I am currently testing the mower
We’re just into the new mowing season here, so I haven’t tested these new robot mowers enough to make a full recommendation, but here are my impressions so far.
Photograph: Simon Hill
Mamotion Luba 3 AWD for $2,399: If this robot mower continues to perform as well as it did in its first week, it will earn a spot above. It’s expensive, but the Mamotion Luba 3 AWD can handle relatively rough terrain and steep slopes, and it combines three technologies (GPS, LiDAR, and AI Vision) to ensure it can even cut large lawns where there may be trees or other awkward spots. It boasts quiet operation, efficient path-finding and a beautiful finish. Obstacle avoidance is solid, and it works well around the edges. I also appreciate the manual mowing option, which enables you to mow any problem areas with remote app control.
Husqvarna Aspire R6V for £999: I was excited to test this new robot mower from Husqvarna as it’s more affordable than many of its range, including our top choice, and it doesn’t require a separate aerial for a satellite connection. It uses a combination of GPS and AI vision along with a camera on the front. The app was easy to set up and map out lawns, 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 Sensitive Obstruction Removal, as it’s leaving large uncut strips around the edges of my lawn. But I would like to tinker and test for a while before giving a final verdict. It looks like this model is only available in the UK for now. I’m waiting to hear back about the US counterpart.
In my queue, after these two mowers, I have the Mova LiDAX Ultra 1000 and the Anthbot M9.
Other robot lawn mowers we like
Eufy Robot Lawn Mower E15 for $2,300: This is another wire-free mower, but instead of relying on satellite navigation, it uses a camera system to automatically map the lawn and avoid obstacles. It can cover up to 0.2 acres (8,700 square feet), can be mowed 1 to 3 inches, and can handle up to 18-degree slopes. It’s quiet enough and has GPS tracking, but you must have Wi-Fi coverage in your backyard, or you’ll need a 4G data subscription. Setup took me longer due to the firmware download, but the mapping and first cut were good. The E15 can only run during the day, and it doesn’t work very well on slopes. I also found that it often fails to cut the edges of the lawn and does not perform well if the grass is damp. I wouldn’t recommend it at full price, but it seems to be constantly heavily discounted.
Avoid these mowers
Ecoflow Blade for £1,849: While it was easy to set up and mow my lawn nicely with no boundary wire required, the EcoFlow blade (6/10, Wired review) occasionally struggled with GPS navigation and got stuck in a flower bed. It also left an untouched strip at the edge of my lawn. Object avoidance was solid, and can be automated in the app, though it sometimes failed to initiate the intended cut for me. Ecoflow seems to have discontinued this model, although it is still on sale in Europe. Probably best to avoid it.
YardCare E400 for $370: Curious about the budget end of the robot mower market, I agreed to try the YardCare E400, but this mower was an unmitigated disaster from start to finish. This is a border wire model, so you must run 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 to 2.4 inches tall. The problem is that it gets stuck frequently and also struggles to reliably get on and off its charging station. After attempting several fixes to no avail and going through customer support, I had to conclude that this model has a serious design flaw.
How does a robot lawn mower work?
Perhaps counterintuitively, the setup instructions for your robot lawn mower will probably tell you to start by mowing. Robot mowers most likely cannot deal with tall grass. Unlike traditional mowers, these robots don’t mow the grass; They add mulch instead, and they are designed to be cut frequently, keeping your lawn shorter and leaving the cuttings on the ground, which can also improve lawn health. Most robot mowers are designed to run two or three times a week during the growing season (late spring to early fall).
They have rechargeable batteries and can last from half an hour to several hours when fully charged. They return to the charging base and recharge automatically when their power is low. Most mowers have simple controls, a small display, and an emergency stop button. You can start and stop mowing, set schedules, and create or edit mapped zones using onboard controls or the companion mobile app, just like you normally would with a robot vacuum.
What features should I look for in a robot mower?
There are many robotic mower features to consider, and the best option for you depends on what your yard is like.
