Husqvarna 4wd robot mower. Best Cheap Robot Lawn Mowers (2023)

Best Robot Lawn Mowers on the Cheap (2023)

There aren’t a ton of cheap robot lawn mowers out there… yet.

The main reason why these robot lawn mowers are cheaper is that they are specifically designed for smaller lawns (-500 m²). And that means, as you can imagine, in contrast to a large lawn, it takes less effort for these little gardeners with wheels to handle a smaller and usually less complex of a lawn in terms of their requirements for performance, computing and battery power.

Regardless, there are quite a few gems out there on the cheap even for the bigger lawns. They just needed to be found.

Along with this Robot Lawn Mower Buying Guide (which I really suggest you quickly skim through), let’s have a closer look at those cheaper ones I’ve come across. See which you fancy more and check out the corresponding review.

Top 10 Actually Cheap Robot Lawn Mowers

Before you go any further, let’s be clear about a couple of things when it comes to cheap robot lawn mowers in general. Wouldn’t want you to make a bad decision.

The robot lawn mower market is still rather new and so the selection is somewhat limited (and somewhat high) even as of 2023.

The so-called “cheap” robot lawn mowers are essentially just lesser versions of the more expensive models with only real difference being how big of a lawn they’re wired to handle. That means buying an expensive robot lawn mower might be counterproductive in case of a smaller lawn where you can (and should) get away with buying the lower cost version instead! But hey, I’m not your mom…

TLDR: cheap is not bad, rather they are meant for smaller lawn sizes (–500 m²) and usually don’t have all the bells and whistles, is all.

#0 Husqvarna Automower 435X AWD

Just to make sure we’re talking CHEAP… Of course you can get yourself one of the most expensive robot mowers like the Husqvarna Automower 435X AWD or an equivalent that pack powerful features such as the ability to traverse around obstacles with no contact, climb steep (35°) inclines with all-wheel driving (AWD) along with a beast of a battery pack, GPS navigation system mapping out the entire lawn so it doesn’t mow randomly, and so much more, but the initial cost would be too much for my monthly salary to handle. And what if it got stolen, or something like that, with no way for me to prove it afterwards…

Something more affordable would be one of the iMOW robot mowers, my personal pick in 2023, or equivalent, but which can still be rather on the heavy side for the wallet compared to these cheap ones here…

My experience tells me it’s much nicer to get into the robot lawn mower game without spending a fortune!

#1 Husqvarna Automower 115H

Lawn size up to around 1600 m² (17222 ft²). Max incline: 17.5° (or 30%). Battery: rechargeable 18 V 2.0 Ah lithium-ion. Operating time: 60 minutes (avg). Charging time: 60 minutes (avg). Cutting height: 50-90 mm (or 2″ to 3.6″). Cutting blades: 3 razor-like blades attached to a rotating disc. Cutting width: 22 cm (or 8.7″). Noise level: up to 60 dB. Remote control: yes (Bluetooth, cellular, and manual control panel). The package includes everything you need to set it up and the mower has all the essential mowing, safety, and security features (be ware: additional perimeter wire needed in case of a more complex yard layout).

#2 Gardena SILENO Minimo 250

Lawn size up to around 250 m² (2700 ft²). Max incline: 20° (or 35%). Battery: rechargeable 18 V 2.0 Ah lithium-ion. Operating time: 65 minutes (avg). Charging time: 60-75 minutes (avg). Cutting height: 20-45 mm (or 0.8″ to 1.8″). Cutting blades: 3 razor-like blades attached to a rotating disc. Cutting width: 16 cm (or 6.3″). Noise level: up to 57 dB. Remote control: yes (Bluetooth, cellular, and manual control panel). The package includes everything you need to set it up and the mower has all the essential mowing, safety, and security features (be ware: additional perimeter wire needed in case of a more complex yard layout).

#3 Flymo EasiLife 500 GO

Lawn size up to around 500 m² (5382 ft²). Max incline: 15° (or 25%). Battery: rechargeable 18 V 2.0 Ah lithium-ion. Operating time: 70 minutes (avg). Charging time: 75 minutes (avg). Cutting height: 20-50 mm (or 0.8″ to 1.97″). Cutting blades: 3 razor-like blades attached to a rotating disc. Cutting width: 16 cm (or 6.3″). Noise level: up to 57 dB. Remote control: yes (Bluetooth, cellular, and manual control panel). The package includes everything you need to set it up and the mower has all the essential mowing, safety, and security features (be ware: additional perimeter wire needed in case of a more complex yard layout).

#4 WORX Landroid M500 WR141E

Lawn size up to around 500 m² (5382 ft²). Max incline: 20° (or 35%). Battery: rechargeable 20 V 2.0 Ah lithium-ion. Operating time: 70 minutes (avg). Charging time: 70 minutes (avg). Cutting height: 30-60 mm (or 1.2″ to 2.4″). Cutting blades: cut to edge 3 razor-like blades attached to a rotating disc. Cutting width: 18 cm (or 7.1″). Noise level: up to 67 dB. Remote control: yes (Bluetooth, cellular, and manual control panel). The package includes everything you need to set it up and the mower has all the essential mowing, safety, and security features (be ware: additional perimeter wire needed in case of a more complex yard layout).

