It used to be that when you were shopping for a mower, the only choices you had to worry about involved things like brand name, walk-behind or riding, and which features you want. As electric-powered equipment has improved, though, you now have a choice between a gas or electric power source for your mower as well.
The rise of electric lawnmowers may have complicated your buying choices, but it has also provided some interesting options for both homeowners and professional landscapers. Once you weigh the pros and cons of the choice between electric or gasoline power, it turns out that which one works best isn’t always an easy question to answer. It’s going to depend on how you’re using the mower and what you need it to do.
In this article, we’ll compare the pros and cons of cordless electric and gasoline-powered mowers in several different categories. You’ll learn the advantages and disadvantages of each power source and hopefully discover which one will work best for your needs.
Power and Performance
While there are other factors to consider, power and performance are the biggest questions that tend to come up when comparing gas and electric mowers. If the mower isn’t powerful enough to do the job you need it to do it’s not going to make any difference how attractive the other features might be.
There’s no question that the most powerful gasoline mowers are more powerful than electric mowers. However, not every situation calls for the most powerful mower available. Cordless electric models have come a long way in recent years and they can supply the power needed for reliable mowing performance. They’re just best suited to smaller-scale mowing jobs.
Cordless electric mowers can match comparable gasoline-powered models in the homeowner market in terms of power and performance. If you’re mowing a fairly small yard you probably won’t notice much of a difference in the performance offered by a high-quality battery-powered mower and that of a similar size gas-powered mower. This goes for riding mowers as well as walk-behinds.
If you’re mowing large properties or you often have to mow overgrown grass, though, the power offered by gasoline mowers will make the job much easier. This – along with mower run time – makes them the go-to choice for professional mowing work. However, battery-powered mowers can still have a place for professional landscapers due to features like quiet operation and easy maintenance.
Mower Run Time
When a cordless electric mower runs out of charge you need to either swap out the battery with one that is fully charged or stop mowing and wait for the battery to charge. With gasoline-powered mowers, all you have to do is refill the gas tank.
This is another big reason that gasoline-powered mowers are generally a better choice for large yards than an electric-powered mower. You’ll be able to get the job done faster if you’re mowing with a gas-powered mower instead of one that you have to recharge. This is also an advantage for professional lawn care workers, who maintain multiple properties. As long as you have extra fuel to refill the gas tank, a gasoline-powered mower can run all day.
Homeowners generally don’t have the same issues with run time, unless they’re mowing a particularly large yard. There are cordless electric mowers available that can handle mowing several acres. If homeowners want an electric mower, they should be able to find one that can handle their lawn mowing needs without worrying too much about run times.
Ease of Maintenance
Easy maintenance is one of the more compelling reasons to switch to an electric mower. If you don’t need a gasoline engine’s extra power and more flexible run time, then going with a battery-powered mower makes maintenance faster and easier. Some electric mowers even run automatically and charge by themselves so you don’t even have to put time into mowing the lawn.
With electric mowers, the primary maintenance task is to keep the mower clean. All you’ll have to do is clean off cut grass and dirt and sharpen mower blades. Starting the mower is very easy as well. It’s simply a matter of putting in the battery (if you remove it while charging) and turning on the mower. You may have to buy a new battery in a few years, but that’s about it.
Gasoline-powered engines, on the other hand, require more maintenance. You’ll be changing spark plugs, fuel filters, and oil in addition to keeping the mower clean and the blades sharp. You’ll also need to add a fuel stabilizer if you’ll be leaving gasoline in the fuel tank longer than 30 days (such as during winter storage). Gas-powered mowers can also be more difficult to start, requiring a process of prepping, priming, and pulling to start the engine. The extra maintenance can be worth it, though, if you need the power and run-time that gasoline mowers offer.
Environmental Concerns
Electric mowers also have an advantage over gasoline-powered mowers when it comes to environmental concerns. Battery-powered mowers do not produce engine emissions. They are also much quieter than gasoline-powered mowers, which makes them a good choice for areas where noise pollution is an issue.
That being said, modern gasoline-powered engines are much more fuel-efficient than their predecessors. They also p
roduce far fewer emissions. Leading manufacturers are taking steps to ensure their gasoline-powered mowers are as environmentally friendly as possible. Modern gasoline mowers are also quieter than older models, though not as quiet as battery mowers.
The environmental and noise concerns make electric mowers are a particularly good choice for use in town. Professional lawn care companies may consider including electric-powered mowers in their equipment fleet for mowing smaller, in-town yards. This can be particularly useful if you’re working in communities with noise and/or emissions restrictions.
Safety
Both gasoline and electric mowers have built-in safety features to make operating them as safe as possible. There are, however, a few safety concerns to be aware of for both types of mower.
Electric mowers are not recommended for wet conditions. As we’ve all known since we were schoolkids, electricity and water do not mix. Because of this, you’ll only want to use electric mowers when the lawn is dry. There’s not much danger for you as the operator. However, it can damage your mower if the electric components get wet.
Gas mowers use more hazardous substances than you’ll find in electric mowers. Gasoline and oil present safety issues if they’re not handled properly. As long as you exercise reasonable precautions, though, – such as turning the mower off before fueling and using a funnel to avoid spilling fuel on the engine – there’s not much to worry about.
Durability and Weight
Gasoline-powered mowers tend to be heavier than electric-power mowers. This is partly because the more powerful gasoline engines weigh more than the electric motors and battery packs. It also has to do with the materials used in construction. Manufacturers usually use more metal parts on gas-powered mowers whereas they’ll use lighter-weight plastic components in electric mowers.
This means that battery mowers can be more maneuverable and easy to transport due to the lighter weight. However, they can also be less durable than gasoline-powered mowers. You’ll especially notice a difference between electric models and heavy-duty, professional-grade gasoline mowers.
Quality electric-powered mowers are not flimsy. However, they will not stand up as well as the sturdier gasoline-powered mowers to heavy-duty cutting jobs. This is another reason battery-powered mowers are typically a better choice for homeowners than for professionals, who need equipment that can stand up to daily use and to being transported frequently. Professionals using battery mowers may have to replace them more regularly, depending on how they are used and maintained.
Price
In general, electric mowers are initially more pricey than a comparable gasoline mower. However, the electricity used to power a battery-powered mower costs less than the gasoline used to fuel the gas-powered mower. Gas-powered mowers also require more maintenance, which carries a certain cost, and electric mowers eventually require replacement batteries.
The price difference between gasoline and electric power tends to even-out when we’re talking about walk-behind mowers. For the larger lawn tractors and zero-turn riding mowers, you’ll probably notice more of a price difference.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, the choice between a gasoline or electric mower depends on your needs and preferences. If you’re mowing smaller yards and don’t want to deal with maintenance, then a battery-powered mower is the best choice. They’re also good when noise is an issue or you’re concerned about fuel emissions. However, a gas-powered mower will be better if you’re mowing large and/or multiple properties, need more power, or want a very sturdy mower.
If you have any questions or want to check out different mower models in person, come see us at Richardson Saw & Lawnmower. We’d be happy to talk with you about your options and help you find the perfect lawnmower for your needs.
