Best robot lawn mowers to make grass cutting easy-peasy

For complex or feature gardens, we recommend the Gardena Sileno Minimo 250. What we like about the Silena Minimo 250 is its ability to navigate tricky-shaped lawns and narrow passages. It will work in narrow areas of down to 60cm. Like the McCulloch robot mower, the Silena Minimo 250 has a control panel on the machine. However, this Gardena is mostly controlled by the app. There are a number of useful touches on this model that we like. One of these is the frost sensor that will pause any mowing set during near-freezing temperatures in order to protect the lawn. Granted, you don't send the mower out in the depths of winter but surprise frost does strike in spring.

Users' experience of setting up this robot lawn mower vary. Some found it easy, whilst others enlisted the help of a loved one. There are several Youtube tutorials that demonstrate how the Gardena SILENO Minimo 250 works.

Do note that this model is best suited to even ground, as a customer comments it struggles with slopes.

The Worx Landroid M500+ is a beast, weighing in at 16 kilos and being about 40cm in length and 56cm wide. There is a big range of Worx Landroid models, but this is our choice for convenience and a great app. You can set a PIN as a security measure. Connect the Landroid to your Wi-Fi router and measure the exact size of your lawn. The latter is done in the Landroid app using augmented reality, which is great fun. Like the Gardena model, the M500+ is mostly programmed via the app.

If you have rough terrain, this is the best robot lawn mower to deal with uneven ground as it has a self-levelling system.

Customers praise this model (some have even given it a pet name). But there are some niggles about how it stops when it encounters obstacles and can get trapped in divots. Overall, customers say their lawn looks much better maintained; just be prepared for the initial pain of getting it set up and working.

The Flymo EasiLife 350 is a solid competitor to the Gardena Silena. The EasiLife 350 has a slightly larger cutting area but packs very similar features. It's about the same size, has frost sensors, plus a great app. However, it has the ability to tackle steeper slopes (up to 35 per cent) and the aforementioned larger cutting area. It's also much more orange if that's what you prefer.

However, it cannot match the Gardena’s ability to slip down narrow passages. It is entirely circumstantial as to whether that is important for you or not.

This popular robot lawnmower has received over 1,640 reviews rating it 4.1 out of 5.

Customers say it can be used without the app, which might be preferable to some. It's also extremely quiet, which is beneficial if you or the neighbours have pets. The Flymo EasiLife is weatherproof so it can work in the rain, though it needs storing inside during the winter.

The Cobra Mowbot mower is actually capable of covering a larger area than even the Worx unit. In addition, it also has the greatest range of cutting heights. As such, it represents the best value. Like the others, it is largely app-controlled and easy to program. However, the charge time of about 100 minutes is longer than the others and the run time of 60 minutes is no better.

Importantly, it's been designed to withstand the changeable British weather. Whilst there are very few reviews of this model available, Modern Gardens did get our hands on the Cobra Mowbot 800, keep scrolling to find out more.

Handling lawns up to 1,500m2, this smart cookie from Segway uses GPS technology to define its cutting area, with no physical boundary wires. This robotic mower is controlled via an app, so mowing schedules can be set and altered remotely. With a maximum gradient of 45 per cent and a choice of seven cutting heights, it’ll cope with a wide range of lawn conditions.

The initial set up might take a bit of time, but with a virtual boundary in place, this mower will then mow in an organised pattern, creating a perfectly even lawn. Reviews say the battery life is very good, using less than 10 per cent to mow a small lawn.

Designed to cut lawns up to 500m2, this compact mower has a push pad with simple LED indicators and smartphone control. Thanks to built-in LawnSense tech, cutting schedules automatically adapt to weather and growing conditions. The 150m guide-wire allows you to set multiple starting points for mowing and optimised navigation prevents track marks. It's compatible with the EasiLife app which allows you to schedule mowing and monitor its status.

Once it's set up, customers like that they can leave this robot lawn mower to do its thing and they don't have to worry about collecting grass clippings because it mulches them. However, some comment that it is fiddly to set up and the lawn needs to be clear of debris, such as leaf fall, in order for it to work. On the plus side, this Flymo model is quiet and reliable.

