Source: T3
Let’s face it, most of us don’t look forward to cutting the grass during the summer.
You can spend hours pulling your mower up and down hills, past obstructions, and away from your garden…
…all while killing your back and sweating it out on hot summer days, depending on your property and grass size.
Perhaps you will find enlightenment in buying a robotic lawn mower.
But is a robotic lawn mower worth it?
Or will we regret buying it?
The same thing happened with Christopher:
I have been using robotic lawn mower for the past 2 years and I am amazed at how well it works.
It is so easy to use, especially when you are busy with other things.
You don’t need to spend a lot of time on setting up or maintaining this tool because it does all the work for you!
The best part about robotic lawn mower is that no one needs any help from me in order to get my yard done.
It’s very efficient and cuts everything perfectly, even the grass clippings.
Christopher, Ohio
Is Robotic Lawn Mower Worth It?
For those looking to take the toil out of lawn care, a robot lawn mower may sound like an appealing piece of tech.
As small as most indoor robot vacs, a robot lawn mower delivers a battery-powered cleaning experience, taking care of your entire lawn in just a few hours.
When the cutting is done, or the bot needs a recharge, it will automatically return to its base for re-juicing.
A number of robot mowers even come with a companion app that lets you schedule and control your landscaping on the go.
Despite this, robot lawn mowers are not cheap, prompting many people to reconsider their purchase.
If you’re on the fence about getting a robotic mower, we’ve put together this explainer to put your mind at ease.
Continue reading to see if our analysis pushes you closer to buying a robot mower (or further away).
How Does Robotic Lawn Mower Work?
Robot lawn mowers are powered by a rechargeable battery pack and are small but efficient.
When the operation is over or if the mower requires a fast recharge, the mower will automatically return to its AC-powered base.
After you’ve unboxed your mower for the first time, a set of sensors will scan your entire property and download the map to your mower and companion app (if the mower has one).
Most lawn mowers will require you to construct a perimeter fence around your property, ensuring that your robot does not wander into your neighbor’s yard or into your prized flowerbed.
Depending on the mower you buy, the bot will cut your grass with a single blade, multiple blades, or a rotating disc of fine blades.
The grass clippings are reduced to fine particles that are used to re-seed the soil of your lawn, unlike a hand-pushed or riding mower with bag attachments.
Can A Robotic Lawn Mower Handle Your Lawn?
Robot lawn mowers are designed to handle a wide range of acreages.
Some of the toughest bots will be seen tackling 70 percent grades.
When you combine this with tough-terrain tires, you’ve got yourself a mower that can handle pretty about everything.
Most robot lawn mowers are capable of tackling up to a 35 percent grade, on average.
While many mowers’ moving parts are designed to get your bot in and out of the tightest spots on your yard, the flatter and less hole-filled your property is, the better.
That’s not to suggest that a low-cost mower couldn’t get out of a rut in your lawn, but a build-up of obstructions like this might cause your mower to slow down significantly.
You’ll be in better shape no matter what mower you buy if you can fill in holes and increase your grade.
Is Robotic Lawn Mower Expensive?
Generally speaking, it’s going to be difficult to locate a robot lawn mower for less than $800.
With some models boasting $5,000 price points, the upfront expense alone may be enough to steer some consumers away, but consider the advantages:
As long as you’re not dealing with grass the size of fully-grown corn stalks, your robotic mower will keep you from ever having to manually cut and trim again.
And, if you own a small- to medium-sized piece of property, a lower-cost robot mower may be all you need.
Typically, higher-priced bots are fitted with greater batteries to be able to handle larger amounts.
Otherwise, your bot will be heading back to its charger too often, extending how long it will take to finish a single cut.
Additionally, higher-priced mowers frequently have more electronics and personalization choices.
Things like integrated rain sensors that automatically return the mower to its home base when precipitation is dictated and/or an intelligent companion app…
….that allows you to create schedules and start/stop the mower remotely will obviously enhance the amount you’re paying.
Also evaluate the potential long-term savings.
For people who don’t mow their own lawns but pay a landscaping service instead, look at it this way.
On average, bi-weekly lawn mowing from a third-party team will cost about $45 for the service.
If you’re getting your grass serviced six out of 12 months every year, that’s close to $550.
With that math, an average-priced mower (about $1,200) will pay for itself in as little as a single year.
Conclusion
If you’re willing to spend a significant amount of money up front and have a large piece of property that requires a lot of upkeep…
…a robot lawn mower can significantly reduce your workload.
Like anything tech-related, there will be a learning curve and some preliminary elbow grease (laying the perimeter wire around your entire property)…
…but the benefits will far outweigh the cost in the end.
Isn’t it true that time is money?
In a nutshell, the world of robotic mowing gets a big thumbs up from us at All Things Gardener.
If you are looking for suggestions, too, we covered one of the best and most quiet robotic lawn mower here.
Kindly check that out!