If you had asked me a few years ago to pick between a gas vs electric lawn mower, I would have straight away said a gas lawn mower. But, huge advances in battery and electric motor technology have now made electric lawn mowers fair competitors of their big brother gas models.
So, will it make a big difference which mower you choose? At the end of the day, it’s all about which mower can get the job done the way you need it to. With so many different options available, your decision between electric vs. gas lawn mowers will come down to which one best suits your needs. Not every option is going to be right for you. So, let’s take a closer look at the considerations you should make.
Should You Choose an Electric Mower or a Gas Mower? (The Short Answer)
Electric and gasoline-powered lawn mowers have their strengths and weaknesses. Each mower type has a limitation in the yard size they can cut without interruption. In my opinion, this should be your main consideration. Next, you’ll want to take a look at your own abilities. Pushing around a heavy gas-powered mower takes a lot of physical energy so a lightweight electric model could suit you better. Finally, try not to go for a mower that is too big. In some cases, a small electric mower can get the job done faster than a big gas model.
| Power Source | Pro’s |
|---|---|
| Gas-powered | Lots of power Long run time Durable Larger models |
| Electric - Battery | No gas required Low maintenance Lightweight Easy to use |
| Electric - Corded | Low maintenance Endless run time Lightweight Easy to use |
Pros of Gas Lawn Mowers
In the battle between electric vs. gas mowers, gas-powered lawn mowers traditionally won. Gas-powered mowers are usually the top choice for most homeowners. This is for good reason since they are what we know and what most of us have used before. Let’s take a closer look at why gas-powered lawn mowers are a popular choice.
Lots of Power
The power of a gas lawn mower is only limited by the size of its engine. If you need more power, then you can buy a mower with a larger engine. This is a fairly straightforward option and makes it easy to purchase a gas-powered mower that is a good fit for any yard.
When comparing gas or electric lawn mowers, it’s easy to see that a middle-of-the-road gas-powered mower has, on average, twice the power of an electric mower. So, if your yard has some fast-growing grass or some hilly parts, then a gas-powered mower is going to be the best choice.
Long Run Time
Another pro of a gas-powered lawn mower is that it can run for as long as you need it to, as long as you have enough gasoline on hand. Refilling the gas tank only takes a moment, and you’ll be up and running again in no time. If you rely on batteries, then you’ll have to take a long break while they recharge.
Durability
Gas-powered lawn mowers will keep working for ten years or more when treated with care. They have a sturdy, metal construction that can take a bang or two and will keep on going. As long as you stay on top of services and maintenance, there’s no reason for a gas-powered mower to stop working.
Larger Models
If cut width is an important factor and you don’t want to move up to a riding mower, then you’ll find the gas-powered model has the widest cutting deck. Finding a 21-inch deck on an electric battery isn’t difficult, but you’ll struggle with anything bigger. In comparison, it’s easy to find gas-powered models larger than 50-inches. So if you have a large lawn, your best bet will be to pick a gas-powered mower.
Pros of Electric Lawn Mowers
The new kid on the block is the battery-powered lawn mower. With growing concern for the environment, manufacturers have turned to alternate mowing solutions that reduce emissions. Lithium technology has made it possible to have an electric mower without a cord and with enough power to compete with their gas counterparts, making electric mower vs. gas a more attractive choice. So, let’s see how an electric/battery mower shines in the cutting department.
No Gas Required
The first clear benefit is that the electric mower has zero emissions. For some people, this is enough reason to switch to electric mowing. Additionally, storing gas isn’t always possible for some, so batteries are a perfect solution. Finally, it’s unlikely you’ll ever run out of electricity, so you can always keep your mower charged. It’s definitely more convenient than having to run to the gas station every time you run out of gas.
Low Maintenance
An electric mower requires significantly less maintenance than a gas-powered one. You still need to sharpen your blade and keep your mower clean, but that’s about it. Things like air filters, sparkplugs, and fuel additives are of no concern.
There’s really very little you need to do to keep your electric/battery mower going other than charging the batteries and sharpening the blades. So, if engines, tools, and greasy hands are not your thing, then an electric/battery mower is going to be a great fit for you.
