# Best Lawn Mowers for about 5000 sq' of grass? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 7, 2020, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-lawn-mowers-for-about-5000-sq-of-grass/922442 "2020-10-07T19:09:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2020, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-lawn-mowers-for-about-5000-sq-of-grass/922442/41 "2020-10-08T23:01:18Z")
> [@echoreply](#): > > The cons are as stated by others, the cord can be a nuisance. Another big one I didn’t notice mentioned is that the power of a 110 volt corded mower is limited to about 1300 watts, or about 1.75 horsepower. Many will advertise “3 horsepower equivalent” or such nonsense. That is wrong, the mower is not very powerful. In theory you should be able to get a maximum of 1650 watts out of an ordinary 15-amp 110V circuit, and even in practice a typical hairdryer that plugs into a bathroom’s GFCI outlet draws up to 1500 watts, as does a typical portable electric heater. That’s equivalent to almost exactly 2 horsepower. FTR, I’ve surprisingly had no power issues with my corded electric, and I admit that I’m one to sometimes let things get overgrown. My venerable old two-stroke Lawn Boy, which was a great mower and lasted practically forever, had a tendency to bog down and stall in tall thick grass; the electric does not. It’s of course true that the highest power will be obtained from a gas mower with a big engine, but my point is that my electric is adequate even when I don’t do regular mowing. I do hate, hate, HATE that cord, though. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2020, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-lawn-mowers-for-about-5000-sq-of-grass/922442/42 "2020-10-08T23:22:34Z")
This is gonna’ be a game changer … but you’ll definitely need an interim solution: > **[Space-based solar power](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space-based_solar_power)** > > Pages for logged out editors learn more > > Space-based solar power (SBSP, SSP) is the concept of collecting solar power in outer space by solar power satellites (SPS) and distributing it to Earth. Its advantages include a higher collection of energy due to the lack of reflection and absorption by the atmosphere, the possibility of very little night, and a better ability to orient to face the sun. Space-based solar power systems convert sunlight to some other form of energy (such as micro... ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2020, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-lawn-mowers-for-about-5000-sq-of-grass/922442/43 "2020-10-08T23:44:25Z")
Sci-Fi at least has been talking about that for years. We’re probably just as close to it as we are to Fusion and we might be closer to fusion. ---
**Author:** ![Precambrianmollusc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/precambrianmollusc/32/63_2.png) [@Precambrianmollusc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Precambrianmollusc)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2020, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-lawn-mowers-for-about-5000-sq-of-grass/922442/44 "2020-10-13T16:44:19Z")
We have about 4000 sq ft of grass to cut. I bought a black and decker electric mower and it came with 2x 40v 2.0 ahr batteries. When new it would do every thi g easily on those two packs. After a year or so it would need a full recharge on each pack to do the whole lawn. I bought a new 2.5 ahr off brand pack an dit can get the whole lawn done Caveats - I think the batteries were prematurely killed, when the grass got long one had to go slow and take partial strips so as not to stall out. Teenage sons are not patient and so multiple stalls probably didn’t help the longevity of the packs. Li ion batteries are pretty sensitive to how you treet them on current loading. I also have a battery powered ryobi bloawer/s trimmer /pole saw, which does a decent job of cleaning up. I also ended up buying a corded leaf vac/shredder. We have some oaks and a magnolia tree that just shed all fricking year so need something decent to break down the leaves for mulch. In retrospect I would have gone for a bigger battery powered mower (maybe 60v and more power) rather than tried to save hundred bucks. The cord option would have driven me nuts, I hate cables. The quietness and lack of fumes of the electric mower over gas is a big plus in my books. ---
**Author:** ![Precambrianmollusc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/precambrianmollusc/32/63_2.png) [@Precambrianmollusc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Precambrianmollusc)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2020, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-lawn-mowers-for-about-5000-sq-of-grass/922442/45 "2020-10-13T17:24:55Z")
I would also mention the packs would get super hot (this is Houston) and needed to cool down for a few hours before they could recharge. Just saying the heat and abuse is probably why the batteries only lasted a year, you may get more out of them than I did. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2020, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-lawn-mowers-for-about-5000-sq-of-grass/922442/46 "2020-10-13T19:50:39Z")
