Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Smart Home
  3. Guides

How do robot lawn mowers work?

By

Although not quite as mainstream as robot vacuums, robot lawn mowers are becoming increasingly popular. These nifty devices make it easy to maintain a beautiful lawn without lifting a finger — although you’ll need to make a pretty hefty upfront investment, as robot lawn mowers don’t come cheap.

But how exactly do robot lawn mowers work? Here’s a closer look at these innovative devices so you know what you’re getting into before making a purchase.

Recommended Videos

The basics of robot lawn mowers

The Robomow RS630 on a lawn.
Robomow RS630 Image used with permission by copyright holder

Robot lawn mowers are remarkably similar to robot vacuums. But instead of sucking up pet fur and dust, these powerful gadgets trim your lawn and turn the clippings into finely chopped particles that serve as makeshift fertilizer for your grass. They often come in a rectangular or triangular shape, with three to four wheels and a series of adjustable blades to accomplish cuts of varying heights.

Related

Robot lawn mowers are charged by a docking station, which allows them to run automatically without any input from the user, and they’ll return to the dock when their battery is running low before heading out to finish up their chores. Some also include a rain sensor and will head back to their dock if they detect inclement weather.

Hills can pose a challenge for some robot lawn mowers, as it requires a lot of horsepower to propel these heavy devices up steep inclines. They don’t, however, have issues with uneven terrain, as many of them are designed with a blade and wheels that can modify their performance on the fly to avoid clipping into the ground.

Robot lawn mowers are guided by boundary wires

A person installing a boundary wire for a Husqvarna product.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

One of the worst parts of robot lawn mowers is the installation process. Unlike robot vacuums, which automatically map your home, the vast majority of robot lawn mowers require you to install boundary wires. These must be placed (or buried) at the edges of your property to ensure the robot doesn’t wander into your neighbor’s yard — or into your flower bed.

This might not be an issue if you have a small backyard just outside the city, but if you’re sitting on close to an acre, be prepared to be setting down boundary wire for quite some time. If your yard is really large, some products require an additional guidewire to be installed that helps the lawnmower find its way back to the docking station as quickly as possible.

Some robot lawn mowers require a clear view of the sky

A Husqvarna robot lawn mower on a lawn with a grid draw on the grass.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Select robot lawn mowers might also make use of GPS navigation skills to maneuver around. However, these require unimpeded access to the sky, and are less than ideal for lots with tree cover. So if your property is largely located under mature trees, you might want to think twice before springing for certain types of robot lawn mowers.

Requirements like this are typically listed on the store page — be sure to check these closely if your worried about a robot lawn mower’s performance.

Robot lawn mowers run on their own

While there’s certainly a lengthy setup process for robot lawn mowers, the positives typically outweigh the drawbacks. After your installation is finalized, you’ll be treated to an immaculate yard year-round without having to get your hands dirty. Many models also offer an impressive level of customization, allowing you to choose how often they cut the grass, how low they trim the grass, and which regions of your yard they’re responsible for.

So, if you don’t mind the upfront cost or labor, a robot lawn mower might be a great addition to your home.

Editors' Recommendations

Jon Bitner
Jon Bitner
Jon Bitner is a writer covering consumer electronics, technology, and gaming. His work has been published on various websites…
Does the Pan-Tilt Mount work with the Blink Mini 2?
The Blink Mini installed in the Pan-Tilt Mount.

The Blink Mini 2 is a solid security camera that clocks in at a great price, making it the ideal option for shoppers on a budget. It takes everything people loved about the original Blink Mini and makes it even better, offering an affordable way to keep tabs on your home remotely. The Blink Mini eventually received a unique accessory known as the Blink Pan-Tilt Mount, allowing users to freely rotate the camera and see all corners of their home. And since the Blink hasn't yet released a Blink Mini 2 Pan-Tilt Mount, many folks are wondering if the original Pan-Tilt Mount works with the Blink Mini 2.

Unfortunately, the Pan-Tilt Mount does not work with the Blink Mini 2. If you're interested in learning more, here's a closer look at why that's the case, along with info as to whether Blink plans to launch a Pan-Tilt Mount for the Blink 2 in the future.
Why doesn't the Pan-Tilt Mount work with Blink Mini 2?

Read more
Best vacuum deals: Cordless to corded, Dyson to Bissell
LG CordZero all in one stick vacuum with auto empty dock.

You can’t keep a house clean without a good vacuum, and while adding one of the best robot vacuums to your smart home can keep things tidy most of the time, it can still be helpful to have a more traditional vacuum on-hand. The best vacuums are going to offer more power and more control, and right now you can get one with some pretty impressive savings. There are a lot of vacuum deals going on, and they include top names like Dyson and Bissell and popular styles like corded and cordless. Below you’ll find all of the best vacuum deals you can shop right now, as well as some information on how each goes about getting the job done.
Black + Decker 3-in-1 corded vacuum — $30, was $40

This 3-in-1 corded vacuum by Black + Decker is a great entry-level vacuuming option. It’s something to consider if you have hardwood floors or small spaces to keep clean, such as dorm rooms and apartments. Still it can handle things like area rugs, low-pie carpeting, stairs, upholstery, and car interiors. It has an ultra-light design that makes it easy to move around, as well as easy-glide wheels that make vacuuming easy as well.

Read more
How to clean the Ecovacs Deebot X2 Combo
Ecovacs X2 Combo under a bed.

While the Ecovacs Deebot X2 Combo handles most of its own maintenance, there are still a few tasks you'll have to perform manually. Thankfully, these tasks only take up a few minutes of your time, and they don't need to be carried out frequently. From checking that the robot's sensors aren't blocked to cleaning roller brushes and the dirty water tank, here's a look at how to clean the Ecovacs Deebot X2 Combo.
Wipe down the robot vacuum sensors

The robot vacuum that comes with your X2 Combo works best when its external sensors are clean. After scurrying around a dirty house, there's a good chance dust has accumulated on the clear cover that houses all its sensors. Check this after each cleaning cycle and wipe it down with a dry cloth. If it's really dirty, a slightly damp rag can be used before drying it with a towel.
Give a thorough rinse to the dirty water tank
Emptying the dirty water tank is arguably the worst part of owning a robot vacuum. But if you're staying on top of things, it should never get too funky. Consider emptying the dirty water tank before it's full and giving its interior walls a good scrubbing to remove buildup. If you don’t do this, your dirty water tank will get remarkably smelly and slowly accumulate more gunk.

Read more