Landscape robotic lawn 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.

Landxcape LX796 robotic lawn mower review: good value and decent performance

Keen to take mowing the lawn off the to-do list, we’ve reviewed the Landxcape LX796 robotic lawn mower. Here’s how we got on.

With no programming required, automatic return to base and no bin-full of grass cuttings to empty, the Landxcape LX796 robotic lawn mower will be a useful addition to the garden during the summer months. You will need a lot of patience when setting it up, though, because the instructions aren’t all that clear and you’ll still need to get your strimmer out once-in-a-while to trim around the garden borders.

• No programming required
• Scheduling a grass cut is an option
• Stays within the boundary wire
• Does a good job cutting the grass
• Returns to base for a recharge / when job is complete
• – Instructions aren’t clear
• – No good for mowing tight up against borders
• – Gets stuck a few too many times for my liking

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Looking after the lawn is something which we take great pride in, especially since we’ve grown each and every blade from seed. Our back garden used to be laid to gravel when we moved in four-or-so years ago so, after shifting five tonnes of the stuff, sifting soil and sowing seeds, I’m sure you’ll appreciate that we want to continue to look after it.

Keeping the grass in a regularly trimmed state is important for promoting growth, we know, so when the opportunity came up to review the Landxcape LX796 robotic lawn mower I couldn’t wait to get (it) mowing. Like any new tech, though, it can be tricky to get your head around the concept, but with a lot of persistence and even more trial and error, I did manage to tick ‘mow the lawn’ off the to-do list eventually.

Read on to hear more, then check out our best robot lawn mower guide for more top buys.

Delivery and unboxing

The Landxcape LX796 robotic lawn mower arrived wrapped in a plastic bag which was providing some waterproof protection to the branded cardboard box inside. In its entirety, the package felt heavy and it is a fairly large and awkward size which didn’t easily want to be carried down our narrow hallway entrance.

Taking up most of the space in the box was the lawn mower unit which had some bubble wrap wrapped over the top of it. Tucked in around it, down two of the four sides to the box was the instruction manual, 130m boundary wire, 180 pegs, 7 screws, power supply, 3 blades and screws and 1 hex key. It sat neatly on top of the charging base which lined the base of the delivery box.

Setting up

Although the Landxcape LX796 doesn’t need much set up itself there is a fair bit to do before you’re ready to start using it. I turned to the instructions, of which there are five separate documents/booklets to go through. I found the instruction guide, owners manual and 20v robot lawn mower charger booklets to be the most useful at the point of set up, and at the point of using it to cut the grass.

Choosing a suitable spot in the garden for the robot mower to reside during the summer months was the first thing to do, and this was subsequently the first challenge.

In the installation guide it was advised to ‘find a flat surface for the charging base, dry and away from direct sunlight’ but in the lawn mower charger booklet it says ‘for indoor use, do not expose to rain’.

I’ve since received clarity that it is the charging base to be on a flat surface, preferably protected, and the plug is to be indoors or in a proper outdoor socket which could be a limiting factor for many.

We found that the cable to the plug is just about long enough to reach a cable extension through a window in our extension – not ideal but it was fine. I’ve had it confirmed that the robot lawn mower is perfectly able to withstand the rain and sunshine, and are completely waterproof (except when turned upside down) so don’t worry too much if it’s not undercover.

The next stage in the set up was to set the boundary wire. It’s recommended in the installation guide to use a lawn mower or grass trimmer to cut the grass where you are going to be pegging down the boundary wire, and I’d also recommend this. I would also say to not rush to replace your lawn mower or strimmer at any point soon either, because you’re going to want to regularly cut along the boundary wire every couple of weeks since the robot lawn mower is unable to cut the grass close to any borders or flower beds you may have.

Pegging the boundary wire as you lay it would be a useful tactic. I used one peg per 15-20cm, sometimes a shorter distance depending on level of the ground. Despite our best efforts, our garden is uneven in most places so lots of pegs were used, and I had some left over so the supplied 180 pegs were plenty for me. If you need more, however, another pack of boundary pegs can be bought from Amazon for £22.74.

