The 6 Best Robot Lawn Mowers for Automated Maintenance in 2024, Tested
Improvements in rechargeable battery tech and intelligent software have dramatically changed the way we live, and the robotic lawn mower proves that such advancements have made their way into the lawn care industry. They can keep the grass at just the right height, eliminating a time-consuming weekend chore. These devices may even cost less to own and operate than gasoline-powered mowers while making very little noise and producing no exhaust emissions. They maintain up to an acre or more on most types of terrain, and they work automatically so folks with lawns have more time to relax and enjoy their green space.
No doubt, all of this sounds great—but how well do these automatic lawn mowers actually perform? To find out, we put some popular models through their paces on real-life lawns. Read on to learn about the criteria we used to select these mowers, and then check out our product reviews to find out how each one did on our test turf. Anyone in the market for a new mower might just discover that the best robot lawn mower can be a smart, time-saving investment.
- BEST OVERALL: Worx Landroid M 20V Robotic Lawn Mower
↓ Jump to Review - BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Gardena 15001-20 Sileno City Automatic Robotic Mower
↓ Jump to Review - BEST LOW CUT: Husqvarna Automower 415X Robotic Lawn Mower
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR STEEP HILLS: Redback MowRo 9.5-Inch Robot Lawn Mower
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR LARGE LAWNS: Husqvarna Automower 115H Robotic Lawn Mower
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR SMALL LAWNS: Gardena 15202-41 Sileno Minimo Robotic Mower
↓ Jump to Review - BEST W/O PERIMETER WIRE: Segway Navimow i Series Robot Mower
↓ Jump to Review - BEST ALL-WHEEL DRIVE: Mammotion Luba 2 AWD 1000 Robot Lawn Mower
↓ Jump to Review
How We Tested the Best Robotic Lawn Mowers
We wanted some expert advice, so we interviewed Kody J. Ketterling, the founder of K-IT Products, a lawn care company based in Twin Falls, Idaho. His advice to shoppers is to make sure that the mower can maintain and keep up with the property you’re working to service. “Steep hills, narrow areas, lots of yard separations, and rough or bumpy ground can make it more difficult for a robot lawn mower to do its job,” he says.
We got our hands on some of these grass-cutting robots; all of the models we tested use 14-gauge low-voltage wire to establish the barrier. We assembled two barriers around two 1,200-square-foot patches of lawn—one with Bermuda grass and a steep slope and one mostly flat area with centipede grass. Each test area included two large open spaces connected by a narrow bottleneck corridor, and all the mowers were tested on both test areas.
We established a daily mowing schedule for 7 days in each location. We observed the ease of programming and communication with the mower as well as its actual performance. Criteria to be included in this guide were as follows:
- Consistently reliable mowing on schedule and returning to the base station after initial setup and first-day adjustments
- Consistently navigating the narrow corridor to mow both large areas
- Avoiding random obstacles intentionally left within the boundaries
- Returning to the base station in the event of rain or sprinklers
- Avoiding excessively steep slopes without becoming stuck
- Complete coverage of the test area—no noticeable missed spots for the entire test week
Testing Stats
- Products tested: 8
- Time spent testing: 32 hours
- Tests performed: 9
- Price range: $450 to $2,100
Our Top Picks
We measured the following robotic lawn mowers against our shopping considerations (detailed below) and put each one to work for a 7-day home trial. Find out why we recommend them among the best robot lawn mowers available.
Best Overall
Worx Landroid M 20V Robotic Lawn Mower
This Bob Vila Approved product carries our brand’s highest level of recommendation.
Bob Vila Approved recognizes the household and DIY products that impressed us most in our real-world testing and that exemplify core values of the Bob Vila brand, including craftsmanship, innovation, and value for the dollar. Winners of this designation come recommended by our professional review team and are personally approved by Bob Vila.
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4.7/5; Cut Quality 4/5; Performance 4.5/5; Durability 4/5; Value 4.7/5
Product Specs
- Coverage area: 0.25 acre (10,890 square feet)
- Mowing height range: 1.5 to 3.5 inches
- Slope rating: 20 degrees
What We Like
- Includes everything you need to get started and clear step-by-step instructions for easy installation
- User-friendly mobile app makes it simple to control the mower and check status remotely
- 2 hours of runtime per charge means more mowing and less time spent charging
- Competitive price point for a highly capable robotic lawn mower
What We Don’t Like
- Base station must be installed perfectly or the mower may not align properly for charging
- Some desirable features are not included with the base kit
The popular Worx Landroid robotic mower lineup includes models S, M, and L for yards up to 0.125 acre, 0.25 acre, and 0.5 acre, respectively. While the models share many similarities, we found that the Worx Landroid M offers the best combination of capability and affordability. It is powered by a 20-volt 4-amp-hour lithium-ion battery for 2 hours of runtime per 90-minute charge. This self-driving lawn mower can mow on a 20-degree slope thanks to a pair of high-efficiency brushless wheel motors that provide extra traction. The Landroid’s 8-inch self-leveling mowing disc cuts closer to the edges of the yard than many competitors. The blade height manually adjusts from 1.5 to 3.5 inches.