#5 Lawnmaster L12

Lawn size up to around 800 m² (8611 ft²). Max incline: 20° (or 35%). Battery: rechargeable 20 V 4.0 Ah lithium-ion. Operating time: 120 minutes (avg). Charging time: 100 minutes (avg). Cutting height: 20-60 mm (or 0.8″ to 2.4″). Cutting blades: 3 razor-like blades attached to a rotating disc. Cutting width: 18 cm (or 7.1″). Noise level: up to 62 dB. Remote control: no (only manual control panel). The package includes everything you need to set it up and the mower has all the essential mowing, safety, and security features (be ware: additional perimeter wire needed in case of a more complex yard layout).

#6 Einhell FREELEXO 1200 LCD BT

Lawn size up to around 1200 m² (12917 ft²). Max incline: 20° (or 35%). Battery: rechargeable 18 V 5.2 Ah lithium-ion. Operating time: 100 minutes (avg). Charging time: 120 minutes (avg). Cutting height: 20-60 mm (or 0.8″ to 2.4″). Cutting blades: 3 razor-like blades attached to a rotating disc. Cutting width: 18 cm (or 7.1″). Noise level: up to 59.4 dB. Remote control: yes (Bluetooth, cellular, and a manual control panel). The package includes everything you need to set it up and the mower has all the essential mowing, safety, and security features (be ware: additional perimeter wire needed in case of a more complex yard layout).

#7 Flymo EasiLife 400 Go

Lawn size up to around 400 m² (4306 ft²). Max incline: 15° (or 25%). Battery: rechargeable 18 V 2.0 Ah lithium-ion. Operating time: 70 minutes (avg). Charging time: 75 minutes (avg). Cutting height: 20-50 mm (or 0.8″ to 1.97″). Cutting blades: 3 razor-like blades attached to a rotating disc. Cutting width: 16 cm (or 6.3″). Noise level: up to 58 dB. Remote control: yes (Bluetooth, cellular, and manual control panel). The package includes everything you need to set it up and the mower has all the essential mowing, safety, and security features (be ware: additional perimeter wire needed in case of a more complex yard layout).

#8 Lawnmaster L10

Lawn size up to around 400 m² (or 4306 ft²). Max incline: 20° (or 35%). Battery: rechargeable 20 V 2.0 Ah lithium-ion. Operating time: 40 minutes (avg). Charging time: 45 minutes (avg). Cutting height: 20-60 mm (or 0.79″ to 2.36″). Cutting blades: 3 razor-like blades attached to a rotating disc. Cutting width: 18 cm (or 7.08″). Noise level: up to 62 dB. Remote control: no (manual control panel only). The package includes everything you need to set it up and the mower has all the essential mowing, safety, and security features (be ware: additional perimeter wire needed in case of a more complex yard layout).

#9 Landxcape LX796

Lawn size up to around 400 m² (4306 ft²). Max incline: 15° (or 25%). Battery: rechargeable 20 V 2.0 Ah lithium-ion. Operating time: 30-60 minutes (avg). Charging time: 240 minutes (avg). Cutting height: 20-50 mm (or 0.8″ to 1.97″). Cutting blades: 3 razor-like blades attached to a rotating disc. Cutting width: 16 cm (or 6.3″). Noise level: up to 65 dB. Remote control: no (only manual control panel). The package includes everything you need to set it up and the mower has all the essential mowing, safety, and security features (be ware: additional perimeter wire needed in case of a more complex yard layout).

#10 Landxcape LX799

Lawn size up to around 300 m² (or 3229 ft²). Max incline: 15° (or 25%). Battery: rechargeable 20 V 2.0 Ah lithium-ion. Operating time: 30-60 minutes (avg). Charging time: 240 minutes (avg). Cutting height: 20-50 mm (or 0.79″ to 1.97″). Cutting blades: 3 pivoting razor-like blades attached to a rotating disc. Cutting width: 16 cm (or 6.3″). Noise level: up to 65 dB. Remote control: no (manual control panel only). The package includes everything you need to set it up and the mower has all the essential mowing, safety, and security features (be ware: additional perimeter wire needed in case of a more complex yard layout).

Going Cheap – FAQ

What’s the Difference Between a Low-Cost and an Expensive Robot Lawn Mower?

Assuming we’re talking about at least normal quality robot mowers from reputable brands, in my research I’ve determined that the low-cost robot lawn mowers aren’t all that much different from the more expensive models in how and what they do.

