So, you have a large lawn that you’d rather not mow yourself. The solution to this is to buy one of the best robotic mowers for large lawns that you can find within your budget.
A robotic mower will mow your lawn efficiently while you spend time doing something else. However, to avoid problems with your lawn, you need to get your purchase right. That means buying a mower that’s compatible with your lawn.
For example, some mowers can’t work properly on lawns with steep slopes. Others cannot mow more than one or two separate areas by themselves and need to be reprogrammed.
To keep you from any unpleasant surprises, I bought five of the best robotic mowers for large lawns (800m² / 0.2 acre and above). By testing how all of them performed on different lawns, I was able to determine what made each unique, their ideal landscape for use, features, pros, and cons.
This robotic mower review is a result of weeks of painstaking research. As is my policy, I hope to provide you with a 100% honest and factual report. This article will also serve as a guide to help you get the best value for your money when you buy a robotic mower to help with your large lawn.
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Last update on 2023-01-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
How Do Robotic Lawn Mowers Work?
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of buying your next robot lawn mower, you should take a minute to understand how they work. This will greatly increase your purchasing ability.
Design
A robotic mower is a small device that looks like a Roomba with at least two rear wheels. It comes equipped with front and back sensors and a grass cutter at the center of its base.
The mower also has a control unit attached to the top that allows you to write programs for its logic using a user-friendly interface.
Function
According to your pre-determined schedule, the robotic mower will move around your lawn and cut the grass along the way. The logic and GPS technology allow it to cover every inch of your lawn, provided it’s within the max area of the device (check the manufacturer’s specs.). During the mowing process, the mower moves in a variety of directions and not in a straight line.
You may program these devices using the buttons and display on the control unit or with a dedicated app installed on your smartphone or tablet.
The gadget also comes with boundary wires that you set up around the perimeter of your lawn. This ensures that the device never overextends out of your lawn.
Power
Mowers come with inbuilt rechargeable batteries, so you don’t need to have power connected before they can operate. However, they do need to charge regularly. For this, they come with a charging station in the box. You should connect this station to an electric outlet outside your house.
The best part about this technology is that the robot goes back to the charging station in-between mowing sessions to recharge its battery.
Safety
The robot mower typically comes with some safety features to protect people, property, and itself. Some of these safety precautions include:
- PIN codes for controller authentication
- Reverse protocol when faced with an obstacle
- Shutdown protocol when picked up
- Weather tracking
- Anti-theft kill-switch and trackers
Benefits of Robotic Lawn Mowers
Why do you need a robot lawn mower for your lawn? Well, there’s a reason you set out to find one, and it might interest you to know that the device could offer you a whole lot more than that. They provide many perks that regular mowers can’t.
Below are the top benefits of robotic lawn mowers.
- More Convenience
With these devices, you never have to mow a lawn yourself again, especially if you buy one of the best in the market. We’ll reveal some of them later in this article.
Your only task will be to set the initial mowing schedule with the control unit. You may also need to tell the mower what to do during certain weather conditions. After that, you can kick back and relax because top-quality robots cut lawns better than most humans.
Another point of great convenience is that you can control the mower remotely by using your mobile device, thanks to Wi-Fi technology.
- Less Noise
One of the major problems with most mowers is the noise they make. Thankfully, robot mowers can be very quiet. This allows them to do their work without anybody hearing them, even at night.
Some of these mowers are even quieter than air conditioners, thanks to the lightness of their blades and the small size of their cutting decks.
- Low-Maintenance
Robotic mowers, like most electric devices, don’t require much in the way of maintenance. You only need to do the following:
- clean the base with a hose when it’s too dirty
- change the batteries after two to four years
- replace the blades after six months to a year
Do all these, and your robot mower could last for decades.
- More Efficient
Earlier, I mentioned how some mowers cut better than most humans. Lawns require consistent cutting for the best results.
We can hardly find time to cut our lawns once a week, much less several times. That’s where robots come in. They don’t mind going out to cut lawns frequently.
The consistency they offer will keep your lawn looking even and clean at all times. Manufacturers also embed features that make mowing more efficient such as the spiral-cut that lets the machine take more time cutting thicker grass areas.
- Eco-Friendly
These mowers are good for your lawn and the environment. They have zero carbon emissions and are great alternatives to gas-powered mowers.
