The Rise of the Robot Lawn Mower: A Comprehensive Guide to Automated Lawn Care
The landscape of lawn care has undergone a significant transformation in recent years, thanks to the emergence and rapid evolution of robot lawn mowers. What was once a niche market dominated by a couple of key players has blossomed into a diverse field with numerous manufacturers vying for consumers’ attention. This surge in competition has not only broadened the range of options available but has also driven down prices, making automated lawn care more accessible than ever before.
From Humble Beginnings to Sophisticated Automation
Just five years ago, the robot mower market was largely defined by Husqvarna and Worx. Today, a dozen or more companies have entered the fray, each bringing their unique approach to automated lawn maintenance. This increased competition has spurred innovation, leading to significant advancements in features and capabilities.
In the early days, investing in a robot mower required a considerable financial commitment, with even the most basic models costing several thousand dollars. However, the landscape has shifted dramatically. Now, you can find models priced around $1,000 that perform as well as, if not better than, those early high-priced bots.
Much like their indoor counterparts, robot vacuums, modern robot lawn mowers are equipped with sophisticated technologies. Onboard positioning systems enable them to navigate your yard with precision, while cameras and sensors help them detect and avoid obstacles. Furthermore, artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming increasingly prevalent, allowing mowers to learn the unique characteristics of your yard, remember tricky spots, and optimize their mowing patterns accordingly.
Gone are the days when robot mowers relied solely on bump sensors, resulting in scuffs and scratches. Today’s models are truly smart, offering a seamless and efficient lawn care experience.
Real-World Testing and Evaluation
As a long-time enthusiast of indoor robotics, the transition to outdoor bots was a natural progression. The value of automated lawn care, where the real hard work of home ownership comes into play, is immense.
The testing process involves subjecting each mower to rigorous real-world conditions. While an original property consisted of a basic small suburban lot, a new home presented a more challenging landscape: an oddly shaped and slightly uneven 1/4-acre lot with a steep slope. This property pushes the limits of every robot mower, providing the ideal environment for comprehensive evaluations of their capabilities.
A Look at Specific Models
Mowrator S1
While the Mowrator S1 might stretch the definition of a robot mower, it offers a unique approach to lawn care. Instead of autonomous operation, it relies on a remote control, similar to those used with aerial drones. The extent of automation is limited to cruise control, which only allows the mower to move in a straight line, and obstacle avoidance, which can be rudimentary.
However, the Mowrator S1 excels in other areas. Its 21-inch cutting radius is significantly larger than most robot mowers, and its traditional mower blade delivers a riding mower quality cut that is unmatched by other models. The maneuverability, all-wheel drive, and excellent remote control make mowing the grass enjoyable.
The Mowrator S1 is ideal for those who enjoy the act of mowing but want to avoid the physical exertion, especially during the summer heat.
Husqvarna 435X AWD
The Husqvarna 435X AWD was the first robotic mower reviewed, and it consistently mowed the lawn with minimal issues for four seasons. Husqvarna’s experience in the robot mower market spans more than a decade, and the 435X AWD showcases their expertise.
Among AWD robot mowers, the 435X AWD stands out for its power and its ability to handle slopes, even on a tilt. The lawn consistently had a golf course look. This is attributed to Husqvarna’s approach of using random paths, resulting in a beautiful cut during peak growth, free from the lines left by traditional mowers.
The 435X AWD is highly recommended for complicated yards up to one acre in size. The Husqvarna 400-series models are equally recommendable. The Automower app is user-friendly and easy to understand.
However, the 435X AWD is not ideal for yards with many obstacles inside the boundary, as it relies on bumper sensors. For such yards, Husqvarna’s boundary wire-free EPOS models are a better choice.
Sunseeker Orion X7
Despite a suboptimal mapping setup, the Orion X7 impressed with its vision and AI capabilities, which performed as advertised, even at night. Its obstacle-avoidance performance was the best among tested robot mowers.
The Orion X7 seemed to remember the locations of obstacles during a session, unlike other mowers. The dual floating cutting plates ensure a smooth, level yard even on uneven terrain.
Priced at $2,400, the Orion X7 is at the lower end of the all-wheel drive robot mower range. However, its cut quality and capabilities are comparable to mowers that cost twice as much.
Navimow i110n
While the Navimow i110n lacks all-wheel drive, it impressed with its navigation and ability to alternate cutting patterns. It also mows quickly, covering nearly a quarter-acre lot in about 30 minutes.
A previous problem with the Navimow falling off a parking-strip curb might be addressed through firmware updates.
The $1,300 Navimow i110n is the best option for fairly flat yards less than a quarter-acre in size. However, it lacks the power for anything other than gradual slopes, in which case the Sunseeker Orion X7 is recommended instead.
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Robot Mower
Yard Size Capacity
While it’s tempting to choose the cheapest mower that can handle your yard size, it’s better to opt for a model with a maximum yard size of at least 1.5 to 2 times the acreage of your yard. This ensures that the mower doesn’t need to run 24/7 to keep up and prevents buyer’s remorse if you move to a larger home. A larger mower also won’t need to return to the base station and charger as frequently.
Cut Quality
Cut quality depends on the cutting plate setup and the cutting methods used. Rectangular blades are preferable to bread tag-shaped blades, as they cut better and last longer. Robot mowers that follow straight lines and paths and alternate cutting directions during each mowing session also produce better results.
App Functionality
A user-friendly app is crucial for customizing your lawn maintenance. The best mower apps have clean interfaces, clear instructions, and sometimes videos to guide you through important functionality.
Obstacle Avoidance
Modern robot mowers use technologies like cameras, LiDAR, and onboard AI to detect obstacles, minimizing the need for manual intervention.
Artificial Intelligence
AI enables robot mowers to learn the quirks of your yard and optimize their mowing sessions accordingly. However, not all robot mower AI is created equal.
Boundary Wire vs. Boundary Wire-Free
Robot mowers come in two types: boundary wire and boundary wire-free. Boundary wire mowers are less expensive, but require the installation of a physical boundary wire. Boundary wire-free mowers rely on GPS and onboard vision capabilities to map your yard.
While boundary wire mowers are more affordable, professional installation is recommended to avoid tripping hazards. Boundary wires also have finite lengths, which may require multiple mowers for large properties. Boundary wire-free mowers are easier to set up.
Cost Comparison
Compared to traditional push mowers, robot mowers are more expensive. However, they are competitively priced compared to riding mowers and offer significant labor savings.
Cut Quality Compared to Traditional Mowers
When used as designed, robot mowers can deliver cut quality that is as good as conventional mowers. They are designed to run multiple times a week, cutting a small portion of your grass each time. Some models even alternate the direction of cut to prevent lines from the mower’s wheels.
Maintenance
Maintaining a robot mower is similar to maintaining a traditional mower, except you don’t need to monitor engine oil. Regular cleaning of grass clippings and debris from the underside of the mower is essential, and it’s best to keep it out of the elements when not in use to prevent fading and discoloration.
The main difference lies in the cutting blades. Most robot mowers use razor-like blades that need to be replaced at least twice per mowing season. Fortunately, these blades are inexpensive, and third-party options are available.
Testing Methodology
Robot mowers are tested in real-world situations, including day and night operation and varying weather conditions. The lawn is typically cut an inch or two higher than normal to assess cut quality and performance in taller grass. Temporary obstacles are placed in the yard to evaluate collision avoidance capabilities. If the mower has AI onboard, its ability to remember permanent obstacles is observed.