Lawn size and shape
Robot lawn mowers are generally rated to cover a specific square footage, with models with larger batteries required for wider coverage. As well as the size of the yard, you should also consider the shape and topography of your lawn, as most robot mowers will struggle with steep slopes. Although you can often map out different areas so that your robot mower can cut the front and back lawn, for example, you’ll typically need to lift and move it between those areas. If you have an uneven garden or steep slope, you should look for a four-wheel-drive (4WD) or all-wheel-drive (AWD) mower and check the manufacturer’s rating for slope.
navigation type
There are a few types of navigation that robotic mowers use. We tested five different methods, although some mowers combine multiple technologies for better performance:
- satellite: Often using something called Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) Global Positioning System (GPS), these mowers require a satellite signal to navigate and will have a receiver that must be placed out in the open with a clear sight line to the sky. Satellite navigation mowers are not suitable for areas with tall trees or buildings.
- Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR): This technology sends rapid laser pulses to map the terrain in 3D (it is also used by self-driving cars). This enables mowers to mow under dense tree canopies or near tall buildings where GPS signals typically fail.
- camera: Cameras and onboard AI are used for obstacle detection and avoidance. AI vision can automatically map areas and mow while avoiding obstacles, similar to how most robot vacuums navigate around a home to clean floors.
- wire limit: These mowers require you to install a perimeter wire around your lawn as a boundary that marks the boundary that the mower should not cross. This is a messy job that can be difficult.
- remote control: You mow your lawn from the comfort of your home using a remote controller or an app on your phone. Some operate only via remote control, while others can also cut automatically.
Power and Charging
Robot mowers usually come with large charging docks, and you’ll need to mark out a suitable spot for yourself. They usually have extensive weatherproof cabling, but you’ll need to find a way to an external socket.
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
To connect to your mower and schedule mowing, update the firmware, or remote control it where supported, you need a good Wi-Fi signal or Bluetooth connection. It’s best to set up your mower’s charging station within range of your Wi-Fi network. Some mowers also require a strong Wi-Fi signal to operate effectively, so you may want to consider adding an outdoor mesh router. If you want to connect your phone via Bluetooth, you’ll have to get quite close.
How noisy are robot mowers?
Most robotic mowers are far quieter than their traditional counterparts, and you can expect them to operate at around 55 decibels, although they can also go up to 75 decibels. We only tested battery-powered mowers, but expect gas mowers to be faster. While operation is often quiet, I found that many mowers make annoying beeping sounds when backing up or record a loud noise during setup or when receiving commands.
Does the robot mower work in any weather?
Robot mowers and their charging stations usually have an IP rating and can withstand rain, but you should still pack up and bring your mower indoors during the winter months. Many robot mowers have some kind of rain sensor and will stop mowing if it gets too wet. Some mowers may require manual stopping. If mowers continue to operate in the rain, especially with larger and heavier models, the wheels can discolor your lawn and get stuck in mud.
How well do robot mowers cut?
Different sized mowers will have different cutting widths, which refers to the width of the strip they can cut on each pass. Most also have floating cutting decks that enable you to choose the length of grass you want (usually 1 to 3 inches). Many robot mowers have difficulty cutting the edges of the lawn, especially if there is a wall or fence that prevents them from getting close enough.
It’s common to find untrimmed edges at the edge of your lawn, so you may need to get out the string trimmer occasionally. Every robot mower I’ve tested has struggled to even mow the area around the charging station, so I recommend placing the unit on a deck or on the floor if possible.
Can I install the robot mower myself?
Yes, most robot mowers can be installed by anyone, but you may want to set aside an afternoon to troubleshoot any issues. Finding the best location for the receiver for a satellite mower can be difficult. The mapping process may also take some time; Typically, this prompts you to remotely control your mower around the range you want to set. After the first cut, you should review its performance and make adjustments to make sure it is covering the entire area you want to cut.
How I test a robot lawn mower
I test each robotic lawn mower for at least a month on at least two different lawn areas, assessing the ease of setup, mapping process, automated scheduling (where available), navigation, obstacle avoidance and quality of the final cut, looking for length, uniformity and any missed patches. Where applicable, I try out additional features, tweak settings in the app, and test how the mower handles different weather conditions. I also keep an eye on the battery’s performance and charging time to make sure it’s in line with the manufacturer’s claims.
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