Also, the robotic mowers cut grass into tiny pieces that not only keep your lawn looking fresh but will also help with mulching. That way, they return nutrients back to the soil.
The mowers are also the safest options. You can schedule them to only run when your kids aren’t on the lawn, and you also have the PIN code, which prevents unauthorized people from turning it on.
Factors to Consider When Buying Robotic Lawn Mowers for Large Lawn
- Lawn Size
Every robotic lawn mower has a manufacturer’s recommendation for lawn size. The idea is for you to only use the mower on a lawn with a size equal to or less than the recommendation.
The GPS technology, blade size, motor power, and control logic all have limitations directly influenced by the size of the lawn. Hence, you should measure your lawn size by hand, using Google Maps, or building plans before you start shopping for a robot mower.
- Functionality
Always read a list of all the features and functionalities of the mower before you pay for it. Each brand is unique, so make a choice based on your preferences and current situation.
For example, if you have a lot of theft in your neighborhood, you may find a mower with a PIN lock and other anti-theft features like a GPS tracker quite useful.
- Lawn Terrain
Do you have steep slopes on your lawn? That could mean you need a mower with a motor powerful enough to handle the climb.
Many of their manuals come with some information on the degree of the slope they can handle. Be sure to check for the correct info.
- Battery Life
You should also consider how long the mower would last for each session before it can return to the charging station.
Typically, larger lawns require mowers with more battery life.
- Safety Features
Safety is something you should never compromise on when it comes to robots. Thankfully, most brands offer a variety of safety features. The mowers have sensors to detect obstacles and move away. They also have a design that hides the blades underneath the machine so kids and pets can’t get to them.
- Control Methods
Newer models are focusing on improving the control experience, and you should take advantage of this. Do you prefer Wi-Fi over Bluetooth for your control? Does the product allow remote connection to your smartphone? These are all questions you should ask.
- Weather Conditions
Some mowers don’t operate well in harsh weather conditions such as rain or snow. Others have in-built logic that allows them to react to changes in weather conditions. The aim is to maintain maximum efficiency in all possible scenarios.
- Budget and Cost
You should always compare the robot lawn mower cost with your budget. Try to find the balance between price and quality. However, this is easier said than done.
How I Chose the Best
There are no televised awards for best robot lawn mowers. The only way you can find out is through reviews like this one. This is why I based my verdicts on factual evidence using the following procedure:
Product Popularity
I started by creating a shortlist of popular products in contention. The list included 15 of the best-selling robot mowers on a variety of online stores such as Amazon and eBay.
Features
Next, I tested the features of each product and graded them based on how they impacted user-friendliness, system intelligence, safety, and efficiency.
Value for Money
As price is always a vital factor, I compared how each product offers value to compensate for its costs. Factors like durability, battery life, maintenance levels, and lawn size recommendations played a huge role here.
Quality Score
I combined all of the above attributes to determine a quality score for each product. This score ranges from 0 to 10, with 10 being the highest possible rating. The products with the top 5 scores made it into this review. I’m confident you’ll see why they’re the best. Enjoy!
Review of the 5 Best Robotic Lawn Mowers for Large Lawns
| Lawn Size (m²) | Pricing | Quality Score | Why Buy? | |
| Husqvarna 315X Automower | 1,600 | Low | 9.6 | Best Product Quality |
| Gardena Smart SILENO Life | 1,500 | Low | 8.6 | Best Budget Buy |
| Robomow RK2000 | 2,000 | Medium | 8.2 | Best Value for Money |
| Ambrogio L250i Elite S+ | 5,000 | High | 8.1 | Largest Area Covered |
| Husqvarna 435X Automower | 3,600 | High | 7.5 | Best for Hills |
1. Husqvarna 315X Automower (1,600m²)
Husqvarna is one of the biggest manufacturers of outdoor power machines, so it’s no surprise that they made the list.
The 315X Husqvarna Automower is a bestseller in their X-series of mowers. It has a max recommended lawn size of 1,600m² or 0.4 acres and can handle slopes of 40% or less. That means it can handle twice the size of what most people will consider a large lawn (800m²).
Its 2Ah battery can last up to 70 minutes without charge. So, even if you somehow lose power, it can continue working until power is restored.
You can control the lawn mower from your couch using the Bluetooth or cellular connectivity feature of the app.