Landroid connects to a home Wi-Fi network via Bluetooth and automatically keeps its own software up to date. You can easily set or adjust the custom mowing schedule or monitor the mower on the go via the Landroid mobile app, basically creating your own remote control lawn mower. An integrated rain sensor stops the mower from cutting if rain starts and sends it back to its charging station.
The Landroid M performed at or near the top in most of our testing rubric categories. Assembly and programming were easy, mowing was reliable with excellent coverage, communication through the mobile app was intuitive, and runtime was superior—all for a very competitive price. Runtime was especially impressive: We clocked it at 2 hours 35 minutes, the longest of all the mowers we tested.
Unfortunately, we subtracted points for poor docking ability. Landroid was the only portable lawn mower we tested with recharging contacts located on the side of the machine rather than the front or back. To recharge, it must be perfectly positioned in relation to two flexible contact points as it passes over the base station; otherwise, it continues tracking along the perimeter wire without stopping. After resetting the base station three times and ensuring it was absolutely level in all directions with a long, straight approach, we finally achieved satisfactory results.
Aside from that issue, the Landroid provides outstanding overall functionality for the price. Available upgrades include the ACS module that prevents collisions, Find My Landroid GPS cellular module, Radio Link module to extend Wi-Fi connectivity for improved artificial intelligence, an Off Limits module for wire-free no-mow zones within the main mowing area, and the Landroid Garage.
Read our full review: Worx Landroid M 20V Robotic Lawn Mower
Get the Worx robot lawn mower at Lowe’s or Worx.
Best Bang For The Buck
Gardena 15001-20 Sileno City Automatic Robotic Mower
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Cut Quality 4/5; Performance 4/5; Durability 4/5; Value 5/5
Product Specs
- Coverage area: 2,700 square feet
- Mowing height range: 0.8 to 2.0 inches
- Slope rating: 14.04 degrees
What We Like
- Value-priced yet feature-rich robotic mower ideal for smaller lawn areas
- Kit includes everything needed for installation and easy-to-follow instructions
- Reliably and quietly mows all kinds of grass, day or night, rain or shine
- Navigates slopes up to 25 percent and passages as narrow as 24 inches
What We Don’t Like
- Preprogrammed with a daily runtime limit that stops the mower regardless of battery status
- Not Wi-Fi or GPS enabled
Anyone shopping for an affordable and uncomplicated robotic lawn mower for a small yard would do well to consider the Gardena Sileno City. It navigates slopes up to 25 percent and corridors as narrow as 24 inches wide. Plus, it works rain or shine, day or night.
Available with either a 2,700-square-foot or 5,400-square-foot maximum mowing capacity, this self-cutting lawn mower is a great option for most urban landscapes. It requires a flat, level area for the charging station and a nearby power source. A low-voltage perimeter wire keeps the mower inbounds and may be configured to mow a secondary area that is isolated from the primary lawn.
You can customize the mowing height between 0.8 inch and 2 inches high by means of a manual adjustment knob. The Gardena Bluetooth app makes it easy to operate the mower or customize the schedule and other settings from any mobile device, or use the onboard control panel to make adjustments.
It took about 1.5 hours to set up the Gardena Sileno City in our testing area. The kit included everything needed to get started, along with clear instructions. We plugged in the base station and allowed the mower to charge while we installed the perimeter wire and guide wire. The guide wire is an extra wire that bisects the lawn from the base station to the most distant portion of the perimeter wire. All Gardena (and parent company Husqvarna) robot mowers use it to navigate more efficiently.
After installation, we followed the instructions to calibrate the system and program the schedule. Starting with a premowed lawn, we adjusted the mower height to mow 1.5 inches high, and the yard looked great throughout the test period.
One feature that shoppers will want to be aware of is the maximum runtime of about 3.5 hours per day (for the 2,700-square-foot version that we tested). Don’t bother scheduling the mower to run more than 3.5 hours total per day since after reaching the time limit, the device will simply return home until the following day. Since we mowed no more than 2.5 hours per day, we didn’t have a problem.
Get the Gardena 15001-20 robot lawn mower at Gardena.
