Considering investing in a robot lawnmower but don’t know your boundary wire from your base station? Don’t panic.
We’ve taken a closer look at the newest models to help you determine which is the best fit for your lawn, whether you’re an urbanite with a square-shaped garden or the proud owner of a Downton Abbey-worthy pasture that desperately needs whipping into shape.
First things first. Robot lawnmowers aren’t the kind of thing you’ll casually drop into your trolley during a visit to your local garden centre. You’ll struggle to find one for under £500 and many cost over £2,000. But there’s a reason for the high price tags.
These lean, mean grass-slashing machines, most of which work in conjunction with apps, won’t just keep your lawn in check by trimming the grass but by relying on Bluetooth and GPS, detecting weather conditions to work out optimal mowing times, and knowing when to return to their charging bases for quick battery boosts.
While it’s not possible to provide an all-encompassing guide to every mower we’ve included (as shown by the Bible-like user manuals which came with many of the models we tested), we’ve focused on their main selling points, as well as the ease in which they can be set up.
Typically, you’ll need to use pegs to lay down a boundary wire, which acts as a perimeter outline for the mower. The two ends of this line will plug into the mower’s base (the “home” to which it returns when it needs to charge). When mowers map the area – the first thing they will do – they rely on this boundary wire. However, some mowers come with a second wire, known as a guide wire. This will extend, in a straight line, from the mower’s charging base across the centre of the area to be mowed. When the mower has finished its mapping or mowing, it will find this wire and use it to return to its base.
- Don’t be intimidated by the set-up process. We set up every one of the mowers below ourselves in under 20 minutes (after they’d been charged).
- The beauty of robot mowing is that once this has been done, it’s done, and making any necessary tweaks, such as changes to the perimeter, or to mowing schedules, is a breeze.
After rigorous testing, we can determine that these are the factors worth paying attention to:
- Traction – if your garden’s got more inclines than a Welsh valley, you’ll need a mower to match
- Layout – if your lawn has an irregular shape, a more intuitive mower might well do the best job
- Ease in which you can tweak parameters like blade height and programme mowing schedules.
Best robot lawn mowers at a glance
How long do robot mowers last before they need charging?
Robot mowers typically last between 60 to 90 minutes on a full charge, depending on the model and the size of your lawn. After this, they automatically return to their charging station to recharge before continuing their task.
Do robot mowers cut to the edge?
Most robot mowers are designed to cut near the edges of your lawn, but not all models can get right up to the boundary. Some advanced versions come with a smaller cutting width or additional sensors to improve edge cutting, but you may still need to trim certain areas manually.
Can robot mowers cut wet grass?
While robot mowers can technically cut wet grass, it is generally not recommended. Wet grass can clog the mower’s blades and result in uneven cutting. Additionally, cutting wet grass may affect the mower’s performance and cause it to require more frequent maintenance.
How do I clean a robot mower?
To clean a robot mower, start by turning off the device and removing it from its charging station. Use a brush or cloth to remove grass clippings and debris from the blades, wheels, and underside of the mower. For a more thorough cleaning, you can rinse off the mower with water, making sure to dry it thoroughly before storing it.
See our pick of the best here