A robotic lawn mower can automatically trim your lawn, saving you from spending at least two hours a week manually pushing a noisy gas-powered mower. With the time saved, you can take your kids to the park or enjoy a leisurely coffee with friends. Compared to traditional gas mowers, robotic mowers are environmentally friendly, reducing carbon emissions by up to 90%. They are also very quiet, with noise levels below 70dB(A), so they won’t disturb your family or neighbors. Given the wide range of features and prices in the market, how do you choose the right robotic lawn mower? Here are some tips to help you make the best choice.
- Type and Price
Robotic lawn mowers can be categorized based on their navigation systems:
- Boundary Wire Mowers: These define the working area using boundary wires. Most do not have navigation or positioning features, and their prices range from €600 to €1,000.
- GPS Navigation Mowers: These use GPS for positioning and navigation, typically priced between €1,500 and €5,000.
- Vision Navigation Mowers: These navigate using cameras and image recognition, also priced between €1,500 and €5,000.
- Hybrid Navigation Mowers: These combine various navigation technologies like GPS, vision, and RTK-GPS, with prices ranging from €3,000 to €5,000.
- Lawn Size
Before purchasing, you should consider the size and shape of your lawn. Here are some common lawn sizes and the corresponding recommended mowing area for robotic mowers:
- Small lawns (under 200㎡): Usually found in small courtyards or gardens. A mower with a 500㎡ capacity is recommended.
- Medium lawns (200-1000㎡): Typical for medium-sized residential lawns. A mower with a 1200㎡ capacity is recommended.
- Large lawns (1000-2000㎡): Suitable for large gardens or residential lawns. A mower with a 2000-3000㎡ capacity is ideal.
- Extra-large lawns (3000㎡ and above): These are often commercial spaces or golf courses, and mowers with a 3000㎡+ capacity are recommended.
- Mowing Efficiency
The efficiency of a robotic mower depends on several factors:
- Navigation and Path Planning: A mower with precise positioning and intelligent path planning can avoid repeatedly mowing the same area and ensure even trimming without missing spots.
- Blade Width: The wider the blade, the more grass is cut in one pass, increasing efficiency. Common boundary wire mowers have blade widths of 150-250mm, while smart mowers for large lawns may exceed 400mm.
- Terrain Adaptability: Mowers that can handle complex terrain, such as slopes, are more efficient.
- Obstacle Detection and Avoidance: A good obstacle detection system can improve efficiency by avoiding interruptions.
- Blade Height: Adjustable blade heights can enhance efficiency. Choose a model that supports app-controlled or automatic height adjustments to reduce manual intervention. The greater the range, the more adaptable the mower is to different grass types.
- Boundary Wire Breakage Detection
For boundary wire mowers, accidental wire breaks can be frustrating, caused by animals, equipment, or wire aging. Before purchasing, check if the mower has wire break detection. Without it, you may have to manually search along hundreds of meters of wire for breaks, wasting time and effort. Alternatively, consider a GPS-guided model, though these typically cost over €1,500.
- Battery Life
The battery life of a robotic mower determines how long it can operate in one go and the size of the area it can cover. Here are some common battery capacities:
- 2.0-3.0Ah: Can mow 30-100㎡ on a full charge.
- 3.0-5.0Ah: Can mow 100-200㎡.
- 5.0Ah and above: Can mow over 200㎡.
The actual mowing area depends on factors such as motor power, path planning, and terrain (including slopes). Choosing a mower with a large battery capacity and fast charging time can help you complete the task more efficiently.
Which Robotic Mower Should You Choose?
If you’re a tech enthusiast who values cutting-edge technology, a high-end smart mower with GPS+RTK navigation and zone-based mowing capabilities is the best choice. These models usually cost between €3,000 and €5,000.
For those simply seeking to maintain a lawn with minimal effort and avoid the hassle of boundary wire maintenance, we recommend Redroad MGC500—the world’s first robotic mower equipped with C-TOF precision positioning technology.
The Redroad MGC500 creates accurate maps and follows an optimal “bow-shaped” mowing path, avoiding over-mowing or missed spots. It is three times more efficient than standard boundary wire mowers and features that break detection to identify boundary wire issues via an app, saving you from manually searching for breaks.
The MGC500 can mow up to 90㎡ per hour, compared to other mowers that can only manage 30㎡ due to navigation limitations. Notably, when the battery drops below 15%, it automatically returns to the charging dock, and after recharging to 90%, it resumes mowing from where it left off.
Additionally, the MGC500 allows you to preset mowing times and adjust the blade height (30-70mm) through an app. It also supports spot mowing for areas as small as 7㎡ and can handle slopes up to 45% (24°).
The Redroad MGC500 offers mowing capabilities that rival high-end models priced over €1,000, while also featuring wire break detection, making lawn maintenance easier and smarter. At a price of only €XX, it’s excellent value and highly recommended!
