Electric vs Gas Lawn Mowers
Electric vs gas lawn mowers compared by deck width, active mowing time, cut quality, ownership cost, and which power source fits which yard.
At a Glance
EGO Power+ LM2134SP-2 21-Inch Self-Propelled Mower
↓ See why we picked itThere is no single winner between electric and gas lawn mowers. The right choice depends on lawn size, terrain, how long a mowing session runs, and whether the interruption you can tolerate is a battery swap, a charge wait, or a refuel and a pull cord. We matched real electric and gas mowers at comparable deck widths so the comparison reflects actual buying decisions instead of a blanket recommendation.
Below we compare deck width, active mowing time against refuel and recharge interruptions, cut and bagging quality, three-year running cost, and scenario-based picks so you can match a mower to the yard you actually have, not an average one.
5 Criteria to Look For Before Buying a Electric vs Gas Lawn Mower
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Match deck width before comparing power source
A 16-inch electric mower and a 21-inch gas mower are not a fair comparison. Compare mowers at the same or nearly the same deck width so the power-source difference is the only real variable.
Active mowing time versus interruptions
Gas mowers are limited by tank size and refueling speed, while battery mowers are limited by charge capacity and recharge time. Estimate how long your lawn actually takes to mow and compare that against each mower's realistic uninterrupted range.
Cut, bagging, and mulching quality
Compare deck design, discharge options (mulch, bag, side discharge), and height adjustment range rather than assuming power source alone determines cut quality at a matched deck width.
Three-year energy, fuel, and maintenance cost
Add oil, air filters, spark plugs, and gasoline for a gas mower against battery replacement and electricity for a cordless mower over a three-year ownership window, not just the purchase price.
Scenario-based winner, not a universal answer
The better mower depends on lawn size, slope, session length, and how much engine maintenance or charge planning the owner wants to take on. Match the mower to the scenario rather than picking a power source first.
Electric vs Gas Lawn Mowers
EGO Power+ LM2114 21-Inch Cordless Mower
About this pick
The EGO Power+ LM2114 pairs a full 21-inch deck with a 56V battery platform and an included battery and charger, and it has built a strong track record with buyers, holding a 4.5-star rating across more than 2,160 reviews. That combination makes it the electric pick most comparable in cutting width to a standard gas push mower, without the fuel, oil, or pull-start routine.
Against a gas equivalent, the tradeoff is charge time rather than refuel time: a spent battery needs to recharge before the mower can finish a large lawn in one pass, while a gas mower only needs a fuel top-off. For yards that fit inside one battery charge, the EGO removes engine maintenance entirely.
Best for: standard-size lawns wanting gas-equivalent deck width without engine maintenance
Check price on AmazonPros
- +21-inch deck matches typical gas mower cutting width
- +56V battery and charger included, no separate fuel purchase
- +Rated 4.5 stars across 2,160+ reviews
Cons
- −A depleted battery needs a full recharge before finishing a large lawn
- −Higher upfront price than an entry gas mower of similar deck size
PowerSmart EasyGlide 21-Inch Gas Mower, 144cc
About this pick
The PowerSmart EasyGlide runs a 144cc 4-stroke OHV engine on a 21-inch steel deck with 3-in-1 mulch, bag, or side discharge, and it has held a 4.3-star rating across more than 930 reviews. As long as the fuel tank is full, active mowing time is not capped the way a single battery charge caps a cordless mower, which matters most on larger or overgrown lawns mowed in one continuous session.
The tradeoff moves from charge time to upkeep: oil changes, air filter checks, spark plug replacement, and pull-start reliability become the owner's responsibility, along with storing and handling gasoline safely between seasons. For a lawn too large to finish on one electric charge, that upkeep buys uninterrupted runtime.
