Cordless Lawn Mower Pros and Cons

Introduction

You’ve heard a lot about cordless lawn mowers lately. They have been steadily improving for years. Now with the concern about the impact of gas powered mowers on the environment, electric lawn equipment is gaining even more attention. It’s got you thinking, is it time for me to get a cordless lawn mower? What are the advantages and disadvantages of owning one?

This blog post will answer those questions for you and help you decide what your next step is going to be.

What is a Cordless Lawn Mower?

A cordless lawn mower is an electric lawn mower that is powered by batteries instead of an electrical extension cord. They are also called battery powered lawn mowers.

These units have become more popular because of the major improvements the batteries that drive them. These batteries now have a longer life. Meaning they will last for five years or more. They also have a longer run time. So, you can get more work done before having to recharge them.

The other thing you will notice about the batteries is the increasing voltages. They started with a lower voltage of 12 to 18 volts. These values have gone up dramatically. You can now find a battery powered lawn mower with voltages as high as 82 volts. I’m sure there are higher voltages in the development stage as well.

What are the Pros of a Cordless Lawn Mower?

Here are some of the many advantages to owning a cordless lawn mower.

• No need for a long, heavy extension cord – Not only will you not have to fight with the cord while you are mowing, you won’t be worried about running over the cord with the mower. You won’t be limited by the length of your extension cord.
• No need for gas or oil – Since the mower is powered by batteries, you won’t need gas to power the machine. That means you won’t need to store a container of gas in your garage or shed. It also means you won’t spill gas and make a smelly mess. Electric lawn mowers don’t need oil to lubricate the motor. This means you won’t have the check the oil level or change the oil.
• No emissions – Gas powered lawn mowers emit a lot of pollutants into the atmosphere. If you’re walking behind the mower, you are inhaling some of those pollutants. These nasty pollutants are not good for your health or the environment.
• They are quieter – Electric lawn mowers are much quieter than gas models. That means you won’t have wear hearing protection to mow your lawn.

What are the Cons of a Cordless Lawn Mower?

For all the good cordless lawn mowers have going for them, there are some disadvantages to owning one.

• They can be expensive – The price of cordless mowers goes up the higher the voltage is for the battery. You can pay $500 or more for a high end battery powered mower. That may end up being too much for some people. Although, if you have a smaller yard, a less expensive model may be all you need.
• The runtime may not be long enough to finish the yard – While batteries have improved, they will eventually run down. This can frustrate if you only have a little bit of yard left to finish. You can overcome this disadvantage by purchasing additional batteries.
• It takes a long time to recharge the battery – When a gas powered mower runs out of gas, all you have to do is refill the tank and you’re back to work in minutes. When a battery goes dead on a cordless lawn mower, it can take hours to recharge it. That’s another reason why you might need an additional battery.

Cordless Lawn Mower Frequently Asked Questions

Is it worth getting a battery-powered lawn mower?

Yes. A battery-powered lawn mower is a great investment. You need to be sure to get a cordless lawn mower with enough battery run time to complete your yard. It can be with multiple batteries or one battery depending on the size of your yard.

What is the life expectancy of a battery operated lawn mower?

With proper care and maintenance, a cordless lawn mower will last for five years or more. The battery is going to be the limiting factor. They will last for about 500 charge cycles. The more you use your cordless lawn mower the shorter the life expectancy of the battery in terms of years.

Do battery operated lawn mowers need oil?

Battery operated mowers do not need oil like a gas powered mower. Their bearings are seals and don’t require lubrication. Some of the other moving parts will need an occasional drop of oil or grease to keep them moving freely.

Can electric mowers cut tall grass?

Yes. But they will struggle. This is because the motor lacks the horsepower to cut through tall, thick grass effectively. If the motor bogs down, it will cause it to overheat and could do serious damage. It is better to mow more often to minimize stress on the mower.

Conclusion

This blog post has covered cordless lawn mower pros and cons. They can be a great tool to have around. You get one that is the right size for your lawn. If your lawn is large, then the smallest lawn mower would not be a good choice. Get extra batteries if you think you might need them.