When my friends sent in a video of their little robotic mower hitting a long, flat lawn, I was skeptical. How can a device the size of a small frame mow so much lawn? Well, Husqvarna makes mowers that can be very precise, and they have been for years. While the robot won’t be able to edge as concisely as a lawnmower, you’ll still get well-groomed lawn for very little effort. It cuts blades and mulch to save you the work of constantly emptying the storage bin.
Restrictions include installing wire that is installed around the entire perimeter of the lawn. Lawn mowers are also less reliable than push or ride-on mowers on steep slopes. And like a robotic vacuum, it can’t remove toys, chairs, and hoses that block its path. Obstacles must be picked up before you leave the freight station. Finally, separate areas of lawn that have been dissected cannot be covered by a driveway or sidewalk. Otherwise, the device is fairly comprehensive.
Biggest drawback? price. For a city yard, the residential Automower 115H (4G) costs $700, and for covering a larger suburban lawn, the wider Automower 415X is $2,000. While other, cheaper brands may suit your needs just fine, Husqvarna has been perfecting landscape tools for decades and has a solid reputation for building it. I’d say it’s all worth it, but the key is to find a lawn mower that works for your lawn and your budget.