Interested in a Robot Mower for Your Lawn? Here’s What You Should Know

Grassy mulch. Your robotic lawn guy won’t be dragging a bag around. Instead, the mower cuts grass into small, fine clippings to decompose, allowing nutrients to return to the soil.

The mowers merely trim the top of the grass instead of giving it a big haircut. That’s why they work every day or every other day to stay on top of the job.

Take lawn size, shape, hills into account

Before you buy a robo-mower, consider what kind of yard you have, Rodriguez says.

“All robot lawn mowers have a maximum yard size they can mow, so you want to make sure the model you buy can cover the entire area,” he says. One robo-mower does the work; they can’t be choreographed to cut together in the same space.

Assess your needs in the front, back and side yards to find a solution that can handle those areas. The mowers run about $700 up to $3,000, and higher-priced models can handle larger properties, more complicated lawns and steeper slopes.

For example, Robomow says mowers such as its RK4000 PRO model can handle uneven terrain and slopes up to 45 percent; Husqvarna’s Automower machines, 435X AWD (all-wheel drive) and 535 AWD, can tackle slopes up to 70 percent, nearly 35 degrees. Another brand, Mammotion, claims its AWD model, the LUBA 2 AWD 10000, can handle a slope up to more than 75 percent, or 38 degrees.

Residential models typically can cut 0.2 to 1.25 acres. Some can trim up to 2.5 acres, about 10,000 square meters. If you have more land, a professional lawn service or riding mower may be a better option.

Part of the decision will be your comfort with the app

The simplicity of the software may be just as consequential for users as a mower’s hardware, says Lance Ulanoff, editor at large of the digital publication TechRadar.

“Along with accuracy of its mapping technology, the companion app’s ease of use is a very important consideration,” he says. Some mowers are “smarter” than others, so you’ll be less reliant on the app.

If a robot can detect rain, you won’t need to manually reschedule a cut. They’re designed to work in wet weather but are much more efficient when grass is dry.

“They’d better be rugged to withstand the elements,” Ulanoff says.

You can set mowing times by the season, configure settings and view your lawn’s cutting history. Some apps show an overhead view of your garden for you to map out a specific route.

“Also, consider how much effort you’re willing to put into the setup process,” Rodriguez says. “Some [machines] are much more involved than others.”

Think about these extra features, maintenance

GPS adds expense. If you want to avoid perimeter wires, keep in mind that GPS models can cost more. And GPS needs need clear sight to the sky.

Features discourage sticky fingers. Depending on the size you choose, the mowers can weigh 20 to 50 pounds, easy for a porch pirate to nab in mid-cut. Anti-theft features, such as a loud alarm and app-based tracking capabilities, are often included.

Think about battery power. More expensive mowers have lithium-ion batteries that recharge thousands of times. If a mower runs for 90 minutes, it will need 60 to 120 minutes to recharge.

Check with the manufacturer to see how long it will stock the batteries and how much their replacements cost. Expect batteries to last up to five years, depending on environmental conditions, how often you use the mower and where it is stored when not in use.

Parts wear out. Like a gas-powered mower, replacement blades and other parts can wear down during everyday use, Rodriguez says. With regular maintenance, expect a robot mower to last about 10 years.