Are you looking to buy a robotic lawn mower? I think there has never been a better time, since the most recent models on the market are actually quite sophisticated so that it can now be appealing even for non-techies to get a robotic mower. Here I want to show you what I think are the best models in 2021 that you should have a look at.
What are the best robotic lawn mowers of 2021? The following are considered the best robotic lawn mowers for 2021:
- WORX WR140 Landroid
- WORX WR150 Landroid
- HUSQVARNA Automower 310
- REDBACK MOWRO RM24
- ROBOMOW RS630
- HUSQVARNA Automower 115H
- HUSQVARNA Automower 430X
- HUSQVARNA Automower 435X AWD
Based on my research, 2021 will likely be the most exciting year yet for robotic lawn mowers. In the sections below, I have written descriptions of what are currently considered the best robotic lawn mowers available in their own classes. These devices will undoubtedly continue to enjoy a growing market share in the coming year and many of them are widely regarded as frontrunners when it comes to robotic lawn mower technology in general. Read on to find out more.
Contents
So What Are the Best Robotic Lawn Mowers in 2021?
Recently, as the robotic lawn mower industry has been gaining more and more interest from technology enthusiasts as well as gardeners and landscapers in the US and elsewhere, a number of people have been asking me what the best choice would be in terms of robotic lawn mowers that are available on the market as we approach 2021.
Experienced robotic lawn mower enthusiasts and existing owners can often be found fervently debating the pros and cons of the various models on offer, or discussing the best features of different devices, on Youtube and elsewhere.
But newcomers to what is currently still considered a niche industry (albeit a rapidly growing one), are often particularly interested in knowing what the “best” choice is when it comes to choosing a robotic lawn mower for their garden or yard. This is understandable since robotic lawn mowers can be a significant investment and everybody wants the best bang for their buck when it comes to the latest cutting-edge features and choosing the most future-proof device.
Nevertheless, the honest answer to this question is that, with the large variety of devices and brands already available on the market, it really depends on what your specific needs are since there is no “best” all-round robotic lawn mower that would be optimally suitable for every scenario.
Different yard sizes, garden layouts, the presence or absence of steep inclines, narrow pathways and complex or subdivided areas all play a part in what would make the best choice for your own situation. Understanding this will become even more important in 2021, as brands and series become more and more specialized to fulfill the specific and differing needs of robotic lawn mower owners.
For example, models like the Worx WR140 are perfect for small garden owners, whereas the Husqvarna Automower 310 is ideal for medium-sized yards with complex designs. On the other hand, models like the Worx WR150 are designed to be able to mow larger areas unattended.
Bearing these factors in mind, it becomes clear that choosing the perfect robotic lawn mower for your own situation can only be achieved by carefully comparing the features and capabilities of the various models available and then considering whether they meet your own requirements.
On the other hand, it is also important to note that for many people, looking for a new robotic lawn mower should not necessarily mean hunting for the most feature-packed and cutting-edge device possible, since many of the features and accessories currently available are not necessary for many people who are on the lookout for a new mower, no matter how impressive such features may be.
The sections below include a number of models that are widely considered the best in class for their own intended scenarios and use cases.
Worx Landroid WR140
The Worx WR140 Landroid (also known as the “Worx Landroid M”) is my personal favorite in terms of price-to-performance value, and it is also my first choice in the $900 – $1000 price range.
The WR140 is designed for mowing in small or confined garden areas and yards and can mow up to ¼ acres of grass unattended. It is smaller than the Worx WR150 (see below), which is intended for larger areas up to twice the size.
The WR140 backs away from obstacles when it bumps into them and it is also possible to configure the device to avoid certain areas of the mowing area if necessary.
It can also be controlled via both Wi-Fi as well as the Landroid app, which allows you to control various aspects of the device’s operation, and can also be used to set the mower’s schedule as well as monitor mowing progress.
One of the exciting features of the WR140 Landroid is that it includes the patented AIA technology, which means that it can operate in small and confined areas such as pathways, something which is currently not possible for most other robotic mowers. The link below will take you to the specific section in the video which graphically illustrates how it works in comparison to existing lawn mowers that do not feature the AIA technology.
