Buying a robotic lawnmower is an expensive affair, which is why it should be carefully considered. What is important with the robot lawn mower? Which device is right for me? Our buying tips will help you decide.
Laying in the sun at the weekend while the lawn mows itself as if by magic. A really great idea. With the invention of the robotic lawnmower, however, it is no longer wishful thinking. Despite the still very high price, more and more robotic lawn mowers are finding their way into private gardens. No wonder when you consider that you no longer have to trek through the garden with the lawnmower yourself.
As usual in the world of technology, not every robotic lawnmower is the same. For example, there are big differences in the lawn area to be mowed. But more on that later. After a few sleepless nights and lots of pros and cons, my husband and I decided this year to allow a robotic lawnmower to enter our sacred garden realm. The choice was certainly not easy for us. Almost every lawnmower manufacturer has at least one robotic lawnmower, if not more. Finding the right one here wasn't that easy. However, the detailed robotic lawnmower comparison on vergleich.org was very helpful for us in making the decision. From a test carried out in 2015, the 5 best robotic lawnmowers were directly compared here. This saved us quite a bit of time because we didn't have to constantly jump back and forth between our individual favorites.
But before you even consider making a comparison, you should know what is important when buying a robotic lawnmower and which purchase criteria you need to consider.
» The 7 most important purchase criteria
1. Area performance
Probably the most important criterion when looking for a suitable robotic lawnmower is the area that the device has to cover. Each device is designed differently. A 1000 m² garden requires a different mower than a 200 m² garden.
For each device, you will find precise information about the maximum area capacity in the technical details. It should be said here, however, that in most cases the capacity is notis fully achieved. You are on the safe side if you calculate plus or minus 20 percent (source: vergleich.org). These fluctuations are simply due to the differences in lawn composition and of course the length of the grass.
» My tip: If you are in the border area of the area minus the 20 percent, it is better if you decide on the next larger model.
2. Condition of the garden area
Robotic lawn mowers are often advertised as being able to do their work on all surfaces. However, the robot can quickly reach its limits on properties with steep inclines or declines. Not every device is optimally designed for this. There are even models that are only made for flat surfaces. But the other way around, there are also robotic lawn mowers that can handle inclines and declines of up to 50 percent.
So make sure you pay attention to the information in the description when buying.
» Important note: Robot lawn mowers need their space while they "work". If you have installed many obstacles in your garden, you should reconsider the investment carefully. The same applies to children playing in the garden. During work, the device should be able to work freely on the area to be mowed. Many obstacles, pets and children would only delay and block the work unnecessarily.
3. Battery Technology
There are also some differences in the batteries. Most robotic lawnmowers have a lithium-ion battery. These are very light and recharge quickly.
But there are also other technologies that are mainly used in older models. Although these models are significantly cheaper to buy new, they cannot handle as many charging processes. So there comes a time when you need a new battery.
That's why it pays off in the long run to rely on new models with lithium-ion batteries. The purchase price is higher, but it will pay for itself over time.
We all know the sound of a good old petrol lawn mower. The volume really can't be overheard. Robotic lawn mowers do their job much more quietly. Whereby there are serious differences between the individual models.
If you intend to let your robot lawn mower zip across the lawn at night, provided the neighborhood allows it, then you should definitely use quiet devices. You can find this in most product descriptionsalso always the noise data. These are given in decibels. At the Federal Ministry at bmub.bund.de you will find a clear table with decibel information and their comparable type of noise in everyday life. This makes the comparison much easier.
5. Service
A very crucial point is also the operation of the hard-working helpers. In general, they all work in a simple and understandable way. Depending on the version, different mowing programs can be set on the devices. This is done on a built-in display. Devices from the higher price segment even have a touchpad.
Most devices cover their area using a boundary wire. The mowing area must be marked out in advance with these cables so that the robot knows - up to here and no further. You can also use these cables to mark out areas that the robot lawn mower should not drive over.
In this video guide you can find out in advance how the cables have to be laid and what needs to be considered.
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But there are already some devices that work without laying the boundary wire. Some of them drive the route using surface recognition. Here the robot has special sensors for grass detection.
6. SecurityA very important aspect in the purchase decision should also be the issue of security. Make sure that your desired device is equipped with security sensors. These are used, for example, when the robotic lawnmower is lifted. The mower must automatically stop mowing immediately so as not to injure anyone.
» My tip:
Some insurers take the robotic lawnmower with them on their household contents insurance. But that is by no means the case for everyone. It is best to inquire with your insurance company in advance.
An anti-theft device is also highly recommended. Just recently, an acquaintance told me that her robotic lawnmower was stolen in the front yard. Something like that is very annoying, because honestly, if you're so "spoiled" and don't have to mow your lawn yourself anymore, you want a new one as soon as possible. But the devices also cost a lot of money, which not everyone just has under their pillow. In the newer models today, however, anti-theft protection is integrated, often with a PIN codeworks.
Even newer models can even tell the owner the exact location via SMS or GPS. A positive security feature, but this also has an impact on the price.
7. Accessories
The topic of accessories is not necessarily the decisive factor in the decision, but it is advisable to take a look at the necessary accessories in advance. What good is a cheap model if the worn or defective spare parts eat up your budget.
So take a look in advance at how expensive a replacement battery, charger or a new knife costs. So you definitely know in advance what you might have to invest sooner or later.