Once you’ve laid the boundary wire and are happy with how aligned it is next to the edges of the garden, the wire will need to be led back to the charging base to connect it all up.

A length of OUT-wire will need to be left out for inserting into the groves of the charging base and connecting to the terminals. In the installation guide, a length of 80cm is advertised but this seemed a lot to me and I managed with just half this amount. Peeling back the plastic at the end of the wires was slightly scary, not only because I was trying to scrape away the plastic with scissors and my barely-there finger nails, but also because I didn’t want to get any kind of shock, of which there is no risk of – I’m just well out of my comfort zone. Just make sure that any power going to the charger base is off until you’re ready to start using the mower.

Before the Landxcape LX796 robotic lawn mower starts to mow for the first time you’ll want to charge it up and do a trial run, which is documented in the installation guide as ‘Verification’. This is just to check that that boundary wire keeps the mower within the boundary; the grass is a tolerable height and it can start / stop when you need it to.

I found that by setting the grass at a maximum height of 60mm no grass was cut because I’d already been over it a day-or-so before with a lawn mower and you’ll need to press ‘OK’ five times, not four as stated in the guide to take you to step 4.

As part of the set up I also tried to scan the QR code on the side of the Landxcape LX796 but nothing happened. I also downloaded the Landxcape app to my smartphone but I couldn’t connect it to Wi-Fi. Turns out that this is not a Wi-Fi enabled Smart robot lawnmower. This is obvious when looking on the Landxcape website, and yet not so obvious looking in any of the five booklets or if you’re to go by the QR code on the side of the mower. So if you want a Smart robot lawn mower then this is not the one for you since it’s more of a ‘press-and-go’ type of robot lawn mower.

WORX garage

If, like me, you feel more comfortable protecting your £400 investment then there is such a thing as a garage for it. I was also sent the WORX WA0810 Landroid Foldable Garage to review which, yes, is an additional £199.99 on Amazon but it’ll protect the Landxcape 796 from wind, leaves, rain and direct sunlight.

I found that it was mega easy to set up, which was a good thing since there were zero instructions to follow. It took me no longer than 10 minutes to figure out how to assemble it and then assemble it, frequently referring back to the image on the front of the box it arrived in for reference. The lid tilts up and down with a simple mechanism but I think for the duration I’m testing it and therefore using it, I’ll keep the lid down since the space I have allocated for it isn’t protected from the elements in the slightest.

Performance

There are four adjustable cutting heights on the Landxcape LX796 so, after the trial run, I set it to cut the grass to a 40mm height. With zero programming required, just power up, enter the pin, ‘start’ and ‘OK’, meaning getting going from the charge base was really easy. Just make sure the charge base is on because it will not work unless it is.

It will choose its direction of travel at random, and as long as there was nothing in its way, it easily took on our 100m2 garden in one charge (it’s capable of gardens of up to 400m2) and returned to base when it had finished the job.

It does move at quite a pace so hitting ‘STOP’ at any point was a bit of a chase. I also found that the robot mower got stuck in a few dips on our uneven ground, and wasn’t a fan of any tight turns in the garden. It also bumped into the washing line and a stone which I used to cover a hole, rather than divert around things which I had become accustomed to in the home when using a robovac.

When it did get stuck every now and then, the Landxcape did some manoeuvres that either worked or didn’t, which in most cases meant that it chewed into the ground (a bit), gave up and turned itself off. Should this have been a Smart robot mower I would have received a notification about this, rather than having to watch it for the duration of a mow in case of any incidents.

I soon learnt that I also needed to re-lay the boundary wire after a few goes, just once though, because the robot lawn mower kept getting stuck on the garden edging to our flower beds, and running into the plants. Although this isn’t in the installation guide or any of the others, I’d leave at least 20cm of ground between the boundary wire and the edge of the flower border / pathways etc to avoid any damage. There is a handy-looking measure gauge that can be cut out from the cardboard box, though, which I only saw after pegging the boundary wire but is something that you may find useful.

Having said all this, the Landxcape LX796 robot lawn mower does cut the grass and does a pretty good job of it, too. It stays within the boundary wire and returns to base by following the wire when the mow is complete, so long there is nothing in its way.

