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Reviewed / Sam Gardner
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Credit:
Reviewed / Sam Gardner
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This robot lawn mower devours grass with two disc-blade cutters, all while being able to drive inclines and declines with ease. Read More
Eufy E18 is an amazing companion for any homeowner who has little time for yard work. It avoids obstacles and cuts well, despite occasional patchiness. Read More
This robot lawn mower is one of the few to use treads instead of wheels, and accordingly, it's a monster on all types of terrain. Best for big yards. Read More
Perfect for complex, midsize lawns, LUBA mini won't leave you disappointed, especially with a wide range of cutting type and excellent app. Read More
The Segway Navimow is a comparatively affordable alternative for those whose lawncare needs and/or budget may be limited. Read More
Ecovacs Goat A3000 Lidar Robot Lawn Mower
Eufy E18 Robot Lawn Mower
Lymow One Robotic Lawn Mower
Mammotion LUBA mini AWD (H Version)
Segway Navimow i105N Robot Lawn Mower
Other Robot Lawn Mowers We Tested
Robot Lawn Mowers At A Glance
Is a Robot Lawn Mower Right for Your Yard?
How Robot Lawn Mowers Navigate Your Yard
What to Check Before Buying a Robot Lawn Mower
What It’s Like to Own a Robot Lawn Mower
Which Robot Lawn Mower Should You Buy?
How Much Should You Spend on a Robot Lawn Mower?
How We Test Robot Lawn Mowers
More Articles You Might Enjoy
Robot lawn mowers promise hands-free lawn care, but they aren’t a good fit for every yard. These machines work best on lawns with clear boundaries, manageable slopes, and owners willing to invest time in setup.
In this guide, we tested the best robot lawn mowers to see which models actually deliver consistent, reliable mowing—and which are worth skipping depending on your yard size, layout, and budget. If your lawn meets the basic requirements, a robot mower can save hours of weekly work. If it doesn’t, even the most expensive model may disappoint.
We first saw the Ecovacs Goat A3000 Lidar Robot Lawn Mower at CES in 2025, and our minds were officially blown. It was the biggest (non-commercial) robot lawn mower we'd seen to date, and it was moving around the show floor, ready to eat up some grass, however unlikely in Las Vegas. Once the A3000 hit the market in the early summer, we brought it home to test out on a real lawn—one that's .75 acres, gently hilly, and split by a retaining wall. Would the Goat rise to the challenge?
After mowing with it over the course of a month, it absolutely has kept things looking neat. For navigation, it utilizes both an AI camera and a top-oriented 360-degree LiDAR, creating maps that become increasingly detailed with each subsequent run. During setup, you will have to remotely control the robot and walk it around the perimeter of your yard to create a boundary.
Then, let it run. You can send the A3000 from the Ecovacs app on your phone whenever you want, or you can create a schedule to have it clip grass, say, every Friday morning. You can also select between Auto, Area, Edge, Manual, and Enhanced programs. For example, Auto has the bot mow your entire yard, whereas area allows you to divide your map and mow one or multiple smaller sections.
It mows quickly and charges quickly, covering about 1,000 square feet in about 45 minutes. There are numerous settings you can control, including mowing direction (it mows on the bias by default) and cutting height. Additionally, it features a rain sensor that can be activated, which will automatically return the mower to the charging station when rain is detected.
If we had a complaint—and we do—it's that the A3000 doesn't come with a roof on its charging station, although one can be purchased separately. With so much delicate technology, including that LiDAR on top, we think it warrants protection for the asking price.
Otherwise, the Ecovacs A300 is by far the best robot lawn mower we've tested to date, and it won our Best of Year award in 2025.
Uses both LiDAR and camera technology for navigation
Handles slopes well
Great at edging
Only one cutting height
Setting up the Eufy E18 robot lawn mower is incredibly easy. You take it out of the box, download the Eufy app, find a spot in your yard (near an electrical outlet) for the base, and then secure it in place with a hammer. Next, walk through the process of connecting it to your Wi-Fi. After that, you send it out on an initial run, and it does all your yard mapping for you, thanks to its semantic AI camera and stereo 3D cameras, which "ensures stable navigation through pure vision FSD technology with high-precision cameras and intelligent algorithms." No need for wires, GPS, or GNSS. It will even operate if it travels past the range of your home Wi-Fi.
Eufy’s product specs state that the E18 can auto-map up to 1/3 acre, but we managed to cover close to 3/4 acre with minimal issues.
Obstacle avoidance, one of the biggest challenges for robot lawn mowers—and their older counterparts, robot vacuums—has been problematic in the past, but is becoming more refined as time passes. The Eufy E18 has little trouble. It occasionally got stuck in ruts on the boundary between the lawn and wooded area, as well as where the lawn met a retaining wall. However, it was either able to back itself out, or we would have to move it manually. It occurred so infrequently over the month of testing that it was hardly a nuisance. You can also set boundaries and “no-go” zones on the map in the app, preventing the robot mower from getting stuck in the same area repeatedly.
