If you’re short on time, a robot mower is a quick and convenient way to keep your lawn looking pristine. When searching for one of the best robot lawn mowers, factor in the size of your yard so you can find one with an appropriate range. Don’t forget to consider any changes in level too. Some robots are designed for mostly flat surfaces, while others can handle slopes. Worried about it going off course? When you use your mower for the first time, you can set up boundary lines so it knows exactly where it’s going. Simply program the mower from your phone and watch it get to work. This means you’ll have more time for your favorite gardening jobs or just to sit back and relax. If you’re concerned about potential hazards you’ll be reassured to know that many of the best robot lawn mowers have been designed with safety in mind. Common features include bumper sensors which alert the mower if there’s something in the way. This triggers automatic shut-off which stops the blades. You can also find nifty features like GPS tracking so you can keep tabs on your robot mower even in a large space. The best robot lawn mowers help keep your lawn pristine with none of the hassle. It’s not surprising that they’re more expensive than your average mower given they’re designed to make your life easier. If you’re looking for a way to keep on top of your lawn for a fraction of the price then check out our guide to the best cheap lawnmower deals. Want to keep the rest of your yard tidy? Why not check out our guide to the best lawn edgers (opens in new tab) or the best electric weed eaters (opens in new tab). For now, our round-up includes the best lawn mowers to take the chore out of lawn maintenance. We’ve included top brands like MowRo, Worx, Husqvarna and more.
1. Husqvarna Automower 315X: Best robot lawn mower overall
The Husqvarna Automower 315X is our top pick of the best robot lawn mowers as its packed full of features. As you would expect from the Swedish manufacturer, this X-line model is loaded with all the features any robotic lawn mower could need. This includes a GPS tracking system, LED headlights, and its own app: Automower Connect. It also has voice control, a spot cutting mode, and anti-theft features. The Husqvarna Automower 315X is one of the smallest in the brand’s X-line series. But its small size doesn’t mean it has a small capacity. It can cut large gardens up to 1,600m2, plus handle inclines of up to 40% – which is pretty steep! But all these amazing functions means the model carries a steep price tag. It’s worth noting that this is the most expensive model in our line-up, costing around $2,500. You can find some great other robotic lawn mowers for cheaper, but the price won’t include all the added extras you get with the Husqvarna Automower 315X, like the installation of the boundary wires or LED headlights.
Read our Husqvarna Automower 315X review (opens in new tab)
2. MowRo RM24A: Best affordable robot lawn mower
The MowRo RM24A is the cheapest lawn mower in this guide at $900 but handles the steep inclines (up to 30 degrees). It might not have all the fancy high-tech features other robotic lawn mowers come with, but it does ensure your lawn is consistently cut using its 48-hour cycle. You could say safety is of the MowRo RM24A’s best features. It has three blades which are tucked away in a protective Mowing Blade Guard. This guard allows grass to pass through but protects against foreign objects. It also has a bump sensor and automatic safety sensors which means the MowRo will reverse and stop the blades if it comes into contact with anything other than grass. Performance-wise, the MowRo RM24A robotic lawn mower takes 90 minutes to charge fully and can cut for two hours. You can also set a custom cutting height anywhere from 1 inch to 2.5 inches. If you have a medium-sized lawn with some slopes to it, this is the best robot lawn mower for you.
Read our MowRo RM24A review (opens in new tab)
3. Worx WR153 Landroid Robotic Mower: Best robot lawn mower for large gardens
The Worx WR153 is a great choice if you’ve got a medium or large-sized lawn. Thanks to its clever AIA intelligent navigation technology, this robot mower can cut narrow passageways with ease. Because this robot mower is smart-enabled, you’ll be able to set it to work via your phone using the app. The Worx WR153 doesn’t mow in straight lines, but instead, works its way across your grass using a zig-zag motion so that the grass is evened out and looks uniform. Suitable for gardens up to half an acre, this Worx robot mower is also fitted with safety features which mean the blades stop if the mower is picked up or tilted off the floor - great for if you have animals or small children. One fault we did find with this mower, however, is that it’s not great for reaching right to the edges of the lawn.
Read our Worx WR153 Landroid Robotic Mower review (opens in new tab)
4. GARDENA 15201-41 SILENO Minimo: Best quiet robot lawn mower
One of the quietest robot lawnmowers on the market, the Gardena 15201-41 is great for those who spend ample time in their yard. It operates at 57dB which is quieter than their old model, and less than the noise level of a normal conversation. This new model also features the upgrade of a Bluetooth-controlled app, so you can now configure the settings and auto-schedule from your mobile phone - great if you want to adjust your lawn mower from the comfort of your couch. It’s worth noting, however, that this only works from a radius of up to 10m, so it can’t be controlled while on vacation. It’s also versatile for use in all different weather conditions. It keeps mowing come rain or shine and can navigate slopes of up to 35 percent, so you can rest easy knowing that it won’t run into any problems. Collision settings also ensure that it avoids any furniture or toys, preventing damage to itself and your belongings. With a run time of 65 minutes and automatic charging, it can run with virtually no human assistance which is a win for keeping on top of your lawn with minimal effort.
