Should you upgrade to a robot lawn mower? The pros and cons that set them apart from regular lawn mowers

If there’s one gardening debate I’ve noticed more than ever over the past year, it’s the lawn mowers vs robot lawn mowers one.

After testing market-leading lawn mowers and, more recently, a string of the best robot lawn mowers out there, I’ve learned first-hand that each type has its own merits in the garden. It all depends on the time and space you have at your disposal, your budget, and how you want your lawn to be maintained long-term – and with robot mowers becoming more mainstream than ever, it's worth considering if an upgrade could benefit your garden.

I spoke to experts from Segway Navimow and Husqvarna UK, both leading mower manufacturers, to settle the lawn mower vs robot lawn mower debate and select a winner for each area: convenience, value for money, eco-friendliness and more.

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After testing an array of lawn mowers and robot lawn mowers, I've gotten familiar with what makes one machine more appealing than another. Below, you'll find an overview of each type's convenience, space requirements, cost and more, to help you choose the right mower for your garden and lifestyle.

Which is more convenient?

If you’re a busy gardener with limited time on your hands, mowing is one of those tasks that feels like a real slog. When you’re not in the mood to push a lawn mower around manually, or simply don’t have time in the day, a robot lawn mower offers an enticing alternative.

‘Robotic lawn mowers are transforming lawn care from a weekly chore into a set‑and‑forget background task,’ says George Ren, CEO at Segway Navimow. ‘With a reliable wire‑free robotic lawn mower that combines advanced, integrated technologies, from precision navigation to intelligent drive systems, you can reclaim that time for family, hobbies, or just relaxation.’

With mowers like the Segway Navimow i208 LiDAR Robot Lawn Mower (which is currently on sale at Amazon), you can set mowing schedules that take care of themselves, and even let the mower do its thing at nighttime.

The only inconvenient thing about robot mowers is setup, which sometimes involves installing a charging station in your garden (that’s one of the things I wish I knew before buying a robot lawn mower).

Plus, many models have a lower maximum cutting height than traditional lawn mowers, which can tackle longer grass – so if your lawn is overgrown, you’ll need to trim it with a lawn mower or cordless strimmer before a robot can work its magic.

Machines like the Segway Navimow i208 and the Eufy E15, though, can cut grass up to 7cm long – and if the robot is set up with a regular mowing schedule and keeps on top of things, you’ll save yourself the gruelling task of pulling the lawn mower out of the shed every time it needs cutting.

WINNER: Robot lawn mowers

Which offers better value for money?

There is, of course, the cost of a robot lawn mower to consider – and if you’re wondering how much to spend on a lawn mower, it’s worth noting that robots can make a bigger dent on the wallet. That’s where regular lawn mowers are a solid alternative.

‘Traditional mowers still play an important role,’ says Ryan Patterson, head of product management at Husqvarna UK. ‘They offer a lower upfront cost, require no installation, and are often better suited for tackling long or overgrown grass in a single session.’

There are, of course, more affordable machines on the market that offer fewer smart features but the same convenience as higher-end robots, like the Bosch VISIMOW18V-100 (it’s actually one of the best I’ve tested, thanks to its ultra-simple 3-button setup). Plus, you can actually earn the cost of a robot lawn mower back long-term.

‘When you calculate the hours you save each week, and the cost of hiring a lawn service, most homeowners break even within one to two years,’ says George from Segway Navimow. ‘After that, you're essentially getting paid for your time back. But the upfront price tag still scares some people off.’

If you don’t mind keeping on top of things yourself, a lawn mower is certainly the cheaper option, and a cordless mower like the Vonhaus Cordless Lawnmower (available at Amazon) provides hassle-free mowing.

Value for money is a tough part of the lawn mower vs robot lawn mower debate, but since traditional lawn mowers are generally more budget-friendly and brilliant at what they do, I’m just giving it to them for this one.

Winner: Lawn mowers

Which takes up more space?

