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Improvements in rechargeable battery tech and intelligent software have dramatically changed the way we live, and the robotic lawn mower proves that such advancements have made their way into the lawn care industry. They can keep the grass at just the right height, eliminating a time-consuming weekend chore. These devices may even cost less to own and operate than gasoline-powered mowers while making very little noise and producing no exhaust emissions. They maintain up to an acre or more on most types of terrain, and they work automatically so folks with lawns have more time to relax and enjoy their green space.
No doubt, all of this sounds great—but how well do these automatic lawn mowers actually perform? To find out, we put some popular models through their paces on real-life lawns. Read on to learn about the criteria we used to select these mowers, and then check out our product reviews to find out how each one did on our test turf. Anyone in the market for a new mower might just discover that the best robot lawn mower can be a smart, time-saving investment.
- BEST OVERALL: Worx Landroid M 20V Robotic Lawn Mower
↓ Jump to Review - BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Gardena 15001-20 Sileno City Automatic Robotic Mower
↓ Jump to Review - BEST LOW CUT: Husqvarna Automower 415X Robotic Lawn Mower
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR STEEP HILLS: Redback MowRo 9.5-Inch Robot Lawn Mower
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR LARGE LAWNS: Husqvarna Automower 115H Robotic Lawn Mower
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR SMALL LAWNS: Gardena 15202-41 Sileno Minimo Robotic Mower
↓ Jump to Review - BEST W/O PERIMETER WIRE: Segway Navimow i Series Robot Mower
↓ Jump to Review - BEST ALL-WHEEL DRIVE: Mammotion Luba 2 AWD 1000 Robot Lawn Mower
↓ Jump to Review
How We Tested the Best Robotic Lawn Mowers
We wanted some expert advice, so we interviewed Kody J. Ketterling, the founder of K-IT Products, a lawn care company based in Twin Falls, Idaho. His advice to shoppers is to make sure that the mower can maintain and keep up with the property you’re working to service. “Steep hills, narrow areas, lots of yard separations, and rough or bumpy ground can make it more difficult for a robot lawn mower to do its job,” he says.
We got our hands on some of these grass-cutting robots; all of the models we tested use 14-gauge low-voltage wire to establish the barrier. We assembled two barriers around two 1,200-square-foot patches of lawn—one with Bermuda grass and a steep slope and one mostly flat area with centipede grass. Each test area included two large open spaces connected by a narrow bottleneck corridor, and all the mowers were tested on both test areas.
We established a daily mowing schedule for 7 days in each location. We observed the ease of programming and communication with the mower as well as its actual performance. Criteria to be included in this guide were as follows:
- Consistently reliable mowing on schedule and returning to the base station after initial setup and first-day adjustments
- Consistently navigating the narrow corridor to mow both large areas
- Avoiding random obstacles intentionally left within the boundaries
- Returning to the base station in the event of rain or sprinklers
- Avoiding excessively steep slopes without becoming stuck
- Complete coverage of the test area—no noticeable missed spots for the entire test week
Testing Stats
- Products tested: 8
- Time spent testing: 32 hours
- Tests performed: 9
- Price range: $450 to $2,100
Our Top Picks
We measured the following robotic lawn mowers against our shopping considerations (detailed below) and put each one to work for a 7-day home trial. Find out why we recommend them among the best robot lawn mowers available.
Best Overall
Worx Landroid M 20V Robotic Lawn Mower
This Bob Vila Approved product carries our brand’s highest level of recommendation.
Bob Vila Approved recognizes the household and DIY products that impressed us most in our real-world testing and that exemplify core values of the Bob Vila brand, including craftsmanship, innovation, and value for the dollar. Winners of this designation come recommended by our professional review team and are personally approved by Bob Vila.