The main difference between them is how large of a lawn they’re designed to cover, which means the requirements for performance, computing and battery power are lower and thus ones come out cheaper. However, the really really cheap ones that are not just lesser versions of the more expensive models do cut corners in how complex of a lawn they can handle in comparison (depth of slopes, narrowness of paths, etc). Additionally and naturally, those really cheap ones might have less options to configure because of that. As such, there might only be a few buttons which would allow you to, for example, stop the mower, send it to recharge, set a password and/or the amount of time it should mow per day. I’d argue that there’s actually beauty in simplicity as they end up being more robust and practical with no gimmicks driving up the price unnecessarily.

They are otherwise, both the cheap and more expensive robot lawn mowers, all very similar in that they mow autonomously by mulching grass in the designated area.

How Do Budget Robot Lawn Mowers Work?

they cut, ahem, mulch grass (there’s a difference between cutting and mulching) autonomously and the cheap ones usually in a random pattern… “Yeah, no shit,” you’d no doubt say to that. You probably already get the gist of how they work (and if not, check with this article on How Robot Mowers Work), and no, they won’t do your dishes.

The dishes in this analogy would be some of the edges of your lawn, the odd hard to reach patches of grass due to narrow paths, the other side of your fence unless you’ve dragged a perimeter wire there as well and manually brought the mower there for the time being, the weed among your flowerbeds, though it might do a number on your kids’ toys (“learning the hard way”), and so forth. Even the most sophisticated breeds of robot lawn mower wouldn’t do all the work for you in this day and age. And I wouldn’t really want them to do it all anyway, come to think of it (AI takeover).

IMPORTANT: Robot lawn mowers they are designed to work often. They are not like your manual mowers that you push around for an hour and call it a day. These things operate all day long in a cycle of mowing and charging, e.g mowing for 50 minutes, charging for 60 minutes (varies per model). The number of times a lot of people have returned their brand new robot mower saying it left patches of grass uncut after finishing that first cycle is baffling. Here’s to hoping you’re now informed enough to not become that person. ^^

How Should I Choose a Robot Lawn Mower?

Here I can only really give you very generic sounding advice even after leaving out the super obvious like your lawn size or slope angles which tend to directly reflect in a higher price. You can get more insights from this article: Robot Lawn Mower Buying Guide (link opens in a new tab).

Anti-theft features – if you don’t have a fence and fear your new robot lawn mower getting stolen, look for one with configurable password, alarm, and maybe even a GPS system. Here’s an insightful story: “Had someone try to steal my auto mower” (link opens in a new tab, source: Reddit).
Compatible spare parts – try to make sure those aren’t available to you only on the other side of the ocean in advance (spare blades, extra perimeter wire, battery pack, etc).
Weatherproofness – if it’s constantly raining in your area throughout the year then you might want to double check how it’s designed against humidity feature-wise.
Ease of use – for example, where is the cutting height dial located (with some mowers you ought to bring out your screwdriver and flip the thing to even just raise or lower the blades… others have a dial right next to the control panel as a simple knob), does the control panel have a screen or just buttons, is there maybe remote control option, etc.

What if My Lawn Size Is Bigger Than What’s Recommended for a Given Unit?

It won’t be the end of the world, but you might end up with patches of uncut grass, especially in times of faster growing grass.

It’ll still be cut for the most part with a patch of uncut grass being an exception if your lawn didn’t exceed the recommended lawn size by too much. I know in this example the lawn size is way bigger than what the cheap ones can handle, but let’s say your lawn was roughly 5000 m² and the mower was designed for 4000 m², it’ll still be mostly cut (source). Again, and in my case at least, it wouldn’t equate to the end of the world.

Are the Cheaper Robot Lawn Mowers Safe?

Here’s the short version: NOT SAFE FOR PETS AND CHILDREN!

Here are some typical safety features (even the cheap ones tend have these):

STOP button – it’s a manual highly visible red button which makes the mower stop in it’s tracks the moment it’s pushed
collision detection – the mower comes to a full stop upon hitting something (though it might take a second for it to register the bump);
lift and tilt sensors – the mower comes to a full stop when tilted or lifted (though, again, it might take a second for it to register the event);
less powerful motor – they’re mainly designed to cut grass along with some odd branches at most (though this may wary across brands);
low ground clearance – the space between the mower and the ground is narrow (say it did drive up your foot, it would likely trigger a tilt stop);
clearance between chassis and blades – coupled with the latter, there’s also extra space between the edge of the mower and the blades;
blades slice rather than cut through – when the pivoting razor-like blades come in contact with something hard, they slice rather than cut;
blade exposure preventative plastic shield – a plastic shield around the blades that only let grass get in blades’ way (not all mowers have it).

For more info: Robot Lawn Mower Safety (link open in a new tab).

Is a Cheap Robot Lawn Mower Worth It?

It would feel very cliché for me to answer “yes” to this question for you. So instead I’ll say: “Probably.”

I mean, in my experience: money saved, timed saved.

