A lawnmower is essential for every garden owner. But which one is right for me? Petrol or electric? We support you in your purchase decision and state the advantages and disadvantages of both devices.
The lawn grows and grows. If you don't always want to borrow your neighbor's lawn mower, you should get your own as soon as possible. But which one exactly? If you ask around in your circle of acquaintances, every second person has a different opinion. One says petrol and the other electric lawn mower. But which one is the right one?
Choosing the perfect mower depends on a number of criteria. A very important purchase criterion is, for example, the area to be mowed. (Reading tip: Choose a lawnmower based on the lawn area - our purchase advice) And of course the drive is also extremely important in order to achieve optimal results in the long term.
We have put together the advantages and disadvantages of electric and petrol lawn mowers for you here.
Electric Lawnmower
➤ Advantages
Volume
A major advantage of electric lawnmowers over petrol lawnmowers is the volume level. Electric lawn mowers work much more quietly and are therefore particularly suitable in areas where gardens and houses are close together. Your neighbor will definitely be happy if you choose a quieter device. Especially if you can only mow late in the evening, the annoyance of the neighbors is greatly reduced by an electric mower. (Reading tip Stiftung Warentest report noise in the garden: The noisemakers from next door)
Weight
Another advantage is the low weight of the electric lawn mower, since the motor is a lot lighter than that of a petrol mower. On the other hand, the electrical devices are made of plastic, while motor lawn mowers are often made of metal and are therefore heavier. A criterion that is very important, especially for women. After all, gardening should be a little fun.
Low care and maintenance required
The care and maintenance required for a lawnmower is also not to be despised. Lawnmower care not only includes regular cleaning, but also that you take care of your lawnmower everyyear should winterize. Nevertheless, the effort is much lower than with a petrol lawn mower. There you must regularly check the oil level and change the oil.
» Note: Although little maintenance is required, worn shearing blades and other wearing parts must be replaced from time to time.
Even Lawn Cut
The cut surfaces on an electric lawn mower are cleaner because the rotations of the cutting blades are a lot higher. The tips don't look quite as frayed either. Another advantage is the lawn that grows denser afterwards, which looks much more elegant.
➤ Cons
Annoying power cable
Probably the biggest disadvantage of an electric lawnmower is the annoying power cable that you always pull behind you. This can be very limiting when mowing. You have to constantly think about which way to walk so as not to drive over the cable in the worst case.
Power connection and extension cord must be available
With an electric lawn mower, a power connection is of course always necessary. If you only have a limited number of external sockets, you should always have an extension cable ready to increase the range. This is often essential, especially on larger properties.
Damp weather and lawn that is too high
If it has rained or the lawn has grown beyond a certain size, the electric lawn mower quickly reaches its limits. If the lawn is too high, you would have to pull the lawn mower back a little and start again. This is not only exhausting, but also not fun in the long run.
» Popular electric lawnmowers and buying tips
Gasoline Lawn Mower
➤ Advantages
Independent of electricity
The advantage of a petrol mower is obvious, especially on large properties. You are simply independent as far as the power supply is concerned. You don't have to worry about a cable and can move freely around the property with the mower.
Powerful
A petrol engine is significantly more powerful than an electric motor. This makes it easier for a petrol lawnmower to work its way through thick, tall grass without reaching its limits. In extremely dense undergrowth, however, a high grass mower is more suitable. Gasoline lawnmowers are also the much better companions on uneven plots of land with a slight slope. This more powerful engine makes the petrol lawn mower one of the most popular types of lawn mowers.
Easier Mowing
Most petrol lawnmowers these days are self-propelled. This means that you don't have to push the mower under your own power, but that it does it all by itself. This can be a real relief, especially with very large and heavy devices.
Larger collection basket
Anyone who has to mow the lawn regularly knows how annoying it can be to constantly empty the collection basket. On the one hand you are constantly interrupted at work and on the other hand you are constantly running back and forth. This cannot be avoided with a petrol lawn mower either, but at least it has been given a larger collecting basket. So you can also cover longer distances with just one emptying.
» Tip: An alternative would be a mulching mower. The clippings remain here and fertilize the lawn at the same time. (Reading tip: Mulching mower - advantages and use of the mower in detail)
➤ Cons
No mowing without fuel
Of course, an electric lawnmower also needs its "fuel", but we simply assume that every household has an electricity connection. But if you trim the lawn with your petrol lawn mower and then suddenly you run out of petrol, then the way to the gas station is inevitable.
High volume
The noise level of a petrol mower can be a real problem, especially in urban areas and allotments. The lawn mower is quite noisy due to the engine power and could be a nuisance to your neighbours. In this case, an electric lawn mower is probably the better option.
More maintenance needed
In contrast to the electric lawn mower, the petrol mower requires more maintenance. Here you have to check the oil level regularly and also change the oil every now and then (instructions here). In addition, the air filter must always be cleaned. Work that you are spared with the electric mower.
Storage space required
The sizes of petrol lawn mowers differ from model to model. There are mowers that are very large and require a lot of storage space. On small plots of land or in gardens, space problems can quickly arise.
» Popular petrol lawnmowers and buying tips
Pros and Cons: In a nutshell
| Advantages | Cons | |
|---|---|---|
| Gasoline Lawn Mower | ✔ independent when working ✔ high efficiency ✔ large collection basket ✔ light and fasterMow | ✘ Fuel required ✘ Increased volume level ✘ Higher maintenance effort ✘ More space required |
| Electric Lawnmower | ✔ low purchase price ✔ low-maintenance ✔ environmentally friendly ✔ clean cut ✔ low weight ✔ low volume level | ✘ Difficulties when the lawn is too high ✘ Cable that gets in the way ✘ Must have a power supply ✘ Extension cable may be required |
Conclusion:
Which lawnmower you ultimately choose depends mainly on your own needs and the nature of your lawn. Stiftung Warentest has taken a closer look at some electric lawn mowers and put them through their paces. You can view the test result here for free.
You can of course order most of the tested devices and also petrol lawnmowers online. I particularly like the online shop from OBI, because in its lawn mower category you can compare individual devices wonderfully with each other (see picture on the right). presented which compares the selected products very clearly. Try it out!