I’ve compared the top robotic lawn mowers, and these are the models that keep your lawn perfect with almost no effort
When mowing begins in earnest, many of us consider upgrading our old lawnmower for a new one, but have you considered robotic mowers
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When lawn mowing begins in earnest, many of us consider upgrading our old lawnmower for a new one. But have you considered a robotic mower?
The obvious benefit of robotic mowers as one of the best lawnmower options for your garden is that they do the hard work of lawn mowing for you, and if it’s a thick and healthy lawn that you are after, a robotic lawn mower really can make all the difference, as they can go out daily in all weathers and cut just a few millimetres of growth each time, resulting in a verdant and luscious lawn.
The other huge benefit a robotic mower brings is that they are very environmentally friendly. Battery powered, there are no emissions or petrol fumes, and if your electricity comes from a green supplier, that means they’re very sustainable to run. To take the hard work out of choosing one, we’ve rounded up some of the leading robotic mowers on the market so you can decide on the best one for your garden.
What to consider when buying a robotic lawn mower
All the major mower manufacturers now include robotic mowers in their range. When they first arrived on the scene, robotic mowers did seem quite expensive compared to conventional push mowers, but there are plenty of budget-friendly models available now, as well as those at the top-of-the-range.
Choice of model depends on the size of lawn that needs to be covered: the smallest robotic mowers usually cover areas around 400-500 square metres, while some of the largest top-of-the-range models, such as Kress’s range of Mega Mowers, will cope with lawns as large as 24,000 square metres. Some models are better equipped to deal with slopes, too.
Achieving a healthy lawn all year round has never been easier. There will be some initial set-up – until quite recently, most robotic mowers used a perimeter wire around the edge of the lawn area to sense where they can mow up to – and you will need to install its docking station, where it heads to recharge. Now, however, the newest robotic mower models use GPS technology to map the boundaries of the lawn, meaning there’s no need for the perimeter wire. You can sit back and let your new robotic friend do the work, or go on holiday with no worries about the state of the lawn when you return. Most can also be controlled via apps on your smartphone, so you can adjust your mowing programme wherever you are.
The best robotic lawn mowers
Designed for small to medium lawns, this is a compact robotic lawn mower that will helpfully adapt its schedule based on the weather to ensure a perfect cut every time. It’s not overly ‘techy’, LED indications guide rather than lots of complex programming, but there is a helpful Bluetooth app to troubleshoot or set schedules yourself. It also features quiet mowing options, which your neighbours will appreciate as much as you will.
This robotic lawn mower has been made for tricky terrain, boasting a navigation system that means it can adeptly cope with mowing under trees and in darkness, scaling up to 29° slopes. The mapping system is simple to use, too, with a one-click system to keep things quick. The 100 W peak-power motor delivers a brilliant cut with the 6-blade cutting disc.
With TrueMapping technology, the GOAT O600 RTK can detect and then remember the boundaries in your garden, as well as avoid obstacles, for an uninterrupted mowing experience. It also effortlessly navigates paths that are as tight as 0.7m, so this is a brilliant choice for gardens with awkward nooks and crannies.
For better or for worse, AI is everywhere, and robotic lawnmowers are no exception, including this Bosch VisiMow, which uses artificial intelligence to detect grass to ensure every blade is reached. Another nifty USP of this model is that the unit is hose-washable, which makes it seamless to clean.
If you have a more complicated garden layout, search no further than the Husqvarna Automower® 305. It can cope with slopes of 40%, as well as featuring a systematic mowing mode to reduce turns in tight spaces. It has a weather timer too, so that you can adjust cutting times to the seasons and weather patterns.
The eufy robot lawn mower uses cameras and AI algorithms to map your lawn (note that the maximum mapping area is 800 m²). If you have a flat lawn, this is a great option that has a coverage detection system so that the edges of your lawn still get a flawless cut.
One of the better value robotic lawn mowers out there, this LawnMaster model caters to lawns up to 150m2 and has a long run time of 240 minutes, with only 1 hour recharge time. It has five different cutting heights ranging from 2cm-6cm.
One of the brilliant features of the MAMMOTION LUBA mini 2 is that it has 1000㎡ Auto Mapping & Cloud Backup, which means that up to 10 laws can be mapped, so if you want to share your machine with other family members, it will learn their gardens as well as yours.
The Mac Allister robotic mower boasts a mulching feature that feeds the tiny grass clippings back to your lawn, which returns nitrogen and other essential nutrients into the soil, resulting in healthier grass, which is a superb USP.
If it’s an immaculate stripey lawn that you are after, edging your lawn is just as important as mowing it. Invest in lawn edging tools like the Bosch electric grass trimmer from Amazon, or the Wilkinson Sword edging shear from Amazon, which is designed to reduce strain on your back but still achieve sharply cut lawn edges. It may seem counterintuitive, but feeding your lawn with the best lawn feed is also vital for ensuring healthy grass that can withstand a mower cut.
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