The whole idea of a robot mower is that it would save you from the manual labor, right? Of course the downside would be the initial cost of buying one, which is slightly lessened by buying a cheap one, but then again the running costs would be pleasantly low afterwards. And then we’d only be left with the hassle of setting it up plus the maintenance (…and the worrying thought of it getting stolen, breaking down, or it running over your neighbor’s old and blind Tigger). Clearly there are pros and cons to everything.

And who knows, maybe you’re one of those people who love manually mowing their lawn, perhaps you’re simply just not aware of it yet.

What About the Running Costs?

As was mentioned earlier, the running costs are low, averaging out to about 50 per year overall (rough overestimate).

Electricity – varies from mower to mower from 2.5 kWh to 34 kWh per month, costing roughly 2.
Replacement battery pack – every 2 to 6 years the battery might wear out too much, replacement costing around 100.
Replacement blades – it’s generally recommended to replace the blades twice per mowing season and 1 set of blades costs around 8.
Extra boundary wire connectors – whatever comes with the package is usually never enough and a pet or what have you might chew on the wire that’s already there on top of that, so another payment of around 50 per 100 meters of wire whilst the connectors are sold similarly to the blades, in bulk, and priced about the same as the blade set.

PS! As is always the case, the numbers vary wildly depending on many things. In my case, the mowing season generally lasts for roughly 4 months only. The robot lawn mower usually mows for around 10 hours per day, half of the time charging at roughly 80 Wh (1000 W = 1 kW). That way it uses 12 kWh per month whilst electricity costs 0.13 kWh. That’s just 1.56 per month on electricity in my case. 4 months of mowing amounts to 6 on electricity fees in total. If that’s not low cost then I don’t know what is…

For more insights on costs, check this article (link opens in a new tab).

How Long Does a Cheap Robot Lawn Mower Last?

Given the initial cost, the low running cost means nothing if the mower went wheels up after just a couple of months. That’s how I’d think.

In my experience, these little gardeners tend to last a very long time if properly taken care of. I’m talking 10 years or more. Though, obviously, anything can happen in the meantime (flood, lightning, electrical malfunction, software bug, theft, tree falling accident, tornado, quick swim in the pond, severe case of overheating, shark attack, wait, what, and so on) and all of a sudden what would have been a decade becomes just a few years or even just months instead. Mine’s been going for 3 so far. My neighbors have had theirs for much longer.

Here’s a longer take on this topic: How Long Do Robot Mowers Last (link opens in a new tab).

Is It Hard to Install a Robot Lawn Mower?

It’s not hard, but it can be tedious.

You’re looking at installing the charging station, which is the easier part, where the only thing you ought to check beforehand is if you’ve got an outdoor power socket for it. the next thing is the installation of boundary (a.k.a perimeter) wire all around the area you want cut. The more complex the yard layout, as in flowerbeds and the like, the more time it will take to lay the wire around these things so that the mower wouldn’t go where it shouldn’t. There will be a lot of trial and error in the process when it comes to the perimeter wire unless things are well documented and the instructions clear enough (installation instructions manual is usually included in the package).

PS! Usually the package never includes enough perimeter wire to cover the entire lawn, especially if you had to take a little detour to exclude flowerbeds or the like from the mowing area [Psst! Essentially you could DIY the wire for much cheaper by buying a copper wire (only make sure it’s singular line and about the same in diameter as the original wire from the package) and using that. You could also just connect the DIY wire with the original and make it longer that way …But you didn’t hear that from me].

There are 2 ways to install the wire:

using pegs – you’d lay the wire tightly against the ground and lock it down with pegs (over time the grass will grow over it making it all invisible);
burying the wire – you’d cut a V-shaped mini ditch and place the wire in it (the robot mower will still sense it through the ground).

PS! Ideally you’d use the pegs first so as to see if everything works out over a few days or weeks. It’s easier to make adjustments to the installation this way, though you do run the risk of the mower cutting through the wire. Assuming the wire was not broken during that trial period and you’re happy with the results with no more adjustments needed for the layout, only then you might want to bury the wire (note that it’s not mandatory to bury the wire).

Is a Cheap Robot Lawn Mower Weatherproof?

All commercial robot lawn mowers along with their charging station and perimeter wire tend to be weatherproof by design (to a reasonable extent).

Robot lawn mower – given that these things work autonomously outdoors, they have to be weatherproof to some extent. They all have a shell that protects the more sensitive inner parts from weather elements, such as rain. The underside of the robot lawn mower is also fairly well covered leaving just the blades exposed. However, and obviously, the robot mower is not protected against extreme weather conditions, such as, in some cases, severe case of humidity, flat out flooding, overheating (plastic melting levels of heat), lightning, etc. Submerge your car in a pond and see if it comes out brand new with no negative effects down the line… You lucky bastard, you’ve found yourself beyond holy of a water (would it even be “water” anymore?). Just a reminder to practise some common sense.

Charging station – this one’s exposed to those same weather elements. I’d say flooding and severe case of overheating can do a number on it. I’ve left mine out for several snowy winters and it’s working fine (the waterline would have to reach the top of the charging station where the wires connect while electricity was running for it to break down).

