Robot Lawn Mower: My Direct Experience with These Life-Changing Devices

Let me start with a confession: my relationship with robotic lawn mowers has been a real roller coaster. When I bought my first robotic lawnmower, back in 2015, I never imagined what awaited me. Today, with several years of experience, I can speak with authority, because yes, I've run into just about everything you can imagine. So get ready, because I'm going to tell you my story and, incidentally, everything you need to know if you're considering getting one of these gadgets that, spoiler alert, change your life.

What is a Robotic Lawnmower and How Does It Work?

Let's cut to the chase.... The robot lawn mowers are small, self-contained devices designed to do exactly what their name implies: mow your lawn for you. These little friends operate independently, following a pre-programmed schedule that you set up. Imagine this: you forget about the noise and effort of the traditional lawn mower, sit on your terrace with a coffee and watch your garden become impeccable. Sounds good, doesn't it!

Robotic lawn mowers work thanks to sensors, some with GPS and Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing them to move within the limits you have previously set, usually using a perimeter wire. Yes, the most advanced ones, such as the STIHL iMOW® or the Gardena Sileno, not only mow the lawn, they also fertilize it with the mulching technique, shredding the grass and returning the remains to the soil to improve its quality.

My First Robot Mower: Love and Hate

my first love was a McCulloch ROB R1000. Why? Because, for a medium-sized garden, it's more than enough. This little guy could handle surfaces up to 1000 m² and I was surprised at how quiet it was: less than 60 dB. Plus, it had a rain sensor that told it to stop if a drop fell, to resume work when the grass was dry.

However, not everything was perfect. I installed it wrong. The darn perimeter wire.... my goodness, if they had recorded me that day, you'd have material for a good meme. After several attempts and frustrations, I managed to set it up and since then, my lawn has never been better. But beware, it's not a miracle device, there are things you should keep in mind.

Advantages of Robot Mower: Why Buy One?

Here comes the good stuff:

2. You save time: This is, without a doubt, the strong point. Instead of spending hours mowing the lawn, the robot does it for you, and you can spend that time doing what you like best.
4. Even cut: Goodbye to uneven lines! These robots are super precise. Plus, many models have a mulching blade that distributes mowing debris across the lawn, which helps fertilize the soil naturally.
6. Low energy consumption: Modern models, such as the STIHL iMOW®, are efficient. Their lithium-ion batteries last a long time and optimize consumption.
8. Total autonomy: With advanced models, you can even forget to turn it on. You set the time and days, and the robot takes care of the rest. If it runs out of battery, it returns to its charging station without you having to lift a finger.

The Challenges: Not Everything Is Pink

Let's get down to business, my friend. While I'm a fan of robotic lawn mowers, there are a few things you should know before you jump into buying one.

1. Complex Installation: The perimeter wire issue is something that requires patience. If you have a large garden, installation can be a challenge. There are models that connect via GPS and automatically avoid obstacles, but most need this wire to know where to mow.
3. Slopes: If your garden has a lot of slopes, watch out. Some robots don't handle slopes greater than 30-35% well. However, if your terrain is hilly, opt for models like the STIHL iMOW®, which can work on slopes up to 45%.
5. Price: A good robotic mower isn't cheap. Basic models like the Ikohs Cutbot can run around 400-500€, but if you go to the higher end, like the Gardena Sileno Life, the figure can go up to over 1000€.
7. Edge maintenance: If you want your garden to be absolutely perfect, you may be disappointed to know that robots are not usually the best at cutting edges. There is always something left that will need a manual touch-up.

The Best Robot Lawn Mower Models on the Market

I leave you with a list of the most popular robot lawn mowers so that, when you decide to buy, you already have a clear idea:

• Worx LANDROID M1000: for surfaces up to 1000 m² and Wi-Fi connectivity. Ideal for a medium-sized garden.
• Gardena Sileno Life: perfect for uneven terrain and slopes up to 35%. It has app control(.
• STIHL iMOW® RMI 632: if you have a large garden of up to 5000 m², this is your model. Autonomy brutal and simple handling.
• Bosch Indego M+ 700: for smaller surfaces but with an intelligent cutting system that adapts the pattern according to the conditions of the lawn.

Conclusion: Is it worth it?

In short, and speaking from my experience, if you have a medium-sized or large garden, investing in a robotic mower is one of the best decisions you can make. Not only does it save you time and effort, but it also guarantees you a well-manicured lawn without having to be on top of it.