Robotic Lawn Mowers

HOW TO CHOOSE = Experts say that when choosing among the best robotic lawn mowers, you should consider these features. Choose a mower capable of handling the size and slope of your lawn.

It’s better to buy a robotic mower with a bit more range than you actually need. The cutting height capability should be at least 3 inches.

Most of the best robotic lawn mowers are between 19 and 21 inches wide. Wider mowers work faster, but if your lawn has a few narrow areas, some models may not fit.

Knobby or spiked wheels add traction which will help keep the mower from sliding on slopes of 15 degrees or more. These units work best on flat lawns.

You may have to fill in any holes. These mowers can get stuck in depressions, so level these off before using a robotic unit.

Choose a brand that has good technical support, parts, and service when needed. Ideally, you will want good technical support over the phone so you can avoid shipping a mower. As with most lawn mowers, these units leave some spots along the edge of the lawn that will require trimming.

THE REVIEW = The Best Basic Robotic Mower for Small Lawns is the Friendly Robotics RoboMow RM200, which can handle lawns up to 2700 sq. ft. and is not programmable. It needs help getting to the start point, and it weighs 39 pounds, so you will probably want to get the remote control unit for another $70.

But once it starts, it mows on its own. With any robotic mower, you’ll have to spend some time setting up perimeter wires around your yard. This entry level mower lists for $1,400.

Other top performers include:

Best Self-Programming Robotic Mower = LawnBott LB3200 @ $2,500.

Best up to ¾ acre, Low running Cost Model = LawnBott LB2100 @ $1,950.

Best Robotic Mower - Large Lawns (to 3 acres) = LawnBott LB3500 @ $3,250.

Best price found in Dec. ’09 and again in Apr., '10 = Amazon.com for the RoboMow; go to LawnBotts.com direct for their models.

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