Is there any chore more repetitive than mowing the lawn? It’s hot, sweaty, tiring work. But with the emergence of robotic lawn mowers, it’s also unnecessary. Maintaining a beautiful lawn has never been easier than it is now if you have the right tools, and Lawn Love has combed through the lot to bring you our reviews of the top 6 robotic lawn mowers available today.
How did we rank our list of the best robot lawn mowers? We looked at these factors:
- Cutting area
- Interface
- Features
- Price
Most robot lawn mowers cost between $1,000 to $1,500. (Riding mowers can cost considerably more.) We highlight robotic mowers here from all price ranges to give you the best choice in every class:
- “Inexpensive” – less than $1,000
- “Moderate” – $1,000 to $2,000
- “Expensive” – Above $2,000
Top 7 Robot Lawn Mowers— Reviews
| 1. Best Overall: Worx WR155 Landroid L |
| 2. Premium Pick: Husqvarna 450XH Automower |
| 3. Budget Pick: Gardena Sileno Minimo |
| Runners-Up |
| 4. Worx WR140 Landroid M |
| 5. Husqvarna 115H Automower |
| 6. McCulloch R1000 |
1. Best overall: Worx WR155 Landroid L
The Worx Landroid is at the head of the class when it comes to keeping your lawn pristine. Though the Landroid family includes several models, the WR155 is the clear star of this line. This little robot runs on Worx’s 20V Power Share battery, which can be removed and used in any of Worx’s electric tools.
Covering lawns up to a half-acre in size, the WR155 is perfect for almost any suburban lot. It features a wide 8-inch cutting deck with a floating blade disc that automatically raises and lowers for consistency over difficult terrain. The cutting disc is offset to one side, allowing it to cut closer to the boundary edge, fences, and walls than other robotic mowers.
The Worx Landroid AI makes sure that the mower maintains a consistent cut by logging its movements and directing its workload toward unmowed areas. It stays within the bounds of your yard with a discreet ground wire. When it gets low on battery or senses rain it automatically returns to its charging bay.
You can check up and alter your Landroid’s programming through an intuitive mobile app. You can connect via a direct Bluetooth link or your home Wi-Fi. An anti-theft system will notify you immediately if the Landroid is removed from its boundaries. If theft is a major concern, consider the WR153, a Landroid with built-in GPS tracking.
We liked the WR155 best for its versatile battery, reliability, and sophistication of its programming.
Specifications
- Power: 20V, 6 Ah Power Share battery
- Maximum Area: 0.5 acres
- Cutting Width: 8 inches
- Programming: Bluetooth or Wi-Fi
- Price Range: Moderate
Pros
- Power Share battery can be swapped out for an instant charge
- Smart AI keeps your lawn even and navigates narrow spaces
- Wi-Fi-enabled
- Good lawn coverage
Cons
- Steep learning curve on setup
Though it’s more expensive, the 450XH covers the most area of any robotic mower: a whopping 1.25 acres. Backed by the Husqvarna name, this smart little bot features the best in modern mowing technology.
The adjustable deck can cut as high as 3.6 inches. A 9.45-inch mower deck with three razor-sharp blades delivers a professional-quality cut. LED headlights increase the effectiveness of the Automower’s sensors in low-light conditions. The battery can mow up to 270 minutes on a single 60-minute charge.
Three guide wires help protect your lawn from streaks caused by reusing the same route. Five remote starting points can be configured to prevent over-mowing the area closest to the dock and to reach areas only accessible by a narrow path.
Husqvarna’s patented GPS-assisted algorithm digitally maps out your yard to make sure it achieves full coverage. The Automower Connect app allows you to access and program your mower from a local Bluetooth connection or from anywhere in the world through a cellular uplink. You can even control the mower with your Amazon Alexa or Google Home system.
The anti-theft suite includes GPS tracking, an alarm, and a custom PIN that prevents operation outside the boundary wire. Advanced lift and tilt sensors quickly shut off the blades to prevent injury when the mower detects abnormal activity.
Specifications
- Power: 10Ah Internal battery
- Maximum Area: 1.25 acres
- Cutting Width: 9.45 inches
- Programming: Cellular or Bluetooth
- Price Range: Expensive
Pros
- Largest range
- Fast charge
- Anti-theft and safety features
- Connect from anywhere
Cons
- Expensive
3. Budget pick: Gardena Sileno Minimo
People with smaller yards don’t need to spend a fortune on a robot mower. The Gardena Sileno Minimo is designed for urban or small suburban lawns up to 5,400 square feet.
One of the quietest mowers out there, Gardena’s Sileno Minimo has a smaller cutting deck designed to maneuver through complex gardens and especially tight spaces. The Bluetooth-enabled app allows for easy scheduling and configuration.
