Best robot lawn mowers 2024: lawn maintenance made simple

Best robot lawn mowers
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The best robot lawn mowers are the future of lawn maintenance if you don't like spending time doing it yourself. These smart little bots are able to head out and cut your grass without you needing to lift a finger. That should keep your green spaces looking well cared for all year round.

Despite these robots still being a relatively new category in the mower world, they already come in many shapes and sizes. These are to suit the task required of them, meaning you'll need to work out how large your cut area is before picking the ideal model to suit your needs. That could save you money up front as the largest model may not be needed.

Where, in traditional mowing, larger meant a wider cut area meaning fewer passes and a quicker cut - that's less relevant here as the robot lawn mower will do all the work, so how long it takes it less of an issue. However, you may need to spend more on a model that can handle slopes if your area isn't flat.

Lots of these robot lawn mowers are smart, allowing you to control them with your phone, scheduling cuts, setting areas that are off limits - like flower borders - and getting alerts for any issues that may require your attention. Largely though, since these charge themselves, you can just leave them to it and enjoy the well maintained results.

While robot lawn mowers cut little and often to keep grass maintained, you may find you want a traditional mower too, in case your robot has the winter off and you miss that first cut in time before it gets long. In which case a look for lawn mower deals could help. It's also worth thinking thinking about borders, using the best lawn edgers and unwelcome guests where the best electric weed eaters can serve you. But for now read on to find the very best robot lawn mowers you can buy right now.

The best robot lawn mowers

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Best robot lawn mower overall

Best robot lawn mowers: Husqvarna Automower 315X review

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Husqvarna Automower 315X

The Husqvarna Automower 315X is the best robot lawn mower for added high-spec features.

Reasons to buy

+
GPS tracking 
+
Can take on slopes up to 40%

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive 
-
Have to pay more for extras

The Husqvarna Automower 315X is our top pick of the best robot lawn mowers as its packed full of features. As you would expect from the Swedish manufacturer, this X-line model is loaded with all the features any robotic lawn mower could need. This includes a GPS tracking system, LED headlights, and its own app: Automower Connect. It also has voice control, a spot cutting mode, and anti-theft features.

The Husqvarna Automower 315X is one of the smallest in the brand’s X-line series. But its small size doesn’t mean it has a small capacity. It can cut large gardens up to 1,600m2, plus handle inclines of up to 40% – which is pretty steep! 

But all these amazing functions means the model carries a steep price tag. It’s worth noting that this is the most expensive model in our line-up, costing around $2,500. You can find some great other robotic lawn mowers for cheaper, but the price won’t include all the added extras you get with the Husqvarna Automower 315X, like the installation of the boundary wires or LED headlights.

Best affordable robot lawn mower

Best robot lawn mowers: MowRo RM24A review

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MowRo RM24A Robot Lawn Mower

Also the best robot lawn mower for large hills

Reasons to buy

+
Good value
+
Lots of safety features

Reasons to avoid

-
No GPS
-
Not suitable for large lawns

The MowRo RM24A is the cheapest lawn mower in this guide at $900 but handles the steep inclines (up to 30 degrees). It might not have all the fancy high-tech features other robotic lawn mowers come with, but it does ensure your lawn is consistently cut using its 48-hour cycle. 

You could say safety is of the MowRo RM24A’s best features. It has three blades which are tucked away in a protective Mowing Blade Guard. This guard allows grass to pass through but protects against foreign objects. It also has a bump sensor and automatic safety sensors which means the MowRo will reverse and stop the blades if it comes into contact with anything other than grass. 

Performance-wise, the MowRo RM24A robotic lawn mower takes 90 minutes to charge fully and can cut for two hours. You can also set a custom cutting height anywhere from 1 inch to 2.5 inches. If you have a medium-sized lawn with some slopes to it, this is the best robot lawn mower for you. 

Best robot lawn mower for large gardens

Best robot lawn mowers: Worx WR153 Landroid Robotic Mower review

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Worx WR153 Landroid Robotic Mower

The Worx WR153 Landroid is a great choice if you have a big lawn

Reasons to buy

+
 Ideal for medium to large lawns 
+
 Customizable 

Reasons to avoid

-
Long charge time
-
Not great for edges

The Worx WR153 is a great choice if you’ve got a medium or large-sized lawn. Thanks to its clever AIA intelligent navigation technology, this robot mower can cut narrow passageways with ease.

