Known as the Roomba of lawn care, robot lawn mowers automatically cut your grass a little each day, so you don’t have to. Once the robot’s set up, you don’t even have to be home to mow.
Robotic mowers run on lithium-ion batteries. Every 1 to 3 days, the robot leaves its charging station to trim off a tiny bit of turf. The clippings are mulched and left on the lawn to fertilize the grass. When done, the robot returns to its charging station to refuel for the next mow.
Our article explains how robot mowers work and includes tips for determining if one’s right for you. After doing thorough research and interviewing the founder of a robotic mower company, we give you the lowdown.
What’s a robot lawn mower?
People program robots to do tasks. Likewise, robotic lawn mowers run on code that tells them how to cut the grass. After their initial setup, the user monitors and adjusts them remotely via one or more of the following: smartphone app, Wi-Fi connection, cellular networks, Bluetooth, voice assistant, and smart home devices.
Many homeowners appreciate robotic mowing, like using an automatic sprinkler system to water the lawn. Although nifty, automatic lawn mower robots are only as smart as their programming. As a result, the best robot mowers feature top-notch engineering and clean code.
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✓ Low operating cost | ✗ High upfront cost |
| ✓ Quiet | ✗ Less control |
| ✓ Easy to store | ✗ Can be difficult to set up |
| ✓ Takes little effort to mow | ✗ Sometimes they get stuck |
| ✓ Mulches clippings | ✗ They don’t edge the lawn |
| ✓ Makes lawns look more lush | ✗ May have trouble trimming thick grass types |
| ✓ You don’t have to be home when the grass gets mowed |
Cutting system
Robot lawn mowers have multiple lightweight micro-blades that mulch grass clippings into a fine organic fertilizer. They tend to trim turf shorter than a typical walk-behind or riding mower, making them ideal for low turf. However, many models struggle mowing thick, tall grass.
Robots also mow more often than a regular lawn mower, which makes the lawn look more lush. Since the mower makes frequent minor cuts, “there’s less stress on the plant,” explains Clint Waltz, a University of Georgia professor and extension specialist. “Our research has shown improved rooting and improved density of the canopy.”
Boundary identification
Robot lawn mowers detect boundaries via boundary wires or GPS navigation. Although more expensive, models with GPS are much easier to set up. As a bonus, some models allow you to set up more than one mowing area, where each zone receives a separate set of mowing instructions.
Boundary wires are also called “guide” or “perimeter” wires. You physically install them, which often takes a lot of time and frustration. However, once set up, the robot knows not to cross the line.
GPS navigation gives the mower a virtual map of your yard. Just as I find places better with Google Maps, robot mowers with GPS are less likely to get lost. GPS enhances navigation and even helps with theft prevention.
Object avoidance
Robotic mowers avoid obstacles using navigational sensors. Sensors detect objects, such as trees and large debris. They also alert the robot to changes in the terrain, such as a steeper incline.
“Most robotic mowers operate with an ultrasonic sensor,” explains Wesley Pitts, founder of KnoxBots. “Some robotic mowers operate with vision. And that’s how mowers are able to maneuver around objects and obstacles on the property.”
Cutting pattern
An algorithm is a set of rules that use math to tell computers how to complete tasks. For example, we often hear about social media algorithms deciding what we see on our social feed. Similarly, a robot’s mowing pattern depends on its mowing algorithm.
Random cutting patterns are the most common. The robot appears to roam the yard willy-nilly, mowing a little here and there from various directions. However, there is a method behind the madness. Guided by a complex algorithm, the robot cuts the entire lawn.
In contrast, systemic cutting patterns cut in an orderly routine. Although less common than random routes, they give the lawn a cleaner appearance. The most popular planned patterns are parallel and spiral cuts.
Parallel cutting patterns cut straight paths in alternating directions to stripe the lawn or create a checkboard pattern.
Spiral cutting patterns activate when the robot detects unruly, overgrown grass. The mower starts at a center point and cuts in an outward spiral.
Battery power
The robot charges itself at its charging station, which is also called home base. The battery-powered bot stays at home until it’s time to mow. After mowing, the robot goes back home to charge.
Fancy features
Some robot lawn mowers have extra features that improve its safety, skill, or ease of use. The most popular extras are rain sensors, auto-scheduling, GPS anti-theft protection, collision sensors, all-wheel drive (AWD) , waterproof construction, and blades that auto-stop when the mower’s lifted.
FAQ about robotic lawn mowers
Mowers with a broader cutting width and more mow zones are better for larger yards.
Under ¼ acre: 6- to 8-inch width, 1 zone
¼ – ½ acre: 7- to 10-inch cutting width, 1 to 2 zones
Over ½ acre: 8- to 16-inch cutting width, 2 or more zones
Expect a robot lawn mower to last 4 to 12 years. Pitts says residential robot mowers typically last about 6 years, but he’s seen some last as long as 12 years. On the other hand, commercial models typically last about 4 years.
Most robot lawn mowers cost $800 to $2,500. However, some cost as little as $600, while others are over $3,000.
The benefits of robotic mowing include:
● It’s easy to store the mower
● Mowing requires little elbow grease
● Robots are quiet, averaging 60 decibels
● Grass clippings are turned into fine mulch
● Frequent, gradual cuts make lawns more lush
Although low-maintenance, robot mowers require some service. Read the owner’s manual for exact instructions, but typical robot upkeep includes:
● Inspect the mower and its charging station after each mow.
● Turn off the mower to clean its body and blades each week.
● Annual pro checkup to make sure its software and parts are up-to-date and in tip-top shape.
Pitts suggests getting a service plan from a local pro, so “when issues arise, they’re already taken care of by the local company.”
The risk of injury from robot lawn mowers is low as long as you follow the directions in their user manual. Furthermore, injuries are more common with traditional mowers than robots. However, to ensure the best safety, look for a robotic mower with advanced sensors, collision detection, and auto-stop blades.
When to call a lawn care pro
The best hands-off approach to mowing is hiring a lawn care pro. An experienced pro has the high-end equipment and hands-on know-how to make your lawn look lovely and lush.
Lawn Love has a vast network of affordable, vetted, and insured pros. We back their work with a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee and have a user-friendly app. In addition to mowing, we can help with fertilization, gardening, and much more. Our pros provide over 30 of the most popular outdoor services.
Sources:
- Wesley Pitts, founder of KnoxBots in Knoxville, TN. Personal Interview.
- “Extension specialist discusses advantages of robotic mowers.” By Clint Waltz, Extension Specialist and Professor of Turfgrass. University of Georgia.
- “Keven Moore: How Robotic Mowers will save the day in regard to lawn mower accidents.” By Keven Moore, director of risk management services at Houchens Insurance Group. Northern Kentucky Tribune.
Main Photo Credit: Alexandre Patchine | Adobe Stock Free | License
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