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If it ’s time to supplant your sure-enough lawn lawn mower , then prospect are you ’re count the pros and cons of going with an electric or gasoline - powered model . Gas still declare oneself the most grass - cutting power and long runtimes , making this type of mower the clear choice for those with prominent yard . But for most homeowners , cordless electric is the way to go . With advance in battery technology , most cordless mower have a runtime approach an hour , ample meter for mop the average 1/4 - acre yard on a single armorial bearing . Plus , they ’re far easier on the surround , quieter , and easy to operate and maintain . Not sure whether gas or electric is the right lawn mower for your yard ? Ahead , we erupt down all the factors you need to consider when prefer between these two character of lawn lawn mower .
Types of Lawn Mowers
Comparing Electric vs. Gas Lawn Mowers
When choosing between these two types of lawn mowers , it ’s important to consider cost , run fourth dimension , world power , maintenance , and relief of use . We come apart down each of these factor below .
Cost
Cost ranges significantly depending on a lawn mower ’s power informant . cord electric lawn mowers are by far the loud options out there , with most ranging from $ 150 to $ 200 , look on the steel and pack of cards size .
Cordless mannequin are pricier than twilled model , with prices reckon on the brand , deck size , and whether it ’s self - motivate . A introductory 20 - in walk - behind mower can roam from around $ 300 to $ 700 with some self - propelled simulation with additional large decks course as mellow as $ 1,200 , and bombardment unravel $ 150 to $ 200 . A battery - powered horseback riding mower is importantly more expensive than take the air - behind models , range from $ 4,000 for a lawn tractor up to $ 7,000 for azero - twist riding lawn mower , with batteries costing $ 150 to $ 400 .
Gas mowers , which also come in a variety of sizing and types , also execute the gamut when it comes to price . Except to pay between $ 300 and $ 800 for a walk - behind accelerator pedal powered mower , again bet on brand , deck sizing , and whether it ’s self - incite . Some super high - end models with wide mowing decks can get to as high-pitched as $ 1,600 . Gas riding lawn mower range from $ 2,000 for a small riding tractor up to $ 4,000 for a zero - turn riding mower .
Photo: Maria Korneeva and olaser via Getty Images.
Run Time
When considering whether a accelerator lawn mower or galvanic or electric is sound for you , keep in intellect that gas pedal - powered lawn mowers have the clear vantage when it comes to runtime . You ’ll get between 30 and 60 second on a cordless , battery - power lawn mower , look on the sizing of the battery , the voltage of the mower ’s locomotive , and how severely it has to work on to edit through the grass . Thicker , taller skunk requires more top executive and hence drain the battery more quickly . You ’ll get about 45 to 60 bit of run time out of one tank of fuel of agas lawn mower .
The main deviation with a corded lawn mower is that once the batteries are drained , you ’ll need to wait for them to reload before you may proceed , a outgrowth that can take 45 mo to several hours . With a gas lawn lawn mower , you could just fill again the tank and keep on mow . For this intellect , mostbattery - powered lawn mowersare limited to yards you may mow in less than an hour ( which can motley bet on the sizing of the lawn mower ’s deck ) .
“ Gas mowers are just going to last longer and can therefore treat a prominent mowing job with a larger curtilage than an electric lawn mower might , ” say Ryan Farley , CEO of Lawnstarter , a company that match lawn care services with homeowners .
Photo: Olga Rolenko via Getty Images
While corded electric mower can bleed indefinitely , keep in mind that they ’re limited in range and business leader . They ’re only rated for extension cord up to 100 feet long , and the 120 - volt outlet limit their deck size of it to a uttermost of 20 column inch .
Power and Cutting Ability
While there are some battery - power mowers that can jibe gas in cutting power , on average , gas lawn mower are more knock-down and have greater cutting power than cordless electric models . While most gas lawn mowers have the muscle to cut through even thick dope , not all cordless electriclawn mowersdo .
That tell , advancements in battery technology have put some high-pitched - end electric lawn mower in the same league as accelerator pedal powered models when it comes to pillbox . For example EGO , which makes some of the most sinewy electric mower , produces battery - powered push mowers that put out between 6 to 9 ft . lbs . of torque — on par with gas - powered mowers .
“ Gas mowers do have a more sinewy cut , so they can offer a higher character cut when you ’re working with denser grass , sess , etc , ” Farley says . “ But for your ordinary lawn , I have n’t really remark too much of a remainder . ”
Photo: The Home Depot
Best Gas Mower
Honda HRN216VKA 21″ Variable Speed Walk - Behind Mower , $ 549 at The Home Depot
This 21 - inch lawnmower has a hefty , 170cc engine that sits atop an plenteous 21 - column inch deck . A simple clip system makes it easy to switch between mulching , sacking , and side discharge of skunk clip without needing to add or remove adherence . ThisHonda moweruses a rear - rack drive for its propulsion system , which reach it superior ability to voyage scratchy terrain and climb slopes . Handlebar controls make it a breeze to switch between the lawn mower ’s varying speeds .
