Is It Worth Getting a Robot Lawn Mower?
Last Updated on November 13, 2024 by Duncan
Many homeowners take considerable pride in their lawns. You will find them mowing their lawns even on the slightest grass growth.
While many use conventional gas and electric lawnmowers, a sizeable number of homeowners have embraced robot lawnmowers.
If you are on the fence about whether you should get robot lawnmowers, you should know that there is a large selection of high-quality models available from well-known mower companies like Husqvarna, Stihl, Gardena, and Worx that you can try out.
While many people have embraced robot vacuums for cleaning up inside their homes, what happens when you bring the technology outside? Is it worth getting a robot lawn mower?
We will look at the advantages and disadvantages of lawnmowers and help you decide whether investing in the units is wise.
Pros of considering robot lawnmowers
You don’t have to spend time outside mowing.
If the fight over who gets to mow the grass is common in your household, a robot lawnmower could be the solution. The ease of a bot that trims your lawn for you is the ultimate advantage.
While this is the case, you should note that robot lawnmowers require some setting up, and you’ll need to keep an eye on them for the first week to ensure they run correctly over the various bumps and dips in your yard.
The robots are quiet.
Lawn mowing has historically been a noisy business, and you even have to observe lawn mowing etiquette, but not with this new technology.
Unless you’re very close to the robot mower, you’re unlikely to be annoyed by the noise. In the same case, you won’t bother your neighbors with the noise, which means that you can mow your lawn at any time.
Close to the mower, they tend to be no louder than around 60-70dB, which is the volume of a normal to loud conversation, which isn’t much of a bother.
They are easy to maintain
As much as the robots free up your time, they need some TLC to continue serving you right.
Thankfully, they are fairly low maintenance. You’ll need to keep your machine clean and service it now and then. For example, you will need to sharpen or change blades and replace batteries after a few years, but for the most part, you can just leave it to do its work.
Because they are electric and use rechargeable battery packs, they are more convenient than a petrol lawnmower, which requires you to buy fuel and store it – but, like battery-powered lawnmowers and line trimmers, they need charging and replacement batteries as they get older.
You can control the robot with your phone.
Most recent robot lawnmower models feature apps that allow you to control and plan your mowing from your smartphone.
You can create automated mowing for particular zones on your lawn that specify when and how to mow. And you can do it all while relaxing on the couch inside.
Some apps are better than others, so do thorough research before committing to a specific model to see how simple the related app is.
Robot lawnmowers are much safer to use
The idea of setting a mindless machine loose on your yard near pets, children, or pricey plants is a little unnerving. And you have a reason for it.
While this is the case, robot lawnmowers have a variety of built-in safety precautions, such as blades that stop automatically when the mower is raised, indicating that they are safe to use if you follow the manufacturer recommendations.
Even if a robot lawnmower is safe, you should keep young children (or any of their toys) away from the lawnmower, whether or not it is in use.
Reasons you should think twice before investing in robot lawnmowers
The lawnmowers are expensive
If a robot lawnmower is on your wish list, expect to pay anywhere from $1200 to tens of thousands of dollars, depending on different versions.
You must be wondering why robot lawnmowers are so expensive, right? Well, the price tag is usually due to the high cost of the lithium-ion battery.
The lawn mower’s size usually indicates the area of the lawn it can cover; therefore, before you buy, measure your yard and strive for a robot lawnmower that’s meant for a somewhat larger lawn.
The lawnmowers can be stolen.
Robot lawnmowers weighing 6 and 15kg are portable equipment anyone can pick up and carry away.
The good thing is that some do offer anti-theft security measures, such as requiring a password to work, anti-theft alarms, and GPS monitoring to ensure you always know where they are, but if you don’t want a green-fingered criminal to steal your new lawn toy, you should use it in a securely fenced yard.
You have to rake your lawn.
Robot lawnmowers feature sensors that allow them to navigate significant obstacles in the yard, such as trees or clothesline poles.
While this is the case, if there is a lot of leaf cover, branches, or twigs, you must rake them up before setting your robot loose to ensure proper operation. You’ll also need to clean up any toys that are lying around.
Robot lawnmowers do not have bags connected, so they will leave cut-up grass in their wake, which you may wish to pick up afterward.
You won’t get neat lines.
Robot lawnmowers function randomly, so you won’t get the tidy, gratifying lines familiar with conventional lawnmowers. This means that if you always want clean lines on your lawn, these might not be the ones for you.
So, should you invest in a robot lawn mower?
Robot lawnmowers are a fantastic and easy alternative if you detest doing the grass cutting chore, have the money for a new unit, and don’t mind a little bit of work setting it up to become autonomous and having to bag the grass clippings once the mowing is done.
If you’re considering buying one of the lawnmowers, measure your lawn first to avoid buying a more expensive model than you need, and then read our expert robot lawnmower reviews for guidance on the ideal robot lawnmower you should go for.