Latest news with #robotlawnmower
CNET
6 days ago
- Business
- CNET
This Ecovacs Robot Lawn Mower Could Be Yours for a Massive $500 Off
Summer will be here soon, and the warm weather can make gardening, yard work and lawn care uncomfortable. If you have a lawn that requires care, a robot lawn mower might be beneficial. These handy devices can reduce the time spent on yard work, so more hours can be spent relaxing, enjoying family time or completing other tasks. Right now, you can save $500 on the Ecovacs Goat A2500 RTK lawn mower at Amazon, reducing the $2,000 price to $1,500. To nab this Amazon deal, make sure to clip the on-page coupon. Ecovacs is also matching the discount with the EVGAT5 coupon code until June 2. Regardless of which retailer you choose, this price reduces the Ecovacs Goat to its record-low price. The Ecovacs Goat A2500 RTK lawn mower has LiDAR to accurately navigate your lawn and provide proper upkeep. It also has a 32V motor that can mow up to 4305ft² per hour and only takes 45 minutes to fully charge, so it can be used quickly. This lawn mower even has several AI-enhanced features, like obstacle detection that can avoid up to 200 common objects. And thanks to this lawn mower's adjustable cutting height, your lawn will end up with a customized, even cut for picture-perfect results. To take full advantage of this lawn mower's features, make sure to download the Ecovacs app. Looking for a new lawn mower but aren't sure if this deal is for you? We have a list of the best electric lawn mowers and an article on how to choose a new lawn mower to help you find the right option. Why this deal matters The Ecovacs Goat is a great robot lawn mower for those looking to reduce the time spent on yard work. It includes AI enhancements and a charge time of as little as 45 minutes. The best part? It's now on sale for $500 off at Amazon and Ecovacs. Keep in mind that Ecovacs' deal ends on June 2, so we suggest acting fast.
CNET
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- CNET
Are Robot Lawn Mowers Worth the Price? Here's What You Need to Know
With robot vacuums becoming an increasingly common addition to people's homes, the idea of using a robot lawn mower to maintain your yard doesn't feel so far-fetched anymore. Just like robot vacuums, robot lawnmowers can save you time and energy on mowing the grass and give you back more time in your day. It's an appealing idea, but with the price of robot lawnmowers ranging from anywhere between $1,000 to $3,0000, depending on the make, model and features, many people still think of them as an expensive novelty. Robots can make life easier, but you're more likely to find the one on the left taking care of your yard than the one on the right. Honda As with any serious investment, you'll want to be well educated before you go dropping thousands of dollars. Don't worry, though -- CNET experts have done all the homework for you in our buying guide. In this article, we'll look at some key things you should know before shelling out your hard-earned money on robot lawnmowers. What are robot lawn mowers and how do they work? It's possible you've only recently been introduced to the concept of robot lawn mowers and you're wondering what exactly they are, and how they manage to provide a hands-free lawn mowing experience. Put simply, robot lawn mowers are small, autonomous lawn-care units that map out and mow your lawn entirely on their own, with no labor required on your part. They typically rely on mapping technology, GPS, or limiting systems like perimeter wires to determine the extent of your property, and then they pass over your lawn in patterns, mowing as they go. New innovations have made them more accurate, more efficient and more likely to negotiate the obstacles of your unique lawn without getting into trouble. And though they've hardly entered the realm of impulse purchase, prices have inevitably started to come down as manufacturers begin to produce them at greater scale. The Lymow One has tank treads to traverse uneven yards and mulching blades to turn leaves into lawn fuel. Lymow New navigation tech means its easier to use Recent advancements have made robot mowers even more precise and useful. According to Chris Price, senior manager of robotics engineering at Husqvarna (a leading robot mower manufacturer), the newest models no longer need to rely so heavily on older navigation tools like buried perimeter wires. "Precision satellite navigation with RTK technology, such as Husqvarna's EPOS system, revolutionized the robotic mower space by eliminating the need for physical boundary wires," Price told CNET. This new nav tech has unlocked advantages beyond just more-precise mowing and mapping. According to Price, the new tech, available in Husqvarna's latest iQ series of mowers, enables "incredibly efficient mowing patterns that can double the area capacity, reduce the installation time and maintenance" and leave your lawn looking perfectly striped in a way only traditional mowers have previously been capable of. Husqvarna/CNET Robot lawn mowers vs. traditional lawn mowers Most robot lawn mowers are battery powered, meaning you don't need to worry about refueling them the way you do many traditional push or riding mowers. After they've completed a mowing cycle, they'll return to a charging dock, much the way robot vacuums do, and refill their battery while waiting for the next call to action. Many models, particularly on the high end, include sophisticated apps that let you modify the mower's behavior, including manually altering the coverage area or indicating that the mower should return to the dock automatically if it detects rainfall. Aside from the freedom from fossil fuels, robot mowers have a number of advantages over traditional mowing. The most obvious is that they save you time: Instead of spending hours yourself each week, pushing or driving a traditional mower around your yard, you can lounge around in the sunshine deckside or attend to other chores while your robot buddy does your landscaping for you. They're also significantly quieter than traditional mowers, especially the gas-powered variety with their deafening engines (though they're also quieter than even electric push mowers, which have larger, noisier blades and other components). And because of their size, robot mowers can get into smaller areas than some larger traditional mowers can. That said, they're not without their weaknesses. With the properly sized robot lawn mower for your yard, your grass cutting days are behind you. Chris Wedel/CNET Pros and cons of robot lawn mowers We've contrasted robot mowers with traditional mowers above, but they have some other advantages that may not be immediately evident. Pros of robot lawn mowers Environmentally friendly Because robot vacuums almost universally are electric, they don't put out all those emissions you find with gas-powered lawn-care devices. Not only