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4.7/5; Cut Quality 4/5; Performance 4.5/5; Durability 4/5; Value 4.7/5
Product Specs
- Coverage area: 0.25 acre (10,890 square feet)
- Mowing height range: 1.5 to 3.5 inches
- Slope rating: 20 degrees
What We Like
- Includes everything you need to get started and clear step-by-step instructions for easy installation
- User-friendly mobile app makes it simple to control the mower and check status remotely
- 2 hours of runtime per charge means more mowing and less time spent charging
- Competitive price point for a highly capable robotic lawn mower
What We Don’t Like
- Base station must be installed perfectly or the mower may not align properly for charging
- Some desirable features are not included with the base kit
The popular Worx Landroid robotic mower lineup includes models S, M, and L for yards up to 0.125 acre, 0.25 acre, and 0.5 acre, respectively. While the models share many similarities, we found that the Worx Landroid M offers the best combination of capability and affordability. It is powered by a 20-volt 4-amp-hour lithium-ion battery for 2 hours of runtime per 90-minute charge. This self-driving lawn mower can mow on a 20-degree slope thanks to a pair of high-efficiency brushless wheel motors that provide extra traction. The Landroid’s 8-inch self-leveling mowing disc cuts closer to the edges of the yard than many competitors. The blade height manually adjusts from 1.5 to 3.5 inches.
Landroid connects to a home Wi-Fi network via Bluetooth and automatically keeps its own software up to date. You can easily set or adjust the custom mowing schedule or monitor the mower on the go via the Landroid mobile app, basically creating your own remote control lawn mower. An integrated rain sensor stops the mower from cutting if rain starts and sends it back to its charging station.
The Landroid M performed at or near the top in most of our testing rubric categories. Assembly and programming were easy, mowing was reliable with excellent coverage, communication through the mobile app was intuitive, and runtime was superior—all for a very competitive price. Runtime was especially impressive: We clocked it at 2 hours 35 minutes, the longest of all the mowers we tested.
Unfortunately, we subtracted points for poor docking ability. Landroid was the only portable lawn mower we tested with recharging contacts located on the side of the machine rather than the front or back. To recharge, it must be perfectly positioned in relation to two flexible contact points as it passes over the base station; otherwise, it continues tracking along the perimeter wire without stopping. After resetting the base station three times and ensuring it was absolutely level in all directions with a long, straight approach, we finally achieved satisfactory results.
Aside from that issue, the Landroid provides outstanding overall functionality for the price. Available upgrades include the ACS module that prevents collisions, Find My Landroid GPS cellular module, Radio Link module to extend Wi-Fi connectivity for improved artificial intelligence, an Off Limits module for wire-free no-mow zones within the main mowing area, and the Landroid Garage.
Read our full review: Worx Landroid M 20V Robotic Lawn Mower
Get the Worx robot lawn mower at Lowe’s or Worx.
Best Bang For The Buck
Gardena 15001-20 Sileno City Automatic Robotic Mower
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Cut Quality 4/5; Performance 4/5; Durability 4/5; Value 5/5
Product Specs
- Coverage area: 2,700 square feet
- Mowing height range: 0.8 to 2.0 inches
- Slope rating: 14.04 degrees
What We Like
- Value-priced yet feature-rich robotic mower ideal for smaller lawn areas
- Kit includes everything needed for installation and easy-to-follow instructions
- Reliably and quietly mows all kinds of grass, day or night, rain or shine
- Navigates slopes up to 25 percent and passages as narrow as 24 inches
What We Don’t Like
- Preprogrammed with a daily runtime limit that stops the mower regardless of battery status
- Not Wi-Fi or GPS enabled
Anyone shopping for an affordable and uncomplicated robotic lawn mower for a small yard would do well to consider the Gardena Sileno City. It navigates slopes up to 25 percent and corridors as narrow as 24 inches wide. Plus, it works rain or shine, day or night.
Available with either a 2,700-square-foot or 5,400-square-foot maximum mowing capacity, this self-cutting lawn mower is a great option for most urban landscapes. It requires a flat, level area for the charging station and a nearby power source. A low-voltage perimeter wire keeps the mower inbounds and may be configured to mow a secondary area that is isolated from the primary lawn.
You can customize the mowing height between 0.8 inch and 2 inches high by means of a manual adjustment knob. The Gardena Bluetooth app makes it easy to operate the mower or customize the schedule and other settings from any mobile device, or use the onboard control panel to make adjustments.
