They’re less noisy than a regular lawnmower and can schedule frequent jobs so you can get lush greens without lifting a finger. But are robotic mowers the best next thing?
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Is the grass always greener on the other side? No, but a robotic lawnmower can certainly help create the lush lawn you’ve always wanted.
Lawn care has never been easier, with self-propelled and self-charging green-thumbed robots now autonomously doing the hard yards for you. Plus, they’re far quieter than their traditional lawn mower counterparts. But is this hands-free approach to cutting grass worth the hefty price tag?
We take a look at a few of the models currently available in Australia, and breakdown some of the pros and cons of leaving lawn care all to a robot lawnmower.
WHAT IS A ROBOT LAWN MOWER?
Similar to a robot vacuum, robotic lawnmowers work just like traditional lawnmowers but can cut grass autonomously – giving you a hands-free way to maintain your backyard. All you need to do is to set your preferences as well as the boundaries to make sure it knows where to go (and what’s off limits).
BEST ROBOTIC LAWN MOWERS IN AUSTRALIA
BEST BUDGET ROBOTIC LAWN MOWERS
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
It may be hard to believe, but this near-$2,000 robot lawn mower is one of the most affordable options on the market. Don’t worry, it’s still a beast – it boasts two brushless motors, five configurable options and an offset three-blade cutting and mulching system for trimming the edges of your garden.
The 20V machine also has an auto scheduling function and motor torque bump detection system, along with a rain sensor to let the robot know to go back to its station when the weather gets too harsh.
+ Covers up to 500 square metres.
+ Can cut up to four separate areas.
+ Four cutting height positions (30-70mm).
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
Are you someone who gives their TV remote a ‘second life’ by giving the batteries a little rub before replacing it with a new pair? The Moebot S10 robot lawn mower lets you similarly extend the life of your blades by allowing you to simply flip the blade once it gets blunt, so you can get a bit of a heads up on when you really need to replace the blade. Talk about convenient and low maintenance!
It can mow up to five different areas, and contains a high-speed cutting motor that can deal with different types of grass including Buffalo, Couch, Kikuyu, Zeon Zoysia and Fescue.
+ It drives over its boundary wire when mowing the edges, so you won’t need to re-do the area with a whipper snipper.
+ Battery needs to be replaced every one or two years, depending on the workload.
+ Can connect the robot to Wi-Fi or control it via the LCD control panel on the unit.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
Did someone call the Batmobile (or should we say, the lawn-mobile)? Robotic mowers are rarely available for under $1,000, but this Swift model saves the day at a pretty budget-friendly price point.
It’s also fairly quiet, operating at 65dB – that’s just louder than a conversation, but not as noisy as a hair dryer.
+ Can mow up to 600 square metres and tackle slopes up to 35 per cent (or 20 degrees).
+ IP56-rated water and dust resistant.
+ Contains touch keypad, which can be used to adjust cutting diameter as well as enter PIN code to prevent theft.
BEST ROBOTIC LAWN MOWERS FOR UNEVEN TERRAIN AND ODD-SHAPED GARDENS
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
If you’re an avid gardener and consider the backyard your canvas, the triangular build on this robotic lawn mower makes it ideal for maintaining trickier shaped gardens with hedges, flower beds and ponds. The pivoting front wheel is also great for narrow and tight spaces.
It’s designed for lawns measuring up to 800 square metres and comes with an Eco Mode sensor to optimise the runtime.
+ It can take up to two hours to finish mowing.
+ Can travel slopes up to 50 per cent.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
This WORX robotic lawn mower features a floating blade disc that automatically lifts the blades, helping prevent the robot from getting stuck on small stones or trapped on uneven terrain. It also has the brand’s Cut-to-Edge feature to trim along the borders, five configurable modes and six height options (30-75mm).
+ Ideal for gardens up to 700 square metres
+ Can cut up to four separate spaces
BEST ROBOTIC LAWN MOWERS FOR LARGE GARDENS
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
Save time and effort mowing spacious gardens with this green-thumbed robot, which is designed to cut up to 1,500 square metres in a single charge. It has the usual features included in other WORX robotic mowers, such as two brushless wheel motors, Cut-to-Edge function, automatic updates and a rain sensor.