Although the WR140 Landroid is weather-resistant, it also includes a built-in rain detector and automatically returns to its docking base when it detects rain.
Some of the main features of the WORX WR140 are:
- Schedules can be customized using the Landroid app
- Will turn away from obstacles when it bumps into them
- You can define which areas you would like it to avoid by means of preconfiguring the device’s mowing zone
- Can mow on slopes of up to 20°
- Ships with rain detector and will return to its charging base when it detects rain
- Its 9“ offset 3-blade cutting disc can cut closer to edges than other mowers
You can find the WORX Landroid WR140 here on Amazon.
WORX WR150 Landroid
Coming in at around $1200, the Worx Landroid WR150 (also known as the “Worx Landroid L”) is designed for larger areas of up to ½ an acre and is my personal pick for price-to-performance value.
This device is almost identical to the Worx WR140 in terms of features but it is larger and designed for more heavy-duty work. In addition, the Worx WR150 can mow areas of up to ½ an acre of grass whereas the smaller WR140 can mow ¼ of an acre. The WR150 can also operate on slopes with inclines of up to 20°.
It takes an average of 90 minutes for the WR150 to fully charge up its 20-volt 4 Ah rechargeable lithium battery and, based on user reviews, a full charge will enable it to mow for approximately 2 hours on a new battery.
As with the WR140, the boundary wire that ships with the unit is used to define where the mower should cut, and which areas you would like it to avoid. The guide wire is also used by the WR150 Landroid to find its way back to its charging base once it detects that its battery is low or rain is on the way.
The WR150 also includes the patented AIA technology, meaning that it is able to navigate along narrow pathways without assistance.
To protect against theft, the Worx WR150 also includes the Find My Landroid module, which keeps the device connected at all times and will send a notification if the device leaves its designated mowing area.
Some of the main features of the WR150 are the following:
- 20 Volt 4 Ah Lithium-ion rechargeable battery
- Up to ½ an acre mowing range
- Can mow on slopes of up to 20°
- 9-Inch cutting path.
- Its 9” offset 3-blade cutting disc can cut closer to edges than other mowers
- Adjustable 1.6″ to 3.9″ cutting height
- Schedules can be customized using the Landroid app
- Intuitive layered interface
- Will turn away from obstacles when it bumps into them
- Special “Find Landroid” GPS App & Connectivity.
- You can define which areas you would like it to avoid by means of preconfiguring the device’s mowing zone
- Ships with rain detector and will return to its charging base when it detects rain
- Automatic software update
- Instant control and operation by means of app
You can find the WORX Landroid WR150 here on Amazon.
Now that we have covered both the Worx WR140 Landroid as well as the Worx WR150 Landroid, I thought it may be of interest to compare the 3 versions of the Worx Landroid series, i.e. the WR140 “M”, the WR150 “L” and the WR153 “L+” (the L+ is not covered in this article).
As mentioned, the WR140 and the WR150 are essentially identical in terms of features, the main difference being in their dimensions and weight (and of course prices). Below are four tables comparing the respective devices’ features, specs, included items and warranties.
HUSQVARNA Automower 310
Husqvarna is known for its quality when it comes to robotic lawn mowers and the Husqvarna Automower 310 is certainly no exception to the brand’s impressive design and innovation history.
Whereas the Worx WR140 and the Worx WR150 are designed for small garden areas and large yards respectively, the Husqvarna 310 is a perfect choice for medium mowing areas, especially gardens with complex designs.
The device is currently priced at around $1300 and can cut a ¼ of an acre of lawn unattended, in addition to being able to operate on slopes of 21° and being weather resistant.
The 310 ships with an 18-volt 2.0 Ah Lithium-ion battery and requires an average of 60 minutes to reach full charge, after which it can typically mow for 70 minutes before automatically returning to its charging base thanks to the patented guide wire that comes included in the box.
The motor is super quiet at 60dB(A) which means that it can mow at night without disturbing your neighbors or causing dogs to bark.
