Topic
Robot mowers
A robot mower trims a little grass often, so the lawn always looks freshly cut. Choose one by the rated lawn area, the steepest slope it is rated for and how easy the boundary wire is to lay.
- Rated area
- Choose about 20% above your lawn
- Slope
- Stated in %, not degrees
Classic robot mowers stay inside a boundary wire pegged round the edge of the lawn, with a guide wire that leads them back to the charging station. Once the wire is in, they mow on a schedule and recharge on their own.
The maximum area in a listing assumes an open lawn and the maker's own run hours. Lawns split into zones, with narrow passages or slopes, need more working time, so a model rated at least 20% above your measured area is the safer choice. The lawn-area calculator adds up the shapes for you.
Slope is given as a percentage: 35% is about 19 degrees. Check the steepest part of the lawn, not the average, and compare it with the figure in the manual.
Common mistakes
- Buying a robot rated for exactly your lawn area, with no margin for zones and passages.
- Reading the slope figure as degrees instead of percent.
- Forgetting that the wire has to go round flower beds, ponds and trees as islands.
Guides on this topic
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- Robot lawn mower problems and how to fix themCommon robot lawn mower problems, from patchy cutting and docking faults to lost maps and boundary errors, with the checks to do before calling a dealer.Fix
- Robot mower not charging or not dockingRobot mower not charging or docking? Check dirty contacts, a misaligned dock, guide wire faults and worn batteries in order, and what to do if it will not turn on.Fix
- Can robot mowers work in the rain?Can a robot mower cut in the rain? IPX ratings, rain sensors, cutting wet grass, covers and why cleaning matters in a damp UK summer, explained simply.Guide
- Do robot mowers collect grass?Do robot mowers collect grass? Why robots mulch instead of using a box, when clippings show, and how to manage spring growth and long grass.Guide
- Robot mower garages: do you need one?Do you need a robot lawn mower garage? What a shelter does, the clearance, airflow and sensor rules to follow, and how to plan a safe DIY robot mower house.Guide
- Do robot mowers cut the edges?Do robot mowers cut right to the edge? Why most leave a strip, which offset blade and edge modes help, and how mowing strips save hand trimming.Guide
- Husqvarna Automower no loop signal and other error codesWhat Husqvarna Automower no loop signal and other common messages mean, the checks to try, and how to find a broken boundary wire with simple tools.Fix
- Husqvarna Automower 430X vs 450XHusqvarna Automower 430X vs 450X compared on rated area, battery and charging, lighting and features, plus the lawn size where the 450X makes sense.Comparison
- How to install a robot mower boundary wireInstall a robot mower boundary wire step by step: distances from edges and beds, guide wires, islands and narrow passages, plus when to call an installer.How-to
- How to clean and maintain a robot mowerHow to clean a robot mower: brush the underside weekly, change blades, clear the wheels, clean charging contacts and sensors, and plan the winter service.How-to
- How much does a robot lawn mower cost to buy and run?Robot lawn mower cost explained: entry, mid-range and premium price bands by lawn size, plus installation, blades, garages and electricity in kWh.Guide
- How long do robot lawn mowers last?How long does a robot mower last? Typical lifespans for the body, battery, blades and boundary wire, what wears first and how to extend its life.Guide
- Do robot mowers get stolen? Anti-theft features explainedDo robot lawn mowers get stolen? How PIN codes, alarms, GPS tracking and account locks protect them, plus where to put the dock and what to tell your insurer.Guide
- Are robot lawn mowers worth it?What a robot lawn mower does well, what you still do by hand, the real drawbacks and the UK gardens where one is a poor fit before you buy.Guide
- Are robot lawn mowers safe for children, pets and hedgehogs?How safe are robot lawn mowers? Blade stop sensors, small pivoting blades, PIN locks, and why daytime schedules matter for hedgehogs and other wildlife.Guide
Buying guides on this topic
- Best robot lawn mowers for UK gardensRobot lawn mowers compared by navigation type, rated lawn area, maximum slope, cutting width and cutting height, from boundary wire to RTK models.Buying guide
- Best robot mowers for slopes and hillsRobot mowers ranked by the maximum slope in % each maker allows, with drive type, navigation, rated area and cutting width compared for hilly UK gardens.Buying guide
- Best robot mowers under £800Entry robot mowers under £800 compared by rated lawn area, slope, cutting width, app control and what comes in the box, from Worx, Gardena, Ecovacs and Bosch.Buying guide
- Husqvarna Automower models comparedHusqvarna Automower 315, 405VE and 430 V compared on boundary type, rated area, slope limit and listed features, with what to confirm with a dealer.Buying guide
- Worx Landroid range: which model fits your lawnWorx Landroid models compared by rated lawn area, boundary type, slope, cutting width and cutting height, from the small WR130E to the wire-free Vision Cloud.Buying guide