Gas lawn mowers (or petrol mowers as they're called in the UK) are an option that's worth considering if you either have a medium or large size lawn to maintain, or you want the extra power that only a mower in this category can offer. Long grass and weeds can often cause problems for an electric mower, but gas/petrol mowers can provide the extra capacity needed in challenging conditions. Read our gas lawn mower reviews to find the perfect mower for your needs. We've sorted them below into a section for models available in the US and a section for UK models.
Our Gas Lawn Mower Reviews (US Models)
Below you'll find all of the gas mower reviews that we currently have on our site. Clicking on any one of these will take you right to the review and you can read what we think about that particular model.
Our Petrol Lawn Mower Reviews (UK Models)
In this section you will find all of the petrol lawn mower reviews that we currently have published on our site. These mowers are only available in the UK.
Gas mowers are one of the most popular type of lawn mower, but that doesn't mean that they're for everyone. Below we're going to run through some of the main pros and cons of gas mowers just in case you're still not sure.
Advantages of Gas Lawn Mowers
Plenty of Power
If you've ever tried to mow an overgrown lawn with a vastly underpowered electric or reel mower, you're certain to notice the step up in power that a gas mower provides. That's not to say you should get lazy. But there's no doubt that gas mowers are more than capable of powering through longer grass, weeds and tough conditions that would cause electric and manual mowers to "crap out."
Enjoy Non-Restricted Movement
One of the most common complaints you hear about electric mowers is that damn cord. It limits where you can go and it's always in the way! If only there were a better way...Well, there just might be. If you hate that cord, gas mowers might be an option worth exploring, as you can mow wherever you please, and don't have to worry about anything trailing behind you (other than your grass clippings that is).
Capable of Mowing Large Areas
There's another definite advantage to using gas as your power source rather than being plugged into a power outlet or dependent on a battery with limited runtime. And that's the fact that you can mow pretty much for as long as you want. And if your mower's gas tank does run low, topping it up will only take a second and then you can get right back to it. This makes gas mowers the practical choice when it comes to mowing large areas of lawn.
More Rugged Build Quality
This is perhaps somewhat of a generalization, as some electric mowers are very well built, but it's true that generally speaking the build quality of a gas mower is normally more solid than with other types of mower. This is because gas mowers are designed for use in more challenging conditions over larger areas and need to be able to cope. A quality gas mower can resist bumps, scrapes and run-ins with debris on your lawn, and provide you with many years of loyal service.
Cons of Gas Lawn Mowers
They're Often Heavier
If you're of a slighter build, a gas mower may prove challenging to maneuver around. That's because they're generally heavier than electric mowers, and that extra weight can be particularly noticeable when you need to control the mower in any tight nooks that your yard may have. Having said that, if you are worried about the weight of gas mowers, you could opt for a model that has the self-propel feature.
They're Almost Always Louder
Unfortunately with that extra power comes extra noise. Gas mowers are probably the noisiest type of lawn mower that you can opt for, so if you live in an area with lots of neighbors in close proximity, you will need to be mindful of this and may be restricted to mowing at certain times. Buying some high-quality ear protectors is another thing you'll also probably need to do.
There's More Maintenance Involved
Maintenance with a gas mower is a little bit more involved when compared tp any other type of mower. That said, we're not talking about a huge commitment here. In addition to keeping the blade sharp (which is all you need to worry about for basic electric and manual mowers), you'll need to check the oil, clean the air filter, change the spark plug, among other things.
Not as Easy to Start
We've all seen the classic pull-cord on a gas mower. But if you've not actually had to pull on one, you might not know that they're not always as easy to start as the commercials would have you believe. It's important to read through gas mower reviews carefully and select a model that isn't a pain to start, otherwise you'll be dreading it every time you wheel your mower out. Some higher-end gas mowers do have an electric-start feature, which makes them as easy to start as an electric mower, so if you're particularly worried you could check out those options.