+ Senses movement and will automatically switch off if picked up.
+ Suggests an auto schedule based on the measurements calculated by the robot.
+ Two years manufacturer’s warranty, plus one year extended warranty once you register the product with the brand.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
What may be the Terminator of robotic lawn mowers, this Ambrogio model is designed for areas measuring up to 4,000 square metres (or 6,000 when you use the double battery).
The high-performance gadget apparently monitors how your grass grows and will adapt its settings to ensure the finish meets your preferences.
It can take up to 10 hours for the robot to complete the job.
+ Mows terrains up to 30 degrees.
BEST QUIET ROBOTIC LAWN MOWER
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
Designed to operate at just 58dB, this Gardena robotic lawn mower is as loud (or quiet) as a conversation in a restaurant. It’s ideal for small backyards up to 250 square metres and can manage inclines of up to 35 per cent.
+ Contains a collision sensor to prevent bumping into obstacles, and automatically lifts blades to avoid injuries.
+ Two-year manufacturer’s warranty.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
What better way to store your robotic lawn mower than in a mini shed? It’s made from galvanised steel and fits charging stations no taller than approximately 45cm high and 85cm wide.
But the best part is that it’s available in a variety of colours, so you can match it with your full-size shed. Different options include grey, anthracite, brown and green.
There are also plenty of other types of garages online, including wooden sheds and sheds that double as a planter.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
Robotic lawn mowers set boundaries in different ways, such as through boundary wires. But if you’re constantly adding and removing ‘obstacles’ like cubby houses, trampolines or tables and chairs for parties, you can use accessories like this to avoid re-jigging the wire everytime.
ARE ROBOTIC LAWN MOWERS WORTH BUYING?
A robotic lawnmower could make lawn care a little easier, but be prepared to pay a price for convenience. Brands generally offer four or five configurable setting options and, despite Aussies having slim pickings, you can still find a few models that can deal with somewhat steep slopes.
Although if you are in the market for a new lawnmower, a push or self-propelled option will probably be a safer alternative.
Here’s a breakdown of some of the benefits and disadvantages of downsizing your biggest garden tool.
Pros of robotic lawn mowers
+ Saves you time and effort.
+ Leaves you with evenly cut grass, with options to choose between different cutting heights also available.
+ Can be controlled via smartphone.
+ Automatically returns to the charging station when the battery runs low or the weather conditions start to become more severe.
+ Can return to the garden after recharging.
+ Some models can handle wet and dry grass.
+ Less noisy compared to a full-size mower.
+ It regularly maintains your garden by working to a set schedule.
+ Can handle uneven terrain, with some models capable of travelling on slopes with a 70 per cent incline.
+ Works within set boundaries avoids ‘no-go’ zones.
+ Contains different safety features to prevent injury and theft.
+ Some robotic mowers don’t use much energy, keeping running costs low.
Cons of robotic lawn mowers
- Expensive and limited range of options to choose from.
- Some models that follow a particular pattern may leave tracks.
- It may not get the entire lawn done in one go.
- The finish might not be even.
- The robot mower might not be able to handle the workload.
- You should regularly check the robot for any small rocks, sticks or leaves in the blades. This can be done after the mini lawn mower has done its job.
ARE ROBOT LAWN MOWERS BETTER FOR YOUR LAWN?
Some believe robotic lawn mowers are great because frequent mowing encourages root growth, discourages weeds from spreading, and helps the lawn become more resistant and denser. Of course, you will need to make sure to get the right model and grass mixture for your backyard. This depends on a range of factors such as the size of your yard, how much power you need and the type of your terrain.
HOW LONG DO ROBOTIC LAWN MOWERS LAST?
Robotic lawn mowers should last 10 years. But this depends on factors such as the quality of the model, size of the area, mowing frequency and how well you maintain the machine (including replacing the blades and batteries, and getting the unit professionally serviced once a year).
Job-wise, robotic lawn mowers typically take two hours to complete the task. But larger areas, such as a 6,000 square metre yard, can take much longer.
On the fence over buying a robotic lawn mower? Don’t worry, we’ve also got guides on the best petrol lawn mowers, best electric lawn mowers and best leaf blowers.
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