Many Australian households are swapping their bulky petrol lawn mowers for the easier to maintain, more ecologically friendly, and considerably quieter alternative, electric lawn mowers!
Although there are two varieties of lawn mowers that buyers must choose between, corded and cordless. While both offer amazing features and benefits, the best fit for your lawn and your life will depend on your backyard requirements and personal preferences.
So, to figure out which lawn mower is best for you, consider the following advantages and disadvantages that corded and cordless lawn mowers offer.
Are Electric Lawn Mowers Better than Petrol Lawn Mowers?
An electric lawn mower is generally the best option for most modern residential blocks with a regular-sized backyard. Electric mowers are quieter to use, produce no pollutants, typically cost less, have lower running costs, and require less maintenance than petrol lawn mowers.
Although if you live on a large semi-rural property or need a lawn mower for professional work, petrol mowers may be your sole option because they can run longer on a single tank, have more powerful motors, and cut thick gas easier. However, gas mowers are noisy pollutants that require considerably more maintenance and cost more.
In any case, one type of lawn mower is not inherently "better" than another, as each has its own sets of advantages and disadvantages.
Corded Electric Lawn Mowers
If you have a small backyard, a corded electric mower offers various benefits, including being more reliable, weighing less, easier to manoeuvre, and generally costing about half of the cordless lawn mowers.
Since corded lawn mowers are powered by a constant supply of energy from the outlet, corded electric mowers have an easier time dealing with very thick or tall grass. When your corded electric mower starts up, you can be sure it's going at maximum capacity. Since corded lawn mowers are so light as they don't have large gas engines or heavy batteries to slow them down, users will feel like they are flying across the grass.
Although, of course, corded electric lawn mowers have disadvantages, as you can only reach as far as your mower's cable will allow you. While an extension cord will allow the electric mower to go further distances, any cable longer than roughly 30 meters will limit the amount of power the electric lawn mower receives as the electrical resistance in the cable is reduced. Installing numerous outside outlets may provide you with more flexibility – one in the front and one in the back would be ideal.
If you have a small enough backyard, the limited reach would not be an issue, but a corded electric mower may not be an option if your yard is large.
In addition, the mower's cord can often get tangled around obstacles if the user is not careful when navigating. Plus, the electric lawn mowers' cord itself requires even more care as running over the cord can ruin the electric mower and potentially cause injuries to the user. Mowing with a cord takes some getting used to, and many people avoid corded electric mowers because of it, but once you get the hang of it, it's really nothing to worry about.
Cordless Electric Lawn Mowers
A cordless electric mower eliminates many of the issues that come with corded electric mowers. Cordless electric mowers are powered by a battery, and there are many different types of batteries to choose from.
Electric mower batteries are generally 40 to 80 volts, with some being slightly higher or lower. The more voltage there is, the more power there is. Amp-hours are used to calculate battery runtime, so the longer the electric mower can operate on a single charge, the greater the amp hours.
In general, cordless electric mowers have a longer range than corded electric mowers, and you'll never have to worry about becoming entangled in a tree or your own legs. For medium-sized yards, cordless electric mowers are perfect. If your yard is too big, you won't be able to get enough power out of your battery to finish the task. However, compared to a corded electric mower, you can go a long way and never worry about outlets or approaching obstacles in the yard.
However, cordless electric mowers have their own set of disadvantages. In comparison to corded electric mini ride on mower , cordless electric mowers require more preparation and maintenance. As you will have to wait for the mower's battery to charge for at least an hour or two and maybe more depending on the battery size before you can start mowing.
Plus, every five years or so, you'll need to change the mower's battery. Batteries degrade over time as they charge and discharge repeatedly, eventually losing their ability to retain a charge. The batteries also have a limited run time on a single charge, whereas a corded electric mower can run at full power as long as it is plugged in. So, if your battery dies in the middle of a mow, you'll have to recharge before continuing. It may not be feasible to mow your entire lawn on a single charge, depending on the size of your grass and the size of your battery.
In addition, the installation of batteries considerably increases the electric lawn mower's overall weight, making it's more challenging to push and manage. Cordless electric mowers are also significantly more expensive than corded batteries due to their popularity and the inclusion of pricey batteries.
Final Verdict: Cordless or Corded Electric Lawn Mowers?
As an overview, corded electric mowers are excellent for smaller yards due to their constant power source and reduced weight, but they are tied down (literally) by the requirement to be connected to an outlet. Since cordless electric mowers can travel further away from the house and are easy to manoeuvre around obstructions, they are excellent for medium-sized yards.
Both corded and cordless electric mowers have their own set of benefits. In the end, the greatest option for you is determined by your lawn and personal tastes.
Most importantly, to ensure you are getting the best outdoor power equipment for your unique circumstances, always consult with a reputable lawn mower supplier and trusted manufacturer.