is this better for the environment as a whole, it can also make your personal environment a lot more pleasant. Your house and yard won't be suffused with the lingering stench of the exhaust belched out of a gas-powered mower, and you won't have to change out of gassy-smelling clothes to avoid repelling people. Can improve your lawn's health and appearance Robot lawn mowers aren't just convenient, they can actually be better for your lawn. Because you can mow more frequently with a robot than you're likely to do yourself, you won't have those days when your lawn starts to look shaggy or unkempt. More importantly, frequent mowing can encourage lateral grass growth, which results in a denser, healthier lawn. The same effect can choke out weeds, leading to a more uniform and appealing-looking lawn. Lawn maintenance even while you're away With a robot mower, you also won't need to worry about hiring landscapers or paying a neighborhood kid to mow your lawn while you're on vacation. Just set a regular schedule, or manually trigger a mowing cycle through the app, and your grass will look as meticulously tended as if you'd never left. No annoying grass clippings to deal with Robot mowers don't collect grass clippings, so you won't have to worry about disposing of giant bags of yard waste. And because they can mow more frequently, clippings are smaller and should decompose quickly, so they shouldn't be littering your lawn and you won't have to spend extra time raking them up. Savings over time Though robot mowers represent a fairly steep initial investment, they can save you money over time because you never have to worry about buying gas to fuel them up, paying for oil changes, or shelling out to a landscaping company for lawn maintenance. Chris Wedel/CNET Cons of robot lawn mowers There are some downsides to robot mowers. High up-front cost You may ultimately save money over time, but you'll still need to put together a tidy sum to buy a robot mower in the first place. Though cheaper models can be had for $1,000 or less, a high-quality option will run you between $4,000 and $6,000 (or more). Can struggle with mowing complicated lawns Navigation tech has certainly improved, but it isn't perfect by any stretch of the imagination. A robot mower can still struggle with complex lawn structures that involve a lot of slopes, oddly shaped obstacles or other impediments. Maintenance costs You may not be buying gas or paying for oil changes, but robot mowers still require maintenance. This can include everything from replacing the blades to installing a new battery, and some of those replacement costs can be fairly steep. That said, new adaptive mowing technologies may reduce overall maintenance costs, with many new robot mowers able to change speed and mowing height on the fly to reduce wear on the unit. May struggle with fine edge cutting Another consequence of imperfect mapping is that a robot lawn mower may struggle to get close to edges, especially if the edge in question is irregularly shaped. This means you may need to do a cleanup pass after your mower is finished to get a uniform, sharp edge around your property. Are robot lawn mowers worth the money? Tyler Lizenby/CNET With all that in mind, is a modern robot lawn mower worth the money? The answer is a qualified yes. A robot mower will be more valuable to some homeowners (or renters required to maintain a yard) than others. Of course if you're the type who genuinely enjoys yard work, you're likely in a need-not-apply position in regard to smart lawn tech, especially if you already own a push or riding mower you're happy with. Robot mowers also aren't an ideal fit for anyone with a complicated lawn that has lots of uneven surfaces, changes in elevation or large obstacles. This applies if you're someone with kids who often leave toys in the yard or if you have portable play structures regularly set up behind your house -- you may spend as much time clearing the way for a robot mower and making sure its mapping is still correct as you would mowing the lawn yourself. Also, if you have a really small yard that takes only a few minutes to mow, spending thousands on a robot to do the work for you probably isn't a great investment. iGarden But if you have a large yard, and particularly if it's got lots of broad, flat spaces without many obstacles, a robot lawn mower can be a time saver. This is especially true for small businesses with large grassy areas -- they'll appreciate the savings-over-time aspect of a robot mower that sees lots of regular use. If you're constantly pumping ever-pricier fossil fuels into a traditional mower, the cost savings will make an immediate impact. A robot mower is also a no-brainer for anyone who's extremely busy during the week and doesn't want to burn their precious weekend hours doing boring manual labor. In the same vein, anyone who's not often home during daylight hours -- like folks with an especially long commute or who typically work longer daytime shifts -- can reclaim some of those precious sunny hours with a robot mower purchase. Segway/CNET The future of robot lawn mowers We're finally hitting the point where broad adoption of robot mowers looks more likely. Improvements in communication between mower units and GPS systems; better and more accurate boundary marking; and better built-in lidar or camera systems mean mapping improvements and more-accurate mowing. At the same time, more-efficient drive and power units mean that even smaller robot mowers may soon match the power of some of the current push and riding options. So though some people might decide now's the time for a robot mower, others may choose to wait for lower prices and improved tech. Ultimately, the decision to invest in a robot lawn mower comes down to your individual needs, so consider carefully whether the up-front cost is worth the convenience, time-savings and potential long term savings a high-tech lawn buddy can provide. FAQ: Robot lawn mowers What is the best robot lawnmower? At this time, we're still testing a variety of robot lawnmowers, including the Lithely, Eufy mower and Husqvarna iQ series, so we can't rule on the best one just yet, but we'll have an update soon. Where does the grass go in a robot lawnmower? For most robot lawnmowers, grass clippings aren't collected. Just like a regular electric lawnmower, the grass lays where it is cut. That's not really a problem, since the grass will simply decompose and act as natural fertilizer for your lawn. How much do robot lawn mowers cost compared with traditional mowers? Prices of robot lawn mowers can vary, with some mowers as affordable as $699, like the Husqvarna Automower 115H, and others running as much as $1,299, like the Segway Navimow Robot Mower i110N . That's still quite a bit more expensive than electric lawn mowers, which cost as little as $89 for a very basic Black and Decker push model or $250 for a Litheli U20.