Perimeter wire – boundary wire is exposed to corrosion much in the same way pipes are. That’s to say that the wire might actually outlive you unless you cut through it by accident, a rodent had a feast on it, or stuff like that. It’s safe to leave the wire out there even for winter.

PS! This all assumes you’re doing some maintenance from time to time and have set things up correctly to begin with (the instructions manual that comes with buying a robot mower tends to have ample information on that stuff).

How to Take Care of a Cheaper Robot Lawn Mower?

Relatively low maintenance:

clean regularly;
replace cutting blades when need be;
replace rechargeable battery when it seems almost dead;
install charging station in shaded area to protect the mower from the elements;
don’t forget to unplug the power supply connected to the charging station you left outside for winter;
when storing the robot mower, charge fully, turn off, clean, and place in dry indoor conditions, and avoid leaving in freezing temperature.

For deeper insights: Robot Lawn Mower Care Maintenance (link opens in a new tab).

How Much Noise Do Cheap Robot Lawn Mowers Make?

Most robot lawn mowers are said to operate at around 60dB or lower range (example).

60dB is most often referred to sound level a normal conversation would generate from a meter length which may sound loud depending on who you imagine is speaking. Like one of those toy cars that make a sound when you move their wheels. Something like that. Plus the whirling sound from blades slicing grass as they rotate.

Mine’s and my neighbors’ mowers you won’t hear them from further than few meters were you to walk by them. You really need to see them in order to connect the faint sound they make (the whirling and slicing of grass). If there was a hedge and the mower right next to you on the other side of it, you’d think you hear something coming from far away when in fact the mower making the sound is right next to you. That’s how “loud” they are.

How to Find the Right Robotic Mower for Slopes

You have a lawn with a rather large incline and you do not know which robotic mower is suitable for it? Here I want to show you what to look for when choosing your robotic mower, and at the same time give you an overview of the models that come into question. How do I find the right robotic mower for slopes? When choosing the right robotic mower for slopes, the most important thing is that it is designed for the slope in question, as not all robotic mowers have the same climbing ability. Equally important is the area output, which should be chosen somewhat more generously here due to the gradient. Other factors are also taken into account, such as fallen fruit or a lot of foliage. But what exactly are you looking for? Are the specifications of the robotic mowers correct regarding their climbing ability? What other functions do you have to look out for? I have dealt with this thoroughly in the following article.

What Are the Most Important Factors for Robotic Mowers on Slopes?

Fitness of the Robotic Mower for Steepness

One of the most important features of robotic mowers when steep terrains are involved is their ability to climb. Mowing robots can cope with terrain of varying steepness, depending on their design. Virtually all robotic mowers can manage gradients of up to 25%. However, many newer models are now also designed for 35%. In the higher price segment, you will also find a number of robotic mowers that can manage 45%. Beyond that, the selection narrows significantly. Some models can achieve 50%. Husqvarna now has four-wheel drive models that handle an amazing 70%, but are also very expensive (Automower 435X AWD and Automower 535 AWD). Imperative for determining the gradient that can be mastered is the strength of the engine, the weight of the robotic mower, the number of wheels (there are 3 or 4-wheeled models), and the design/material of the wheels.

Area Output of the Robotic Mower on Slopes

But the climbing ability of your mower is not the only thing that’s important. Another important factor that plays a role is the area output. This applies to all lawns, of course. The robotic mower must be designed for the size of the area. A certain amount of leeway is always important, especially since the maximum area output specification usually assumes that the robotic mower mows 12, 18, or sometimes even 24 hours a day (this depends on the manufacturer). However, the robotic mower will probably not be on the move in your yard for 24 hours, e.g. so as not to disturb your or your neighbor’s sleep, or so that children can play safely on the lawn. Many owners program their robotic mower so that it only mows in the mornings during the week, for example, when nobody is at home, or in the evenings. The data also assumes optimum conditions, i.e. an uncomplicated area with few bends, and grass that is easy to mow. And above all, it also assumes only very slight inclines. On steep surfaces, the robotic mower has to use considerably more energy and also slows down somewhat when it has to drive uphill. This drains the battery more quickly and the robotic mower must return to the charging station earlier. This reduces the area output once again significantly. Unfortunately, the effect is also not compensated by driving downhill. Many robotic mowers even brake extra so that they do not drive downhill too fast.

Can I Trust the Information on the Climbing Ability?

The data on climbing ability are usually very optimistic and assume very good conditions. How well the robotic mower can actually master a slope, however, also depends on the nature of the ground. Depending on the type of soil and the type of lawn, it may end up being more difficult for the robotic mower to climb the slope. For example, if there are a lot of leaves on the lawn, this can make it difficult for the robotic mower to climb uphill, especially if they are also wet. In general, wet conditions can also cause difficulties, as the robotic mower can slip more easily or its wheels can spin when the ground is damp.