There is no bin to empty, either, since the grass falls to the ground to serve as a natural fertilizer, promoting healthy lawn care. And, of course, the more times the Landxcape sets out to mow the lawn, the stronger the grass grows back, too, so happy days. You will need to grab your best strimmer every couple of weeks or so, though, to keep the strip of grass trim between the border edges and boundary wire.

If you have a family garden and at any point children (or pets) take an unavoidable interest with the working mower, there are lifting and tilting sensors which provide some additional safety. It is quite heavy and cumbersome to flip on the side but in the event that this does happen, the blades will stop immediately and a beeping noise will sound as the alert. You’ll also see error code E6 displayed, which won’t disappear until you’ve put it safely back into position and reset it to start cutting the grass again.

The only kind of programming which you can do on the Landxcape LX796 is to set up a default working schedule, essentially providing an automated mow. The trick here is to have today’s time and date set, and always have it switched on and charging at its base.

I’d failed to notice that the robot lawn mower was switched off most times when at the base, for various reasons, which meant that it didn’t venture off on its own accord despite numerous attempts of checking the time, date and start times.

We got there eventually, though, and I’m so glad I persevered because now this is working like clockwork, I don’t need to worry about mowing the main areas of our lawn. For our small-ish garden, however, following the default working schedule (Monday. Friday) – which can not be changed – is a little overkill so when I see it doing the rounds mid-week, I’ll be hitting ‘STOP’ and manually docking it, until I feel that our grass is ready to be cut again.

Other settings which you can tweak is the PIN code so it’s no longer default, but a code which only you know. Referring to the owner’s manual provided some sort of guide but, as with my experience thus far with the set up, it wasn’t that easy to follow and found that I was doing a bit of trial and error before getting it all right. A bit of perseverance helps, and remembering a memorable PIN – obviously.

Cleaning, maintenance and storage

The Landxcape will look a lot tidier and be a lot happier if it’s cleaned regularly. The body and underside can be cleaned with a moist rag, just be careful of the blades when it’s flipped over to clean and wear gloves because those are sharp. Longer term, you may want to replace the blades with those supplied every season. A pack of 24 blades can also be bought from Amazon for £11.68.

It’s advised that you only use the Landxcape LX796 during the summer months, or warmer weather, to preserve the life of the battery. It can be stored in a shed or garage, once it has been thoroughly cleaned, had a full charge and is powered ‘off’. If you also have the garage, I would be inclined to store this away, too, when not in use so it’s in a good condition for when you next need it.

How does it rate online?

There’s not a whole lot of reviews out there just yet for the Landxcape LX796 because it’s new but we have seen some on Amazon about the older LX799 that it’s replacing. As far as we know, the spec is very similar if not the same. The newer version can just cover an additional 100m2 of ground, and after reading through the reviews it sounds very familiar to my experience so far with the LX796.

The ease of set up and pleasing results after a mow is the general consensus, with advice shared to perfect the boundary wire. To read the instructions and reviews is also advised, before attempting to set up your new lawn mower. I would add to this to say to digest what is being said, too, and really understand the specs.

I’ve seen that one reviewer has had their Landxcape LX799 for one year now, who have confirmed that it still works (always good to know), it gets stuck every once in a while and there’s no need for a shelter.

How does it compare to other robot lawn mowers?

A noticeable difference with the Landxcape LX796 to other robot lawn mowers is the price. This one retails at £479 which is a good £100-or-so cheaper than the likes of Worx and Flymo, and some other Landxcape models in the line up. The main factors which affect this difference in price is the lawn size it can mow and any Smart capabilities.

It’s also a little on the noisy-side – I can hear it when I’m sat in the dining room with the window open to the back of the house. We live in a terraced house so I’m sure our neighbours can hear it, too, especially when they are sat in their gardens.

When we wrote up our Worx Landroid M500 robot lawn mower review one of the most impressive things to note about it was how quiet it was, so that’s a consideration if noise levels are important to you.

Should I buy the Landxcape LX796?