The Automower 310 comes with standard anti-theft PIN protection and will sound an alarm if its sensors detect that the device is being lifted without first entering the required security PIN, which is also required to restart the mower. If you are still (understandably) concerned about your Husqvarna Automower 310 getting stolen, Husqvarna also offers optional GPS theft tracking.
The Husqvarna 310 comes with the following main features:
- Operating area of ¼ acres
- Cutting height: 0.8” – 2.4”
- Charging time: 60 min
- Average mowing time on full charge: 70 mins
- Operating slope of 22°
- Automower Connect@HOME app for remote scheduling
- Anti-collision sensors to keep children and pets safe
- Patented guide wire
- Automatic passage handling
- Silent operation – can mow at night without disturbing anyone
- Weather resistant
- Graphic menu on device
- PIN/alarm theft protection
- Lift and tilt sensors
- Up to 3 remote starting points
- Flexible location of charging stations
- 2-year warranty
You can find the HUSQVARNA Automower 310 here on Amazon.
REDBACK MOWRO RM24
If you are looking for a budget option, the Redback MowRo RM24 robotic lawn mower may be what you are looking for. It comes in at just $900 and promises to provide good value for money.
It comes with a Samsung 28V lithium-ion 4Ah battery, which also powers its navigation systems, and can cut up to 0.25 acres on a full charge. Its blades rotate at 2900 RPM and have a cutting width of 9.5″ with an adjustable cutting height of 1″ to 2.5″.
You can custom-configure its mowing schedule via its onboard interface and the device will automatically return to its charging station if it detects rain, where it will remain docked until conditions clear up.
The device automatically stops and backs away from large objects and obstacles while mowing and can operate on slopes of up to 30°.
Thanks to its brushless motors, the Redback MowRo RM24 can operate quietly (at 65db) so as not to disturb anyone during their afternoon or nighttime beauty sleep.
Main features of the Redback MowRo RM24:
- Cutting height: adjustable 1″ – 2.5″
- 28V 2Ah Lithium-ion rechargeable battery,
- Can cut up to ¼ of an acre on a full charge
- Brushless motors and quiet operation (65dB)
- Customizable scheduling
- 2 years warranty on device, 1 year warranty on battery
You can find the REDBACK MOWRO RM24 here on Amazon.
ROBOMOW RS630
The ROBOMOW RS630, in addition to having a personalized web app, also has ALEXA smartphone functionality, which means that you can give it voice commands using Alexa’s voice command feature.
Currently priced at around $2000, the ROBOMOW RS630 comes with a 26V Lithium battery and requires 90 to 110 minutes of charging, giving it 80 to 100 minutes of operating time. It has a dual blade with a cutting width of 22″ and can mow areas of up to ¾ acres unattended in addition to being capable of operating on slopes of up to 20°.
Scheduling can be pre-configured so the ROBOMOW RS630 will cut your grass and then return to its charging station on its own.
Like the Husqvarna Automower series and other models, the ROBOMOW RS630’s mowing areas can be configured using the guide wire that ships with the device.
Thanks to Its built-in rain detector, it will also return to its charging station when it detects rain and get back to work when the weather clears up again.
The ROBOMOW RS630’s motor is also very quiet (66 – 74 dB), which means that it will not bother your neighbors while it is working, even if you choose to let it mow your lawn at night.
It comes with standard anti-theft and safety features, such as requiring PIN input via a registered device to operate and will sound an alarm if it is removed from its assigned mowing area.
The device also has Bluetooth connectivity and can be configured from anywhere.
The main features of the Robomow RS630 are:
- Can cut up to ¾ acres of lawn on full charge
- 1.5 hours operation on full battery charge
- Charging time 2 hours
- 1.30″ – 3.50″ cutting height (standard with high-cut blades) or 0.8″ – 3.0″ (with low-cut blades)
- Dual (3-star 11″ blades)
- Quiet motor for night mowing (66 – 74 dB)
- Up to 4 autonomous mowing zones
- Bluetooth connectivity for remote configuration and operation
You can find the ROBOMOW RS630 here on Amazon.
