Updated on Mar. 11, 2025
In the market for a new lawn mower, but not sure which type is best? Let us help you navigate the debate on electric vs. gas lawn mowers.
Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases.Learn more.
With more lawn mower models on the market than ever before and so many sizes, styles and features to consider, buying a lawn mower isn’t as simple as it once was. And now, electric mowers are making a big splash in the lawn care industry.
Managing Director at GardenLawncareGuy Matt Davies says, “I’m seeing a huge trend towards battery-powered tools, which are great for reduced hand-arm vibrations, noise [reduction], and also being lightweight.” Not long ago, mower motors required too much juice for a cord or batteries to be practical. Not anymore. Several corded and battery-powered electric lawn mowers are just as impressive as traditional gas mowers.
Gas-powered mowers ignite a mixture of air and fuel, compressing it in a cylinder and igniting it with a spark to create a miniature explosion that is harnessed to power the machine.
Electric mower motors, however, feature magnets interacting with electromagnets, energizing metal coils to move rotors and create power. They can be powered by batteries or a 120-volt receptacle via an extension cord.
The Husqvarna TS 242XD is a riding mower with a massive cutting deck that provides a powerful, comfortable cut in your backyard. The 42-inch cutting deck on this gas-powered lawn tractor allows you to make fewer passes in your yard and efficiently cut your grass in less time.
TYLER O'ROURKE FOR FAMILY HANDYMAN
The Toro TimeCutter SS4225 is a classic zero-turn lawn mower. As we expected, the mower was an absolute beast when we tested it. It was also extremely comfortable and fun to use, which makes it one of our absolute favorites when it comes to gas mowers.
ALEX KRONK FOR FAMILY HANDYMAN
The 56V Craftsman TurnTight electric riding lawn mower took the electric riding mower top spot after extensive testing by former senior editor Caroline Lubinsky. Caroline says it’s a powerful machine that’s easy to use. “In total, there are five pushable buttons and a display screen on the vehicle control module,” she says. “There’s also the spot to insert the key and a parking brake lever underneath. That’s it.”
CAROLINE LUBINSKY FOR FAMILY HANDYMAN
We love the Greenworks Pro 80V 21″ cordless mower because it provides serious power and reliability and is a great price. Our expert, Tyler Graham, tested this Greenworks mower, and to his surprise, it won the battle. “I picked this one as a top pick for the average American yard, but it is also highly compatible with small yards,” he says.
ALEX KRONK FOR FAMILY HANDYMAN
There are many differences between electric and gas mowers to take into consideration when shopping. Variables like motor power, run time, noise levels, maintenance and more all play a part when determining which kind of mower is best for your lawn care needs.
Realistically, horsepower is the only reasonable unit of measure for lawn mowers. However, many electric lawn mower manufacturers don’t share this figure, instead listing the max torque, which measures engine torque under little or no load. The real-world horsepower of most electric mowers is half, or less than half, the horsepower of a similarly sized gas-powered machine.
It’s hard to measure exactly how much run time you’ll get from a tank of gas in your average fuel-burning mower because much depends on the speed at which you run it and the density of the grass you’re cutting. It’s a safe bet, though, that a tank of gas will last longer than a fully charged battery on any equivalent electric model.
However, we talked to Gene Caballero, co-founder of GreenPal, who has been in landscaping for over 25 years. He highly recommends battery-powered and reel lawnmowers for small yards because they are lightweight, quiet and easy to maneuver in smaller spaces.
When we asked about the latest innovations in compact battery lawnmowers, Gene said to look for improved battery life in cordless models, app-controlled settings and self-propelling options. Brands like Greenworks offer great options made specifically for smaller yards.
While power and run time certainly favor gas-powered mowers, noise and environmental considerations support electric mowers. Battery-powered mowers have zero carbon emissions, so running one won’t contribute to climate change. Even the best gas-powered mowers can give off a significant amount of emissions.
Noise is also a factor worth considering. Many municipalities regulate the acceptable amount of yard noise. Big, beefy gas-powered mowers can easily exceed these guidelines, but battery-powered mowers almost certainly won’t.
Note: Some users find vibration is more severe and bothersome with gas-burning mowers than electric ones.