5000 sq feet is a good amount of grass to have since a lot of retail lawncare products are packaged for that much area. ---
**Author:** ![Fotheringay-Phipps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d9b06d/32.png) [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2020, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-lawn-mowers-for-about-5000-sq-of-grass/922442/47 "2020-10-13T20:56:30Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > Also as the yard is mostly flat, no need for self-propelled. Mistake, IMHO. Especially as a lot of your mowing will be done in considerable heat, when you want to expend little energy and get back inside ASAP. I would always go with self-propelled. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2020, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-lawn-mowers-for-about-5000-sq-of-grass/922442/48 "2020-10-13T21:01:37Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > Mistake, IMHO. Especially as a lot of your mowing will be done in considerable heat, when you want to expend little energy and get back inside ASAP. I would always go with self-propelled. That might be valid. I’ll see what the price difference is come next spring. ---
**Author:** ![Napier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2020, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-lawn-mowers-for-about-5000-sq-of-grass/922442/49 "2020-10-13T21:32:38Z")
I have a small 3500 square foot lawn, flat with no trees or obstacles. I’ve been using a Honda commercial gas non-self-propelled bagging mower. It is a very nice mower that starts usually on the first pull. Before that I had another Honda that worked great until something about gasoline changed that induced rust in the fuel system. I’m happy with the results. ---
**Author:** ![SmartAleq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smartaleq/32/163_2.png) [@SmartAleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAleq)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2020, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-lawn-mowers-for-about-5000-sq-of-grass/922442/50 "2020-10-13T22:40:35Z")
Not quite sure why you think rechargeable electric batteries “don’t last.” I have a 5000SF lot. 8-9 years ago I bought a Black & Decker cordless electric mower. 36V, only have one battery. When I bought it, it would mow the whole yard on one charge, unless the grass was really high or wet or something. Many years later, it still mows the whole yard on one charge, unless the grass was really high or wet or something. I’ve never replaced the battery, and it just sits plugged into the charger more or less all the time it’s not actually mowing. I really ought to sharpen the blades, though, that would probably make things even easier. My point being that batteries have only gotten better in the last decade and I would not even hesitate to buy another one of these things if this one ever dies. Great value, much better than the shitty gas mowers that seize their carbs because you dared use gas with ethanol in it–like it’s possible to find any that doesn’t. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2020, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-lawn-mowers-for-about-5000-sq-of-grass/922442/51 "2020-10-14T01:46:51Z")
You’ve experienced a data point. Lithium-Ion Batteries last 3-6 years on average from everything I’ve read. They’re improving and 5 years is a reasonable estimate these days. Now Prius Batteries are nickel-metal hydride and last 10-15 years from what I read. ---
**Author:** ![minor7flat5](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/minor7flat5/32/258_2.png) [@minor7flat5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minor7flat5)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2020, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-lawn-mowers-for-about-5000-sq-of-grass/922442/52 "2020-10-14T01:49:34Z")
I used a corded mower on a tiny lot in the back of a townhouse I was once living in. Nope. It was just one more annoyance to get in the way of getting around to mowing. The cord really is a pain. Long cords need to be coiled properly and even then get in the way. If I were living there, I would use a rechargeable, and the cost of replacement batteries wouldn’t bother me a bit. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2020, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-lawn-mowers-for-about-5000-sq-of-grass/922442/53 "2020-10-14T02:01:56Z")
So a good corded mower appears to run $170-$300. Not seeing self-propelled for corded. A good cordless self propelled with 2 batteries is about $500-$700. A gas self propelled can be had for as little as $300 but a good one is more likely $400-$500. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2020, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-lawn-mowers-for-about-5000-sq-of-grass/922442/54 "2020-10-14T02:10:37Z")