HUSQVARNA Automower 115H
The Husqvarna Automower 115H is the company’s entry-level robotic lawn mower and can mow ¼ to ½ an acre of grass.
It requires just 60 minutes to fully charge its 18V Lithium-ion battery and can operate for the same length of time once fully charged.
When compared to the larger Husqvarna 430X, the Automower 115H costs less than half the price and can currently be purchased for around $1200. The 115H is more suitable for smaller areas of up to ¼ acres and can operate on slopes of up to 17°.
The Husqvarna Automower 115H can be configured from anywhere thanks to its Automower Connnect@Home Bluetooth app.
The 115H’s motor is also very quiet when mowing so you should not have any problems mowing at night.
For the $1600 price tag, you may be concerned about theft, (especially if operating at night). Not to worry though, if anyone attempts to lift the Automower 115H or tilt it over without first entering its PIN number, it will sound an alarm which will not stop until the PIN is entered.
The Husqvarna 115H Automower’s main features are:
- Can mow up to ¼ acre
- Adjustable cutting height: min 2″, max 3.6″
- Charging time: 60 min
- Automower® Connect@HOME
- Patented guide wire
- Guided passage handling
- Can operate on inclines of up to 17°
You can find the HUSQVARNA Automower 115H here on Amazon.
HUSQVARNA Automower 430X
This HUSQVARNA Automower 430X is one of my favorite robotic lawn mowers. It’s another premium model, this time in the Husqvarna X-Line series, and is designed with larger yards of up to 0.8 acres in mind.
Priced at $2700, this mean machine comes with an 18-volt 5.0 Ah Lithium-ion battery and the charging time is between 50 minutes to 65 minutes (depending on where you get your information). However, its mowing time is really impressive as it can operate for a whopping 145 minutes on a full charge!
This model can operate in small areas and around obstacles and has a cutting height of 0.8” – 2.4”. It is also weather-resistant, meaning that it can operate in the rain.
This device comes with a built-in GPS navigation system which it uses to create a map of your lawn. Thanks to this feature, it can keep track of all the areas of your lawn that it has already mowed and will adjust its mowing patterns accordingly. This means that the 430X can provide optimized and uniform results every time it mows your lawn. The GPS also allows the Automower 430X to automatically avoid obstacles.
The Automower Connect module allows you to control the Husqvarna Automower 430X by quietmeans of giving it commands such as “start”, “stop”, and “park” via your smartphone. The app can also be used to check and customize the mower’s settings or receive alarm notifications in the event of theft as it includes theft tracking.
One thing that I find really awesome about Automower Connect ist, that it allows your robot to connect to the mobile network, meaning you don’t need WiFi to connect the robot with your smartphone. This is great in large yards that cannot be covered with WiFi entirely.
Main features of the Husqvarna 430X:
- Can mow up to 0.8 of an acre
- Cutting height: 0.8” – 2.4”
- 3x pivoting razor blades
- Charging time: 65 min
- Mowing time on full charge: 145 min
- Extremely quiet mowing (58dB(A))
- Can operate on slopes of up to 24°
- Includes built-in weather timer
- Includes patented automatic passage handling
- Can have up to 5 remote start points
- Flexible location of charging dock
You can find the HUSQVARNA Automower 430X here on Amazon.
HUSQVARNA Automower 435X AWD
The Husqvarna Automower 435X AWD is one of the largest devices I have reviewed so far. To give you an idea of the sheer size of this beast, here are its actual dimensions:
- Height: 11.4″
- Width: 21.7″
- Depth: 36.6″
- Weight: 38 pounds
Another thing that is not small about the 435X AWD is its price tag. Coming in at around $5100, this device is definitely not a budget model.
On a full charge The Husqvarna Automower 435X AWD can mow almost an entire acre of lawn (0.9 of an acre)!
Thanks to its all-wheel drivetrain and its articulated body, the Automower 435X AWD can easily mow on slopes of up to 35°.
The cutting disc rotates at 2475 rpm and consists of three blades. It has a cutting width of 8.7” and a cutting height of 1.2″ to 2.8″.
The 435X AWD is equipped with a GPS module, cellular as well as Bluetooth connectivity and includes a docking station, an AC adapter, spare blades, and user documentation.
