the three mowers, weighing in at just 50 pounds. The other two mowers are 77 and 87 pounds, respectively, which means they will be a lot more difficult to maneuver around the yard, especially for people with slight builds. But the Worx WG787 also has the smallest cutting deck width of the three, at just 17 inches. Both Worx machines are able to cover more area on a single charge than the Toro can, and while the Worx WG787 can’t cover as much acreage or run as long on a single charge as the WG788 can, it has the fastest charging time for its battery. The Worx mowers have fewer height positions than the Toro, but they are easier to adjust from one position to the other; the Toro requires the user to change the height setting of each wheel individually.

Conclusion

There are plenty of reasons why buying an environmentally friendly battery powered electric mower like the Worx WG787 is a great idea. These mowers provide many of the advantages of a power mower without the drawbacks of a combustion engine, such as spending extra money on fuel costs, storing smelly gas cans in your garage, and smelling like fumes when you are done cutting the lawn. There are several areas where the Worx WG787 offers great quality and high performance, but on the other hand, there are a number of areas where its overall design and construction are somewhat lacking. Before we finish up this review, I would like to revisit all of the Pros and Cons once again, so that you have the most complete picture of all of the areas where this lawn mower meets expectations and the areas in which it falls short. Let’s take a look.

Conclusion Pros

1. Zero emissions for a more environmentally friendly cut.
2. Lightweight and compact for easier maneuverability and storage.
3. Three grass clippings options for greater convenience.
4. Rapid charging time on the removable battery.
5. IntelliCut mowing technology helps with dense patches.

The number one reason many consumers are switching to electric mowers these days is to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels as well as their overall carbon footprint. Unlike gas powered lawn mowers, electric mowers like the Worx WG787 produce zero emissions, and switching to one can greatly reduce the impact your household is having on the environment. In addition, the Worx WG787 in particular is a very compact and lightweight lawn mower, which will make maneuvering it around the yard and finding storage space for it easy for just about anyone. The mower comes with three convenient grass clippings management options right out of the box, so you will not have to spend extra if you want to mulch or collect clippings. The battery has one of the fastest charging times of any on the market today. And the mower is equipped with an innovative IntelliCut technology system that provides extra torque to the cutting deck for dealing with dense patches of grass.

Conclusion Cons

1. Cutting deck width is on the smaller side.
2. Battery does not hold a charge well after a year or so.
3. IntelliCut fast speed drains battery quickly.
4. Lawn mower body is not very durable.
5. Mulching plug affects the mower’s performance.

At just seventeen inches, the cutting deck on the Worx WG787 is one of the smallest available on power lawn mowers today. This is significant because you want a cutting deck that will reduce the number of passes you have to make in order to get the job done so that you can finish in less time and be back to enjoying the rest of your weekend sooner. Besides that, the battery on the Worx WG787 tends to die fairly quickly, and you will probably have to replace it before the warranty runs out. While the IntelliCut technology is great when you have to deal with tough or dense grass, it drains the battery very quickly. And the lawn mower is not designed to hold up to wear and tear on tough jobs. Finally, using the mulching plug affects the performance of the cutting deck, slowing it down considerably.

Final Word

Because of increasing awareness among consumers of the effects of using fossil fuels and producing carbon emissions has on the environment, many are opting for more ecologically friendly appliances. This is evident from the growing popularity of hybrid cars and energy efficient appliances. And one of the areas where consumer choices have a major effect on carbon emissions is in lawn mowers. As surprising as it may seem, gas powered lawn mowers account for as much as five percent of the overall pollution produced by households in the United States.

But switching to an electric lawn mower does not only save the environment. Because you no longer have to spend money on increasingly expensive gas to keep it running, there is a considerable savings to your wallet as well. These machines run cleaner and more quietly than gas powered lawn mowers, and they need less maintenance to keep them running smoothly. It’s easy to see why they are becoming increasingly popular.

The Worx WG787 has a number of features that make it a good battery powered electric lawn mower beyond the savings and reduction to environmental impact it provides. This mower is lightweight and compact, which makes it easy to store and maneuver around the yard. It comes with three grass clippings management options included. Its battery charges very quickly, and it has IntelliCut technology to help you get through denser patches on your lawn without losing performance. But there are some drawbacks associated with this mower as well. The battery does not have a long life. The cutting blade is rather small, and the mower is not made of particularly durable materials. The mulching plug affects the cutting deck’s performance, and the IntelliCut setting drains the battery very quickly. Overall, this is a fairly good battery powered electric mower at a reasonable price, but you should seriously consider the Cons I have outlined before you decide whether it’s the right mower for your needs.

Best Price

The Worx WG787 falls into the mid range of pricing for battery powered electric mowers. And over the long run, you will find that it will save you a lot of money on gas and maintenance costs, unlike a lawn mower with a combustion engine. At the same time, a number of comparably priced battery powered electric mowers have significantly wider cutting decks, and some of these also have longer run times as well. Depending on the size of your yard, this may be an area where spending a bit more to get a larger mower is a good move. However if you are comfortable with a smaller mower, the Worx WG787 is reasonably priced, and can save you a bit of money if you decide to opt for it.