Best robot lawn mowers: our expert picks from independent testing

Once programmed, robot lawn mowers can be left to take care of your lawn and trim your grass without needing any input from you. 

The robot lawn mowers we've tested can maintain plots from 250 square metres up to 1,800 square metres, although some models can cover as much as 5,000 square metres. 

They're a handy option if you're time-poor, want a fuss-free way of keeping your garden neat, or you struggle to push around a heavy mower. But it's important to make sure you get one that's the right size to cover your outdoor space.

The robot lawn mowers we tested

The biggest brands and the most popular 10 robot lawn mowers are listed below.

Only logged-in Which? members can view the robot lawn mower test results below. 

Join Which? to get instant access to our test results and Best Buy recommendations below.

A selection of the most popular robot lawn mowers we tested are listed in alphabetical order below.

Only logged-in Which? members can view the best robot lawn mowers from our tests.

Join Which? to get instant access to our test results and Best Buy recommendations below.

Bosch Indego S 500

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Most recently tested July 2021

Blade type Pivoting blades on rotating disc

Recommended lawn size 500 square metres

Height and width of cut 3-5cm high and 19cm wide 

Need to know Boundary wire, 27% maximum incline, 3 cutting height settings, weighs 7.6kg, 21 x 36 x 47cm (HxWxD), 60 mins average run time, you can't replace the battery yourself, fully programmable, remote control, self-charging, anti-theft features

Flymo EasiLife Go 400

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Most recently tested April 2023

Blade type Pivoting blades on rotating disc

Recommended lawn size 400 square metres

Height and width of cut 2-5cm high and 16cm wide 

Need to know Boundary wire, 25% maximum incline, 3 cutting height settings, weighs 6.1kg, 21.5 x 33 x 51cm (HxWxD), 70 mins average run time, you can replace the battery yourself, remote control, self-charging

Gardena Sileno Minimo 250

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Most recently tested July 2021

Blade type Pivoting blades on rotating disc

Recommended lawn size 250 square metres

Height and width of cut 2-4.5cm high and 16cm wide

Need to know Boundary wire, 25% maximum incline, 3 cutting height settings, weighs 6.1kg, 22 x 34 x 52cm (HxWxD), 70 mins average run time, you can replace the battery yourself, smart phone compatible, fully programmable, remote control, self-charging, anti-theft features

Looking for a manual mower? Find out which ones make the cut in our guide to the best robot lawn mowers

Husqvarna 405X

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Available from Garden Machinery Direct (£1,599.99)

Most recently tested April 2022

Blade type Pivoting blades on rotating disc

Recommended lawn size 720 square metres

Height and width of cut 2-5cm high and 22cm wide

Need to know Boundary wire, 40% maximum incline, 9 cutting height settings, weighs 9.7kg, 24 x 45 x 61cm (HxWxD), 50 mins average run time, you can replace the battery yourself, self-charging, anti-theft features

Husqvarna Automower 305

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Available from Husqvarna (£,1099)

Most recently tested August 2020

Blade type Pivoting blades on rotating disc

Recommended lawn size 600 square metres

Height and width of cut 2-5cm high and 22cm wide  

Need to know Boundary wire, 40% maximum incline, 14 cutting height settings, weighs 9.4kg, 25 x 43 x 57cm (HxWxD), 60 mins average run time, you can replace the battery yourself, fully programmable, remote control, self-charging, anti-theft features, smartphone compatible, smart hub compatible (Alexa)

Husqvarna Automower 310 Mark II

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Most recently tested June 2022

Blade type Pivoting blades on a rotating disc

Recommended lawn size Up to 1,200 square metres

Height and width of cut 2-5cm high and 22cm wide

Need to know Boundary wire, 40% maximum incline, 39 cutting height settings, weighs 9.4kg, 24 x 42 x 59cm (HxWxD), 70 mins average run time, you can replace the battery yourself

Husqvarna Automower 315 Mark II

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Available from Husqvarna (£1,649)

Most recently tested June 2022

Blade type Pivoting blades on a rotating disc

Recommended lawn size 1,800 square metres

Height and width of cut 2-5cm high and 22cm wide 

Need to know Boundary wire, 40% maximum incline, 39 cutting height settings, weighs 9.4kg, 24 x 42 x 59cm (HxWxD), 70 mins average run time, you can replace the battery yourself

Segway Navimow H800 

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Available from Fisco (£1,449)

Most recently tested July 2025

Blade type Pivoting blades on rotating disc

Recommended lawn size 800 square metres

Height and width of cut 3-6cm high and 21cm wide

Need to know No boundary wire, 45% maximum incline, 7 cutting height settings, weighs 16.5kg, 26 x 45.5 x 60cm (HxWxD), 3 hours average run time, you can replace the battery yourself, self-charging, anti-theft features

