Robot lawn mowers used to be the preserve of affluent gardeners with acres of grass – but not any more! There are now models tailormade for smaller lawns and tighter budgets, bringing all the advantages of these clever little machines into the reaches of us modern gardeners.
While it’s still a major purchase, a robo-mower will pay back the investment in units of time – but that’s not the only reason to buy. Regular mowing is the single most important aspect of lawn care to achieve the lushest swathe. And while you won’t want to be pushing a lawn mower or dragging a cordless strimmer around that often yourself, a robot lawn mower embraces this little-and-often approach, leaving your lawn looking its very best.
Best robot lawn mowers at a glance:
• Best for complex gardens: Gardena SILENO Minimo 250 - View on TooledUp
• Best robot lawn mower for app compatibility: Worx Landroid M500+ WR165E - View on Amazon UK
• Best for small gardens: Flymo EasiLife 350 Robotic Lawn Mower - view on Amazon UK
The benefits of a robot lawn mower are fairly obvious. They free you from cutting grass yourself, and this may be worth its weight in gold if lawn mowing is a task you loathe even more than cleaning the bathroom. You don’t have to collect the clippings with a robot lawn mower either because the robot lawn mowers discard them finely as useful mulch. At Modern Gardens, we've taken a look at robot lawn mowers, how they work, if they are worth your investment, and which models are best.
Modern Gardens' favourite robot lawn mower models
Best for complex gardens
www.tooled-up.com
For complex or feature gardens, we recommend the Gardena Sileno Minimo 250. What we like about the Silena Minimo 250 is its ability to navigate tricky-shaped lawns and narrow passages. It will work in narrow areas of down to 60cm. Like the McCulloch robot mower, the Silena Minimo 250 has a control panel on the machine. However, this Gardena is mostly controlled by the app. There are a number of useful touches on this model that we like. One of these is the frost sensor that will pause any mowing set during near-freezing temperatures in order to protect the lawn. Granted, you don't send the mower out in the depths of winter but surprise frost does strike in spring.
Customer review: “This robotic lawnmower takes some setting up - It isn't as simple as unboxing it and letting it whizz off to do the whole lawn for you. But once you have gone through the process and it has an understanding of your layout and where its base is, we found ourselves really appreciating how much effort it relieves old dad. The family are really happy with this, and Dad appreciates the hell out of it! He's amazed by it. Great Father's Day or birthday gift, also.”
Pros
- Straightforward controls
- Works in wet weather
Cons
- Tricky to set up
Best robot lawnmower for app compatibility
The Worx Landroid M500+ WR165E is a beast, weighing in at 16 kilos and being about 40cm in length and 56cm wide. There is a big range of Worx Landroid models, but this is our choice for convenience and a great app. You can set a PIN as a security measure. Connect the Landroid to your Wi-Fi router and measure the exact size of your lawn. The latter is done in the Landroid app using augmented reality, which is great fun. Though, it isn't cheap. Like the Gardena model, the M500+ is mostly programmed via the app.
Customer review: "It's been an absolute game-changer in terms of freeing up weekend time while leaving my lawn looking healthier in the process. It took about half a day to install properly and after that perhaps an additional half a day to fine-tune but now it just goes out and does its thing without intervention."
Pros
- Accessible and frees up a lot of time
- Auto-schedule
- Detects obstacles with a collision sensor
Cons
- Takes a while to install and fine-tune
Best for small gardens
The Flymo EasiLife 350 is a solid competitor to the Gardena Silena. The EasiLife 350 has a slightly larger cutting area but packs very similar features. It's about the same size, it's equally quiet, has frost sensors, a great app. However, it has the ability to tackle steeper slopes (up to 35 per cent) and the aforementioned larger cutting area. It's also much more orange if that's what you prefer.
However, it cannot match the Gardena’s ability to slip down narrow passages. It is entirely circumstantial as to whether that is important for you or not.
Customer review: “I love cutting the grass but a heavy workload, lack of free time available and the fact that we don't often get dry sunny days to cut grass up here in Scotland, meant that this was a great solution to maintaining our garden throughout the grass-growing seasons and although it comes at a cost - if it stands the test of time, it won’t take long for it to pay for itself.”
