Automatic lawn mowers, also known as robotic lawn mowers, are a type of lawn care equipment that uses computer algorithms and sensors to navigate and mow a lawn without human intervention. They operate by moving in randomized patterns, using sensors to avoid obstacles, staying within boundaries set up by guidewires, and allowing scheduling and monitoring via Bluetooth companion apps. Unlike traditional lawn mowers, robot mowers have very small cutting decks, typically 8 or 9 inches wide, making them perfect for smaller suburban lawns.
- 1 Best robot lawn mower for 2 acres
- 2 How we tested the robotic lawn mowers
- 3 How Does a Robotic Lawn Mower Work?
- 4 What to Consider When Choosing the Best Robot Lawn Mower
- 5 Do robot lawn mowers really work?
- 6 How much does a robot lawn mower cost?
- 7 How do robot lawn mowers work?
- 8 Do robotic lawn mowers have bags?
- 9 Can I use a robot lawn mower while it rains?
- 10 Why is a rain sensor important on a robot lawn mower?
- 11 How often do the blades of a robot lawn mower need sharpening?
- 12 Why is it important to create a cutting schedule for your robot lawn mower?
- 13 What is a robot mower?
- 14 How long will my robotic mower last?
The included reels of guidewire are usually just big enough to mark off the edge of a quarter to a half-acre lot or the same size area of much larger lawns. The biggest appeal of a robot lawn mower is its autonomy. Once you set up a schedule, you don’t have to worry about being home to mow your lawn; the unit will leave the base station and start cutting the grass all on its own when it’s time to start.
As a hands-free alternative to traditional petrol and electric lawn mowers, robotic lawn mowers are becoming increasingly popular. Since they are fully automatic, they can be an excellent option for people who have mobility concerns, travel frequently, or simply find mowing a chore. These mowers are powered by rechargeable Lithium-ion batteries and guided by a boundary cable, which is laid around the edge of the lawn. This helps the robotic lawn mower identify where to mow and avoid flower beds, trees, and other obstacles.
The 9 Best Robot Lawn Mowers of 2023：Tested and Reviewed
#1.Worx Landroid L 20V 6.0Ah
Pros
- Well-designed wheels with extra traction
- Cut to edge design for accurate mowing
- Several cutting height options
Cons
- Does require extensive ground wire installation
This lawn robot is super user-friendly, boasting a sleek updated design complete with new traction wheels, and it’s got the capability to handle up to one-half acre. This makes it perfect for mowing not only smaller suburban lawns but also smaller commercial properties. If you’re looking for a model that’s even more compact and tailored for tiny lawns, there are smaller options available at a more affordable price point.
The Worx WR155 Landroid is a highly customizable machine that can be scheduled to mow your lawn based on your preferences, which you can easily input via the app. It cuts grass in light layers, meaning there’s no need to stop and empty the machine or collect the clippings. However, if you do need to adjust the cutting height, the feature is readily available to you. Plus, with its “cut to edge” design, the blades can get as close as possible to the lawn’s edges, leaving no straggling blades behind.
Another great feature of this mower is its handy alert system, which sends you a notification if the machine leaves the lawn area. This alerts you to potential performance issues or if someone is messing with the mower bot, making it an excellent safety feature.
The Worx WR155 Landroid is packed with features, including an 8-inch cutting width, a long-lasting 6.0mAh battery, and a charging base station. Keep in mind that you’ll need to lay down ground wire boundaries around your lawn to ensure that the mower bot doesn’t wander into unwanted areas. This is a common requirement for most robot lawn mowers, though, so it’s not a big deal.
#2.MowRo Robot Lawn Mower RM24
Pros
- Rain sensors
- Quieter operation
- Affordable price
Cons
- No companion app for scheduling
- No anti-theft system
The Mowro RM24A is a great option if you’re on a budget, with a price tag that won’t break the bank at under $1,000. Its 9.5-inch cutting deck and 28V battery make it ideal for mowing yards that are up to a quarter-acre in size. Additionally, the large rear wheels allow it to handle inclines and hills with ease.
One of the best things about the RM24A is that it operates much more quietly than traditional gas mowers or other battery-powered mowers. So, you can enjoy your deck, patio, or backyard without being disturbed by the mower.
The RM24A operates on a 48-hour mowing schedule, which means that it will automatically mow your lawn every two days to ensure that your grass stays at a consistent length. Plus, it comes equipped with rain sensors, so it knows when to return to the docking station during inclement weather. This ensures that your mower stays safe and that it won’t damage your lawn.