Lightweight
One of the biggest benefits of battery mowers is that they are often more lightweight than a gas mower. This is because they don’t have a big engine or fuel tank and are mostly made of high-strength plastics. If you want to go even lighter, then a corded electric mower could be an option for you as they don’t have the weight of a battery.
Easy to Use
The final thing on the list of pros is their ease of use. Electric lawn mowers simply require you to pull the lever, and you’re off. There’s no special starting procedure like for gas engines or any servicing issues that can cause poor performance.
Additionally, lithium batteries are so advanced that you’ll be able to work the mower at full power through the whole charge of the battery. So, as long as you have enough charge in the battery, you won’t have any problems.
If you are using a corded mower, then you won’t even have to worry about charging; just plug it in, and you’re off.
Factors that Will Impact Your Decision
So, you can see that the three types of lawn mowers are very capable and get the job done. Nevertheless, you want to make sure that you make the right choice and pick the mower that’s going to suit you and your lawn the best. So, let’s take a look at the factors that will affect your decision.
Size of Lawn
The first thing you should consider is the size of your lawn. Gas mowers will easily cut large lawns as long as you have enough gasoline. However, battery mowers will only cut for as long as the battery has a charge. Most manufacturers say their batteries will cut for an hour. Keep in mind that this estimate is for a battery in perfect condition. As batteries get older, they hold less charge, so it’s unlikely you’ll get an hour of cutting on a single charge forever.
If you have a sizeable yard, then a corded mower is not really a good choice since they don’t have long enough cords to reach all the areas of a large yard. Extending the cord is an option, but you’ll start to lose power with longer cables. The one way to avoid the loss in power is to buy a larger gauge cable which can be expensive.
Types of Lawn
Different grass types can require different power to be cut properly. So, you want to make sure the mower you select has enough power to make a nice clean cut on your lawn. If your lawn happens to have a coarse type of grass or some pesky weeds, then make sure the mower has enough power.
Cutting Time
Mowers with less power will take more time to cut your lawn. So, if mowing your lawn already takes you a while, then selecting a lawn mower with less power will only extend your cutting time. On the other hand, if your lawn only takes ten or so minutes to cut, then a big mower could be overkill.
Storage for the Mower
Where to store your lawn mower is an important consideration to keep in mind when buying a new mower. For example, if you’re only able to store your mower inside your home, then a gasoline version is probably not going to be a good idea because of the gas fumes. Additionally, keeping in mind how much storage space you have to allocate for a mower can help determine the size of the mower you should get.
Cost to Purchase
If you are in the market for a new mower, then cost is likely a top priority. While corded mowers are the most cost-effective type available, they aren’t a good choice for large lawns. So if you have a sizeable lawn, then you’re left to choose between gas and battery-powered mowers. If you are looking for equal power between a gas and battery mower, then you’ll need to look at a top-of-the-line battery-powered mower to try to match a middle-of-the-road gas model.
Also, if cost is an issue, then keep in mind that lithium batteries can be very expensive if you are looking for lots of power with a long lifespan. So, be prepared to pay a lot of money for a high-end battery mower.
Mower/Engine Knowledge
Even though you tend to get better value and performance from a gas mower, they can be problematic and require you to have some basic mechanical knowledge. So if you don’t know much about engines and don’t want to get oil under your nails, a gas-powered mower may not be a good fit for you.
My Recommendations for When to Use a Gas Mower vs Electric Mower
With so many great options available, deciding between electric mowers vs. gas mowers can be tough. To help you out, I have created a chart matching different lawn types to the best mower for the job. Believe me, picking a mower that will work with your specific yard makes all the difference.
| Small, Flat Lawn | Corded, Battery, Gas |
| Small, Bumpy Lawn | Corded, Battery, Gas |
| Small, Sloped Lawn | Corded, Battery, Gas |
| Medium, Flat Lawn | Battery, Gas |
| Medium, Bumpy Lawn | Battery, Gas |
| Medium, Sloped Lawn | Battery, Gas |
| Large, Flat Lawn | Gas |
| Large, Bumpy Lawn | Gas |
| Large, Sloped Lawn | Gas |
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