10 Best Robot Lawn Mowers (Review) In 2021

Adrienne started her professional life as a gardener at her local parks department and went on to train at the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh where she was the first female student on the prestigious and world-renowned horticultural course run by the Botanic garden. An experienced and award-winning garden writer and past editor of some of Britain’s favourite gardening magazines, Adrienne has for over 30 years, inspired gardeners with a breadth of gardening know-how plus creative and decorative ideas. One of her main aims is to make gardening accessible, even to the smallest green fingers, with her clear advice and straightforward step-by-step instructions. Adrienne loves to travel and has visited, given talks and met ordinary home gardeners in far flung places like China, South Africa, Philippines and Caribbean as well as the UK.
- 1. Worx WR140 Landroid M Robot Lawn Mower
- 2. Husqvarna AUTOMOWER 315X Robotic Lawn Mower
- 3. Husqvarna Automower 115H Robotic Lawn Mower
- 4. Husqvarna AUTOMOWER 310 Robotic Lawn Mower
- 5. Robomow RX20 Battery Powered Mower
- 6. Robomow RS630 Battery Powered Robotic Lawn Mower
- 7. WORX WG794 Landroid Pre-Programmed Robotic Lawn Mower
- 8. Gardena 4077 R50Li Robotic Lawnmower
- 9. Husqvarna 967622505 Automower 430X Robotic Lawn Mower
- 10. Worx WR153 Landroid L 20V Power Robotic Lawn Mower
The Best Robot Lawn Mower
Ask any owner of a robotic lawn mower and they'll tell you it's one of the best investments they ever made! Not only do they save you a significant amount of time not using a cordless lawn mower & corded lawn mowers - giving you the freedom to enjoy other activities at the weekends - they save money too. Whilst the initial cost might seem quite high, it's good to know that the best robotic lawn mowers are very cost-efficient, requiring little in the way of maintenance and giving years of service. Far cheaper than a costly lawn service, a robot mower will quietly keep on working, giving you a beautiful lawn every single day. Bagging or raking grass clippings will become a thing of the past and you can feel confident that you are helping the environment too. Robot mowers are extremely quiet - far quieter than gas mowers - and since they run on electricity, they produce no harmful emissions. Read on to discover our picks for the best robotic lawn mower in several categories, along with guidance on the features to look for when making your purchase.
1. Worx WR140 Landroid M Robot Lawn Mower




Key Features
Cuts lawns up to 1/4 acre
5 cutting height adjustments
Wifi and app controlled
Features WORX Power Share, which uses the same battery to power 20V and 40V tools
Customizable mowing schedule
Weatherproof with rain sensor
Undoubtedly one of the best robotic lawn mowers on the market is the innovative Worx WR140 Landroid M. This means machine features patented AIA technology that allows it to efficiently navigate narrow paths that are beyond the reach of regular robotic mowers. The smartest lawn mower in town, it detects rain and will return to its charger, waiting for the weather to improve before attempting to cut the grass. Capable of tackling slopes up to 20°, it can be scheduled to mow the lawn whenever you choose – or you can allow it to recommend an auto-schedule, which it determines from the size and conditions of your yard. The Landroid app gives you control over the mowing schedule and its progress – plus you can even use it to measure your lawn. This lawn mower is easy to use – just set the charging base, put down the perimeter wire, measure the lawn, and let it do its thing while you relax!
Pros
Easy to install
Can tackle slopes up to 20°
Navigates narrow passageways with ease
Customizable with accessories
Offset cutting disc cuts closer to the edge
Cons
Perimeter wire needs to be well buried to stop mower from cutting through it
The mower can create tracks in the grass near the base
Wifi set up can be frustrating
No GPS tracking device included (but can be bought separately)
2. Husqvarna AUTOMOWER 315X Robotic Lawn Mower



