Buy one of 2025's best robot lawn mowers and you'll wonder how you ever lived without it. That's because unless you're tootling around a large estate on a ride-on mower pretending it's a Formula 1 car, mowing lawns is like painting the Forth Bridge: no sooner have you done it than the grass grows back and you have to do it all over again.
Some robot mowers still involve installing a perimeter wire around your lawn – which is something you could do yourself though it is a pain and much better left to the company you buy the robot from – but you’ll be pleased to know that there are quite a few new high-tech wire-free autonomous models on the market that don’t require any form of boundary wire installation and management at all.
While you go about living your life, your autonomous servant will leave its charging station and, without arguing about it, head off onto the turf, snipping here and scything there until the whole lawn looks immaculate. And it will perform this thankless task everyday of its working life so that you never ever have to manually mow the lawn again.
Unlike the best cordless lawn mowers and best petrol lawn mowers, a robot mower isn’t the cheapest garden machine you’ll ever buy, but it will repay the investment over time with a sward that is the envy of the neighbourhood.
The top three
The best robot mower overall
For the best standard robot lawn mower overall, the award goes to the Segway Navimow X350E. It's a stunning all-rounder and high performance mower which is a joy to use.
The best affordable robot mower
The Kress Mission Nano 600 still costs a pretty penny, but it's still highly affordable against its competitors.
The best premium robot mower
Our best premium mower award goes to the Husqvarna Automower 405XE NERA. It's a top choice for those who love automated mowing with the budget to do so.
Lizzie is T3's Home Living Staff Writer, and she loved a good robot lawn mower. With hands-on experience testing models from brands like Husqvarna, Segway and Stihl, she's developed a sharp eye for everything from smart navigation systems to mowing efficiency and cutting patterns.
We've updated our guide to include the finalists for Best Robot Lawn Mower from the recent T3 Awards, along with a few other standout review units we've tested along the way.
Best robot lawn mowers 2025 ranked
The best robot mower overall
The Segway Navimow X350E is one of this year's T3 Award winner – and it’s not hard to see why. With its sleek, advanced design and super intuitive app, this is easily one of the smartest robot mowers we’ve ever had the pleasure of testing.
Offering boundary-free mowing with advanced obstacle avoidance, the X350E delivers with precision. It can mow lawns up to 5000m² with remarkable accuracy, even near the edges, thanks to Segway’s clever Exact Fusion Locating System. During our tests, it produced a consistent, even cut and left the lawn looking impressively manicured – without ever once getting stuck or needing rescuing.
Build-wise, it feels seriously solid and well put together, with a premium finish that matches the price tag. On top, there’s a charming little retro dot matrix screen that shows real-time info, and you’ve got physical buttons for stop/start and manual controls. You can even steer it using the app like a remote control car, or drop a pin and watch it scoot off to mow a missed patch.
Now, it’s true that the X350E only comes with a single cutting disc rather than a dual-blade setup, but unless you’re someone who really avoids mowing for months at a time, it’s not going to be a dealbreaker.
All in all, the Navimow X350E is an absolute standout – clever, reliable, and genuinely enjoyable to use. It’s proof that mowing the lawn doesn’t have to be a chore anymore.
The best affordable robot mower
For small to medium-sized gardens, the Kress Mission Nano 600 is a compact and clever little mower that punches well above its weight. Its smaller footprint makes it perfect for irregularly shaped lawns with curves and tight spaces, and with a coverage of up to 600m², it’s ideal for average-sized gardens.
Compared to many other robot mowers offering similar features, the Nano 600 comes in at a far more budget-friendly price. You get a lot of advanced mowing tech without having to splurge on a flagship model. It’s also incredibly easy to use – just press the one-touch start button and it’s off, gliding around your lawn with minimal fuss.
Behind the scenes, it uses InBound variable angle navigation, which helps it mow intelligently rather than randomly. That means less time mowing, better coverage, and a neater finish.
One thing to keep in mind is that the cutting blades do require regular maintenance and replacement, especially if your lawn has sticks or tougher patches. However, considering the clean, reliable performance and the price tag, it’s a minor trade-off.
The best premium robot mower
If you're looking for a premium robot mower that feels every bit as sleek and high-end as its price tag suggests, the Husqvarna Automower 405XE NERA definitely fits the bill. With a solid build, advanced app integration, and the trusted Husqvarna name behind it, this is a mower designed for those who want smart lawn care without cutting corners.
