4 Best Robot Lawn Mowers Reviews and Guide
Table of Contents
Why You Need a Good Robot Lawn Mower?
Are you a busy person? But, you wish to keep your lawn tidy. Thanks to the robot lawn mower! It will help maintain your lawn without spending much effort from your end. It will not be an overstatement to say that this is a lifestyle-friendly mower. It will take the best care of your lawn without your intervention then and there. Once you define the mowing area, this relatively small battery-operated mower will take care of the mowing work itself. If you are a busy person, you can get the mowing job done without requiring you to spend your precious time.
You might have seen a robot vacuum cleaner in action. You might have seen it directly or even on a television or through YouTube videos. A robotic lawn mower works like a robot vacuum cleaner. It will work based on a default setting or a setting that is customized for your lawn. Until it comes across an obstacle or a boundary wire, this mower will trim away grass on your lawn. Whenever it hits an obstacle, it changes its direction and will start to mow until it meets with another obstacle in the new direction. Whenever the battery goes lesser than a set limit, it will automatically reach the charging port and will recharge itself.
A Brief Introduction
Now, you know that a robot lawn mower will be of great help to you. But, the thing to remember here is that as compared to other types of mowers, the number of robotic lawn mowers in the market is limited. So, to help you with the selection, here is the list of the top four choices available in the market:
- The Best Robot Lawn Mower that Suits All Weather Conditions: 15201-41 Fully Automatic Sileno Minimo Robotic Lawn Mower from Gardena
- Safe Robotic Mower for Families with Pets and Kids: 4G Robotic Lawn Mower 115H Connect Automower from Husqvarna
- The Best Mower for Medium to Large Lawns: 430XH Automower Robotic Lawn Mower from Husqvarna
- The Best Robotic Mower with A Dedicated Garage: WR147 20 V Robotic Lawn Mower from Worx
The Best Robotic Lawn Mower Reviews
Now, you have the list of top options when it comes to selecting a robotic lawn mower. However, having a list alone is not enough. You will have to get a detailed review of each of these mowers so that you can arrive at an informed decision:
1. 15201-41 Fully Automatic Sileno Minimo Robotic Lawn Mower from Gardena
This robot lawn mower from Gardena has been designed in such a way that it can mow your yards automatically up to 2700 square feet. It is free of a streak and it can provide you with easy connectivity with your smart devices via Bluetooth. It also provides easy control through an app. Along with easy configuration, it also provides you the opportunity to auto-schedule the mowing process. Once the mowing time is set, it will automatically reach your yard and will complete the mowing process.
With a noise-level assurance of 57 dbA, this unit will silently and expertly move around your lawn and will complete the mowing process in all spaces including tight corners and narrow spaces. You can relax in your backyard and spend some quality time with your family during a weekend when the robot takes care of the regular mowing job in your yard to keep your lawn tidy and impressive.
Further, the boundary wire that you use for setting the boundry for this mower makes sure that it mows only the areas that you wish to mow. Further, the collision sensors in this unit make sure that the mower functions safely without any damage or accident to your garden and lawn. Irrespective of the climate, this robot mower can cut your lawn to the required shape within the boundary that you set. Right from simple to complex areas including lawns with slopes of up to 35%, this unit can mow without any issues.
The setting boundary for the mower to do its job is not a tough task with this mower. You can do it with ease with the help of the Gardena Bluetooth App. This Bluetooth app-controlled mower can automatically charge itself. Once charged for 60-75 minutes, this unit can continue to mow for 65 minutes before it reaches the charging port to recharge itself for the next cycle. Moreover, cleaning this mower is easy. You can simply spray down with your garden hose and you are ready to go.
Pros:
- Works in weather conditions
- Works in all terrains including lawns with 35% slope
- Artificial Intelligence Precise cutting
- Bluetooth controlled
- Easy to clean
- Silent operation
Cons:
- Not intuitive. The instructions in the manual are not clear.
2. 4G Robotic Lawn Mower 115H Connect Automower from Husqvarna
With an attractive design, this mower lets you control it via the Automower Connect App. Within just a few finger taps on the app, you can configure, start and even stop the mower. For the best mowing experience, it has been designed with lesser nose parts. To make sure that your pets and kids remain safe, it has been designed to automatically shut down at times of emergency. Further, this unit will prevent collisions with its lift and tilt sensors. This is again a safety feature essential for homes for pets and kids.