The internal lithium-ion battery can mow for 65 minutes on each charge. The mower is waterproof and will continue to operate in all weather conditions. A frost sensor detects the ground temperature and automatically puts the robot to sleep for the winter.
Owners of lawns under 2,700 square feet can save even more with the less expensive short-range version.
Specifications
- Power: Internal Battery
- Maximum Area: 5,400 sq. ft.
- Cutting Width: 6.2 inches
- Programming: Bluetooth
- Price Range: Inexpensive
Pros
- Very quiet
- Highly maneuverable
- Affordable
Cons
- Limited to smaller lawns and gardens
Runners-Up
4. Worx WR140 Landroid M
The WR155’s less expensive cousin, this Landroid has many of the features of the premium model in a smaller package. It covers about half the area, mowing up to a quarter acre in total.
The WR140 runs on the same Power Share battery as all Worx tools, allowing for an instant charge in a pinch. Powered by the same AI as our top-choice mower, the Landroid M digitally maps out your yard and maintains a zone schedule that keeps your grass consistent.
The robot can be accessed via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connection to alter its mowing schedule. It will send a notification if it is removed from the boundary area. The “Cut To Edge” offset blade reduces the need for additional trimming or weed eating.
If your yard is on the small side, consider saving money with Worx’s affordable WR165 Landroid S.
Specifications
- Power: 20V, 6Ah Powershare Battery
- Maximum Area: 0.25 acres
- Cutting Width: 7 inches
- Programming: Bluetooth and Wi-Fi
- Price Range: Moderate
Pros
- Affordable
- Versatile battery
- Wi-Fi-enabled
Cons
- Shorter range
- Setup can be confusing
5. Husqvarna 115H Automower
In addition to the most high-tech robot mowers, Husqvarna offers a stripped-down version of its Automower for a reasonable price. It offers many of the same features that make the high-tech 450XH the leading robot mower.
It has the same high-cut deck, allowing cuts as long as 3.6 inches. It runs on the same Automower Connect app for easy, intuitive interfacing. The lift and tilt sensors shut the blade off instantly to avoid injury. Anti-theft features include an alarm and PIN-lock.
Three remote start points can be programmed to reduce tire tracks and over-mowing. A rain sensor prevents it from cutting wet grass, reducing the risk of damage and disease.
This Husqvarna Automower differs from its more expensive cousin in a few key areas. It lacks the cellular capabilities that enable GPS-assisted mapping and anti-theft tracking. It covers significantly less area, and the battery lasts just an hour on each charge.
The 115H is a great option for small- to medium-sized lawns and it won’t cost you a bundle (compared to some other robot mowers on this list).
Specifications
- Power: 2Ah internal battery
- Maximum Area: 0.4 acres
- Cutting Width: 8.7 inches
- Programming: Bluetooth
- Price Range: Moderate
Pros
- Great safety features
- Adjustable cut height
- Quality, consistent cut
Cons
- No cellular connection
- Small cutting range
6. McCulloch R1000
The McCulloch R1000, affectionately named “ROB”, is another great option. Though McCulloch doesn’t have a ton of name recognition in the U.S., they’ve been the leading manufacturer of power tools in Europe for many years.
ROB operates the same way as the other mowers on this list. A perimeter wire helps him map out your yard and plan his routes, while a guidewire helps him find his way back to the charging station.
Unlike other mowers, ROB has a pivoting blade that gives way to hard objects. This safety feature prevents dangerous blade breakage and flying debris.
ROB has an anti-theft alarm, PIN lock, and will only work with his specific charging port. He’s programmable via an onboard panel that lets you choose your mowing schedule, as well as whether or not to cut in the rain.
Specifications
Power: 2.1 Ah Internal battery
Maximum Area: 3,200 square feet
Cutting Width: 6.7 inches
Programming: Onboard control panel
Price Range: Moderate
Pros
- Anti-theft features
- Pivoting blade for safety
Cons
- No app interfacing
Buyers Guide: Robotic Lawn Mowers
So, you’ve decided to embrace the future and trust your lawn to the robots. But which mowing machine is the right one for you and your lawn? There are a ton of robotic mowers on the market, some very expensive and some surprisingly cheap.
This buying guide will arm you with the tools to separate the good from the bad. We’ll break down the robot lawn mower: how it works, the most important features, and the specs we used to form our rankings.
How does a robot lawn mower work?
The robotic lawn mower has been around since 1969 and is the second most popular type of domestic robot in the world. The robot lawn mowers of today are almost completely autonomous, requiring very little input from the owner. They include a variety of safety and anti-theft features, and many of them can connect with smartphones and smart home systems like Google Home and Amazon Alexa.