#3.Husqvarna 450XH Automower Robotic Lawn Mower
Pros
- Largest range
- Fast charge
- Anti-theft and safety features
- Connect from anywhere
Cons
- Expensive
The deck height of this mower can be adjusted up to 3.6 inches, giving you the flexibility to customize your grass length. The mower’s 9.45-inch deck features three sharp blades that deliver a professional-quality cut every time. Additionally, LED headlights make it easier for the mower’s sensors to operate in low-light conditions.
On a single 60-minute charge, the battery can power the mower for up to 270 minutes, giving you plenty of mowing time before needing to recharge.To prevent streaks caused by reusing the same route, the mower comes equipped with three guide wires. Additionally, five remote starting points can be programmed to prevent over-mowing in the area closest to the dock and to reach narrow or hard-to-reach areas.
Husqvarna’s patented GPS-assisted algorithm ensures that the mower covers your entire yard by digitally mapping out your lawn. With the Automower Connect app, you can program and access your mower from anywhere in the world through a cellular uplink or a local Bluetooth connection. You can even control the mower with your Amazon Alexa or Google Home system.The mower’s anti-theft suite includes GPS tracking, an alarm, and a custom PIN that prevents unauthorized operation outside the boundary wire. Advanced lift and tilt sensors quickly shut off the blades to prevent injury if the mower detects abnormal activity.
#4.Robomow RX20 Battery Powered Mower
Pros
- Easy setup and operation
- Intuitive app controls
- Budget-friendly price point
- Great for flat, clear ground
Cons
- Limited terrain capabilities
- Only one scheduled automatic mowing per day
- Must be within Bluetooth range to control via the app
This robot mower is a great option for those with small, flat or gently rolling yards up to 2,178 square feet. It’s easy to use, with a simple push-button start or control via the mobile app and Bluetooth connection. You can set a weekly mowing schedule and program different starting points. The 12V 4.3Ah lithium-ion battery provides up to 2 hours of runtime per charge, although it takes 8 hours to recharge. Unlike other models, the RX20 uses a single blade that only needs to be replaced once per mowing season.
Setting up and programming the RX20 was similar to other models, except for the battery arriving totally depleted and requiring 48 hours of charging prior to the first mowing. The controls only allow for manual operation, and scheduling only allows a single daily mowing time rather than multiple mowings with recharging times in between. To program a weekly schedule, you need to use the app while within Bluetooth range of the mower.
The RX20 is limited in its terrain capability and is best suited for a relatively flat, unobstructed yard. We had to assemble a separate 1,200-square-foot testing area on mostly flat ground with centipede grass to accommodate this robot mower. While mowing went well on the flat ground, the RX20 had no trouble navigating a narrow passage connecting two broader areas. Docking worked smoothly when mowing was done. If you have a simple space to maintain, the RX20 is an affordable, no-frills option for keeping your grass looking great.
#5.GARDENA 15001-41 SILENO City
This particular model is capable of handling a lawn area of up to 2,700 square feet. The accompanying app is user-friendly and provides various scheduling options to choose from, along with a security PIN to prevent unauthorized access. This mower is designed to operate in the rain, although this can affect the quality of the lawn cut, as we discuss further below. It is also capable of mowing on slopes up to 35%.
The average run time is about 65 minutes, although this can vary depending on the lawn. Recharging takes approximately 75 minutes. Similar to our top pick from Worx, this model utilizes artificial intelligence to optimize cutting power. Additionally, it can fit into narrow spaces as small as 24 inches wide to cut lawn strips.
#6.Husqvarna Automower® 430X
Pros
- GPS theft tracking
- Mows up to .8 acres
- Spiral cut and spot-mow modes
- Alexa and Hey Google compatibility
Cons
- Expensive
The 430X boasts a 9.5-inch cutting deck equipped with three blades that mulch clippings into fine pieces, helping to re-fertilize your lawn. It can handle steep inclines thanks to its large rear wheels. The Bluetooth connectivity and GPS navigation allow you to set mow times, establish remote start points, and create profiles for various sections of your lawn. This feature enables you to create a custom schedule for a consistent cut throughout your lawn. The 430X provides both spot-mowing and spiral-mowing modes for efficient and regular mowing. It includes an alarm to alert you of any potential thieves, and the only way to disable it is through a personalized PIN. It also comes with GPS tracking for security purposes.
You can customize your 430X even further with interchangeable top covers that can help you locate it in your yard or match it with other gardening equipment. You can also control the mower using voice-activated commands through Alexa or Hey Google if you desire a truly hands-off experience.