Key Features
Suitable for yards up to 0.4 acres
Can tackle slopes up to 22°
Uses Automower Connect (Cellular)
2-year limited warranty for residential use
Mows for up to 70 mins on a single charge
This is another model that uses a boundary wire to determine the area to be cut – and if you don’t want to lay down the wire yourself, you can opt to have it installed for you. The Automower Connect app allows you to set a cutting schedule for the Husqvarna AUTOMOWER 315X and to check up on its progress. Using your Google Home device or Amazon Alexa, you can control it using just your voice. This mower runs quietly and can cut grass up to 2.4 inches, creating fine clippings in the process that fertilize your lawn naturally and don’t need to be bagged. One of the biggest concerns about using a robot mower is theft – but you can have confidence with this model, which uses GPS tracking so you’ll always know its location, plus an anti-theft alarm that sounds when it’s lifted.
Pros
Can be used in rainy conditions
Includes GPS tracking and anti-theft alarm
Inexpensive to maintain
Runs very quietly
App is very user friendly
Cons
Edges may still need trimming
PIN code is required at setup, requiring a call to customer service
PIN needed to reset any error state
Requires good GSM coverage in your area
Certain replacement parts are only available through an authorized dealer
3. Husqvarna Automower 115H Robotic Lawn Mower



Key Features
Suitable for yards up to 0.4 acres
Can tackle slopes up to 17°
Cuts grass up to 3.6 inches
Bluetooth connectivity up to 100 ft
Available with a DIY installation kit
2-year limited warranty for residential use
The Husqvarna Automower 115H Robotic Lawn Mower uses the [email protected] app to allow you to set your mowing schedule – comes with Bluetooth connectivity up to 100ft. It can navigate around your lawn using boundary wires, which are hidden during installation, and will take itself back to its charging station for a boost when its battery is low. It runs so quietly that you can use it at night without disturbing your neighbors and it’s capable of running when it’s either sunny or raining. An alarm sounds if the product is lifted and the unit then requires a PIN code to get going again, protecting it from theft. One of Husqvarna’s most basic robot mower models, it can’t tackle slopes greater than 17°.
Pros
Runs very quietly
Will still work in wet conditions
Anti-theft alarm
Anti-collision sensors, keeping children and pets safe
Cons
No GPS tracking
Edges still require trimming
Cannot be controlled via the app when away from home
Will occasionally leave some areas un-mowed, resulting in a patchy finish
4. Husqvarna AUTOMOWER 310 Robotic Lawn Mower




Key Features
Suitable for yards up to 0.25 acres
Suitable for slopes up to 22°
Cuts grass up to 2.4 inches tall
Bluetooth connectivity up to 100 ft
2-year limited warranty for residential use
With Bluetooth connectivity up to 100 ft, the Husqvarna AUTOMOWER 310 Robotic Lawn Mower is able to handle yards up to 0.25 acres and slopes up to 22°. Capable of mowing come rain or shine, it creates fine grass clippings that won’t need raking, but can naturally fertilize the lawn instead. Operating so quietly that you can hardly hear it, this mower maneuvers around your yard with the assistance of the perimeter wire that you lay down during installation. Alternatively, you can opt for expert installation and wait while the setup is done for you. The anti-theft alarm activates when the mower is lifted and a PIN is then needed to get it back up and running. The battery takes 60 minutes to charge and the mower will cut the grass for up to 70 minutes on a single charge.
Pros
Runs very quietly
Will still work in wet conditions
Anti-theft alarm
Cuts evenly
Child and pet safe
No raking/bagging of cut grass needed
Cons
No GPS tracking
Trimmer still needed for edges
Sometimes struggles to find its way back to charging dock
Initial setup tends to need tweaking
5. Robomow RX20 Battery Powered Mower




Key Features
7″ cutting width
Suitable for yards up to 2, 180 square feet
Rain sensor
Suitable for slopes up to 8.5°
Adjustable cutting height
The best robot lawn mower in terms of value for money is the Robomow RX20 – ideal for smaller yards, capable of mowing in different zones and with plenty of SMART features. You can control this mower in a variety of ways, either using your smartphone, your voice, or via the web app. The app also allows you to set its schedule and manage it from wherever you are! Installation can be completed within an hour – all you need to do is lay down the perimeter wire and set your schedule. The Robomow doesn’t like to operate in wet weather – so when the Rain Sensor detects rain, it will head back to its charging station and wait for the grass to dry. The anti-theft safety system means that the Robomow will shut off if it’s picked up and a PIN code is then needed to operate it again.
Pros
Anti-theft and safety system
Quick and easy installation
SMART home capable
Easy to use
Quiet operation
Can squeeze through tight angles
Cons
Won’t mow in wet weather
Can only manage gentle slopes
Takes a long time to charge
Doesn’t always cut edges well
6. Robomow RS630 Battery Powered Robotic Lawn Mower




