What Is An Electric Lawn Mower

Con: They Are Not As Powerful

When shopping for a mower, one thing to consider is its torque rating. Torque is the driving force behind a blade’s rotational movement. Electric lawn mowers generate substantially less torque on average than a gas mower does. It means a gas mower will be a much better choice to tackle challenging terrains like hills and dips.

Overall, the lawn mower market continues to expand with diverse offerings. For homeowners with larger yards, gas-powered mowers will still be the best fit, as they have the durability and power to tackle large projects with ease.

Meanwhile, if you want to reduce your carbon footprint, then an electric lawn mower is the wise way to go. Either route you take can help you gain a healthy-looking lawn that boosts the curb appeal and value of your home.

In the meantime, here are some other tips to keep your yard looking great:

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Is It Cheaper To Hire A Lawn Care Company

Considering the many ins and outs of lawn mower ownership, you may be thinking that hiring a landscaping team is a better alternative.

Whether you dont want to deal with the slog of pushing your mower around, keeping it fueled and maintained or youre not around enough to give your lawn the attention it needs, getting a professional lawn care service can save you time and energy, but not necessarily money.

These days, youre looking at anywhere from $50 to over $200 for a lawn care company to cut your grass.

If your zip code receives a particularly rainy summer, and your grass is constantly growing, you may need to cut your grass three to four times per month. Thats $600 to $1,000 to hire a third party to take care of your yard.

With the average gas-powered mower costing around $350, its much savvier to invest in your own grass-cutting gear.

That being said, hiring a lawn care team does have its benefits. If your lawn requires additional upkeep like aeration, edging and shrubbery trimming, landscapers will typically provide these extra services .

Can The Electric Lawnmower Deliver A Clean Mowing Job

Electric lawnmowers are the most preferred when it comes to ensuring that the lawn is kept as clean as it may be desired because of the collection bag usually fitted on them. Most of these mowers also have powerful blades and front wheels, which are instrumental in ensuring that the grass is mowed well.

The level of efficiency of the electric lawnmower may be measured when the environmental impact is checked. It is clean and Eco friendly. However, depending on the scale of use and the time it should take, it is in some cases not as good as the tractor riding mowers. Read more

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How Are Electric Lawn Mowers Powered

Naturally, every lawn mower must have a power source. Gas mowers are powered by gas, and push mowers are powered byus! And electric lawn mowers are powered by electricity.

There are two types of electric lawn mowers available in in the lawn-and-garden industry today, and the difference between them has everything to do with their power source, regardless of the fact that theyre both powered by electricity.

These two types are: corded and cordless. The most fundamental difference between these two types is evident, as the corded ones have cords and, well, the cordless ones dont. However, there other differences.

Electric Vs Gas Lawn Mowers: How Much Power Does Your Mower Need

Does your lawn take up two or more acres? Are there numerous steep sections or rough areas made up of ditches and divots? These are important questions to ask yourself, because the bigger and tougher the lawn you have to deal with, the more power and durability youre going to require from a mower.

In cases where youre dealing with a sprawling backyard of grass, or an obstacle-laden property of some sort, a gas mower will likely be a better choice. Why is that? Generally speaking, gas models are stronger than both battery-powered and corded mowers.

Lawn mower power is measured by overall torque and horsepower, with most mowers outputting anywhere between three to 30 horsepower, although some riding mowers may muster even greater numbers.

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Check The Cutting Radius

An electric mower with a larger cutting radius often means cutting the lawn in significantly less time. According to multiple electric lawn mower reviews on the internet, there are essentially two kinds of cutting radii or deck sizes that you can choose from. These are 14 and 20 inches. Although mowers with a larger cutting radius will cost slightly more, they will accomplish the task much faster.

Keeping this point in mind, make sure its essential to buy a mower with a larger cutting radius. If you have a smaller lawn, you might as well use a 14-inch mower.

What Makes The Electric Lawnmower Environmentally Friendly

The electric lawnmower does not emit huge fumes into the environment, making them an ideal candidate for environmental conservation. Gas fuel is mined from the ground and has been blamed for a lot of environmental issues. Spillages are also detrimental to the lives of other organisms living inside the soil.

The additional fact to this is that the electric lawnmowers are designed so that the mowing progresses without any effect of the wheels on the grass being mowed, unlike tractor mowers whose huge wheels cause havoc to the grass.

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Why Trust The Spruce

This article was written by Camryn Rabideau, a freelance contributor to The Spruce. As someone who grew up on a 70-acre farm, shes no stranger to lawn care and has written extensively on lawn mowers and other landscaping products for The Spruce.

Lily Sperry, a commerce editor at The Spruce, conducted additional research, consulting customer reviews and third-party sites to make sure that you’re able to find the best electric lawn mower for your needs.