Segway i105E

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Most recently tested July 2025

Blade type Pivoting blades on rotating disc

Recommended lawn size 500 square metres

Height and width of cut 2cm-6cm high and 18cm wide

Need to know Boundary wire, 30% maximum incline, infinitely variable cutting height settings, weighs 11.1kg, 28 x 38.5 x 54cm (HxWxD), remote control, self-charging, anti-theft features

Worx Vision M600

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Available from Worx (£899.99)

Most recently tested July 2025

Blade type Pivoting blades on rotating disc

Recommended lawn size 600 square metres

Height and width of cut 3-6cm high and 21cm wide

Need to know No boundary wire, 30% maximum incline, 4 cutting height settings, weighs 14.4kg, 27 x 45.5 x 60cm (HxWxD), 45 minutes average run time, you can replace the battery yourself, self-charging, anti-theft features

More robot lawn mowers from our tests

Here’s how the rest of the robot lawn mowers from our tests measured up, listed in alphabetical order.

How we test robot lawn mowers

How well does it cut grass? 

We test each robot lawn mower on a range of grass types over a period of four weeks, assessing the efficiency of the cut and the neatness of the finish. This way, we can compare how well the mower cuts over time. We see how well each robot mower handles long grass, rough grass, damp grass and a standard lawn, as well as how long it runs and charges for, on average. Several of our testers rate the mower’s grass-cutting ability on the overall appearance of two lawns it has cut of each type, the evenness and cleanness of the cut, how many spots it misses and any wear marks the wheels or blades leave behind.

How evenly does it spread grass cuttings?  

The best robot mowers will cut the grass into small bits and distribute them in an even layer. You’ll want to avoid robots that struggle to chop grass properly or leave clumps of cut grass, as when the clumps decompose they can cause your grass to rot. We also test manual lawn mowers with mulching modes, and rate them for the quality and ease of using mulching modes.

Can it handle difficult terrain and obstacles? 

Your robot mower will frustrate you if it gets stuck whenever it hits an obstacle or uneven ground, which is why we test them in a range of challenging scenarios to see how well they can cope. We run each mower around areas with fences, flowerbeds, patios, trees and narrow passages, and assess how well it navigates each. Some mowers will smartly avoid obstacles, and handle slopes and uneven ground without difficulty, whereas others will get stuck and need you to go and lift it up to get it out of trouble.

Is it easy to set up and program? 

As part of our ease-of-use tests, we note how easy it is to construct any boundary wires and pegs to establish the mowing area, how straightforward it is to use the Android or iOS smartphone apps to program the mowers to run at certain times each day or week, the convenience of using any manual controls, setting up the base station, setting the cutting height, lifting and carrying, changing the blades and cleaning the mower and any important limitations or interesting features the robot mowers have. Our overall convenience and construction ratings also take into account the feedback of our gardening experts.

Can I replace the battery? 

Lithium-ion batteries always deplete and eventually die over time. At Which?, we believe cordless products should last longer than the batteries they come with. That's why we don’t give robot lawn mowers Best Buy recommendations if spare batteries can't be bought from the manufacturer – no matter how good the mower might be.

Is it safe to use? 

Though all robot mowers sold in the UK are subject to European safety standards, we carry out additional safety tests that we believe better reflect consumer usage. In this assessment we place a trainer-wearing foot probe into the path of the mower, utilising a range of different insertion angles and orientations, so that we can assess how it reacts in a number of different scenarios. 

What’s the compatible app like? 

We put these apps through an in-depth security assessment conducted by trained experts, in order to find any weaknesses that could make your data or home network vulnerable. Our app assessments and security testing don’t currently contribute to the robot mower's score, but if we find any concerning issues in our testing, we will contact the manufacturer to get them fixed. Serious issues might prevent a robot from being a Best Buy or lead to a Don't Buy rating unless resolved by the manufacturer.

We regularly revisit the robot lawn mowers on sale to see if there are any more popular models that need testing and when we find them we do. 

Find out more about how Which? is not influenced by product manufacturers or retailers and how your support helps us to stay editorially independent.

Are robot lawn mowers worth buying and how do they work?

Assuming that you don't have any issues further down the line, setting up your robot lawn mower could be the first and last time you interact with it. Most of the set up is done on the device itself, or a smartphone app.

Once they're programmed robot mowers can be completely autonomous. The mower can come on at times scheduled by you, cut your grass and return to its charging dock to power up its battery ready for the next cut.