Key Features
22″ cutting width
Adjustable cutting height
Ideal for large yards up to 3/4 acre
Handles slopes up to 20°
Can be managed from My Robomow app
Rain sensor
Capable of handling larger lawns up to 3/4 acre, the Robomow RS630 Battery Powered Robotic Lawn Mower can also cope with inclines up to 20 °. It has a cutting width of 22″ and you can set it to travel to different zones within your yard. Once mowing is completed, it will travel back to its base for recharging. The easy-to-use ‘My Robomow’ app makes it possible to manage your lawn mower from wherever you are, and at any time of day – and it’s Alexa SMART home compatible too. Rain sensors alert the Robomow to bad weather so that it can move back to its base and wait for conditions to improve. Cutting heights are adjustable and this mower has an impressive mowing time of 80 to 100 minutes, with a charging time of 90 to 110 minutes. You can use it with confidence around pets or children as it will stop automatically if picked up or tilted, and a PIN code is needed to restart it to protect against theft.
Pros
ECO mode to save energy
Anti-theft and safety mechanism
Alexa Smart home capabilities
Runs quietly
Wide all-terrain tires
Cons
Won’t cut grass in wet weather
Replacement parts can be expensive
Blades need replacing often
One of the most expensive lawn mowing robots we reviewed
7. WORX WG794 Landroid Pre-Programmed Robotic Lawn Mower




Key Features
Suitable for yards up to 0.25 acres
Handles slopes up to 20°
5 cutting height positions
Rain sensor
The WG794 Landroid Robotic Lawn Mower from WORX is fully programmed out of the box, meaning that it’s easy to set up and you can quickly put it to work! Thanks to its AIA technology it’s able to handle narrow paths and intricate maneuvers, plus inclines and declines of up to 20°. Ideal for yards up to 0.25 acres in size, it has 5 cutting height positions and can cut grass up to 4 inches. When its battery is running low it will return to its base for recharging – and the rain sensor will also send it back to its base if bad weather is on the way. As soon as conditions improve, the mower will get back to work! It has a very clear, user-friendly interface that makes programming a breeze and it operates quietly so you can set it to cut the grass at a time that suits you, even overnight.
Pros
Pre-programmed, so setup is quick and easy
Works well on narrow paths and passages
Intuitive, easy to use keypad
Operates very quietly
Replacement blades are inexpensive
Cuts grass very evenly
Cons
No SMART compatibility (so you won’t be alerted if it gets stuck)
Rain sensor doesn’t always work in light rain
Narrow cutting path (6″)
Number of plastic stakes provided to lay down perimeter wire may be insufficient
8. Gardena 4077 R50Li Robotic Lawnmower




Key Features
Suitable for lawns up to 5382 square feet
Adjustable cutting height
Guided by a boundary wire
Safe around children and pets
If you want to mow a smaller lawn – up to 5382 square feet – then consider 4077 R50Li Robotic Lawnmower from Gardena. It cuts the grass finely enough that you won’t need to rake or bag the clippings and it even works when it’s raining. You can set the cutting height (up to 2″) with a simple rotary knob and use the clear selection panel and display to set your mowing schedule. Anti-theft features include an alarm, installation lock, and PIN code and you can feel confident if you have children or pets playing in the yard, as this robotic mower is designed to shut off automatically if it comes into contact with them. The battery only takes around 50 minutes to charge – and when it’s running low, the mower will automatically make its way back to the charging dock.
Pros
Runs quietly
Anti-theft mechanism
Easy to use
Will work in rainy conditions
Cons
Not suitable for slopes or very uneven lawns
No app control so you won’t know if it’s stuck
Cannot be programmed remotely
9. Husqvarna 967622505 Automower 430X Robotic Lawn Mower