You can ensure that your lawn will remain attractive round the clock with this robotic lawn mower. It has been designed suitable for small to medium-sized lawns of up to 0.4 acres. To ensure that your lawn always has a carpet-like appearance, it cuts less grass at minimal frequencies. To make your lawn maintenance remain simple and hassle-free, it ensures silent operation.
Above all, this mower has been designed by Husqvarna, a world leader in robotic mowing. This company has more than 25 years of experience in this domain. Husqvarna is engaged in top-notch research in technology and innovation. So, you can expect an unparalleled experience from this mower. This mower is compatible with your Google Home and Amazon Alexa. So, you can easily control this mower with your voice. This connectivity also ensures built-in theft protection for your mower.
With five easy steps, you can quickly install and start using this mower. The first step is to place the charging station in the most suitable place that will let the robot get back and recharge itself. The second step is to charge the mower, thirdly, you will have to lay the boundary wire. The fourth step is to create an island for the mower to move around and mow whenever needed. Finally, you will have to lay the guidewire. That’s it once this process is done, the rest will be handled from the app that you download when you buy or install this mower.
Pros:
- Safe for homes with kids and pets
- Automatically shuts off in case of a collision
- Easy to install
- Best suited for small to medium-sized lawns
- Works the best for flat surfaces
Cons:
- Doesn’t work properly on uneven surfaces.
3. 430XH Automower Robotic Lawn Mower from Husqvaisrna
If your lawn is of medium to large size, this mower will be of great help to you. The easy installation is an added advantage of this mower. All you have to do is, begin with setting up your charging station. Then, you can just lay or bury the boundary wire across the area of your yard and install the guidewire. After you install the ower, you can select your setting and get the mowing done by this robot.
If someone tries to rob the mower, it will produce a high-sounding alarm. This alarm can be deactivated only using a unique pin code. So, you can stay confident that this mower will protect itself from theft. It also has a GPS connection such that you can easily track it even if it is taken away and hidden in an unknown place by thieves.
Further, its compact design with a width of only 24.8 inches lets it reach even narrow passages. So, mowing small passages is not going to be a problem when you have this robot lawn mower in your home. It has a weather-proof design and it has a unique three-blade cutting system. It can cut your lawn 24/7 and most importantly, it can work silently and efficiently without disturbing your neighbors. You can see your lawn freshly cut and neatly maintained every day automatically when you have this mower.
The boundary wire that you will have to buy separately for this mower will cover the perimeter of the area that you wish to mow, while the direct wire will create a straight path for the robot to return when it is time to recharge itself. It can cut any type of grass up to 2.4 inches tall. It can handle even slopes up to 22-degree. To ensure uniform cutting of complex yards, it comes with a GPS navigation facility.
Pros:
- Best suits for medium to large-sized lawns
- Compact Design to mow even narrow areas
- GPS Navigation for uniform cutting of complex yards
- Handles slopes with up to 22-degree
- Easy DIY Installation
- Built-in theft protection
Cons:
- Boundary wire has to be bought separately.
4. WR147 20 V Robotic Lawn Mower from Worx
This mower can cut up to 1/4 acre of lawn by itself. All you have to do is to lay down the boundary wire once. Then, you will have to use the associated app to measure the lawn and let it start mowing. The battery that this unit uses will be compatible with all 20V and 40V tools from Worx. It means that the battery is compatible with lifestyle and outdoor power tools from this brand. Using the associated app, you can gain complete control over the mower. You can get to know the progress of mowing through the app. Even, you can start and stop the mower and can get updates for software on the app.
The unit uses patented AIA Technology that permits the mower to mow narrow passageways that an ordinary robotic mower can find hard to navigate. You can customize the mowing schedule as per your convenience. Even, you make the schedule every other day to keep your lawn look maintained well. Also, you can choose the auto-schedule that will let the mower decide on a suitable schedule based on the conditions and size of the yard.
If the mower comes across obstacles, it will bump them and will back away. You also have the option to exclude the areas in your lawn that need not be mowed by the mower. It has been designed to handle even slopes in lawns up to 20-degree. When the unit detects rain, it will get back to the charger and will wait until the lawn gets dry. Of course, it is resistant to rain. Nevertheless, it is intelligent enough not to get into the lawn when it is wet.