There’s a lot of good things going for the Landxcape LX796, but equally there are a few niggles which may affect your decision. Compared to other robot lawn mowers, it’s affordable. It’s also a quality bit of kit, too, which does ultimately mow the lawn to your preferred length. Once you’re confident that you know how a robot lawn mower works, it is also relatively quick and easy to set up.

If you want to get the same out of it as you do with perhaps a robot vacuum cleaner in the home, then I would highly recommend you set up the scheduling because it’s this which will ultimately provide you with an automated mow. You can’t change the default working pattern (Monday to Friday) but you can change the start time to suit.

I would also recommend buying the mini garage for it. It was really quick and easy to set up, and I don’t find myself worrying about the lawn mower (I am a worrier) when there’s a heavy shower because I know it is protected – it also acts as a good shelter from the birds. I appreciate this is more money, but totting up the price of the garage plus the Ladxcape 796, you’re still not spending as much money as you easily could with another brand / model.

It isn’t, however, Wi-Fi enabled / Smart which makes controlling the Landxcape LX796 very manual. It means that you can’t control it remotely, nor can you pause or stop scheduled mows. This could suit you perfectly well because it’s one less thing to set up but if it is, you may want to take a closer look at the LANDXCAPE LX810I which covers the same m2 area of lawn. It’s also a product which isn’t going to replace the lawn mower nor strimmer which are needed to trim around the boundary wire and when the robot lawn mower is in hibernation during the winter months, although this is (probably) the same for all robot lawn mowers, it is worth a consideration.

LUBA AWD 5000 : Perimeter Wire Free Robot Lawn Mower

Using the RTK-GNSS and Multi-sensor integrated Navigation System, LUBA AWD can map out your lawn and set up various mowing zones without you having to dig or bury wires. LUBA AWD makes the lawn maintenance a breeze for you.

RTK-GNSS and Multi-Sensor Navigation System

With the advanced four Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and RTK Technology and IMU sensors, LUBA can map and navigate in cm-level accuracy.

Powerful RTK Signal Coverage

LUBA RTK signal range can cover a radius of 120m, so LUBA can take care of even large and challenging lawns. The LUBA AWD series maintain perfect route stability even when satellite signals are poor thanks to the integration of interial navigation, odometry, and patented algorithms.

Powerful All-wheel Drive System

Featuring four powerful in-hub motors and exclusive off-road tires and suspensions, LUBA AWD Series boasts best-in-class traction and zero-turning agility. Unlike small-diameter wheel mowers, the LUBA can effortlessly handle 75% slope and traverse the most demanding terrain without getting stuck.

Take good and soft care of your lawn

Four Powerful In-hub Motors

Manage 37° steep slope and obstacle of 50mm height

Make the best off-road capability in rough terrain

Dual Cutting Plates of 400mm

In-app adjustable cutting height of 30-70mm. Never miss a cut.

Impressive Slope Mowing

LUBA AWD 5000 can mow the steep slope up to 75% (37°), and handle the complex lawns and thick tall grass.

In-APP Adjustable Blade Height

LUBA AWD’s double cutting plate with a 400mm(16 inch) cutting width allows it to cut your grass without missing any areas.

LUBA AWD 5000 is ideal for all types of lawns up to 5000㎡(1.25acres). It has a super high efficiency of mowing up to 500㎡(0.13acre) each hour, allowing your family to spend more time enjoying the picture-perfect grass.

Smart App Control Anywhere

With the Mammotion App, lawn care has never been easier.You can customize mowing tasks, and track real-time mowing status anywhere, anytime. Enjoy your vacation and Luba will take good care of your lawn.

Efficient Multi-Zone Management

With the Mammotion App, You can easily set up mowing tasks for multiple working areas, and create channels between them. Set different schedules, cutting modes and cutting heights for each mowing zone.

Planned Route Modes

Compared to the random mowing pattern of conventional robotic mowers, the planned route algorithm significantly improves Luba’s mowing efficiency. You can have it mow one direction then the other, or define angles to mow.

