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Gardena Sileno and Minimo Lawn Mowers: Save Money and Time

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Editorial Team
June 17, 2022
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We live in a world where robots and automation are increasingly becoming the norm. Artificial intelligence, along with improved internet connections, are making it easier than ever for us to create machines that can do annoying or difficult tasks for us, saving us time and effort.

Some are moving towards automation more quickly than others, and the lawn mower industry is one of them. No one likes to cut the grass, and building a robot lawn mower is well within our technological capacity.

In fact, this market is growing so quickly that there are almost too many choices. It has become rather difficult to know which is the right model for you. And considering you can easily spend several thousand dollars on these machines, it’s important you choose the right one.

The Gardena Sileno and the Gardena Sileno Minimo are two great robot lawn mowers in 2022, particularly for those with smaller lawns and who are on a tighter budget.

To help you determine if this is the right robot lawn mower for you, we’ve done a complete review of these two models. Check it out and get ready to automate your lawn mowing duties!

The Gardena Sileno Models

If you do a search for the “Gardena Sileno robot lawn mower,” the first thing you will see is that there are several different models. They are:

  • Gardena Sileno 2700 square feet (MSRP ≅ $780)
  • Gardena Sileno 5400 square feet  (MSRP ≅ $990)
  • Gardena Sileno 8100 square feet (MSRP ≅ $1,175)
  • Gardena Sileno Minimo 2700 square feet (MSRP ≅ $600)
  • Gardena Sileno Minimo 5400 square feet (MSRP ≅ $730)

In general, all of these models do more or less the same thing and have pretty much the same features. The “Minimo” models do a few things differently, but the core of these machines is all the same. We will discuss what the Minimo does that the regular Sileno does not later on in the review.

The only difference, then, is the cutting area and the price. The cheaper models come with a smaller battery, which means they can cut less area at one time. Therefore, if you decide that a Gardena Sileno robot lawn mower is indeed right for you, then all you will need to do is pick which size is right for you.

Our review will then cover the entire Gardena Sileno line, but we will be sure to point out any differences that exist among the different models as they come up.

Main Features of the Gardena Sileno

Now that we’re clear on the different Gardena Sileno models that are out there, let’s dive into the specific features offered by this machine. The are:

  • Precise navigation

    The Garden Sileno’s big claim to fame is that it is ideal for smaller, more complex lawns. It comes equipped with a relatively advanced navigation system that allows it to detect and avoid obstacles while also creating the most efficient path for mowing your lawn. This leaves your lawn evenly cut and looking beautiful each and every time the Gardena Sileno runs.

  • Bluetooth operable

    Unlike other robot lawn mowers, the Gardena Sileno models use Bluetooth instead of WiFi to run. This allows you to check in on the mower’s status, set it to run, and keep up with maintenance. However, as we will discuss, it prevents you from doing other things, such as tracking the mower and controlling it from a distance.

  • Small, lightweight body

    Compared to other automatic lawn mowers, the Gardena Sileno is quite a bit smaller and more lightweight. This makes it great for these so-called complex lawns, for it allows them to fit into tighter spaces. And it’s also great for those who live in the city and don’t want to leave the mower out overnight. Picking it up and moving it somewhere safe requires very little effort.

  • Cut-to-edge

    The grass clippings your mower produces are actually very useful to your lawn. First, they provide shade for the lawn, which makes it easier for it to retain moisture and not burn out. Plus, as clippings decay, they leave nutrients for your grass to absorb, which is great. All mowers do this, but the Gardena Sileno models have a way of spreading out the mulch that makes it even more effective.

  • Water and weather resistant

    The Gardena Sileno can get soaking wet if needed. This is great for cleaning; all you have to do is lift it up and blast it with a hose. Technically, it can cut grass when it's raining, but this is bad for both your grass and your mower. Luckily, this model has sensors to know when the conditions aren’t right for mowing, and it will alert you so that you can change your schedule and mow when it’s a better time to do so.

Pros

Just by looking at the main features offered by the Gardena Sileno and Gardena Sileno Minimo models, there are a lot of reasons to like this model. But let’s go a little bit more into what helps it stand out from the competition. Some of the main things this mower has that others don’t are: 

  • Multiple sizes

    No other robot lawn mower manufacturer offers you quite as many options as Gardena does. Therefore, there is a model for pretty much everyone, at least everyone living in the city. We like this versatility as it makes it easier for you to get a mower that is right for your specific needs.