Key Features
Suitable for lawns up to 0.8 acres
GPS navigation
User-friendly display
Automower Connect compatible
The Automower 430X Robotic Lawn Mower from Husqvarna is our premium pick. Capable of tackling a larger area than other models, these robotic lawn mowers can cover up to 0.8 acres with ease. And whilst some robot mowers struggle even with gentle slopes, these can handle steep slopes of up to 45% – just what you want if your yard has greater inclines than most. It has some great SMART features, including the ability to gauge your lawn’s growth rate and adapt the amount of mowing to suit. The display is large and user-friendly, so you can make sure that the lawn gets cut at the time you want and on the days you choose. It is compatible with Automower Connect, which means that you can control the mower from your smartphone if you choose to purchase the kit, and you’ll also be able to find out if its mowing schedule has been disrupted for any reason.
Pros
Can handle steeper slopes than most – up to 45%
Automatically adapts frequency of mowing to the best level for your lawn
Runs quietly
Loud anti-theft alarm
Cons
Installation kit not included
You need a PIN code to get started, requiring a call to customer service
Heavy to move
Information in manual is very limited
Automower Connect facility not included
10. Worx WR153 Landroid L 20V Power Robotic Lawn Mower



Key Features
Suitable for lawns up to 0.5 acres
Handles slopes up to 20°
9″ cutting disc
App control
Customizable mowing schedules
5 cutting height adjustments
This is a great robot lawn mower with loads of good features. Capable of keeping up to half an acre of lawn in tip-top condition, Worx WR153 Landroid L Power Robotic Lawn Mower can tackle slopes up to 20° and back away from any obstacles it meets. If you like, you can simply set it to exclude certain parts of the lawn altogether. Initial set up involves laying down your boundary wire, setting the charging base, and using the app to measure your lawn. Then all you need to do is press a button and let your lawn mowing robot work its magic! The Find My Landroid GPS cellular module is included with this model, making it a good value for money and giving you the ability to track it easily should it be stolen. The app itself is very useful – you can check how the mowing is going and even start or stop the mower. Scheduling is easy – either choose the time and days that you think best or let it recommend an auto-schedule to you instead!
Pros
Comes with the Find My Landroid GPS cellular module
AIA technology to navigate narrower paths than other robotic lawn mowers
Features WORX Power Share, which uses the same battery to power 20V and 40V tools
Cuts closer to the edge than some models
Customizable with a range of optional accessories
Good battery life
Cons
Won’t mow in wet weather
Wifi setup can be difficult
Heavy to move
Lowest height setting Is 1.6 inches
Features To Consider With Robot Lawn Mowers
Quality Of Cut
Robot lawn mowers tend to produce good results, producing a nice even lawn week in and week out. They mow the grass very frequently, giving your lawn that 'freshly cut' look almost continuously. What's more, the constant cutting stops weeds (best weed torch) from establishing themselves, improving the overall appearance of your lawn. The only limitation with robot lawn mowers is that they tend to follow a random cutting pattern, meaning they won't mow in straight lines. Nevertheless, we think the ease of having a neatly manicured lawn at the touch of a button more than compensates for that.
Cutting Deck
The width of the cutting deck usually correlates quite closely to the price of the robot lawn mower, or the size of the yard it's meant for. Cheaper lawn mowers - or those designed for small yards - will have a narrower cutting width than more expensive models, or those designed to cover a larger area. On the plus side, robotic mowers with a narrow cutting width often run more quietly than those which cut a wider strip of grass. The size of the cutting deck isn't hugely significant, mainly because robot mowers don't work like regular mowers. Instead of cutting the grass quickly and all in one go, they run much more frequently - and whatever the size of the cutting deck, you'll know that the entire area of the lawn will eventually be covered.
Lawn Size
The size of your lawn area is one of the most important considerations when purchasing a robot mower. The specifications will always state the maximum area that a mower can cover. It can be tempting to buy a cheaper model that can cover a smaller area than you need, on the assumption that it will simply be able to mow your entire yard on two trips instead of one. But this isn't the case. A robot mower meant for a smaller yard will not come with enough perimeter wire to cover a larger area, nor may it be able to travel far enough away from its dock to get the whole yard done.
Ease Of Use