Times
16-05-2025
- Business
- Times
10 brands to make your house a home
With hi-tech boiling water taps, natural stone tiles, William Morris weaves and clever robot lawnmowers, create the perfect pad, inside and out Caption here pls... Smiling Father, Mother and Son Pet and Play with Smooth Fox Terrier Retriever Dog. Sun Shines on Idyllic Happy Family with Loyal Pedigree Dog have Fun at the Idyllic Suburban House Backyard Not every purchase we make for our homes is an aesthetic choice. There are many practical investments to be made, too. But that doesn't mean functionality has to be boring. This homes and gardens checklist brings together a selection of ten top providers working in a variety of fields. From heavy duty, long-term buys like tiles, flooring, paving and doors, to high-tech finishing touches for the kitchen and lounge, these brands share a passion for premium quality and customer service. So whether you're looking for a patio lounger fabric that has been inspired by the Arts & Crafts movement, or think it's time to hand the chore of cutting the grass to a robot mower, you'll find these and much more to help make your home a haven. One of the key factors in greener home energy roll out is how easy it is to use every day. EcoFlow is redefining home energy with a simple, all-in-one system that stores solar power, tracks usage and helps cut costs. The company's range of home batteries – from 5-60kWh – are suitable for fitting in residences of all sizes. They are designed to help homeowners manage their appliances and energy use more efficiently, thanks to the real-time insights provided by the battery's energy monitor, the EcoFlow PowerInsight, and smart control via the EcoFlow app. In addition, by partnering with Octopus Energy, EcoFlow's AI and Price of Use features help ensure each customer can save money, by charging at times of the day when electricity is cheapest. With smart EV charging and automatic backup during outages, EcoFlow makes home energy greener, smarter and more affordable. Learn more at With a Diva Utopia wireless hi-fi loudspeaker by Focal you can expect an exceptional, immersive listening experience with effortless ease. Beyond that, it stands alone as a design statement in any room of your home. For nearly 50 years, Focal has been designing high-spec audio equipment at its workshops in Saint-Étienne, France, combining performance excellence with stylish looks, to reflect the first class expectations of its loyal customers. The Diva Utopia – an exciting new addition to the Focal range of speakers – boasts a streamlined silhouette, refined detailing and a distinctive felt finish, all combining for a look that exudes warmth and sophistication. A true feat of manufacturing, the double-curved design of its removable floating side panels gives this loudspeaker its unique and unmistakable character. Sculptural and elegant, the Diva Utopia blends seamlessly into contemporary, minimalist interiors with grace, bringing its own signature style to any living space. Visit to find out more Celebrating its 30 th year of service, Quorn Stone is a leading UK specialist working with natural stone and porcelain tiles. Available at its eight showrooms and online, its carefully curated yet extensive selection of tiles is sourced through exclusive partnerships with suppliers worldwide. Drawing on expert craft and cutting-edge innovations, these timeless tiles for home and garden offer functional practicality and elegant style. From rustic kitchen flooring to modern bathroom surfaces, for grand entrances and country gardens, there is something for every project. The company offers marble and slate, as well as a wide range of limestones and is the biggest UK importer of beautiful, practical Dijon limestone. From planning a project and ordering samples to delivery and advice on installation, Quorn Stone can help you create a stylish, lasting statement in your home or garden. Why not visit one of its inspirational tile showrooms? Its large floor and wall displays are grouted and sealed to help you envisage the finished look. Visit Quorn Stone at for high-quality natural stone and porcelain tiles Quorn Stone® and My Stone Floor® are both trademarked names A must-have for design lovers this season, the New Era, New Icons collection from Cult Furniture is all about refined interiors that are made to last. The brand's signature fusion of standout design with a contemporary edge is showcased through sculptural silhouettes, sustainable materials and striking marble accents – perfect for anyone looking to elevate their home with statement pieces. Whether it's a bold travertine coffee table that catches your eye, or a set of bouclé and walnut dining chairs, or perhaps a stunning pendant light, every item is crafted to anchor a room with style and intention. From mid-century modern to clean contemporary, there are several inspiring ranges to explore, each delivering considered elegance and depth of quality without compromise. Whether you're refreshing a corner of your home, bringing lounge chic to your garden or reimagining your whole space, every piece is a treasure of modern living you can enjoy every time you walk into the room. Shop the collection at Follow @cultfurniture on Instagram Forever inspired by the creativity of William Morris and the craftspeople he worked with, Morris & Co continues to celebrate the English garden. This endures with Indoor Outdoor Weaves, a densely woven collection of fabrics for outdoor use, new for SS25. Twisting foliage and flowers connect this beautiful range with the much-loved Arts and Crafts styles that never fail to charm new generations of William Morris admirers. The classic Blackthorn Weave design of flowerheads, blooms and leaves is available in outdoor fabrics reflecting light, airy shades as well as rich indigo; the timelessly elegant Acorn pattern is available as an outdoor weave in moss green, madder red and cooling mineral blue. Added to these, for the first time, the Hammersmith woven strip has been designed for outdoor use, alongside the calming Bellflowers and Bird & Anemone patterns and the bolder looks of Wardle and Elmcote. Each outdoor fabric is treated with a water-resistant finish and UV protected, taking the indoor styles you love out to your garden, terrace, patio or poolside. Shop now at With more than 40 years' experience, the B&K Timber team are experts in manufacturing bespoke wooden driveway and garden gates. At its Staffordshire workshop, B&K Timber's skilled craftsmen carefully build every gate individually, to the highest of quality, at great prices. Choosing a driveway or garden gate for your home is a key personal decision, so its range of designs reflect how important first impressions are, with an extensive variety of shapes and styles to suit any home and its needs. Quality is at the heart of what B&K Timber does, with high standards of workmanship that support the world's forests by using only sustainable, PEFC and FSC certified timber. While the website has a gate builder function to get you started, B&K Timber also works personally with each customer to create