There's two types. Boundary wire robot lawn mowers work by creating a map of your lawn to make sure they don't go over the edges into your borders. When they cut, most do so in a random pattern and it may look as though your mower has gone haywire, but good ones won't stop until they have cut every square inch of your lawn. Some can cut in methodical straight lines, though.

GPS robot lawn mowers use satellites or other technologies to map the area, create virtual boundaries and navigate your lawn. This means they have more freedom to move around, since they are not limited by a boundary wire. They're usually more expensive than ones with a boundary wire though.

How to set up a robot lawn mower

Before you let your robot mower loose on your garden, you may need to lay a boundary wire (below) so the mower can detect the perimeter. The wire also helps orientate the mower and guide it back to the charging dock. The wire is secured by pegs and is fairly inconspicuous, but some manufacturers and dealers can lay the wire underground if you want it to be invisible.

The wire connects to the charging dock, which requires mains power, so make sure you set it up within reach of an outlet. Some manufacturers and dealers will install the wire and charging dock for you.

Alternatively, if you have a GPS lawn mower, you simply need to the map the area you want covered and your robot lawn mower should handle the rest.

Seven questions to consider when buying a robot lawn mower

1. How big is your garden? 

Every robot mower has a maximum lawn size that it can cut. This is usually measured in square metres. Don't assume that a mower that covers less distance, or has less battery life, can do your entire garden in two trips. The mower may not come with enough boundary wire to cover a bigger garden or it may not be able to travel far enough from its dock.

2. Are there any slopes in your garden? 

Most robot lawn mowers can handle a bit of a hill, but some can manage steeper inclines better than others. If your garden has any slopes then make sure the mower you choose has the power to get up them and keep cutting as it goes. For every robot mower we test, we record the maximum gradient the machine can navigate.

3. Can robot mowers cut wet grass?'

If your garden gets a lot of rain, then it may be worth investing in a mower that can cut grass in wet conditions. Some mowers struggle to cut wet grass, while others return to their dock automatically when the rain starts falling.

Smart robot mowers are tuned in to weather tracking to optimise cutting at the best conditions. The Bosch Indego s+ 500, for example, uses a weather tracking system to cancel the usual cycle if the weather is too bad at the scheduled time for it to cut well.

4. Do you need a multi-zone mower?

If your lawn is separated by fences or paths, you might need to buy a multi-zone mower. This is also useful if you'd like your mower to do the front lawn as well as the back. 

Some models ask you to set a base zone, which is mowed automatically to the schedule, while the numbered zones require you to manually start the mower and tell it which area to cut. If the mower can't access one of your areas, then you'll need to carry or wheel it there yourself.

5. Does it have fixed or pivoting blades?

Both types should be more than capable of cutting grass, but they aren't equal if they come into contact with something harder. Pivoting blades can move if they spin against any hard objects. Fixed blades don't, meaning they are more likely to get stuck on anything solid in your garden, such as toys.

6. What's the battery life like?

Generally, the larger mowers that cover more ground also have the largest batteries, but machines designed for a smaller garden should be able to trim the whole thing on one charge. If you've got a multi-zone mower then it may need to charge between areas. Some mowers can charge to full in 45 minutes, while others take a whopping 16 hours. In other words, you may need to wait more than half a day before your mower can finish all of your zones.

It's important to note that you rarely get an exact measurable battery life from a robot mower as it uses a variable amount of power each time it runs. It mostly depends on the size of the area it's cutting, how much effort it needs to cut the grass and the conditions.

In our lab tests, we measure the run time and charging time over a period of a month's cutting on various grass types and conditions to work out an accurate average run time.

Are robot lawn mowers bad for the environment?

It depends on which model you purchase. While they're generally more eco-friendly than bulky petrol mowers, some robot lawn mowers take an excessive amount of time to charge, which uses a lot of power. 

You also need to consider how easy it is to dispose of the batteries when they eventually need replacing. Lithium-ion batteries can usually be recycled at your local recycling centre, but they're not always very easy (or cheap) to replace. Before you make your purchase, take a look at how readily available replacement batteries are, as well as how much they cost.

If you've got lots of wildlife in your garden, you may also want to stop and think about how a robot mower will fit in with this. Due to their automated nature, they cannot distinguish between natural obstacles and living wildlife, with smaller animals like hedgehogs and baby rabbits particularly at risk. 

To minimise your robot mower's potential impact on wildlife, consider the following:

• Avoid mowing during the evenings or at nighttime when wildlife is more active 
• Create 'safe zones' in your garden using the guide wires
• Manually trim grass at the base of hedges and small trees