I found the GPs technology particularly exciting because it allows you to start mowing from any one of three different locations within the preset boundary. The Husqvarna 315X robotic mower is also smart enough to know which part of your lawn it has already covered, thereby maximizing cutting efficiency.
The product offers a wide variety of features, but some are more useful than others. For instance, I didn’t care much for the round-the-clock scheduling feature. However, the weather timer feature allowed me to maintain my lawn better by cutting more when the grass growth rate increased.
SPECS:
Lawn Size: 1,600m²
Battery capacity: 2Ah
Max. slope: 40%
Weight: 10kg
Cutting width: 22cm
Cutting height: 20-60 mm
Key Features
- GPS anti-theft tracking
- Weather timer
- Automatic narrow passage handling
- LED lights malfunction indicator
- Integration compatibility with smart home systems (Google Home, Alexa, Gardena Smart System)
- Mobile charging station
- Efficient and reliable
- Handles rough terrain and hills well
- Comes with several mobility features
- Easy to use
- High price makes it a poor bargain for lawns smaller than 3,600m²
- Recommended lawn size is small compared to mowers in the same price range
Quality Score: 9.6
If you have a lawn within the 1,600m² size, and you want the highest quality product irrespective of its price, the Husqvarna 315X is your best choice.
- Installation of Automower 315X included via Husqvarna’s dealer network.
Last update on 2023-01-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
2. Gardena Smart SILENO Life (1,500m²)
Being one of the leading companies in the garden care industry, Garena has produced several hit products over the years. The SILENO models are one of them, and smart SILENO Life has the largest mowing area capacity among them (0.37 acres).
This robot mower had no issues dealing with the rougher patches on my lawn, thanks to it being able to handle slopes of 35% maximum.
The battery could only last 65 minutes before running out, so the mower had to return home several times a day to charge. Thankfully, it didn’t take more than an hour before it was back on the lawn again.
Being from the same company, the smart SILENO Life connects seamlessly with the Gardena smart system. All I needed to do was register online via the mobile app, and I had full control of the machine at my fingertips.
Of all the robot lawn mowers I’ve used, this was by far the quietest. My bedroom window is right next to my lawn, and the mowing never disturbed me at night.
SPECS:
Lawn Size: 1,500m²
Battery capacity: 2Ah
Max. slope: 35%
Weight: 8.3kg
Cutting width: 22cm
Cutting height: 20-50 mm
Key Features
- Frost protection
- Mobile charging station
- AI-powered passage navigator
- Integration with Gardena smart home system
- Efficient and reliable
- Handles rough terrain and hills well
- Comes with several mobility features
- Easy to use
- High price makes it a poor bargain for lawns smaller than 3,600m²
- Recommended lawn size is small compared to mowers in the same price range
Quality Score: 8.6
The smart SILENO Life is a to-quality mower, and if pricing is your main focus, it will be an ideal purchase.
- Highly intelligent robotic lawn mower: GARDENA SILENO LIFE automatically mows yards up to 8100 sq ft using PATENTED streak-free technology, with easy connectivity via Bluetooth EasyApp Control,...
Last update on 2022-11-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
3. Robomow RK2000 (2,000m²)
In the last two decades, the Robomow brand has become synonymous with robotic mowers. Their latest line of products, the RK series, consists of models that can mow lawns of up to 1 acre.
For residential lawns, I found that the RK2000 is the most suitable. It can cut areas of up to 0.5 acres and a 45% slope. This is massive for any robot mower. It also means you don’t have to buy a new mower if you move to a larger compound in the future.
The product comes packed with a massive 4.9Ah battery that allows the mower to work for up to two hours uninterrupted.
You can connect the machine to your mobile app via Bluetooth or the GSM module. I used the app to set my schedules and talk with customer care when I needed help with setting the four starting points that the machine could allow.
I liked the optional child-lock feature that made it harder for kids to start the machine without a code. It’s great if kids tend to play on your lawn.
SPECS:
Lawn Size: 2,000m²
Battery capacity: 4.9Ah
Max. slope: 45%
Weight: 10.4kg
Cutting width: 20.8cm
Cutting height: 19-101 mm
Key Features
- Child lock
- Anti-theft
- Narrow passage escape mode
- Precision edge trim
- Efficient and reliable
- Handles rough terrain and hills well
- Comes with several mobility features
- Easy to use
- High price makes it a poor bargain for lawns smaller than 3,600m²
- Recommended lawn size is small compared to mowers in the same price range
Quality Score: 8.2
For me, the RK2000 hits that sweet spot between quality and pricing. You’ll get the best value for your buck with it.