Most robot mowers are easy to use and it's usually a matter of setting a schedule, then leaving the mower to do its thing. The best robot lawn mowers come with an app that makes it possible to control them remotely. This is great because you don't even need to be home to change the mowing schedule. A robot mower will, on occasion, become stuck, which means you'll have to go and rescue it to get it going again. An app makes this process a lot easier to deal with, as you will receive a notification letting you know what's happened, and in most cases, the app will be able to tell you where the mower actually is.
Safety
Always check that the mower you like has safety features that make it suitable for use around children and animals. Most will shut off automatically when picked up. You may also want to ensure that it has some sort of anti-theft feature. Some models have alarms and others are protected by very sophisticated technology, with GPS tracking and automatic shut off if stolen, requiring a PIN code to get the mower started again.
Smart Perimeter Control
Unlike a robot vacuum cleaner, which tends to find its way around by bouncing off walls, a robot mower relies on a perimeter wire to guide it and make sure that it only mows YOUR lawn, without wandering off to mow next doors too! Setting up the boundary wire is probably the most time-consuming part of the installation process, but once it's done (and possibly after a few tweaks) everything is up and running and there's very little else to do. Occasionally the wire might be damaged, either by the mower itself or by wild animals, but it is easy to replace or repair.
Slope
It's very important to consider the angle of any inclines or declines when looking for the best robotic lawn mower for your yard. Some mowers can only handle very gentle slopes, whereas others are up to the task of tackling much steeper angles. Remember to check this in the specifications for the mower that interests you.
Robot Lawn Mower FAQ
Q: What are robot lawn mowers?
Robot lawn mowers are designed to be autonomous once set up. This means that they will keep your lawn nicely trimmed with no input from you - no pushing, no watching over them, and no switching on and off. Instead, you just set a schedule and leave them to do all the hard work for you, giving you time to do the activities you like more than mowing!
Q: How do robot lawn mowers work?
Robotic lawn mowers work by randomly traveling over an area of lawn defined by a perimeter wire, covering every single square inch of the area until all the grass has been cut. They can even cut lawns that are split into several sections, although this is more complicated to set up during installation. They have sensors that help them avoid obstacles, whilst those that are not capable of cutting wet grass also have sensors that tell them if it's raining and when it's the best time to get back to work. You don't even need to manually charge a robot mower - it simply travels back to its base when the battery is low and charges itself! Robot mowers run very slowly and it takes much more time for them to cut your whole lawn than a conventional mower. But the best robot lawn mowers are so quiet that they can be left to cut all night, without fear of disturbing your neighbors.
Q: Do robot lawn mowers collect grass?
No, but you don't need to collect the grass either. They work by mulching the grass into very fine clippings, which are then deposited back on the lawn. This is actually the best option for your lawn! Because the clippings are so fine, they sink back to the level of the soil. The soil then absorbs the nutrients from the mulch, making it a natural fertilizer and giving you a more lush, verdant lawn as a result.
Q: Are robot lawn mowers safe?
One of the biggest concerns for parents or pet owners is that using a robot mower around children or animals may be dangerous. Happily, this isn't the case - in fact, a conventional mower is considered to be far more hazardous! A robotic mower is far less powerful than a regular mower and its blades are smaller. They are located right underneath the mower, so it's impossible to touch them without tilting or lifting it. But if a robotic mower is picked up or lifted, a sensor is triggered, shutting off the device and stopping the blades immediately.
Q: How long do robotic mowers last?
Robotic mowers are durable, and with proper maintenance, the best robot lawn mowers can last for ten years or more. Of course, various parts may need replacing at that time. The blades need to be changed fairly regularly, according to the instructions in your manual, although these are generally inexpensive and very easy to get. Depending on what kind of battery your mower has and how frequently it is used, the battery will need to be replaced roughly once every 3 to 5 years. But aside from a little WD40 to keep everything moving freely - and regular cleaning to remove any build-up of grass clippings - there is very little effort required in keeping a robot mower in good working order.
Sources
How Do Robot Lawn Mowers Work? - LawnStarter