Many Robotic Mowers Need a Run-out Zone

You must also pay attention to what the maximum gradient refers to. In most cases this means that the robotic mower drives up the slope in a straight line. But what if it has to turn while on the slope because it encounters an obstacle or the boundary wire? Then it becomes more complicated. Most robotic mowers need an exit zone for turning. Husqvarna in particular makes this very clear in the instructions for its Automowers. The gradient at the boundary wire should not be too steep, but should be run a few meters with a maximum gradient of 15%.

Here the robotic mower turns very often. And many robotic mowers do not get this right on steep slopes, slip down and leave massive damage to the lawn after not too long. In addition, when the robotic mower hits the cable, it must reset by a couple of inches. Many robotic mowers on steep inclines also fail to do this.

What Are the Differences Between Robotic Mowers for Steep Slopes?

Wheels and Wheel Drive for Coping with Inclines

The robotic mower manufacturers use different wheels for their models. Mowing robots that are particularly good at coping with different terrain conditions generally have larger wheels.

In addition, some manufacturers use special wheels for their models that are able to cope with steeper gradients and are equipped with smaller cleats. This means they slip less in wet conditions and on slopes.

Some models can be retrofitted with special equipment sets, such as off-road kits or terrain kits. Most Husqvarna robotic mowers can be equipped with such kits.

These wheels not only have better traction due to their lugged tread pattern, but are also slightly heavier. However, they also leave slightly deeper tracks. In addition, more debris gets “stuck” on the wheels when the lawn is wet. This can be counteracted by mounting special wheel brushes, but these in turn increase the volume a little.

Another difference is the number and size of the wheels. Larger wheels are generally better able to cope with impassable terrain and help the lawn robot cope with inclines.

But more important is the difference between 3 and 4-wheeled models. 3-wheeled models have more problems with difficult terrain, especially when it comes to steep inclines. Here they can tip over more easily, for example when they are driving up a slope at an angle.

And finally, robotic mowers can be differentiated according to rear-wheel drive, front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. As with cars, robotic mowers with four-wheel drive are more “terrain-capable”, can cope better with inclines and are also more capable of turning on slippery slopes. Mowing robots with front-wheel drive have slightly better turning technology. They are able to turn in a flowing movement while the machine is running, which can be an advantage when navigating on a boundary wire, especially on steep slopes.

An example of four-wheel drive: Husqvarna models that can handle up to 70% gradients (Automower 435X AWD and Automower 535 AWD) are equipped with four-wheel drive. They can also turn on slopes, as this impressive video shows.

As you can also see here, the wheels are all the same size, which of course offers a certain advantage and is due to the fact that all wheels drive the robotic mower.

I don’t know about you, but I would find it quite challenging to mow a lawn with 70 % incline with a regular mower, so the Atomower 435X AWD is quite an impressive robot.

Inclinometers and Software

Robotic mowers that are designed for inclines have inclination sensors that enable them to recognize how steep the current incline is. They can make decisions based on this. How well they handle the information from the tilt sensor naturally depends on their software.

Many robotic mowers are at least Smart enough to brake when they notice that they are rolling down a steep slope. But also turning and turning around at such steep places is very problematic, as I already mentioned above. So the software can also try to make intelligent decisions here that protect the lawn and prevent the robotic mower from slipping.

How Smart the software is in this respect depends on the manufacturer, the model and even the software version. Software updates often bring further significant improvements. With software updates, however, the saying “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!” applies: If your robotic mower runs without problems, don’t make any updates, as these can also cause new problems. If, on the other hand, it has problems, e.g. in some steep places, a software update can make improvements.

What Other Factors Are Important for Robotic Mowers on Slopes?

All other decisions you make when choosing a robotic mower ultimately affect robotic mowers on level surfaces, as well. The only thing that concerns steep areas specifically is the question of how many obstacles are in the steep part of your lawn.

If your incline is also a forest of trees, it will be especially difficult for a robotic mower to navigate, as it will constantly bump into something, be it the boundary wire that excludes a tree, or the tree itself. Even robotic mowers that are designed for such an incline may not be able to cope.

For such special cases it may be necessary to use a robotic mower with four-wheel drive.

Which Models Are Suitable for Steep Terrain?

In general, some models of the brands Husqvarna, AMBROGIO, WIPER and Honda are suitable for steeper gradients. Very important and often misunderstood: most robotic mowers cannot turn on steep gradients.

Here is a list of some models which can handle 45% or more gradients.

Model Max Raising

AMBROGIO L200 Carbon Blackline	45 %
AMBROGIO L250i Elite GPS	45 %
AMBROGIO L350i Elite GPS	45 %
AMBROGIO L400	45 %
AMBROGIO L60 Deluxe	45 %
AMBROGIO L60 Elite	45 %
AMBROGIO L85 Elite	55 %
Honda Miimo HRM310	58 %
Honda Miimo HRM520	58 %
Husqvarna Automower 430X	45 %
Husqvarna Automower 430XH	45 %
Husqvarna Automower 435X AWD	70 %
Husqvarna Automower 450X	45 %
Husqvarna Automower 450XH	45 %
Husqvarna Automower 535 AWD	70 %
Husqvarna Automower 550	45 %
Husqvarna Automower 550H	45 %
REDBACK POWER RM24	50 %

As for robotic mowers that can easily turn on steep slopes, there are only a few so far. Such a robotic mower must either have four-wheel drive or very intelligent software in combination with the right wheels, as described above.