beautiful, bespoke gates produced from the finest quality Scandinavian, slow-grown, joinery graded redwood timber. Visit to order your bespoke driveway or garden gate today Providing instant boiling, chilled, filtered and sparkling water from one sleek, space-saving tap, Aquataps are an affordable and stylish way to bring your kitchen into the 21 st century. Whether you're making a hot drink, prepping your veg or topping up your water bottle, every tap offers cutting-edge technology and family friendly practicality. And with prices starting from just under £450, Aquataps are also a smart alternative to similar kitchen combination taps. Best sellers among the collection include the flagship Aquatap Ultra 4-in-1 Tap for hot and cold water, instant boiling water and filtered cold water, also featuring a pull-out spray head. The top of the range Aquatap Fizz Digital 5-in-1 Tap provides boiling, chilled, filtered and sparkling water, with a sleek digital touch display and premium finishes to match your interior design. Easy to install and shipped with next-day dispatch, every Aquatap comes with extensive warranties. Its UK-based team also ensures ongoing support and customers can enjoy automatic filter deliveries, optimal water quality and savings on filter replacements throughout the year with a dedicated subscription plan. Explore the range today at Order today, use it tomorrow. Use code THETIMES25 for £25 off your new boiling water tap Mowing the lawn is an essential task when you want to get the most from your garden throughout spring and summer. However, on a relaxed midweek afternoon or a lazy Sunday morning, most of us could do without the noise and hard work that comes with it. The STIGA autonomous robot mower brings elegant simplicity to the job. Effortless, emission-free and whisper-quiet, it glides across your lawn with GPS-guided precision, delivering a fabulous finish every time. Developed by the STIGA Group, a leading European producer and distributor of garden tools, machinery and equipment, the robot mower is available in three sizes, to serve a range of needs and functions, depending on the size of your lawn. Easy to set up and recharge, and smart-designed to ensure grass is evenly cut to the desired length, this range of robot mowers are the latest in STIGA's line of exceptional garden tools that help you save time and energy, so you can get on with enjoying the garden with your guests. Discover the silent revolution in lawn care at What's beneath your feet is just as important to the look and feel of a room as the colour you paint it, the wallpaper you choose, or even the furniture you have so lovingly selected. So it's wise to not always default to flooring that's simply practical, when something really beautiful could be just as cost effective. Best at Flooring offers a great range of engineered wood, laminate and luxury vinyl flooring in a variety of styles, to suit any interior and budget. The company is an approved online partner for premium brands including Karndean, Kahrs, Invictus and Quickstep, and delivers free across the UK mainland, from its base in West Yorkshire. A family business since 1961, its team of friendly experts are always on hand to help you find a selection of options to suit your needs, and the website is easy to browse by material, pattern, colour, brand and even how you want to have the flooring fitted. Visit before July 31, 2025 and save 5 per cent on all orders over £500 with the code Times5. Free UK-wide delivery and a free sample service are available. And discover more on Instagram , Facebook and Pinterest A leading UK supplier of bespoke aluminium doors and windows, Now Aluminium is best known for its high-quality aluminium bifold doors. Understanding that each home has its particular style and needs, the Now Aluminium team involves customers throughout the creation process, so they can put together the perfect look and enjoy durable service for years to come. Each set of doors or windows is built from scratch, carefully following bespoke requirements including colour, size and configuration. The results can suit any home, whether it's a modern house, a rustic, country cottage or a classic suburban semi. Not only do the results look fantastic, they are incredibly functional, too. Every door and window is created by its expert team using ultra-slim 107mm sightline width to ensure views will be completely unobstructed. In addition to this, high-security, multi-point locking systems and thermally efficient design are standard throughout the range, ensuring that each finished article is a secure product that stands up to both blunt force and British weather conditions with ease. Visit to find out more This a commercial article paid for by our advertising partners If you've enjoyed reading this article and are interested in more inspiration in everything from food and drink, health and wellbeing to private education and homes, why not follow Checklist on Facebook, X and Instagram @ChecklistSocial, or sign up to the newsletter? Checklist provides the best free online competitions too – discover amazing new services and products when you visit the website today.
Digital Trends
15-05-2025
- Digital Trends
Navimow i110 robot lawn mower review: easy to setup and a breeze to operate
Navimow i110 robot lawn mower review: easy to setup and a breeze to operate MSRP $1,299.00 Score Details 'The key to setting up the Navimow robot lawn mower is an excellent smartphone app that walks you through the entire process.' Pros Easy setup and operation Wire-free navigation Continuously improves mowing efficiency Quiet operation Cons Costs more than wire-guided alternatives I could not have started reviewing robot lawn mowers with a better choice than the Segway Navimow i110. I began testing the Navimow i110 with significant concerns about my tree-bound lot. I also wondered if I could correctly set up the antenna, docking station, and mower to work together to mow my raggedy lawn. Recommended Videos Based on my experience with the Navimow i110, I'm convinced it is up to the task. When I test new products, I typically but unintentionally make every mistake possible, some of them twice. This is one of those cases when the aphorism fits: If I can do it, anyone can. Robot lawn mowers set up and operate like robot vacuum cleaners. You may not be ready for a robot lawn mower, but don't let fears of set-up complexity or operational difficulty stop you: with the Navimow i110, it's simple and easy. Navimow model lines: lawn coverage areas Segway's two entry-level Navimow i100 robot lawn mower series models are the i105 and i110, which are recommended for mowing areas of 0.125 acre and 0.25 acre, respectively. The higher-capacity X3 series includes four lawn models from 0.5 to 2.5 acres. I tested the Navimow i110 with two adjacent sections of my lawn that total approximately 0.20 acres, so that model was the correct choice. I also tested a Naviow X350 rated for 1.5 acres on the 0.75 section of my lawn, which is much more rugged with soft mossy spots, steep inclines, and thick tree roots. I'll review the Navimow 350 