Gas vs electric lawn mower: Which is best for you?

Your lawn plays host to plenty of barbecues, snowball fights, and backyard games. As such, taking care of your lawn is another way of caring for yourself and your family. A mower is a key element of your lawncare routine, providing smooth cuts and satisfaction year-round. Your lawn deserves the best care, but which is better when it comes to gas vs electric lawn mowers? 

To cut to the chase, we got in touch with lawn mower expert Gary Whitney from STIGA to get the facts. “There isn’t one simple answer to this question,” Gary says. “The reality is that current environmental thinking favors battery-powered machines over petrol. Battery technology is improving very rapidly and run and recharge times are improving extremely quickly. They deliver the power of petrol but without the fumes, noise or mess".

Knowing the differences between the best electric lawn mowers and best gas mowers will help you choose the perfect model for your yard the first time around. You want a model that is efficient, simple to use, and durable enough to last for seasons to come. With the right mower, you can ensure that your lawn stays primed to impress without spending a fortune.

Read on to discover our verdict and spend more time enjoying your lawn than mowing it.

Gas vs electric lawn mower: Power

The biggest difference between the two types comes down to power and fuel. Let’s dive into the details to see which is best.

There are two types of electric lawnmowers available on today’s US market. This includes corded and uncorded. As its name suggests, the former requires a power source to make it work, while the latter runs on battery power.

Nowadays, many electric lawnmowers come with clever designs that make garden maintenance even easier, including grippy handles and wide-cutting stances. However, aside from this, what else can electric lawnmowers offer you?

Gary says: “Battery-powered lawnmowers are a rapidly increasing sector of the market.”

Some positives of having a battery-powered lawn mower include:
• Ease of operation
• No starting difficulties
• No need to store cans of gas
• Usually cheaper than gas lawnmowers

Gary continues: “Battery machines are considerably better for the environment than petrol including massively reduced noise levels that can be harmful to the operator’s ears and the environment.”

Despite all their positives, electric mowers do have a few negative aspects to consider. Gary advises that they can be a significant trip hazard if not careful, “and an even greater danger if the cable is accidentally cut with the mower. They are also more difficult to store.

“Modern batteries have extended run and reduced recharge times so there are no negatives with battery-powered machines. At STIGA we offer battery-powered machines that can mow up to 8,000 square meters of grass on a single charge.”

Meanwhile, if you choose to invest in one of the top-rated gas lawnmowers, you’ll be equipped with the most powerful option for chopping your lawn.

Plus, many gas lawnmowers now come with easy electric key starts, cruise control, and blade-stop technology. However, the benefits of investing in a gas lawn mower don't stop there. If you opt for a gas lawn mower, you can also enjoy:
• No cord
• A lawn mower that’s unbeatable in power
• Cutting through tougher areas of grass
• No charging time

Gas lawnmowers might be famed for having more power. But with all this power comes a heavier – and usually larger – engine. They also:
• Are louder than electric lawnmowers
• Require a top-up of gas
• Are damaging to the environment
• Can be difficult to start
• Are usually more expensive than electric mowers

Gas vs electric lawn mower: Price

A lawnmower is a crucial investment when it comes to garden maintenance. You want to ensure that you get the best model for your home at the best price possible. Which gives you more for your money?

Electric mowers tend to be cheaper than their gas mower counterparts due to various factors, including:
• No need to buy and store multiple cans of gas
• Run on battery power, which is often rechargeable, or direct to a home power source
• Lighter and more compact than gas mowers

That being said, the heaviness and gas fuel is what gives gas lawnmowers their power to cut through stubborn grass and weeds. 

However, this can change depending on the model or brand and whether there is a sale. We recommend deciding on a budget in advance and doing your research to find the best model for you. If it is out of your budget, consider waiting until there is a deal on that mower or hunting down a reduced price online.

Gas vs electric lawn mower: Care and maintenance

Your lawn is not the only thing that needs care and maintenance. Electric and gas mowers each come with their own care instructions to keep them in top shape. 

Electric mowers are typically simpler to maintain than gas ones. Specifics vary depending on the model, but the main unique things to watch out for are:
• That the cord is undamaged and functional
• That the batteries or your machine are fully charged before use

For gas mowers, there are more tricky elements to keep an eye on:
• Keep up with oil changes
• Ensure you have spare gas cans ready
• Change the air filters regularly
• Keep the carburetor and spark plugs functional and clean
• General engine maintenance

While these are some key maintenance differences, both styles will share common care issues, such as:
• Figuring out how to sharpen lawn mower blades
• Tightening bolts and screws
• Cleaning parts
• Sending broken parts for repairs or replacement
• Preparing the mower for winter storage or spring mowing

Once you find a few models you like, look into their maintenance needs and consider if you can provide that kind of care and have room to store them.

Verdict

So, do battery-powered lawnmowers work as well as gas? Gary says: “The simple answer is yes they do.”

Gary says recharge times have been substantially reduced on batter-powered lawnmowers. So much so that “they compete head on with petrol tractor mowers but offer substantial environmental and economic benefits,” he says. 

Garry adds: “For medium and smaller-sized gardens, battery machines provide the most environmentally friendly solutions to high quality lawn care and control.”

Buying advice for lawn mowers

As you can see, each type of lawn mower has its own advantages and disadvantages. We recommend considering the following to determine which power type may be right for your home:
• The size of your garden
• What power outlets, if any, are available for electric mowers or their batteries
• The price of gas in your area
• How much storage you can dedicate to a large gas mower and its cans