When you invest in this robotic lawn mower, you can spend less time trimming later as its cutting disc gets closer to the edge as compared to other mowers. The unit uses an anti-collision system that aids it to watch and swing around obstacles by sensing them when they are 8” straight in front and 5” high. It comes with a garage, where the robot will hide during rain and for UV protection.
Pros:
- Mower with a dedicated garage to safeguard from rain
- Comes with a Radio Link for extending the range of your home Wi-Fi to your backyard
- Anti-Theft
- Cuts up to 1/4th Acre
- Ideal for mid-sized lawns
- Navigates through narrow paths
- Handles uneven terrain
- High-Efficiency Brushless motor
Cons:
- Setting up is not easy
What is a Robot Lawn Mower?
Lawnmowers have always been a relevant grooming tool for mankind. Although the regular lawnmowers originated hundreds of years ago, the novel additions to the lawnmower section have always been on the increasing side. Despite the powerful gas-powered lawnmowers and corded lawnmowers, the demand for a much more sophisticated mower has always been on the rise. It was to satisfy the demand for a technologically advanced and sophisticated mower that the robot lawnmowers were introduced.
Robot lawnmowers’ origin can be dated back to 1969 to a product called Mow Bot. Mow Bot was created by S Lawrence Bellinger whose name is patented too. It earned the attention of many other manufacturers and potential buyers very soon. The popularity of the Mow Bot led the market players to try their luck in developing a much more versatile and lightweight robot mower. the original Mow Bot was very heavy and that was its only drawback. The successors of Mow Bot were more focused on having a comparatively lighter body. And by 1992, the newer and much more advanced robot lawnmowers came into the market. It was solar-powered too. Andre Collens was the master brain behind this invention and it gained much popularity. Ever since 1992, the market for robot lawnmowers has been at a record high. The immense advantages that a robot lawnmower offers above a normal lawnmower are what attract it to normal people. The sheer convenience and comfort of the use of a robot lawnmower are incomparable.
A robot lawnmower is simply an AI-equipped robot that mows the lawn. It does not require any assistance from a human other than the initial programming. The buyer can simply program the mower accordingly and lay the accompanying guide wires on the lawn to set boundaries for the robot mower and let it work on its own. It makes use of various sensors and guidance features to effectively mow the plot.
How Does a Robot Lawn Mower Work?
A robot lawnmower excels in many aspects of lawn and yard grooming. Although they have all the same basic building components in them, several extra components provide those extra advantages to the robot mower and they are the guide cables, boundary wire, and a charge station. Let’s look at them in detail:
Guide Cable
A guide cable, as the name itself suggests, is supposed to guide the mower. it usually guides the mower back to the charging station. It will be spread above or below the mowing yard beforehand and whenever the mower tends to run out of charge, it will function its sensors and find this guidewire to go back to the charging station and get fully charged up.
Charging Station
A charging station is the brain of a robot mower. it should be established near the mowing ground and the mower should be connected to it using the guide cable. Its function is not limited to mere charge providing. It also sends necessary signals to the mower to effectively and accurately mow the yard.
Boundary Wire
A boundary wire, which is also known as a perimeter wire is one of the crucial components of a robot mower. it is this boundary wire that makes the robot mower quite different and advanced from many of its counterparts. It is spread across the lawn or yard in such a way that the bigger obstacles like trees, statues, etc. are avoided. A small current pass through this wire when the mower is set to mow. The mower has sensors that can identify this passing current and thus, the mower identifies the boundaries and limits its operational area within the prescribed limit.
What Are the Benefits of a Robot Lawnmower?
A robot lawnmower is the newest sensation in the mower market both online and offline. Many lawn enthusiasts have already replaced their traditional lawnmowers with these advanced robotic lawnmowers. The sudden popularity of robot lawnmowers is not out of curiosity, but rather owing to the numerous advantages offered by them over their counterparts. Some of the major advantages and benefits of owning a robot lawnmower are listed below:
Convenience
The biggest benefit offered by a robot lawnmower is the convenience that it offers to the user. It requires no cords, no human assistance, and no one to guide. This extreme independent functioning of a robot mower enables its user to not put in as much effort as with other traditional mowers. Once programmed accurately, a lawnmower can mow and groom a lawn or yard on its own without any more human intervention.
