5 Reasons Why You Should Get an Electric Lawn Mower
For many people, mowing the lawn is a necessary evil, a chore that must be done to keep our lawns and yards verdant and beautiful. Mowing is what keeps your home looking like it belongs in Jumanji. Unless you’re one of those types who prefer their yards uncut and unkempt, then you probably own a lawn mower. Whether you’re buying your first mower or looking to replace your old one, it’s important to consider your needs before choosing the mower for you.
Electric lawn mowers are incredibly useful if you have a small to mid-sized yard that you want to keep in top shape. There are two types of electric lawn mowers: corded electric lawn mowers and cordless battery-powered electric lawn mowers. Each mower has their own pros and cons, and you need to sort out your priorities to help yourself decide which electric mower can best serve your needs.
Cordless electric lawn mowers are powered by a rechargeable battery. Depending on the model, the battery voltage ranges from 18 volts to 36 volts. The higher the voltage, the more powerful the lawn mower will be. Because cordless electric mowers don’t have cords, they allow for unrestricted movement and a greater range compared to corded mowers. While a battery-powered mower affords the user better freedom of movement, the battery can also be a disadvantage. You can only use a cordless electric lawn mower as long as the battery has juice in it. This means you need to frequently recharge your lawn mower for those longer tasks.
Meanwhile, corded electric lawn mowers are powered by a power cord plugged into an electrical outlet. The presence of the cord requires that the user ensure the power cord is not caught or entangled under the mower. The range of the mower is also limited by the length of the power cord. You may need to use an extension cable or switch between outlets while working. One distinct advantage a corded mower has over their cordless cousins is their price — corded electric lawn mowers will always be cheaper than a cordless one.
A not insignificant amount of people believe that petrol lawn mowers are superior to electric lawn mowers. Most petrol-powered lawn mowers run on two-stroke engines, which obviously exert more power than a normal battery ever can. This makes petrol lawn mowers suited for large lawns and longer working times. But unless you live in a sprawling estate or work at a golf course, a petrol lawn mower probably is overpowered for your needs, and could cost you a lot in the long run. Most homeowners would do well with an electric lawn mower. Here are a few distinct advantages an electric lawn mower has over their petrol-powered counterparts.
Quiet
A petrol lawn mower can only dream of being as quiet as an electric mower. Using a petrol mower requires earmuffs to protect your hearing, and will often draw complaints from your neighbors. Petrol mowers operate at around 95 dB (decibel) and hearing loss is expected after prolonged and repeated exposure to noise above 90 dB.
Electric lawn mowers create considerably less noise, operating at an average of 75 dB, about the same noise level as a normal conversation. It’s so quiet that you can barely hear the mower while you’re working. Your ears and your neighbors will love you if you switch to an electric lawn mower.
Fuel-free
Unlike petrol lawn mowers, electric lawn mowers don’t require oil or petrol to function. Engines, on the other hand, require fuel for power and oil for lubrication. While your electric lawn mower may require occasional lubrication, the oil used is different and far easier to use than the one used for gas engines.
Easy operation and maintenance
Electric lawn mowers are lighter and easier to use compared to bulky petrol lawn mowers. This makes for easier maneuverability and faster mowing. Back and shoulder strain is reduced since you no longer have to push a heavy machine around your yard. There’s also no need to pull a cord, just turn on the switch and you can start mowing. With the absence of a gas engine, the only real maintenance an electric lawn mower needs is cleaning.
Green
The dangers of unfettered pollution and climate change have made protecting the environment a top priority for many people. If you’re environmentally conscious, then you should go for an electric lawn mower. No fuel means you won’t be consuming fossil fuels when powering your lawn mower. Also, millions of gallons of petrol are spilled every year while fueling a mower. Imagine where all that fuel ends up.
Cheaper
Instead of buying petrol by the gallon, you can just charge the mower to an outlet at substantially reduced rates. Not only are electric lawn mower cheaper to power, they’re also cheaper to maintain. No need to pay for engine tune-ups, oil, and fuel filter and spark plug replacements, as electric lawn mowers have done away with all that.
