Looking for a new lawn mower, but not sure where to start?
There have never been more types of lawn mowers available, which means you have plenty of options to pick from. Or… you have too many options to pick from — depending on how you look at the situation.
If you’re trying to narrow down your choices, one of the best options right now are electric lawn mowers. Electric mowers have come a long way in recent years, making them one of the most efficient and easy to use choices for most homeowners.
Gas lawn mowers are still a good, and often necessary, choice for many users though.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the biggest differences between gas and electric lawn mowers and the pros and cons of both mower types. Then hopefully you can better decide which is right for you.
Electric vs. Gas — Factors to Consider
Lawn Mower Power
One of the most important factors to consider when comparing gas and electric mowers is the power output.
With gas lawn mowers, it’s very easy to see how much power you’re getting. Just look at the manufacturer’s stated horsepower. Horsepower is a great indicator of the cutting power you’ll get and how easily a mower can roll over your lawn.
Unfortunately, most electric lawn mower makers don’t publish horsepower numbers. Electric mowers typically advertise max torque or volts, which typically aren’t quite as helpful.
The truth is, most electric mowers are simply not as powerful as their gas powered counterparts. This is likely why most electric mowers don’t advertise horsepower figures.
If you’re going electric, look for a high torque figure and a long runtime to get a general idea of power output. Although these numbers don’t tell the whole story, they’ll help you get a better idea of the mower’s capability. But if you can find a horsepower figure, this is still the best way to determine lawn mower power output.
How Long Do Electric Mowers Run?
Here’s another highly important item to consider when looking at electric vs gas lawn mowers.
With a gas mower, your runtime is essentially unlimited. Even if you run out of gas, you can simply stop and refill the tank and pick up right where you left off.
With a battery powered electric mower though, you’ll either need to recharge or swap batteries. While changing the battery is relatively quick and easy, most mowers only come with a single battery and picking up a spare isn’t cheap.
Most electric mowers advertise runtimes of around 45 minutes, which is probably just enough to mow most small yards. For all but the smallest yards though, you’ll need to change batteries or pause for a charge.
While corded electric mowers are available, they’re becoming increasingly rare. Drawing power directly from your home will certainly give you plenty of runtime, but you will be restricted by the length of your electric cord.
Environmental Impact
The small engines found in gas powered mowers are not great for the environment. Compared to cars, they pump out loads of harmful CO2, fumes, and other contaminants. The noise made by small engines can be damaging to both you and the environment too.
Electric mowers, on the other hand, do not produce environmentally unfriendly gases directly. Electric mowers do require electricity to run or charge though, electricity that is often produced by coal or other fossil fuels. So there is some impact on the environment… it’s just not quite as direct.
Batteries can also have a significant environmental impact if not disposed of properly.
Maintenance & Parts
If you’ve ever owned a gas lawn mower, you know there’s at least some maintenance involved. You need to add gas, change the oil, and sharpen the blade occasionally at the very least.
Electric motors are not maintenance free though. The blade will still need to be sharpened or changed occasionally and the mower will need to be charged before every use. While you may not need to constantly buy fuel for your electric mower, batteries do not last forever. Replacing an electric lawn mower battery will probably cost you at least a few hundred dollars — no small expense for most of us.
Ease of Use
Even the best gas lawn mower can be a pain to use sometimes. They’re heavy, occasionally hard to start, and messing with the choke are just a few of the turn-offs for most people.
Ease of use is where electric mowers really shine. Just charge up the battery and go. There’s no complicated starting procedures and if you need to take a break it’s very easy to get going again.
Electric Lawn Mower Pros
- Electric lawn mowers are very low maintenance when compared to gas mowers
- No need to buy and store fuel
- Electric mowers are very quiet
- Much more maneuverable due to light weight
Electric Lawn Mower Cons
- Electric mowers are not nearly as powerful as gas mowers
- Battery powered mowers need frequent charging and often only run for about an hour
- Plug in electric mowers are difficult to use due to cords
- Electric lawn mower batteries are expensive
- Not a great choice for bigger yards
Gas Lawn Mower Pros
- Gas lawn mowers are much more powerful than electric models
- Parts and repair services are more readily available
- Do not require charging or difficult to use cords
- More options to pick from when shopping
- Gas mowers are also more durable and typically longer lasting
Gas Lawn Mower Cons
- Gas mowers can be more expensive to operate due to fuel costs and ongoing maintenance
- More maintenance in general is needed
- Much louder than their electric counterparts
- Gas powered mowers also produce more emissions
Electric vs. Gas Lawn Mowers — Which is Best for You?
So what’s right for you? Gas or electric?
If you have a small relatively flat yard, an electric mower is probably the best choice for you. With an electric model you won’t have to mess with gas and other maintenance associated with gas mowers. You also won’t have to deal with the noise of a small engine or the environmental impact.
But, despite the downsides, a gas lawn mower is still the best choice for most people. With a gas mower you can cut a larger yard more easily and not worry about getting bogged down by an underpowered electric motor.
Electric mowers can be a great choice with the right yard, but for most of us the technology isn’t quite ready to get the job done quickly and easily.