Better grooming
When a traditional mower cuts the grass, it can be generally found that the mowing marks and lines in the length of the cutting deck on the lawn. Also, as the traditional mowers are being operated by humans themselves, chances are high for the mowing to face human error and the lawn may or may not look well. But when it comes to the robot mowers, the grooming or mowing of the grass is extremely neat and aesthetically better than the traditional mowers. As it cuts the grass into small particles and leaves them behind as fertilizer for the lawn, there is no hustle regarding the removal of the removed grass.
Supports mulching
Almost all the robot lawnmowers support mulching, unlike the traditional or regular lawnmowers. Mulching is the process in which the concerned grass is cut automatically into short pieces by the mower itself. These clipped grass particles are spread on the lawn itself as manure or fertilizer. When it comes to regular mowers, the pieces of grass would have been bigger and would have to be manually removed after mowing. So, supporting mulching is a great advantage offered by the robot lawnmower.
Much safer
Robot lawnmowers offer one of the safest mowing experiences ever in the market. They are equipped with various safety features and the very fact that they don’t require any manual assistance itself takes away the chances of being in an accident with a human. Also, most of the robot mowers are equipped with a heat detection sensor and in case any human or other animals happen to come very close to their blades, they are most likely to shut down on their own. Also, as part of the advanced design, the cutting blade is kept inside the mower without having much exposure to the outside.
Require low maintenance
Unlike a traditional gas-powered lawnmower, a robot lawnmower does not contain any fuel, engine oil, etc. so, there is no requirement for the user to provide any maintenance in terms of changing the engine oil, refilling fuel, cleaning the fuel tank and the filth that could be generated from the combustion of the fuel. The only maintenance that the robot mower demands is regular cleaning of its blades once a mowing session is finished, and for this process, the users can use plastic brushes to clean the cutting deck. Also, it has to be provided with enough charge whenever required.
Environment-friendly
A robot lawnmower runs on batteries and these batteries can be charged with the help of various power sources like electricity, solar energy, etc. so, unlike the conventional models of lawnmowers, they offer more environment-friendly options for the customers to choose from. As they do not make use of any fuels, they don’t cause the generation of any pollution through fumes or toxic chemicals. This environment-friendly nature makes them the ideal partners to work in any public place.
Save time
The ultimate advantage of a robot lawnmower is the fact that the users can save a lot of time and effort. As a robot mower does not require active human assistance during mowing, the user can simply set it up for mowing and take off for their personal needs. The mower will be taking care of the mowing on its own. This automatic working and accuracy in work let the users be at peace regarding their lawns and thus robot mowers are ideal for people with time constraints.
How to Choose a Robot Lawnmower?
Although lawnmowers are a very commonly sold product in markets, a robot lawnmower is one of the very recent additions to the market. Thus, many people haven’t yet gotten the chance to understand more about robot mowers. This unawareness regarding a robot mower could cause inhibitions and apprehensions when you are out there in the market trying to buy a mower. being one of the throbbing products of the thee-market you can’t avoid checking out a robot mower and when you do, you must know what you are looking at. Understanding the basic features, checking the minimal parameters, etc. are inevitable if you are interested in buying a robot lawnmower. So, to assist in that process, a simple buying guide is provided below for your reference. The guide consists of the basic features or services that you have to look for in a robotic mower to make the most out of your money.
Size of the garden
The first thing that has to be considered before settling on a robot lawnmower is the size of the yard or lawn that you are intending to groom using the mower. There is always a limit for the robot mowers to operate in terms of the area. There are robotic mowers that can mow up to 50,000 square meters in one recharge. So, if your garden comes within the specified limit or if you are fine with the mower taking a charging break in between, you can proceed with the decision to buy a robot lawnmower.
Nature of the garden
Another thing to be taken into consideration before a robot mower purchase is the nature of your garden. As robot lawnmowers mostly work without any human supervision and as they are only equipped with sensors to identify any objects or people, they may not always be able to recognize slopes or rises in your lawn. So, if your lawn or yard is located in such a geographic terrain that contains slopes and steeps or rises, chances are high for the robot mower to get tripped over during the mowing process.