In some states, laws dictate which mowers you can and can’t buy. California passed a law in 2021 banning the sale of new gas-powered lawn equipment, which took effect on January 1, 2024.
Manufacturers followed suit. John Deere unveiled its first electric riding mower in 2023, and Honda announced in 2022 that it would stop making gas-powered mowers altogether.
Although it’s tempting to believe battery-powered mowers will always cost less than gas-burning mowers, this isn’t necessarily the case. Although you’ll almost certainly spend less on electricity charging your batteries or running your corded mower than on gas and lawn mower oil for your fuel-burning machine, there’s more to the equation.
Lithium-ion batteries don’t last forever and eventually need replacement. They’re not cheap, either. If your electric mower comes with a generous warranty, you might be lucky enough to get a replacement battery (or batteries, if your mower takes two) for free when yours bites the dust.
Electric mowers are usually simpler to use and maintain than their gas-powered counterparts. They don’t need gas, oil changes or new air filters, and you don’t have to make sure the carburetor and spark plugs are clean and functional.
Electric lawn mowers are typically lighter weight, so battery-powered push mowers are easier to lift and store when not in use.
If you’re worried you’ll have to sacrifice performance and convenience with an electric mower, we’ve personally tested many riding and self-propelled models with our stamp of approval. Take the Craftsman TightTurn Electric Lawn Mower, for instance. Apart from a tight five-inch turn radius, it’s also zippy. “The mower can really move,” Caroline says. “It’s a dream on a giant, flat patch of grass where you can set the cruise control, glide along at pace and sip a drink that you’ve stored in the cup holder.”
Caroline isn’t the only homeowner impressed by this electric riding mower. Dan Bailey, president of WikiLawn, says it’s just as powerful as some gas-powered riding mowers.
Bailey points out that electric mowers may not be the best option for larger yards since most batteries only last up to two hours. “If you have an extra large yard, you might need a gas-powered mower,” Bailey says, though some municipalities are banning gas-powered lawn equipment.
When shopping for a pricy lawn care tool like an electric or gas mower, it’s important to ensure that it will last through years of use. That’s why we personally tested the four mower picks above to determine that their value, features and quality are consistent with our standards. We used them for a few weeks to test the turning, run time, maneuverability, comfort and efficiency.
Then, we consulted industry experts and asked them to weigh in on our other top picks. Between rigorous testing and expert thoughts, we’re confident that the mowers we recommend are sure to perform.
The primary drawback of electric lawn mowers compared to gas mowers is limited battery life. However, improvements to battery life and charge time have been made recently and are expected to continue to get better. They may also struggle with very thick or tall grass compared to gas models.
Additionally, corded electric mowers are limited by cord length and must have access to a power source.
One of the most reliable brands of lawn mowers is Toro. They have created gas-powered mowers that are extremely reliable and affordable. I like to refer to them as the Honda of lawn mowers.
Put simply, electric lawn mowers are better for smaller yards, and gas mowers are better for large yards and commercial use.
Electric mowers typically last 5-10 years with proper maintenance, while gas mowers can last longer, sometimes 10-15 years or more. Battery replacement for electric models may be required over time, which adds to upkeep costs.
We’re a team of homeowners and gardening experts who have used riding mowers across several states. We relied heavily on testing experiences from Tyler Graham and Tyler O’Rourke. Graham is a lawn care and lawn tool enthusiast who is the primary editor of The Lawn Review. He has personally tested dozens, if not hundreds, of lawn mowers. O’Rourke is a longtime homeowner and riding mower expert.
We also consulted other experts, such as Dan Bailey, president of WikiLawn and Matt Davies, managing director at GardenLawncareGuy.
Battery-powered mowers work best for people with small lots who want to minimize maintenance, noise and carbon emissions. But if noise and exhaust don’t bother you, and you just want to mow and be done with it as quickly as possible, you’re probably better off going gas-powered.
Whether you go with gas or electric, choosing the right model for your needs is important. If you’ve got an acre or less to mow, a self-propelled walk-behind mower is probably your best bet. If you’ve got a larger lawn or simply don’t like walking and mowing at the same time, a riding mower will make your life much easier.
More detailed considerations like engine power, blade speed, deck width and other features come down to personal preference and available budget.
