**Review: Choosing the Best Robot Lawn Mower for Your Garden**
In today’s fast-paced world, finding time to maintain your garden can be a challenge. That’s where robot lawn mowers come in. These innovative devices can take care of your lawn without you having to lift a finger. But with so many options on the market, how do you choose the right one for your needs? In this guide, we’ll explore the key features to look for in a robot lawn mower and how we test them to ensure you get the best results.
**How well does it cut the grass?**
One of the most important factors to consider when choosing a robot lawn mower is how well it cuts the grass. We test each mower on a variety of grass types over a four-week period to assess the efficiency of the cut and the neatness of the finish. We evaluate how well the mower handles long grass, rough grass, damp grass, and standard lawn, as well as its average run and charge times.
Our testers rate the mower’s grass cutting ability based on the overall appearance of two lawns it has cut of each type, the evenness and cleanness of the cut, how many spots it misses, and any wear marks the wheels or blades leave behind.
**How evenly does it spread grass cuttings?**
Unlike conventional lawn mowers, robot lawn mowers don’t collect grass cuttings. Instead, they finely chop the clippings and redistribute them on the lawn in a thin layer through a process called mulching. The best robot mowers will cut the grass into small bits and distribute them evenly, providing nutrients to the lawn and keeping it healthy.
We also test manual lawn mowers with mulching modes and rate them for the quality and ease of using mulching modes. Avoid robots that struggle to chop grass properly or leave clumps of cut grass, as this can cause your grass to rot.
**Can it handle difficult terrain and obstacles?**
A good robot mower should be able to handle difficult terrain and obstacles without getting stuck. We test each mower in a range of scenarios, including areas with fences, flowerbeds, patios, trees, and narrow passages, to assess how well they navigate each.
Some mowers smartly avoid obstacles and handle slopes and uneven ground with ease, while others may get stuck and require manual intervention. It’s important to choose a mower that can navigate your garden’s unique features without difficulty.
**Is it easy to set up and program?**
The best robot lawn mowers are easy to set up and program, from laying the boundary wire to connecting to smartphone apps. We evaluate the ease of constructing boundary wires, using smartphone apps to program mowers, setting up the base station, adjusting cutting height, and other manual controls.
Our tests also consider any limitations or unique features the robot mowers have, such as the number of zones you can program it to mow, the maximum lawn size it can handle, and the presence of temperature and rain sensors. Our ratings take into account feedback from gardening experts to ensure accuracy.
**Can I replace the battery?**
Lithium-ion batteries in robot mowers will eventually deplete and need replacement. At Which?, we believe that cordless products should last longer than the batteries they come with. We do not give Best Buy recommendations to robot mowers if spare batteries cannot be bought from the manufacturer, regardless of their performance.
**Is it safe to use?**
Safety is paramount when using a robot mower. While all robot mowers sold in the UK must meet European safety standards, we conduct additional safety tests to reflect real-world usage. We test how well the mower reacts to obstacles and how quickly it stops and shuts off its blades to prevent accidents.
Our specially designed foot safety test assesses the robot’s interactions with a foot probe in various scenarios to ensure it reacts appropriately. We rate the robot’s performance based on its response to the foot probe, with the best results showing the robot stopping and reversing away from the obstacle.
**What is the compatible app like?**
Apps are an essential part of using a robot mower, with newer models often coming with proprietary apps. We evaluate these apps for ease of setup and use, as well as conduct security testing to identify any vulnerabilities that could compromise your data or home network.
While app assessments and security testing do not currently contribute to the robot mower’s score, we contact manufacturers to address any issues we find. Serious issues may prevent a robot from being a Best Buy or lead to a Don’t Buy rating until resolved.
**Should I buy it?**
Our tests cover various aspects of each robot mower’s performance, with different weights assigned to different tests. Grass cutting ability and efficiency carry the most weight, followed by ease of use and convenience, quietness, instructions, and construction. A score of 84% or more in our tests indicates a Best Buy recommendation.
In conclusion, choosing the right robot lawn mower involves considering its cutting ability, mulching capabilities, terrain navigation, ease of setup and programming, battery replacement options, safety features, app compatibility, and overall performance. By following our guide and recommendations, you can find the perfect robot mower to keep your lawn looking pristine with minimal effort.