Corded vs. Cordless Mowers

In the modern economy, American homeowners are increasingly buying lawn mowers with an electric motor over their gas-powered alternatives. In fact, market research estimates that by 2034, North American consumers will be 31.2% of the global market share. If you’re a homeowner planning to make the switch, there’s really only one issue you should be considering — corded vs. cordless lawn mower.

Our team at Mowrator is at the forefront of lawn care technology, with extensive knowledge of the lawn mower industry. We’ve created this comprehensive comparison to guide you toward the best decision for your home. We’ll cover the main differences between a cordless and corded lawn mower, which factors you should consider, and the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Key Takeaways

• The main difference between a corded and cordless mower is the battery. A corded mower is directly connected to a power supply, while a cordless mower is not.
• The larger the lawn size, the more you’ll benefit from a cordless mower.
• Performance between cord and cordless mowers are generally the same, but corded mowers offer more consistent power.
• Cordless mowers have a battery runtime of around 30 to 80 minutes, whereas corded mowers can run indefinitely as long as they have a power source.
• Corded mowers are lighter than cordless mowers, by about 3 kg, because of the built-in battery.

What’s the Difference Between Corded and Cordless Mowers?

Corded mowers are connected to a power supply with a long cord, while cordless mowers have a battery in the lawn mower. An electric lawn mower will fall into one of these two categories, each with its own pros and cons. A corded lawn mower, for example, is limited by the length of the extension cord.

What Should You Consider When Choosing Between Corded and Cordless Lawn Mowers?

You need to consider several factors when deciding whether you’ll invest in a corded or cordless electric mower for your backyard, including lawn size, power, runtime, and maintenance costs. While it’s easy to get sucked into specs and aesthetics, one of the most important things is to know what your home needs. Here are some of the major considerations that you should consider before you commit.

Lawn Size

The size of your lawn is one of the most significant factors when deciding between corded and cordless lawn mowers. A large lawn (greater than 300 m²) will benefit more from a cordless mower. The last thing you want to do is wrestle with a long cord while you trim your lawn, which makes no cord electric lawn mowers particularly effective at mowing large back gardens and front lawns.

For medium lawns (between 100 m² and 300 m²) either type of lawn mower will work effectively. You may want to weigh other factors like power, battery life, and weight instead, since both corded and cordless mowers offer equal performance for medium-sized lawns. For instance, if your lawn has harsh slopes, you may prefer a corded lawn mower’s lightweight build.

If you have a smaller lawn (up to 100 m²) then you’ll likely prefer a corded mower. At this lawn size, you likely won’t mind the constraint of a power cord or feel limited by the length of your corded lawn mower. It’s worth noting that corded mowers may be more difficult to handle on a smaller lawn, as they can weigh upwards of 10 kg.

Power and Performance

When choosing between a cordless and corded electric lawn mower, power and performance are critical factors that homeowners should consider. In the debate between corded and cordless, both lawn mowers come out fairly equal when it comes to power.

The major benefit of corded mowers is their consistent power output. Their permanent connection to your electrical outlet means you receive constant, superior performance while you’re mowing your lawn. A corded model will also handle thicker and damp grass better.

Cordless mowers still deliver excellent performance, although not as consistently. Modern lithium-ion batteries are powerful and efficient, matching the power of corded models. However, cordless mowers may still struggle with thicker grass or damp grass. You may also experience a decrease in performance as the battery loses charge, or towards the end of the battery’s lifespan.

Runtime and Battery

The mark of experienced lawn care maintenance is efficiency, which your choice of lawn mower can impact. As we’ve mentioned, cordless lawn mowers are generally great for trimming a backyard that can be completed within a single charge of the battery (20 to 80 minutes for most batteries). If your lawn maintenance takes any longer, you may need to wait around an hour for your battery to recharge.

Corded mowers don’t have any limit on their runtime, which can give you peace of mind and reduce stress. That being said, dealing with the cord and its limited range does pose a problem for lawns that require greater maneuverability and coverage. In most cases, an extra battery or cord extension can remove the limitations for both mowers and leave the choice up to your own personal preference.

Weight and Ease of Use

The weight of your lawn mower will affect how easily you can use your lawn mower, which is especially important if you mow your lawn often or use it for a business venture. Many corded mowers tend to be on the lighter side as they don’t have battery packs adding to their weight. This makes corded mowers easier to push, maneuver, and tackle slopes.

Cordless mowers tend to be around 4.4 to 6.6 pounds (about 2 to 3 kilograms) heavier than their corded counterparts thanks to their batteries.

Corded Lawn Mower vs. Cordless Mowers — Advantages and Disadvantages

Should You Purchase a Cordless Lawn Mower?

While a cordless lawn mower will have a higher upfront cost than a corded one, it’s an excellent choice for a small to mid-sized back garden. If you’re considering purchasing a cordless lawn mower, you may be interested in the next step forward in lawn care technology — remote controlled lawn mowers.

Mowrator’s S1 4WD Remote Control Lawn Mower facilitates effortless lawn care that’s designed for everyone. Make lawn maintenance a breeze with smart, user-friendly controls, a 2.25-hour battery life, and powerful sensors. Shop Mowrator's full range of lawn mowers and accessories today.

Corded vs. Cordless Mowers FAQs

How long do Cordless Mowers Last?

Cordless lawn mowers can last up to 8 to 10 years with proper maintenance and care, although you may have to replace the battery once or twice throughout its lifespan. A battery-powered lawn mower will need its battery replaced every 3 to 5 years.

Are Electric Lawn Mowers Noisy?

No, an electric lawn mower is a quiet alternative compared to gasoline mowers. Electric mowers tend to emit noise at around 75 decibels. This noise level is unlikely to cause hearing damage to your ears over short periods of time, according to the Hearing Health Foundation.

In comparison, gas-powered lawn mowers can emit up to 95 decibels, which can negatively affect your hearing.

Do Cordless Lawn Mowers Need Servicing?

Yes, like all electric lawn mowers, a cordless lawn mower will benefit from regular maintenance and servicing. While both cordless and corded mowers are typically low-maintenance lawn care equipment, the battery technology in a cordless lawn mower will need cleaning and regular care to perform efficiently.

If you enjoyed this article, you may want to explore Types of Batteries Used in Electric Lawn Mowers and Are Electric Lawn Mowers Worth It?

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