What Are Robotic Lawn Mowers?
A robotic mower is a relatively small, battery-powered mower. Once you define the mowing area with boundary wire and program the mower, a robotic mower can take care of your lawn-mowing chores with minimal effort on your part.
A robotic mower keeps your lawn trimmed — functioning similarly to the way a robotic vacuum keeps carpets clean — while giving you more time to take on other projects around the home. This lifestyle-friendly automatic mower operates through a program with either default or customized settings for your lawn. Based on that program, the robot mower starts, exits its charging station and mows the grass within the defined area. Typically, the self-mowing lawn mower takes random paths across the area, trimming away parts of the grass in its path until it encounters a boundary wire or obstacle. At that point, it turns and heads in another direction, mowing until it encounters another boundary wire or obstacle, or needs to return to its station to recharge.
Robotic Mowers Versus Push and Riding Mowers
Robotic mowers have unique features that make them stand out from traditional mowers. The most notable differences are the convenience a robotic mower offers and the time a robotic mower saves you by maintaining your lawn with minimal work from you.
This also means less exposure to heat and allergens when operating a traditional mower. In addition:
- Robotic mowers mow in random patterns; therefore, they don’t create rows of wheel ruts that can prevent the grass from growing upright.
- You don’t need to remember to keep the battery of a robotic mower charged. The robotic lawn mower returns to its charging station when it needs to and begins mowing again once it's charged.
- Since they rely on boundary and guide wires or sensors to define the limits of the lawn and are much quieter than gasoline-powered mowers, some robotic mowers are capable of mowing at night.
- Some robotic mowers can mow in light rain. Others have a sensor that directs the mower back to its charging station when it begins to rain.
- Robotic mowers are designed to trim the grass blades a little at a time, in some cases taking off less than an inch. Removing a small portion of the grass blade leads to better growth, reduces stress on the lawn and helps decrease vulnerability to disease and pests. As an added benefit, the small clippings create a natural fertilizer for the lawn.
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Robotic mowers require less storage space. During the mowing season, they can remain at their charging station when they’re not operating. When you need to store them, such as at the end of the season, these smaller devices take up less space than a standard mower.
Beyond these differences, robotic mowers share valuable features and capabilities with standard mowers:
- Rechargeable batteries power robotic mowers. As with a standard cordless mower, battery power means no extension cords or gasoline, no need to change or dispose of engine oil, no emissions during operation and reduced noise and vibration.
- Maintenance requirements for robot lawn mowers are lower than those of traditional electric mowers as well. Routine maintenance is as simple as cleaning the mower and changing the blades periodically.
- Robotic mowers can handle a variety of yard sizes. Smaller models are designed for up to 1/4- or 1/2-acre lawns, while more powerful robotic mowers can manage a 1/2-1 acre.
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Robotic mowers work on sloped yards. Depending on the model, a robotic mower can operate on slopes up to 24 degrees. As with a traditional push or riding mower, match your lawn size and characteristics to the machine to find the best robotic lawn mowers suited for your yard.
Other Robotic Mower Features and Benefits
There are some additional features you can look for when shopping for a robotic mower:
- Robotic mowers don’t require gasoline or engine oil
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity
- App compatibility to remotely manage and monitor mowing from your mobile device
- Compatibility with home automation systems
- Automatic adaption for better maintenance of the grass, creating a mowing schedule for your specific lawn
- Batteries that work with other lawn-care equipment
What Safety Features Do Robotic Lawn Mowers Have?
You might wonder how safe it is for your pets and children to have a lawn mower freely roaming your yard. Robotic mowers put safety first with a range of features, depending on the make and model:
- Collision detection navigates around some obstacles, including pets and people
- Automatic shutoffs activate when you pick up the robotic mower or when its collision, tilt or lift detection activates (this means you’re not at risk of coming into contact with the rotating blades)
- Alarms connected to the collision detection system to warm pets and children when the mower is close
- Theft-deterrent systems such as alarms, GPS tracking and activation codes
Be sure to read and follow the specific instructions that come with your robotic lawn mower.
How Do You Maintain a Robotic Lawn Mower?
As with any lawn mower, robotic mowers need regular maintenance and cleaning. They don’t require a lot of work, but it’s still important to keep up with the tasks to avoid premature wear and tear. A poorly maintained robotic mower leads to:
- Dull or ineffective blades
- Dirty wheels with less grip which slows the mower
- A dirty or clogged mowing unit makes it less efficient and louder
- Less powerful sensors which negatively impact its safety feature
- Dirt that accumulates on the charging contacts, increasing charge time and frequency
Maintaining your robotic lawn mower is simple — just follow the maintenance instructions for your model. Here are some common recommendations:
- Keep your app and firmware up to date
- Regularly replace the mowing blades
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Use a brush and a damp cloth to keep the wheels clean
- Keep sensors clean with a damp cloth
- Use a damp cloth to wipe charging contacts and be sure to dry them afterward
- Look for signs of corrosion
- Properly store the unit and its battery during winter
How Do You Choose the Best Robotic Lawn Mower?
There are several factors that go into buying a robotic lawn mower. You’ll need to consider the following elements:
The Size of Your Lawn
The square footage of your lawn is a vital element in choosing the right mower. A smaller lawn needs less time and power while a larger lawn will benefit from a more powerful mower with longer battery life.
The Complexity of Your Lawn
Robotic mowers can handle obstacles well, but some do it better than others. If your yard is a flat square with one tree, your mower will simply move back and forth. If you have an oddly shaped lawn with lots of trees and bushes, you’ll need a bit more computing power for the mower to keep track of where it’s been and where it needs to go.
Apps and Features
If you want more control over your mower by setting more precise zones, lawn height or remote tracking when you’re away from home, then you’ll need to take the app into account. Look into what features come with which app to ensure you get the adaptability you want.
How Much Does a Robotic Lawn Mower cost?
Robotic lawnmowers typically cost double or triple what the average push mower will, depending on their size, features and capabilities. They can be several hundred dollars. It's a good idea to list the features and performance you'll need before deciding which mower is the best for you.
Need help getting started? Check out our guide on setting up your robotic mower for installation tips.