Electric vs Gas Lawn Mowers: Which Should You Buy?

November 29, 2024

Electric mowers are quickly surpassing gas mowers in all the categories for homeowners who want to efficiently mow their lawn. You, as well as many other buyers, may be coming to terms with this fact as you set your eyes out to search for a new lawn mower. Whereas a gas-powered mower dominated the market several years ago, modern electric lawn mowers like Mowrator's S1 Remote Control Lawn Mower 4WD have quickly risen to capture a considerable portion of the North American market.

If you're still on the fence about making the switch to a new electric model, we've written this article just for you. You can discover the pros and cons around the electric vs gas mower debate, their respective costs, and what lawn care communities on popular forums like Reddit have to say.

Key Takeaways

Electric lawn mowers are more environmentally friendly, produce less noise, and require less maintenance than their gas counterparts.
Gas mowers still trump electric mowers when it comes to power, manoeuvrability, and affordability.
Electric lawn mower prices can range from $100 to $6,000, while gas mowers usually cap out at $3,000.
Electric lawn mowers are the best choice for half acre and smaller lawns, while gas mowers perform better for larger lawns.

What are the Pros and Cons of Electric vs Gas Lawn Mower?

Type	Pros	Cons
Electric Lawn Mowers	Environmentally Friendly: Electric lawn mowers produce considerably fewer emissions than gas mowers. You can save 50% to 68% percent on carbon emissions by switching to an electric mower according to 2021 studies. Lower Noise Levels: Electric lawn mowers produce noise levels between 56 and 80 decibels, offering a quieter mowing experience. Minimal Maintenance: There are minimal maintenance requirements for many electric lawn mowers aside from basic cleaning and care. Lighter Frame: On average, electric lawn mowers tend to be at least 30 pounds lighter than their gas-powered counterparts.	Limited Battery Capacity: You can expect your lawn mower to run between 1 and 4 hours before needing to be recharged. This is not the case if you have a corded lawn mower. Higher Initial Cost: On average, electric lawn mowers tend to be more expensive than gas-powered mowers. Weather Averse: Fully electric lawn mowers can have poor performance in wet weather conditions. Limited Manoeuvrability: If you have a corded electric mower, your manoeuvrability while mowing may be limited by the length of your extension cord.
Gas Lawn Mowers	Higher Power: Gas lawn mowers still produce more torque and power than battery-powered lawn mowers. Longer Running Times: Since gas lawn mowers aren't limited by a battery power source, you can mow as long as you need if you have the gas to do so. Greater Manoeuvrability: Gas-powered lawn mowers offer high manoeuvrability as you mow an acre plot compared to corded electric mowers, especially gas-powered zero-turn mowers.	Higher Noise Level: Gas mowers can reach the 85 decibel noise level and beyond, which can lead to noise-induced hearing loss if you aren't wearing ear protection. Carbon Emissions: The emissions from a gas mower contribute to climate change and lower the air quality of your immediate surroundings. Maintenance Required: Gas-powered mowers may require frequent replacements and maintenance for high wear and tear components like the spark plug, crankshaft, and mower blades.

How much do Electric vs Gas Lawn Mowers Cost?

The prices for both electric and gas-powered lawn mowers tend to vary drastically, with a wide range of lawn mower types and price points for you to choose from.

For electric lawn mowers, you can expect to pay from $100 to over $6,000 on an electric model. Less complex models like an electric push mower will make up the lower end of this price range (typically between $100 to $500), while robotic and riding mowers often cost considerably more. If you're looking for a mid-range option, remote control mowers like the S1 Remote Control Lawn Mower 2WD let you take advantage of electric lawn mower features while still keeping to a modest price.

Gas-powered mowers, on the other hand, can range from $150 to $3,000. Self-propelled mowers and riding mowers are the most popular type of gas mower to purchase, as they leverage the powerful torque to quickly and efficiently mow your lawn. Many battery-powered mowers still struggle to match the torque of gas models, which may stop you from switching until the best electric models eventually match this crucial aspect.

Should I Get A Gas or Electric Lawn Mower?

You should consider buying an electric lawn mower if you have the budget for it, as many modern electric mowers offer stellar benefits that you're missing out on otherwise. They require less maintenance than gas mowers, produce less emissions, and are much quieter than gas mowers — which are deal-breakers for many homeowners today. Your selection of mowers also widens to include electric mower exclusive options like robotic lawn mowers and remote controlled lawn mowers.

That being said, the gas vs electric lawn mower debate is still not one that's been settled. Although if you conduct your own research you'll see forums are ablaze with discussion on which mower reigns supreme between gas and electric.

Electric Lawn Mower vs Gas: Reddit Weighs In

The general consensus online is that electric lawn mowers provide greater quality of life options for you to enjoy. One user on the popular forum Reddit notes," I like it way better than gas. Easier to start, and you can just charge the battery instead of messing with gas". While electric mowers are easier to manage, discussions also mention that they're preferred for lawns that are less than an acre big.

However, if you want an electric lawn mower option that can cover an acre lawn, look no further than Mowrator's S1 Remote Control Lawn Mower 4WD. The S1 4WD's powerful Beast™ motor effortlessly mows up to 1.125 acres on a single charge. Tackle slopes and difficult terrain with Mowrator's range of remote control lawn mowers and accessories.

Electric vs Gas Lawn Mowers FAQs

Is an Electric Lawn Mower Better than Gas at Cutting Grass?

Electric lawn mowers offer equal mowing performance to gas-powered mowers in most regards, although they suffer during wet conditions. During wet seasons, the higher torque provided by gas mowers outperform electric mowers in most situations. However, outside of wet grass, electric lawn mowers are mostly equal to their gas equivalents.

Do Electric Mowers Last Longer than Gas Mowers?

Gas mowers often last longer than electric mowers, but require more maintenance to reach their 10 to 20 year lifespan. Electric mowers require far less maintenance and last between 5 and 10 years, although some models are capable of reaching 15 years with proper maintenance.

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