It took about 1.5 hours to set up the Gardena Sileno City in our testing area. The kit included everything needed to get started, along with clear instructions. We plugged in the base station and allowed the mower to charge while we installed the perimeter wire and guide wire. The guide wire is an extra wire that bisects the lawn from the base station to the most distant portion of the perimeter wire. All Gardena (and parent company Husqvarna) robot mowers use it to navigate more efficiently.
After installation, we followed the instructions to calibrate the system and program the schedule. Starting with a premowed lawn, we adjusted the mower height to mow 1.5 inches high, and the yard looked great throughout the test period.
One feature that shoppers will want to be aware of is the maximum runtime of about 3.5 hours per day (for the 2,700-square-foot version that we tested). Don’t bother scheduling the mower to run more than 3.5 hours total per day since after reaching the time limit, the device will simply return home until the following day. Since we mowed no more than 2.5 hours per day, we didn’t have a problem.
Get the Gardena 15001-20 robot lawn mower at Gardena.
Best For Low Cut
Husqvarna Automower 415X Robotic Lawn Mower
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4/5; Cut Quality 5/5; Performance 4.5/5; Durability 5/5; Value 4.7/5
Product Specs
- Coverage area: 0.4 acre (17,424 square feet)
- Mowing height range: 0.8 to 2 inches
- Slope rating: 22 degrees
What We Like
- Precision control features allow you to target portions of the lawn that require more attention
- GPS-assisted navigation allows the robot to mow challenging areas more efficiently
- Easily navigates obstructions like toys and lawn furniture as well as difficult terrain
- Cellular and Bluetooth connectivity make it easy to connect and control the mower remotely
What We Don’t Like
- Premium price point for top-of-the-line robotic mowing technology
- Highly efficient mowing capability is offset by a somewhat limited runtime per charge
Here is a well-equipped mower for warm-season grasses up to 0.4 acre, especially lawns with challenging obstacles, narrow passages, and sloped terrain. With a mowing height range of 0.8 to 2 inches, the Husqvarna Automower 415X is designed for maintaining low-mow grasses like zoysia, Bermuda, and centipede. It is powered by an 18-volt 2-amp-hour lithium-ion battery that delivers a runtime of 50 minutes per charge and recharges in 60 minutes. This premium mower features a high-resolution onboard display, rugged poly front bumper, LED headlights, and coarse-tread wheels that easily handle slopes up to 40 percent.
The Automower 415X is loaded with communication and control features, beginning with cellular and Bluetooth connectivity. It is easily controlled via the Automower Connect mobile app and is compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Home smart devices. Husqvarna’s intelligent mapping technology uses GPS sensors to virtually map the lawn, enabling zone control with customized settings and real-time tracking through the app. This high level of communication pairs nicely with precision control and automated lawn mowing features like electric height adjustment, automatic passage handling, remote location starting, spiral- and spot-cutting capabilities, wireless firmware updates, theft protection system with GPS tracking, and more.
The Automower 415X arrived for testing with everything we needed for a quick and easy DIY installation. The layout and setup were similar to the other models we tested but with the unique addition of a central guide wire running through the middle of the mowing area to assist with navigation back to the home base. Initial programming was fast and intuitive with the mower’s onboard controls. After downloading the app, we spent some time customizing mowing options, adding the targeted mowing height and spiral mowing options. Targeted mowing automatically lowered the cutting height each day until our preselected height was achieved. With spiral mowing engaged, this automatic lawn mower detects extra-tall or dense growth and mows that isolated area in a spiral pattern. These two options were especially helpful in combination, as we needed to get our overgrown Bermuda grass under control.
Our testing lawn was an irregularly shaped area encompassing 1,200 square feet, with a tree isolated by the boundary wire near the middle and two larger lawn areas on either side. Part of the test area included a steep slope, close to 50 percent in one small area, and the 415X had no trouble. We noticed after the third or fourth mowing that the robot was making more efficient linear cuts and less frequently getting caught up in multipoint turns.
