When it comes to maintaining a lush green lawn, you will need one of the best lawn mowers to keep it in top condition. If you’ve always depended on reliable gas powered lawn mowers to get the job done, electric lawn mowers are becoming a more popular choice. Electric lawn mowers are either wired or cordless, and run on a rechargeable battery.
Traditionally, gas powered lawn mowers have been the preferred choice for maintaining the shape of our lawns. They are designed to handle larger yards with ease, and there are no restrictions on finding a power source. However, if you don’t want the hassle of handling gas, oil changes, extra maintenance, and of course loud noises, then electric mowers may be the best option.
So, if you’re upgrading your lawn mower or are suspicious of the gas-powered mower business, here are 5 reasons to buy an electric lawn mower right now.
Once you’re done, check out our guide to seven lawn mower mistakes you might be making right now. And if your garden seems burnt out, check out these seven ways to revive dried grass and make it green again.
1. Easy to use and light to maneuver
Electric lawn mowers are generally lighter than their heavy-duty gas-powered counterparts. This makes it easy to push and move around those tight corners, awkward spots, and when going uphill. Electric mowers are also better suited for small backyards, as this requires less uptime. Moreover, electric mowers are easy to start with just the click of a button, while on gas powered types you will need to pull the starter cord multiple times.
2. Quieter than gas powered mowers
Gas-powered lawn mowers are notorious for being loud, averaging around 95 decibels—about the same as motorcycles. By comparison, electric lawn mowers are much quieter, at around 75 decibels – similar to a washing machine. So if you prefer a quiet mowing experience, live in a quiet neighborhood or in an area that has restrictions on gas-powered lawn equipment, an electric lawn mower will be best.
3. Less maintenance
Unlike gas powered mowers, electric lawn mowers require less maintenance. No gas or oil changes, air filters replaced or initial setup to check oil and gas levels every time. Additionally, you must replace gas mower parts annually which can be costly over time. Moreover, electric lawn mowers are much safer to operate, as they do not carry gas or other dangerous liquids.
4. It’s affordable – depending on your yard
Depending on the type of mower you need, electric lawn mowers are relatively inexpensive. Less expensive electric push mowers cost about $140, like the Black & Decker 15 inch 10 AMP Corded Electric Walk Behind Push Lawn Mower ($139, Home Depot (Opens in a new tab)).
Less expensive gas-powered push mowers start a little higher; Senix 125cc 20 inch mower is $169 at Lowes (Opens in a new tab)although the cutting width is 20 inches.
Cordless electric lawn mowers—more convenient, as they don’t require a long extension cord—start around $170 to $180, although more popular models cost anywhere from $250 to $350. However, in some cases, you will have to purchase the battery separately, which can add $50 or so to the price. Depending on the size of your yard, you may want to purchase a second battery.
If you have a larger yard to handle, there aren’t many options when it comes to electric powered riding mowers. Gas-powered ride-on mowers are more numerous and less expensive, starting at around $1,999 versus $2,500 for an electric mower.
5. Better for the environment
Gas powered mowers can emit carbon emissions and other airborne pollutants. On the other hand, electric lawn mowers will not generate such air pollution and are more environmentally friendly. In fact, the California Air Resources Board It states that mowing your lawn for one hour emits the same pollutants as driving a car 300 miles.
In addition, battery powered lawn mowers emit zero emissions during operation, but require you to plug them in to charge their battery. To be fair, the power that goes into your home can be generated by fossil fuel plants, unless you have renewable energy sources like solar panels above your home.
Disadvantages of an electric lawn mower
1. It is not suitable for large backyards
Corded or cordless electric mowers are usually less powerful than a gas powered lawn mower. Lawn mower power is generally measured by torque (the turning force of the blades), and horsepower. Electric mowers have less torque than gas mowers, and you may encounter dense weeds, weeds, or rough terrain.
2. Shorter running time
Battery powered lawn mowers have a shorter runtime compared to gas powered mowers, especially if you are working with thicker or taller grass. So, if you don’t want to have a half-cut lawn, you’ll need to invest in multiple batteries, so you can swap them out as needed.
And if you have a larger lawn—say, an acre or more—you’ll probably want a riding mower, rather than a push mower, so you don’t spend the entire weekend mowing. In this case, you have more options if you choose a gas powered mower.
What other electric lawn mowers are available?
What if you don’t want to mow your lawn at all? Aside from hiring a lawn company, you can also consider purchasing a robotic lawn mower. These devices are more expensive, usually starting around $1,000, but they will do all the hard work for you. It takes some setup at first – you need to install wire around the perimeter of your property, like an invisible dog fence – but after that, a robotic lawn mower will take care of the lawn for you.
If you’re in the market for gardening tools, take a look at the best pruning shears. For more gardening tips, tricks, and methods, check out our guides on how to plant weed seeds, how to make your lawn greener and how to strip your garden.
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