Automate your lawn care: how to choose a robot lawn mower
With busy days and even busier weekends, there is every reason to start reclaiming your time by investing in the right garden machinery. Robotic lawn mowers have rapidly grown in popularity as they allow users to enjoy a pristine lawn with minimal effort.
With ever-growing robot lawn mower options emerging on the market, the ability to automate mowing the lawn has quickly become a reality. The technology is constantly evolving; robotic mowers which were once considered a luxury have now become an essential thanks to their intelligent design and cost effective options.
From terrain considerations to perimeter boundary settings, we’ll explore what you need to know in order to choose the best robot lawn mower for your specific garden needs.
At their core, robot lawn mowers use a combination of sensors, boundary wires, and sophisticated algorithms to navigate your garden efficiently. The boundary wires (whether physical or virtual) are installed around the perimeter of your lawn, creating an invisible fence that the mower recognises and stays within. Mower blades are designed to cut your grass finely so that it mulches the lawn with every cut.
The mower will typically recharge at a base station within your garden and will mow the lawn periodically. The majority of robot lawn mowers are equipped with various sensors that help them adapt to the terrain and avoid obstacles. Some models also come with added safety features such as tilt and lift sensors, which stop the blades instantaneously if the mower is move while in operation.
- Lawn size - this will determine the models available to you. Thankfully as the market has expanded there are mowers able to to take on much larger lawns. The Segway X3 for example is able to mow up to 2.5 acres
- Current garden layout - if you have many trees within your garden this may potentially affect the signal to your robot lawn mower. This is not a problem but just means you may be better off with a physical boundary wire option instead of virtual wire options - we will discuss the difference between these later.
- The incline of your lawn - many of the robotic mowers get on easily with flat lawns. If the ground has various dips and inclines then you will need to ensure you chose an option that can cope with the differences in your terrain - take heart, there are options out there!
- Your wifi signal - much like with your garden layout, if the wifi signal in your garden is weak, you can opt for a physical boundary wire option such as Stihl iMows. If signal is not a problem or can be easily boosted, a virtual boundary wire robotic mower such as the Segway Navimows will work for you also.
Perimeter wire is used to set your boundary lines. Robotic mowers that require physical perimeter wire will require an installation process that places wiring in or on top of the lawn. Robot lawn mowers that use GPS will have virtual boundary lines thus requiring no physical wire installation.
Here are the pros and cons to consider for each:
Virtual Perimeter wire (runs using GPS/RTK/other satellite signalling)
- Easy to self install - virtual boundary lines will often be set using an appropriate app that corresponds with your new robotic lawn mower. The process for this is normally straight forward with a step by step guide within the app to help define your mowing area as needed.
- Flexible - depending on the model, mowing boundaries can be easily adapted. This allows mowing to adjust with the design of your garden.
- Struggles where the signal is interupted - if you have obstacles overhead or have a weak signal your robot mower will struggle to work consistently. You may need to buy accessories to counteract any signal dips depending on the model you go for.
Physical boundary wire (inserted into the lawn)
- Ideal for tricky garden layouts - where there may be signal interuptions or lots of complex spaces to navigate, physical perimeter wiring may be best for you as the installed wiring will dictate where the mower goes
- Installation - this can be labour intensive when installing physical perimeter wires. This process will require users to purchase wiring and pegs to complete the installation which will be an additional cost to account for.
- Adaptability - Once the boundary wire has been laid in your lawn, it will take a reasonable amount of work to adapt any mowing areas. This can be done but will require a fair amount of physical labour.
Common Misconceptions About Robot Lawn Mowers
As with any emerging technology, robot lawn mowers are subject to various misconceptions that may deter potential buyers. Here are some of the questions we are frequently asked:
Are Robot Lawn Mowers safe? In short, yes. Safety is a top priority for manufacturers, and these devices are designed with multiple safety features. Elements such as object detectors and auto-cut-out functions mean that robot mowers can operate safely in environments where pets and children are present; we always advise that you supervise children and pets when the mower is in operation.
Do I need to supervise my robot mower? In absence of when children and pets are concerned, no - you do not need to watch your robot mower while it works. In reality, these devices are designed for autonomous operation, with minimal intervention required once the initial setup is complete. Features such as automatic charging, programmable schedules, and app-based controls allow users to manage their lawn care effortlessly.
Can I get rid of my garden tools? Not just yet! Whilst a robotic lawn mower handles a very large part of your lawn care, you will still need to use a strimmer to tackle hard to reach areas and lawn edges.
Choosing the best robot lawn mower for your garden involves careful consideration of various factors, from lawn size and terrain to budget and desired features. Understanding how these devices work and the benefits they offer can help you make an informed decision that aligns with your lawn care needs.
Our range of robot lawn mowers is always expanding - contact our expert team and we will be happy to offer advice on what may be right for your needs.