Electric lawn mowers: Corded vs cordless

As with any purchase for your home, it’s important to take a few things into consideration when weighing up whether to opt for a corded or cordless electric lawn mower. In this article, we’re going to take a look at the differences between corded and cordless lawn mowers, the advantages and disadvantages of each type, and how much they cost to purchase and run.

Corded lawn mower advantages

Let’s start by looking at the pros and cons of corded lawn mowers.

Compact & lightweight

Because they don’t need to carry on-board power, corded lawn mower models are compact and more easily manoeuvrable than cordless options. This makes them ideal for small gardens, as well as for people who may struggle to use a larger, heavier mower.

Quiet & green to run

Corded lawn mowers tend to have fairly quiet engines, particularly when compared to petrol mowers, and they don’t produce carbon emissions. If the electricity comes from a sustainable source, it’s a very environmentally friendly way to keep your lawn tidy.

Corded lawn mower disadvantages

Must be plugged in

Corded lawn mowers need to be plugged into an outlet while in use, which restricts their range. Larger gardens may require an extension cord, which can reduce the engine’s power output. While mowing, you need to keep an eye on where the cable is so it doesn’t get run over and sliced by the mowing blades.

Cordless lawn mower advantages

Now let’s explore the pros and cons of cordless lawn mowers.

No cable to worry about

The most obvious bonus of cordless lawn mowers is not having to worry about where to plug them in, or keeping the cable away from the blades while you’re mowing. This makes them quick and easy to set up, and there aren’t any range restrictions, making them ideal for larger lawns.

Quiet & green to run

Just like corded mowers, cordless models are also an environmentally friendly option, particularly if your property has solar panels or another renewable source of energy.

Cordless lawn mower disadvantages

Larger & heavier

Because cordless lawn mowers need to carry the electricity supply with them in the form of a battery, this makes them larger, heavier, and more cumbersome than their corded counterparts. If you’re a smaller person, or if your garden is narrow or unusually shaped, this might make it more difficult to use. You’ll need somewhere slightly larger to store a cordless mower, and it may be too heavy to pick up easily.

Need recharging

Finding the time, motivation and dry weather to cut the lawn can be challenging at the best of times, and when the perfect moment arises, you don’t want to be faced with a flat battery. If you buy a cordless lawn mower, you’ll need to remember to charge the battery between uses. Battery technology continues to improve, but a typical run time on a single battery is only around 20 minutes, so it’s handy to buy a spare to swap out so you can carry on.

Initial costs and running costs

Along with the pros and cons of each type, you’ll also need to weigh up how much your lawn mower will cost to buy, as well as the ongoing cost of fuel, maintenance and eventual replacement.

Initial costs: Corded vs cordless lawn mowers

The simplicity of corded mowers makes them a cheaper alternative to buy. This is ideal if your lawn is small, you have a low budget, or you only need a mower for a short time, such as if you’re renting the property. Cordless models are more expensive to buy but the convenience of the range and flexibility might be worth this, particularly if you have a large garden.

Ongoing costs: Corded vs cordless lawn mowers

Initially, both types of electric mower will cost around the same amount of money to run, which is around 34p per hour. However, batteries become less efficient over time, and aren’t able to store as much energy as when they were new, so you’ll need to charge it more often. It’s recommended that you purchase a replacement battery every 4 years or so, which is another cost to bear in mind. If looked after and maintained properly, both types of electric mower should easily last you for at least 10 years before they need replacing.