Cutting blade
Generally, there are mowers available with two types of cutting blade systems. They are the fixed blade system and the pivoting blade system. Just like the names suggest, one of them is fixed on its axis and spins at that position itself to ensure consistent cutting whereas the other has a disc with blades that is in constant rotation and can more powerfully remove the obstacles and grass that come in the way. Each of them has its fair share of pros and cons and they all should be considered before choosing one of them to be suitable for your needs.
Battery Size
Robot mowers come in all sizes and battery capacities. Many mowers can retain battery life for quite a long time and support a longer mowing session. But with the increase in battery power and running time, the software used in that particular mower would also get advanced, and thus, chances are high for it to cause more money. So, make sure you purchase a mower with the required battery size only.
Safety Features
Having said that a robot lawnmower is much safer than a traditional lawnmower, the safety features tend to differ from model to model. Keep a close eye on the safety features equipped with the mower before buying any one of them. At least make sure that the blades are properly covered with the body of the mower on the sides, as having an exposed set of blades may cause injuries when the mower is working unsupervised.
Weather Protection
As a robot lawnmower will be mostly operating without any supervision and will be working outdoors, having a weather-resistant body and technology is inevitable for its survival. The robot mower costs a reasonable amount of money and it won’t be ideal if it goes wrong once exposed to rain or dust. So, make sure that you understand enough about the weather-resistance capabilities of your favorite model before buying it.
Robot Lawn Mower FAQs
How to install a robot lawnmower?
A robotic mower is expected to reduce the burden of grooming any lawn as they can handle the grooming session on their own, without the help or supervision of a person. But to ensure accurate grooming, certain procedures have to be done beforehand to accustom the robot mower to the property to be mowed. Most of the robotic mowers come with a guidewire or a boundary wire attached to them. These wires are the tool used by the mowers to identify the stipulated area to be mowed. These wires contain a feeble current which can be sensed by the mower once it is nearby. So, the user has to spread the boundary wire across the area that has to be mowed, in such a way as to guide its path. And the guidewire that is attached to the mower is supposed to guide the mower to its charging station. The charging station has to be installed in an accessible location and the guidewire should be connected with it, so that, the mower can guide its way to the charging station once it starts running out of power. The boundary wire can either be placed above or below the surface. It is often advised to place the wire above the surface and once the user is satisfied with the positioning of the wires and the corresponding performance of the mower, the wires can be moved below the surface for convenience.
Is a robot lawnmower worth it?
The robot lawnmower is one of the newest additions to the section of lawnmowers. It has gained popularity over the years due to the extreme convenience and comfort that it offers to its user. It is worthy as they come it so many advantages. They can be used without any human supervision, which saves much time and effort for the user. It can be set up for the mowing task and the user can indulge in any other activities without even being worried about the mowing. It is also equipped with many sensors and other safety features to avoid any kind of accident and thus, they are extremely safe to use. Another advantage of the robotic mowers is the availability of choices. There are robotic mowers available in various sizes and capacities and thus people with any budget and needs can depend on this section. It also offers precise and accurate mowing as they work with its built-in sensors. Although it is not the best choice for steep terrains, mostly their performance makes them worthy of a chance.
How to set up a robotic lawn mower?
Although a robotic mower lightens many daunting tasks for the user, it demands an initial installation by the user. It has to be set up in such a way as to ensure its smooth functioning afterward. The first and foremost thing that has to be done is to plan where to place each element of the robotic mower on the lawn. There are boundary wires, charging stations, guidewires, etc., that come with a robotic mower that has to be appropriately placed. The charging station should be placed on an even surface, not very far from the working area of the mower. It would be ideal if the charging station is kept out of direct sunlight. The boundary wires should be kept in such a way as to outline the entire mowing area. These boundary wires would be sensed by the mower to not cross the stipulated area. Connect the guidewire between the charging station and the mower so that the mower can find its way up to the station whenever it needs a charge. Once the mower and its components are set up, the lawn should be cleared of any kind of blockages and heavy rocks that may jeopardize the smooth functioning of the mower. And once all are in place, the mower should be programmed according to the service and speed required and can be set off for mowing.
How to charge a robot lawnmower?
