Best Robot Lawn Mower for Hills
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If you have a hilly lawn, there are two things that make mowing the lawn a major pain: 1)the time you give away to this menial yet important task; and 2) the physical toll that comes from hiking around your lawn a few times a month while pushing a heavy mower in front of you.
What if we told you there was another way? What if there was a world where a robot does all of this for you?
Okay, if you’ve made it this far, you likely already know robot lawn mowers exist. You’re aware of the fully-free Saturday paradise that awaits you thanks to Artificial Intelligence and robotics.
But you likely didn’t know there is a whole selection of robot lawn mowers designed specifically for hills that will make your life even easier than you ever could have imagined.
In an effort to bring you closer to this world, we’ve come up with a list of the best robot lawn mowers for hills.
We drew from our selection of the best robot lawn mowers in 2022, but we also identified other models made specifically for more challenging terrains.
Here’s what we found:
Robot Lawn Mowers and Hills: Can They Do the Job?
One of the first things you will notice about robot lawn mowers is that they do not have traditional mowers. Instead, they are entirely electric and run on nothing but batteries.
This is one of the major appeals of robot lawn mowers. They are smaller than traditional mowers, give off no emissions and very little sound, and require much less maintenance. But if you have a hilly lawn and look at some of the robot lawn mowers on the market, you might be wondering if they can do the job on your property.
You’re right to question, but if you choose the right robot lawn mower, then you shouldn’t have a problem with the slopes on your lawn.
To be able to handle steep slopes, robot lawn mowers designed and rated for hills usually have some or all of the following features:
While robot lawn mowers have come a long way, we should point out that those designed for specific purposes, such as steeper slopes, often sacrifice functionality in other areas.
For example, because of the additional battery power required to go up hills, these devices aren’t always the best robot lawn mowers for large lawns.
Also, for others, the extra features available on these devices aren’t always necessary. Those who have smaller, flatter lawns don’t need to pay for this extra might. Instead, you can go for a cheaper robot lawn mower that is more suited for your property.
How to Calculate the Slope of Your Yard
Each robot lawn mower is rated to be able to handle hills and slopes of different steepness. In most cases, its capabilities will be expressed using slope or grade.
A good first step in your purchase journey is to calculate how steep your yard is so that you can look for models that meet your needs. To do this, follow these steps:
Gather five or so wooden stakes and a hammer or mallet (you will need more for bigger hills).
Hammer in a stake at the highest and lowest point of your lawn. If you have multiple hills, pick the steepest one.
Hammer the rest of the stakes at equal intervals in between the highest and lowest.
Tie a string to the stake at the highest point as close to the ground as possible.
Run the string to the stake at the bottom of the hill, tying it to each stake in the middle using a level to make sure it stays straight.
Tie the string to the stake at the bottom of the hill as high up as you have to go to keep the string level.
Measure the length of the string between the two stakes. Write it down.
Measure the distance between the string and the ground on the stake at the lowest point. Write it down.
Take the measurement from Step 8 and Divide it by the measurement from Step 9.
The quotient, which is expressed as a decimal, is your slope.
Slope vs. Grade
Depending on where you look once you start shopping, you may see the “slope” or “grade” as a part of the specs. These are simply two ways of expressing the same thing. The slope is measured as a decimal, and the grade is expressed as a percent.
So, if your lawn has a slope of .32, it means it has a 32 percent grade.
Once you have your measurements, you can more effectively search for robot lawn mowers, zeroing in on one that can cover the slopes on your lawn.
The Best Robot Lawn Mowers for Hills
Now that you have a better idea of what you’re looking for, it will be much easier to find a robot lawn mower that can effectively mow your hilly lawn.
To make things even easier, here are a few models we’ve tested that we know can do the job.
Husqvarna Robot Lawn Mowers: 435X and 115H
When it comes to robot lawn mowers, Husqvarna has always been and continues to be one of the top brands. As leaders in the manufacture of home garden equipment, they’ve taken their sustained success in the traditional lawn mower market and applied it to the world of robots.
Several models deserve the title of the “best robot lawn mower for hills.” First, there’s the Husqvarna 435 X AWD. Equipped with a powerful battery, all wheel drive, and a pivoting rear tire, it can handle slopes with grades of up to 70 percent.
That’s somewhat unheard of in the world of robot lawn mowers, but for many homeowners, it could be overkill. And considering it costs upwards of $4,000, it might not be worth it.
An alternative is the Husqvarna 115H. Built with the same quality materials and technology, the 115H has slightly less functionality but is still one of the most rugged robot lawn mowers on the market. It handles slopes of up to 30 percent, which isn’t what you’ll find on Mount Everest but still more than the average lawn.
It also cuts up to .4 acres and uses a patented GPS navigation with AI assist to cover more ground on less of a charge.
For those who have a slightly larger lawn, the Husqvarna 450X is also an option worth considering. It costs a bit more than the 115H but it handles slopes like a champ and can cut up to 1.25 acres, which is more than any other mower on the market.
Check out the latest price on Amazon or read a full review of the Husqvarna 115H.
Worx Landroid Lawn Mowers: WR140 S, M, L
Another very reputable brand when it comes to robot lawn mowers for slopes is WORX. Also a leader in home lawn care equipment, WORX has a few models on the market that will fit those with hilly lawns.
The most popular model is the WORX WR140, sometimes referred to as just the WORX WR14.
It comes in three versions: S, M, L.
All do the same thing; the only difference is their cutting areas, which range from ⅛ acre to ½ acre.
Although they cover smaller areas than some of the Husqvarna models, they are extremely capable on slopes. All the WORX models are equipped to handle inclines of up to 20 degrees, which is equal to grades of about 45 percent.
What’s also nice about this model is its auto-adjusting blade deck. This makes it much more effective at cutting uneven terrain and reduces wear and tear on the mower.
The smaller models can be had for $900 while the biggest model, the WR140 L, usually costs around $2,000.
Check out the latest price on Amazon or check out our full review of the WORX WR140 as well as the rest of the mowers in the WORX line.
Ambrogio L85 Elite
The next best option on the market when it comes to robot lawn mowers designed for slopes is the Ambrogio L85.
After you first see this thing, you’ll see why it made the list. This machine is built like a beast.
It can handle tough terrain with the best of them, especially when there’s a slope.
Expect this Ambrogio to be able to tackle slopes of up to 55 percent, which is right up there with its competitors. In addition to this, the L85 can also cut up to ½ acre at a time, which is above the industry standard and more than enough for most users.
Plus, the Ambrogio app is one of the best out there for robot lawn mowers and allows you to personalize almost everything about your mower, from its schedule to its maintenance.
Check out the latest price here.
Let No Hill Stand in Your Way
Fortunately, thanks to improved functionality, more features, and better designs, the robot lawn mower revolution is more than underway.
Soon, giving up Saturdays or warm summer afternoons to owning the lawn will be a thing of the past. And now that there are several \robot lawn mowers out there specially equipped for hills and steep slopes, no one has to miss out on this automated wonder.