So how does a robotic lawn mower actually work? There are a few key components in every mainstream mower that ensure a consistent, even cut.
Home base: the charging dock
Although Husqvarna has held a patent for a solar-powered lawn mower since 1995, today’s robots get their power from your home. A docking station near an outdoor outlet provides all the juice your robot needs, as well as an out-of-the-way spot to rest between mows.
The robots are designed to return to their base station automatically when they need to recharge, or when their pre-programmed mowing period ends. Like all electric mowers, these robots have no emissions and can greatly reduce your carbon footprint.
Installation: boundary and guide wires
How does a robotic mower know where to go? How does it know where not to go? Generally, a boundary wire is laid around the perimeter of your yard, and around no-mow spots like mulched areas and flower beds. Guidewires within the perimeter can help the mower find its way back to its dock, and let it begin mowing from remote points to prevent over-mowing certain areas.
Safety and anti-theft features
If you have children or pets, the idea of an autonomous machine with rapidly rotating razor blades may be a cause for concern. Modern robot mowers are equipped with shut-off sensors that instantly stop the blades when the machine is tilted or lifted. Some models have sensors that stop the blades if a foreign object passes under the edge of the mower. Some have wide guards that keep the blades far from the edge.
Worried your robot will be stolen? Most manufacturers have considered this. Loud lift alarms are the go-to deterrent. Many mowers will need to be unlocked with a PIN code before they work after being lifted or crossing their perimeter line. Some mowers will work only with a special radio signal that links them to the charging station.
Mowers that have GPS capability can be tracked via the app and will send you notifications if your robot mower has been stolen.
What to look for in a robot mower
Robot lawn mowers have varying levels of utility, especially when it comes to the size and shape of your yard. Here’s a breakdown of the specifications we looked at when ranking our top 8 mowers.
Cutting area
The most important specification by far, you should fully scope out the area of your lawn before purchasing a robot mower. As a general rule, less-expensive mowers cover less ground. They have smaller batteries, narrower blades, and shorter guidewires. If your mowing area is too large for a given model, you know right away to look elsewhere.
The largest cutting area we saw on a robot mower was on the Husqvarna 450XH. It covers a whopping 1.25 acres of land.
Interface
As smart applications become the norm, nothing is more convenient than operating your smart home devices remotely. Some robot mowers do just that. You can access them from your phone via a Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or cellular connection to view statistics and issue new commands. This method also can easily alert you when something is amiss, such as a blade stoppage or theft attempt.
Some mowers operate solely with an onboard control unit. While not necessarily a bad thing, the convenience of a phone app is something to consider when making your purchase. But, buyer beware: Some apps, like the Greenworks Optimow interface, may charge a subscription price for their remote capabilities.
Features
While the basic operation is almost identical, all the mowers on this list have unique features that set them apart from the rest. The WORX mowers feature an offset blade that can mow right up against the perimeter, reducing or eliminating the need for additional trimming. Cellular-equipped models have GPS tracking to help catch mower thieves (or recover your robot when it drives into the bushes). We compared the extra features by ranking the number and utility of these unique aspects.
Battery life
Because robot lawn mowers are self-charging, battery life is a less important factor for most people. However, if you want a mower that gets more done at a certain time of day or night, a longer-lasting battery can consolidate the daily mowing into fewer active sessions.
Price
Last, but certainly not least, cost matters. We always compare the other specs against prices to ensure you get the most bang for your buck. We aim to provide a number of options from all price ranges, so you can see how these robots stack up against one another.
Because prices fluctuate with sales and availability, we’ve provided a general idea of price. For this list, “inexpensive” is generally under $1,000, “moderate” is $1,000 to $2,000, and “expensive” is anything beyond.
FAQ about robot lawn mowers
Factored against price, the Worx Landroid WR55 is the best choice on the market. If price is no object, the Husqvarna 450XH Automower is the most advanced robotic mower available.
Manual and riding mowers produce a lot of grass clippings. Usually, people bag these clippings or clean them up with a blower after finishing. The third option is to turn those clippings into mulch to feed and fertilize your grass.
Because they have small razor-like blades and cut more frequently than a human-operated mower, all robotic mowers are mulching mowers. The tiny tips of mowed grass are ground into fine powder by the blades and redistributed back to the soil.
Our research shows that the average robot mower costs somewhere between $1,000 and $1,500. There are budget options available, but they tend to cover far less area.
When to call a lawn care pro
Robots aren’t the only solution to tedious lawn chores. Lawn Love pros can give your yard a professional manicure at affordable prices. Call 800-706-4117 to see how a professional lawn care crew can show your yard some Lawn Love.
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Main photo credit: distelAPPArath | Pixabay with text overlay