During the target-height adjustment period, the mower seemed to focus more time on a section after it had been sufficiently cut, then running out of battery before fully cutting the other section. Once the target was achieved, however, daily mowing at 1.25 inches kept the grass looking great. Docking at the base station went perfectly every time. Easy setup, reliable operation, smart tech, and a lower mowing height range make this a good choice for most small to midsize yards with warm-season lawn grass.
Get the Husqvarna Automower 415X robot lawn mower at Amazon or Lowe’s.
Best For Steep Hills
Redback MowRo 9.5-Inch Robot Lawn Mower
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4.3/5; Cut Quality 4/5; Performance 4/5; Durability 5/5; Value 4.3/5
Product Specs
- Coverage area: 0.25 acre (10,890 square feet)
- Mowing height range: 1 to 2.5 inches
- Slope rating: 30 degrees
What We Like
- Easily navigates steep slopes up to 30 degrees, or about 5.8 feet rise per 10 linear feet
- Simple controls include manual height adjustment and onboard schedule programming
- 2-hour runtime per charge keeps the mower operating more and charging less
- Mows on schedule every 48 hours in the standard program or on demand when needed
What We Don’t Like
- Onboard controls are the only interface; no mobile app
- Lacks precision navigation and control features that might improve cut quality
- Only capable of 1 scheduled mowing every 48 hours, which may not be ideal for fast-growing grass
Capable of climbing slopes as steep as 30 degrees, the MowRo robotic lawn mower is a simple choice for small to midsize yards with steep hills. Its efficient brushless motor is powered by a 28-volt 4-amp-hour lithium-ion battery that produces 2 hours of runtime per charge; recharging takes about an hour. The MowRo mows up to 0.25 acre on schedule every 48 hours or on demand. Rain, tilt, and impact sensors allow it to operate safely, automatically avoiding bad weather, excessive slopes, and obstacles. The mowing height manually adjusts from 1 to 2.5 inches. All scheduling and other operations are performed via the onboard control panel.
In our tests, the simple onboard controls and reliable operation of the MowRo made it one of the easiest robot mowers to set up and operate. Using the same boundary wire and base station setup as the rest of our testing group, it did a great job mowing a tough incline that measures 40 feet long by 15 feet wide and climbs 8 feet within the 15-foot width. However, it lacks the precision control features and connectivity found in the other models we tested. We didn’t miss the zone mowing capability and Bluetooth connectivity so much but wished for more frequent scheduling options. With its larger-than-average cutting head and slope-conquering wheel motors, it seems that this mower could handle a much larger yard if scheduling ability was more robust. Still, this unit offers a good price-to-value ratio for those with steep terrain.
Get the Redback robot lawn mower at Amazon or Redback.
Best For Large Lawns
Husqvarna Automower 115H Robotic Lawn Mower
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4/5; Cut Quality 4/5; Performance 5/5; Durability 5/5; Value 4.3/5
Product Specs
- Coverage area: 0.4 acre (17,424 square feet)
- Mowing height range: 2 to 3.6 inches
- Slope rating: 17 degrees
What We Like
- Mowing height range suits most types of warm- and cool-season grass
- Performs impressively on slopes up to 30 percent (17 degrees)
- Intuitive programming via mobile app means great ease of use
- Program up to 3 different starting points for efficient coverage
What We Don’t Like
- Premium price
- Only 60 minutes of runtime per charge
The Husqvarna Automower 115H mows all kinds of grass up to 0.4 acre. Its durable 18-volt 2-amp-hour lithium-ion battery delivers 60 minutes of runtime per charge and recharges in just an hour. The cutting head manually adjusts from 2 inches to 3.6 inches for either warm-season or cool-season grasses, and it’s rated for slopes up to 17 degrees. Bluetooth connectivity lets users control the 115H via the Automower Connect mobile app. Adjust the schedule for this wireless remote control lawn mower, start or stop mowing on demand, monitor status, and order replacement blades all in one convenient location. The unit has theft protection with a personal identification number (PIN) and alarm system.
The Automower 115H impressed us as a great choice for most suburban lawns. It easily navigated our test lawn’s slope and obstacles, reliably mowing on schedule and docking securely. The lawn’s appearance was consistent throughout testing, without any obviously missed spots. Working with the Automower Connect app, it was easy to program the schedule, set up different starting points, and pause and restart a mowing program during an active cycle. The guide wire helped the Automower navigate efficiently through a narrow corridor from one broad space to another.
