Lawn Mowers
Is a Robotic Lawnmower Right for Your Garden?
29
Sep
Sep
Robot Mowers 101: Is a Robotic Lawnmower Right for Your Garden?
Robotic mowers take the grind out of lawn care. They cut little and often, are quiet, safe and consistent, and can improve grass density through micro-mulching. Here’s how to know if one suits your plot, how to pick the right model, and what installation involves.
Quick fit: who benefits from a robo-mower
- Total lawn area from 150 to 2,000+ m² (check each model’s spec).
- Power outlet available for the charging base.
- No open drops or ponds within the mowing zone (or fence them with boundary wire).
- Prefer hands-off, regular mowing and a tidier lawn week after week.
Pros & Considerations
Why people love them
- Automatic upkeep at a set height; lawn always looks fresh.
- Very quiet (often 58–65 dB) — evening runs are fine.
- Mulches clippings back into the turf as natural fertilizer.
- Big time-saver on complex shapes and around beds/paths.
Things to note
- Initial boundary-wire layout takes an hour or two.
- Maximum slope is limited (typically 25–45%).
- Edges along walls/raised borders may still need a quick trim.
How to choose — 4 steps
- Measure area. Add all lawn zones; pick a model with 15–20% headroom.
- Check slopes. Match your steepest gradient to the mower’s rated incline.
- Edges & passages. Look for edge mode, corridor handling, multiple start points.
- Smart features. App control (BT/Wi-Fi/LTE), schedules, rain sensor, PIN/alarm.
Area
up to 300 / 500 / 1,000+ m²
up to 300 / 500 / 1,000+ m²
Cut width
16–28 cm
16–28 cm
Height range
20–60 mm
20–60 mm
Noise
≈ 58–65 dB
≈ 58–65 dB
Fast install checklist
- Place the base on a flat spot with a clear “nose” in/out and a nearby socket.
- Lay the boundary wire around the perimeter (on top of turf is fine; it will sink in).
- Island off beds, ponds and boulders with the wire loop.
- Run auto-dock, set schedules and initial cutting height. Done.
Care & safety tips
- Rotate/replace blades every 1–3 months (depends on area and frequency).
- Brush off deck and wheels; avoid pressure washers on the electronics.
- Store the mower and base indoors over winter.
- Enable PIN/alarm; use app tracking if available.
FAQ
Will it handle narrow passages?
Choose models with corridor detection and multiple start points to reach long, thin zones.
Can it mow when the grass is damp?
Light moisture is OK for most units. For the best finish, mow when dry or use the rain sensor to pause.
Do I still need a trimmer?
For crisp edging along walls and raised borders, a quick touch-up with a trimmer is ideal.