separately because it differs from the i110 in more than just battery capacity. The Navimow i110 measures 21.4 inches by 15.1 inches by 11.2 inches and weighs 24 pounds. It has three cutting blades with a combined cutting width of 7.1 inches. The mower's 5.1-amp-hour battery takes about 120 minutes to charge at its docking station fully and can mow for up to two hours at a maximum speed of 1.6 feet per second. Creating the boundary areas will go faster if you have good virtual joystick skills — which, sadly, I do not. Robot lawn mowers set up and operate like robot vacuum cleaners. The significant difference is that the mower is connected to GPS satellites. When they run low on power, robot mowers automatically return to their docking station to recharge. After recharging, the Navimow i110 returns to where it stopped and resumes mowing, repeating the charging and mowing sequences until the job is done. Navimow i110: setting it up The key to setting up the Navimow robot lawn mower was an excellent smartphone app that walks you through the entire process via a Bluetooth connection with the mower. As mentioned above, I was concerned about where to position the docking station and the satellite antenna. Both components need clear access to open sky to detect satellites and can't be closer than six feet to buildings or trees. I planned to test the Navimow i110 in our back and side yards, with many pine and oak trees. I had plenty of doubts, but with the help of the app, finding the necessary satellites was not a problem. The app also guides you through connecting to your home Wi-Fi. There are three connections to set up: Bluetooth, GPS satellites, and Wi-Fi. If you are in an area where satellite connections are particularly difficult, you can also purchase an Access+ 4G option for the Navimow i110, which aids position navigation and adds clever security features—more on those below. Segway sent the Access+ option so I could check out the security features, but I didn't use it for the initial setup, mapping, or navigation with the i110 because it wasn't necessary. Navimow i110: navigation If you have a robot vacuum cleaner, you can let it roam around the house without setting up specific zones, but you don't want to do that with a robot lawn mower because it would undoubtedly end up in the street, a neighbor's yard, or just gone. With robot mowers, you create boundaries with virtually enclosed areas where the robot will mow the grass. You don't have to bury wires as with electric dog fencing (and some earlier robot mowers). You create maps with the Navimow i110 using a joystick-like feature in the Navimow app to direct the mower around the boundaries of the area you want mowed. I found it very easy to create the maps, mainly because the Navimow app does most of the work. Creating the boundary areas will go faster if you have good virtual joystick skills — which, sadly, I do not. Once you create mapped areas for the robot to mow, the next step is to identify any areas you don't want it to mow, such as landscaped areas o flower gardens. The Navimow i110 detects more than 150 object classes to avoid, such as pets and children. If you have an unfenced flower garden, for example, you'll want to create boundary around it as a no-mow zone. This again is a simple process and good joystick skills help. While creating mapped areas to mow and not mow, the Navimow app can also help you create channels, or pathways, to connect mapped areas to control where the robot will enter and exit when moving between areas. Navimow i110: operation The Navimow i110 has a round dial on the top of the mower to select the cutting height from 2.0 to 3.6 inches manually. Typically, you would start mowing with the device fully charged and sitting on the docking station. You can start one-time mowing by selecting Mow from the app's opening screen and then choosing one of the defined mowing areas you set up previously. If the mower and antenna can detect sufficient satellites for navigation, the app's Mow Now button darkens and is ready to be tapped. The robotic lawn mower moves slowly at first, learning the specifics of the area. I didn't time mowing jobs in the two areas where I used this model, but it was obvious that it finished the mowing jobs faster with more practice in a specific area. The mower changes mowing patterns and learns as it goes. One of the mapped areas in our yard has moderately thick tree roots on the surface in small sections. It was interesting to watch the mower work around those minor obstacles. It certainly appears to be learning and usually moves through such sections much more easily in subsequent mowing sessions. For example, the first time the i110 mowed our fenced lawn area, it had to go back to the docking station to recharge twice. By the fourth time, the Navimow was able to complete the mowing without needing to recharge even once. Once you are comfortable with the Navimow's operations, you may want to take advantage of its smart home compatibility. You can use Alexa or Google Home Assistant to control the Navimow's basic functions with voice commands. Navimow i110: smart features If you want to take advantage of the Navimow's systematic mowing capabilities, you can combine and schedule multiple zones by selecting from previously mapped areas using the Navimow app. The device checks the weather forecast online every 10 minutes and, depending on your preferred settings, can adapt the schedule when it detects rain, snow, hot weather, frost, or strong winds. You can also choose whether the Navimow will mow the lawn at night. If you install the $149 Access+ 4G option for the i110, you also gain smart security features, including a mower-lifted alarm with owner notifications, geofencing to define geographic boundaries, and a Find My Mower feature that uses GPS satellites to precisely locate the mower anywhere in the world. Navimow i110: upkeep and maintenance The Navimow series robotic lawn mowers are IP66-rated dustproof and waterproof, simplifying maintenance and cleaning. The mower ships with extra cutting blades and bolts for periodic replacement. Navimow recommends replacing the blades after 80 hours of use. Replacement blades, including replacement bolts, are sold in sets of 12 for $20. There is no required maintenance besides keeping the mower clean and replacing blades. Navimow includes information for winter storage and spring startup procedures, which basically comprise charging to 85% and packing and storing the mower safely. Our take Segway's Navinow i100 series is an unqualified winner for smaller lawns. The average lawn in the U.S is a bit under 0.25 acre, which is the right size for the Navimow i110. The Navimow i105 is rated for lawns up to 0.125 acre, which makes it right for many lawns in urban areas, which tend to be smaller. The Navimow i105 lists for $999, and the i110 sells for $1,299. Other robotic lawn mowers rated for up to 1/4 acre cost less than the Navimow i110, such as the $999.99 Greenworks Optimow 25H High Cut Robotic Lawn Mower. Still, the Optimow requires burying boundary wires, and the Navimow i110 is wire-free.