It’s worth noting, however, that the lack of GPS technology makes this a “less smart” mower than the model 415X reviewed here. For instance, the 115H did not seem to adjust its mowing patterns and obstacle avoidance as quickly as its more intelligent colleagues did. But this model makes a great choice for larger yards and maintaining taller grass.
Get the Husqvarna Automower 115H robot lawn mower at Amazon, Lowe’s, or Tractor Supply Co.
Best For Small Lawns
Gardena 15202-41 Sileno Minimo Robotic Mower
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Cut Quality 4.5/5; Performance 3.5/5; Durability 4/5; Value 5/5
Product Specs
- Coverage area: Up to 5,400 square feet
- Mowing height range: 0.8 to 1.8 inches
- Slope rating: 14.04 degrees
What We Like
- Value price point for a high-functioning robotic lawn mower
- Bluetooth app allows user to control the mower without accessing the control panel
- Customizable mowing settings for corridors and different areas of the lawn
- Capable of 2 scheduled mowing times per day for user convenience
What We Don’t Like
- This mower is not Wi-Fi compatible; software must be updated via USB cable
- No collision detector/preventer; the bump sensor requires the mower to (slowly) collide with an obstacle before redirecting
For smaller yards up to 5,400 square feet, the Gardena Sileno Minimo is a smart choice. The price is very competitive, and although it lacks some of the technical features found elsewhere, such as remote operation and updates via Wi-Fi, it is durable and performs the basic task of lawn mowing extremely well.
This mower is available with maximum cutting area abilities of either 2,700 square feet or 5,400 square feet. A perimeter wire keeps it inbounds, and an intersecting guide wire boosts navigation and mowing capability. It mows relatively low, between 0.8 inch and 1.8 inches, so it is best suited for dense grasses and relatively smooth terrain for the best appearance.
Controllable by both onboard controls and a Bluetooth mobile app, this mower makes up in practicality what it lacks in connectivity. The schedule offers two mowing times per day that may be customized according to the location, based on the distance from the charging station measured along the guide wire. It can also be instructed to mow in a corridor pattern, in lines parallel to the guide wire for narrow passageways, or in a spiral pattern for areas that grow faster or otherwise require intensive mowing.
The process of setting up the Gardena Sileno Minimo was almost identical to the other robot mowers in the test group: Assemble the charging station, install the perimeter wire, install the guide wire, and connect the mower to the app. Scheduling was easy and mostly intuitive. The fast-start guide provided abundantly clear instructions. I really liked the easy-to-use wire connectors in the assembly kit—just squeeze them onto the wire with a pair of pliers and then trim the wire to length.
The mower worked very well. The cut quality was similar to the others in the test group, and the coverage was thorough, with no stragglers left behind. On the downside, software updates require hardwiring the mower to a laptop or desktop with a USB cable, but there is no need to worry about outdoor Wi-Fi coverage during setup.
Best Without Perimeter Wire
Segway Navimow i Series Robot Mower
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Cut Quality 4.5/5; Performance 4.5/5; Durability 5/5; Value 4.5/5
Product Specs
- Coverage area: Up to 10,890 square feet
- Mowing height range: 2 to 3.6 inches
- Slope rating: 16 degrees
What We Like
- EFLS satellite navigation system with centimeter-level accuracy keeps the mower inbounds
- Onboard AI-enabled camera prevents collisions and aids in mapping
- Easy mapping, scheduling, and mowing on demand with the Navimow mobile app
- Multizone and corridor programming options accommodate most landscapes
What We Don’t Like
- RTK reference point requires an unobstructed view of the sky
- Accurate initial mapping may require some trial and error
The Segway Navimow i110N is a reliable, easy-to-operate robotic lawn mower that doesn’t use a perimeter wire. Instead of a low-voltage boundary wire, it is guided by an AI-enhanced satellite navigation system with centimeter-level accuracy. An onboard camera, also infused with AI technology, assists the satellite navigation system and helps the mower avoid obstacles.
