Robot Lawn Mowers
Best Prices & Latest Robot Lawn Mowers
Robot lawn mowers aren't all the same. Manufacturers segment models by garden size, technology and price. Understanding these categories prevents expensive mistakes. This guide explains each type and helps you identify which suits your requirements.
Choosing the wrong category wastes money. A budget model on a large sloped garden struggles and frustrates. A premium GPS model on a small flat lawn wastes £1500. Match mower type to garden reality.
Entry-level robot mowers suit small simple gardens under 300m². Basic navigation using boundary wires. Simple controls without WiFi connectivity. These mowers handle the essentials reliably without premium features.
Entry models deliver excellent value on appropriate gardens. They cut grass effectively without sophisticated technology. Perfect for terraced houses with modest back gardens. Don't expect GPS navigation or app control. You get reliable basic mowing.
Entry-level doesn't mean poor quality. These mowers last 5-7 years with proper maintenance. For small simple gardens they perform identically to premium models costing triple the price. Don't overspend on features you won't use.
Mid-range mowers represent the sweet spot for most UK gardens. They cover 300-800m² with enhanced features. WiFi connectivity and smartphone apps appear at this price. Build quality improves significantly over entry models.
These mowers handle moderate slopes up to 25-30 degrees. Multi-zone capability lets them navigate complex gardens. Battery capacity increases giving longer runtimes. You get reliability and features without premium pricing.
Most buyers should consider mid-range models. They balance cost against capability effectively. Premium features that actually matter appear here. You avoid paying for GPS navigation you might not need whilst getting meaningful upgrades over basic models.
Mid-range models depreciate slowly because they suit average gardens perfectly. Strong second-hand market exists. Buy a two-year-old premium brand mid-range model for half new price. Get excellent value and proven reliability.
Premium mowers introduce GPS navigation and smart mapping. They learn garden layouts and mow efficiently. Large battery capacity handles 800-1500m². Build quality reaches professional standards. These machines run 8-10 years easily.
Navigation: GPS with smart mapping
Coverage: Up to 1500m²
Battery: 4.0-5.0Ah capacity
Connectivity: Full app integration
Build: Premium materials
Slope: Up to 35-40 degrees
Security: GPS tracking
Zones: Multiple area management
Schedule: Weather-adaptive
Sensors: Advanced obstacle avoidance
GPS models map your garden efficiently. They don't mow randomly. Systematic patterns reduce missed patches. Battery consumption drops because navigation improves. These mowers genuinely perform better than cheaper alternatives on complex large gardens.
GPS navigation needs clear satellite coverage. Gardens surrounded by tall buildings or under heavy tree canopy struggle. Boundary wire systems work better in these situations despite being older technology. Check your garden suits GPS before paying premium prices.
Professional models handle commercial applications and large estates. Coverage exceeds 2000m². All-wheel drive tackles extreme slopes up to 45 degrees. These machines cost serious money but deliver professional results.
Two navigation technologies dominate. Wire-guided systems use buried perimeter wire. GPS models use satellite navigation. Each suits different situations. Understanding the difference prevents expensive mistakes.
Proven reliable technology. Works anywhere regardless of satellite coverage. Installation takes time initially. Lower ongoing costs. Ideal for most gardens.
No wire installation needed. Smart mapping creates efficient patterns. Requires clear satellite view. Premium pricing. Best for large open gardens.
Combines both technologies. Wire provides boundary with GPS navigation inside. Maximum reliability and efficiency. Costs most but performs best.
Wire-guided systems remain more popular in UK. Installation doesn't bother most owners. Reliability beats convenience for daily operation. GPS models suit buyers wanting minimal setup effort and willing to pay premium prices.
Small gardens need compact mowers. Full-size models waste money and space. Specialist small-garden mowers cost less and store easier. They navigate tight spaces better than larger machines.
Medium gardens represent average UK properties. Mowers designed for this range sell in highest volumes. Competition drives prices down and quality up. You get excellent choice and value in this category.
Look for models rated 400-1000m² coverage. The overhead capacity handles obstacles and complex shapes. Runtime should exceed 90 minutes. Multi-zone capability helps if your garden has front and back lawns.
App control, scheduling, rain sensors, PIN security, good battery life
Multi-zone capability, frost sensor, theft GPS tracking, spot mowing mode
Premium GPS if garden is simple, excessive capacity beyond 1000m², commercial features
Large gardens demand serious capability. Battery capacity becomes crucial. Models rated under 1000m² struggle with gardens exceeding 800m². They spend excessive time charging relative to mowing.
Gardens over 1000m² benefit enormously from premium models. The price difference shrinks relative to garden size. A £2000 mower on 1500m² costs £1.33 per square metre. Budget models fail frequently on large areas making premium investment sensible.
Slopes challenge robot mowers. Standard models handle 15-20 degrees. Sloped gardens need specialist capability. Slope-specialist mowers feature enhanced traction, powerful motors and intelligent navigation.
Models: Any standard mower
Cost: £300-800
Features: Standard wheels
Performance: Reliable
Models: Mid-range enhanced
Cost: £700-1200
Features: Better traction
Performance: Very good
Models: Premium specialists
Cost: £1200-2000
Features: AWD available
Performance: Excellent
Models: Professional only
Cost: £2000+
Features: 4WD systems
Performance: Outstanding
Don't guess your slope angle. Measure it properly. Download a slope measurement app. Overestimating capability leads to stuck mowers and frustration. Underestimating wastes money on unnecessary capability.
Many gardens have separate lawn areas. Front and back gardens. Side passages. Detached areas. Multi-zone capability lets one mower handle all areas. The mower navigates between zones automatically.
Smart connectivity costs £200-400 extra. You get remote control via smartphone. Schedule changes from anywhere. Monitor progress in real-time. Weather integration delays mowing in rain.
Smart features suit tech-enthusiastic owners. Frequent schedule changes become simple. Holiday mode activates remotely. Basic models suit owners preferring simplicity. Set schedules seasonally and ignore the mower otherwise.
Smart mowers need reliable WiFi reaching the garden. Thick walls, distance from router and interference cause problems. Check signal strength throughout your garden before buying smart models. Garden WiFi extenders cost £40-80 and solve most coverage issues.
Match mower type to your specific situation. Consider all factors together. Garden size matters most but slopes, obstacles and layout complexity influence suitability significantly.
Small simple garden? Entry-level suffices perfectly. Don't overspend on unnecessary features. £300 delivers reliable mowing.
Average garden with some complexity? Mid-range models offer best value. £600-900 gets quality and features.
Large or complex garden? Premium models justify costs through superior results. £1200-1800 delivers excellence.
Categories overlap deliberately. A premium small-garden mower costs similar to entry-level medium-garden model. Choose based on garden requirements not arbitrary price points. Better to buy premium capability for actual garden size than stretch to larger capacity you don't need.
Most UK gardens suit mid-range wire-guided models rated 400-800m². These deliver reliability, reasonable features and sensible pricing. GPS navigation benefits large open gardens mainly. Small gardens don't need premium features. Match category to reality and avoid marketing hype.