The Verge
08-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Verge
I put four robot lawnmowers through a brutal backyard battle — and only one person got injured
It's a scorching afternoon in August 2024, with temps hovering at 101 degrees. I'm flat on my back, sweating under a 1970s Land Rover, trying to rescue a Segway Navimow. It turns out that the first rule of using a robot lawnmower is 'don't let anyone park on your lawn.' Robot lawnmowers have been around for several decades, and with them the heady promise of spending the summer with your feet up, sipping a nice tall glass of something, while a robot mows your lawn. But it's only in the past couple of years that they've become almost smart enough and cheap enough for me to try out. In all but a few scenarios, robot lawnmowers still aren't worth your money New navigation tech means you probably won't need to dig a trench around your lawn to lay guide wires (except, it turns out, in my yard), and while you can still spend $6,000 on a mower, you can now find one for under $1,000. However, after three months of running four bots around my property, my advice is that — in all but a few scenarios — robot lawnmowers still aren't worth your money. If you have the right conditions and an endless supply of patience, a robot lawnmower might work for you. But if you are expecting a plug-and-play solution or if, like me, you have a lot of tree cover, hardy grass, sandy soil, and friends and family who like to park on your lawn, then you'll want to wait for these automowers to get a lot smarter. The good news is that there are new and improved robot lawnmowers arriving this spring that claim to solve some of these issues. In the meantime, here's a rundown of what you need to know about robot lawnmowers before buying one. Then, read on for a look at which bot triumphed when I pitted the Navimo Segway i110, Mammotion Luba 2 AWD, Dreame A1, and Husqavarna Automower 430X head-to-head. 1. Robot lawnmowers don't cut your lawn … … they shave it. Robot lawnmowers use several small razor blades to cut a set amount of the grass each run (generally between 1 and 3 mm). This means they need to run every day for multiple hours, sometimes twice a day, to keep your lawn trim. The Dreame A1, for example, takes about 24 hours to cut a quarter-acre lawn. (Most brands offer several sizes of mowers, going up in price based on how big a yard they can tackle.) While in theory, taking all day to cut your yard shouldn't be a problem — these mowers are battery-powered and, like robot vacuums, can return to their charging docks to power up when needed — the issue I had was getting them to finish their job. In my testing, too much sand, a big twig, or an errantly parked car meant that about 60 percent of the time they got stuck and just sat outside in the sun to die. Most weeks, I spent more time rescuing mowers than it would have taken to mow the lawn myself. You also need to start with a mowed lawn (in the same way you need to start with a clean house for a robot vacuum to work well). The good news is that two of the mowers I tested (the Dreame and Mammotion) produced the perfect professional lawn stripe that will make your neighbors envious. 2. You might need to put an antenna in your yard Two of the robots I tested used a geo-positioning technology called Real Time Kinematic (RTK), which in combination with a camera and GPS, lets them navigate without guide wires. In theory, this should make for a much easier setup; rather than dig a trench for hundreds of feet of wire, you just need to stick an antenna somewhere in your yard. However, finding the perfect spot that is close enough to a power outlet and has a clear view of the sky was a serious struggle in my yard, which is largely covered by giant oak trees. If you have a treeless yard, you should be fine. However, I spent hours positioning and repositioning RTK stations around my property, trying to find a spot that would let the Navimow and Mammotion navigate my backyard. Spoiler alert: I failed. 3. You'll have to babysit them I was not prepared for how much setup and ongoing attention these bots needed. In addition to a fair amount of assembly and hunting around my yard for power outlets and clear views of the sky, I had to physically draw a map for each bot. I spent more time rescuing mowers than it would have taken to mow the lawn myself In most cases, this meant driving them around the perimeter like an RC car, using my phone as a remote (okay, that part could have been kind of fun, but not in 90-degree heat). I was surprised that, unlike robot vacuums, they can't autonomously create a map of your yard. I also had to manually create any keep-out zones. Once set up, I constantly had to go and rescue them. You can't expect to go away for a week and return to a perfectly mowed lawn. (You'll also have to leave your gate open if you want to mow the front and back yard.) 4. Connectivity matters Robot lawnmowers are about a decade behind robot vacuums when it comes to user experience, thanks to poor connectivity options and generally crappy apps. Most people don't have strong Wi-Fi in their gardens, and while the robots don't need Wi-Fi to run, without it, they can't connect to a smart home system or voice assistant, and you'll have to get into Bluetooth range to change the mowing schedule or start or stop the robot through the app. Several models offer 4G connectivity, which also enables theft prevention features. However, this may cost extra; Dreame's 4G module is $229, and Segway charges $32.90 a year for connectivity on its Navimo mowers. 5. Obstacle navigation is a work in progress Just as most robot vacuums five years ago regularly got tripped up on stray socks or cables, robot lawnmowers today need a smooth lawn and a clear path to complete their job. While some can navigate around larger objects, like soccer balls or wading pools easily, smaller objects like twigs, stray dog bones, and toys will stop most of them in their tracks. And, while this may not be a problem for you — if, like most Americans, you don't park on your lawn — they will drive right under your car. Hills and uneven ground can also trip them up. In general, most bots can handle inclines from 30 to 45 percent (up to 24 degrees). If you have steeper areas or sandy soil, you'll need to look at a bot with all-wheel drive and the capability to tackle sheerer slopes. The Mammotion has the highest slope limit of those I tested, at 80 percent (38.6 degrees). However, the area I live in is called the Lowcountry for a reason; I had no hills nearby to test this on and plenty of sandy soil that every bot got stuck in. 6. Everyone will stare Robots attract attention. I met more neighbors in my three months testing lawnmowers than in the 10 years I've lived on this street. Everyone who walked past and saw one working wanted to ask about it. Since they run all the time, that was a lot of people. Even my usually all-business UPS driver had several questions ('Is it just mapping your yard? It doesn't look like it's cutting anything.'). On this point, theft is obviously a concern, especially in a front yard if you don't have a fence. Most mowers require you to enter a numerical PIN on the screen to use it after it's been picked up, in theory rendering it useless to thieves. Some also sound a loud alarm, and most have GPS tracking, so you can follow your mower if someone nabs it, although you may need to pay extra for the cellular service required to do so once it leaves your Wi-Fi. 7. Do not put a robot lawnmower on your lap This is obvious, but