Best for: larger lawns mowed in one session where uninterrupted engine runtime matters more than avoiding maintenance
Check price on AmazonPros
- +Refueling is faster than a full battery recharge
- +3-in-1 mulch, bag, or side discharge on a steel deck
- +Rated 4.3 stars across 930+ reviews
Cons
- −Requires ongoing oil, filter, spark plug, and fuel upkeep
- −Gasoline storage and engine noise are tradeoffs a battery mower avoids
EGO Power+ LM2134SP-2 21-Inch Self-Propelled Mower
About this pick
The EGO Power+ LM2134SP-2 adds self-propelled drive to a 21-inch cordless deck, and it has earned a 4.5-star rating from its early review base of more than 316 buyers. Self-propel closes one of the biggest practical gaps between electric and gas mowers on sloped or larger properties, where pushing a battery mower without drive assist gets tiring well before the battery runs low.
Self-propel draws from the same battery that powers the blade, so drive use on hills or at higher speed can shorten the mowing time available before a recharge is needed. It is the closest electric match to a self-propelled gas mower's ease of use, at a price closer to premium gas self-propelled models.
Best for: sloped or larger yards where self-propel matters as much as going cordless
Check price on AmazonPros
- +Self-propelled drive on a full 21-inch cordless deck
- +Rated 4.5 stars from its review base
- +No engine maintenance or fuel handling
Cons
- −Drive assist shares battery capacity with the blade, shortening runtime on hills
- −Priced above most gas self-propelled mowers at the same deck width
Greenworks 60V 21-Inch Push Mower
About this pick
The Greenworks 60V 21-Inch pairs a full-width deck with a 5.0Ah included battery and charger, and reviewers have rated it 4.4 stars across nearly 500 reviews. It sits close to the EGO LM2114 on deck size and price, giving buyers a second cordless option at a similar comparison point against gas mowers of the same width.
Like other single-battery push mowers, active mowing time is limited by one charge, and a second battery is the practical way to extend a session without waiting for a recharge mid-lawn. For buyers already invested in Greenworks 60V tools, it also shares a battery platform across the yard.
Best for: buyers wanting a second cordless option near gas-equivalent deck width and price
Check price on AmazonPros
- +21-inch deck with 5.0Ah battery and charger included
- +Rated 4.4 stars across 494+ reviews
- +Shares a battery platform with other Greenworks 60V tools
Cons
- −One included battery caps active mowing time before a recharge
- −Push-only drive on a lawn where self-propel would help
Greenworks 40V 16-Inch Push Mower
About this pick
The Greenworks 40V 16-Inch trades deck width for a lighter, more compact mower, and it is the most reviewed product in this comparison, holding a 4.2-star rating across more than 12,100 reviews. At $249.99 it lands at the same price as the PowerSmart gas mower above, making it a direct budget comparison point for buyers deciding between a small gas mower and a small electric one.
The narrower 16-inch deck means more passes on a mid-size lawn compared with a 21-inch mower of either power type, and the single included battery limits a session on anything beyond a small yard. For a genuinely small or trim-focused lawn, the lighter weight and lack of fuel handling are the bigger factors.
Best for: small lawns where light weight matters more than deck width
Check price on AmazonPros
- +Lightest mower in this comparison with battery and charger included
- +Rated 4.2 stars across 12,000+ reviews, the largest review base here
- +Same price as the entry gas option, useful for a direct budget comparison
Cons
- −16-inch deck needs more passes than a 21-inch mower on a mid-size lawn
- −Single battery limits active mowing time on anything beyond a small yard
LawnMaster MEB1114K 15-Inch Corded Mower
About this pick
The LawnMaster MEB1114K runs on a corded 11A motor instead of a battery or an engine, and it holds a 4.0-star rating across more than 4,440 reviews at the lowest price in this comparison. Because it plugs into an outlet, it never needs a recharge or a refuel, but it also never runs untethered, which rules it out for larger or obstacle-heavy yards regardless of how it compares to gas on power.
For a small, unobstructed lawn near an outlet, it avoids both sides of the electric-vs-gas tradeoff: no engine upkeep and no battery capacity to manage, at the cost of managing an extension cord around the mowing path.
