The terrain-handling abilities are good and we have no problems with it getting stuck under normal conditions. max. The battery life is pretty good. The magnetic strip is very robust and is clearly visible on the lawn, but as it's only for temporary use that’s not a problem. For a start it only has Bluetooth connection, which seems rather mean now almost all robot mowers in this price class have both GPS and GSM so you can keep track of the mower even when you aren’t at home. max. Instead, you have to run around it with the strimmer. area: 500 m² Max. You can also wash it off using a hose – which is still quite uncommon. Nor is it clearly marked which end needs to go in which connection. So you don't need to carry it all the way back to the charging station. When the lawn mower touches the magnetic strip with its nose, it backs away instead of moving into the area. Q. However, you can set up to three start points to ensure that it actually visits hard-to-reach areas. Review year: 2021 Price class: Budget Recommended area: 500 m2 (10 hrs/day 5 days/week) Recommended maximum area: 900 m2 (24 hrs/day 7 days/week) ** Battery:** Type: Lithium ion | Capacity 2 Ah Operating time: approx. In damp terrain, it also loses its ability to handle slopes, to an extent, skidding on very minimally sloping terrain as well. You can also adjust the cutting height electronically. For example, a house could have two lawns with a secondary smaller lawn in front of a house with a bigger lawn (the primary cutting area) in the back garden. gradient: approx. Robotic lawn mowers are less precise than traditional mowers and typically leave a few blades of grass behind. The Gardena Sileno City has app support in the form of connection to a router that in turn supports other smart garden gadgets, such as sensors that detect whether the garden needs watering. area: 800 m² Max. Gradients: Lawns often extend over inclined ground such as slopes, banks etc. Make sure to ask if the merchants has the 2021 version. Review year: 2020 Price class: Premium Recommended max. So we don't really see any advantages of the S600 over the R600 despite it having benefits on paper. You easily connect the modules by unscrewing a hatch and inserting a cable. At the same time it's strong and, for instance, has no problems with pine cones, fallen fruit etc. BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. The cutting width is very good given the price class – most models in this price class are a couple of centimetres narrower. area: 1000 m² Max. The software can be a bit temperamental. Nor is the Loopo M1000 flexible when it comes to positioning the charging station – you have to place it along the perimeter wire. Pretty much everything we like about that luxury model is here too: The ultrasound sensor makes it possible for the lawn mower to run more quickly over open spaces and slow down when it approaches an obstacle, the GPS navigation that means it cuts evenly all over open spaces and doesn’t forget some areas, and three guide cables so that it can quickly find its way home. area: 4000 m² Max. This means anybody can start it when it’s sitting on the lawn. Thankfully, most robotic lawn mowers are “smart” enough to head home to their charging stations when they’re low on power. One advantage with the McCulloch Rob R1000 is that the package includes insulation material that means you don’t need to buy extra products to get the robotic lawn mower going with each new installation. This applies particularly to small lawn mowers. For example, you can programme up to 5 start points, so if you have areas that are a long way away or complicated you can run a guide cable there and then say to the robot mower that it should drive X metres to reach the area and mow it, for example 33% of the time. The Husqvarna Automower 310 succeeds in maintaining the stated surface area of 1000 square metres without problems. The 435X AWD supports smart watches and you can voice control it via Alexa or Google Assistant through your phone or smart speaker. The BestReviews editorial team researches hundreds of products based on consumer reviews, brand quality, and value. It's also very quick to install, even for a novice. Nor are they sensitive to sloppy positioning, which this one is. 65 min/charge Rec. Unfortunately a large proportion of premium models fall down on several of these points. How does it cope with narrow passages, sharp corners, areas full of obstacles or secondary areas? Unfortunately, it only works via Bluetooth, so you have to stand within about 10 metres of the lawn mower to be able to communicate with it. Battery life will vary from model to model, but a good baseline expectation is an hour. Lawn mowers in this price range are more appropriate for smaller lawns. (See our policy) The whole idea of a robotic lawn mower – like all other types of robot – is for it to look after itself and to require as little work from its operator as possible. A wheel for entering the PIN