Electric Lawn Mower History

The first lawn mower was invented in 1830, and it sure did take a long time for something new and better to come along. Gas mowers werent invented until nearly a hundred years later in 1919, with electric mowers right on their heels in 1930.

So if electric mowers have been around for almost a century, why are most of us still using gas mowers? This is a great question, considering the challenges associated with the use of gas versions.

Electric lawn mowers are money-saving, energy efficient, and easy to use. Their batteries last a very long time, and they typically take much less effort to start up the first time in spring than gas mowers do.

But you likely have more questions about how electric lawn mowers work that need to be answered before switching from gas. Heres more information about the electric lawn mower that will help you decide which is better for your lawn.

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Sun Joe Mj401e 12 Amp Electric Lawn Mower

This little machine has a clean and minimalistic appearance, but it also packs a lot of value into your purchase. For under a hundred dollars, you really couldnt expect a more versatile or solid machine. The MJ401E boasts a competitive 12 amp motor upon its 14 inch deck.

This amount of power makes this a perfect maintenance tool for your yard just keep in mind that this Sun Joe will have a bit of problem with overly rocky terrain or completely out of control yards. To be honest, this machine has an almost toy-like appearance upon first glance, but its actually much sturdier than you might think.

Its also very easy to operate, providing you pair it with the correct extension cord. All one has to do to crank this humble and amazingly priced machine up is to plug it into the wall and press a wonderfully small, charismatic little button on its push handle. The price of this product seems to really more reflect its mostly plastic construction.

Sun Joe, the producing company for this machine, seems to have spent most of the production cost of this machine on its engine and electronics. Because of that, well, this electric lawn mower might not be the prettiest machine around, but it does run competitively with a lot of other much more expensive products on the market.

Power SourceWeightCutting Deck

Commercial: Mean Green 74

Mean Green is pushing the envelope further with a 74-inch deck on its flagship EVO ZTR. It delivers an impressive cutting width and day-long 8-hour max runtime. Combined with a 13 MPH top speed and 37 HP equivalent power, this is the electric riding mower to get when you have a lot of property to cut.

There are a lot of accessories to choose fromincluding a solar canopy! Mean Green certainly lets you customize the mower to suit your particular commercial needs.

All of this electric innovation comes at a cost, though. Youre looking at a minimum of $28,500 to get in and closing in on $35,000 if you want the most runtime. Thats before you add accessories.

Price: $28,500 $34,499

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Best Electric Lawn Mowers Of 2021

Lawn mowing is a daunting chore, but the right mower can make the job much easier. Electric lawn mowers are quiet, eco-friendly, and simple to use, and weve rounded up the best ones on the market.

Weve done your research for you to figure out which electric lawn mowers have the best ratio of power, run time, and price point. Heres our ranking of the top 10 best electric lawn mowers, with options for all different budgets and yard sizes.

Our Pick: Ego Power+ Select Cut Mower Lm2135sp

*At the time of publishing, the price was $650.

For the best in convenience, battery run time, cut quality, and value, we recommend the Ego Power+ Select Cut Mower LM2135SP. Compared with a gas mower, its quieter, doesnt create exhaust, and requires almost no maintenance. Among other cordless models, the Ego LM2135SP has among the longest run time and shortest charge time. This Ego has a redesigned control interface that allows you to control the propulsion with either hand. It also cuts with two blades, making for a finer cut and better mulching. Rounding out the features are two forward-facing LED lights, an easy-to-use cutting-height adjustment, and a battery port that faces the battery gauge toward the operator. The battery, which is good for a solid hour of mowing, is compatible with Egos other lawn tools, such as the companys leaf blower, chainsaw, and string trimmer.

Random aside: Without the stink of gas engine exhaust in your face, the smell of mowing the grass while using Ego is entirely different and much more pleasant unfortunately, the allergens are exactly the same.

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Thinking Of Going Electric You’re Not Alone Electric Mowers Are Becoming Mainstream Here Are Some Considerations If You’re Thinking Of Going Green

If neighborhoods start sounding a little quieter, the growing popularity of electric lawnmowers might have something to do with it. With a noise level on par with a dishwasher, electric mowers are less ear-piercing than gas-powered machines. Firing up the mower early in the morning to beat the heat of day is no longer out of the question.

Along with a big reduction in noise pollution, electric mowers also reduce air pollution. Compared to gas mowers, electric mowers reduce emissions of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides and methane by 99 percent, according to the National Gardening Association. And even after factoring in the power plant, they reduce carbon dioxide by 38 percent.

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What Are Some Of The Cautionary Measures To Take When Using An Electric Lawnmower

There are several factors to put in mind when using an electric lawnmower. The key cautionary measure is to ensure that the electric lawnmower is used for the sole purpose for which it is supposed to be used.

Using the electric lawnmower in the open, especially when it is raining, is also like courting a disaster and must be avoided. To cap it all, the user needs to ensure that he mows away from the electric power cord to avoid intertwining cases while mowing and making small but consistent movements.

