Cordless vs Petrol Lawn Mowers: Which Is Best for Your Garden in Spring 2025

When it comes to maintaining a quintessentially English garden, selecting the right lawn mower is essential for achieving that perfect, manicured look. The choice between cordless and petrol options often leaves garden enthusiasts pondering which technology will best serve their outdoor space.

For most English gardens under 500 square metres with relatively flat terrain, cordless electric mowers offer the ideal balance of convenience, low maintenance and environmental friendliness, while petrol mowers remain superior for larger gardens with challenging terrain or when longer operation time is required without recharging. The decision ultimately hinges on your garden's specific characteristics and your personal priorities.

The evolution of battery technology has dramatically improved cordless mowers in recent years, closing the performance gap with their petrol counterparts whilst offering quieter operation and zero emissions. Meanwhile, petrol mowers continue to provide unmatched power and runtime for those with substantial lawns or professional landscaping needs.

Comparing Cordless and Petrol Lawn Mowers

When selecting a lawn mower for your English garden, understanding the fundamental differences between cordless and petrol options helps make an informed decision. Each type offers distinct advantages in terms of power, mobility, maintenance requirements and environmental considerations.

Overview of Cordless Lawn Mowers

Cordless lawn mowers operate on rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, offering freedom of movement without the constraints of power cords. Most models come with batteries ranging from 40V to 80V, providing sufficient power for typical English gardens up to 500 square metres.

Battery life typically ranges from 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the model and cutting conditions. Premium cordless mowers often feature removable batteries, allowing users to swap depleted batteries for charged ones to extend operating time.

These mowers start reliably with the push of a button, eliminating the frustrating pull-cord experiences common with petrol models. They're also significantly quieter, producing around 65-75 decibels compared to the 95+ decibels of petrol mowers.

Maintenance requirements are minimal, primarily involving blade sharpening and occasional cleaning. There's no need for oil changes, spark plug replacements or carburettor adjustments.

Overview of Petrol Lawn Mowers

Petrol lawn mowers have been the traditional workhorse for British gardens, powered by 4-stroke engines ranging from 140cc to 190cc. They deliver consistent power regardless of lawn conditions and can handle longer grass and larger areas more effectively than most cordless alternatives.

These mowers offer unlimited runtime, provided you have sufficient fuel. A typical tank holds enough petrol for 1-2 hours of continuous mowing, making them ideal for larger properties exceeding 500 square metres.

Petrol models are available in a wide range of cutting widths, typically from 40cm to 55cm, allowing faster coverage of extensive lawns. They handle wet grass and rough terrain more effectively than their battery-powered counterparts.

The trade-off comes in maintenance requirements. Petrol mowers need regular oil changes, air filter cleaning, spark plug replacements and winterisation procedures to maintain optimal performance and longevity.

Performance Considerations

When comparing performance, terrain and lawn size are crucial factors. Petrol mowers deliver consistent power across challenging conditions, making them superior for slopes, wet grass and overgrown areas.

Cordless models have improved dramatically in recent years, with high-end versions now rivalling petrol performance in normal conditions. However, battery degradation remains a consideration, with most batteries maintaining optimal performance for 3-5 years before capacity begins to diminish.

Weight differences are notable, with petrol mowers typically weighing 25-35kg compared to cordless models at 15-25kg. This makes cordless options easier to manoeuvre around garden features and more suitable for users with limited physical strength.

Environmental Impact

The environmental differences between these mower types are substantial. Cordless mowers produce zero direct emissions during operation, while petrol models emit carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides.

A typical petrol mower produces as much pollution in one hour as driving a modern car for 160 kilometres. This has significant implications for air quality, particularly in densely populated areas.

Noise pollution presents another environmental consideration. Cordless mowers operate at approximately 65-75 decibels, comparable to normal conversation. Petrol mowers generate 90-100 decibels, approaching levels that can cause hearing damage with prolonged exposure.

Battery disposal does present environmental challenges for cordless models. However, most manufacturers now offer recycling programmes, and battery technology continues to improve in terms of lifespan and recyclability.

Fuel efficiency varies among petrol models, but most consume between 0.5-1 litre of petrol per hour of operation, contributing to fossil fuel consumption and associated environmental impacts.

Choosing the Right Mower for Your English Garden

Selecting an appropriate lawn mower involves considering your garden's unique characteristics and your personal maintenance preferences. The decision between cordless and petrol options should align with your specific gardening requirements and long-term objectives.

Recommended Cordless Lawn Mowers - Webb Classic WEER33 or Greenworks 40V

Recommended Petrol Lawn Mowers - Mountfield HP41 or NAX POWER 1000s

Garden Size and Layout Factors

Garden dimensions significantly impact mower selection. For small to medium gardens under 300 square metres, cordless electric mowers offer sufficient power and convenience. These lightweight options navigate tight spaces and ornamental features with ease.

Larger gardens exceeding 300 square metres typically benefit from petrol mowers' extended runtime and robust cutting power. Gardens with slopes steeper than 20 degrees require the additional torque that petrol engines provide.

Complex layouts with numerous trees, flowerbeds or garden furniture favour cordless models. Their manoeuvrability allows for precise cutting around obstacles without damaging delicate plants.

Consider access issues as well. Narrow garden gates or limited storage space might necessitate a compact cordless model rather than a bulkier petrol option.

Maintenance and Care Requirements

Petrol mowers demand more extensive maintenance. They require regular oil changes every 25-50 hours of operation, air filter cleaning, spark plug replacements and fuel management. Winter storage necessitates proper fuel drainage to prevent carburettor issues.

Cordless mowers offer significantly simpler maintenance routines. Primary care involves blade sharpening every 20-25 hours of use and battery management.

Battery maintenance tips:

• Store batteries at 40-80% charge in cool, dry conditions

• Avoid complete discharge cycles

• Keep terminals clean and free from debris

Both types require annual blade sharpening to maintain cutting efficiency. Dull blades tear grass rather than cutting cleanly, potentially introducing disease to your lawn.

Long-Term Cost Implications

Initial purchase prices vary significantly. Quality cordless mowers with lithium-ion batteries typically range from £250-£600, while comparable petrol models cost £200-£450.

Battery longevity impacts cordless mower economics. Most quality lithium-ion batteries last 3-5 years before capacity noticeably declines. Replacement batteries constitute the largest ongoing expense for cordless models.

Petrol mowers incur steady costs for fuel, oil, and replacement parts. These cumulative expenses often exceed the higher initial investment of cordless options over a 5-7 year ownership period.