
Robot lawn mowers are part of the next generation of lawn care. Using GPS and sensors, these machines cut your lawn with precision and accuracy, all without emitting exhaust fumes, and also while you sit on the couch and enjoy a relaxing iced tea.
Sounds nice, doesn’t it?
Well, while you’re daydreaming about your lawn being cut for you, you’re probably also wondering what these things cost. After all, this is some fancy tech.
However, because there are so many different options, there isn’t just one robot lawn mower price. Instead, there are a variety of models, all at different price points, and the more basic models cost about the same as a traditional lawn mower.
All of this means that a robot lawn mower can be in your future. And to help you decide which one you want, check out the best robot lawn mowers of 2021.
But to prepare you, here is cost breakdown for robot mowers:
What Determines Robot Lawn Mower Price?
As you will see in a moment, you can spend anywhere between $700 and $4,000 for a robot lawn mower. How much you need to spend will depend on what you need and want to get out of your lawn mower.
Here are the main factors that determine a robot lawn mower price:
Size
Probably the biggest thing affecting robot mower prices is the size of the mower.
Larger mowers have a bigger blade radius, which means they cut more grass on each pass and cover more area overall.
They may also have larger wheels and a bigger motor, all of which contribute to a higher cost.
Overall, the larger the mower, the larger the area it can cut. But the higher the price.
Battery Power
Larger mowers capable of covering more area also have larger batteries that allow them to travel further in between charges. Also, in most cases, these batteries charge more quickly, allowing you to use your lawn mower with more frequency.
However, no matter how much money you spend, there are few models out there that offer battery life of more than 90 minutes.
Noise Level
Because they run on batteries and use electric motors, robot lawn mowers make far less noise than traditional machines. However, some of the smaller, cheaper models do make their presence known when they are in action.
Typically, the more you spend, the quieter the device will be.
Hill Capability
Another thing that impacts robot mower price is its ability to climb hills. As we know, few lawns are perfectly flat. For a robot mower to do its job, it has to have the ability to go up and down inclines.
More expensive mowers can handle grades of up to 70 percent, which is quite steep. Less expensive models may only be able to do 30 percent, which means they are only suitable for yards where there is very little change in elevation.
Programming Options
Robot lawn mowers come with lots of programming options. On basic models, you will be able to set how often it runs, how long it runs for, and blade height.
When you get into the more advanced models, you can do more things. For example, you can create different areas of your lawn and choose when to cut them. This ideal for those who have lawns where the grass grows at different speeds.
Almost all robot lawn mowers are customizable through a dedicated mobile app. Depending on which model you get, you may be able to integrate this with other smart home services, such as Amazon Alexa, Google Home, or Apple Siri.
Connectivity
Most robot lawn mowers will come with Bluetooth connectivity so that you can control them through your mobile phone. However, some devices go further by incorporating wireless connectivity, either through WiFi or cellular data.
This allows them to access information such as the weather, which it can use to determine whether or not it should mow on a certain day. (You can run your robot lawn mower during the rain, but it’s not recommended).
How much you want your robot lawn mower to do will very much determine its cost.
Special Features
In general, the more money you spend on your robot lawn mower, the more special features it will have. Things to look out for include:
- Rain sensing to prevent damage to your lawn mower.
- Remote steering so that you can take control over the mower while it’s in use
- Anti-theft sensing to protect your device
Again, the more of these features your mower has will lead to a higher price.
Automatic Lawn Mower Prices in 2021
Now that you know the many factors that go into determining the cost of a robot lawn mower, it’s time to look at some specific models and do a price comparison. To make things easier, we’ve created three groups: top-of-the-line, mid-range, and budget.
Top-of-the-Line Robot Lawn Mower Price
Models that make it into this range go for $3,000 – $5,000.
If that brings on some sticker shock, that makes sense. But consider what these things can do.
For example, the Husqvarna Automower 435X, which retails for $4,299, has Bluetooth, GPS, and cellular connectivity and can cut for 100 minutes. This allows it to cover an area of up to 0.9 acre, which far surpasses any other model on the market.
In addition, it can climb hills with up to a 70 percent grade and charges in just 30 minutes.
For special features, it has them all: remote steering, mobile app, anti-theft, and rain sensing.
Clearly, when you spend in this price range, you are getting a fully-equipped device. Whether or not you need or want to spend that much money is up to you. But if you do, then rest knowing you will be getting a robot lawn mower that can do as much or more than any other machine that’s out there.
Mid-Range Robot Mower Price
For those looking for a slightly more affordable route, but who also don’t want to give up too many features, there are a number of “mid-range” robot lawn mowers with much more appealing price tags.
The overall range for this group is $1,000-$2,999, but most models cost less than $2,000.
For example, the Husqvarna Automower 315X, which has a 70-minute run time, a 60-minute charge time, .4 acre coverage area, anti-theft, rain sensor, and a dedicated mobile app, costs $1,999.
Or, another option is the Worx WG794 Landroid Robotic Lawn Mower. It costs $1,697 and has a coverage area of .25 acre. It also has a 60-minute run time and a 90-minute charge time.
There’s also the Robomow RS630, which earned top marks for its on-board display and precise edge mode in our recent Robomow review. It also has a 60-minute run time and a 60-minute charge time, as well as a coverage area of .5 acre.
All of these devices cover smaller areas than the top-of-the-line models, and none of them have remote steering. But at a little more than half the price, they are a much better option for many people.
Budget Automatic Lawn Mower Price
The last group is the budget robot lawn mower, which costs less than $1,000. These devices cost roughly the same as a traditional mower, but they don’t have the same capabilities.
For example, the Robomow RX20, which costs $799, can only cover 1/20 acre (.05). The MowRo Robot Lawn Mower can cover .25 acre, which is much closer to the mid-range models. The price of this automatic mower, however, is $899.
Despite these limitations, you can still find a great robot lawn mower at this price. Budget mowers are great for people with small yards. The quality of the device isn’t less; it just can’t do as much.
So, if you don’t have a lot of property, then think about saving yourself some money and getting a robot lawn mower for under $1,000.
Find the Robot Lawn Mower For You
As you can see, there is a lot that goes into a robot lawn mower price. Size, battery life, connectivity, and more all determine how much you need to spend.
However, so many different features means you as the consumer have a lot of choices. All you need to do is figure out which one is for you, and then start enjoying a life without mowing lawns!