Best robot lawn mower for 2 acres
#7.GARDENA SILENO Minimo
Pros
- Very quiet
- Highly maneuverable
- Affordable
Cons
- Limited to smaller lawns and gardens
The Gardena Sileno Minimo is ideal for small suburban or urban lawns measuring up to 5,400 square feet. It stands out as one of the quietest mowers on the market and is specifically designed to easily navigate complex gardens and tight spaces with its smaller cutting deck. Its Bluetooth-enabled app allows for convenient scheduling and setup.
The mower runs on an internal lithium-ion battery and can mow for up to 65 minutes on a single charge. It’s waterproof and can operate in all weather conditions, with a frost sensor that detects ground temperature and automatically puts the mower to sleep during winter. Those with smaller lawns measuring under 2,700 square feet can opt for the less expensive short-range version and save even more.
#8.Husqvarna Automower 415X Robotic Lawn Mower
Pros
- Precision control features
- GPS-assisted navigation
- Easily navigates obstructions and difficult terrain
- Cellular and Bluetooth connectivity
Cons
- Premium price point
- Limited runtime per charge
The Husqvarna Automower 415X is specifically designed to maintain low-mow grasses such as Bermuda, centipede, and zoysia with a mowing height range of 0.8 to 2 inches. The 18V 2Ah lithium-ion battery powers the mower, delivering a 50-minute runtime per charge, with a recharge time of 60 minutes. The rugged poly front bumper, LED headlights, and coarse-tread wheels are built to tackle slopes up to 40 percent.
This mower is loaded with features, including Bluetooth and cellular connectivity, Amazon Alexa, and Google Home compatibility, and GPS sensors to virtually map your lawn. The mobile app, Automower Connect, allows for remote control and customization of the mower’s settings, including zone control and real-time tracking. Other features include electric height adjustment, automatic passage handling, remote location starting, spiral and spot-cutting capabilities, wireless firmware updates, and theft protection with GPS tracking.
The installation process is straightforward, with a central guide wire running through the middle of the mowing area to help the mower navigate back to the home base. Initial programming is simple, and the onboard controls are easy to use. The app provides more customization options, including targeted mowing height and spiral mowing options. The targeted mowing option automatically lowers the cutting height each day until the desired height is reached, while the spiral mowing option detects dense growth and mows that area in a spiral pattern.
In our testing, the mower was able to handle an irregularly shaped 1,200 square foot lawn with a steep slope. We noticed that the robot became more efficient with each mow, and after achieving the target height, daily mowing at 1.25 inches kept the grass looking great. The mower docked perfectly at the base station every time. The Husqvarna Automower 415X is an excellent choice for most small to midsize yards with warm-season lawn grass.
#9.Husqvarna Automower® 115H
Pros
- Suitable for up to 0.5 acres
- Solid battery life
- Great voice assistant compatibility
Cons
- A step down compared to more expensive Husqvarna models
The device in question is a trustworthy option for maintaining lawns that are approximately half an acre or smaller, with slopes of 22 degrees or less and grass no higher than 2.4 inches. It comes with a smartphone app and an LCD panel for easy customization of controls. Its battery can last for slightly over an hour after each use.
Furthermore, this mower can easily integrate with Google Assistant and Alexa. This feature allows you to give specific commands such as starting, stopping, pausing, or parking the mower, scheduling your lawn care, and more.
How we tested the robotic lawn mowers
When testing these robot lawn mowers, our experts consider a range of variables including price, size, cutting lengths, battery life, and security, along with how easy the models are to install and programme.
Once installed, our experts assessed the lawn mowers depending on how well they maneuvered around obstacles, dealt with slopes and if any corners or areas of the lawn were missed.
When the test is complete, each machine is rated out of five stars and the robotic lawn mowers that really impress our experts are awarded Best Buy status. Each review is broken down into concise pros and cons lists to help you decide which lawn mower is best for your garden.
How Does a Robotic Lawn Mower Work?
A couple of decades ago, owning a robot that mowed the lawn might have sounded like a science fiction fantasy. Now sales of autonomous mowers continue to climb as technology advances, and these luxury items become more affordable for middle-class buyers.
Robotic lawn mowers use technology very similar to the increasingly popular robotic vacuum cleaners. Most mowers require the user to install boundary wire around the perimeter of the lawn. This ensures that the mower will avoid areas you do not want it to mow, such as flower beds. The robot mower cuts the grass randomly, stopping and turning around each time it comes against the boundary wire.
