Mowers I’m Trying Right Now
We’re into the new mowing season here, so I haven’t tested these new robotic mowers enough to make a full recommendation, but here are my impressions so far.
Photo: Simon Hill
Mammotion Luba 3 AWD for $2,399: If this robotic mower continues to perform as well as it did in its first week, it will earn a spot at the top. It’s expensive, but the Mammotion Luba 3 AWD can handle rough terrain and steep slopes, and it combines three technologies (GPS, LiDAR, and AI vision) to ensure it can cut large grass even where there may be tree cover or other unsuitable areas. It boasts quiet performance, efficient pathfinding, and a smooth finish. Avoiding obstacles is solid, and works well around edges. I also appreciate the option of manual cutting, allowing you to cut any problem areas with remote software control.
Husqvarna Aspire R6V for £999: I enjoyed testing this new robotic mower from Husqvarna because it’s more affordable than most of its models, including our top pick, and it doesn’t require a separate antenna for satellite connectivity. It uses a combination of GPS and AI vision with a front camera. It was easy to set up and map to the app, but you’ll need a good Wi-Fi signal in your yard for it to work effectively. So far, I’ve been a little disappointed in avoiding sensitive obstacles, as it has been leaving large uncut pieces at the edges of my lawn. But I would like to play around and try for a little longer before I make a final decision. This model also seems to be only available in the UK at the moment. I am waiting to hear about a similar US copy.
In my queue, after these two mowers, I have Mova LiDAX Ultra 1000 and Anthbot M9.
Another Robot Machine We Love
Eufy Robot Lawn Mower E15 for $2,300: This is another cordless mower, but instead of relying on satellite navigation, it uses a camera system to automatically position the lawn and avoid obstacles. It can cover up to 0.2 acres (8,700 square feet), mow from 1 to 3 inches, and handle slopes up to 18 degrees. It’s also fairly quiet and has GPS tracking, but you must have Wi-Fi in your backyard, or you’ll need a 4G data subscription. I found the setup to be long due to the firmware download, but the mapping and first cut was great. E15 can only run during the day, and does not cope very well with direction. I also noticed it frequently failed to cut the edges of the lawn and didn’t work as well if the grass was wet. I wouldn’t recommend it at full price, but it seems to get deep discounts from time to time.
Avoid These Machines
EcoFlow Blade for £1,849: Although it was easy to keep and mow my lawn properly without the need for any boundary wire, EcoFlow Blade (6/10, WIRE Review) sometimes it struggled with GPS navigation and ended up stuck in a flower bed. It also left an untouched strip around the edge of my lawn. Object avoidance was solid, and can be automated in the app, although it occasionally failed to initiate a scheduled cut for me. EcoFlow seems to have discontinued this model, although it is still sold in Europe. Probably best to avoid it.
Yardcare E400 for $370: Curious about the budget end of the robotic mower market, I agreed to try the Yardcare E400, but this mower was an unmitigated disaster from start to finish. It’s an example of a boundary wire, so you have to run the wire around the area you want to cut. Yardcare suggests it can cover up to 4,300 square feet and cut grass between 0.8 and 2.4 inches. The problem is that it crashes frequently and struggles to even get in and out of its charging station reliably. After trying many fixes without success and going through customer support, I had to conclude that this model has a serious design flaw.
How do robotic lawn mowers work?
Perhaps on the contrary, your robotic lawnmower’s setup instructions will tell you to start by mowing the lawn. Robotic mowers often cannot cope with tall grass. Unlike traditional mowers, these robots do not collect grass clippings; they mulch instead, and they are designed to cut regularly, make your lawn short and leave only cuttings on the ground, which can also improve lawn health. Most robotic harvesters are designed to work two or three times a week during the growing season (from late spring to early fall).
They have rechargeable batteries on board and can last from half an hour to several hours on a full charge. They return to the charging base and automatically recharge when their power runs low. Most mowers have simple controls, a small display, and an emergency stop button. You can generally start and stop mowing, set schedules, and create or edit planned areas using on-board controls or a mobile app, such as a robot vacuum.
What Features Should I Look for in a Robotic Cutter?
There are many aspects of a robotic lawnmower to consider, and the best choice for you depends on what your yard is like.
