Are lawn mowers or robot lawn mowers better for a healthy lawn? Experts say one could make your grass a lot greener
I've noticed a huge difference
Are lawn mowers or robot lawn mowers healthier for your lawn? If you’re hoping to see greener grass this summer, one stands slightly ahead of the game.
The lawn mower vs robot lawn mower debate is an interesting one, because both have their benefits in the garden. Lawn mowers can be more budget-friendly, for example, while robot mowers make up for their cost in convenience and eco-friendliness. When it comes to actual lawn health, though, experts are leaning towards one winner in particular.
So, are traditional lawn mowers or robot lawn mowers better for a healthy lawn? Here’s everything you need to know.
This robot mower is the most efficient one I've tested. It provides a smooth cut, it's fast, and it's really easy to set up.
The Husqvarna Aspire LC34-P4A 18V is currently our favourite lawn mower. It's user-friendly, cordless, and does a brilliant job of cutting the grass.
If we want to understand which type of lawn mower is healthiest for our grass, it's wise to start by looking at the mechanical action of the blades on the grass. The best lawn mowers out there are designed to cut grass cleanly, with minimal tearing – but robot lawn mowers can guarantee that a little bit more.
‘Robotic lawn mowers are actually gentler on your lawn than traditional machines,’ explains George Ren, CEO at Segway Navimow. ‘A dull rotary blade tears the grass, leaving jagged wounds that make turf more vulnerable to drought and lawn diseases. In contrast, robotic mowers use small, razor‑sharp blades that cut frequently, little and often, promoting denser, healthier growth.’
Of course, you could learn how to sharpen lawn mower blades to reduce the chance of dull rotary blades hacking away at your grass – but the benefits of the best robot lawn mowers don’t stop there.
‘Robotic mowers work continuously, trimming little and often to keep the lawn at an optimal height,’ echoes Ryan Patterson, head of product management at Husqvarna UK. ‘This approach helps create a healthier, more consistent finish, with fine clippings naturally fertilising the grass.’
That mulching effect is something I’ve noticed on my own lawn since using the Segway Navimow i208 LiDAR Robot Lawn Mower, which is currently on sale at Amazon. A couple of months ago, my lawn was dry, yellow and patchy – but this month, it’s looking greener than ever.
I’ve actually heard the same feedback from friends and colleagues who have made the switch to a robot lawn mower. Those fine clippings really do enrich the grass – and you’ll save yourself the task of emptying a collection bag after mowing, too.
It’s worth noting that some lawn mowers have a mulching plug, like the GARDENA Handymower (also available at Amazon). These mowers also chop grass clippings into a fine mulch and dispense it back onto the lawn.
3 robot lawn mowers I recommend
This Segway Navimow mower is the most recent robot lawn mower I've tried, and my grass is looking greener than ever.
A budget-friendly robot lawn mower with an easy three-button setup and brilliant cutting ability.
The Eufy E15 provides an even cut, even on long grass, alongside top-notch obstacle avoidance and a really easy setup.
So, are lawn mowers or robot lawn mowers healthier for your lawn? Both have their merits, especially if you want to cut costs and grab a traditional lawn mower with a mulching blade – but since robot lawn mowers are that little bit more gentle on your lawn, and cut the grass little and often, they just beat regular lawn mowers for this one.