The 435X AWD’s configuration panel is on the front of the device and can be used to change various settings, including the PIN code, cutting height, cutting times and GPS mapping.
It also implements AI learning, which ensures that the Automower 435X AWD will cut the grass where it is needed the most and avoid areas that it has already cut.
The Automower 435X AWD comes with two rechargeable lithium-ion batteries that can power the device for up to 100 minutes of mowing time on a full charge, and it will return to its charging dock automatically when its battery is low.
The 435X AWD can be operated manually by means of either the onboard dial or the Husqvarna AutoConnect app and can even be controlled via Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands. It also supports IFTTT, which is an online platform used to develop applets that enable smart devices to communicate with each other.
The 435X AWD operates faster than many other robotic lawn mowers and is very good at avoiding obstacles as well as deep holes.
It is also a quiet operator as its motor produces just 62 dB of sound while mowing, meaning that it is unlikely to disturb anyone even if mowing at night.
Despite this device being one of the most expensive mowers on the market, it is also quite possibly the most advanced in terms of what it can do. It uses all-wheel drive to mow on inclines and can also operate in complex landscapes and on uneven terrain.
Considering its price, it’s a good thing that the Automower 435X AWD comes with the standard anti-theft features that all the models in the Husqvarna Automower line have, meaning that if anyone tries to lift or tilt this beast (assuming they can manage it), the device will sound an alarm which will keep beeping until its PIN is entered.
As mentioned, the 435X AWD is not a cheap device, but if it exceeds your budget, there are a number of other good choices with lower price tags, such as the Redback MowRo RM24.
Main features of the Husqvarna Automower 435X AWD:
- All-wheel drive
- 3 pivoting razor blade cut
- GPS-assisted navigation
- Automower Connect app
- Articulated body design
- AI lawn learning
- Fully featured app control
- Amazon Alexa compatible
- Supports IFTTT
- 30-70mm cutting height
The HUSQVARNA Automower 435X AWD cannot be found on Amazon. A good way to find it online is to check here. Or simply ask your local Husqvarna retailer.
As you can see, 2021 is indeed shaping up to be an exciting year for the robotic lawn mower industry and there is already an ever growing variety of choices for whatever mowing needs you may have. Let me know in the comments what your own choice would be and why.
Also, let me know if there are any specific topics you would like me to write about. Looking forward to the next one!
04/02/2021
3 thoughts on “Best Robotic Lawn Mowers in 2021”
Comments are closed.
Recent Content
High-end robotic lawnmowers can be a significant investment, so I was curious about how often they get stolen and did some research on the topic. Although there is no specific data available on...
Do Robotic Lawn Mowers and Dog In-ground Fences Work Together?
Robotic lawn mowers are an efficient way to maintain your lawn, but you may be wondering if this machine interferes with your dog in-ground fence. This is important because you need to know whether...
Hi Matthias,
Thanks for your piece on robotic lawnmowers. In the UK I think not many people have discovered them yet. Looking on eg Youtube, I am most interested in the Worx models I think, because of edge cutting, and price.
But one thing puzzles me. All the mowers can be scheduled to mow at night I think, but there would most likely be dew in so many countries, that I suppose the cut would not be so effective, and I would also think there would need to be a lot more cleaning of machines and blades.
I’d be really interested to know if most owners you speak to have tried cutting at night, what the problems are, and whether it is even a partially practical solution ?
Thanks again, appreciate it!
Hy Niall
UK
Hi there!
I wonder if you can tell me who makes a robotic mower with no boundary wire. I will have to sit the mower on the lawn as I have a wall.
Hi Matthias. Thanks so much for all the very useful information! I noticed that you show Bosch as one possible manufacturer in your info graphic, but you didn’t include any Bosch models on this “best of” list. Do you have any experience with the Bosch Indego S+500 by chance? We have a small and totally flat lawn with no serious obstacles (although I do think we’ll have to put down lawn edging stones all around the perimeter), and the Bosch seems like it might be a good value for money in that category. Any thoughts? Many thanks in advance! Julie