code is fun but unfortunately very impractical as you can easily press it wrong and can't go back. All robotic lawnmowers should handle these with ease. 90 -120 min/charge Rec. Partly because it determines where the robotic lawn mower will be able to cut the grass, and partly because it indirectly determines how often the robotic lawn mower will get stuck. The cable is right at the end of a relatively gentle slope, and it causes problems when the robotic lawn mower has to turn around, because it's prone to running over the cable by mistake when it tries to turn and ends up slipping down the slope a little. But unfortunately the lawn mower gets stuck pretty much every day. Cable connectors make it easy to connect the cable, but the space behind is very cramped and the connections aren't positioned in a user-friendly manner. Specific page for leaf shredders is 1-5. Unlike Bluetooth, you don’t have to be in the immediate vicinity of the robotic lawn mower if you want to change settings or receive error messages. There’s also a frost sensor together with the option of setting a new loop signal. As a result, most cut grass gets ejected back onto the lawn. 61 dB Length: 63 cm Width: 46 cm Height: 21 cm Blade type: Fixed PIN code protected: Yes App support: Yes (Bluetooth) Accessories included: Perimeter wire & staples. We'd have preferred to see it mowing for a bit longer given the price, but on the other hand it has no problems keeping the stated recommended maximum area nicely trimmed without having to run for more than a couple of hours on weekdays. But if you've cut the grass thoroughly when you install it – and set it to run often enough that the lawn stays short – you’ll have no problems with reliability. Unfortunately, it only works on Bluetooth, so you have to stand right by the robotic lawn mower to be able to use it. However, this is an ideal that the majority of lawns simply don't meet. And on downhill slopes it instead has a problem slowing down. The Robolinho 700 W has a reasonable cutting width and a good speed when it moves over the lawn. Given the lawn mower's price these are good functions, but unfortunately rather fewer than we'd have liked. Robotic lawn mowers are not intended or designed to cope with long, coarse or wet grass. It's clear that enthusiasts have developed this lawn mower. 60 min/charge Max. It's not clear what causes this, but you only have to give it a light tap on the back end for it to start up again. The robot mower also moves quite quickly over open areas of lawn, which means it mows the lawn very efficiently in terms of time. In other words, you're going to have to get the manual out every time you want to change your settings. And when it doesn’t get stuck, it can cut for quite a long time in one go. In other words, there are quite a lot of positive things about the Loopo S300 – particularly the app support – given its low price. Budget: up to £1100 Robotic lawn mowers in this price class should be able to cope with smaller, uncomplicated lawns with a uniform surface. 65 min/charge Max. It should also be heat-resistant so that it doesn't overheat from being out in the blazing sun for days on end. And connecting the charging station is far from clear, too. If we start with the charging station, we discover that you can't connect the perimeter wire directly to it – instead you need an additional adapter between the two. area: 800 m² Max. In terms of both size and performance, the Stihl 632 PC falls somewhere between a premium and medium class model. It can’t cope with our tough gradient for medium class models, but it manages all of the more normal gradients fine. Once you finish the installation, the robotic lawn mower can cope with most things on its own. Fortunately for Husqvarna, there's still no other competitor that can beat them when it comes to other test areas, but there are a couple getting close. Overall, this is a reliable, strong robotic lawn mower with lots of functions that's easy to programme both directly and at a distance. You have to peel the wire and insert it into the connections, which are unprotected on the back of the unit. This is at least partially due to falling prices, but also because the range of models has grown and robotic lawn mowers generally have improved significantly. When the Automotive 310 returns home to charge, it travels via the guide cable, which is a kind of short cut so the robotic lawn mower can get home more quickly. Both problem-solving ability and terrain-handling abilities are normally quite limited. If you buy the premium version of the lawn mower, the Automower 315X, you also get GPS and connection via the mobile network. We purchase every product we review with our own funds — It's only under extreme circumstances that it has to give up and reverse out. The station can only be positioned in one direction. This means the grass increasingly acts as a brake on the mowing motor, which eventually comes to a stop. This is primarily a robotic lawn mower built for large lawns that must be kept well mown with as short a cutting time as possible. The menu system is well designed and clear, the display has good contrast and works even in sunlight. On normal, relatively flat lawns however, it rarely gets stuck. Safety: Does the robotic lawn mower use pivot blades or fixed blades? 