Gardena Smart SILENO City 500 Robotic Lawn Mower (Black/Turquoise/Grey)

What area can the Gardena Smart SILENO city 500 cover?

This model is rated for lawns up to 500 square metres. It's worth noting that this figure assumes a relatively flat, open lawn. If your garden has multiple zones, tight corners or steeper slopes, effective coverage may be slightly reduced. For larger gardens you would need to look at higher-capacity models in the SILENO range.

Does it need a boundary wire installed?

Yes. The box includes 200 metres of boundary cable along with 200 hooks to fix it in place. The cable defines the perimeter of your lawn and any exclusion zones. Installation is guided through the GARDENA smart app via the EasyConfig feature. It does take some time to set up initially but once it's down it requires very little maintenance.

How loud is this mower in practice?

The rated noise level is 58dB(A). That's measurably quieter than a normal conversation at around 60dB and significantly quieter than a petrol mower which typically runs at 90-95dB. In practice this means you can run it during early morning or evening hours without causing a disturbance. It's one of the key practical advantages of this model over cheaper alternatives.

Can it handle slopes and uneven ground?

Yes. It's rated for slopes up to 35%, which equates to roughly a 19-degree incline. This is above average for robotic mowers in this price bracket. That said, very uneven or bumpy terrain may still cause issues, particularly if there are sudden drops or raised edges. The mower works best on lawns that are reasonably level even if they have a gradient.

What smart home systems does it work with?

It integrates with Amazon Alexa and the Apple Home App for voice control. It also works within the broader GARDENA smart system ecosystem, which includes smart soil sensors, water control valves, irrigation controllers and power adapter plugs. All of these are managed through the same GARDENA smart app, allowing you to coordinate watering and mowing from one place.

What is LONA technology and how does it differ from standard robotic mowers?

LONA is Gardena's AI-based navigation system. Rather than using a random bounce pattern like older robotic mowers, LONA creates a real-time map of your garden using geolocation and precise horizontal projection. It tracks the mower's position live and uses this data to manage zones and coverage more efficiently. The result is more consistent cutting and fewer missed areas, particularly in complex garden layouts.

What comes in the box?

The package includes the SILENO city 500 smart robot mower itself, a smart gateway, a charging station with a UK plug, 200 metres of boundary cable, 4 connectors, 5 connection terminals, 200 ground hooks and an English user manual. One reviewer noted that 200 hooks may not be enough if you're installing from scratch on a larger or more complex boundary layout, so you may want to purchase additional hooks separately.

What warranty does this product come with?

Gardena states a 2-year manufacturer's warranty. It's worth noting that at least one customer has reported difficulty in getting Gardena to confirm an additional third year of warranty that was advertised at the time of purchase. If extended warranty coverage is important to you, it's advisable to confirm the current warranty terms directly with Gardena or the retailer before purchasing and keep all documentation from the point of sale.