The actual mowing of the grass was uneven during testing—literally. During some outings, the mower worked its way across the lawn in orderly rows, clipping grass evenly. This was especially true when we had a long, straight stretch of lawn. However, when the mower had to tackle less boxy areas, such as a crescent-shaped portion of the front yard with a circular mound for a lamppost, it got confused and created some interesting patterns on the grass. Ultimately, it accomplishes most of the mapped area during each run, but it occasionally leaves lines of longer grass tufts or random patches.
Eufy's app makes using the Eufy E18 robot lawn mower easy. It creates a map of your yard, which you can then insert no-go zones and boundaries.
For optimal, even coverage, we found it most beneficial to schedule the robot lawn mower to run every 2-3 days.
Speaking of scheduling, this is one of the many convenient functions that the Eufy app allows you to perform. You can also break your lawn map into different zones and have the mower tackle some or all of them at a time. Through the app, you can control the mower from anywhere in the world (like we did from South Korea, while the mower was in Massachusetts). The only problem we encountered with the app was creating a Must-Go zone across a piece of lawn that the mower didn’t initially map. For some reason, the E18 wouldn't go there.
When all is said and done, the Eufy E18 is a fantastic companion for any homeowner who has little time for yard work. Will you need to break out a real mower from time to time? Yes, for complete grooming. But in the meantime, the Eufy E18 will keep your yard looking sharp while you enjoy a margarita on the patio.
Easy to set up
Hand's off to use
Very good app
Easy to set no-go zones
Great obstacle avoidance
Occasionally gets stuck at landscape edges
Cutting can be patchy
The best robot lawn mower for the money is the Segway Navimow.
Set it and forget it
Easy setup
Precision plant awareness
Expensive with long-term commitment
Limited manual control for user
Can't handle needy yards
Nighttime cutting ability
Advanced AI
Difficulty with connecting yards
Use the table below to see how the top robot lawn mowers compare based on lawn size, navigation system, slope handling, and ideal use case.
| Model | Max Yard Size | Navigation Technology | Boundary Requirement | Best For | Price Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ecovacs Goat A3000 Lidar Robot Lawn Mower | ~0.75 acres | Lidar & camera mapping | None (app-guided boundary) | Best overall performance | $$$$ |
| Eufy E18 Robot Lawn Mower | ~0.75 acres | AI camera-based | None (app mapping) | Easiest setup & use | $$$ |
| Lymow One Robotic Lawn Mower | Up to ~15 acres | RTK & VSLAM & AI navigation | None required | Large or uneven yards | $$$$ |
| Mammotion LUBA mini AWD (H Version) | Mid-size lawns | Triple navigation & AWD traction | None | Complex/multi-zone yards | $$$$ |
| Segway Navimow i105N | Smaller lawns | RTK/AI vision | None | Best value robot mower | $$$ |
Price key: $$ = Budget-friendly; $$$ = Midrange; $$$$ = Premium
The best robot lawn mowers, like our No. 1 pick, can execute custom mowing patterns, like the stripes seen here.
Before choosing a robot lawn mower, it’s important to understand whether your yard meets the basic requirements. These mowers are far more sensitive to conditions than traditional walk-behind models.
Robot lawn mowers work best if:
They may not be ideal for:
A good robot lawn mower can ultimately save you countless hours of manual labor—exciting prospects for any busy homeowner or renter, particularly during the summer months. Still, there are several factors to consider before you dive unquestioningly into the world of autonomous lawn care.
Robot lawn mowers use one of three navigation systems, and the difference matters more than brand or price.
Boundary-wire robot lawn mowers use a physical wire installed around the edge of your lawn to define where the mower can and can’t go.
Pros: Once installed, boundary wires are extremely reliable. The mower always knows exactly where it’s allowed to operate, which makes this system well-suited for irregularly shaped yards or lawns with clear edges. Boundary-wire models are also generally more affordable than wire-free alternatives and tend to perform consistently regardless of lighting or satellite conditions.
Cons: The biggest drawback is setup. Installing a boundary wire can take several hours, especially for larger yards, and adjustments require physically moving the wire. Over time, wires can also be damaged by edging tools, pets, or yard work, which means occasional troubleshooting is part of ownership.
Camera-based robot lawn mowers rely on visual sensors to detect grass boundaries and obstacles.
Pros: These models avoid the hassle of installing a boundary wire, making setup faster and less invasive. They can work well on clearly defined lawns and are often easier to reposition or reconfigure if your yard layout changes.
Cons: Performance can vary depending on lighting conditions, grass definition, and lawn contrast. Shadows, uneven edges, or seasonal changes can confuse camera systems, making them less predictable than wired or RTK-based options for complex yards.
RTK (Real-Time Kinematic) navigation uses satellite positioning and a reference station to create virtual boundaries.
Pros: RTK-based mowers offer the most flexibility and the cleanest installation. There’s no wire to bury, and boundaries can often be adjusted digitally through an app. These systems work especially well for large, open lawns and tech-forward users who want minimal physical setup.
Cons: RTK models are the most expensive and require strong satellite and wireless signals. Trees, buildings, or inconsistent connectivity can affect accuracy, and setup still requires careful calibration.