Smart Obstacle Avoidance

Four ultrasonic radar sensors allow the LUBA to automatically detect and avoid obstacles as small as 5cm (2 inches) with a Field of view (FOV) of 220 degrees.

Powerful Battery Auto-recharge

Luba lithium-ion battery has enough capacity to enable Luba to run 180 minutes and to mow up to 500㎡ (0.13 acre) per hour in a session. When the battery is low, it automatically returns to the charging dock, then continues the interrupted mowing session.

Easily Create No-go Zones

You can create no-go zones for plant beds or children’s playgrounds or pools in App, Luba AWD will automatically avoid them.

Automatic Rain Detection

Tiny sensors atop the Luba robot can detect when rain begins and will automatically send the mower back to the charging station.

Anti-theft System

The app will sound an alarm to notify users when there is unusual movement. Luba supports the lost feature. The original user will be informed of the current position of the lost LUBA when it reconnects to the network. LUBA cannot be used by others if the original user has not granted permission.

TüV Rheinland-certified Quality

The LUBA AWD Series robot lawn mower is committed to providing high-quality performance with TüV Rheinland-certified quality. LUBA provides a quiet mowing experience (60dB) and emissions-free lifestyle.

What Our Users Say

Luba does incredibly well on what is quite a difficult terrain. It is amazingly well built and as you can see, even manages to produce stripes.

I was really amazed at how he can mow really tall grass. Tried with a 700 m2 map, the result was outstanding.

I am super impressed so far! My rideon mower would have gotten stuck! Hats off to the Mammotion team! Great product.

Here LUBA is running on a hill where the slope varies between 15 and 35 degree.

It is doing a surprisingly great job. It cut the whole front lawn today with no interventions. It has every potential to be the leading fully automated lawnmower.

The 4 motors on every wheel have proven super useful. In my first trial, the machine hasn’t had any failures and the GPS position seems to be very accurate, even near the house.

Tech-art Aesthetics and Robust Safety

Mowing in another direction when encountering hard objects.

Stop spinning blades when Luba is lifted or unbalanced.

Smart obstacle avoidance with 220°FOV

Ensure Luba AWD easy clean with sprinklers and has absolute durability in all-weather

• Charging Station
• LUBA AWD 5000
• Power Supply
• RTK Reference Station
• RTK Reference Station Extension Cable(10m)
• RTK Reference Station Power Supply
• Extra One Set Of Blade
• Key
• Installation Kits
• Mounting Pole
• Quick Start Guide

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

If the product does not work as guaranteed during the warranty period, you can request after-sales service by contacting the upcoming local MAMMOTION distributor or email us at support@mammotion.com. The main parts of the lawn mower and battery are covered under a 2-year warranty. Please note that the accessories (Charging Station and RTK Antenna) are under a 1-year warranty while blades and tires do no have warranty. The warranty period for a product is valid on the day when product(s) are delivered from local warehouse for Kickstarter backers’ orders and pre-orders, while the other orders is valid on the purchase date.

• With a perimeter wire, firstly, someone has to install it – this means extra time if you do it yourself, or extra cost if someone else does it. Secondly, the perimeter wire can be damaged by animals or someone putting a spade through it. a break in the perimeter wire can be frustrating.Thirdly, if you want to change the area to be mowed, it means re-laying the wire. Finally, if you decide to move, you need to re-laying again the wire in your new lawn.
• With Luba, forget all the above worries. You just walk with Luba along to draw vitrual bounderies, you can program your multi-cutting zones without the hassle of digging or burying the wires.
• With Mammotion APP, you can remotely preset and update the mowing parameters for each zone, as well as check Luba’s status in real-time. The APP can be used remotely to manage your lawn when you are on a vacation or business trip.
• Luba robotic lawn mower keeps your lawn carpet-like all the time. Luba cuts more frequently in 1-2cm to ensure your grass stay healthy.
• It is quiet, you can run it at any time without worrying about disturbing your daily activity or your neighbours.

Thanks to the RTK-GNSS System, users can easily create and set mowing tasks for separated mowing areas in the Smart app. as well as set channels to connect them for multi-zone management. By setting up the operation parameters of different tasks, the equipment can automatically operate in multiple areas in sequence. Luba can pass the sidewalk when the width is more than 1 meter and surroundings are not severely blocked.

