Survey: Electric vs gas mowers, more than 200 homeowners join in

Electric vs gas mowers: 
More than 200 homeowners share their thoughts

The electric versus gas-powered mower debate proliferates online. Search a forum — the usual conversations crop up: how long does an electric mower last? Is buying an electric mower worth it? Can you mulch with an electric mower?

We asked 217 homeowners about their mower type and reason behind their choice. 

Gas mower owners rate effectiveness and longevity as top reasons for championing their equipment

The common saying, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it," applies to the lawn mower market. Many gas-powered mower owners haven't switched to electric for one reason: their mower is running and cutting their lawn well. Makes sense. More than half of the gas-mower owners who responded named effectiveness and longevity as a critical reason for loving their mower.
They also have yet to consider swapping to an electric mower because, according to several respondents, all it takes is regular maintenance and caretaking for a gas-powered push mower to keep running season after season. 

Most noted they know what to expect with their gas mower. Many have had theirs for at least a decade — a handful have owned their gas mowers for 20 years or more.Their overall concern with moving to an electric model was the battery. 

"A battery replacement costs as much as the mower itself," one respondent noted. 

Several explanations cited the effectiveness of gas-powered mowers. The cleaner the cut, the healthier the grass. Many homeowners sticking by their gas-powered machine know that the details matter in fostering a lush green lawn. Battery-powered models perform great. But are they consistent? As the battery drains, performance — in theory — could suffer. That's the concern many gas-powered voters shared.

A gas-powered mower might boast more than 6 pounds of torque on an electric counterpart. The average gas-powered mower achieves between 4.5 to 8.75 pound-feet of torque compared to 2 to 2.5 pound-feet on most electric models. For some residents, torque remains a necessity. 

Torque is only one factor, though. Blade speed and cut quality are crucial performance indicators of any machine. Depending on the electric mower, it may have the technology to adapt its cutting speed and provide the operator with an additional power boost option to cut through unruly patches of lawn.

Gas-powered mowers stand up unruly, and large yards

Engines generate torque.

The combustion process in gas-powered lawn mowers generates ample amounts of power. When mowing a larger yard with thick grass, the mower blade must be able to power through the vegetation. If not, it bogs down and shuts off.

This strength becomes even more important for homeowners with larger yards or who live in wet and humid climates. The extra power makes a difference. It allows homeowners to maintain peak cutting performance under significant loads. Thick grass, damp-cutting conditions, or uneven terrain often require more power to complete the task. 

Gas mowers can maintain blade speed and cutting efficiency even against such obstacles, leading to a more even and clean cut across the lawn. Many electric mowers offer advanced technology to help increase their cutting effectiveness, but many believe their gas-powered mower provides more reliability and better run times. 

Gas vs electric mowers: electric mower owners cite convenience as a major factor 

Pushing an electric mower is no big deal. The components producing a gas mower's strength also make it heavier. Electric mowers are light. Storing them? Too easy. 

Electric mowers usually weigh 30 pounds less than gas-powered models. Gas lawn mowers weigh around ninety pounds; expect an electric mower to weigh about 60 pounds. 

Beyond maneuverability, electric mower owners love their mowers for some of the following reasons: 

• Easier to maintain 

• More convenient for storage

• Not having to store gas 

• Quieter 

• No smell, no fumes

• Batteries work with other tools

One respondent noted that switching to an electric mower allowed them to "listen to podcasts" when mowing.

Electric mowers require less maintenance than gas mowers. They don't need annual oil changes, spark plug adjustments, or carburetor cleaning, which reduces maintenance costs and time. 

For many, it also provides a certain peace of mind. Outside of the battery, there is little to worry about. Simplicity matters. What about storage? Many electric mowers store vertically. There's no cause for concern that oil and fuel will drip out or into other mower parts, causing severe damage. 

Vertical storage was a key consideration for homeowners with limited storage options. 

Another distinct advantage of electric mowers is that they are much quieter than gas mowers. They operate at 65 to 75 decibels compared to 95 decibels for gas mowers.

When choosing a gas or electric mower, acreage is top of mind

Most respondents pointed out that yard size is one of the most crucial considerations in choosing an electric or gas mower. While many find their electrical riding mowers up to the task, several respondents expressed their concerns. Even those receptive to an electric ride-on (i.e., those who mentioned they were currently considering or researching electric ride-on mowers) felt their lawn may be too large for an electric mower. 

These individuals all had one thing in common: an acre or more to mow. Some respondents noted that their electric ride-on mower handled their acreage quite well. The Cub Cadet XT1 LT42E came up a few times. Two respondents' comments frame the overall conservation using this specific mower as a use case:

"My Cub Cadet 42 battery-powered lawn tractor is great. I have to mow about an acre and a half with some hills. Although I have to recharge when mulching the whole lot, I can knock it all out if I'm just side-ejecting. Usually, I'll knock out some other tasks when it's charging."

"It takes me two hours to mow 1.5 acres using my 46" Cub Cadet XT1 gas mower. I live in a climate where the grass grows fast in the spring, so I'm always having to stay on top of it. Plus, it's hilly and often wet. I've been looking to make the switch over to the battery-powered version but haven't because the service and repair reviews make me nervous, and there isn't a dealer close by." 

Quick Summary

Homeowners consider many things when choosing a gas-powered or electric lawn mower. A big part of the discussion is power and performance. Many gas-powered mower owners say gas mowers deliver a 'punch' that electric mowers can't match. 

They believe gas mowers can tackle thick grass, climb hills, and maintain an even head speed, whereas electric mowers lose power and eventually overheat. They also mentioned that a drawback of electric mowers is the battery – it requires recharge breaks and is costly to replace. 

However, electric mower owners praise that they are highly energy-efficient and convenient since they are lighter, easier to move around, and practical for small yards or yards with tight corners. Electric mowers reduce noise levels, and their batteries work with other equipment.

This makes them more neighborhood-friendly. Gas mowers also tend to require more maintenance, which adds to the money and time spent on maintenance, like having to change the oil regularly, change spark plugs, and refuel the mower. Some electric mower owners feel an electric mower is worth the investment, one they think will pay off.