Pros
- Super quiet
- Can be scheduled
- Frost sensors
Cons
- You have to install a wire around the perimeter of the area
Best charge time
www.justlawnmowers.co.uk
The Cobra Mowbot mower is actually capable of covering a larger area than even the Worx unit. In addition, it also has the greatest range of cutting heights. As such, it represents the best value. Like the others, it is largely app-controlled and easy to program. However, the charge time of about 100 minutes is longer than the others and the run time of 60 minutes is no better.
Customer review: "Where the Mowbot shines, and indeed most robotic lawnmowers, is on reasonably flat ground. For any lawn that is steep or overly complex, the Mowbot does struggle. In terms of performance, it's a slow plodder that marches to its own, seemingly random method of covering ground. But the Mowbot does a wonderful job of keeping a lawn trimmed to a consistent length."
Pros
- App control
- Obstacle detection and a reliable performance
- Quiet operation
- Easy to monitor and control
Cons
- Needs flat ground
Best for virtual boundaries
www.mowwithus.com
Handling lawns up to 1,500m2, this smart cookie from Segway uses GPS technology to set its cutting area, so no need for any boundary wires. This Robotic Mower is controlled via an app, so mowing schedules can be set and altered remotely. With a maximum gradient of 45% and a choice of seven cutting heights, it’ll cope with a wide range of lawn conditions.
Pros
- Quiet operation
- Choice of seven cutting heights
- Blade safety system
Cons
- Sensors sold separately
Best for simple programming
www.wickes.co.uk
Designed to cut lawns up to 500m2, this compact mower has a push pad with simple LED indicators and smartphone control. Thanks to built-in LawnSense tech, cutting schedules automatically adapts to weather and growing conditions. The 150m guide wire allows you to set multiple starting points for mowing and optimised navigation prevents track marks.
Pros
- Suitable for lawns up to 500m2
- 5 cutting heights (20-50mm)
- Compatible with smartphone app
Cons
- No reviews yet
Best looking design
www.mowers-online.co.uk
This streamlined mower from Cobra is a winner with design lovers and is available in a choice of custom-finished shells, including this glossy midnight black. App-controlled and using razor-sharp blades for an ultra-precise cut, it’s capable of clipping lawns up to 800m2 and comes with 200m of perimeter wire. While it will cope with 20 per cent slopes, it’s best suited to level lawns. At 66 decibels it’s not the quietest, but who wouldn’t want to draw attention to this chic creature?!
Pros
- Built-in rain sensors
- Can be controlled by an app
Cons
- No reviews yet
Best for speedy set-up
www.ambrogio.co.uk
Sophisticated sensors including front, rear and lawn-edge drop means that this mower has no need for boundary wires. The Ambrogio L60 Elite S+ can navigate the most efficient cutting route on a lawn up to 400m2, avoiding obstacles such as trees, planters or beds. Sensors beneath the mower detect when the mower is over level patios or paths too. Four-wheel drive provides plenty of traction, coping with slopes up to 50%.
Pros
- Connect to the Ambrogio app through Bluetooth for even more convenience
- Simple to use
- Front and rear sensors
Cons
- Cutting area not as large as some on this list
Best for voice control capability
store.honda.co.uk
This top-tech design from Honda is Bluetooth compatible, operates off a Smart Timer that receives weather data, and – best of all – can be activated via Alexa. Working rain or shine, it will happily cut lawns up to 400m2 in 5m stripes and comes with 125m of boundary wire. The security features are pretty impressive too.
Pros
- Security features
- Bluetooth compatible
Cons
- Suggests using a lawnmower for the first cut of the season and then let Miimo take over
How do robot mowers work?
Robotic lawn mowers are powered by rechargeable batteries (usually lithium-ion) and use a charging station, dock or home that it returns to once it’s finished cutting or the battery is depleted and needs recharging. The charging station uses a mains electricity supply, so needs setting up within reach of a weatherproof power outlet.