According to the [EPA](https://www.peoplepoweredmachines.com/faq-environment.htm): a new gas powered lawn mower produces volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides emissions air pollution in in in one hour of operation as 11 new cars each being driven for one hour. Just so you know how much pollution you would be causing if you go gas. And then there’s the noise. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2020, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-lawn-mowers-for-about-5000-sq-of-grass/922442/55 "2020-10-14T02:12:38Z")
Thank you. I will be going electric. Probably corded for cheapness and durability. Might decide cordless & self-propelled though. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2020, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-lawn-mowers-for-about-5000-sq-of-grass/922442/56 "2020-10-14T13:29:11Z")
If you have a system to deal w/ the cord, it isn’t much of a hassle. You do not say your age/fitness. I’m close to 60 and reasonably fit. Sure, self-propelled makes mowing easier, but I couldn’t say that pushing my non-propelled mower around my flat suburban lawn requires any great feat of exertion. My personal belief is that 2-stroke motors should be strictly regulated - if not outlawed. JMO. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2020, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-lawn-mowers-for-about-5000-sq-of-grass/922442/57 "2020-10-14T13:38:20Z")
54 and fat but not obese. Working down to just overweight. I’m pretty sure I can handle the cord. 5000sq’ is pretty small and the ground is flat. So pushing the mower for 20-30 minutes should just be exercise. I’m use to taking 2 mile walks daily, part of my life style change where I’ve lost 39 pounds since March. I’ve been using lawn tractors for 27 years on big properties, the idea of a light little electric seem wonderful. Sharpening the blade should be no effort compared to having to remove the mower deck to get 3 large blades off. Being able to turn the mower on its side to work on it will be a pleasure compared to nursing a really shitty Craftsman Tractor like I have for the last 4 years, the last 2 especially bad. _I should say the first 2 Craftsman tractors I bought were pretty good and lasted 10 years each. But the last one is complete crap in most ways. Poorly designed and worse built._ My electrical skills are excellent so fixing an electric, especially a corded electric should be no problem at all and should be rarely needed. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2020, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-lawn-mowers-for-about-5000-sq-of-grass/922442/58 "2020-10-14T13:49:19Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > Lithium-Ion Batteries last 3-6 years on average from everything I’ve read. They’re improving and 5 years is a reasonable estimate these days. Why so short-lived? I charge my phone every couple of days and expect to get four years out of it (i.e. 800 charge/discharge cycles). I’ll be charging my mower battery maybe 15 times per year, and I store it at a ~50% charge state (charge to full only right before use). Shouldn’t it last much longer than my phone battery? This spring I bought a Toro 60V battery mower. Self-propelled. Pricey, but no regrets so far. It’s quiet, and I’m no longer breathing exhaust fumes while I mow. Plenty of power, and the control system senses motor current and actually increases blade RPM when it gets into really long grass. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2020, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-lawn-mowers-for-about-5000-sq-of-grass/922442/59 "2020-10-14T14:43:21Z")
If you can walk 2 miles, mowing your lawn w/ a push mower will be no problem at all. Zero need to pay extra for self-propelled. ---
**Author:** ![echoreply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/echoreply/32/3641_2.png) [@echoreply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/echoreply)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2020, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-lawn-mowers-for-about-5000-sq-of-grass/922442/60 "2020-10-14T14:43:22Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > Sharpening the blade should be no effort compared to having to remove the mower deck to get 3 large blades off. Being able to turn the mower on its side to work on it will be a pleasure compared to nursing a really shitty Craftsman Tractor like I have for the last 4 years, the last 2 especially bad. I know you’re already sold on the electric, but this is another big advantage over gas mowers. Just unplug it, and then do what ever you need. No need to drain the gas first, or remove the spark plug to get the blade off, etc. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-lawn-mowers-for-about-5000-sq-of-grass/922442.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-lawn-mowers-for-about-5000-sq-of-grass/922442.md?page=4)