See our explore guide to thebest throttle lawn mowersfor more recommendations .
Photo: Amazon
Best Electric Mower
Ego Power+ 21″ Self - propel Lawn Mower , $ 649 at Amazon
The Ego Power+ ’s 56V 7.5 amp - hour ( Ah ) assault and battery produces up to an hour of runtime per charge and recharges within 60 minutes . cut power automatically increases when conditions get tougher ; expend a lever tumbler to adjust the ego - propelled pace for optimal solace . Choose from rear bagging , side expelling , or mulching with the included equipment .
See ourtested scout to the best electric lawn mowersfor more recommendations .
Photo: Manu Vega / Getty Images Manu Vega
Maintenance and Winterization
When it come tolawn mower maintenanceandwinterization , electric mannikin have the clear vantage . Beyond store the batteries indoors in fourth dimension of extreme frigidity or passion and occasionally sharpen the steel , galvanic mowers command about no maintenance . gun - power mowers are another story . You ’ll need to periodically replace its spark nag , alter its oil and fossil oil filter , and scavenge its air filter to keep your lawn mower run swimmingly . You ’ll also need to winterize the gas to prevent it from going stale if you plan to store the mower for a recollective period of time .
Storage and Portability
Electric lawn mowersalso have the edge when it comes to storehouse and portability . On average , gasoline mower count 80 to 90 lbs . with an empty gas tank . Electric lawn mowers , in comparability , weigh 50 to 60 lbf. , making them easier to maneuver and shop . In fact , since electric lawn mowers do n’t have a fuel cooler , you’re able to even put in them vertically in your shed or service department to help save space .
Noise and Ease of Use
An galvanizing lawn mower ’s light weighting makes it easy to maneuver and use than a heavier gas - power lawn lawn mower . Electric mower are also comfortable to set off . Whereas most gas mowers have a pull starter that require the hustler to have a certain amount of intensity level to fire up the locomotive , electrical lawn mowers have push - button starters that make starting them effortless . If you fight to start up or push a mower , then an galvanising mower is the expert choice when it comes to galvanic vs gas mower .
If your neighbors are kip in on Saturday morning , you wo n’t make any friends if you crank up up your old gas - powered mower that breathe around 95 decibel of noise — comparable to the sound of a motorcycle move .
Electric mowers ( corded and shelling operated ) are much easier on the ears , produce between 65 to 75 decibels — like to the sound of a washing machine run . “ Electric mower are roll in the hay for making much less noise , so if you ’re in pretty close quarters with a lot of neighbors , it can be nice to spring for the quieter alternative , ” Farley enjoin .
Photo: AleksandarNakic via Getty Images
Environmental Impact
Gas - powered lawn tool , including lawn mower , release severe pollutant , including C monoxide , atomic number 7 oxide , and a host of volatile constitutional compound , into the atmosphere . harmonise to theEnvironmental Protection Agency , off - route gun - power equipment , such as chain saw and lawn mowers , let out about 242 million tons of pollutants each year , with mowers account for about 40 % of those emissions .
Electric mowers , in comparison , have far less encroachment on the surroundings as both types of electrical lawn mower create zero emissions . Rechargeable batteries for cordless mower , however , do contain lithium , the mining of which has been known to pollute water supplying . If going green is your top antecedence , a twilled electric mower is potential to have the least shock on the environment .
Keep in mind that depending on where you go , you may not have a choice between electric vs. petrol lawn equipment . California banned the sale of gas lawn mowers beginning in 2024 as part of its Green Lawn Care Law . metropolis such as Denver , Washington D.C. , and Burlington , Vermont may shortly follow suit .
Pros and Cons of Electric Lawn Mowers
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Pros and Cons of Gas Lawn Mowers
Are Gas or Electric Lawn Mowers Better?
Whether you should go with a gas or galvanising lawn mower really depends on the case of pace you have . “ Smaller or intermediate - sized yards without dense spots or widow’s weeds will do great with an electric mower , ” Farley tell . Cordless mowers have enough runtime for you to mop the total K on a undivided bursting charge , are lower sustentation , and are easier to operate and fund . Electric lawn mowers are also by far the more environmentally conscious way to go .
That said , an electric lawn mower is n’t the good option for all lawns . If you have a lawn that ’s magnanimous than a 1/4 Akka with slopes and various trees , landscape gardening beds and other obstacles to bring around , you ’ll in all probability need the longer runtime and sensitive film editing ability that a gas mower offers . You may also desire the superior cutting exponent offered by a flatulence mower if your lawn lie of thick grass or if you like to permit the grass acquire longer between cuttings .
“ flatulency mowers come with the advantage of having a more powerful motor , ” Farley says . “ There ’s also no need to charge a battery , and they can function for longer than an electric mower . ”
If you ’re looking for a budget option , have a small yard that ’s less than an acre and do n’t mind the inconvenience of a top executive corduroy , then a twilled electric mower is a viable option .
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