RTK base station does not need to be connected to the charging station. You can put the charging station anywhere you want! If you want to install RTK station on the roof, you will need to have a separate power adapter and extension cord to power RTK reference station.

Does the entire area needs to require Wi-Fi signal or once it gets its command near its charging base it can go complete work and then come back to charge ?

Once the mission is set it get do the whole workflow itself even without Wi-Fi. The Wi-Fi is to help you check the status of LUBA and receive messages remotely on your cell phone.

You can easily perform the installation yourself. A quick start guide will be included in the box. installation course video will comes.

Luba can manage multiple zones,if there is a path between these two yards, Luba can travel to the second yard and do the work automatically.

With Mammotion App, you can remotely preset and update the mowing parameters for each zone, as well as check Luba’s status in real-time.

Why spend weekends pushing a loud gas mower and breathing exhaust fumes? Let one of these autonomous electric mowers do the work cleanly and quietly.

By Mark Wolfe | Updated Jul 18, 2023 10:43 AM

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs.

Photo: Debbie Wolfe for Bob Vila

Improvements in rechargeable battery tech and intelligent software have dramatically changed the way we live. Smart televisions and lighting systems improve our sensory environment, while other automated home devices like vacuum cleaners, thermostats, and refrigerators minimize many more mundane tasks. Similarly, robotic lawn mowers can now keep the grass at just the right height, eliminating a time-consuming weekend chore.

These devices may even cost less to own and operate than gasoline-powered mowers while making very little noise and producing no exhaust emissions. They maintain up to an acre or more on most types of terrain, and they work automatically so folks with lawns have more time to relax and enjoy their green space.

No doubt, all of this sounds great—but how well do these robots actually perform? To find out, we put some popular models through their paces on real-life lawns. Read on to learn about the criteria we used to select these mowers, and then check out our product reviews to find out how each one did on our test turf. Anyone in the market for a new mower might just discover that a robot model can be a Smart, time-saving investment. R2-D2 would surely approve!

• BEST OVERALL:Worx Landroid M 20V Robotic Lawn Mower
• BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK:Gardena 15001-20 Sileno City Automatic Robotic Mower
• UPGRADE PICK:Husqvarna Automower 415X Robotic Lawn Mower
• BEST FOR STEEP HILLS:Redback MowRo 9.5-Inch Robot Lawn Mower
• BEST FOR LARGE LAWNS:Husqvarna Automower 115H Robotic Lawn Mower
• BEST FOR SMALL LAWNS:Gardena 15202-41 Sileno Minimo Robotic Mowe

Photo: Debbie Wolfe for Bob Vila

How We Tested the Best Robotic Lawn Mowers

All of the robotic lawn mowers we tested use 14-gauge low-voltage wire to establish the barrier. We assembled two barriers around two 1,200-square-foot patches of lawn—one with Bermuda grass and a steep slope and one mostly flat area with centipede grass. Each test area included two large open spaces connected by a narrow bottleneck corridor, and all the mowers were tested on both test areas.

We established a daily mowing schedule for 7 days in each location. We observed the ease of programming and communication with the mower as well as its actual performance. Criteria to be included in this guide were as follows:

• Consistently reliable mowing on schedule and returning to the base station after initial setup and first-day adjustments
• Consistently navigating the narrow corridor to mow both large areas
• Avoiding random obstacles intentionally left within the boundaries
• Returning to the base station in the event of rain or sprinklers
• Avoiding excessively steep slopes without becoming stuck
• Complete coverage of the test area—no noticeable missed spots for the entire test week

Our Top Picks

We measured the following robotic lawn mowers against our shopping considerations (detailed below) and put each one to work for a 7-day home trial. Find out why we recommend them among the best robot lawn mowers available.