A robotic lawnmower comes with a battery pack that can be recharged through a charging station. The recharging station also comes with the robotic mower on purchase. Just like the automatic functioning of the mower, the charging process of the mower is also done on its own. During the set-up of the mower, the charging station is also installed very near to the mowing area and a wire called a guidewire from the mower is connected to the station. So, whenever the mower tends to run out of charge, it finds its way to the charging station on its own, using the guidewire for help. After charging enough, the mower will disconnect itself from the station and get back to the work on its own.
Are robot lawnmowers safe to use?
Lawn owners often get apprehensive about whether to buy a robotic mower or not, due to the safety concerns around them. Even though they offer excellent convenience to the users, the safety concerns are something that bothers many potential buyers. But the fact is that a robotic lawnmower is extremely safe. It is often said that they are even safer than regular mowers. They are equipped with numerous sensors that enable them to identify anything and everything that come their way. The sensors allow the mower to steer clear of any obstructions that are on its way. Many mowers have employed sophisticated sensors that can identify and switch the blades off once anything gets closer to the machine. It also has a collision detection system that offers high safety for it to be used around pets and children.
How to prevent theft of robot lawnmowers?
Leaving a lawnmower on its own to mow and groom the lawn does sound appealing to many. But many customers often express their concerns regarding the possibility of robotic mowers being stolen when they are mowing unattended. But most the robotic lawnmowers come with numerous anti-theft features. The first such feature is the security pin code used in the mower. It is a secret pin code set by the owner of the mower during programming. This pin code has to be typed in to start the machine and thus, there is no point in anyone stealing the machine as it won’t be of any use to them. The user can also set alarms in the mower for security purposes. It can be set in various ways. One such way is that if the user fails to type in the pin code for a particular time, the alarm goes off. Another safety feature of the mower is that it can be only charged through its original charging station and thus there is no point in stealing the mower.
Robot lawn mower vs Riding lawn mower
Robotic lawnmowers are one of the recent additions to the mower’s arena. They can work on their own with the able use of in-built sensors. They save much time for the user as they don’t need anyone assisting them in mowing. They are less expensive than the riding mowers. Although they require an installation process, in the beginning, it needs little to no amount as maintenance cost. As they are quite compact and small in design, they can be stored in very limited garage space. They operate quietly and cause no emissions also.
The biggest advantage of a riding lawnmower is its ability to scale and mow larger areas. They can mow acres of land once driven by an individual. It is better than a robotic mower when it comes to cutting taller and thicker grass. Unlike robotic mowers, riding mowers are ideal for uneven and steep terrains. It also does not require any kind of initial installation and can be used right away.
Robot lawn mower vs Manual lawn mower
Manual lawnmowers are one of the traditional options of mowers available in the market. they require a person to push them around the lawn for mowing. They don’t come with an engine and thus all the work and effort have to be put in by the user to make it work efficiently. But the biggest advantage that it offers is the environment-friendly operation that it offers. It does not involve any fumes or fuels, and thus, is ideal for nature. They also produce no noise and thus, an ideal option for densely populated areas. They are quite affordable and are suitable for small lawns.
Robot lawnmowers are completely automatic. The users have only required to set up the machine and program it accordingly and afterward, it will work on its own concerning the commands made by the user. They come with a rechargeable battery and charging station which enable them to not run out of battery very soon. They are also extremely weather-resistant and heat-resistant.
Robot lawn mower vs Self-propelled lawnmower
A self-propelled lawnmower, as the name suggests, can be propelled on its own. But they can’t mow on their own. The users are supposed to be guiding the mower to the required places. But the users need not exert pressure on the handle and can rather walk freely without much effort. The biggest advantage of such a mower is the possibility to adjust the speed of the mower.
Robotic lawnmowers are equipped with sophisticated technology that enables them to carry out their functions on their own according to the program. They don’t require any external assistance in mowing a stipulated area. They have in-built sensors which offer an efficient and effective mowing experience. It also saves much time for the user. The safety features in it make sure that they are not stolen by anyone else.
Conclusion
Now, which is the best robot lawn mower for me will be your question. It relies on what you need. For instance, you can go for the fourth unit above if you have a mid-sized lawn. If your lawn is larger, you can go for the third above. In case, you have pets and kids at home, the second robotic lawn mower above can help. When it comes to suitability for all weather conditions, the first unit will help.
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