Gas lawn mowers were introduced a long time ago, but their functional limitations and environmental issues have always left a gap in the market for electric lawnmowers to fill.
Because of their constant comparison, people looking to buy a lawnmower have to deal with the gas vs. electric lawn mower debate.
Due to the tremendous improvements in technology, people now take electric mowers quite seriously. I find many people struggling with the decision picking the right lawnmower.
If you ask me, I would say that there are many things to consider before jumping on to conclusions.
Having gone through lawn mower selection troubles myself for a while, I have gained a fair bit of knowledge regarding them – enough to share with you my tips so you can make a well-informed decision when choosing a mower.
Before I proceed to discuss the ins and outs of your available options, let me briefly describe them to you.
Contents
- Gas vs. Electric Lawn Mowers – What’s the Difference?
- Gas vs. Electric Lawn Mower: Things to Consider
- Gas vs. Electric Lawn Mower: Power Efficiency
- FAQs
- Final Verdict
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Gas vs. Electric Lawn Mowers – What’s the Difference?
Gas Lawn Mowers
As the name implies, gas lawn mowers have traditional gas engines. These gas engines use oil reservoirs and gas tanks. They create carbon monoxide when they are operating.
People also refer to it as combustion exhaust. If you are not aware, combustion exhaust is not ideal for the environment.
In addition, you have to ensure that you have the correct grade and a sufficient amount of gas for operating gas lawnmowers.
Electric Lawn Mowers
You may find it surprising to know that electric lawn mowers share some similarities with their gas lawn-mowing counterparts. Their concepts are quite similar.
The main factor that separates them is that electric lawn mowers use batteries to operate. Furthermore, you have to connect the batteries to garage outlets for charging them.
They are remarkably cleaner and greener in comparison to gas lawnmowers.
Of course, electric lawn mowers provide eco-friendly advantages, but you have to consider several other factors to see if they will be the right fit for you.
Gas vs. Electric Lawn Mower: Things to Consider
In the electric lawn mower vs. gas lawn mower debate, three main factors help you decide the type of mower you should get. These factors include environmental impact, noise, and power efficiency of the mower.
Let me explain these considerations to you in further detail.
Environmentally Friendly Lawn Mower Option
Since gas lawn mowers use traditional gas tanks, they create carbon monoxide, which of course, is harmful to the environment.
In addition, if you have a large lawn, you will need more gas to make sure that your mower runs optimally, which in turn will produce a higher amount of carbon monoxide.
Electric mowers, on the other hand, are environmentally friendly in every way possible since they only use electricity.
Suitable Lawn Mower for Reduced Noise Pollution
Noise pollution is as detrimental as environmental pollution. It is a significant consideration when you are considering purchasing a lawnmower. Although gas-powered lawn powers are highly efficient, they are quite loud – loud enough to wake up your neighbors.
On the other hand, electric lawnmowers do not make much noise. You will not be disturbing anyone with electric mowers.
I would advise you to consider how close your neighbors are to your house and whether they have pets or small children, as the noise from your lawnmower might affect them.
Gas vs. Electric Lawn Mower: Power Efficiency
You must realize that the battery of an electric lawn mower will drain while you mow your lawn. As the battery drains, the mowing power decreases as well. You need a fully charged battery to cut thick grass.
Gas-powered lawn mowers, on the other hand, offer a higher level of consistency irrespective of how much gas you have in the tank. In simple words, the mowing power remains constant until the last drop of gasoline in the tank.
Also, keep in mind that the mower’s weight plays a role in how efficiently you use it. Gas lawn mowers are significantly heavier than electric mowers, which means moving them around will be slightly tricky.
The added weight is due to the metal parts present in these mowers for improving their functionality.
Electric lawnmowers are lighter and easier to move around. Moreover, electric mowers work optimally if you replace their metal parts with plastic ones.
FAQs
Now that you have a basic understanding of the factors to consider when purchasing a lawnmower, let us answer some common questions.
In my experience, quite a lot of people ask these common mower related questions:
Can I Cut Wet Grass with an Electric Mower?
I am sure a lot of you may have heard your elders telling you that mowing grass when it is wet is not a wise choice. They say this because they fear that the clippings could clump, or using an electric mower on wet grass could weaken the grass.
Frankly, there are numerous reasons why you should avoid mowing grass when it is wet. There are more cons than pros in this situation, and you would not want to risk your safety just because you could not wait for the grass to dry.
Among numerous possibilities, here are a few things that could occur if you decide to use an electric mower on wet grass:
- You can slip and hurt yourself, damage the mower, and ruin the grass.
- Your lawn could look unattractive and patchy if the clippings clump.
- The completed cut would not be as tidy as you desire.
- The grass could look extremely unruly, ruining your lawn’s aesthetic appeal.
- The grass chlorophyll could stain your driveway, clothes, and your house.
I would advise you to wait for your grass to get some sun to dry, and then proceed with the mowing.
Do Electric Lawn Mowers Use a Lot of Electricity?
You might be wondering how much power an electric lawn mower uses.
Well, that depends on the model you are using.
Many electric lawn mowers come with a cord. The cords make sure that these mowers run as long as you want them to.
Some mowers, however, utilize rechargeable batteries. They are quite convenient, but not the best option for bigger lawns.
Electric mowers with cords generally use around 700 to 1800 watts of electricity each hour when they are operational. Cordless ones, however, are slightly weaker.
Most battery sizes tend to be around 40 and 90v, which require about 600 to 1400 watts of electricity for charging.
Are Electric Lawn Mowers Better than Gas?
As I mentioned earlier, both of these mowers have their benefits and downsides. If you are looking for something environmentally friendly, then yes, electric lawn mowers have the upper hand.
However, gas lawn mowers have some advantages that the electric ones do not have. For example, they are more suitable for tall grass, and they are a better option for large lawns.
Final Verdict
Now that you know all the necessary details about gas vs. electric lawn mowers, you can choose one according to your specific requirements. Keep the considerations mentioned above in mind, and I am sure you will make the right choice.
I have personally used both types and found them to be equally useful although going for an environmentally friendly option can do you no harm.