The Navimow i110N can autonomously mow up to a quarter acre of grass, including slopes up to 16 degrees or about 28.5 feet of elevation change per 100 linear feet. The manual cutting height adjustment ranges from 2 to 3.6 inches high to accommodate most lawn grasses. It operates at a quiet 58 decibels, so it is safe for mowing anytime of day, even in noise-sensitive neighborhoods.
Setup took about 2 hours, including installation of the charging base and antenna, downloading the app, and mapping the yard. The instructions were easy to follow. To map the yard, the mobile app served as a remote control to steer the mower around the zone borders and any excluded areas. Driving the mower took quite a bit of trial and error. Scheduling was easy and very flexible. The app allows for multiple zones, travel corridors between zones, and multiple mowing cycles per day.
If you like lawn striping, Navimow may be an appealing option. Unlike the other mowers in this guide, Navimow mows in parallel lines, producing a pinstriped appearance due to the 7.5-inch width of cut. Each mowing cycle, it cuts along a different axis: first north-south, next northeast-southwest, then east-west, and finally southeast-northwest before repeating.
The basic Segway Navimow i110N kit includes the mower, charging station, antenna, and power cord. The one I tested came with a few upgrade features, including the Garage S charging base shelter, the Access+ 4G signal backup module, and the antenna extension kit. I consider the Garage S to be a necessity as it added a layer of protection against sun, rain, dirt, and debris. Since the satellite signal in my yard was really good, I didn’t notice a difference after adding the Access+ and antenna extension. The mower stayed in bounds at all times, mowed on schedule, and had no problem keeping up with my quarter-plus acre of grass.
Get the Segway robot lawn mower at Amazon or Segway.
Best All-wheel Drive
Mammotion Luba 2 AWD 1000 Robot Lawn Mower
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4/5; Cut Quality 5/5; Performance 4.5/5; Durability 4.5/5; Value 4/5
Product Specs
- Coverage area: Up to 10,890 square feet
- Mowing height range: 2.2 to 4.0 inches
- Slope rating: 38 degrees
What We Like
- Perimeter wire-free system for quick, easy DIY installation
- Mows lawns up to a quarter acre, or 10,890 square feet of grass
- All-wheel-drive system navigates rough terrain and slopes up to 38 degrees
- Multizone management for up to 10 zones, plus no-go setting
- Mobile app controls mapping, scheduling, height of cut, and maintenance log
What We Don’t Like
- RTK reference point requires an unobstructed view of the sky
- Required 2 manual firmware updates at setup time
Until now, yards with shallow tree roots, rocks, and steep slopes have made robotic mowing nearly impossible. Mammotion addressed these concerns with the all-wheel-drive (AWD) Luba 2. A weight-balanced design and AWD system allow it to easily conquer rough ground and steep slopes with up to 7.7 feet of elevation change per 10 linear feet. Even better, it uses a 3D vision and RTK fusion mapping system to achieve precise navigation without the hassle of a perimeter wire.
I tested the Luba 2 1000H, which is built to manage up to a quarter acre with a mowing height range of 2.2 to 4.0 inches. Other models in the Luba 2 series can cover up to 2.5 acres, and mow as low as 1 inch.
Setting up the equipment was easy, but the interface was less user-friendly to start out. I downloaded the app, turned on the mower, and connected to Wi-Fi with no problem; but I did encounter glitches when I attempted to map the yard. After some investigation, I discovered that the mower’s firmware needed an update. When the update was complete, mapping and scheduling went flawlessly.
Luba 2 was the only robotic mower I tested that was equipped with twin-blade assemblies, for an impressive cutting width of 15.7 inches. The cutting width was wider than the wheels, so it also cut closer to the edge than other mowers. But the most obvious point of separation between Luba 2 and the other robot mowers was the AWD system. This mower easily climbed the steepest slope in the yard and had no problems navigating the bumpy corridor between two separate mowing zones. None of the other models could do that.
Get the Mammotion robot lawn mower at Amazon, GL Robotics, or Mammotion.
