Are Robotic Lawn Mowers Worth It?  

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Written by: Ryan Sneltzer
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If you’re like us, you love your robotic vacuum cleaner, and you happen to have a lawn. It may have occurred to you that a robotic lawn mower might be nice to have, and you wondered if they exist. Well, you’re not the only person to think that way; indeed, robot lawnmowers exist. The question is, are robot lawnmowers any good?

How Does a Robot Lawn Mower Work?

A self-operating lawn mower is basically the same thing as a robot vacuum cleaner, except that it is tooled out to mow lawns instead of cleaning carpets. Because of the relatively rugged nature of mowing lawns, robot mowers are bigger, more robust, and have simpler electronics.

They tackle the challenges of automated lawn mowing a little differently than robot vacuums clean carpets. For example, they do not rely on GPS to independently scout the territory. You control the area they are meant to work in by laying out a cord that acts as a barrier for the mower. When the robot hits the cable, it will sense it and turn to the right or left.

This is because a lawn mower can be dangerous because its main feature is motorized, spinning blades. We need to be more hands-on with these things and set out a physical perimeter. (fences work fine as a barrier for these things.) Then, we let it go to work. Most robot mowers will handle about a quarter to half an acre of land. It will charge itself when needed and get back to work until the job is done or until you deactivate it.

Pros & Cons of Robot Lawn Mowers

Pros

  • They will mow ¼ to ½ an acre
  • Quieter than traditional mowers

Cons

  • Can only handle moderately long grass
  • Can’t power through tough bushes or rugged terrain
  • Don’t collect clippings

Are Robotic Lawn Mowers Worth It?

These devices are only a partial solution for managing lawn growth. They can serve as a partner in your outdoor maintenance efforts, but they have their limits. In the same way that no robot vacuum can clean all your floors all by itself, a robot mower is a helper, not a fully-fledged mechanical servant. If you manage it properly, you will find that it does have its place in most homes with a small to medium-sized lawn.

What you can use it for will determine whether or not it suits you. You must understand that they are less capable than a human with a traditional mower.

The Ideal Use-Case for a Robot Lawn Mower

If you have a patch of lawn on smooth and unchallenging terrain with clear borders, a robot mower could be perfect. It would be cheap to own and fun to watch. It would also be a great novelty for a restaurant or golf course or just fun to have at home.

Do you have questions about Lawnmowers? Find it here
Frequently Asked Questions About Robot LawnMowers

Durability & Cost of Robot Mowers

The average lifespan of these devices is about ten years. Parts are replaceable, so you can maintain them as needed for an even longer operational lifespan. Because the electronics are more straightforward than a robot vacuum, this is feasible. The price ranges are around $500 to $3,000. Naturally, they become more capable and more useful as you climb the price ladder. But no matter what quality level you shoot for, any robot mower will perform well as long as you understand its limitations and cater to those limitations carefully.

Our Verdict

To answer Are Robotic Lawn Mowers Worth It? robot mower can save you some time and effort if you have a contained and mild to modestly rugged patch of grass that you want to keep mowed. They won’t do as good a job as a human, but they will save you time and energy, and they can be fun to watch. Just ensure to keep small children and animals away from them during the operation.

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Ryan Sneltzer