So far I only know the two models of Husqvarna with four-wheel drive:

Husqvarna Automower 435X AWD

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Deposit of€785.58, then Pay as you go, online.

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Product Features

Husqvarna Automower 435X AWD Video

Husqvarna Automower® 435X AWD – a pioneer on the robotic lawnmower market. An all-wheel-drive model that makes light work of lawns up to 3,500 m² and navigates obstacles, rough terrain and slopes of up to an impressive 70 %. The mower features X-line design with LED headlights, remote object detection and intuitive interaction with Automower® Access. Equipped with Automower® Connect including GPS theft tracking.

Working area capacity (±20) 3500 m²
Maximum incline within the working area 35 °
Cutting Width: 22cm
Cutting Height Max: 70mm
Cutting Height Min: 30mm
Typical Mow Time on one charge: 100mins
Typical Charging Time: 30mins
Alarm: Yes
Pin Code: Yes
Sound Level: 60dB(A)
Weight: 17.6kg
GPS Navigation: Yes
Dimensions: (L) 93 X (W) 55 X (H) 29 cm

Automower® All-Wheel Drive Automower® AWD models feature technology that optimizes the control of each individual wheel in order to enable superior operation in the most demanding terrain. With an impressive slope performance that handles 70 % (35°) incline. Automower® AWD rewrites the rules for autonomous maintenance of green spaces, improving the safety of your workforce.

Pivoting rear body design Automower® AWD models are built with an articulated rear body design that enables truly excellent manoeuvrability for navigation on complex lawns and through passages. The rear body also has a pivoting capability, considerably enhancing the traction in rough terrain, making the most out of the AWD operation.

Automower® Access The new Automower Access user interaction with high-resolution colour display, jog wheel and status indicators, provides an intuitive yet sophisticated way of controlling your mower. The icon-based design language integrates intuitively with the Automower® Connect smartphone app, providing a seamless user experience. Dual guide wires. PATENTED Model equipped with dual guide wires, our patented solution which will reduce searching times especially for complex gardens.

Manages slopes up to 70% Large coarse-tread wheels provide excellent traction even if the surface is slippery. The mower handles slopes up to 70%.

Automower® Connect Automower® Connect gives you full control of the mower right in your smartphone. You can easily send start, stop and park commands, check and adjust settings. If required also receive alarms and track your mower’s position in case of theft – wherever you are. 10 years mobile data contract included. Standard on X-line, optional for all 300-400 series.

GPS-assisted navigation. PATENTED An onboard GPS system creates a map of the garden, including where the boundary and guide wires are installed. Husqvarna Automower® will then register which parts of the garden it has covered and adjusts its mowing pattern accordingly. This will ensure optimized lawn coverage and an excellent cutting result.

Remote object detection Built-in sensors using ultrasonic technology helps the mower to detect objects, lowers the speed and avoid hard collisions.

Theft protection by GPS Products equipped with Automower Connect®/Husqvarna Fleet Services™ immediately begin tracking its GPS position and send notifications to your devices. Makes the Automower® installation extra safe and minimizes the risk of theft.

Dual guide wires. PATENTED Model equipped with dual guide wires, our patented solution which will reduce searching times especially for complex gardens.

LED headlights Energy-efficient LED headlights for better visibility and control even in the dark. The lights will also start flashing if a malfunction occurs.

Superior interaction All Automower® Connect equipped robotic mowers are compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Home. This means all you need to do is give your Smart speaker a voice command, and Husqvarna Automower® will jump to the task. You can execute the most common commands such as start, stop, park and get status updates from your mower by simply asking your voice assistant.

Front bumper The rubber-made front bumper makes the mower more resistant to recurrent collisions with trees, shrubs and other objects within the installation.

Watch this BEFORE you buy a lawn mower. Robotic lawn mower REVIEW (2022)

Backlit keypad Possibility to adjust settings even when it is dark. An efficient backlit keypad makes all the buttons clearly visible also during the dark hours.

Ultra-silent drive Wheel motors with 2 step gearboxes, a new technology that enables ultra-silent drive. Gives an outstanding performance in perceived noise level and enables night time operation or 24/7 mowing in all kind of neighbourhoods.

Electric height adjustment. PATENTED The cutting height is swiftly adjusted by the electrically operated height adjustment, easily accessible from the main menu.

Systematic Passage Mowing To deliver excellent cutting results everywhere, the robotic mower can be set to automatically switch mowing pattern from random mode to systematic mode in narrow passages.

