5 Things You Should Know Before Buying a Robot Lawn Mower

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Before switching models, try this

Many people replace their product when the problem was really down to a detail of use or maintenance. Before spending money, run through this checklist: it's cheaper than a new purchase and in plenty of cases it solves the problem completely.

The robot lawn mower isn't cutting — it's wearing down the grass every day

A traditional mower cuts several centimeters at once every two weeks. The robot trims about millimeters each day, so the clippings are fine enough to break down right on the lawn and act as fertilizer: it's mulching continuous. That's why there's no bag to empty, and why a robot-mowed lawn tends to be denser and greener than a hand-mowed one.

Cutting height matters more for lawn health than mowing frequency

The rule of third says you should never remove more than a third of the blade height in one go, because aggressive cutting stresses the grass and encourages weeds. In summer it's best to raise the cutting height (more leaf, more shade on the soil, less evaporation) and lower it in spring. A robot fixed at 2 cm in August will scorch the lawn.

The stated coverage area is only achieved with long working sessions

A manufacturer that advertises 800 m² assumes the robot runs for many hours a day. Since the cutting speed is low, the useful figure is square meters per effective hour. If the garden is broken up, with trees and narrow passages, real-world performance drops significantly, and it's worth buying with at least a 30% margin over your measured area.

The narrow passage is where most installations fail

Robots need a minimum width to maneuver: below about 60-80 cm between obstacles, they can't get through or get stuck. A garden split into two zones connected by a 50 cm passage forces you to carry the robot by hand or install a second base. It's the detail that causes the most disappointment, and it takes five minutes to check before buying.

• Build quality and finish
• Recent verified reviews (including 3-4 star ratings)
• Warranty and return policy
• Current price versus its historical average
• Seller reputation
• Making sure the key features match your needs (Everyday Use)

Perimeter wire, RTK, and vision: three different ways of knowing where

The perimeter wire buried wire is reliable and cheap, but it has to be installed and can be cut by a hoe. The RTK-GNSS uses a fixed reference antenna and delivers centimeter-level accuracy without a wire, but it needs clear sky: under dense canopy it loses signal. The systems that camera-based vision don't need an antenna and work under trees, but they struggle in low light and with poorly defined edges.

Criteria	Dreame A2 1200Our pick	Gardena SILENO Minimo
Ideal for	Balanced, all-round use	Everyday Life
Strength	Value for money	Specific features
Ratings	Very positive and numerous	Positive
Estimated price	from ~€240	from ~€150
Recommendation	Our pick	Best alternative
View on Amazon	See price →	See price →

The charging base has its own set of requirements

The station needs flat ground, in the shade if possible, with several meters of straight approach path and no pooling water when it rains. If it's placed on a slope or the approach curves, the robot will miss the docking connection and run out of battery halfway through the garden. And the transformer needs to be outdoors under protection or inside a ventilated cabinet.

To wrap up

Apply the points above first, since they make the biggest difference, and leave the rest for once you've got some experience under your belt. If after that you're still not getting what you're after, then it does make sense to switch equipment: the Dreame A2 1200 is the most balanced option for making the jump, with the Gardena SILENO Minimo as an alternative.

Frequently Asked Questions

Better with a perimeter wire or wire-free?

Wired is cheaper and more reliable, but you have to install it and it can get cut. Cable-free (RTK) is convenient and precise, but needs open sky: it loses signal under dense tree canopies. Camera-based models work under trees but struggle in low light.

Can it mow a garden split into two zones?

Only if the passage between them meets the minimum width required by the manufacturer, around 60-80 cm. With a narrower passage you'll have to carry it by hand or install a second base. Measure it before buying: it's the number one cause of disappointment.

What should I do with the robot in winter?

Deep clean, new or inspected blades, and the battery stored at 50-60% in a dry, frost-free spot. Top up the charge halfway through winter. Storing it discharged for months is the fastest way to ruin the battery.

What slope can it really handle?

The stated figure is achieved on dry grass. On wet grass it slips. If you have slopes, leave a 5-10 point margin over the advertised percentage and pay attention to the wheel type: deep lugs or four-wheel drive make a big difference to the result.

Is it safe around children or pets?

It has lift and tilt sensors that stop the blade, but the blade spins very fast and there shouldn't be children or loose pets around while it's working. And schedule it during the day: nighttime mowing causes a lot of hedgehog and amphibian deaths.

Should I Go With the Dreame A2 1200 or the Gardena SILENO Minimo?

The Dreame A2 1200 is the most balanced option and the one we recommend by default. The Gardena SILENO Minimo makes sense if your priority is Everyday Use. As a budget reference, the useful range starts around €150 and the best balance tends to sit around €240.

By the Robot Jardín Team · reviewed by

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