Worx Landroid M 20V Robotic Lawn Mower

The popular Worx Landroid robotic mower lineup includes models S, M, and L for yards up to 0.125 acre, 0.25 acre, and 0.5 acre, respectively. While they offer many similarities, we found that the Worx Landroid M offers the best combination of capability and affordability. It is powered by a 20-volt 4-amp-hour lithium-ion battery for 2 hours of runtime per 90-minute charge. It can mow on a 20-degree slope thanks to a pair of high-efficiency brushless wheel motors that provide extra traction. The Landroid’s 8-inch self-leveling mowing disc cuts closer to the edges of the yard than many competitors. The blade height manually adjusts from 1.5 to 3.5 inches.

Landroid connects to a home Wi-Fi network via Bluetooth and automatically keeps its own software up to date. You can easily set or adjust the custom mowing schedule or monitor the mower on the go via the Landroid mobile app. An integrated rain sensor stops the mower from cutting if rain starts and sends it back to its charging station.

The Landroid M performed at or near the top in most of our testing rubric categories. Assembly and programming were easy, mowing was reliable with excellent coverage, communication through the mobile app was intuitive, and runtime was superior—all for a very competitive price. Runtime was especially impressive: We clocked it at 2 hours 35 minutes, the longest of all the mowers we tested.

Unfortunately, we subtracted points for poor docking ability. Landroid was the only mower we tested with recharging contacts located on the side of the machine rather than the front or back. To recharge, it must be perfectly positioned in relation to two flexible contact points as it passes over the base station; otherwise, it continues tracking along the perimeter wire without stopping. After resetting the base station three times and ensuring it was absolutely level in all directions with a long, straight approach, we finally achieved satisfactory results.

Aside from that issue, the Landroid provides outstanding overall functionality for the price. Available upgrades include the ACS module that prevents collisions, Find My Landroid GPS cellular module, Radio Link module to extend Wi-Fi connectivity for improved artificial intelligence, an Off Limits module for wire-free no-mow zones within the main mowing area, and the Landroid Garage.

Product Specs

• Coverage area: 0.25 acre (10,890 square feet)
• Mowing height range: 1.5 to 3.5 inches
• Slope rating: 20 degrees
• Includes everything you need to get started and clear step-by-step instructions for easy installation
• User-friendly mobile app makes it simple to control the mower and check status remotely
• 2 hours of runtime per charge means more mowing and less time spent charging
• Competitive price point for a highly capable robotic lawn mower
• Base station must be installed perfectly or the mower may not align properly for charging
• Some desirable features are not included with the base kit

Get the Worx robot lawn mower at Amazon, Lowe’s, or The Home Depot.

Gardena 15001-20 Sileno City Automatic Robotic Mower

Anyone shopping for an affordable and uncomplicated robotic lawn mower for a small yard would do well to consider the Gardena Sileno City. It navigates slopes up to 25 percent and corridors as narrow as 24 inches wide. Plus, it works rain or shine, day or night.

Available with either a 2,700-square-foot or 5,400-square-foot maximum mowing capacity, the Sileno City is a great option for most urban landscapes. It requires a flat, level area for the charging station and a nearby power source. A low-voltage perimeter wire keeps the mower inbounds and may be configured to mow a secondary area that is isolated from the primary lawn.

You can customize the mowing height between 0.8 inch and 2 inches high by means of a manual adjustment knob. The Gardena Bluetooth app makes it easy to operate the mower or customize the schedule and other settings from any mobile device, or use the onboard control panel to make adjustments.

It took about 1.5 hours to set up the Gardena Sileno City in our testing area. The kit included everything needed to get started, along with clear instructions. We plugged in the base station and allowed the mower to charge while we installed the perimeter wire and guide wire. The guide wire is an extra wire that bisects the lawn from the base station to the most distant portion of the perimeter wire. All Gardena (and parent company Husqvarna) robot mowers use it to navigate more efficiently.

After installation, we followed the instructions to calibrate the system and program the schedule. Starting with a pre-mowed lawn, we adjusted the mower height to mow 1.5 inches high, and the yard looked great throughout the test period.

One feature that shoppers should be aware of is the maximum daily runtime of about 3.5 hours per day (for the 2,700-square-foot version that we tested). Don’t bother scheduling the mower to run more than 3.5 hours total per day since after reaching the time limit, the device will simply return home until the following day. Since we mowed no more than 2.5 hours per day, we didn’t have a problem.