Designed for lawns up to 600m², the 405XE NERA offers RTK GPS support, optional wire-free installation, and compatibility with Husqvarna’s AIM Technology, allowing you to create custom zones and cutting schedules through the app. It's impressively quiet, looks ultra-modern, and delivers a beautifully even mow once it's up and running.
That said, getting it up and running takes time. It requires a bit of patience and possibly a weekend afternoon to get everything dialed in. Once set up, though, it runs like a dream.
Another area where the 405XE could be stronger is its EdgeCut feature. Whilst the mower gets close to the perimeter, it sometimes leaves a narrow strip that might still need the occasional tidy-up with a trimmer.
Still, the cutting quality, quiet operation, app control and smart lawn mapping put this firmly in premium territory. If you want a robot mower that feels like a top-tier piece of garden tech – and you don’t mind investing a bit of time in the setup – the Automower 405XE NERA is a fantastic choice.
The best wire-free robot mower
If you’re in the market for the best wire-free robot mower money can buy – and you’ve got the budget to match – the LUBA 2 AWD is as advanced and capable as they come. With RTK GPS on board, it can navigate lawns up to 1,000m² with human-like accuracy, delivering crisp, even results with no need for boundary wires or manual intervention.
During our testing, the LUBA 2’s performance was consistently exceptional. Whether it was laying down clean stripes with the zig-zag method or creating a checkerboard finish, the cut quality was nothing short of pro-level. You can even get creative by having it mow custom shapes or lettering into your lawn – a neat party trick that also showcases just how precise this mower really is.
One of its standout features is its all-wheel-drive system, paired with large, grippy wheels that allow it to handle steep inclines of up to 80% with ease.
Navigation is handled by a combination of RTK GPS and a 3D vision system, giving it the smarts to avoid obstacles and follow precise mowing paths across up to 10 programmable zones. The app is intuitive, and setup – whilst still a bit of a process – is far easier than burying boundary wires all over your garden.
The best wired robot mower
Whilst many people tend to shy away from wired robot lawn mowers, the Stihl iMow 5 Evo proves that sometimes, sticking with the traditional setup can really pay off. It’s one of six models in Stihl’s impressive iMow collection, and although it sits closer to the affordable end of the range, it certainly doesn’t feel like a budget option.
In fact, the 5 Evo punches well above its weight in terms of features and performance. Setup is surprisingly straightforward – even for those new to robot mowers – and once it's in place, the Evo gets to work delivering consistently neat, reliable results across a wide range of lawn types.
Despite being tethered to a perimeter wire, it still brings a premium user experience to the table, thanks to its thoughtful mix of smart functionality and robust build quality. It’s equipped with GPS tracking, rain sensors, and programmable mowing schedules, all of which can be fine-tuned via the My iMow app or directly on the mower itself. Whether you're keeping an eye on it from indoors or tweaking its schedule on the fly, the 5 Evo gives you full control over your lawn's maintenance.
There are a couple of small drawbacks to note. The app, while generally easy to navigate, can occasionally log users out unexpectedly – a minor annoyance that we hope Stihl irons out in future updates. And like many robot mowers, edge cutting isn’t its strongest suit, so you might still need to bring out the trimmer now and then for those stubborn border tufts.
That said, it more than makes up for these niggles with its quiet operation, impressive mulching capabilities, and ability to handle slopes and uneven terrain without breaking a sweat. The mowing pattern is efficient and intelligent, giving your lawn a fresh, healthy look every time it heads out.
The best user-friendly robot mower
If you're looking for a robot lawn mower that's genuinely simple to use, the Eufy E15 should be right at the top of your list. It’s Eufy’s first foray into the world of robotic lawn care, and much like its popular robot vacuum cleaners, the brand has nailed the formula for ease, efficiency and everyday practicality.
What makes the E15 stand out is how incredibly user-friendly it is from the moment you open the box. There's no boundary wire to install, no complicated calibration, and no steep learning curve. Instead, it uses RTK GPS and AI-powered vision to map your garden in just minutes, making setup refreshingly quick and stress-free – even for first-timers.
Once it's up and running, the E15 continues to impress with its intuitive app control, clean interface and reliable mowing schedule. You can create zones, adjust cutting height, or send it to specific areas at the tap of a button. Thanks to its quiet operation and smart obstacle detection, it just gets on with the job with minimal fuss or supervision.
Performance-wise, it delivers a neat, even cut and handles typical garden terrain with ease. Whilst it may not be built for extreme inclines or ultra-complex landscapes, it’s more than capable of handling most small-to-medium sized lawns with precision and consistency.
