Robot mower brands differ dramatically. Build quality, features, reliability and support vary enormously. Choosing the wrong brand means frustration and extra costs. This guide compares major manufacturers honestly based on real-world performance.
Understanding brand strengths helps match mower to requirements. Some excel at budget models. Others dominate premium categories. We'll examine what each brand does well and where they compromise.
Husqvarna invented robot lawn mowers in 1995. They pioneered the technology and still lead the premium segment. Swedish engineering delivers exceptional reliability. Expect 10-15 years from well-maintained Husqvarna mowers.
Build Quality: Outstanding
Reliability: Industry-leading
Innovation: GPS, mapping, smart features
Warranty: 2-3 years standard
Support: Excellent UK network
Entry: £800-1200 (Automower 305/310)
Mid-Range: £1200-1800 (Automower 315X/405X)
Premium: £1800-3000 (Automower 435X AWD/450X)
Best For: Quality-focused buyers
Husqvarna mowers cost more upfront but deliver superior long-term value. Parts availability remains excellent even for 10-year-old models. Customer service responds quickly. Professional installation network covers whole UK.
Husqvarna prices drop 20-30% during end-of-season sales (September-October). Buy last year's model for excellent value. Technology changes minimally year-to-year. You get the same reliability at reduced cost.
Worx delivers outstanding performance at mid-market prices. American brand with German manufacturing brings quality without premium pricing. Their Landroid series competes directly with Husqvarna at half the cost.
Worx mowers perform brilliantly on typical UK gardens. Build quality trails Husqvarna slightly but reliability remains excellent. Most owners report 6-8 years trouble-free operation. The app works reliably unlike some competitors.
Worx represents the sweet spot for most buyers. Performance matches premium brands in real-world use. You sacrifice some build refinement but gain genuine value. Gardens under 800m² see identical results to mowers costing £500 more.
Flymo dominates the UK budget segment. British brand brings decades of lawn care experience to robot mowers. Simple reliable machines without fancy features. Perfect for small gardens and first-time buyers.
£250-700 across range. Outstanding value for simple gardens. No-frills approach keeps costs down.
Adequate not exceptional. Plastic components throughout. Reliable motors. Suitable for occasional use.
Small gardens under 400m². Simple layouts. Budget-conscious buyers. First robot mower purchase.
Coverage: 250-600m²
Features: Basic but functional
Warranty: 2 years
Support: Good UK availability
Lifespan: 4-6 years typical
GPS: Wire-guided only
Apps: Basic or none
Build: Budget materials
Premium features: Minimal
Longevity: Shorter than premium
Flymo mowers suit specific situations perfectly. Small simple gardens get excellent value. Complex or large gardens need better capability. Don't expect 10-year lifespan. Plan for 5 years then replacement. Total cost still beats premium brands.
Gardena brings German precision to robot mowers. Part of Husqvarna Group but maintains distinct identity. Focus on smart features and garden integration. Premium quality at prices below Husqvarna flagship models.
Smart garden ecosystem. Mowers integrate with irrigation systems. App controls multiple garden devices. Weather sensors adjust schedules. Focus on automation and convenience.
£600-1500 across Sileno series. Mid-premium positioning. Better features than Worx. Lower prices than Husqvarna Automower.
Build quality matches Husqvarna standards. Same factories produce both brands. You pay less for Gardena branding versus Automower badge. Performance differences minimal in practice. Excellent choice for tech-enthusiastic gardeners.
Bosch applies engineering excellence to affordable robot mowers. Their Indego series features unique systematic mowing patterns. GPS mapping without premium prices. Outstanding performance in 300-800m² category.
Coverage: Up to 400m²
Price: £700-900
Features: GPS, app, systematic mowing
Unique: LogiCut navigation
Best for: Medium gardens
Coverage: Up to 700m²
Price: £900-1200
Features: Full smart integration
Unique: Weather forecasting
Best for: Larger complex gardens
LogiCut navigation maps your garden and mows in efficient parallel lines. This beats random navigation significantly. Battery life extends. Coverage improves. Grass looks professionally striped without manual mowing.
Bosch offers premium technology at mid-range prices. Systematic navigation genuinely improves results. Build quality exceeds Worx slightly. Warranty and support excellent across UK. Best choice for medium gardens wanting smart features without Husqvarna pricing.
Warranty length indicates manufacturer confidence. Support quality matters when problems arise. Here's what each brand offers UK customers.
Warranty: 2-3 years
Support: Excellent
Network: Wide dealer coverage
Parts: Available for 10+ years
Response: Fast professional
Warranty: 2 years
Support: Good
Network: Growing UK presence
Parts: Readily available
Response: Generally quick
Gardena: 2 years, excellent support
Bosch: 2 years, very good network
Flymo: 2 years, adequate support
Extended warranties cost £100-200. Worth considering for premium models. Budget brands see higher failure rates making extended cover valuable. Read terms carefully. Some exclude battery replacement.
Parts availability affects total ownership cost. Proprietary parts from small brands become unavailable. Major manufacturers stock parts for decades. This matters when planning 8-10 year ownership.
Premium brands justify costs on complex large gardens. Small simple lawns don't need expensive technology. Match brand to garden reality for best value.
Best Choice: Flymo or Worx S
Reasoning: Simple gardens don't need GPS
Budget: £300-600
Lifespan: 5-7 years adequate
Best Choice: Worx or Bosch
Reasoning: Features matter, price still sensible
Budget: £600-1200
Lifespan: 6-8 years expected
Best Choice: Husqvarna or Gardena
Reasoning: Premium quality justifies cost
Budget: £1200-2500
Lifespan: 10-15 years achievable
Unknown Chinese brands sell on Amazon for £200-400. Avoid them. Parts become unavailable within months. Support doesn't exist. Boundary wire quality causes failures. Stick to established brands. The £100 saving costs more in frustration and early replacement.
Innovation varies by brand. Husqvarna leads GPS development. Bosch pioneered systematic mowing. Worx focuses on value features. Understanding each brand's strengths guides purchasing decisions.
Husqvarna GPS mapping, Bosch LogiCut, Gardena smart integration
Worx feature-rich pricing, Flymo budget reliability
Husqvarna exceptional, Gardena excellent, Bosch very good, Worx good, Flymo adequate
Review aggregation reveals real owner experiences. Husqvarna leads satisfaction scores. Worx delivers surprising satisfaction given lower prices. Flymo pleases budget buyers but frustrates those with complex gardens.
No single brand suits everyone. Husqvarna delivers premium quality at premium prices. Worx offers outstanding value. Flymo serves budget buyers. Gardena balances quality and features. Bosch innovates at mid-range prices. Match brand strengths to your garden requirements and budget.
Purchase location affects final price significantly. Garden centres offer full support but higher prices. Online retailers discount heavily but support varies. Authorized dealers provide best balance.
Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day bring genuine discounts. Expect 15-30% off. Spring sales (March-April) also offer reductions as retailers clear winter stock. End of summer sales less reliable for robot mowers.
Choose brands based on garden needs not marketing hype. Small gardens don't need Husqvarna premium features. Large complex gardens justify the investment. Mid-range gardens find best value with Worx or Bosch. Prioritize reliability and support over brand prestige.