Are you ready to invest in a lawnmower, but there are too many models on the market that confuse you? Electric lawnmowers are often the favorite choice for many homeowners but are they really that good? Well, we’re going to take a look at the pros and cons of an electric lawn mower so you can decide for yourself if it’s a worthy purchase.
How Do Electric Lawn Mowers Work?
Electric lawnmowers are powered by electricity. They can be either corded (requiring proximity to a power outlet) or cordless (operated by rechargeable batteries).
Corded models are usually more powerful, and you never have to worry about empty batteries, but you have to always be close to a power outlet, and the cord might get in the way.
Cordless models have rechargeable batteries that allow you to move around freely, but you might run out of juice before you’re done.
Some other components of an electric lawn mower include:
- Control levers – Mostly used to adjust the cutting length of the grass.
- Rear rollers – Some mowers have this feature that can flatten the grass for easier cutting.
- Safety cutout switches – They can help prevent lawnmowers from overheating.
The Pros of an Electric Lawn Mower
Electric lawnmowers are products that offer a series of advantages. However, most of them are highlighted in comparison with gas-powered motors, so let’s have a look.
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Quiet Operation
A gas-powered mower usually operates at around 90 decibels and often requires ear protection, especially if you’re cutting the grass on a large lawn. Electric mowers are quieter, operating at about 75 decibels. That’s the same noise level as a normal conversation and won’t even disturb your neighbors.
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More Eco-Friendly
Gas-powered mowers are usually very powerful and known for their high fossil fuel emissions. That makes them more toxic to the environment. An electric mower doesn’t use gas, which makes it safer for the environment.
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No Fuel Needed
Since electric mowers are directly connected to a power outlet or are battery-operated, they need electricity to function. Essentially, that means that you have an endless supply of power instead of gas lawnmowers that eventually need a tank refill.
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Easy Maintenance
With electric lawnmowers, the maintenance needed is mostly cleaning. Gas-powered mowers need more complex maintenance.
The Cons of an Electric Lawn Mower
As with all other products, electric lawn mowers also have a series of disadvantages one must consider before spending money on one.
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Limited Mobility
This drawback applies to corded models, which are limited to the proximity to a power outlet. With battery-powered models, you can stray away from an electricity supply, but corded models only allow you to go as far as the length permits it.
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Cable Management
If you have a corded lawn mower, be prepared to have the cable sometimes get in the way. This tends to be annoying, especially if you often go back and forth and find yourself tripping on the cord.
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Narrow Cutting Strip
Most accessible electric lawn mowers have a narrow cutting strip. That means that you’re going to have to overlap the patterns to make sure you cut the grass.
What’s the Difference Between a Cordless and Corded Mower?
Electric lawnmowers are divided into two main categories: corded and cordless.
Corded Mowers
Corded mowers, as the name implies, have cords, which means they can run for an unlimited amount of time. We can use corded mowers to cut the grass as long as the electricity is connected to that particular outlet.
Naturally, the length of the cord has to be proportional to the size of the yard. As a result, corded electric mowers are typically the most effective choice for cutting small yards.
To begin using a corded mower, simply plug it in and press a button or flip a switch to get it started. One of the primary reasons electric lawnmowers are equipped with a key is to ensure their safety.
Cordless Mowers
These models use battery power to get their juice and cut the grass. The batteries that power cordless mowers are rechargeable. Naturally, this means that their batteries must be fully charged before they can be used for as long as the user desires while cutting grass.
These batteries must be recharged on a regular basis, and as with all battery-operated devices, when their batteries run out, so does the amount of time available for grass cutting. Cordless mowers are ideal for flat lawns because they are lightweight and easy to maneuver.
You can also buy cordless grass trimmers too.
What’s the Difference Between an Electric Mower and a Gas Mower?
Just as the names imply, electric mowers need electricity to run, while gas mowers require gasoline. This primary difference leads to a series of other differences between these two products.
Terrain
When shopping for a new lawnmower, look at the mower’s power output first. It is recommended to use a gas-powered motor if you live on a large property and have to deal with obstacles such as boulders, bumps, and difficult grass. There is no doubt that gas-powered lawn mowers are the most powerful, and they can easily eat through the grass.