The best robot mower for larger gardens
If you've got a large garden that needs serious coverage, the EcoFlow Blade is more than up to the task. This isn’t just a robot mower – it’s a smart, rugged machine built to tackle expansive spaces with precision, speed and style.
Capable of handling lawns up to 3,000m², the Blade uses RTK GPS, LiDAR and visual sensors to map and navigate your lawn without the need for boundary wires. It can cut wide swathes of grass quickly and efficiently thanks to its 26cm cutting width, making it an ideal choice for bigger properties where smaller models would take far too long.
That said, it’s not without a few quirks. The RTK GPS signal can be temperamental if the antenna isn’t positioned just right, which can lead to occasional hiccups in navigation. It also struggles with very tall grass, so if you’ve left your lawn to grow wild, it may need a trim with a regular mower first before the Blade can take over.
Still, for regularly maintained large gardens, the EcoFlow Blade is one of the smartest, most capable mowers you can buy. It’s powerful, packed with features, and takes the chore out of mowing – as long as you’ve got the setup dialled in.
The best robot mower for smaller gardens
When it comes to smaller gardens, the Worx Landroid Vision M600 is a great choice. It’s compact, smart, and incredibly easy to live with, and if you want a robot mower that doesn’t feel like overkill for your modest lawn, this is the one to beat.
What makes the Vision M600 stand out is its use of camera-based navigation. Unlike most robotic mowers that rely on boundary wires or RTK GPS, this mower uses AI-driven visual recognition to identify edges, obstacles and lawn boundaries.
It’s designed to handle lawns up to 600m², making it ideal for small to mid-sized gardens. Its slim profile and agile movement means it's ideal for navigating narrow passages and tight corners that would trip up larger models.
The best self-collecting robot mower
If you have a medium-to-large lawn (around 1,500m² or more) and want a wire-free mowing solution, the Mammotion YUKA is a strong alternative to any of the above options. Guided by RTK GPS, the YUKA offers efficient, consistent mowing and comes in two versions: a standard mulching model, or an upgraded version with an optional grass collector that sweeps up clippings and leaves, then dumps them in a set location.
Both the 1,500m² and 2,000m² models feature a generous 32cm cutting deck – larger than most robot mowers – and a wide cutting height range, though it must be adjusted manually. Whilst not quite as reliable as the LUBA 2 AWD at the moment (due to a recent firmware issue affecting connectivity), we expect this to be resolved soon.
Despite that, the YUKA still delivers impressive mowing performance, creating clean rows and lush lawn stripes. It’s a great option for those who want large-area coverage, flexibility, and a bit of extra lawn care tech without the need for perimeter wires.
The best performing robot mower
This excellent model from two-wheel transporter specialist Segway uses GPS RTK+ Vision to navigate the lawn so you don’t have to get on hands and knees to lay a perimeter cable – which is a massive bonus.
Aside from installing the charging station and initially steering the bot around the edges of your sward, there is nothing else to be done with this model. Just sit back a relax knowing that the Navimow will head out and mow the lawn at the touch of an app button or, if preferred, stick to a scheduled maintenance programme at any time of the day or night. The Navimow features obstacle avoidance for most items above around three inches in height and is also near silent in operation so it’s 100% guaranteed that your neighbours will never hear a squeak.
Since this mower’s 18cm cutting deck is sited in the centre, it won’t cut grass to the very edge but then again not many standard push mowers do that either. Nevertheless, an offset cutting deck would have made edge cutting a bit neater.
We were mightily impressed by this keenly-priced mowbot’s performance and overall ease of use. After just two days of operation, our test lawn was looking immaculate and you can’t wish for more than that.
How to choose the best robot lawn mower
Getting every piece of grass an even length, making sure that every area is covered, and so on can be annoying, and that's not to mention inclement weather conditions. As the name suggests, robotic lawn mowers are just that. They happily move around a garden, cutting grass to an equal length and navigating most tricky terrain while you kick back and relax.
Depending on your garden type, different mowers can work better than others – for example, if you have a MASSIVE garden you'll want a large lawn mower with plenty of battery life, and if you have a small-but-hilly garden you'll need a mower with grippy wheels and plenty of power to negotiate inclines. Blade width is important, as are other features, such as the ability to remote control the mower with your smartphone.
Nevertheless, you can't just buy most robotic mowers, unbox them, stick them on the lawn and expect them to start cutting immediately because many need a perimeter wire inserted around the entire lawn (preferably under it) and any obstacles like trees, benches, gazebos and arbours. The perimeter wire is a vital component that tells the mower when it's reached the edge so it doesn't run riot through the roses or tumble into a void. Instead, it'll turn around and mow somewhere else.
