Tony O’Neill, expert gardener and best-selling author of the famous “Simplify Vegetable Gardening,” “Composting Masterclass,” and “Your First Vegetable Garden,” combines lifelong passion and expert knowledge to simplify gardening. His mission? Helping you cultivate a thriving garden. More on Tony O’Neill
{“statusCode”:401,”message”:”License key missing”}
The actual worth of an electric lawn mower depends on your requirement and preference. If you have a big yard, the extra power would be great. However, electric lawnmowers might not be the best choice for small lawn owners.
And while you are the one who will make the final decision. There are majorly two types of electric lawnmowers – corded and cordless and since each comes with its benefits, picking one can be tricky. I have made a pro/con list of electric lawnmowers that might help you better understand what kind of mower would suit your needs the best.
Pros of Electric Lawn Mowers
The various perks of owning an electric lawn mower make them a worthwhile investment.
Easy Maintenance
One significant factor that has led to the popularity of electric lawnmowers is that they are easy to maintain compared to gas mowers. With good care and proper maintenance, your electric lawn mower can last up to ten years without any issues.
If you own a gas mower, you would know the extensive care it needs. And now, if you want a break from cleaning the carburetor, changing the oil, or replacing the fuel filter, you should probably consider getting an electric lawnmower. All you need to do is plug them in or insert a charged battery to begin mowing your lawn.
Another perk of an electric lawn mower is that they do not require oil or petrol to operate. While they may need oil for lubrication occasionally, it is still quite convenient compared to other mowers.
Quieter Operation
If you are looking for a quieter mower that adheres to the noise zoning rules in your neighborhood, an electric mower would be a good pick. These produce up to 75 decibels, around the same volume a washing machine makes. But on the other hand, a gasoline mower produces up to 95 decibels, the same noise level that a motorbike makes.
Some areas even prohibit operating a gas engine mower during certain hours. So, if you do not want to worry about scheduling your mowing session based on the recommended duration, an electric mower would be the right choice. With this, you can enjoy the freedom of mowing your lawn based on your convenience and preference.
Environmental-Friendly Option
Although this is not a definitive factor for most people and may not necessarily influence buying decisions, this is a pro of an electric lawnmower and thus makes it a better option than gasoline mowers.
Gasoline-powered lawnmowers emit various airborne pollutants. It emits carbon dioxide for every gallon of gas used. According to a study, using a lawnmower for just one hour can emit as much smog-forming pollution as driving a passenger car for around 300 miles. Someone who would not want to tidy up their garden at the cost of air pollution should consider buying an electric mower.
According to the Electric Power Research Institute, if even half of the gas-powered lawn mowers are replaced with electric ones, we will reduce the emissions equivalent to removing around two million vehicles from the road!
Lightweight
Compared to gas-powered mowers, electric mowers are pretty lightweight and thus easy to move around. Moreover, it also makes navigating through your yard easier and even reaching those tight spots without much hassle.
However, if you wish to make the most out of it, consider buying a cordless electric mower as they are the best for mobility. This is because you might be restricted to a specific area with a corded electric mower due to the tether. So, to maximize your mower and ensure you can take it to every nook and corner of your yard, consider investing in a cordless electric mower.
An Affordable Option
Above all the perks mentioned above, electric mowers are also quite affordable, making them a sought-after option for many. You can own one for as low as £80. However, you might have to shell out £100 for better features. But it is still relatively affordable compared to gasoline mowers that usually start around £130, and for better models that offer advanced features, you might have to pay around £170.
So, an electric mower would be an excellent option if you want to save some cash and avail yourself of quite a few benefits.
Cons of Electric Lawn Mowers
While there are many benefits of owning an electric lawnmower, it also has a few drawbacks. Here are a few cons of electric mowers that will help you make an informed decision:
Shorter Run Times
Electric mowers have certain limitations, and one of the major ones is a shorter run time. If you have a lawn bigger than half an acre, your best choice is not an electric mower. This is because battery-operated mowers usually run between 20 to 45 minutes.
