A Buyer’s Guide to Electric Lawn Mowers

Michael Foley
Aug 9, 2017 · 4 min read
Baumr-AG Electric Lithium Cordless Lawn Mower -E-FORCE 360 II

Anyone who rents or owns a home with a lawn and a yard must perform regular mowing to keep the grass in check. Love it or hate it, lawn mowing is a necessary chore that must be performed to keep our yards and our lawns clean, green and healthy. Unless you are aiming for an unkempt, horror house look, then you probably have a lawn mower in your garage or garden shed. Whether you are looking to replace a failing mower or buying your first one, it is crucial that you consider a few factors to help you make a smart purchase.

Many people have chosen an electric lawn mower to maintain their lawns. These machines are best used for homes with small to mid-sized yards, regardless of terrain or shape.

Electric lawn mowers can be categorised according to their main power source: battery-powered cordless lawn mowers and corded lawn mowers. Each type of electric lawn mower has its own advantages and disadvantages, and you need to consider your needs to help yourself choose the right electric mower for you and your lawn.

CORDLESS ELECTRIC LAWN MOWER

A cordless electric lawn mower relies on an inbuilt battery pack to supply the power required to run the machinery. The inbuilt battery pack’s voltage output ranges from 18V to 36V and differs from one model to another. As a rule of thumb: The higher the voltage output, the more powerful the electric lawn mower is.

As one can infer from its name, cordless electric lawn mowers do not have an electric cord. This allows for unconstrained mobility and a potentially limitless mowing range, unlike corded electric lawn mowers. The battery affords the lawn mower better manoeuvrability, but the presence of the battery also has some downsides.

The cordless mower is only operational as long as the battery holds a charge. Once the battery dies, the lawn mower goes with it. A battery-powered mower requires regular recharging, which may be unsuitable for larger lawns and extended work times.

CORDED ELECTRIC LAWN MOWER

The inverse of the cordless mower, corded electric lawn mowers have to be plugged into a power outlet for the machine to function. The cord carries with it a host of disadvantages. One, the operator has to ensure that cord is not caught under the mower or entangled in or with other objects.

The length of the power cord also limits the operational range of the lawn mower. You may have to use an outdoor-rated extension cord if power outlets are not available. However, one of the greatest advantages a corded lawn mower holds over their cordless counterparts is its price — corded lawn mowers are vastly cheaper than a cordless lawn mower.

A lot of people assume that petrol-powered lawn mowers are better than their electric counterparts. The engines that power petrol lawn mowers are either 4-stroke or 2-stroke, but in recent years 4-stroke engines have come to dominate the landscape. Regardless of type, petrol engines are superior to electric motors in terms of power output.

Due to the higher power output, petrol-powered mowers are best used for maintaining mid-sized to large lawns. They can also be used for long working hours. However, unless you live in a large estate or have to maintain a park or a golf course, you probably don’t need a petrol mower. An electric lawn mower is more than adequate for many homeowners. If you need more convincing, here are a few more advantages electric lawn mowers hold over petrol mowers.

Silent operation

Powered by a motor instead of an engine, electric lawn mowers exhibit a quiet performance not possible on petrol lawn mowers. Mowing with a petrol mower may require the use of hearing protection, and your neighbours won’t certainly appreciate your use of it either. Petrol lawn mowers tend to project sound at 95 dB, as loud as a jackhammer. Prolonged exposure to sound levels above 90 dB may contribute to long-term hearing loss.

Electric lawn mowers, meanwhile, produce only around 75 dB of noise, similar to a conversation. Your ears and your neighbours will certainly love it if you would choose an electric lawn mower.

No petrol

No engine means no fuel required. You don’t need oil or petrol to power up your electric lawn mower. Yes, electric lawn mowers still need the occasional lubricating but the oil required is nowhere as much as a petrol-powered one.

Affordable

Since you no longer have to buy petrol or oil, running an electric lawn mower is affordable than their petrol counterparts. Just plug it in or charge the mower’s battery and you’re good to go. There’s also no engine to maintain, no fuel filter to clean and no spark plugs to replace.

Environmentally-friendly

No oil and petrol also mean a lower carbon footprint for you and your lawn mower and no chances of dangerous runoff. Many environmentally conscious people have opted for an electric mower instead of a petrol one.

Easier to use and maintain

Fact: Electric lawn mowers are lighter and easier to use than a petrol mower. A lighter carriage means the machine is easier to manoeuvre. You’re also doing yourself a favour since you no longer have to push around a heavy machine. And since there’s no engine, there’s no cord to pull and no messy and expensive maintenance to perform.

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