Jump to Our Top Picks
What to Consider When Choosing a Robot Lawn Mower
Shopping for new technology can present a bit of confusion. It’s important to take some time to sort through the various functions and features as well as your unique needs to identify the best product. Consider the following factors when shopping for a robotic lawn mower.
Yard Size
To begin the search for a new self-mowing robot, get an accurate measurement of the area it will mow. Measure the lawn’s square footage, not the size of the lot, and exclude square footage taken up by the house, driveway, landscape beds, and any other feature that is not grass. Often only half of the square footage of a residential lot is lawn space, and sometimes even less.
Light-duty or small robot lawn mowers are best for areas up to 0.25 acre, or about 11,000 square feet. Midsize models cut up to 0.5 acre, or about 22,000 square feet. Large machines can cut up to 1 acre, or 43,560 square feet, or more.
Factors that affect how much space a mower can cut include battery runtime per charge, the mower size, and the speed it travels. The “up to X square feet” amount that manufacturers claim is calculated with ideal mowing conditions in mind. Mowing conditions including slopes, obstacles, and irregular lawn shapes, as well as grass type, thickness, and growth rate, may all inhibit a mower’s efficiency and capability.
Look for a mower that can cut the entire yard on a single battery charge, if possible. For larger yards, it may be necessary to divide the lawn space into two or three smaller mowing zones that the mower can cut on different cycles. Not all robotic mowers have the ability to create and schedule multiple zones within a single boundary wire, so be sure to buy a mower with that capability if necessary to suit the property size.
Terrain Handling
Basic robot mowers work on flat yards and slopes of up to 15 percent (1.5 feet of rise per 10 feet of linear distance). Yards with garden beds, boulders, pathways, and/or steeper slopes require a more capable model. Look for one with onboard collision-detection systems, GPS, all-wheel drive, and/or multizone programming capability to navigate complex yards.
Mowing Height
Grass type, weather conditions, and terrain influence a lawn’s optimal mowing height. Warm-season grasses like Bermuda, zoysia, and centipede should be mowed to from 1 to 3 inches high, while cool-season grasses such as fescue, bluegrass, and perennial ryegrass should be mowed to between 2.5 and 4 inches.
That said, allowing grass to grow taller than normal in extreme heat and drought helps protect the roots from dieback. Smooth, flat ground makes it easier to mow lower, while rough terrain requires additional clearance. We recommend buying a robotic mower that allows as much mowing height flexibility as possible within the range for the particular lawn type.
Controls
Robot mowers are kept in the yard by a low-voltage electric perimeter boundary wire installed at the edges of the lawn and around permanent obstacles like trees, paved areas, and buildings. An onboard computer tells the mower when to mow and when to recharge. Just program the mowing schedule and set the blade height, and the lawn mower does the rest. Many robotic lawn mowers are Bluetooth capable or Wi-Fi connected, so you can program them with an app on your smartphone.
Power Source and Battery Life
Robot mowers charge automatically at a home-base station. The base station serves as the charging port and the boundary wire hub. The same power source that charges the mower’s battery also sends a low-voltage current through the boundary wire to keep the mower in bounds. A single power cord plugged into a nearby ground-fault circuit interrupter household outlet provides the needed electricity.
These mowers typically use rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, though some use lead acid batteries or other types. Depending on the model and mowing conditions, a model can operate between 1 and 2.5 hours per battery charge. Batteries typically need 30 minutes to an hour to recharge. Robot lawn mower batteries tend to last approximately 3 years on average.
Smart Technology
Onboard sensors, Bluetooth connectivity, mobile apps, and compatibility with personal digital assistants may all let users program a robotic mower. On its programmed mowing schedule, the mower starts and recharges itself, returning to its docking station when it has finished the job. Collision sensors and boundary wire sensors keep the mower on the lawn and protect nongrass areas.
Some robotic mowers have a manual mode used to trim enclosed spaces. In manual mode, the robot mower can be moved to a secondary location—inside a fenced area of the yard, for example—and it will mow without further programming. In this setting, the robot mower uses either extra perimeter wire or an onboard collision sensor to stay inbounds.
