When it comes to choosing lawn mowers online, there’s always a debate between petrol and electric mowers. However, each has its strengths and weaknesses, and you’ll need to consider all the main factors to ensure you choose the right one.
Power and Performance
Petrol lawn mowers are the undisputed champions if you are looking for raw cutting power. These are built to chew through tough grass, so they are perfect if you don’t want to mow your lawn every now and then. They are also more suitable for tough grass types like Buffalo and Zoysia. You may also need this type if you are on hilly terrain, as it will move with ease.
However, this doesn’t mean that electric mowers are pushovers. In fact, they are more powerful than most people assume and will do the job without any issues if your terrain isn’t hilly. An electric mower won’t have any issues if you have a small to medium-sized lawn and often cut your grass.
Noise Levels
If you’ve ever been woken up by your neighbour (or even a family member) mowing their grass at 7AM with a roaring petrol mower, you know how noisy they can be. Some people actually like the sound (they sound like small motorbikes), but not everyone in the family or neighbourhood may appreciate it. Grass-cutting is not ideally done at that time, but if you prefer a quieter late morning or early evening, the noise can be a problem.
On the other hand, electric mowers are delightfully quiet. This is the way to go if you want to cut your grass without attracting attention. But if you want the groan of a powerful machine, you need a petrol lawn mower.
Environmental Impact
The world is actively moving towards eco-friendliness, and it’s a significant consideration when buying appliances, not just cars. And in this aspect, electric mowers are the clear winners. Due to the nature of the power, they produce zero emissions while running.
On the flip side, petrol lawn mowers are notorious for pollution, from noise to fumes and carbon dioxide. If you are actively working towards cutting your carbon emissions, you may need to consider the electric option.
Maintenance and Repairs
An electric mower is the best fit if you want a simple appliance that won’t force you to deal with oil changes, spark lags, and air filters. All it will need you to do is clean the blades and charge it if it’s cordless.
However, petrol mowers will need you to do refuelling and general maintenance like cleaning carburettors. And if something goes wrong, the repairs will also be more complex.
Run Time and Convenience
Petrol mowers take the lead here as they can run for long, as long as you’ve put in enough fuel. This is perfect if you have a huge lawn and don’t need to take breaks to charge the battery.
On the other hand, electric mowers won’t need you to run to the petrol station as all you need is to charge the battery. However, if the lawn is big, you’ll need an extra battery, which you can switch with.
Weight and Handling
In the aspect of weight, electric mowers have the advantage. They are generally lighter than petrol mowers as they don’t need a heavy engine or a fuel tank. You will have an easy time pushing it, manoeuvring the lawn, and carrying it if you want to place the mower in a tight space.
Petrol mowers are bulky and heavier. This means that if it’s a push lawn mower and you have a huge lawn or hilly terrain, you’ll do a bit of cardio for the day. That said, there are self-propulsion options where you only need to adjust the speed.
Which One Should You Choose?
At the end of the day, the right mower depends on your lawn, lifestyle, and priorities. Assess your lawn and its unique needs, such as the size, terrain, and thick grass. You can then look at your personal preferences, such as ease of use, low maintenance, and eco-friendliness. These will help ensure you choose and buy the most suitable lawn mower.
