This is the future of lawn mowers

The deafening roar of gas mowers is beginning to abate as more people switch to quieter tools to keep their unruly grass at bay: battery-powered lawn mowers.

“They will be the norm in residential in the not-too-distant future,” said Paul Hope, Consumer Reports’ home and appliances expert. “It will become the de facto choice and gas will be an ever-shrinking part of the market.”

The electric push lawn mower share of the global lawn and garden market has increased from 11% in 2010 to 18% in 2020, according to Consumer Reports. This shift, Hope and other experts said, is largely driven by lower costs and more manufacturers developing and releasing electric models; ease of use, particularly around maintenance; and a growing awareness of the environmental and climate impacts of gas-powered lawn tools.

Here’s what you need to know if you’re thinking about going electric with your lawn care.

How much will it cost?

Electric walk-behind mowers, which include push and self-propelled models, are generally more expensive upfront than comparable gas ones.

But while the initial price might be higher for a battery-powered model, experts say you would be likely to recoup that through savings accumulated over the life span of the mower.

For one, electric mowers don’t need the same amount of regular maintenance that gas models require, said Jamie Banks, founder and president of Quiet Communities, a nonprofit dedicated to reducing noise pollution. You’ll also save money on fuel.

“The cost of that maintenance that’s needed on a regular basis can be quite high,” Banks said. “You’re avoiding those costs because electric mowers are much simpler.”

Keep in mind, though, that your mower’s battery will need to be replaced eventually. Check your product’s specifications and consider buying models with longer battery warranties. Replacement batteries can cost anywhere from around $100 to $300 or more, according to Consumer Reports. When shopping for an electric mower, you should also check to see whether the manufacturer has a take-back program for old batteries, Banks said.

An online tool developed by Consumer Reports estimates that the average initial cost for a battery-powered push mower that can run for 30 minutes could be about $100 more than a similar gas model. But over five years, the electric mower could save $145.

For larger yards, there are electric riding mowers, but Hope noted that these tend to be much more expensive than similar gas models.

How well do they work?

Historically, many electric mowers struggled to generate enough power and run long enough to cut a typical yard compared with gas-powered models, Hope said. Electric mowers would often cut unevenly, particularly if grass is too long or thick, or need to be recharged before you could finish your entire yard. But Hope noted that innovations in battery technology have improved performance.

Consumer Reports’ most recent testing found the average run time for an electric walk-behind mower was 45 to 50 minutes per charge. It could handle a quarter-acre of land, even if the ground was somewhat uneven. On flat ground without obstructions, an electric mower could cut half an acre, according to Consumer Reports. This means that for the average lawn, a fully charged electric mower should be able to complete the chore in the same way as a gas-powered model.

It will take time to charge your mower’s battery. Average charge time is about two hours and 20 minutes, but that could vary dramatically based on the model. Consumer Reports notes that some mowers can charge in as little as 45 minutes, while others can take up to four hours.

One solution is to have more than one type of tool that uses the same battery, Hope said. This way you can swap out your mower’s battery instead of needing to wait for it to fully charge.

Are they easy to use and maintain?

Much of the beauty of battery-powered mowers lies in how easy they are to use, Hope said. Gone are the days of yanking on a pull cord until your mower roars to life or having to refill the tank with gas.

“You pop in a battery and it’s ready to go in most cases,” Hope said.

Gas lawn mowers also generally have more parts that need maintenance, so the upkeep on these tools can be more involved. These mowers require seasonal maintenance, including changing the oil and filter, and checking or replacing spark plugs.

While you do need to occasionally sharpen your mower’s blades and charge or replace batteries, electric models typically don’t need that much more maintenance. Be mindful of where you store your electric mower as batteries shouldn’t be left in extreme heat or cold.

“By and large, for most consumers, battery is vastly preferable,” Hope said. “It’s infinitely easier to start and maintain.”

While more homeowners might be turning to electric lawn-care equipment, Hope noted that it might take longer for landscaping businesses, which are often working on multiple yards a day, to catch up.

“They can’t be charging 300 batteries right now,” he said. “But it’ll get there someday.”

What are the other benefits of going electric?

Electric lawn-care tools, including mowers, are much more planet-friendly than gas-powered ones, Banks said. Increasing concern about the environmental and health impacts of using gas-powered lawn-care equipment has prompted multiple U.S. cities and California to implement bans or limits on the use or sale of these tools.

Lawn equipment across the United States produced more than 68,000 tons of nitrogen oxides as well as more than 350,000 tons of volatile organic compounds in 2020, according to a report from U.S. PIRG Education Fund, a nonpartisan consumer advocacy group. The report noted these tools were responsible for emitting more than 20 million pounds of benzene, a carcinogen, into the air.

The equipment also produced more than 30 million tons of carbon dioxide and nearly 19,000 tons of methane, according to the report.

While gas lawn mowers don’t spew nearly as many toxic and carcinogenic emissions as other types of less-efficient lawn tools, such as leaf blowers, the equipment still releases carbon dioxide, Banks said.

Gas mowers are also noisy.

On average, the sound from a single gas mower could reach 88 to 94 decibels depending on the size and power of the mower, Banks said. This is higher than levels that are generally safe for hearing health, especially with extended or repeated exposure.

What’s more, sound from gas lawn-care equipment commonly contains a strong low-frequency component that allows sound at harmful levels to travel over long distances and penetrate walls and windows, she said. In comparison, the sound from an electric mower is typically 10 decibels lower, lacks the strong low-frequency component and dissipates over shorter distances.

“You’re creating an environment that’s friendlier for pollinators and ecosystems,” Banks said.