If you’re a gardener, then you know the importance of keeping your lawn mowed.
Not only does it make your property look nicer, but it’s also necessary for the health of your grass.
However, doing this job manually can be a real hassle, especially if your lawn is large or if you have a lot of trees and other obstacles to work around.
That’s where robot lawn mowers come in. These handy little devices can automate the process of lawn mowing, making it much faster and easier for you to get the job done.
Best Selling Robotic Lawn Mowers in Canada 2023
Are robot lawnmower any good?
A robot lawn mower may seem like a high-tech luxury, but for the avid gardener, it’s practically a necessity.
These nifty machines can keep your lawn looking perfect with hardly any effort on your part.
So how do you know which one is right for you?
In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best robot lawn mowers on the market today and we’ll discuss what to consider when choosing one for your own home.
How Robot Lawn Mowers Work
Robotic mowers look somewhat like robot vacuums. In action, it’s almost as if you’re watching a Roomba going around your yard, cleaning up. When it comes to what’s inside, however, there’s a world of difference.
These mowers are powered by an AC- or battery-operated motor with cutting blades, a base station, perimeter wire, and sensors that keep them on your property or away from the road.
The perimeter wire is then stretched along the lawn border. The wire is held in place using stakes that are similar to those used to pitch a tent. The other end of the wire connects back to the base station via a second terminal.
The base not only charges the mower, but it also provides an electrical charge to the wire. The charged wire is used by sensors on the mower to direct it along the boundaries and to return to the base when the lawn is cut or when the battery needs to recharge.
The batteries in the lawn mowers are rechargeable (usually lithium-ion) and can last anywhere from 30 minutes for an entry-level machine designed for small lawns to four+ hours for a high-end model designed to service bigger yards. Expect charging times of anywhere from 30 minutes up to two hours or more, depending on the size of the battery and the mower.
Lawn Size and Cutting Deck
You must first determine the size of your yard before purchasing a robotic lawn mower. Residential robo-lawnmowers have a working area ranging from 0.20 to 1.25 acres.
A high-capacity battery pack in a mower for big lawns allows it to operate longer and travel further between charges. The form of your grass also has an impact: the Mow Master 42V with Zero Turn Riding Mower is designed to cut large areas, so extra battery power is required to go around plants, trees, and lights than if it were cutting a lawn of short grass.
All robot lawn mowers have a “cutting deck” which is the width of the swath that the blades cut when moving across the ground. The decks on most range from about 11 to 22 inches, so make sure you get one that can cover the entire width of your yard without having to make multiple passes.
An important thing to remember is that the robotic lawn mower cannot cut tall grass or go over obstacles taller than its deck height. Your lawn should be trimmed down to about three inches before using a robo-mower.
Weather and Environmental Conditions
Robotic lawn mowers can handle light rain but are not waterproof. They can also handle most types of dew; however, if the grass is wet and the sun is out, it will start to spark.
The mower cannot operate in temperatures below freezing or above 95 degrees Fahrenheit. The blades stop spinning when it gets too windy, so wait until the weather calms down before sending your robo-mower outside.
Some robotic lawn mowers come equipped with a rain sensor which will cause the blades to stop spinning and the machine to return to its base station when it starts raining.
The Prices and Features
Although robotic lawn mowers are not cheap, light-duty mowers are typically going to be far less expensive than heavy-duty versions. Whatever you do, make sure you invest in a mower that can handle your grass.
Many vendors provide online calculators to assist you in determining the best model for your requirements, and many of them can even send a salesperson to your home for an on-site inspection. For a basic machine, expect to pay anything from $600 to more than $5,000 for a mower with all the bells and whistles. Professional installation can add another $200 to $500.
Final Words
If you are looking for a better way to take care of your lawn automatically, then a robotic lawn mower may be the perfect solution for you. Not only do they save you time and energy, but they can also help keep your lawn looking its best. We’ve done the research and found the best robotic lawnmowers on the market, so be sure to check them out before making your purchase.