Many robot mowers will alert your smartphone when there is a problem, if its blades need to be changed, or if the machine is moved off the premises. Mobile apps can also allow the robot mower to be monitored and controlled remotely via a smartphone or digital assistant.
Noise Levels
Robotic mowers are quiet but not silent. They produce an average of 50 to 70 decibels, which is similar to the sound levels of a quiet refrigerator, a calm conversation, or the noise inside a car traveling at 60 miles per hour. A gasoline-powered push mower produces 95 decibels, or about 50 percent more noise than a robot lawn mower.
Security
Robot lawn mowers are small enough that a thief could carry one away. For that reason, many models require a PIN for operation. Others feature alarms, security alerts, and GPS tracking that kicks in if the unit is removed from the owner’s property. Since robot lawn mowers are fairly quiet, people often program them to run at night as a theft deterrent.
Safety Features
Robot lawn mowers have safety features to protect the user and others in its cutting area. The machine moves slowly so pets, children, and others can see it coming and get out of the way. Collision sensors slow or redirect the mower as it nears an obstacle. An automatic shutoff kicks in if the machine is lifted, stopping the blades from moving. And the mower has recessed blades mounted away from the edges of the machine to reduce the chance of cutting hands and feet that come too close.
Weather Protection
Most motorized lawn mowers are built to withstand outdoor conditions during the mowing season. Some robotic mowers can run in the rain, but it is not recommended since wet grass doesn’t cut as smoothly and wet conditions can spread fungal diseases to the lawn. Some robot lawn mowers have rain sensors that stop, skip, or delay a scheduled mowing in rainy conditions. Other robot mowers can have their cutting schedule manually overridden so you can turn it off if rain is in the forecast. Still others link to a weather app that will turn the mower off if rain is predicted.
Docking stations are weatherproof during the mowing season. Still, in stormy weather where lightning is predicted, unplugging the system provides the best protection. Extended periods of damp, subfreezing weather shorten the mower’s lifespan, so the mower and its docking station should both be stored indoors in the winter.
FAQs
Still not sure how to choose the best robot lawn mower for you? Read on for info and tips to facilitate your decision.
Perimeter wire runs from the charging station, around the edge of the yard, and back to the charging station. It carries a low-voltage electrical signal that keeps the mower inbounds.The wire should be installed at the beginning of each mowing season and taken down for storage in winter. Installation is typically a DIY project, but some sellers offer professional installation.
Robotic mowers are designed to cut several times per week. When grass is growing really fast, the robot mower should run every day or every other day. When grass grows more slowly, mowing two or three times per week is sufficient.
Some robotic mowers can operate in the rain; others cannot. However, you’ll get a cleaner cut and reduce the spread of disease in your lawn by mowing only while the grass is dry.
The mower itself should last 10 years or more. Mower blades last about 2 months. They cannot be sharpened; they must be replaced—think of them as you would a disposable razor blade. Rechargeable batteries for robot mowers last about 3 years, on average.
Manufacturers will provide an “up to X square feet” amount for a particular model. However, this number is calculated with ideal mowing conditions in mind. Slopes, obstacles, and irregular lawn shapes as well as grass type, thickness, and growth rate may all affect how much lawn a robot mower can handle in one charge.
Users must install perimeter wire when using a robotic mower, which adds an additional responsibility. Depending on the mower and the size of the lawn, it can potentially run out of charge in the middle of a job and require recharging before continuing. The device can also leave an unmowed strip around the edge of a lawn that will later need to be trimmed by hand.
Robotic mowers produce an average of 50 to 70 decibels, which is similar to the sound levels of a quiet refrigerator. In comparison, a gasoline-powered push mower produces 95 decibels.
Yes, a robot mower can chop leaves into smaller pieces that can then be used to mulch a lawn. Some models even have a mulching function. However, although most models can automatically mulch leaves, they’re not designed to do so in the most effective way.
Meet the Tester
Mark Wolfe is a writer and product tester with a background in the nursery and landscaping industry. For more than 20 years, he mowed, edged, planted, pruned, cultivated, irrigated, and renovated beautiful landscapes. Now he tests and writes reviews about the latest outdoor power equipment, hand tools, lawn care products, and other outdoor living goods.