- ROBOTIC MOWER: Ready to create a lawn to match any occasion. Its easy operation leads to excellent cutting results that will make any lawn stand out
Last update on 2022-11-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
4. Ambrogio L250i Elite S+ (5,000m²)
The Ambrogio company has made a name for itself by releasing a wide range of robot mowers over the years.
Their L250 Elite S+ model is considered one of their best thanks to its efficiency and reasonable cost. The mower can cut an area of 1.24 acres. The allowable slope is about 45%.
You don’t have to worry about the size of your lawn with this machine. It’s great for corporate lawns and for places that don’t have an easily accessible charging station.
The battery life was super impressive. It comes with two 7.5Ah batteries. My mower kept working for up to 7 hours without having to recharge.
The robot had no problem operating on my freshly-watered lawn. I noticed some spikes on the wheels that allowed it to grip the surface better.
It was nice to be able to operate the mower with my smart app. I used it to play around with a few of its features, such as the rain sensor and eight maximum cutting areas.
Also, I have a dog, so I was happy to see an AMICO feature that used a trackable collar to sense when he was close and switch off the mower automatically.
SPECS:
Lawn Size: 5,000m²
Battery capacity: 7.5Ah (X2)
Max. slope: 45%
Weight: 3.3kg
Cutting width: 29cm
Cutting height: 250-700 mm
Key Features
- Geofence compound exit alarm
- Smart phone connection
- UV ray protective back cover
- Spiral cutting
- Rain sensor
- Efficient and reliable
- Handles rough terrain and hills well
- Comes with several mobility features
- Easy to use
- High price makes it a poor bargain for lawns smaller than 3,600m²
- Recommended lawn size is small compared to mowers in the same price range
Quality Score: 8.1
Although the pricing can appear a bit high, you won’t find many products with the same functionality in that price range. The L250 Elite S+ model is one of the best robot mowers for lawns over 4,000m².
5. Husqvarna 435X Automower (3,600m²)
Don’t be surprised that this is the second Husqvarna product on my list. The brand is just that good. Plus, this baby serves an entirely different purpose from the 315X. If you’re thinking big budget-wise and lawn size-wise, then the Husqvarna 435X is for you.
The lawn mower can cover an area of up to 0.9 acres which is way bigger than most gardens. It can also cut areas that slop to about 70%, thanks to an innovative All-Wheel-Drive system and pivoting rear body. This is ideal if you intend to mow an area that I can only describe as a hill.
Another impressive spec is the 5Ah rechargeable battery, which guaranteed me a mowing time of 100 minutes.
The mower comes with a virtual intelligent mapping technology that allows me to set different cutting heights for specific regions on my lawn. I did all that through the app. It also has the logic for five different start points on the lawn.
SPECS:
Lawn Size: 3,600m²
Battery capacity: 5Ah
Max. slope: 70%
Weight: 17.3kg
Cutting width: 22.1cm
Cutting height: 30-71 mm
Key Features
- All-Wheel-Drive with rear pivoting
- AI mapping
- Zone control
- Integration compatibility with smart home systems (Google Home, Alexa, Gardena Smart System)
- GPS anti-theft tracking
- Efficient and reliable
- Handles rough terrain and hills well
- Comes with several mobility features
- Easy to use
- High price makes it a poor bargain for lawns smaller than 3,600m²
- Recommended lawn size is small compared to mowers in the same price range
Quality Score: 7.5
Does your property have hills or rough terrain? If yes, the 415X is the best robotic lawn mower for you. Its AWD feature makes it one of the few mowers that can handle massive slopes.
Final Verdict
Although the smart SILENO Life offers the best value for money, I would pick the Husqvarna 315X as the best robot lawn mower for large gardens. It provides the most innovative features you’ll ever find on a robot mower, and the price is fair, although slightly higher than one would expect.
The only issues you might face are with the limited working area. Thankfully, you can go for any of the others if you have a larger lawn. I, like most residents, have a lawn well below 1,600m². Hence, I have no problems with my Husqvarna 315X mower.
