Before you buy
Do robot lawn mowers work well?
On a lawn that suits them, yes. They cut a little every day, so the grass stays short and the clippings disappear into the lawn. Most disappointments come from a lawn the mower wasn't built for, usually one that is bigger, steeper or more shaded than its rating, or a side passage it can't get through.
What are the downsides of a robot mower?
You still trim the edges, because most leave a strip along walls and fences. Toys, fallen fruit and dog poop need picking up before it runs. And it's a sizable purchase that can be stolen from an open front lawn. Our guides on slopes, trees and theft go into each.
Which robot mowers don't need a boundary wire?
All 87 models on this site work without a boundary wire. Most use satellites with RTK correction, often with a camera or LiDAR to help. 34 of them use only LiDAR or cameras and need no antenna either. Wired models aren't covered here.
How big a lawn can a robot mower handle?
The biggest rating among the wire-free models we track is 10,000 m² (2.5 acres), for the Segway Navimow X390. Ratings assume best-case conditions, so we look for a rating about a quarter above your lawn size. Our guide to mowers for 1 acre explains the margin.
Will a robot mower cut St. Augustine, Bermuda or buffalo grass?
It depends on the cutting height. St. Augustine is usually kept tall, so the check looks for a mower that cuts at 90 mm (3.5 in) or higher, which 44 models manage. Bermuda and couch like it short, so the check wants 30 mm (1.2 in) or lower, which 67 models manage. Choose your grass type in the fit check and it applies the right limit for your country.
How much does a robot mower cost?
In the US, wire-free models in our latest price check run from under $700 to over $5,000 before tax. Our cost guide has the current range per country, what pushes the price up, and the running costs.
Everyday use
Do robot mowers work in the rain?
Most can mow in the rain, though many are set to wait until it stops. Several brands rate their mowers IPX6 or IP66 against water, and Worx, Ecovacs and some Navimow models have a rain sensor with an adjustable delay. Husqvarna adds that the lawn looks better if it isn't cut in heavy rain. On slopes, wet grass costs a lot of grip, so a rain delay is worth turning on.
Does a robot mower need Wi-Fi?
Not once it is set up and mowing on its schedule. You use the app, over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, to map the lawn and change settings. Wi-Fi or a 4G module matters for remote control, alerts and GPS tracking, and for models that get their satellite corrections from a network service instead of an antenna in your yard.
Do robot mowers need a subscription?
Most don't need one to mow. Several brands charge for mobile data after a free period, which you need for tracking and control away from home Wi-Fi. Husqvarna says its Automower Connect service is free. Sunseeker says the NetRTK+ 4G service on the X7 Gen 2 needs a subscription after the included 24 or 60 months, without saying what still works without it. Our cost guide lists the data plans we found.
Do robot mowers collect the grass clippings?
No. They cut a small amount often, and the clippings are fine enough to drop back into the lawn. Husqvarna says they are so fine and small that they don't need collecting.
Do robot mowers cut right up to the edge?
Rarely all the way. Where makers publish how much they leave along an edge, it is 3 cm to 15 cm, typically about 5 cm. Some models do extra edge passes, Navimow's H2 for example, and Husqvarna sells EdgeCut blades for some models. Along a wall or fence you'll still need a trimmer now and then.
Can a robot mower cut long grass?
Not well. Give it a short lawn to start with. Husqvarna recommends cutting grass longer than 10 cm (4 in) with a regular mower first, and Navimow asks you to cut it to 6 cm (2.4 in) or less before the first run. After that, mowing every day keeps it short.
Do robot mowers make stripes?
Satellite and LiDAR models mow in straight parallel lines, which gives a neat pattern, and Husqvarna lets you choose the pattern on its EPOS models. The deep two-tone stripes you see on sports fields come from a roller bending the grass, which robot mowers don't have.
How loud is a robot mower?
Quiet enough to run while you sit outside. Where makers publish a noise level it ranges from 54 to 70 dB(A), with 60 dB(A) typical. Husqvarna puts its Automowers at around 60 dB, against 95 to 100 dB(A) for a gas mower.
Safety and wildlife
Is it safe to run a robot mower at night?
Many can, but wildlife groups advise against it. Hedgehog Street, run by two UK wildlife charities, says it is best to run robot mowers only during the day and to check the lawn first. Which? gives the same advice, and Worx's UK site says its Landroid mowers are set to work in daylight by default.
Are robot mowers safe around children and pets?
In the UK and the EU, robotic mowers have to meet a safety standard written for them (EN 50636-2-107, based on IEC 60335-2-107), and Which? tests whether the blades stop or the mower turns away in time when it meets a foot-shaped probe. Makers still tell you not to let them run unattended with children or pets on the lawn. Navimow's manual puts that in capital letters, and Eufy says young children should not play near a mower while it runs.
Can a robot mower fall into a pool or pond?
It can if it drives off course near the water. Map a safe distance from the edge, and look for a model with drop-off detection if you have water or a sudden drop next to the lawn. Tick "Water or a drop-off next to it" in the fit check and it warns about models without it.
Ownership
How long does a robot mower last?
There are no good long-term figures yet for wire-free models, which have only been widely sold for a few years. The battery is the part that wears. Husqvarna puts Automower battery life at typically two to five years. Warranties run from 1 to 4 years, and 3 is the most common.
How often do the blades need changing?
Every few weeks to a few months, depending on the brand and how much it mows. Husqvarna says its main disc blades typically last three to six weeks, and Mammotion suggests every three months or 150 hours. The cost guide has more on running costs.
What do I do with a robot mower in winter?
Bring it in. Husqvarna advises charging it fully, switching it off and storing it indoors somewhere dry and above freezing. Navimow says to charge to at least 85% before storage and top it up every 120 days.
Do robot mowers get stolen?
Sometimes, though there are no national figures. Most brands now use PIN codes, lift alarms and account locks, and many add GPS tracking. Our theft guide compares them by brand.