Pros and Cons of Electric Lawn Mowers
If you are in the market for a new lawn mower, and wondering if electric lawn mowers are worth it, then you are going to like this.
In this article, we talk about the pros and cons of electric lawn mowers to give you an overview of what to expect, and see if it’s suitable for your mowing needs.
Before moving forward, it’s important to clarify that electric lawn mowers are of two types: corded electric lawn mowers and cordless electric lawn mowers(battery-powered).
Pros of Electric Lawn Mowers
Less Maintenance
One of the important benefits of electric lawn mowers is that they require minimal maintenance compared to gas lawn mowers that require frequent maintenance to remain functional.
With gas mowers, you have to regularly replace its oil, oil filters, spark plugs and other parts. You won’t deal with such issues because electric lawn mowers don’t use oil, which makes them a favorite among many homeowners and lawn enthusiasts.
Budget-Friendly
If you are somewhat on a tight budget, then electric lawn mowers might be a good fit. This is because they are generally less expensive – starting at under $150 – than their gas-powered counterparts that typically start from $200.
Quieter Operation
Gas mowers produce up to 95 decibels (think motorcycle volume). But electric lawn mowers emit 75 decibels, i.e., no louder than the average volume of your washing machine.
This makes an electric lawn mower an excellent option which gives you flexibility to mow anytime of the day, without receiving noise complaints from your neighbors.
Environmentally-Friendly
Electric lawn mowers are eco-friendly. According to research, using a gas-powered mower for at least one hour generates the same level of air pollution as a vehicle that covers up to 300 miles at a stretch!
The Electric Power Research Institute also reports that gas-powered mowers are primarily responsible for non-road-related air contamination across the country.
To prove that gas-powered mowers contribute the lion’s share of air pollution, replacing just half of them with electric mowers will be equivalent to removing up to 2 million vehicles from the road.
Lighter and Easier to Use
Most electric lawn mowers are incredibly light, making it easier for you to maneuver when taking care of your lawn. You can whip them around very tight corners as you navigate all over your yard.
On the other hand, gas-powered mowers are heavy, with a few weighing as much as 90 pounds! Lugging it around when it is no longer in operation can be somewhat burdensome.
Cons of Electric Lawn Mowers
Less Powerful Compared to a Gas Lawn Mower
Torque rating is one of the most important factors to consider as you shop for a lawn mower. Torque refers to the driving force behind the rotational movement of a blade.
A gas mower generates more torque on average than its electric counterpart. This makes gas-powered mowers a better option for tackling dips, hills, or other typically challenging terrains.
Run Times are Shorter
An electric lawn mower is not ideal for yards larger than half an acre. Some corded electric lawn mowers can’t cover more than one-quarter of an acre during operation.
Cordless electric mowers are powered by charged batteries but most cannot operate beyond 45 minutes. This can be a considerable problem if it usually takes much longer to mow your yard. You may have no choice but to wait until the battery is fully recharged before you resume the operation.
And this can significantly extend your yard-mowing time. You may also need to even purchase another stand-alone battery for optimal performance, which means spending more money.
Not Ideal for Large Yards
An electric lawn mower is not the ideal choice for homeowners with several acres of hilly yards that require multiple passes for a clean operation. It will take you far longer to get the job done.
The only electric mower that comes close is the Ryobi 42-inch 75ah Battery Electric Riding Zero Turn Mower. But even this great electric lawn mower model offers only a decent cutting of about 42 inches.
You can’t compare this to the considerable cutting width of up to 61 inches that the popular gas-powered Husqvarna MZ61 zero turn mower provides.
Should You Get an Electric Lawn Mower?
The answer is: it depends. Whether you should buy an electric mower will depend on a number of factors such as your yard size, budget, lawn terrain, noise concerns, maintenance, and the unique features you want in a lawn mower.