Because this robot mower is smart-enabled, you’ll be able to set it to work via your phone using the app. The Worx WR153 doesn’t mow in straight lines, but instead, works its way across your grass using a zig-zag motion so that the grass is evened out and looks uniform. 

Suitable for gardens up to half an acre, this Worx robot mower is also fitted with safety features which mean the blades stop if the mower is picked up or tilted off the floor - great for if you have animals or small children. One fault we did find with this mower, however, is that it’s not great for reaching right to the edges of the lawn. 

Best quiet robot lawn mower

Gardena lawn mower in green and dark grey shown with a mobile app in use.

(Image credit: Amazon)

GARDENA 15201-41 SILENO Minimo

This robot lawn mower is one of the quietest out there

Reasons to buy

+
Bluetooth app 
+
Quiet

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive

One of the quietest robot lawnmowers on the market, the Gardena 15201-41 is great for those who spend ample time in their yard. It operates at 57dB which is quieter than their old model, and less than the noise level of a normal conversation. This new model also features the upgrade of a Bluetooth-controlled app, so you can now configure the settings and auto-schedule from your mobile phone - great if you want to adjust your lawn mower from the comfort of your couch. It's worth noting, however, that this only works from a radius of up to 10m, so it can't be controlled while on vacation. 

It's also versatile for use in all different weather conditions. It keeps mowing come rain or shine and can navigate slopes of up to 35 percent, so you can rest easy knowing that it won't run into any problems. Collision settings also ensure that it avoids any furniture or toys, preventing damage to itself and your belongings. With a run time of 65 minutes and automatic charging, it can run with virtually no human assistance which is a win for keeping on top of your lawn with minimal effort.

Best robot lawn mower for small lawns

Best robot lawn mowers: Worx WR140 Landroid M 20V Robotic Lawn Mower review

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Worx WR140 Landroid M 20V

This superb robot lawn mower is built to tackle tight corners

Reasons to buy

+
AIA technology  
+
Good value

Reasons to avoid

-
 No remote-control capabilities 
-
Can't be used in the rain

If you are looking for the best robot lawn mower for small lawns that have narrow passageways, you’ll find it in the Worx WR140 Landroid M 20V. That’s because the small device comes with patented AIA technology. This tech enables it to manoeuvre around narrow passageways with a minimum width of 60cm. 

This robot lawn mower also doesn’t cut grass in straight lines, but instead, cuts the grass in a zig-zag motion so that the lawn is nice and even. Because of this motion, Worx also claims it can cut your 30% faster than other robot mowers.

The Worx WR140 Landroid M 20V robot lawn mower is also ideal for cutting right up to the edge of flower beds and borders thanks to its 7-inch offset blade. This blade is positioned towards the side of the device meaning that there is less tidying up of the borders for you to do.   

With a typical mow time of 50 minutes and a cutting capacity of up to 700m2), the Worx WR140 Landroid is a great option if you have a small lawn with a little incline to it. 

The best robot lawn mowers: FAQs

How to choose a good robot lawn mower

First of all, you’ll want to factor in the area you want your robot lawn mower to tackle. Most devices can handle around 0.25 to 0.3 acres, ideal for small to medium size lawns. If you have a bigger plot you may want to consider one with an extended range. Our top pick can mow up to 0.4 acres.

Another consideration is whether you’ll need a mower that can handle inclines. This is important if you have a hilly yard as you’ll want one that can make light-work of slopes. Out of the mowers we reviewed, there was a range of between 22 and 30 degrees. The dealers we spoke to say they’ve seen some mowers handle bigger slopes, including up to 45 degrees. 

With the best robot lawn mowers, a great perk is that you don’t need to remember to charge them. The mower will return to its base when it needs a top-up so you may not even notice. Even so, it’s worth considering the length of time to charge and how long the machine can run with a full battery. Our top picks last about an hour on a full charge and take slightly longer than that to recharge completely. While it may not have much impact on your experience, it gives you an indication of whether the machine is well designed. 