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What Makes The Tractor Lawnmowers Superior To The Electric Lawnmowers

Tractor lawnmowers are considered superior due to the overall torque on their powerful engines. Most of the motor power on the tractors is higher, making them mow larger areas than their electric lawnmower counterparts. The use of fuel also gives them an advantage over the electric lawnmowers, which solely depend on the power grid.

Additionally, because they are ride-on, their use does not involve the users physical strength, as is the case with most of the push behind electric lawnmowers. They can also have a better capacity to mow long grass lawns as compared to the electric lawnmowers.

Gas Prices Are Crazy: Time For Electric Lawnmowers And Rechargeable Power Tools

CBS Essentials is created independently from the CBS News staff. We may receive commissions from some links to products on this page. Promotions are subject to availability and retailer terms.

You don’t need us to tell you or your wallet: Prices at the U.S. gas pump have soared to all-time highs. For some, the petrol-powered headache begins and ends with their car’s gas tank. But that’s not the case for those with garages and sheds stocked with gas-guzzling lawn mowers, chainsaws, leaf blowers and more.

So, what’s a budget-strapped handyman and handywoman to do? One option: Go electric.

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As noted in a report on the lawn-and-garden equipment industry, electric mowers are lighter, quieter and, thanks to the frequently used push-button design, easier to start than their gas-fueled counterparts. Another really great benefit of going electric: Because these mowers and other electric yard tools don’t use gas, you’re not inhaling carcinogenic exhaust fumes while using them, and you won’t smell like gas after you’re done.

And, as more laws are introduced to ban the sale of gas-powered lawn tools, big, traditional names like Snapper and Black + Decker now stand in the green space alongside eco-focused brands such as Greenworks and Ego. Many of these mowers include batteries and chargers that are compatible with other power tools, as well.

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Con: Not The Best For Larger Yards

For homeowners with hilly or larger yards, finding the right mower can be a challenge. A riding lawn mower like the gas-powered Toro IronForged Deck Zero Turn Riding Lawn Mower will do the job. It has a huge cutting width of 60 inches and will definitely finish big yards quicker.

You can purchase electric riding mowers as well. The Ryobi 42-inch 75ah Battery Electric Riding Zero Turn Mower offers a decent cutting width of 42 inches. Still, if you have a yard encompassing multiple acres, it will take you longer to finish the job with an electric model like this one.

Ego Power Electric Mower

While horsepower is relevant, its a mowers torque that youll see most commonly as a marketing spec. Torque measures how much energy is used to rotate the mowers blade, with most mowers capable of producing anywhere from four up to 10 feet per pound.

In a side-by-side comparison, gas mowers produce both greater horsepower and torque than electric lawn mowers, making them ideal for bigger lawns, yards with tough grading and wet grass.

Corded and battery-powered mowers are best suited for lawns with less real estate to cover. While it might be enticing to save a few hundred bucks, cutting a big or tough lawn with a less powerful mower may lead to a breakdown of your mowers vital components, which will end up costing you more in the long run.

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Are Battery Riding Mowers Viable

There are a few riding mowers available for both professional and homeowner use. Professional crews have options such as Greenworks Lithium Z zero turn .

Homeowers have more choices with well-known brands Ryobi, Cub Cadet, and Craftsman providing a handful of zero turns and more traditional lawn tractors.

There are sure to be more coming soon for both types of users, including a highly-anticipated ZT from EGO.

The models weve tested work well and do the job theyre designed for. However, there are two key trade-offs you need to keep in mind. One, theres a big premium on the cost compared to a gas model. Two, at the moment you need to plan for long charge times.

A third consideration is simply that this class of electric lawn mower is still relatively new. Its possible to keep a gas model running for 10 years or more and repower it if necessary. With a full electric power plant, we simply dont know what kind of service life to expect with proper maintenance.

As battery technology continues to move forward, keep your eyes open for the first graphene or silicone lithium batteries. Theyre able to take a charge much faster than standard lithium-ion or lead-acid batteries and have the potential to get you back in the saddle quicker.

Can You Cut Wet Grass With An Electric Mower

Sometimes, you just dont have a choice the lawn needs to be cut and you dont have time to wait for it to dry completely.

Its only natural to wonder whether or not wet grass can be cut with an electric mower. Electricity and water, after all, are not a particularly safe mix.

Corded electric mowers should NOT be used on wet grass. Since the cord connections are not completely waterproof, its not safe to use a corded mower in wet conditions.

If you need to give the grass a trim while its still wet, you can use a battery powered model. Since battery powered mowers are sealed up nice and tight anyway, theyre totally safe to use in a variety of situations without the risk of electric shock.

That said, you should use common sense. A battery powered-mower can still get damaged if used under extremely wet conditions.

Check out our article on mowing wet grass for more on managing your lawn after it rains.

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