Product Specs

• Coverage area: 2,700 square feet
• Mowing height range: 0.8 to 2.0 inches
• Slope rating: 14.04 degrees
• Value-priced yet feature-rich robotic mower ideal for smaller lawn areas
• Kit includes everything needed for installation and easy-to-follow instructions
• Reliably and quietly mows all kinds of grass, day or night, rain or shine
• Navigates slopes up to 25 percent and passages as narrow as 24 inches
• Preprogrammed with a daily runtime limit that stops the mower regardless of battery status
• Not Wi-Fi or GPS enabled

Get the Gardena 15001-20 robot lawn mower at Amazon or Gardena.

Husqvarna Automower 415X Robotic Lawn Mower

Here is a well-equipped mower for warm-season grasses up to 0.4 acre, especially lawns with challenging obstacles, narrow passages, and sloped terrain. With a mowing height range of 0.8 to 2 inches, the Husqvarna Automower 415X is designed for maintaining low-mow grasses like zoysia, Bermuda, and centipede. It is powered by an 18-volt 2-amp-hour lithium-ion battery that delivers a runtime of 50 minutes per charge and recharges in 60 minutes. This premium mower features a high-resolution onboard display, rugged poly front bumper, LED headlights, and coarse-tread wheels that easily handle slopes up to 40 percent.

The Automower 415X is loaded with communication and control features, beginning with cellular and Bluetooth connectivity. It is easily controlled via the Automower Connect mobile app and is compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Home Smart devices. Husqvarna’s intelligent mapping technology uses GPS sensors to virtually map the lawn, enabling zone control with customized settings, and real-time tracking through the app. This high level of communication pairs nicely with precision control and automated features like electric height adjustment, automatic passage handling, remote location starting, spiral- and spot-cutting capabilities, wireless firmware updates, theft protection system with GPS tracking, and more.

The Automower 415X arrived for testing with everything we needed for a quick and easy DIY installation. The layout and setup were similar to the other models we tested but with the unique addition of a central guide wire running through the middle of the mowing area to assist with navigation back to the home base. Initial programming was fast and intuitive with the mower’s onboard controls. After downloading the app, we spent some time customizing mowing options, adding the targeted mowing height and spiral mowing options. Targeted mowing automatically lowered the cutting height each day until our preselected height was achieved. With spiral mowing engaged, the mower automatically detects extra-tall or dense growth and mows that isolated area in a spiral pattern. These two options were especially helpful in combination, as we needed to get our overgrown Bermuda grass under control.

Our testing lawn was an irregularly shaped area encompassing 1,200 square feet, with a tree isolated by the boundary wire near the middle and two larger lawn areas on either side. Part of the test area included a steep slope, close to 50 percent in one small area, and the 415X had no trouble. We noticed after the third or fourth mowing that the robot was making more efficient linear cuts and less frequently getting caught up in multipoint turns.

During the target-height adjustment period, the mower seemed to FOCUS more time on a section after it had been sufficiently cut, then running out of battery before fully cutting the other section. Once the target was achieved, however, daily mowing at 1.25 inches kept the grass looking great. Docking at the base station went perfectly every time. Easy setup, reliable operation, Smart tech, and a lower mowing height range make this a good choice for most small to midsize yards with warm-season lawn grass.

Product Specs

• Coverage area: 0.4 acre (17,424 square feet)
• Mowing height range: 0.8 to 2 inches
• Slope rating: 22 degrees
• Precision control features allow you to target portions of the lawn that require more attention
• GPS-assisted navigation allows the robot to mow challenging areas more efficiently
• Easily navigates obstructions like toys and lawn furniture as well as difficult terrain
• Cellular and Bluetooth connectivity make it easy to connect and control the mower remotely
• Premium price point for top-of-the-line robotic mowing technology
• Highly efficient mowing capability is offset by a somewhat limited runtime per charge

Get the Husqvarna Automower 415X robot lawn mower at Amazon or Lowe’s.