Best for: small unobstructed lawns near an outlet where cord management is acceptable
Check price on AmazonPros
- +Lowest price in this comparison with no battery or fuel cost
- +Never needs a recharge, refuel, or engine service
- +Rated 4.0 stars across 4,440+ reviews
Cons
- −Cord length and routing limit it to small, unobstructed yards
- −Not comparable to gas or cordless mowers on deck width or open-range mowing
How We Evaluated These Electric vs Gas Lawn Mowers
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
Deck width parity
We compared electric and gas mowers at matched or near-matched deck widths so the power-source comparison was not distorted by cutting a wider or narrower path.
Session length realism
We weighed active mowing time against the real interruption each power source adds, whether that is a mid-lawn recharge wait or a refuel and restart.
Cut and discharge quality
We compared mulch, bag, and side-discharge options and height adjustment range rather than assuming power source alone decides cut quality.
Total ownership cost
We considered included batteries and chargers, replacement battery cost, fuel and oil, filters, spark plugs, and routine engine service across a multi-year ownership window.
How to Choose the Right Electric vs Gas Lawn Mowers
Match the Scenario to a Power Source and Pick
| Buyer scenario | Recommended power source | Named pick |
|---|---|---|
| Standard lawn, want gas-equivalent width without engine upkeep | Electric | EGO Power+ LM2114 21-Inch Cordless Mower |
| Larger lawn mowed in one continuous session | Gas | PowerSmart EasyGlide 21-Inch Gas Mower, 144cc |
| Sloped or larger yard where self-propel matters | Electric | EGO Power+ LM2134SP-2 21-Inch Self-Propelled Mower |
| Small lawn, budget-focused, comparing against an entry gas mower | Electric | Greenworks 40V 16-Inch Push Mower |
| Small unobstructed lawn near an outlet, lowest cost | Electric (corded) | LawnMaster MEB1114K 15-Inch Corded Mower |
Electric vs Gas, Side by Side
Electric
No fuel, oil, or spark plugs to manage, quieter operation, but active mowing time is capped by one charge unless a second battery is on hand, and larger decks add real weight and cost.
Gas
Refueling is faster than a full battery recharge and there is no charge ceiling on a single session, but the engine needs oil changes, filter checks, spark plug replacement, and gasoline storage between uses.
Real Ownership Checklist
| Cost or task | Verify before buying |
|---|---|
| Power source | Fuel and oil for gas, or battery watt-hours, extra packs, and charger for electric |
| Session length | Whether your lawn finishes within one tank or one charge, or needs a refuel or recharge mid-session |
| Wear parts | Blades and, for gas, filters, spark plugs, and belts, plus model-specific availability |
| Logistics and support | Storage space, delivered weight, and warranty or service access for the power source you choose |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is electric or gas better for lawn mowers?
Neither is better in every case. Electric mowers avoid fuel and engine maintenance but are limited by battery charge, while gas mowers keep running as long as the tank has fuel but require ongoing oil, filter, and spark plug upkeep. The better choice depends on lawn size and session length.
How much lawn can a battery mower cut on one charge?
It depends on the included battery's watt-hours, deck width, grass height and moisture, and whether self-propel is in use, since drive motors share stored energy with the blade. Check the manufacturer's runtime figure against your yard's actual mowing time, not just the advertised number.
Do gas mowers cut grass better than electric mowers?
At a matched deck width, cut quality depends more on blade design, deck shape, and discharge options than on power source alone. Compare mulch, bag, and side-discharge features directly rather than assuming gas or electric wins by default.
Which costs less to own over time, electric or gas?
Add fuel, oil, filters, and spark plugs for a gas mower against battery replacement and electricity cost for an electric mower over a three-year window. Purchase price alone does not reflect the full ownership cost for either type.
When does a gas mower make more sense than an electric one?
Gas makes more sense for larger lawns mowed in one continuous session where a charge ceiling would interrupt mowing, or where refueling speed matters more than avoiding engine maintenance.
Bottom Line
best overall: EGO Power+ LM2114 21-Inch Cordless Mower - best electric overall pick in this roundup.
See the full rankings above for all picks with pros, cons, and best-for summaries.
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