Electric vs. gas-powered lawn mowers: which one makes the cut?

Car buyers have been asking this question a lot lately: gas or electric? But it turns out lawn lovers are also facing the same question these days.I checked in with Consumer Reports to find out more about electric lawn tools."It really depends on the product," senior editor Tobie Stanger said. "We found for string trimmers, gas, for the most part, they're still better, but you can find battery-powered ones that are very good also."But what about when it comes to saving money?"We did an analysis specifically of walk-behind battery mowers," such as push mowers and self-propelled mowers. "We found that, unless gas prices are really low, like 10 cents a gallon, you really are going to save over the long term with a battery mower."And another big question: how reliable are electric lawn tools?"It really depends on the brand," Stanger said. "We have found reliability for electric, especially among lawnmowers, to be very, very good.""Batteries do cost to replace. They can be $100 to $300 to replace, depending on the mower. ... One thing to do is to get a mower that has a long battery warranty," she said.The folks at Consumer Reports say saving money isn't the only reason why they lean toward electric lawn tools. They say they're better for your health and the environment."So gas-powered lawn tools, one of the major issues is the pollution that the gas emissions cause. And all over the country, people are trying to reduce those because it's better for the environment," Stanger said."It can be very noisy," she added. "And health-wise, it's very unhealthy if you are operating one of these on a regular basis. It's bad for your hearing, among other things."

PITTSBURGH —

Car buyers have been asking this question a lot lately: gas or electric? But it turns out lawn lovers are also facing the same question these days.

I checked in with Consumer Reports to find out more about electric lawn tools.

"It really depends on the product," senior editor Tobie Stanger said. "We found for string trimmers, gas, for the most part, they're still better, but you can find battery-powered ones that are very good also."

But what about when it comes to saving money?

"We did an analysis specifically of walk-behind battery mowers," such as push mowers and self-propelled mowers. "We found that, unless gas prices are really low, like 10 cents a gallon, you really are going to save over the long term with a battery mower."

And another big question: how reliable are electric lawn tools?

"It really depends on the brand," Stanger said. "We have found reliability for electric, especially among lawnmowers, to be very, very good."

"Batteries do cost to replace. They can be $100 to $300 to replace, depending on the mower. ... One thing to do is to get a mower that has a long battery warranty," she said.

The folks at Consumer Reports say saving money isn't the only reason why they lean toward electric lawn tools. They say they're better for your health and the environment.

"So gas-powered lawn tools, one of the major issues is the pollution that the gas emissions cause. And all over the country, people are trying to reduce those because it's better for the environment," Stanger said.

"It can be very noisy," she added. "And health-wise, it's very unhealthy if you are operating one of these on a regular basis. It's bad for your hearing, among other things."

Electric vs. gas-powered lawn mowers: which one makes the cut?

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