Consumer Reports Compared Gas And Electric Mowers. The Results Aren't Clear-Cut

Cordless electric lawn mowers make up an increasingly large part of the market, but size-for-size, gas mowers are usually the more budget-friendly option. As a result, it can be more challenging than ever to decide what type of lawn mower to buy for your yard. The argument used to be that electric mowers were great for small lawns but just didn't have the performance required for large grassed areas. Is that still true today? Consumer Reports, the world's largest independent product tester, conducted its own investigation. Like many potential buyers, CR's testers also struggled to come to a clear decision on whether gas or electric mowers are better. Let's look at their conclusions and see if it helps you pick the right machine for your lawn.

In order to get a comprehensive view of the market, Consumer Reports put 182 different models through their paces. It tested mulching, bagging, side-discharge, and quality of cut. It also compared the kind of area each mower could cover with a fully charged battery or a tank of gas. The other things covered were maintenance and storage, noise, and environmental impact (for some, perhaps the biggest issue). CR was keen to point out that testing can be subjective, and before you decide, you need to assess how each model is likely to suit the demands of your own yard. There are also a number of lawn mower brands you might want to steer clear of.

When it comes to actual mowing, Consumer Reports found the two types of mowers difficult to separate, although gas models produced a slightly more even cut. However, electric mowers handle better because they are usually lighter. Typically, gas mowers are still going strong when electric mowers need to stop to recharge, but over 60% of cordless models will cover at least a quarter acre.

Gas mowers need their spark plug, filters, and oil changed at least annually, adding to running costs. Electric mowers just need their blade sharpened occasionally. Do bear in mind though that batteries don't last forever, and replacing them can be expensive. When you're done mowing, many electric models can be stored vertically. You need to drain the tank to do that with a gas mower. When it comes to noise, there's no contest: Gas mowers are way louder. They also consume fossil fuels and pollute the air. In fact, California has already banned all gas-powered lawn equipment. Numerous other cities and states have restrictions or are considering them (although to be fair, some offer incentives to protect their oil and gas industries).

Which camp you're in will have a major impact on the type of machine you buy. The conclusions that Consumer Reports came to have been echoed by other reviews of the best-ranked lawn mowers. There's little to separate them in terms of cutting performance. Gas lawn mowers are cheaper, at least initially, while electric mowers are easier on you, your neighbors, and the environment.