Performance is only part of the story. If you’re ready to hand over lawn maintenance to a robot, these are the things to consider before letting one loose in your garden.
Even if you love the solitude of pushing a lawn mower around your yard once a week, sometimes it’s nice to have someone—or something—else do it instead. Once niche and prohibitively expensive, robotic lawn mowers are evolving into useful gardening assistants.
I’ve spent the last few months mowing lawns, or rather, watching robots mow, and have concluded that most people, from urban to rural homeowners, could benefit from one. Still, there are plenty of things to consider with the different models and technologies. Here’s what you need to know before setting one free on your lawn.How Big Is Your Yard?
Ideally, your smart mower will last through an entire trimming session. But as with any gadget, the bigger the battery, the higher the price.
For example, the major difference between the Segway Navimow X315 and the X390 is the bigger battery with a longer cutting time. The two mowers match each other across most other features, except the X315 can mow for up to 120 minutes on a charge and costs $2,299, while the X390 runs for up to 240 minutes and costs $4,999. When looking at different models, consider how much space you actually need to tackle, rather than simply opting for the one that can handle the most acreage.
It’s also worth noting that the advertised cutting capacity can take up to a dozen hours, with the mower returning to the charger throughout the day. That might not be ideal if your grass is in the front yard or you have kids needing to use the lawn for activities.Smart, But Not That Smart
On well-manicured yards surrounded by pavers or hardscape, pay attention to a mower’s edging capabilities. I got mixed results. The Eufy E18 had the best turning radius and was able to follow a perimeter wall with the most fluidity.