  • Great cutting performance

    Despite being small and lightweight, this mower cuts like a champ. We ran it on several different lawns, all with varying grass lengths, and the end result was the same every time: an evenly cut lawn that looks great.

  • Silence

    This is far and away one of the quietest robot lawn mowers you can find on the market. It gives off just 57 decibels of sound. Most automatic lawn mowers emit noise in the 65-75 dBa range, which is still quiet. But the Gardena Sileno line takes things to a new level.

  • Good on slopes

    Once again, the small size of this robot mower does not impact its performance, especially when it comes to slopes. Where other models can only handle grades up to 20 percent, the Gardena Sileno can handle up to 35 percent, which translates to inclines of up to 20 degrees. This isn’t crazy, but it’s a lot better than what you get with other mowers, especially considering how small this one is.

  • Price

    One of the first things you’ll notice about the Gardena Sileno line is that each one is a good bit less expensive than models offered by other companies. Part of this has to do with the size of the machines, and their cutting areas. But we like that this model doesn’t try to be too much. It’s built for smaller lawns, and the price tag reflects that.

Cons

As you can see, there are a lot of reasons to like the Gardena Sileno and Gardena Sileno Minimo robot lawn mowers. But, like anything, there are things that could be improved. Some of the things we’re not crazy about include:

  • Small cutting area

    The largest Gardena Sileno model can cut up to 8100 square feet, which translates to just .2 of an acre. For smaller city lawns, this is fine. But anyone living in a more suburban area will probably find that this mower simply doesn’t cut it, no pun intended. It is possible to use the Sileno to cut larger lawns, it just might take several days as it will have to cut, recharge, and cut again. But it’s hard to really say this is a knock against the Gardena Sileno model since it was designed for smaller yards.

  • No WiFi or GPS

    Perhaps the biggest downside to the Gardena Sileno line is that it uses Bluetooth instead of WiFi or GPS. In terms of functionality, you won’t notice much of a difference. But for you to be able to connect to the mower via your app and control it, you will need to be within Bluetooth range, which is usually about 30 feet. Also, because it doesn’t have WiFi, you won’t be able to control it from afar. So, if you notice the mower going off track, you will have to walk over to it and connect to it.

  • Not automatic

    Another downside is that the Gardena Sileno models are not fully automatic. Instead, you need to physically turn on the device and set it to mow. Other models on the market will work on their own; you just need to set a schedule and it will get started all on its own. Not all Gardena models are missing this feature, but the base models are. This is part of the sacrifice we must make for a more affordable model.

The Gardena Sileno Minimo Models

Up until now we’ve been talking about the Gardena Sileno and Gardena Sileno Minimo models as if they were one in the same. At their core, they are. But the Gardena Sileno Minimo has a few things that the regular model does not, such as:

  • Smaller body

    As the name “Minimo” might imply, this mower is even more compact than its counterpart, making it a great option for those who think they might need to lift it up and move it around.

  • Fully automatic

    One of the biggest downsides of the Gardena Sileno is that it’s not automatic. But the Minimo is. You can set a schedule for it, and then sit back and watch as it starts on its own at whatever time you programmed it to begin cutting. This is a very nice feature we wish were on all Gardena models.

  • Cheaper

    Because of its smaller size, the Minimo model is usually a bit cheaper than its Sileno counterpart. For example, the Minimo 2700 square foot model retails for around $600 whereas the Garden Sileno 2700 square foot goes for around $980.

In this sense, it will often make more sense to get the Minimo instead of the regular model. The only real reason to skip over the Minimo is if you have a bigger lawn and need the cutting area provided by the Gardena Sileno 8100 square foot model.

The Gardena Sileno: A Lower-Cost Option for Smaller Yards

All in all, there is a lot to like about the Gardena Sileno and the Gardena Sileno Minimo. Its reasonable price tag, lightweight body, Bluetooth capability, and modest price tag make it a great lower-cost option for those with smaller yards. 

So, if you’re finally fed up with losing your Saturdays to yardwork, consider buying an automatic lawn mower such as the Gardena Sileno. It’ll change your life. We promise!

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