17° (30%) Cutting height: 20-50 mm (manual) Cutting width: 22 cm Weight: 11.4 kg Noise level: 64 | Measured mean value: approx. And unfortunately this tends to damage the lawn where the wheels have rotated in place. Read more in our Privacy Policy. Another good thing about this robotic lawn mower is that you can wash it off with a hose if the underside gets coated with grass residues. However, we do notice some track creation along the guide cable which doesn't occur when it runs along the perimeter wire. The robotic lawn mower isn't particularly sensitive when it comes to positioning the charging station. Instead of travelling along the wire right around the edge of the garden, it can take a shortcut. max. And while that’s pretty handy – especially considering you can make schedule adjustments at any time – the quality of the experience you have with a given mower will largely depend on how user-friendly the accompanying app is (or isn’t). max. However, it doesn't run the battery flat, simply switches off and when we find it again we can start it and ask it to go home and charge. Many other robotic lawn mowers cope with these hollows as if they didn't exist. Another factor to take into account is the type of signal used by the robotic lawn mower’s perimeter wire. Challenging cutting surfaces: There are a number of common cutting surfaces that are particularly demanding for robotic lawn mowers. How often should I use a robotic lawn mower? and the guide cable is essential if you have inaccessible areas or narrow passages, because in these areas the Optimow’s intelligence is a bit lacking. This means there is a 50% chance that you’ll get an error message. On the few occasions that it managed to get stuck, we discovered that it was prone to digging itself downwards in its attempts to get free, which can damage the lawn. BestReviews wants to be better. But it's easy even if you do it yourself. But from a cutting point of view it leaves quite a lot to be desired. In fact, many consumers note a few surprising benefits. For example, it can't handle a soft lawn, nor a mossy lawn or one with tall or damp grass. Intelligent robotic lawn mowers have been programmed to avoid this type of situation and to quickly escape. Robotic lawnmowers have existed for more than 20 years, but it’s only in recent years that they’ve really taken off in popularity. In general, it’s very similar to its sibling, the Automower 450X. Sorry for the mess, Still the king among the better equipped models, Review year: 2021 Price class: Premium Battery: Type: Lithium-ion | Capacity 6.4 Ah/18 V Operating time: approx. 24° (45%) Cutting height: 20-60 mm, 9 step (electronic) Cutting width: 24 cm Weight: 13.2 kg Noise level: Low | Measured average value: approx. You don't even really need to cut the grass before installation – unless it's unusually tall. Husqvarna Automower 430X - BEST PREMIUM ROBOTIC LAWN MOWER, 3. How long do you need to spend on the lawn? The fact that it’s a bit clumsy and without finesse doesn’t matter if you have a large, open lawn. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. Thanks to the very generous battery life, the Automower 550 has an enormous cutting capacity. The app structure is OK although it’s a bit messy. 24° (45%) Cutting height: 20-60 mm, 9 step (electronic) Cutting width: 24 cm Weight: 13.9 kg Noise level: Low | Measured average value: approx. Because the Smart Sileno Life is quiet, you can run it at night. But if you have a lawn around 1000 m2, the mower will be able to keep this well trimmed within a reasonable time. When considering which robotic lawn mower to buy, read up on each manufacturer’s warranty and software support policies. Now that the world has fallen in love with robot vacuums, everyone is on the hunt for the next big thing in task automation – and with the advent of the robotic lawn mower, we think we’ve found it. area: 5000 m2 Battery: Type: Litium-ion Battery energy: 251 Wh Operating time: approx. But in general, the Cub Cadet XR2 1000 has good problem-solving abilities and produces a neat result. The R1000’s little sister, the Rob R600, got a slightly higher score in our test. The robotic lawn mower also weighs rather a lot for something so small and compact. Excellent customer service makes it worth a look. The Cramer RM2000 comes with a guide cable. 