So, it takes you longer than this, or if you have a huge lawn, this might be an issue. Not to mention that you must remember to charge your battery to keep charged batteries handy before you start mowing.
Not As Powerful
Besides offering shorter run times, there are quite a few reasons that make electric mowers unsuitable for bigger yards. Electric mowers are not as powerful as gas-powered mowers and can thus be pretty slow when mowing more significant landscapes. So, if you have a big area, investing in a gasoline mower is better. Moreover, if your lawn has tall grass or weeds, an electric mower might be unable to handle it.
If you are having trouble controlling weeds in your garden, here is a video that can help you:
To ensure you pick an adequately powerful mower, you should look at its torque rating. Torque refers to the driving force responsible for the blade’s rotation. Usually, electric mowers offer less torque than gas-powered mowers, which means they would not be an excellent choice for mowing challenging terrains like dips and hills.
Limited Mobility
As mentioned earlier, a corded electric mower can cause hindrance while you mow your lawn and limit the area you can cover. While they are quite lightweight, the cord can be a huge hindrance that cannot be ignored. It could also be a trip hazard making it extremely dangerous for the elderly and people with kids or pets.
To make the decision easier, here is a table that compares corded and cordless electric mowers.
| Electric Cordless Mowers | Electric Corded Mowers |
| Expensive | Affordable |
| Requires lithium batteries that degrade over time | It does not require lithium batteries |
| No hassle of extension cord and better mobility | The hassle of being tethered to the length of the extension cord while mowing |
| Cannot handle tall and weedy grass | Cannot handle tall and weedy grass |
| Limited battery life and requires charging | Extension cord could be a trip hazard |
Things to Consider Before Buying an Electric Lawn Mower
To ensure that you make a worthwhile purchase, here are a few things that you need to consider while buying an electric lawn mower:
- Deck Size
The deck size of a mower refers to the width of the cutting swath. If you choose a mower with a wider deck, you can mow our lawn with fewer passes. This can save you a lot of time and effort. But it is also important to note that wider decks translate to heavier and bulkier mowers which can affect their mobility.
- Height Adjustment
This is one of the most crucial factors when buying a mower and should not be overlooked. Since experts suggest not cutting grass less than 30% of its original height, a mower with this feature can be extremely helpful.
- Push or Self-Propelled
While self-propelled mowers can be quite expensive, they come with benefits. Since they are larger, they can benefit people with tall and thick grass. However, if you have a small lawn that can be easier to maintain, you should consider buying a push mower.
- Cord Length
Going for the longest cord available is not the right way to go when buying an electric mower. This is because there can be power limits. Buy a mower with a cord length that fits your requirements. For instance, the usual cord length of an electric lawn mower is around 100 feet which is apt for a standard lawn.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Do Electric Lawn Mowers Last?
An electric lawn mower’s durability depends on the model you purchase and you take care of it. Usually, an electric mower can last up to 10 years, while the battery life of electric lawn mowers is around 5 years.
How Long Does a Fully Charged Electric Mower Last?
Usually, a cordless electric mower should last for at least an hour or half an acre and would then need to be recharged. Depending on your chosen brand, your battery can charge completely in 30-90 minutes.
Can I Use Electric Lawn Mower on Wet Grass?
Mowing wet grass is not recommended. Moreover, water and electricity should never be mixed. Thus, using an electric lawn mower on wet grass is neither right nor safe. Also, grass becomes slippery when damp, which can cause a trip hazard, especially when you have slopes or hilly areas.
In Summary
Different mowers offer different benefits, making them ideal for particular situations. So, while picking a lawnmower, it is essential to consider all the factors to make a worthwhile investment.
For people seeking a powerful and sturdy mower for their huge yard, this might not be a great choice but for eco-conscious shoppers who have small yards, buying an electric lawn mower would be the best bet. I hope that this blog helps you come across your ideal lawnmower.
Mowing your lawn is exciting, but if you’re a beginner and don’t know how to mow. I wrote an article showing tips on how to mow your lawn. You can read it here.