It’s relatively quick and simple to get started, depending on the size and shape of your lawn and whether there are any obstacles to manoeuvre around. Most mowers are kept from straying by an electronic perimeter wire, unobtrusively laid around the lawn edge just under the surface of the turf. This also helps orientate the mower and guide it back to the charging station. A few of the latest models, such as the Segway H1500E above, use a virtual boundary that’s set up using an app.
To set up the mowing programme, most models have simple push-button controls and some can be customised remotely via a smartphone app or virtual assistant such as Alexa. You can then also get status updates, such as whether the mower is charging or cutting, even when you’re away from home.
You don’t need to worry about the clippings either. Because robot mowers cut the grass so regularly, the clippings can be left on the lawn as a mulch to return nutrients to the soil. Some mowers have fast or double blades that chop the clippings finely and, like a mulching mower, blow them down into the grass.
Most robotic lawn mowers come with all you need to install the mower and set it up, but do check what’s included, especially if your lawn isn’t a standard patch as you may need to purchase different accessories. You might even consider a robot lawn mower 'garage' to house it.
What to consider when buying a robot lawn mower:
• Lawn size. Robotic mowers have a maximum lawn size that they can easily cut without having to continually recharge. Don’t choose a small mower for a lawn larger than the maximum quoted; for a start, it may not come supplied with enough perimeter wire.
• Lawn finish. Faster blades give a finer cut, while double blades will chop the cut grass into a finer mulch that won’t be noticeable. Check to see what grass-cutting height options are available: most will offer heights from 3cm to 6cm in 1cm increments, but some offer a wider range of lengths or 5mm increments.
• Lawn shape and style. Some mowers are better than others at coping with sharp angles and oddly shaped nooks and crannies, likewise any bumps and hollows in the lawn.
• Slopes. Most can easily handle a gentle incline, but if your lawn steeply slopes, some models will happily tackle angles of up to 45°.
• Obstacles. Depending on the model, you may need to mark off any in-lawn permanent obstacles such as trees, sculptures and beds. If you’ve got lots of obstacles then it’s quicker to use a mower that uses a virtual boundary than one using a perimeter wire or one that relies on sensors to detect obstacles and automatically manoeuvre around them.
• Run time. Most lithium-ion batteries give 45-60 mins of cutting time from each full charge in as little as 30 mins. The output, measured in volts (V), is an indication of how powerful the battery is. The amp hour (Ah) rating refers to the amount of charge it holds, which affects how long it runs before it needs recharging. Some mowers remember where they left off before recharging and return to this position afterwards, which saves on power.
• Rainy days. Some higher-grade models can cut grass in wet conditions, but if your lawn is small, there’s no need for this option. Some have a rain sensor and return to their dock when the rain starts falling and resume when it stops.
• Lawn use. If you’ve got pets who use your lawn then an obstacle sensor is a must.
• Noise level. Some of the newer models are incredibly quiet, emitting nothing more than a satisfying hum.
• Security. If you’re worried about the mower being stolen, choose a model with built-in
anti-theft devices. These include alarms if the mower is moved outside of its perimeter boundary, security sensors, PIN codes and GPS tracking to monitor its location.
How to care for a robot lawn mower
Being designed specifically for outdoor use, robot lawn mowers are hardy and able to deal with adverse weather. However, in winter, when temperatures drop low, and lawn mowing is not required, it is best to store the robot lawn mower and the charging station in the garage or similar in order to protect it from harsh winter weather.
All the robot lawn mowers above can be cleaned easily with a hose on low pressure, not high pressure. You can also use a brush on the body and underside around the blade disc.
In terms of placement of the charging station, it needs to be on the edge of the lawn, somewhere as sheltered as possible.
What to read next:
Best electric lawn mower to make cutting grass straightforward
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Geoff Hodge is a freelance garden writer and editor for Modern Gardens magazine and various other national gardening magazines and websites. Previously, he was online editor for the Royal Horticultural Society. He has written eight gardening books, including five for the RHS.
This article also includes contributions from Jill Morgan. Jill Morgan writes regularly for Modern Gardens, and loves everything to do with gardens, plants and outdoor living. Her long thin, town garden is the setting for many family and creative projects from bird feeding and veggie growing to den building and mini-pond dipping.