Even a battery-powered lawnmower may struggle with this type of grass. Electrical components and the electric motor may be damaged or put under too much strain by the stones. It’s a possibility that, after a few months, your lawnmower’s motor will fail.
Motor Power
There are two ways to measure the horsepower and cubic centimeters of a gas-powered lawnmower’s motor. The torque of your lawnmower’s engine is, however, the most important factor to consider. Gas-powered engines typically produce between 4.50 and 8.75 ft lbs of torque.
There is no torque rating for battery- or electric-powered mowers. Since the motor’s output is unknown, we have to calculate it. A lawnmower with a power rating of 1,000 watts and an RPM of 2,800 has a torque rating of around 2.5 pounds-feet. An electric lawnmower uses about a third of the energy that a gas-powered mower does.
Runtime & Fuel Considerations
It’s recommended to go with an electric lawnmower if you’re looking for the longest potential runtime. You can cut your grass as long as you have electricity. You may not be able to mow the grass today if there is a power outage in your neighborhood.
In this case, a portable electric model with a battery could be a lifesaver. As long as you have an average-sized yard, you should be able to get through a whole charge of the batteries.
Until recently, the amount of time a gas-powered lawnmower could be used was determined by how much gasoline it could hold. A typical single-family home’s lawn may be mowed with a 1-gallon gas tank on most lawnmowers.
You can always get more gas if you run out. Oil must be added to the fuel as well. Oil is crucial to running of a 2-stroke motor and the smooth movement of the engine components.
What’s the Difference Between an Electric and a Reel Mower?
Even if they’re both lawnmowers, electric and reel cutters could not be more different. Since I talked several times about what you can expect from a lawnmower, let’s talk about a reel mower.
Powered by the user’s strength and dexterity, a reel mower is a manual push mower. A cylindrical blade assembly rotates against a fixed blade while the operator pushes the mower, cutting the grass in a scissor-like manner.
Reel mowers produce a very tidy finishing product. Smaller, flatter lawns are most suited for manual push mowers, although larger ones can be handled if the grass is in good condition. Rough weeds and sticks prematurely dull blades and may prevent blade rotation. The cutting width of reel mowers ranges from 15 to 20 inches.
Electric Lawn Mowers FAQs
How Long Do Electric Lawn Mowers Last?
On average, electric lawn mowers last about 10 years, while the lifespan of the battery is around five years.
Are Electric Lawn Mowers Dangerous?
Due to the fact that they are high-powered machines with rapidly moving blades, electric mowers pose a significant risk. Electric mowers can become unbalanced when used on sloping terrain, and they pose a risk of electrocution when used in wet weather conditions.
What’s the Best Electric Lawn Mower on the Market?
There is no absolute best lawn mower since it also depends on preference. Some of the best brands that make electric lawnmowers include DEWALT, Ego, Ryobi, and Black+Decker.
How Much Does an Electric Lawn Mower Battery Cost?
It depends on the capacity and brand of the battery. For example, Greenworks sells batteries that cost anything between $100 and $300.
What’s the Difference Between an Electric Mower and a Robotic Mower?
Electric lawnmowers are human-controlled, unlike robotic mowers. A robotic mower is battery operated and it will have its very own power station to recharge. The robotic mower drives itself, it mows your lawn for you, and will drive back to its charge station all on its own. The robotic lawn mower will mow your lawn on a set schedule without you having to do any work, they are quite interesting.
If interested check out our top 10 robotic lawn mowers for hills in our full guide here.
The Verdict – Should I Buy an Electric Lawn Mower?
An electric lawnmower is definitely worth it if you’re looking for a cheaper, more eco-friendly model with lower noise output. If you have a modest lawn with even terrain, an electric lawnmower is a good purchase. For uneven terrain and more power, gas models are a better choice.
Jamie is the founder of The Backyard Pros. When he was 15 years old he started working at a garden centre helping people buy plants, gardening products, and lawn care products. He has real estate experience and he is a home owner. Jamie loves backyard projects, refinishing furniture, and enjoys sharing his knowledge online.