Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Gardening

Push lawnmower vs. electric mower: Which one is best for you?

With gas prices so high, does it make sense to switch lawnmowers? We'll help you make the choice

By

woman in garden boots mowing
NinaMalyna / Shutterstock

If you haven’t been shopping for a new lawnmower lately, you may be surprised by the number of options available. Home improvement and hardware stores stock a vast array of gas-powered, corded electric, cordless electric, and manual push mowers, any one of which could be a great choice … or a poor choice. So how do you know which is the best?

Recommended Videos

Close-up of person pushing a lawn mower

Manual push vs. gas-powered vs. electric mowers

Priorities matter. Are you looking for power, economy, low emissions, or quiet operation? Or is there a whole other criterion of utmost importance to you? Most modern mowers include great options that can help keep your yard looking its best for a decade or more, but there are some important factors to keep in mind for all of them. Before picking out your new mower, you’ll need to understand the cost of each (both upfront and in terms of maintenance in years to come), the level of maintenance that will be required for each mower, how long the mower will last, how easy the mower is to maneuver, and the motor power each is able to offer.

Related

We’ve assembled a head-to-head comparison of these popular mowers. Read on to learn more about how they work, what they can do, and which one may be the best fit for you.

Manual push mowers

A manual push mower, or reel mower, operates on human power. As the operator pushes the mower, a cylindrical blade assembly turns against a fixed blade to cut the grass with a scissor-like motion. Reel mowers provide a super-clean and neat, finished appearance. Manual push mowers are ideal for smaller, flatter lawns, but they can handle larger spaces if the grass is in good shape. Coarse weeds and sticks dull the blades prematurely and may stop them from turning. Reel mowers are available in cutting widths between 15 and 20 inches.

Gas-powered mowers

A gasoline-powered mower’s engine turns a vertical shaft connected to the mower blade. The blade has sharpened edges on both ends and makes two cutting passes with each revolution. The combined power and speed of the gas engine allows the mower to cut through herbaceous vegetation, fallen leaves, and small sticks with ease. Gasoline-powered mowers come in cutting widths between 20 and 24 inches.

Electric mowers

Electric push mowers use an electric motor to power a rotary blade. Both plug-in and cordless electric models offer plenty of power to mow and are comparable to gasoline mowers under normal conditions. However, they are subject to bogging down more easily in tall grass. Corded mowers are limited by proximity to a power source and the length of the extension cord. Cordless mowers are limited by battery run time and recharging time. Electric mowers are available in cutting widths between 14 and 21 inches. Electric mowers are a lot more eco-friendly than gas-powered mowers, though, and the cordless versions are especially easy to maneuver, which makes them great for smaller lawns. 

changing the battery in an electric lawn mower
ronstik/Shutterstock

Cost considerations

There are two cost aspects to consider with lawn mowers. The purchase price is a one-time cost and is directly comparable among the different types. The expected lifespan on all of these mowers is about 10 years, so there’s no need to calculate a per-year “depreciation” cost.

The second cost aspect is the ongoing operation expense. Fuel and routine maintenance add to the total cost of ownership over the life of a mower, as shown below.

Purchase price ranges for different mower types

  • Manual push mower: $70 to $200
  • Corded electric: $80 to $350
  • Battery electric: $150 to $500
  • Gas: $175 to $500

Annual operating costs and maintenance for different mower types 

  • Manual: $0 (Sharpen the blades once or twice a year)
  • Corded electric: $15 to $22 (Electricity, extension cord, blades)
  • Battery electric: $11 to $18 (Electricity, replacement batteries approximately every five years, blades)
  • Gas: $20 to $35  (Gas, oil, filters, spark plug, blades)
man mowing grass in front of a white house
pikselstock / Shutterstock

Pros and cons of manual and electric mowers

Manual mowers

Pros:

  • The cleanest cut
  • Quietest operation
  • No fuel needed
  • Zero emissions.