Best For Low Cut
Husqvarna Automower 415X Robotic Lawn Mower
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4/5; Cut Quality 5/5; Performance 4.5/5; Durability 5/5; Value 4.7/5
Product Specs
- Coverage area: 0.4 acre (17,424 square feet)
- Mowing height range: 0.8 to 2 inches
- Slope rating: 22 degrees
What We Like
- Precision control features allow you to target portions of the lawn that require more attention
- GPS-assisted navigation allows the robot to mow challenging areas more efficiently
- Easily navigates obstructions like toys and lawn furniture as well as difficult terrain
- Cellular and Bluetooth connectivity make it easy to connect and control the mower remotely
What We Don’t Like
- Premium price point for top-of-the-line robotic mowing technology
- Highly efficient mowing capability is offset by a somewhat limited runtime per charge
Here is a well-equipped mower for warm-season grasses up to 0.4 acre, especially lawns with challenging obstacles, narrow passages, and sloped terrain. With a mowing height range of 0.8 to 2 inches, the Husqvarna Automower 415X is designed for maintaining low-mow grasses like zoysia, Bermuda, and centipede. It is powered by an 18-volt 2-amp-hour lithium-ion battery that delivers a runtime of 50 minutes per charge and recharges in 60 minutes. This premium mower features a high-resolution onboard display, rugged poly front bumper, LED headlights, and coarse-tread wheels that easily handle slopes up to 40 percent.
The Automower 415X is loaded with communication and control features, beginning with cellular and Bluetooth connectivity. It is easily controlled via the Automower Connect mobile app and is compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Home smart devices. Husqvarna’s intelligent mapping technology uses GPS sensors to virtually map the lawn, enabling zone control with customized settings and real-time tracking through the app. This high level of communication pairs nicely with precision control and automated lawn mowing features like electric height adjustment, automatic passage handling, remote location starting, spiral- and spot-cutting capabilities, wireless firmware updates, theft protection system with GPS tracking, and more.
The Automower 415X arrived for testing with everything we needed for a quick and easy DIY installation. The layout and setup were similar to the other models we tested but with the unique addition of a central guide wire running through the middle of the mowing area to assist with navigation back to the home base. Initial programming was fast and intuitive with the mower’s onboard controls. After downloading the app, we spent some time customizing mowing options, adding the targeted mowing height and spiral mowing options. Targeted mowing automatically lowered the cutting height each day until our preselected height was achieved. With spiral mowing engaged, this automatic lawn mower detects extra-tall or dense growth and mows that isolated area in a spiral pattern. These two options were especially helpful in combination, as we needed to get our overgrown Bermuda grass under control.
Our testing lawn was an irregularly shaped area encompassing 1,200 square feet, with a tree isolated by the boundary wire near the middle and two larger lawn areas on either side. Part of the test area included a steep slope, close to 50 percent in one small area, and the 415X had no trouble. We noticed after the third or fourth mowing that the robot was making more efficient linear cuts and less frequently getting caught up in multipoint turns.
During the target-height adjustment period, the mower seemed to focus more time on a section after it had been sufficiently cut, then running out of battery before fully cutting the other section. Once the target was achieved, however, daily mowing at 1.25 inches kept the grass looking great. Docking at the base station went perfectly every time. Easy setup, reliable operation, smart tech, and a lower mowing height range make this a good choice for most small to midsize yards with warm-season lawn grass.
Get the Husqvarna Automower 415X robot lawn mower at Amazon or Lowe’s.
Best For Steep Hills
Redback MowRo 9.5-Inch Robot Lawn Mower
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4.3/5; Cut Quality 4/5; Performance 4/5; Durability 5/5; Value 4.3/5
Product Specs
- Coverage area: 0.25 acre (10,890 square feet)
- Mowing height range: 1 to 2.5 inches
- Slope rating: 30 degrees
What We Like
- Easily navigates steep slopes up to 30 degrees, or about 5.8 feet rise per 10 linear feet
- Simple controls include manual height adjustment and onboard schedule programming
- 2-hour runtime per charge keeps the mower operating more and charging less
- Mows on schedule every 48 hours in the standard program or on demand when needed
What We Don’t Like
- Onboard controls are the only interface; no mobile app
- Lacks precision navigation and control features that might improve cut quality
- Only capable of 1 scheduled mowing every 48 hours, which may not be ideal for fast-growing grass
Capable of climbing slopes as steep as 30 degrees, the MowRo robotic lawn mower is a simple choice for small to midsize yards with steep hills. Its efficient brushless motor is powered by a 28-volt 4-amp-hour lithium-ion battery that produces 2 hours of runtime per charge; recharging takes about an hour. The MowRo mows up to 0.25 acre on schedule every 48 hours or on demand. Rain, tilt, and impact sensors allow it to operate safely, automatically avoiding bad weather, excessive slopes, and obstacles. The mowing height manually adjusts from 1 to 2.5 inches. All scheduling and other operations are performed via the onboard control panel.
In our tests, the simple onboard controls and reliable operation of the MowRo made it one of the easiest robot mowers to set up and operate. Using the same boundary wire and base station setup as the rest of our testing group, it did a great job mowing a tough incline that measures 40 feet long by 15 feet wide and climbs 8 feet within the 15-foot width. However, it lacks the precision control features and connectivity found in the other models we tested. We didn’t miss the zone mowing capability and Bluetooth connectivity so much but wished for more frequent scheduling options. With its larger-than-average cutting head and slope-conquering wheel motors, it seems that this mower could handle a muc