Robotic lawnmowers are a novel alternative to conventional petrol and electric models that have been on the market for years.
If you find mowing the lawn a chore, are away from home frequently, or have mobility concerns, an automatic robotic lawn mower is likely a great option for you.
The robotic lawn mower is powered by rechargeable Lithium-ion batteries and operates with a boundary cable that needs to be installed around the perimeter of the desired area. The boundary helps guide the robotic lawn mower so it knows where to mow and also avoids sensitive areas such as flower beds or trees.
Sensor-operated or wire-boundary robotic lawnmowers are a type of technological equipment that has been growing in popularity. The sensor helps the machinery to know where the boundaries of your lawn are, and then it stays within this area as it cuts the grass.
Most robotic lawnmowers are designed with a boundary wire that tells the machine where it can and cannot go. If the sensors sense that the mower is getting close to the edge of the lawn, it will change direction so that it doesn't go off-limits. Additionally, many models have collision sensors that cause the mower to turn around if it bumps into something while in use.
with a pin pad on the front. Some models can also be controlled with an app that allows users to monitor progress, schedule cutting times, receive alerts for service needs, etc.
When its work is done, or if the battery starts running low, the lawn mower will automatically return to its docking station to connect and recharge.
If you're considering a robotic, petrol, or electric lawn mower, there are several benefits to choosing a robotic one. To start, they require less work from you once installed and programmed—the mower will cut the grass incrementally and often while also dropping clippings into the grass for extra nourishment. The best part is that it returns to its dock on its own when the battery needs recharging. Additionally, because they lack an engine, these types of mowers have zero emissions; And since they don't rely on an engine either, they're relatively quiet compared to other models.
Robotic lawnmowers tend to be more expensive than cordless or electric models, starting at around £500. The most premium options can cost over £2000.
These machines come in a range of sizes too, with the smallest ones typically being best for smaller gardens up to medium size. For larger spaces, you'll need one of the bigger and more powerful models which can handle yards up to 5000m².
As far as warranties go, they usually last between two and five years on these products.
The best robotic lawnmowers not only automate the tedious task of cutting your grass but also come with several additional features that can enhance your user experience. These added features may include weather sensors, GPS navigation, and smart connectivity. The smart connectivity feature is especially useful as it allows you to set up your device using a mobile phone or tablet. Plus, you can check on the status of your lawn mower while away from home and even track it if it's ever stolen!
Paying for a machine in this price range requires good security. Some machines require only a PIN code to start the mower, while others have lift sensors and alarms with a GPS tracker.
Robotic lawn mowers are more complex to set up than traditional petrol, electric and cordless mowers.
A robotic lawn mower needs an outside power source to connect the docking station too. The mower will dock and recharge when necessary.
The docking station should ideally be out of direct sun and level, with a clear area around it — typically two meters to the front and a meter on each side.
When picking out a robotic lawn mower, it is important to consider its size and how easy it will be to install. You also want to make sure that the model you choose can handle any obstacles in your garden, like narrow passages or steep slopes. keep in mind that some models are more expensive than others, but many come with installation included. After fully evaluating your lawn, they will help you with installation by laying the boundary wire and programming/operating the keypad. Even though cheaper mowers can be installed without aid, the instructions must be followed to a tee for peak performance.
Though robotic lawnmowers are mostly automated, you should still check and clean yours regularly.
To do so, first, make sure the machine is powered down before flipping it over to inspect the blades for any damage. If there's just light dirt buildup, use a brush or garden hose to clear it off; if the grime is more caked on, you might need to resort to using a damp cloth.
also, be sure to remove any grass that might have gotten tangled around the wheels--and while you're at it, wipe down the entire body of the machine as well.
Once you've given everything a once-over cleaning, check that each blade can pivot freely; damaged blades will need replacing ASAP (be sure to replace all blades at once so as not to maintain equilibrium in your cuts).
Replacing batteries and worn parts, as well as cleaning the device, are encouraged yearly so that software can be updated.
Browse our choice of the seven best robotic lawnmowers below.
# - 1 Worx Landroid S300 WR130E robotic mower review
Our rating: 4.5 out of 5
Buy the Worx Landroid S300 WR130E from Amazon and Argos
PROS:
CONS:
The Worx Landroid S300 WR130E is the cheapest robotic mower we've tested, but it doesn't sacrifice quality or features. It's small and quiet, with a cutting width of 18cm thanks to its three pivoting blades.
Plus, its intelligent programming lets it map your lawn so that it knows where it needs to go next - even if that means pausing to recharge in between. Rather than cutting in straight lines, this lawn mower cuts in a zig-zag pattern which leaves your lawn looking neat and stripe-free.
Additionally, it's able to navigate through narrow passages (something not all models can do), and cope with slopes of up to 35%. This model also turns efficiently rather than constantly reversing; as a result, it provides a quicker cut while protecting the lawn from too much wear and tear--a feature noteworthy because many other models lack this capability.
Rating: 4.8 out of 5
PROS:
The Stihl iMow422P is a great-value robotic mower that has an impressive finish. It is single, steel rotary blade makes it excellent for mulching and cuts efficiently and well. The mower adjusts its speed itself according to the conditions, grass length, and terrain making it perfect for those who have a lot of yard work or live on hilly terrain.
Our rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars.
PROS:
CONS:
The Automower is quiet and not noticeable, with three free-hanging blades that cut well. It comes equipped with a GPS Smart mowing system to map the lawn before mowing and tracks where it has already been cut--dealing easily with complicated lawn shapes or narrow passages. Additionally, it can handle slopes up to 40%. The machine bumps into raised beds but doesn't do as good of a job trimming around them as other machines in its class.
Our rating: 4 out of 5
Buy the Gardena Smart Sileno Life from Amazon
PROS:
CONS:
The mower positions itself as being quiet, smooth, and efficient while still providing a clean finish. Additionally, it can manage slopes of up to 30 percent and fits through spaces that are only 60cm wide--a plus!
Our rating: 4 out of 5
PROS:
CONS:
This mower is excellent for anyone trying robotics in their 400m² or smaller garden. Not to mention, it's cheap and comes with a two-year warranty and spare blades. You can easily cut in two different areas as long as you physically move the machine into area number two and then manually set it to "mow." Or, if you'd prefer, buy a second docking station.No matter where you take it, the 1200R is safe with PIN code operation and a lift sensor. Bring extra peace of mind by activating the alarm.
Our rating: 4 out of 5.
PROS:
CONS:
This robotic mower is our top pick because it can cover a large area quickly and efficiently. It's also great for people with pets or young children, as its 360-degree sensors will cause it to turn away from them automatically. Additionally, the spiral-cutting option ensures that your lawn will be free of any clumps of grass. The only downside is that it's slightly more expensive than other models on the market.
Our rating: 3.5 out of 5
PROS:
CONS:
While this mower can cut through larger lawns effortlessly, it cannot handle small or tight spaces as well. Additionally, the large back wheels allow it to even tackle slopes up to 36 percent; and with a single steel blade, finishes the job evenly with a clean look. Although it's noisy compared to other models and lacking in features, its price is justified.
Our experts put the robotic lawnmowers through a series of tests, taking into account numerous factors such as price, size, cutting lengths, battery life, and security. Furthermore, we evaluate how easy each model is to install and program.
After installation, our experts rate the lawnmowers based on how well they avoid obstacles, handle slopes, and if any areas of the lawn are missed.
When the test is complete, each machine is rated out of five stars. The robotic lawnmowers that perform best are awarded Best Buy status. Each review contains detailed pros and cons lists to help you decide which lawn mower is right for your garden.