Cons:

  • Narrow cutting path
  • The yard needs to be clean and mostly free of weeds
  • Many models offer only a small range of height adjustments, so you may need to recut certain portions of the lawn a few times to get it to the desired length

Gas mowers

Pros:

  • Lots of on-demand power
  • Complete flexibility and portability
  • Work even if the grass is really tall or weedy
  • Relatively easy and inexpensive to replace broken parts.
  • Options: self propelled, mulching, bagging, key start

Cons:

  • Noise
  • Potential issues with fuel storage/spillage
  • Engine maintenance
  • Air pollution
  • Life is notably shorter than electric and manual counterparts

Corded electric

Pros:

  • Quiet
  • No liquid fuel storage
  • No immediate area emissions (remote emissions at the power plant)

Cons:

  • Bog down in high or weedy grass
  • Limited to the length of extension cord
  • Extension cord could be a tripping hazard

Cordless electric

Pros:

  • Quiet
  • No fuel to store
  • No immediate area emissions (remote emissions at the power plant)
  • Easiest option to maneuver

Cons:

  • Bogs down in high or weedy grass
  • Limited by battery life and recharge time
  • Worn-out batteries must be disposed of properly
  • New batteries are expensive

Red manual push mower

The winners

Most eco-friendly

Manual push mowers are an excellent choice for those who favor clean air, peace and quiet, and a neatly manicured appearance. The upfront cost is very low, and the complete lack of operating expense is a bonus. Skipping a cut makes the job more difficult the next time, but mowing generally is an easy and pleasant task with the manual push mower. 

Most powerful

Gas-powered mowers are the tool of choice for cutting larger landscapes quickly. They provide the most power to cut through taller grass and weeds when necessary, and the widest cutting path.

Most practical

Cordless electric mowers make an excellent choice for small to midsize landscapes. Compared with gas mowers, they offer a competitive purchase price, lower operating cost, and quieter operation. Plus, they release minimal total emissions, and they are free from the cord.

Runner-up

Corded electric mowers offer plenty of power and unlimited runtime with minimal total emissions but without the problem of batteries. They are mostly limited to smaller landscapes due to the extension cord.

Editors’ Recommendations

Topics
Mark Wolfe
Mark Wolfe
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Mark Wolfe is a freelance writer who specializes in garden, landscaping, and home improvement. After two decades in the…
4 types of lawn grasses and how to choose the best one for your yard
Choosing the right grass for you
A home with a grass lawn

The secret to a lush, healthy lawn isn't a one-size-fits-all solution. Even before you consider upkeeping factors such as watering and mowing, there's the matter of choosing the ideal type of grass for your yard. Where you live and how much time you have to maintain your yard all play into how healthy your grass will look.

There are many different types of grass available to choose from, and trying to pick one can be overwhelming. This guide will walk you through the most common types of grass and what to consider when choosing between them.
What to consider when you choose lawn grass

Read more
How to kill crabgrass for good
Stop crabgrass from taking over your lawn
A patch of crabgrass

If your goal is to have a pristine, neatly manicured lawn then you might get frustrated whenever crabgrass starts to pop up around your yard. Preventing crabgrass from taking root in the first place seems nearly impossible, so it’s better to focus on getting rid of it. Crabgrass is stubborn, though, so that’s often easier said than done. If you’re wondering how to kill crabgrass, you’re in the right place. We’ll answer all your questions, from what crabgrass is to how to get rid of it and even whether you should actually let it grow.
What is crabgrass?

Crabgrass is a member of the grass family that's not generally used for lawns. For most, it's typically viewed and treated as a weed, since it's a fairly aggressive spreader that pops up in empty spots or areas with weak grass. Because of this, crabgrass has a habit of outcompeting lawn grasses, especially if the lawn is already struggling or was planted recently.

Read more
Zoysia grass is tough and versatile – here’s how to care for it
Planting and caring for a zoysia grass lawn
Green grass lawn

The basics of lawn care may not change much from one lawn to the next, but many of the finer details do change based on the type of grass you’re growing. If you want the lushest, greenest lawn possible, you’ll need to tailor your care routine to your lawn. Zoysia grass is a popular grass species for lawns, with thick, vibrant blades that require shockingly little care. How do you know if zoysia is right for your lawn, and how do you keep your zoysia lawn looking its best? This guide will answer all your questions.
Planting zoysia grass

Zoysia grass can grow from seeds, sod, or plugs, and all options have different benefits and drawbacks. Seeds are excellent if you have a large area to cover, and they’re generally more affordable. However, zoysia grass grows slowly. Sod and plugs, which are already partially grown, are much faster to establish and begin spreading than seeds. However, they’re more expensive and more time consuming to plant. Some people choose to use a combination of seeds and plugs to get the best of both options.

Read more