Are Electric Lawn Mowers Worth It?
Technology improves every single day, even in the world of lawn care. Lawn mowers are the latest piece of equipment to be bitten by the technology bug, with electric lawn mowers becoming more popular each year. You, like many homeowners in the United States, may be asking yourself whether purchasing an electric lawn mower is worth it.
Our team at Mowrator is experienced in engineering lawn mower solutions for homeowners. We’ve outlined the advantages and disadvantages of electric lawn mowers, as well as which considerations you should take into account when making your decision.
Key Takeaways
- Electric lawn mowers are quieter, easier to maneuver, better for the environment, and require less maintenance than gas mowers.
- Electric mowers do have lower torque, limited battery runtime, and a higher cost.
- Your lawn size, type of electric mower, and budget can influence whether you should buy an electric mower over a self-propelled lawn mower.
Electric vs. Gas Lawn Mowers: Advantages of Electric Lawn Mowers
An electric push mower or riding mower offers several advantages over one powered by gasoline. They are far quieter, require fewer spare parts to maintain, and help reduce your environmental impact. Here is a detailed look at the reasons you should choose the electric lawn mowers of 2024 and beyond over a gas mower.
Quieter Than Gas Mowers
Electric lawn mowers are substantially quieter than their gas-powered alternatives. They emit around 75 decibels of noise pollution (which is the same level as your dishwasher). The Hearing Health Foundation recommends limiting your noise level to around 70 decibels if possible, so still bring along a pair of earplugs if you plan to mow for a long time.
While 75 is still above the recommended level, gas-powered mowers emit a staggering 95decibels, equal to a pro sports game or motorcycle.
Minimal Maintenance Required
Today, buying an electric lawn mower is likely still more expensive than a gas-powered lawn mower, but they are gradually becoming cheaper. Once you’ve paid the upfront cost, the good news is that you’ll pay a lot less in the long run. No matter whether you have a push or riding mower, you can say goodbye to switching spark plugs and changing the oil when you own a cordless electric mower.
You may need to replace the battery of your battery-powered lawn mower every 3 to 5 years, but there’s minimal maintenance otherwise.
Easier to Maneuver
When you choose an electric lawn mower, you’re also upgrading your own lawn care skills. Since these mowers don’t have an engine, they can be maneuvered around with a lot less difficulty. If you enjoy using a push lawn mower to navigate hard-to-reach turf, you’ll find it far easier with a light electric model.
If you want to maximize your maneuverability, opt for a cordless lawn mower that allows you to traverse your garden freely, without needing to worry about a cord. Better yet, consider our range of remote controlled lawn mowers instead.
Better for the Environment
By choosing an electric lawn mower, you’re also making a more sustainable choice for the environment. In Colorado alone, gas-powered lawn and garden equipment emitted around 755,805 tons of CO2 according to the Regional Air Quality Council in 2020. This is backed by the US Environmental Protection Agency, which notes that using a gasoline mower for only 1 hour emits pollution equal to driving a new car for 45 miles (≈ 72 km).
The best electric lawn mower you can get today will make a considerable difference in your carbon footprint, in addition to several other benefits.
Do Electric Lawn Mowers Have Any Disadvantages?
Yes, while the technology for lawn mowers has progressed significantly over the past few years, electric mowers still lack in certain aspects compared to gas mowers. Limited power, limited battery life, and high upfront costs are some of the major reasons why you could be dissuaded from using an electric mower.
Reduced Torque Power
Today’s electric models still lack the torque power that many modern gas-powered mowers boast, whether it’s a self-propelled mower or a push mower. On average, an electric lawn mower will have around 2 to 2.25 pound-feet of torque compared to a gas mower’s 6 to 8pound-feet of torque (about three times more).
Torque is important as it drives the lawn mower’s blades. The higher the torque, the easier it is for you to tackle thicker grass. Electric lawn mowers do offer far more versatility than gas-powered mowers, and it's likely with time that they may match or even exceed the power of gasoline lawn mowers in the near future.
Limited Range and Battery
Another drawback of using an electric lawn mower for your lawn care is its battery life. For large lawns, you’ll likely find that an electric lawn mower won’t be able to cover your mowing needs on a single charge. This is because most battery-powered mowers have a single charge cycle of 30 to 80 minutes, with about an hour to fully recharge.
One potential alternative is a corded electric lawn mower, which is directly connected to a power supply via a cord. However, these mowers are still not suitable for lawns bigger than an acre, as the cord limits your mowing capabilities.
Using a battery-powered lawn mower can save you on costs, with lithium-ion batteries costing only $0.134 per use, according to the West Virginia University Institute of Technology. This makes battery-powered lawn mowers ideal for smaller lawn care needs.
Higher Upfront Costs
One of the biggest factors that prevents many homeowners from purchasing an electric lawn mower also is their high upfront costs. An average electric walk-behind mower will cost you around $350 to $500, compared to $250 to $300 for gasoline mowers.
Electric riding mowers are usually even more expensive, priced at around $1000 more than their gas alternatives.
Factors to Consider When Choosing an Electric Mower
If you want to achieve the best lawn you can, you’ll need a machine that matches your specific preferences. Since there are so many models out there, it’s easy to get stuck in the weeds of the battery vs. gas lawn mower debate, but instead of asking, “Is a gas or battery lawn mower better?”, evaluate your needs. Factors that influence which electric mower you should buy generally include:
- The size of your lawn
- Type of mower: Walk-behind lawn mower, riding lawn mower, robot lawn mower, etc.
- Battery life
- The extent of lawn maintenance
- Lawn terrain (some electric mowers would suffer on high slopes compared to a walk-behind push mower)
While many gas lawn mowers are cheaper options compared to the best overall electric lawn mowers in 2024, the mower’s cost will pay for itself in the long run, thanks to reductions in maintenance costs and replacement parts. One of the best electric mowers is Mowrator’s S1 Remote Control Lawn Mower 4WD, which includes a 3-in-1 system for mulching, rear bagging, and discharging turf.Browse the mowers available in our range here.
FAQs on Are Electric Lawn Mowers Worth It?
Do Electric Mowers Cut as Well as Gas Mowers?
Yes, electric mowers have been tested and deliver a more consistent trim than gasoline powered mowers. New technology has allowed electric mowers to deliver power to the mower’s blades far more consistently than gas mowers, offering a better trimming experience throughout. Taking care of your lawn with an electric mower is easy.
How long do Electric Lawn Mowers Last?
Electric battery mowers can last between 5 and 7 years, depending on how well they are taken care of. You may need to replace the battery once or twice during your mower’s lifespan, but other costs for an electric lawn mower are minimal.
Do Electric Lawn Mowers Use Lots of Electricity?
No, electric lawn mowers don't use a lot of electricity to function. A corded lawn mower will consume about 0.7 to 1.2 kilowatt-hours per hour. This is about the same as your dishwasher uses each hour, although you'll likely be using your mower a lot less.
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