(BPT) - Key Takeaways

• When you're looking for a lawn mower, make sure to learn about important differences between gas- versus battery-powered models.
• Battery-powered lawn mower owners often experience dissatisfaction due to their concerns around their cost, convenience and performance.
• In a recent study, consumers share what they learned about the disadvantages of battery-powered mowers.
• Gas mowers offer higher torque, stronger performance, longer run time and better long-term durability than battery-powered mowers.
• Briggs & Stratton provides gas-powered lawn mowers that are easy to use, durable and deliver peak power from start to finish.

Many owners of battery-powered lawn mowers are dissatisfied with their purchase, for a variety of reasons. In fact, 92% of battery mower owners who replaced their original battery did so within the first two years of ownership, revealing that their batteries don't always run as long as owners would want. This is just one of many surprising insights from a study* conducted by Hanover Research that uncovers details about experiences consumers have had with battery-powered mowers — and why they might choose differently next time.

If you've shopped for a lawn mower in 2026, or recently purchased one, you may not have considered the value of basic engine power. In today's market where battery-powered mowers are everywhere, it's easy to overlook the long-term durability and reliability offered by traditional gas mowers.

Here are key facts you should know before your next mower purchase — especially if you're one of the 64% who bought a battery mower five years ago and are now "highly likely to consider gas-powered mowers" in the future.*

What are the differences between battery and gas lawn mowers?

The differences between gas and battery lawn mowers don't start and end with their power source.

One key advantage of gas-powered mowers is that they offer a longer run time. If you have a large yard, knowing you can finish the job without having to stop to recharge a battery makes a huge difference. The Hanover Research study found that 25% of battery mower users needed more than one charge to cut their lawn.

Other key benefits gas-powered mowers offer include:

• Powerful, sustained torque to tackle long, wet or thick grass
• Long-running, durable and reliable engine power
• Faster time to refill a gas tank (45 seconds) versus recharging a battery (45 minutes)

Gas mowers also score ahead of battery mowers for cutting grass more evenly and bagging grass more efficiently. Using a battery mower, 30% of homeowners find they're cutting more often, and 11% are cutting much more often, compared to using a gas mower.*

What is the cost difference to operate a gas mower versus a battery mower?

The upfront price of battery-powered lawn mowers is generally higher than gas-powered models, which matters when you're trying to stick to a budget.

But there are hidden costs too: Lithium-ion batteries that run battery-powered mowers, which need to be replaced at least every three to five years, can cost up to $500 or more.

The Hanover study found that 50% of battery mower owners actually had to replace their battery as early as year two. Some users of battery mowers found that battery capacity diminished over time (25%), experienced poor battery performance (14%) or discovered that the battery took too long to charge (20%). Even worse, batteries can overheat, shut down or lose two-thirds of their run time when cutting thicker grass. Of those who replaced their original battery, 83% replaced it to increase capacity/run time, and 78% felt that the original battery "should have lasted longer."

Battery-powered lawn mowers can also cost far more when you need to repair or place parts, as they may involve expensive component replacement costs and specialized diagnostics that are not found in traditional gas-powered motors.

Where to locate a high-quality gas-powered mower

Sometimes the classics are classics for good reason. When you're in the market for a new lawn mower, consider a gas-powered mower from Briggs & Stratton. They offer sustained torque and virtually unlimited run time, with a multi-decade history of durability. Their gas-powered mowers offer a long-term investment you can rely on every time, season after season.

Learn more and find your next favorite mower at BriggsAndStratton.com.

*The Electric Mower Sentiment Study, conducted by Hanover Research, was completed in June 2024 and had 593 respondents.