needs to be stated. These mowers have blades — small ones, but blades nonetheless. At least two of the mowers I tested required a fair amount of assembly. My husband, who is much handier with a screwdriver than I am, was game to help me with this. As he was fiddling with a tricky part, he picked up the bot and put it on his lap to get a better purchase, which proceeded to shave his skin fairly badly. The moral of the story is that, while a robot lawnmower isn't going to chop your foot off if it somehow runs over it (which is unlikely as they all have built in safety features that stop the blades as soon as they encounter an obstacle), it can do decent damage to anything that does somehow get in contact with those blades. Sadly, this was the beginning of the end of my husband's love affair with robot lawnmowers. He had been so excited by the prospect of a machine that would do his biggest chore for him, but after three months of frustrations and failures, not to mention permanent scars, he was totally over them. The Battle From August through October of 2024, I tested three new automatic mowers against a staple in the space, the Husqvarna 430x, which is its third generation and was launched in 2016. I ran these in my flat, three-quarter-acre, coastal South Carolina yard, with sandy soil, centipede grass, ample oak trees, and multiple hurricanes. Bear in mind, this isn't a traditional review or buying guide; it's a gauntlet. Each bot is judged by how well it worked in my yard, which, admittedly, is challenging. The following reviews focus on what impressed me (and annoyed me) about each bot, and what caused them to be eliminated until I (sort of) crowned a winner. Software matters Navigation: 3D vision and RTK antenna (wire-free) / Yard siz e: 1.25 acres / Cutting height: 2.2' to 4' cut height, 15.7' cutting width, 80 % slope / Theft features: The Luba 2 I tested was a seriously impressive, seriously expensive machine, with really bad software. The good news is that Mammotion has since released an upgraded version (linked to above) that's cheaper and, according to the company, has better mapping and more reliable navigation. I really hope that's the case, because when this beast actually mowed, it did an amazing job, creating perfect lines that made the lawn look like a professional landscaper had cared for it all summer. Its huge wheels and big body could tackle almost any terrain, and its obstacle recognition tech was superb; it also had the range to manage my entire backyard. But it's the first to be eliminated in this battle because, on the model I tested, the combination of an unusable app, complicated software, spotty GPS, and an almost constant need for updates meant it was nearly impossible to get it to run reliably and autonomously. Also, those perfect lines that it created? Those were in my neighbor's yard. Because my ample tree coverage blocked its view of the sky, the Luba couldn't create a complete map of my yard, which meant it wouldn't mow. After weeks of trying to get it to work, I had to give up and ask my neighbors, who have fewer trees than I do, if I could mow their lawn for a week. In their smaller, more open front yard, the Luba was able to create a map on the first try. However, even with a map and its RTK antenna in a position the app deemed acceptable, the Luba required nonstop attention. I had to visit it multiple times a day for everything from software updates, docking help, or reconnecting its RTK station to the app — which, despite a Wi-Fi connection, only worked when I was standing right next to the mower. I got so many mosquito bites from these trips that I nicknamed it the Mosquito Mower. Sadly, after its first few runs, which created some lovely lawn stripes, the Luba began to stop a few feet away from its base and just go round in a circle. This created a huge sand pit, which it repeatedly got stuck in. At this point, my neighbors asked if I would please take it away. Eliminated. As mentioned, the company announced an upgraded version of the Luba 2 at CES this year, which is available now. Mammotion says it has improved navigation, even under trees, can automatically map your yard, and it's about $1,000 cheaper. It also comes with a built-in 4G module and a year of cellular service; I plan to test it soon. Reliability isn't everything Navigation: Guide wire / Yard size: 0.8 acres / Cutting height: 0.8 to 2.4 inches / Cutting width: 9.45 inches, 45 % slope / Theft features: Lift alarm, PIN code, GPS anti-theft / Weatherproofing: IPX4 / Connectivity: BLE, built-in 4G (free for 10 years) / Weight: 28.7 lbs / Price of unit reviewed: $2,499.99 One of the original automowers from a Swedish company with a long history in lawn care, the Husqvarna 430X is a reliable workhorse with a dialed-in app experience and basic features. It ran on time every time, navigated my tricky terrain smoothly, almost always making it back to the base, and it cut the grass very well. But its guide wire required digging a trench around the perimeter of my lawn, and its lack of obstacle detection meant it kept getting stuck under cars. While Husqvarna has a line of wire-free RTK-enabled robots that use its Exact Positioning Operating System (EPOS), and include Wi-Fi connectivity and obstacle detection, those models, the 450X and 450XH EPOS, cost nearly $6,000 and require professional installation. Husqvarna also advised that my trees might cause issues if I tested one of these, and said the 430X, which uses a boundary wire, would be best for my setup. Outside of the lawn parking, they were right. I installed the 430X in my front yard because the back yard is huge, and that was just too much wire. While digging a trench for the wire was hard work (says my husband), it was one of the simplest setup processes we went through — if not the fastest; wires don't complain about where you put them. We ran the wire all around the lawn, which, while it made sense at the time, turned out to have been a bad idea. In our neck of the woods, people park on your lawn. When we had plumbing work done, the mower — which has bump sensors but no ability to see obstacles — wedged itself under the wheel well of the plumber's van. When the plumber left, the mower got squished. Unfortunately, it's not easy to redo the wiring, and there's no option to set virtual keep-out zones on the 430X for temporary objects in your yard — like parked cars or paddling pools. If you have a wide-open lawn with no delicate obstacles, the 430X is a good choice, but it's just not smart enough for my yard. So, somewhat reluctantly, it was eliminated. Husqvarna's new Automower iQ series, which features obstacle detection, RTK navigation, and starts at a more reasonable $3,000, is coming this Spring. I've got more details on this below, and I plan to test it soon. Smarter but not better Segway Navimow i110N $1299 $1299 at Amazon $1299 at Lowes Navigation: RTK antenna and vision navigation (wire-free) / Yard size: 0.25 acres / Cutting height: 2 to 3.6 inches / Cutting width: 7.1 inches, 30 % slope / Theft features: Lift alarm, PIN code, GPS anti-theft (with 4G module) / Weatherproofing: IP66 / Connectivity: Wi-Fi, BLE, Built-in 4G ($32.90 a year) / Weight: 24 lbs / Works with: Alexa and Google. Price of unit reviewed: $1,299 The Navimo is the cutest robot mower of the pack and also the cheapest by a wide margin. Despite a more plasticky build, it was sturdy enough to survive a run-in with a (stationary) Land Rover, and it moved very smoothly, navigating around obstacles nimbly (when it sees them). The Navimow's best feature is