This streamlined mower from Cobra is a winner with design lovers and is available in a choice of custom-finished shells, including glossy midnight black. App-controlled and using razor-sharp blades for an ultra-precise cut, it’s capable of clipping lawns up to 800m2 and comes with 200m of perimeter wire. While it will cope with 20 per cent slopes, it’s best suited to level lawns. At 66 decibels it’s not the quietest, but who wouldn’t want to draw attention to this chic creature?!

Our tester was impressed and said this is a great option for people who are unable to physically mow their lawns. Additionally, it replaces the need to have someone come and cut the grass for you, so it earns its money back over time.

Richard says it's slow but it does result in a consistently even lawn. But, it is best suited for flat ground. Set-up is time consuming, though not difficult. An app directs it and monitors the Mowbot's status.

Read our full review of the Cobra Mowbot.

Sophisticated sensors including front, rear and lawn-edge drop means that this mower has no need for boundary wires. The Ambrogio L60 Elite S+ can navigate the most efficient cutting route on a lawn up to 400m2, avoiding obstacles such as trees, planters or beds. Sensors beneath the mower detect when the mower is over level patios or paths too. Four-wheel drive provides plenty of traction, coping with slopes up to 50 per cent.

A customer comments that their Ambrogio coped well with tougher grass and a bumpy lawn. But bear in mind, there are only two cutting heights. So, if you're looking for a robust robot lawnmower, that's quiet and doesn't need a boundary wire, this is a top recommendation.

This top-tech design from Honda is Bluetooth compatible, operates off a Smart Timer that receives weather data, and – best of all – can be activated via Alexa. Working rain or shine, it will happily cut lawns up to 400m2 in 5m stripes and comes with 125m of boundary wire. The security features are pretty impressive too.

Making short work of larger lawns, this Honda model is praised in reviews for its intelligent app control and power. Additionally, this mower has three cutting heights: 30mm, 40mm and 50mm so it offers a better range of lawn finishes than most other robot mowers. Grass cuttings are mulched and put goodness back into the lawn. But like most robot lawn mowers, the Honda can be temperamental around obstacles, so be sure to move garden furniture to one side. Also, this is not the best mower for lawns that are on a gradient, anything more than 27 per cent and it won't cope well.

For a large and flat lawn, this weatherproof Honda performs well and beautifully maintains the grass.

In addition to easy-to-use cordless lawn mowers, Gtech have produced an innovative robot lawn mower. It's user-friendly and has three simple-to-select cutting modes. Two of the modes allow you to focus on a particular area of the lawn; either avoiding a problem area or focusing in Spot Mode. It has object detection sensors and if it begins to rain hard it will return to its base until conditions improve. There are safety and security features too.

Customers praise this model for being great value for money, easy to use and performs well. However, some comment that they would like it to be app-compatible.

There are video instructions and an instruction manual available via the product link.

Is it the 'greatest of all time'? With the ECOVACS GOAT G1-800, the cutting boundaries are planned in the app so there are no trip hazards in the garden and set-up is a lot easier. The key benefit is that you can set multiple lawns and define their shapes with Truemapping technology. The GOAT G1-800 recognises its location and it will avoid obstacles in its path. You can set specific cutting heights for particular lawns that grow faster than others. It cuts in a regular up-and-down path, and will automatically return to its docking station when it needs to recharge.

Customers praise the clear instructions and personalised support that make setting up easy. You can plan a weekly mowing schedule in the app.

Be aware that the garage is a separate purchase, but does provide security and protection from harsh weather.

For a budget robot lawn mower that doesn't require boundary wires, this is our recommendation. The LawnMaster VBRM16 OcuMow™ uses a grass recognition camera to stick to a lawn area, where it will mow in a random pattern for up to four hours. Be aware, it's suitable for lawns that have a hard border or flanked by gravel, otherwise, it will fall off soft and overgrown borders.

This Amazon's Choice recommended mower is praised by customers who say it's quiet, works well and eliminates the faff of disposing of grass clippings. Plus, you don't need an outdoor plug socket for recharging, as this model has a detachable battery that goes in a separate charger.

The LawnMaster is designed for small gardens and can deal with slopes up to 35 per cent.