Gardena SILENO City 500 or Segway Navimow H800E for Everyday Use: Which Should You Choose?

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Gardena SILENO City 500 or Segway Navimow H800E: The Short Answer

If you don't want to read the whole comparison: the Gardena SILENO City 500 is the default pick and the one we recommend to most people, and the Segway Navimow H800E beats it in one specific scenario — when your priority is Everyday Use. The real difference between the two isn't in the spec sheet, it's in how they perform for the way you'll actually use them. We break it down point by point below.

Step by step

1. Measure the area and any narrow passages. Actual area in m², and above all, the width of each passage between zones: below 60-80 cm the robot can't maneuver. Add a 30% margin to the area if the garden is irregular or has a lot of obstacles.
2. Check the maximum slope with some margin. Measure your steepest slope and subtract 5-10 points from whatever the manufacturer states, because that figure is achieved on dry ground. If you have serious slopes, prioritize deep-lug wheels or four-wheel drive.
3. Choose the navigation system based on your garden. Perimeter wire if you have dense trees and want cheap reliability. RTK if the sky is clear and you don't want to install a cable. Camera if there's heavy shade and clear-cut edges. The right choice depends on your garden, not the brand.
4. Requires the security and anti-theft package. Lift sensor, tilt sensor, emergency stop, PIN and geofencing lock. In an open garden, anti-theft protection matters just as much as cutting quality, and it isn't always included on entry-level models.
5. Confirm spare parts and battery price. Blades, wheels, housing and battery should all be sold separately at a reasonable price. A robot whose battery costs half the price of the machine has the lifespan of that battery — usually four or five seasons.

The rain sensor isn't always worth turning on

Cutting wet grass muddies the housing, mats the clippings and leaves wheel marks. But if the robot takes shelter every time it rains in high-rainfall areas, it falls behind schedule and patches of grass grow too tall to trim in a single pass. In rainy climates, the usual strategy is disable the sensor and clean more often.

Noise level is the competitive edge almost no one mentions

A gas-powered mower runs around 95 dB; a robot mower sits between 55 and 65 dB, comparable to a conversation. That lets you mow at times of day that would be impossible with a conventional machine and eliminates neighbor complaints. In communities and terraced houses, this is often the deciding factor, ahead of the time saved.

Pivoting blade vs. disc with fixed blade

Most robots use small pivoting blades scalpel-type: they cut through speed, are dirt cheap to replace, and if they hit a stone, they fold back instead of breaking the motor. The fixed blade propeller-type blades cut taller, coarser grass, but they put more strain on the machine on impact. For regular lawn maintenance, pivoting blades are the sensible choice; replace them every 6-10 weeks.

Lithium batteries last longer when stored partially charged

At the end of the season, the battery shouldn't be stored at 100% or empty: the right level is around 50-60%, in a dry, frost-free spot, and topping up the charge halfway through winter if the robot will sit idle for months. Storing a lithium battery fully discharged all winter is the most effective way to kill it.

• 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)

The stated maximum slope is the spec that gets broken the most

A robot advertised for 35% slope achieves that on dry, firm grass. With wet grass, the wheels slip and the machine ends up stuck sideways or sliding. If your garden has slopes, look at the wheel type (deep lugs or four-wheel drive), not just the percentage. And on real-world slopes, it's wise to leave a 5-10 point margin.

Criteria	Gardena SILENO City 500Our pick	Segway Navimow H800E
Ideal for	Balanced, all-round use	Everyday Life
Strength	Value for money	Specific features
Ratings	Very positive and numerous	Positive
Estimated price	from ~€320	from ~€200
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.

Verdict: which one to choose

The Gardena SILENO City 500 for most people; the Segway Navimow H800E if your main use is Everyday Use. Neither is a bad buy — they're just different profiles: the mistake would be choosing based on one day's price instead of how you'll actually use it over the coming years. Check the current price of both before making your final decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

Could it be stolen from my garden?

It's a real risk. Look for a mandatory PIN, geofenced locking and a phone alert when it's picked up. Keep the serial number somewhere safe. In an open, visible garden, those features stop being a nice-to-have.

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.

Can it mow when it's raining?

It can, but it muddies the housing and leaves wheel marks. In very rainy climates it's usually best to disable the rain sensor and clean more often, because if the robot takes shelter too much, tall grass builds up that it can no longer trim in a single pass.

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 height should I mow at?

Never remove more than a third of the blade height at once. In summer, raise the cutting height to shade the soil and retain moisture; in spring you can lower it. A robot fixed at 2 cm in the middle of August will scorch the lawn.

Should I Go With the Gardena SILENO City 500 or the Segway Navimow H800E?

The Gardena SILENO City 500 is the most balanced option and the one we recommend by default. The Segway Navimow H800E makes sense if your priority is Everyday Use. As a budget reference, the useful range starts around €200 and the best balance tends to sit around €320.

By the Robot Jardín Team · reviewed by

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