Lawn Size and Shape
Robotic lawn mowers are generally rated to cover a specific square footage, with wider coverage requiring models with larger batteries. Besides yard size, you should consider the shape and topography of your lawn, as most robotic lawnmowers will struggle with steep slopes. Although you can often map out different areas so that your robotic lawnmower can mow the lawn in front and back, for example, it will generally require you to lift and carry it between those areas. If you have an uneven garden or steep slopes, you should look for a four-wheel drive (4WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD) mower and check the manufacturer’s slope rating.
Type of Navigation
There are a few types of navigation that robotic lawnmowers use. We’ve tested five different techniques, although some mowers combine multiple technologies for optimal performance:
- Satellite: Often using something called a Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) Global Positioning System (GPS), these mowers require satellite signals to navigate and will have a receiver that must be positioned with a clear line of sight in space. Satellite navigation mowers are not suitable for wooded areas or buildings.
- Light and Color Detection (LiDAR): This technology sends fast laser pulses to a 3D map of the area (also used by self-driving cars). It enables lawnmowers to cut grass under thick canopy of trees or near tall buildings where GPS signals usually fail.
- Camera: Camera and internal AI are used to detect and avoid obstacles. AI vision can automatically set locations and mow the lawn while avoiding obstacles it encounters, such as multiple robot vacuums going through the house to clean the floor.
- Wire border: These mowers require you to place a perimeter wire as a boundary around your lawn that marks the cutting boundary should not be crossed. It is messy work that can be difficult.
- Remote control: You mow your lawn from the comfort of your home using a remote control or an app on your phone. Some work only through remote control, while others can also cut automatically.
Power and Charging
Robotic mowers generally come with large charging points, and you’ll need to mark the area that’s right for you. They usually have lots of weatherproof cabinets, but you’ll have to find a way for an outdoor socket.
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
To connect to your mower and schedule a cut, update the firmware, or remotely control it while it’s in use, you need a Wi-Fi signal or Bluetooth connection. It is best to set up a charging station for your mower within range of your Wi-Fi network. Some mowers also require a strong Wi-Fi signal to work effectively, so you may want to consider adding one external mesh router. If you want to connect your phone via Bluetooth, you have to be very close.
How Loud Are Robot Cutters?
Most robotic mowers are quieter than their traditional counterparts, and you can expect them to operate at about 55 decibels, although they can go as high as 75 decibels. We tested battery-only mowers, but expect gas mowers to be louder. Although operation is mostly quiet, I noticed that several extractors made annoying noises during backups or had a loud sound recorded during setup or after receiving commands.
Do robotic lawnmowers work in any weather?
Robotic mowers and their charging stations are usually IP-rated and can withstand rain, but you should pack them up and bring your machine indoors during the colder months. Robotic mowers have some kind of rain sensor and will stop mowing when the humidity is high. Some mowers may need to be stopped manually. The wheels can tear up your grass and become muddy if the mowers are kept running in the rain, especially on larger and heavier models.
What? How Good Are Cutting Robots?
Different sized mowers will have different cutting widths, indicating the width of the strip they can cut per pass. Many also have floating cutting decks that allow you to select the desired length of grass (usually 1 to 3 inches). Many robotic lawnmowers seem to have trouble mowing lawn edges, especially if there is a wall or fence preventing them from getting close enough.
It is common to find uncut edges at the edge of your lawn, so you may need to remove the string trimmer from time to time. Every robotic lawnmower I’ve tested has also struggled to mow the area around the charging station, so I recommend placing the unit on a deck or pavement if possible.
Can I Install the Robot Device Myself?
Yes, most robotic lawnmowers can be installed by anyone, but you may want to set aside an afternoon to work out any kinks. Finding the perfect receiver location for a satellite dish can be tricky. The mapping process can also take time; usually, it prompts you to remotely control your machine’s cutter near the border you want to set. After the first mow, you should check its performance and make tweaks to make sure it covers the entire area you want to mow.
How I test robotic lawn mowers
I test each robotic lawnmower for at least a month, on at least two different lawn areas, evaluating ease of setup, mapping process, automatic alignment (where available), navigation, obstacle avoidance, and final cut quality, looking for height, balance, and any missing marks. When necessary, I test additional features, adjust settings in the software, and check how the mower handles different weather conditions. I also look at battery performance and charging time to make sure it matches the manufacturer’s claims.
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