5. Worx WR140 Landroid M 20V: Best robot lawn mower for small lawns
If you are looking for the best robot lawn mower for small lawns that have narrow passageways, you’ll find it in the Worx WR140 Landroid M 20V. That’s because the small device comes with patented AIA technology. This tech enables it to manoeuvre around narrow passageways with a minimum width of 60cm. This robot lawn mower also doesn’t cut grass in straight lines, but instead, cuts the grass in a zig-zag motion so that the lawn is nice and even. Because of this motion, Worx also claims it can cut your 30% faster than other robot mowers. The Worx WR140 Landroid M 20V robot lawn mower is also ideal for cutting right up to the edge of flower beds and borders thanks to its 7-inch offset blade. This blade is positioned towards the side of the device meaning that there is less tidying up of the borders for you to do. With a typical mow time of 50 minutes and a cutting capacity of up to 700m2), the Worx WR140 Landroid is a great option if you have a small lawn with a little incline to it.
Read our Worx WR140 Landroid M 20V Robotic Lawn Mower review (opens in new tab)
How to choose a good robot lawn mower
First of all, you’ll want to factor in the area you want your robot lawn mower to tackle. Most devices can handle around 0.25 to 0.3 acres, ideal for small to medium size lawns. If you have a bigger plot you may want to consider one with an extended range. Our top pick can mow up to 0.4 acres. Another consideration is whether you’ll need a mower that can handle inclines. This is important if you have a hilly yard as you’ll want one that can make light-work of slopes. Out of the mowers we reviewed, there was a range of between 22 and 30 degrees. The dealers we spoke to say they’ve seen some mowers handle bigger slopes, including up to 45 degrees. With the best robot lawn mowers, a great perk is that you don’t need to remember to charge them. The mower will return to its base when it needs a top-up so you may not even notice. Even so, it’s worth considering the length of time to charge and how long the machine can run with a full battery. Our top picks last about an hour on a full charge and take slightly longer than that to recharge completely. While it may not have much impact on your experience, it gives you an indication of whether the machine is well designed. Multi-zone capability Looking to mow more than one space? You’ll need a mower with multi-zone capability. This applies if you want to mow a front lawn and back lawn that are not directly connected. The robot views these as separate zones so look out for one with multi-zone capabilities. This means you can program the mower to remember more than one set of boundaries. You’ll find that most multi-zone robot mowers can cover between two or four zones which should be sufficient for most households. Programmable Looking for the ultimate convenience? You’ll want to choose a mower you can schedule to run on particular days at specific times. This saves you the faff of having to remember to set the robot lawn mower to work. Consider how you’ll want to program the device. With some robot lawn mowers, you do this from the base while you can set other models remotely over a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connection. Advanced features While all robot lawn mowers offer convenience, some models have additional premium features that give them the edge over the competition. If you have a large yard, a model with GPS might be a good choice so you can track its progress. You could also easily trace the mower if it was stolen so there’s no need to worry about it. If you want to take convenience to the next level, why not consider a robot lawn mower that you control via an app? Some models allow you to control, configure and monitor the robot remotely via a mobile app so the robot doesn’t even need to be in sight. Another handy feature is rain-detection technology, ideal in a wetter climate. Thanks to this clever tech, the mower can tell when it’s too wet to mow. You can even find some models which are designed to continue mowing during a shower.
What warranties do robot lawn mowers come with?
Worried about reliability? You’ll want to prioritize a good warranty so you can put your mind at rest. The best robot lawn mowers are an investment so this is especially important as you’ll want it to last. Our round-up includes models with a range of warranties. Typically, the more expensive models come with a better warranty, so there’s a trade-off between saving money and having peace of mind. In our review, the warranties range between one and five years. The length of the warranty can also give you a sense of whether the manufacturer considers the robot is built to last.
Which is the best robot lawn mower for small gardens?
If you have an outdoor space that’s on the smaller side you’re probably looking for a robot mower that’s more specialized in tidying up corners. If that is the case, then the model that you should primarily be looking at is the Gardena 4069 R80Li. This quiet, well-designed robot lawn mower is ideal for tackling the complexities of smaller spaces, as well as providing top-tier cutting results. The Gardena 4069 R80Li is ideal for keeping on top of your smaller garden all on its own, with a sensor that can detect how quickly your lawn is growing and how frequently it needs a trim. It also only takes 50 minutes to charge up, meaning even if it can’t manage your whole garden in one session, it can easily be charged up before it’s sent out for another mow.
