Choosing a robot mower: with or without a wire?
A robot mower cuts your lawn by itself, a little several times a week. You choose mainly on how it finds the edge of the lawn, how big your lawn is and how steep.
With or without a boundary wire
Most robot mowers follow a boundary wire: a thin cable you pin into the ground around the lawn and around flower beds. The charging station sends a signal through it, so the mower knows where to turn. Laying it takes an afternoon, after which the wire disappears from view. Many mowers include an installation kit, and wire and pegs are also sold separately.
Wire-free robot mowers use a camera to see where the grass ends, such as the Worx Landroid Vision M600 and the Einhell Freelexo Cam Plus 600, or use satellite positioning, sometimes together with a camera, such as the Husqvarna Automower Aspire R6V and the Kress KR261ES. You then draw the borders in an app. These mowers usually cost more.
How big is your lawn?
Makers state for each model how many m² of lawn it suits. The Bosch Indego XS 300 is for lawns up to 300 m², the Husqvarna Automower 315 Mark II up to 1,500 m². Leave some margin: a lawn with many curves, trees or a narrow passage to a second part takes the mower longer.
If you have two separate lawns, check whether the mower can handle several zones. Some mowers cut a second lawn where you place them yourself, others drive there over a narrow strip.
Slopes and rough ground
Every maker gives a maximum slope in percent. On a flat lawn that does not matter, on a hillside garden it does. For steep gardens there are all-wheel-drive models, such as the Husqvarna Automower 435X AWD.
Battery and battery platform
Most robot mowers have a built-in battery and charge themselves in their station. Some use the battery of a tool platform, such as the Makita RM350D (18 V) and Einhell's Freelexo mowers (Power X-Change). If you already own tools of that brand, also read the guide to battery platforms.
App, rain and theft
Many robot mowers are set up with an app over wifi or Bluetooth. You choose mowing times and zones and see where the mower is. Pricier models sometimes have their own mobile connection, so you can follow them beyond your wifi. Also look for a rain sensor and theft protection, such as a PIN code or an alarm.
A roof or garage keeps sun and rain off the mower and its station. They are sold separately, such as Parkside's garage and Scheppach's Robohome.
Comparing on ToolRango
Under lawn mowers you find the robot mowers with every shop's price. The same mower often costs tens of euros more at one shop than at another, and some shops include an installation kit or a garage. So check what is in the box.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a boundary wire?
Not always. Most robot mowers work with a wire around the lawn. There are also wire-free models that use a camera or satellite positioning. They usually cost more.
Which robot mower suits my lawn?
Look at the area the maker states and pick a model with some margin above the size of your lawn. With slopes or separate lawns, also check the maximum slope and whether the mower handles several zones.
Can a robot mower run at night?
Technically it often can, but nature organisations advise against it, because hedgehogs and other animals are active at night. Set daytime mowing hours in the app.
Keep browsing
ToolRango does not test tools. This guide sets out what manufacturers and standards say. Always follow the manual of your own tool.