However, recent years have seen an upsurge in self-guiding robot mowers that don’t require any perimeter wire at all and these are the models we would recommend the most. Wire-free mowbots cost a lot more than their less-high tech cousins but what price convenience?
When it comes to navigation, you might also need to be mindful of natural obstacles like pine cones, beech nuts and dropped fruit. Most robot mowers will happily run slipshod over these types of small obstacles but to help prevent wear on the cutting mechanism, it’s advisable to clear most obstacles of this nature when possible.
Another more pressing concern is dog poop because most robot mowers will simply ride over it, their blades cutting it into little bits which will naturally be spread around. If you don’t fancy the idea of your robot mower’s underside looking like a cess pit, then remove dog poop where possible or don’t get a robot mower. The good news is it will eventually decomposes naturally leaving no signs behind so it shouldn't be an issue after a while. Out of sight, out of mind.
Another thing worth noting is that some robotic mowers tend to travel in a haphazard fashion that may make you wonder if you've bought a duffer. You haven't, it knows exactly where it's been and where it's going. So, bear with the zigzag patterns on your lawn for the first few days and eventually the whole sward will look evenly mowed and as smooth as a billiard table.
How we test the best robot lawn mowers
Testing robot lawn mowers is about more than just watching them roll across a lawn – it’s about evaluating how well they perform in real-world conditions, across a variety of garden types and sizes. We begin by setting up each mower as a typical user would, assessing how intuitive the setup process is, whether it's wire-free or requires a perimeter wire installation. This first step gives us a clear sense of how beginner-friendly each model is.
Once up and running, we test the mower over several days or weeks on different lawn types. We closely observe mowing efficiency, navigation accuracy and obstacle avoidance. If a model claims to handle slopes or cut close to edges, we make sure to challenge it accordingly. We also look at how well it handles narrow passages, flower beds, trees and other common obstacles.
Cutting performance is key, so we examine how evenly the mower trims the grass, how fine the clippings are mulched, and whether any patches are missed. Some models are tested on longer or damp grass to see how they cope under tougher conditions. We also check whether the lawn looks visibly healthier over time with regular mowing.
In addition to mowing performance, we assess build quality, battery life, noise levels and connectivity. App functionality is also tested in full – including scheduling, zone creation, manual control, firmware updates and security features like GPS tracking or theft protection. Finally, we consider overall value for money, and whether the mower justifies its price with smart features, reliable performance and ease of use.
Best Robot Lawn Mower FAQs
Do robot lawn mowers need a boundary wire?
Many robot mowers still use a boundary wire to define the mowing area, which must be installed manually around your lawn. However, newer models now offer wire-free alternatives using RTK GPS or camera-based navigation. These systems let you set virtual boundaries through an app, making setup much faster and less invasive.
Read our guide on wired vs. boundary-free robot mowers for more information.
Can robot mowers handle uneven or sloped lawns?
Most modern robot mowers can manage gentle slopes and uneven ground, but performance varies by model. Basic mowers typically handle inclines up to 25–30%, whilst premium models like the LUBA 2 AWD can tackle slopes as steep as 80%.
Do robot mowers collect grass clippings?
Generally, robot mowers don’t collect clippings. Instead, they use mulching blades to cut the grass finely, allowing clippings to fall back onto the lawn as a natural fertiliser. This improves lawn health and eliminates the need to empty a collection box.
Some models, like the Mammotion YUKA 1500, do offer grass and leaf collection, but these are the exception rather than the rule. For most users, regular mowing keeps the clippings small and unobtrusive.
Reviewer Panel
Derek specialises in home and outdoor tech, but these days he’s particularly obsessed with robot lawn mowers. He’s tested models ranging from affordable, wire-bound options to cutting-edge GPS-enabled machines
Lizzie has covered home appliances for T3 for two years and has become one of the go-to experts on robot mowers. She's tested a wide variety of models in all garden sizes, from compact plug-and-play options to high-end RTK GPS systems. If it cuts grass on its own, chances are she’s reviewed it.
Rob has been reviewing tech longer than he likes to admit, including many robotic lawn care gadgets. From hands-on testing of top-tier mowers to deep dives into app functionality and navigation systems, Rob knows what separates a decent mower from a garden game-changer.
Matt once ran T3’s games and entertainment section, but lately he’s contributed to several reviews on the site. He now knows far more about boundary wires and mulching than he ever expected.
