Are Robot Lawnmowers Worth the Hype?
Robot lawnmowers have been gaining popularity in recent years, with promises of a hands-free lawn maintenance experience. But are they really as efficient as they claim to be? Our team of experts set out to test and review several robot lawnmowers to determine if they are worth the investment. From performance to ease of use, safety, battery efficiency, and noise levels, we put these robotic mowers through rigorous testing to provide you with an unbiased verdict.
Our Expert Testers
To ensure comprehensive testing, we collaborate with our sister consumer organizations around the world and utilize professional outdoor testing labs in Europe. This allows us to test a wide range of robot lawnmowers and select the best models available in Australia. Our tests are conducted with the same standards for all models, regardless of brand or price, to provide you with an impartial assessment of each mower’s performance and usability.
How We Choose What We Test
Our testing process involves purchasing robot lawnmowers from retail stores and online platforms to ensure that we are testing the same products that consumers have access to. We focus on models that are commonly available worldwide or have local variants, enabling us to provide detailed reviews on a wide range of products.
How We Test Robot Lawn Mowers
Performance
Over a four-week period, we evaluate each robot lawnmower’s cutting capabilities on various lawn conditions, including damp grass, long grass, uneven terrain, slopes, and rough grass. We assess the efficiency of the mowers, their cutting precision, mulching capabilities, coverage, and overall performance in maintaining a well-groomed lawn.
Ease of Use
We test the setup process, including boundary wire installation, scheduling via the app (if available), manual setup options, cutting height adjustments, blade changes, lifting, and cleaning. Our evaluation focuses on the convenience, user-friendliness, and overall ease of operation of each robot lawnmower.
Safety
A crucial aspect of our testing involves a mechanical safety test to determine if the robot lawnmower stops when encountering obstacles, such as a foot. Safety is paramount, and any mower that fails this test is not recommended, regardless of its performance in other areas.
Battery Efficiency
We measure the runtime of each robot lawnmower on a single charge, as well as the charging time required. Battery efficiency plays a significant role in the overall performance and usability of the mower.
Noise
We assess the noise levels produced by the robot lawnmowers during operation, both up close and at a distance of 10 meters. Noise pollution is a concern for many users, and our testing provides insights into the noise levels generated by each mower.
How We Score Robot Mowers
The CHOICE Expert Rating is based on performance (60%), convenience (20%), noise (10%), instructions (5%), and construction (5%). Performance is further broken down into different lawn types, while convenience includes installation, app usage (if applicable), and noise evaluation. Instructions and construction also play a role in determining the overall score of each robot lawnmower.
Our comprehensive testing process aims to provide you with detailed insights into the performance, usability, safety, and efficiency of robot lawnmowers. Whether you’re looking to save time on lawn maintenance or enhance your gardening experience, our reviews can help you make an informed decision when choosing the best robot lawnmower for your yard.