Are you interested in the thought of never having to mow your lawn again? Well, an automatic or robotic lawn mower might just be the solution you’re looking for! In this blog, we take a look at whether these mowers are actually worth the hype.
Skip to:
- How Do Robot Mowers Work?
- What Should I Look for in a Robot Mower?
- What Are the Maintenance Requirements of a Robot Mower?
- What Are the Advantages of Using a Robot Mower?
- What Are the Disadvantages of Using a Robot Mower?
How Do Robot Mowers Work?
Robot mowers have been around for a few years now, with new technology continually entering the market.
Older models commonly use a physical boundary wire placed within the soil around the perimeter of your lawn.
Newer models utilise advanced technology like GPS, LiDAR, and on-board sensors to create a precise virtual map of your dedicated mowing space—no wires required.
What Should I Look for in a Robot Mower?
When choosing the right robot mower for you and your home, there are a few key factors to consider so that your new mower will be suited to your space.
Lawn Size
Every robot lawn mower comes with a maximum coverage capacity. However, to ensure reliable performance and prevent overworking the machine, it is recommended to choose a model with a slightly larger area capacity than your actual lawn size.
Slope
Another consideration is your yard’s terrain. Different models are rated for different gradients. While most entry-level mowers can handle a slight slope of around 25%–30%, you will need a more powerful, specialised option if your property has steeper hills.
What Are the Maintenance Requirements of a Robot Mower?
Maintenance requirements for robot mowers are generally quite low. However, doing a quick once-over every couple of weeks will help your device achieve a cleaner cut and improve the mower’s longevity.
A general maintenance schedule may include the following:
**Firstly, ensure mower is completely turned off**
- Remove loose grass and debris using a soft brush
- Check over mowers blades and ensure they are sharp and free from damage
- Wipe the sensors to remove dirt and dust buildup
- Clean over charging contacts
What Are the Advantages of Using a Robot Mower?
- Time saving and convince.
- Quite operation.
- Mowing can be set at any time of day, even when you are asleep!
- Regularly mown grass will encourage the lawn perform better.
What Are the Disadvantages of Using a Robot Mower?
- Higher up-front costs.
- Some models may require a boundary set up which can be time consuming to set up.
- Are not effective at mowing overgrown grass. If grass becomes overgrown, you may need to use a standard rotary mower to knock back the grass to a more manageable level.
For more lawn care tips and advice, make sure you check out our other lawn care blogs here.