its app. It's the easiest to use of all the mowers I tested, had the most features, and worked the most reliably, although, as with most of the others, it had frequent connectivity issues. It allowed me to schedule mowing in multiple zones and create virtual paths so the mower could move between the back yard and the front yard — no, it can't open a gate. The Navimow's random bump-and-roll style of mowing left several spots untouched However, it kept complaining that I must have moved its RTK station, which I hadn't. This is presumably a symptom of the tricky GPS coverage in my yard. And I had to install it in my front yard, as it couldn't find any area in my back yard where it could get a signal. (Unlike the Mammotion, where placement was trial and error, the Navimow can recommend the best spot to place the RTK antenna.) The Navimow ran reliably and rarely got stuck in the sand or on twigs. However, running in my front yard, it had less of those to deal with than those that ran in the back. The mower uses a 'vision-enhanced RTK GPS,' meaning it has a camera to navigate within its boundary if its GPS signal is weak. But it refused to go past the keep-out zone I placed around my large oak tree, to the grass on the other side, and its random bump-and-roll style of mowing left several spots untouched. Photo by Jennifer Pattison Tuohy / The Verge Photo by Jennifer Pattison Tuohy / The Verge The camera also allows for obstacle recognition, which was fairly effective, as long as the obstacle was directly in front of it. It didn't detect the underside of a car and wedged itself stuck under my husband's 1970s Land Rover multiple times. It also doesn't have a rain sensor, which is a big issue in a South Carolina summer, with frequent and fierce storms. Instead, it relies on Wi-Fi-fed weather data to determine if it needs to stop mowing. In my testing, this was not accurate — it kept running during several major rainstorms. This, combined with it not being able to reach my entire yard, means it was eliminated. Segway launched a new mower series this spring. The Navimow X3 series starts at $2,299 and goes up to $4,999 for the X390, which can mow 2.5 acres. I plan to test this soon. Simple and sleek, but not a beach bot Dreame Roboticmower A1 $200015% off $1700 $1700 at Dreame Navigation: 3D lidar (wire free / no antenna) / Yard size: 0.5 acres / Cutting height: 3 to 7 cm / Cutting width: 22 cm / Slope: 45 % / Theft features: Lift alarm, PIN code, GPS anti-theft (with 4G module) / Weatherproofing: IPX6, 50 to 95-degree operating temp / Connectivity: Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz), BLE, 4G (with $229 module) / Weight: 26 lbs / Works with: Alexa and Google. Price of unit reviewed: $2,500 The Dreame A1 is the default winner here because it actually worked in my tree-covered back yard and didn't require installing a pain-in-the-ass RTK antenna or laying boundary wire. Instead, like Dreame's robot vacuums, this lawnmower uses lidar navigation. But the Dreame is far from perfect. Its little plastic tires struggled in the sandy areas of my yard, and while it largely blew through leaves and branches following hurricanes, it would invariably end up stuck in a sand pit in a corner of the yard or get a twig wedged in its wheel well, and I'd have to lug it back to the base station. It's not light. The Dreame is one of only two bots I tested (the Mammotion being the other) that can create those perfect lawn lines — because it uses a programmed U-shape approach to mowing, as opposed to the bump-and-roll method. Its 3D obstacle recognition is very good, and it nimbly dodged pets, lawn furniture, and large twigs. But small twigs and sand regularly derailed it. I didn't test this in the front yard, however, so I can't comment on how it deals with cars. After finding it beached in the yard with a twig stuck in its wheel for the gazillionth time, we fired up the riding lawnmower Its built-in rain sensor means it reliably took itself home when it rained and started up again when the rain stopped. The Dreame app is slightly more polished than some others, as it uses the same one as its robot vacuums. But it's still not a great experience; there's a lot of waiting around for something or other to download every time you open the app. The app lets you adjust the cutting height and mowing angle, which gets you those perfect stripes, and allows you to set different cutting heights for each zone. It also enables scheduling, editing the map, starting or stopping the robot remotely, and even spot and edge mowing. However, after finding it beached in the yard with a twig stuck in its wheel or buried in sand for the gazillionth time, it went back in the box, and we fired up the riding lawnmower. It should get better — even with trees Since I started testing mowers last summer, most of the companies featured in this article, along with several others, have announced new models that are available now or will be shortly. Many of these address a lot of the issues I had, including bringing more reliable navigation, automatic mapping, and better maneuverability over sandy soil and thicker grass. Here's a brief look at what's coming next. The grass is growing again, so I'll be testing these this summer. Husqvarna's new line, the iQ Series, which is available for preorder starting at $3,000, is the first one the company has built that's 'truly designed, engineered, and tested for North American lawns,' according to Husqvarna's robotics lead, Scott Porteous. It's a big performance and technology update, he says, built to tackle all the problems I had — rough terrain, sandy soil, thick grass, and obstacles. The mowers have larger wheels, a higher chassis to aid navigation on slopes and around obstacles and paths, and they can handle inclines up to 70 percent. The iQ series uses Husqvarna's EPOS RTK technology and can also work with wires — meaning I could wire up the areas of my yard that are under tree cover and have the freedom of GPS navigation everywhere else. Image: Husqvarna Another robot vacuum company, Ecovacs, has a new automower, the GOAT 3000 (great name). This $3,000 robot doesn't use wire or RTK positioning; instead, it navigates with lidar, like the Dreame A1. It also features front-facing and fish-eye cameras and can autonomously map your yard. Like Ecovacs' robot vacuums, it has AI-powered obstacle detection, and it also boasts fast charging, claiming 15% to 80% in just 45 minutes, which should help it get around your yard faster. Eufy's first automower, the Eufy Robot Lawn Mower E15 and E18 (starting at $1,799.99) claims to work with no boundary wire or RTK station required, instead using full self-driving technology, including visual recognition, AI algorithms, and 3D sensors to avoid obstacles, and identify lawn edges and paths. The company also says it can automatically map your yard for you. Its onboard camera can also be accessed remotely, essentially serving as a roaming outdoor security camera. Segway's new Navimow X3 series, starting at $2,299, claims to be faster than the competition, capable of mowing one and a quarter acres in 24 hours (the Dreame A1 can only do a quarter acre in that time). The company says it uses a more advanced navigation system that combines RTK, vSLAM (visual simultaneous localization and mapping), and Visual Inertial Odometry technology (a combination of motion and vision tech). Onboard cameras give it a 300-degree field of view for obstacle avoidance, which should help it see car undercarriages. Photos by Jennifer Pattison Tuohy / The Verge 5 Comments5 New