While the random cutting pattern of a robot mower may seem inefficient, it creates a uniform look free of the stripes left by traditional mowers.The mower will mow the grass either until it has cut the whole yard or until it runs out of battery. When the battery life is close to depleting, the mower will return to its charging base. Most mowers will automatically resume mowing the lawn once it is fully charged.
You should choose a mower with a mowing area close to the size of your yard. If you have an acre of lawn and you buy a mower with a mowing area of .2 acres, the mower will not be able to cut your whole yard. On the flip side, if you have a .2 acre lawn and buy a mower with a mowing area of one acre, you will probably be paying much more than you need for an adequate mower.
What to Consider When Choosing the Best 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 robot mower, 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 a quarter of an acre, or about 11,000 square feet. Midsize robot lawn mowers cut up to half an acre, or about 22,000 square feet. Large robot lawn mowers can cut up to 1 acre, or 43,560 square feet, or more.
Factors that affect how much space a robot lawn 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; irregular lawn shapes; and 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 multi-zone 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 GFCI 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 robot lawn mower 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 non-grass 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 the user’s 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 personal identification number (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 robot 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 users 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 life span, so the mower and its docking station should both be stored indoors in the winter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do robot lawn mowers really work?
Yes. Keep in mind that a robotic mower may not offer the same power and features as a traditional push mower, gas- or electric-start-powered. The cutting blade and cutting width will also impact performance (more on this below). That being said, the results are clear as day. A robot mower will definitely give your lawn the clean-cut it deserves, with end results just as good as a traditional mowing job — as long as you use it regularly, once every day or two, and keep the blades sharpened.[1]Do Robotic Lawn Mowers Really Work?
How much does a robot lawn mower cost?
On average you can expect to spend about $1,500 for an electric mower. Basic models can go for anywhere from $200 to $600, while premium mowers can go for as much as $5,000 (or more).
How do robot lawn mowers work?
Most robot mowers run off a rechargeable battery pack that keeps the mower cutting for a few hours at a time. Equipped with adjustable cutting blades and features like rain sensors and anti-theft pins, a robot mower can typically be controlled by a keypad on the mower, with many brands offering remote control via the app.
Do robotic lawn mowers have bags?
No. Robot mowers don’t need bags because they mulch the grass while cutting. The clippings are deposited back on your lawn to work as fertilizer. This is another reason it’s important to use a robot mower very frequently, so there’s no danger of unsightly clippings or internal blockages developing.
Can I use a robot lawn mower while it rains?
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.
Why is a rain sensor important on a robot lawn mower?
Many automated lawn mowers can work in the rain, but it’s not as good for the mower, and grass doesn’t cut as well when it’s wet. Rain sensors on the top of the mower can detect water and send the mower back to its (presumably covered) charging station. This reduces the risk of a short or malfunction due to rain. It’s also a good idea to schedule your mowing sessions far away from irrigation sessions.
How often do the blades of a robot lawn mower need sharpening?
Robot mowers use smaller blades, which work harder than larger mower blades and will dull faster. You can sharpen these blades with something like a kitchen knife sharpener, but the common approach is to replace the blades entirely. A compromise is to keep a couple of sets of blades and switch them back and forth, sharpening the extra set each time. It’s recommended you replace the blades every two months or so during cutting season.
Why is it important to create a cutting schedule for your robot lawn mower?
Robot mowers don’t work well with high grass. They are designed to make very frequent, short cuts to a lawn. It’s important to schedule your mower to work every day or every other day so the grass doesn’t get too long for the mower to handle.
What is a robot mower?
A robot mower is a device that operates in a way similar to a robot vacuum or mop. It uses guidewires to determine boundaries or mowing paths and a base station for charging and often will have a companion app for monitoring battery levels and scheduling mow sessions. Robot mowers work with GPS technology to map your yard to detect narrow paths and objects and to improve its algorithm for more efficient mowing. And just like robot vacuums and mops, a robot mower will run in randomized patterns, so you won’t get that clean-line look that you would with a riding or push mower. However, they also will mow much more often, ensuring that every part of your lawn has a consistent cut.[2]Robotic lawn mower
How long will my robotic mower last?
The first major part that you will need to replace is your mower’s battery., which will typically last about two to three years. Any other parts, like the blades or wheels, are replaceable, so in theory, your robotic mower could last as long as 20 years. In practice, your new robotic mower should last at least ten years.[3]How long do robotic lawn mowers last?
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