Easy cleaning You can wash the exterior and underneath of the robotic mower with a garden hose. By using the attached maintenance tool, the cover can easily be removed, for easy cleaning and reachability everywhere.

Weather timer Adjusts the working time to the lawn’s growth rate, meaning that Husqvarna Automower® will maximize its mowing time during periods of strong grass growth. In sunny or dry weather, or late in the season, the mower will spend less time mowing, which decreases wear on lawn and mower.

Automatic passage handling. PATENTED Husqvarna Automower® automatically senses narrow passages and finds its way even through the smallest passages. It will vary its route through the passage to avoid unpleasant tracks.

Remote start points x5 A uniform cutting result throughout the lawn thanks to the possibility to start the mowing at three different remote locations along the patented guide wire, out from the charging station. The larger the grass area, the better and more important with several starting points. With active GPS assisted navigation (specific models), the remote starting points are autoset and manual settings are not needed.

Spiral cutting Automatic cutting functionality to even out grass height differences. Cutting disc sensors detect whether the mower enters area with higher grass and switches cutting technology to the systematic spiral pattern.

Replaceable top covers Make your mower unique and personal by changing the colour of the top cover. Available in polar white, Husqvarna orange or in the standard colour granite grey.

Reliability Robotic lawn mowing is all about reliability. Husqvarna has during 20 years of development refined its mower concept to achieve the highest level of reliability, quality and cutting result, with a minimum of assistance.

Unique cutting system Husqvarna Automower® cuts just a little but frequently, which assures a nice and healthy lawn. It is equipped with sharp razor-like blades made of strong carbon steel mounted on a robust cutting disc system. This provides for efficient operation and extremely low energy consumption.

Automatic charging When Automower® needs more power, it finds its own way back to the charging station.

Lift Tilt sensors If Automower® is lifted off the ground or tips over, the cutting automatically shuts off. In addition, the blades are rotating far from the outer edge of the machine. If Automower® meets an obstacle it will stop and redirect itself without causing any damage.

Flexible charging station placement Enables flexible placement of the charging station in the garden which simplifies the installation and secures reliable docking every time.

Spot cutting Special mode to quickly mow a limited area of longer grass. This is especially useful for areas beneath for example garden furniture, once the furniture is removed. Place the mower in the desired area and choose Spot cutting mode. The mower will mow in tight spirals and when finished resume in automatic mode.

Excellent cutting result Thanks to the free movement pattern of Husqvarna Automower® the lawn is perfectly cut, achieving a beautiful and carpet-like look. The razor-sharp blades cut the grass gently from all directions, helping it to grow strong. Moss growth is effectively prevented.

No emissions Because it is electrically powered, Automower® produces no harmful emissions.

Low energy consumption Efficient energy management means low energy consumption, allowing Automower® to operate at a fraction of the cost of conventional lawnmowers.

Weatherproof Automower® can be outside around the clock and is designed to function properly and unattended regardless of the weather conditions. Automower® is built to withstand the harsh Nordic climate without any problems.

Balance control For silent and trouble-free operation it automatically detects imbalance in the cutting system. The imbalance could be caused by missing, double mounted or damaged blades.

Profiles Makes life easier when sharing one mower on numerous locations. With personal names on each profile and installation, it is easy to switch between different setups.

Graphic menu display, large-sized High resolution, large-sized display with clear and intuitive graphic menu structure. Easy and pleasant to use. Self-explaining set-up for convenient programming of the individual settings.

Silent Thanks to its unique cutting system, Automower® works extremely discreet and quiet and just when you want.

Theft protection by alarm/PIN code Different level theft protection for high security. If the mower carried away a high-sounding alarm starts and can only be deactivated with the mower’s unique PIN code.

Scheduling You decide if you want Automower® to mow the lawn around the clock and 7 days a week.

At Clarkes of Cavan, we are passionate about getting your order to you quickly and safely and we understand it is important for you to know when your order will be delivered.

Delivery Cost(s)

Free delivery on orders over €99 applies in most cases, where a product is excluded from this it will be noted on the product page. Some items are large and cannot be sent for free.

Delivery Times Tracking

We are proud of our fast delivery process. If your order is placed before 1 pm we will make sure that it is dispatched the same day. You will be provided with tracking information so you can keep an eye on your order at all times.

Some items we sell will take more time because of size and dispatch location. This will be noted on the product page or on checkout.

Need Help Regarding Delivery

If you still need further assistance regarding your delivery please contact the online department on 049 433 2166 or via email at online@clarkesofcavan.ie

Working area capacity (±20) 3500 m²
Maximum incline within the working area 35 °
Cutting Width: 22cm
Cutting Height Max: 70mm
Cutting Height Min: 30mm
Typical Mow Time on one charge: 100mins
Typical Charging Time: 30mins
Alarm: Yes
Pin Code: Yes
Sound Level: 60dB(A)
Weight: 17.6kg
GPS Navigation: Yes
Dimensions: (L) 93 X (W) 55 X (H) 29 cm