When outdoor storage space is at a premium, choosing the right garden tools becomes more important than ever. The brilliant thing about robot lawn mowers is that most of them are smaller than regular lawn mowers, and there are no long, awkward handles to worry about – but many of the smarter machines come with a charging station, which usually needs to be fixed to the ground.

That’s actually one of my only qualms about robot lawn mowers – you’ll need to carve out space in your garden for a permanent base that the robot returns to after each mow (you’ll need a garage roof to protect it from the rain, too).

That said, not all robot lawn mowers come with a charging station. If they function from a removable battery, like the aforementioned Bosch VISIMOW18V-100, they simply need to be stored away after every use (and the VISIMOW is smaller than other robots I’ve tested, too).

A regular lawn mower will, of course, need to be stored away after every use, too. Depending on its size, it’ll usually take up more storage space than a robot lawn mower – so if you’ve got the space outside for a robot charging station, it’ll save you room in the shed.

WINNER: Robot lawn mowers

Which is better for the environment?

A lawn mower’s eco-friendliness depends very much on what type of mower it is. A petrol mower, with its high emissions, is the worst contender, whereas a cordless, battery-operated mower like the Gtech CLM50 Cordless Lawnmower is far better for the planet (besides the energy required to charge the battery). Better still, you could try a manual push mower like the GARDENA Handymower, which works without electricity.

On that scale, robot lawn mowers sit somewhere around the same spot as cordless lawn mowers, because you’ll need to either charge a removable battery or keep a charging station plugged into the mains. In terms of gas emissions, it’s a safe choice for the planet – but what really stands out about robot mowers is how quiet they are.

‘Robotic mowers are battery-powered, meaning low noise pollution and no direct emissions during use,’ says Ryan from Husqvarna UK. ‘Their lightweight design is also gentler on the lawn, supporting long-term grass health.’

It’s almost a draw again, but because robot lawn mowers are a lot quieter than regular mowers, I’m awarding the eco-friendly category to them.

WINNER: Robot lawn mowers

Which is better for the grass?

We all know that mowing wet grass can cause tear damage and affect a lawn’s overall health, but heavier traditional mowers can be harsh during turns and manoeuvres on dry grass, too. Thanks to new technology and design, robot lawn mowers provide a gentler alternative to regular lawn mowers.

‘Modern models like ours use ELFS™ LiDAR ⁺for precise navigation, and Xero‑Turn™ all‑wheel drive technology, allowing the mower to turn on the spot, avoiding lateral tearing and minimising turf damage,’ explains George from Segway Navimow. ‘That means a clean, even cut without ugly wheel marks or stressed grass.’

There’s also the mulching benefit of robot lawn mowers – fine clippings are filtered back onto the lawn during mowing, which acts as a natural fertiliser for your grass. I've actually noticed that my grass is greener since using a robot lawn mower to cut my grass.

‘Robotic mowers work continuously, trimming little and often to keep the lawn at an optimal height,’ adds Ryan. ‘This approach helps create a healthier, more consistent finish, with fine clippings naturally fertilising the grass.’

For that reason, I'm awarding robot mowers the top spot for lawn health.

WINNER: Robot lawn mowers

Should you buy a lawn mower or a robot lawn mower?

Looking at this lawn mower vs robot lawn mower comparison guide, robot mowers have won most of the categories – but that doesn't mean they're better than lawn mowers. It all depends on your lifestyle, how much space you have, whether you actually enjoy mowing your lawn and, of course, your budget.

'Ultimately, the choice comes down to how customers want to manage their lawn,' agrees Ryan from Husqvarna UK. 'Robotic mowers are designed to maintain a consistently high standard with minimal effort, while traditional mowers remain a practical solution for more hands-on or occasional use.'

If you're a busy gardener with money to invest in a time-saving solution, a robot mower might be the way forward – but if you enjoy mowing your lawn and want to achieve the same results with just a little more elbow grease, lawn mowers are still a timeless choice.