20° (36%) Cutting height: 15-60 mm (manual, tool-free) Cutting width: 28 cm Weight: 11.4 kg Length: 63 cm Width: 46 cm Height: 21 cm Blade type: Fixed PIN code protected: Yes App support: Yes (Bluetooth) Accessories included: Perimeter wire & staples. It's a competent robotic lawn mower, but isn't so good when it comes to communication and functions. It also often misses areas on slopes so you end up with tufts of longer grass there. This makes positioning the charging station less flexible. There are competing models in the same price class with Wi-Fi support that send notifications to your mobile phone if the lawn mower gets stuck, and there are even a few with GSM. The map on which you can see where the lawn mower has been – and where it is now, in real time – is excellent. Unfortunately, it's rare that it actually manages to cut for very long. However, programming via the LCD display on the robotic lawn mower is very simple. gradient: 25 % Cutting height: 20-50 mm, (manual) Cutting width: 16 cm Weight: X kg Noise level: 59 dB | Measured mean value: approx. Wire installation takes a long time. If you’re in a situation where you need to be able to make mulch, be certain that your robot mower is up to the task. Overall, the reliability and capacity of this mower are really striking. Before buying a specific robotic lawn mower, check its user manual to learn about how it establishes yard boundaries. But if the mower gets stuck before this things become a bit more tricky. If it does, the lawn mower tends to slip, particularly in damp grass. Hollows, slopes and varying surfaces pose no problems. Info: Sorry, unfortunately we can't show all available merchants for the 2021 version right now. The Husqvarna Automower 450X is a quiet, strong and reliable premium lawn mower with an unusually high cutting capacity. The Sileno City is suitable for those with a small to medium garden looking for a low price but reliable robotic lawn mower with app support – and ideally someone planning for a smart garden in the future. On our relatively open 3000 m2 test lawn, for example, it had to run several hours every weekday to prevent tufty areas appearing, and this was a problem we hadn't had on the test lawn with other models in the same price class. The idea is that nobody without authorisation should be able to change settings. Compared with the competitors in the same price class, there's a fair way to go for the Worx M model. This also gives it good stability even on more uneven terrain. Generous and user-friendly. Manual and online help are adequate to get and keep it running. area: 3500 m2 Battery: Type: Lithium ion Operating time: approx. However, it can run away on downhill slopes instead of braking, so it sometimes has problems mowing properly on these areas. This is fairly standard for the price class, even though one or two models stand out. Not much customer support, and most dealers don't know how to help. Get exclusive content, advice, and tips from BestReviews. Worx is one of the few manufacturers that have no solution for this. Essentially, you need a dry, well-trimmed lawn that’s firm and has no moss for this lawn mower to cope without problems. Perhaps you have lots of different separate areas of lawn, different types of surface, steep slopes etc. The Robomow Royal is very noisy when it's out mowing the lawn. But unfortunately the poor reliability means the score is disappointingly low. Review year: 2020 Price class: Budget Battery: Type: Lithium-ion, 4.4 Ah, 29 V Operating time: approx. gradient: approx. Not as well as the very best models, but sufficiently well for us to say it has very good accessibility levels. That’s not to say it's a bad buy. You also get support for changing the mowing schedule remotely, voice control via Alexa and Google Assistant, and connection to Apple Watch. It currently has a number of bugs and a poor installation process, which mean it gets a low reliability score, so we can't recommend it. The relatively deep tread patterns on the wheels also fill up with mud and debris, and the more there is, the more often the lawn mower gets stuck – even on relatively flat ground. Then you can see where the robotic lawn mower is located in real time on a map and change settings wherever you are, provided you have mobile coverage. Robotic lawn mowers don’t typically move in straight lines. Of course the width of the wheels also affects the terrain-handling capacity, but with the right pattern and a machine that's not too heavy the wheels can be kept surprisingly narrow. You don’t need to worry about having to run after it all the time, because it copes fine on its own – even in complex environments. Control everything using your smartphone. A few years ago we weren’t happy with how sensitive the 422 PC was to uneven patches of lawn, because it often got stuck and was unable to move. In combination with the very wide cutting width, it can mow large areas in a relatively short time. However, one of the 450X's foremost strengths is its terrain-handling abilities. For the average homeowner with a very large lawn (around 5000 m2), the sibling model Automower 450X is a somewhat cheaper alternative. This is a further disadvantage of the poor problem-solving ability – that the S500i doesn't switch off in such situations.