Multi-zone capability

Looking to mow more than one space? You’ll need a mower with multi-zone capability. This applies if you want to mow a front lawn and back lawn that are not directly connected. The robot views these as separate zones so look out for one with multi-zone capabilities. This means you can program the mower to remember more than one set of boundaries. You’ll find that most multi-zone robot mowers can cover between two or four zones which should be sufficient for most households. 

Programmable

Looking for the ultimate convenience? You’ll want to choose a mower you can schedule to run on particular days at specific times. This saves you the faff of having to remember to set the robot lawn mower to work. Consider how you’ll want to program the device. With some robot lawn mowers, you do this from the base while you can set other models remotely over a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connection.

Advanced features

While all robot lawn mowers offer convenience, some models have additional premium features that give them the edge over the competition. If you have a large yard, a model with GPS might be a good choice so you can track its progress. You could also easily trace the mower if it was stolen so there’s no need to worry about it.

If you want to take convenience to the next level, why not consider a robot lawn mower that you control via an app? Some models allow you to control, configure and monitor the robot remotely via a mobile app so the robot doesn’t even need to be in sight. 

Another handy feature is rain-detection technology, ideal in a wetter climate. Thanks to this clever tech, the mower can tell when it’s too wet to mow. You can even find some models which are designed to continue mowing during a shower. 

Robot lawn mower on grass

(Image credit: Alamy)

What warranties do robot lawn mowers come with?

Worried about reliability? You’ll want to prioritize a good warranty so you can put your mind at rest. The best robot lawn mowers are an investment so this is especially important as you'll want it to last. 

Our round-up includes models with a range of warranties. Typically, the more expensive models come with a better warranty, so there’s a trade-off between saving money and having peace of mind. In our review, the warranties range between one and five years. The length of the warranty can also give you a sense of whether the manufacturer considers the robot is built to last. 

Which is the best robot lawn mower for small gardens? 

If you have an outdoor space that’s on the smaller side you’re probably looking for a robot mower that’s more specialized in tidying up corners. If that is the case, then the model that you should primarily be looking at is the Gardena 4069 R80Li. This quiet, well-designed robot lawn mower is ideal for tackling the complexities of smaller spaces, as well as providing top-tier cutting results. 

The Gardena 4069 R80Li is ideal for keeping on top of your smaller garden all on its own, with a sensor that can detect how quickly your lawn is growing and how frequently it needs a trim. It also only takes 50 minutes to charge up, meaning even if it can’t manage your whole garden in one session, it can easily be charged up before it’s sent out for another mow. 

Do robot lawn mowers actually work?

The big question, when you've never tried one of these models, is do robot lawn mowers actually work? And the answer is largely yes, if you're talking about keeping your grass looking trim. These will make short and low cuts regularly to keep your lawn looking consistent, like it's always just been cut. Like all robots, you may need to come and help every now and then, perhaps to clear a blockage or pop the mower back on its charger if it got stuck.

The areas that you may not have thought about are cutting around the robot lawn mower's limits. So along borders, or sharp edges, where the mower may not be able to gain access, you might be needed to trim edges using an edge cutter. The other instance, where you may need to mow manually, is at the start of the season where the robot has had its time off and the first cut may have been missed. This could leave the grass too long for the robot to tackle before getting back into its routine of keeping grass short and manageable.

The mower is limited by its width, as are all mowers, but can move in and out of spaces based on this. So if you have a large open space, it should be simple work. However, if you have lots of slopes and tighter spots, it may be more difficult for your robot lawn mower to move about. That said, many of the best robot lawn mowers can tackle most lawns making them a very capable option for those that want to save time by letting the bot do the manual work for them.

Luke Edwards

Luke is a veteran tech journalist with decades of experience covering everything from TVs, power tools, science and health tech to VPNs, space, gaming and cars. You may recognize him from appearances on plenty of news channels or have read his words which have been published in most tech titles over the years. In his spare time (of which he has little as a father of two) Luke likes yoga, surfing, meditation, DIY and consuming all the books, comics and movies he can find.

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