Gas or Electric Mower – Which is Best for You?

When it comes to cutting your lawn, you want to make sure you are using the best machine to fit your needs and your budget. Lawn mower technology has advanced in recent years to include electric models that are either corded or battery operated. Which type is right for your lawn – gas mower or electric mower ? Both types have their own advantages and disadvantages, depending on your specific landscape goals and requirements.

Choosing Between a Gas or Electric Mower

• Lawn size: When choosing a mower, the size of your lawn may be more important than you think. While you could make any type of mower work for your lawn, there are definitely reasons to choose some models over others. For instance, if you have a large lawn over 10,000 sq ft, a gas mower will likely serve you best. It will be able to cut a large part of your lawn – if not the entire area – with a single tank of gas. Electric mowers on the other hand are limited either by the length of the cord or by the life of the battery. If you have a second battery charged and on-hand, an electric mower may be able to cover the entire lawn; however, it is generally recommended that electric mowers be used on lawns that are less than 10,000 square feet in total.
• Noise level: A traditional sound of summertime is the roar of lawn mowers as homeowners attempt to keep their turf neat and tidy. In our hot South Florida summers, the optimal times to mow are in the early morning hours or late evening so that you can escape the burning heat of the day. Unfortunately, your attempt to avoid the sun’s rays may cause your neighbors’ tempers to boil–loud mowers are not often welcome before mid-morning. Gas mowers roar as their engine runs, while corded and battery-operated mowers emit much less noise. If mowing at the coolest times of day is important to you, you may want to consider going electric.
• Maneuverability: Landscapes rarely consist of straight lines; there are garden beds, patios, and other features to navigate around. Gas mowers tend to be heavy and difficult to turn, while electric mowers are much lighter. If you have lots of curves and tough corners on your lawn, an electric mower may be an excellent choice for you to keep your borders and beds protected from accidents.
• Eco-friendliness: Electric mowers are more eco-friendly than gas mowers, though gas mowers are being developed to burn as efficiently and cleanly as possible. Additionally, mowers use relatively little gas per year than other machines, such as cars or HVAC units. If eco-friendliness is a large concern, you may want to opt for an electric mower; but you could also make other changes such as riding a bike or walking instead of driving on occasion to make more of an impact overall. We live in a great place to get some year-round exercise!
• Maintenance: Gas engines require annual maintenance. It’s best if you change the air filter annually and check the spark plugs regularly, because it’s better to catch an issue before you are all ready to mow the lawn! Of course, all mowers need their blades sharpened regularly, whether they are electric or gas. Overall, the general operational costs are equal for gas or electric mowers.

As with many decisions about home and lawn maintenance, the decision about using a gas or electric mower is really a matter of personal choice. Now matter your choice of machine, your best bet for sod, tools, and fertilizers is Big Earth Landscape Supply. Visit us at one of our 4 locations, or shop online today.