There are lots of different things to weigh up when choosing a lawn mower. One of the most fundamental things to consider is ‘how will your mower be powered?’. Will it be a traditional petrol mower? Or will you go electric?
Petrol mowers and electric mowers each have their separate pros and cons. Understanding these pros and cons is key to choosing the right mower for your needs. Here are some of the pros and cons compared.
Petrol
The most traditional choice is a petrol mower. These are operated via fuel tank, which you are able to top up by opening a fuel tank cap. Most petrol mowers use regular unleaded petrol or E10.
Pros
Power
Petrol mowers tend to be more powerful than electric mowers. If you need a mower to cut thick grass, a large lawn or handle uneven terrain, you could find that a petrol mower is more capable. Most of these mowers have about 4bhp to 5.5bhp.
Robustness
On top of being more powerful, petrol mowers are generally more robust. They’re heavier and designed to handle more vibrations. This means they’re less likely to get damaged if you knock them while carrying them or use them over rough terrain. Just bear in mind that some models are more durable than others.
Mobility
Petrol mowers don’t need to be attached to a cable, which gives them unlimited range. Of course, a battery lawn mower can solve this problem too. However, petrol mowers still have the advantage of being able to run for longer periods than battery mowers before needing to be refuelled/recharged.
Cons
Noise
A downside of petrol mowers is that they are notoriously noisy. Most of them emit a noise level between 85 and 90 decibels. Not only is this noise less neighbor-friendly, but it could actually cause hearing damage after periods of extended use if you don’t wear ear defenders. Electric mowers tend to be much quieter.
High maintenance
Despite being more durable, petrol mowers are more high maintenance than their electric counterparts. On top of keeping them topped up with petrol, you need to carry out regular oil changes and occasionally replace parts like spark plugs and filters to keep your mower working efficiently.
Weight
Petrol mowers are often much heavier than electric mowers. When it comes to push mowers, petrol mowers require more physical strength to use and can be more challenging to use on slopes and thick grass. Self-propelled and ride-on petrol mowers are sometimes favoured for this reason – but these are more expensive than a basic push mower and can be too large and bulky for some lawns.
Electric
Electric mowers are a more modern choice. They are either powered up by plugging them into an outlet or via a battery that has to be recharged. Battery lawn mowers are more popular than plug-in mowers simply because they don’t have to be tethered to a cable during use.
Pros
Quiet
One of the main pros of electric mowers is that they are relatively quiet. Most produce between 55 to 75 decibels – which isn’t enough to cause hearing damage and won’t carry as far as a petrol mower, making these mowers better for your ears and better for not disturbing the neighbors.
Low maintenance
Electric mowers don’t have as many moving parts as petrol mowers and don’t use oil. This means that they typically require less maintenance. Just be wary that if an electric mower does encounter a false, you may find it harder to repair yourself and may have to look for a specialist. Thankfully, electric mowers tend to encounter less breakdowns than their petrol counterparts.
Easy to use
A lot of people choose electric mowers because they’re generally easier to use. They’re not as heavy, which means that they’re easier to push. Electric mowers are also generally easier to start than a petrol mower – rather than having to use a prime button and pull cord, electric mowers simply come with a start button.
Cons
Charging time
Whereas refuelling a petrol mower takes only a couple of seconds, recharging a battery-operated electric mower usually takes hours. This can be less convenient if you need to use your mower straight away. As a result, it’s good to get into the habit of recharging an electric mower immediately after each use. Of course, you can buy plug-in mowers that can keep going as long as they are plugged in, but these have limited range, which leads onto the next condition.
Limited range
Electric mowers don’t have the same range as petrol mowers. Plug-in electric mowers can only be used as far as their cable will stretch, while battery-powered electric mowers can run out of battery faster than a petrol mower will run out of fuel.
Limited power
Most electric mowers don’t have the power to match petrol mowers and may struggle cutting thick grass or handling rough terrain. While there are some high-powered electric mowers available on the market, they can cost a lot of money. A powerful petrol mower can be easier to find and more affordable.
So, petrol or electric?
When taking into account the above benefits and drawbacks, it’s important to consider which mower suits your needs. Electric mowers may be a more modern alternative to petrol mowers, but they aren’t necessarily the better option – hence why petrol mowers still sell well.
A petrol mower is generally a better option for those with a larger or more rugged lawn. Because petrol mowers are more durable and powerful, they will struggle less with such gardens. Not having to worry about a cable or battery charge is also handy when mowing a large lawn.
Electric mowers are a better option for basic lawns. Those with smaller gardens and closer neighbors may find that the quietness of an electric mower is better suited. If you’re older or less fit, you may also want to stick with an electric mower because they’re easier to push and operate. You also don’t have to worry as much about maintenance, making them generally more convenient.