Compatibility matters more here than almost any other outdoor category. The process of determining the best robot lawn mower for your yard should start with your interpretation of a landscape audit—a complete inventory of your outdoor space to ensure you find the mower that best meets your property’s needs.
Robot mowers are rated by square footage or acreage. Using one outside its limits can shorten battery life and reduce mowing consistency.
Check the maximum slope rating. Some models handle gentle hills, while others struggle beyond moderate inclines.
Multiple zones, narrow passages, and frequent obstacles increase setup complexity and may limit performance.
Most robot mowers handle common grasses well, but thicker or faster-growing varieties may require more frequent mowing cycles. The latter point is especially critical concerning fast-growing grass in the summer months. Broadly speaking, robot lawn mowers are not designed to cut long grass. Instead, these mowers follow the general approach that quantity will lead to quality, with the device running often enough on its own to keep your yard from ever becoming overgrown in the first place.
Robot lawn mowers aren’t “set it and forget it” devices.
Robot lawn mowers employ one of three methods to determine their path: physical boundaries, antenna positioning, or LiDAR—light detection and ranging, similar to what you’d find in a robot vacuum meant for indoor use.
Of these options, physical boundary wires offer the most peace of mind when the robot is out cutting grass unattended. However, installing an electromagnetic boundary wire and guide wire can be a laborious undertaking on the front end, and overall, this style of robot is notably less sophisticated than those that allow truly wireless mowing.
Further, we found RTK antennas to be the more effective “wireless” option we tested. The GPS-based system connects via a beacon at the end of a stake driven into the ground. It typically offers a reliable connection back to the charging station, which gave us confidence that the robot lawn mower wouldn’t be leaving the property, even if advanced tasks like returning to the charging station took some time to master.
It’s also essential to adhere to the setup guidelines (and warnings) that come with any robot lawn mower. Many will offer best practices for placing the charging station or other components, ensuring a strong connection and an efficient return to the base.
Robot lawn mowers require some assistance in cleaning up after a job well done to ensure the next cut is just as good as the last. The maintenance isn't that different from what you'd experience with a standard mower. Cleaning and regular blade replacement are among the most critical aspects. It's also worth noting that whereas a traditional walk-behind mower uses a single large, up to 2 feet, rotating blade, most—but not all, see Lymow—robot lawn mowers use several small blades, more akin to razor blades, that work in unison to achieve an even cut. Remove grass clippings and debris that can hinder its operation, and check and replace the blades periodically to maintain sharpness.
Different robot lawn mowers offer various levels of waterproofing to protect key components from moisture and rain, and all of the mowers we tested held up well amid the unpredictable summer weather. They even endured a surprise shower or two throughout testing and emerged on the other side no worse for wear.
However, even the most weather-tight products are ultimately not meant for full-time exposure to the elements. Most models need to be stored indoors during winter, especially in colder climates.
Robot lawn mowers come with security features to prevent theft.
Every robot lawn mower takes a slightly different approach to security, and it’s essential to understand the anti-theft technology included with each device before investing in a product that will undoubtedly draw attention from passersby when it's in use.
For starters, the sheer weight of the devices helps keep them in your yard—even the lightest robot lawn mower we tested weighed more than 10 pounds, with the Luba 2 weighing almost 40. Additionally, many models require a PIN code to restart after each use, and it’s not uncommon for an alarm to sound when specific models are lifted off the ground or removed from the charging base.
Those with accompanying RTK antennas or other GPS components can also enable location tracking if someone walks off with your robot lawn mower, adding an extra level of security that turns the robot lawn mower into a giant Apple AirTag.
If you’re choosing between top picks, here’s how to decide.
Robot lawn mowers vary widely in price, and spending more only makes sense if your yard benefits from it.
We set up sections in our backyard to see which is the best robot lawn mower.
Robot lawn mowers are evaluated over extended periods to account for setup, daily operation, and long-term usability. Because these machines interact continuously with outdoor environments, we focus on real-world performance rather than lab-only measurements.
During testing, we evaluate:
Our recommendations favor robot lawn mowers that balance consistent mowing, manageable setup, and long-term reliability—because even the most advanced mower isn’t helpful if it’s frustrating to live with.
Leigh Harrington has 25 years experience as a writer and editor for myriad print and digital publications.
At Reviewed, Harrington manages Reviewed's overall content, including areas of focus like home improvement, cleaning, gardening, cooking, smart home, organization, and parenting. She focuses on developing and editing consumer ed content, product reviews and buying guides, but she also writes, too.
Harrington is also an experienced travel writer, and has authored books including Fodor's Boston, 100 Things to Do in Boston Before You Die, and Colorful Cities Boston, an adult coloring book. She was a respected, longtime regional editorial director at Where travel guide, and has written for other publications including the US News & World Report, USA Today, Boston Herald, Newport Life, Exhale magazine, Huffington Post, and many more. www.leighharrington.com
Sam Gardner
Contributor
Sam Gardner is an APSE award-winning sportswriter who worked at the Orlando Sentinel before spending nine years at Fox Sports, including seven as a senior writer at FoxSports.com.
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