I come from a family that uses gas mowers, and it was my go-to choice for landscaping until recently, when I went out on a limb and went electric.

Here’s what I’ve found to be the primary pros and cons of each type and which one ultimately won out.

Convenience
No adding, replacing, and disposing of gas and oil plus no spark plugs, filters, and the like equals an electric win, despite having to charge its battery. As a bonus, my electric folds and can be stored or hung upright. That said, a corded version may be more cumbersome to use.

Eco-friendliness
Although there’s debate about the negative impact of the battery-making process, forgoing said gas and oil and reducing overall noise pollution still gives the electric an environmental edge. (Some states also agree.)

Effort
While gas machines are normally heavier, that weight provides more power. Conversely, the lighter electric lawn mower is easier to push around but can feel flimsy. Both offer self-propelled versions, however, so it’s a tie.

Performance
For a larger, thicker, or uneven yard, a gas mower will likely be your better option. My electric one stalls if it gets overworked, especially in high grass. Then there’s the battery, which often needs to be recharged before I’m done mowing my quarter-acre lawn.

Price
The purchase price of gas and electric mowers isn’t vastly different, so this mostly comes down to maintenance. The former requires more regular upkeep, as touched on earlier, but the eventual battery replacement of the latter can be quite expensive. Since which ends up costing you more can vary depending on time and mowing frequency, this factor is incomplete.

The winner? Electric by a blade. Ultimately, though, your best choice will depend on your and your yard’s needs since there are great options on both sides of the lawn mower divide.