Do Robot Mowers Work on “Long Grass”?
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Do Robot Mowers Work on “Long Grass”?

It’s a common question we hear: “Can a robot mower handle my long grass?” While the image of an autonomous mower effortlessly tackling a jungle of overgrown lawn might be appealing, the reality (and indeed, the benefit) of robotic mowing lies in a slightly different approach.

The Short Answer (With a Bit of Nuance)

Yes, Navimow robot mowers can certainly handle grass that’s longer than a freshly cut lawn. They have the power and cutting height flexibility to trim down taller patches without issue.

However, their true genius isn’t in taming overgrown wilderness, but in preventing your lawn from getting overgrown in the first place. Navimow is designed to maintain your lawn at an ideal, consistent length—cutting little and often, rather than hacking through a week’s worth of unchecked growth.

What Counts as ‘Long Grass’?

Of course, the term “long grass” is highly subjective. What one homeowner considers unruly, another might see as perfectly acceptable. This article will break down exactly what Navimow models are built to handle—and how they deliver a consistently healthy, well-kept lawn, regardless of your personal definition of “long”.

Cutting Height Capability: A Quick Look

To give you a sense of what Navimow mowers can handle in practical terms:

  • i Series: Adjustable cutting height from 20mm to 60mm

  • H Series: Adjustable from 30mm to 60mm

  • X3 Series: The most flexible, from 20mm to 70mm

These ranges allow Navimow to adapt to various lawn preferences—from tight, formal finishes to a slightly longer, more natural look.

The Philosophy of Robotic Mowing: “Little and Often”

A Smarter Way to Mow

Traditional lawn care tends to follow a cycle of infrequent, heavy cuts—dragging out the mower once a week (or less), chopping down several centimetres of overgrown grass in one go. While this method might seem efficient, it can actually stress the grass, dull your mower blades faster, and leave your lawn looking tired and uneven in between cuts.

Robotic mowers like Navimow take a very different approach.

Their philosophy is simple: cut a little, but cut often. Whether it’s daily or every few days, the mower trims just a small portion of the grass each time, preventing it from ever growing excessively long.

Why Frequent Cutting Is Better

Healthier Lawn

By removing only the tips of the grass blades, Navimow helps promote stronger root systems, leading to a thicker, lusher turf. Grass is less stressed, more resilient to wear and weather, and maintains a deep green colour throughout the growing season.

Natural Fertilisation Through Mulching

Instead of collecting clippings, Navimow leaves behind finely chopped fragments that settle back into the lawn. These act as a natural mulch, slowly releasing nutrients back into the soil—improving lawn health and reducing the need for added fertiliser. It’s an efficient, eco-friendly way to keep your garden green and growing.

Weed Suppression

Frequent mowing makes it more difficult for weeds to establish and thrive. Many weed species rely on growing tall and spreading seeds—something they simply can’t do when the lawn is regularly trimmed and maintained.

Always Looks Its Best

Because your lawn is cut so regularly, it never has time to look untidy or overgrown. The result is a consistently neat, uniform appearance, with none of the peaks and troughs of the traditional mow-when-it-gets-long routine. Think of it as a professionally maintained look—every single day.

Less Strain on the Mower

Short, regular trims are easier on the mower’s motor and blades. This leads to longer-lasting components, less maintenance, and better energy efficiency—whether you’re using battery-powered or solar-assisted models.

Navimow’s Capabilities with Grass Lengths

Maximum Cutting Heights by Series

Navimow’s cutting height ranges are thoughtfully designed to suit a variety of lawn styles and garden types. These ranges determine how short—or how long—your grass will be maintained once the mower is up and running.

i Series: 20mm to 60mm

Ideal for neat suburban lawns, the i Series offers a cutting height range that spans from a very short, crisp 20mm to a respectable 60mm (approx. 2.3 inches). Whether you prefer a finely trimmed appearance or a slightly fuller lawn, this range keeps it perfectly manicured.

H Series: 30mm to 60mm

The H Series maintains your lawn within a balanced mid-range, from 30mm to 60mm. It delivers a similar visual result to the i Series but starts slightly higher, making it well-suited to more traditional garden lawns that favour a lush, well-covered look.

X3 Series: 20mm to 70mm

For larger, more diverse landscapes, the X3 Series boasts the widest cutting range—from 20mm up to 70mm (approx. 2.7 inches). This gives you the freedom to opt for a tighter finish or maintain a slightly taller, more natural aesthetic, particularly useful for parkland-style gardens or areas that benefit from longer grass for moisture retention.

What These Ranges Actually Mean

It’s important to note that these are maintenance height ranges. That is, Navimow will work within these heights to consistently maintain your lawn—not to perform a one-time heavy cut on overgrown grass.

If your grass is, for example, 15cm (6 inches) or taller, it’s best to manually mow it down to within the operating range first. After that, Navimow can take over, keeping it at your selected height without ever letting it become “long grass” again.

Cutting Widths and Area Coverage

In addition to height range, cutting width plays a crucial role in mowing efficiency:

  • i Series: 18cm cutting width

  • H Series: 21cm cutting width

  • X3 Series: 23.7cm cutting width

The broader the cutting width, the faster the mower can cover ground, especially important for medium to large lawns. The X3 Series, with its widest deck, is ideal for estates and larger gardens, reducing mow time while maintaining your chosen height with consistent precision.

What to Do if Your Grass Is Currently “Long” (Before First Use)

Follow the “One-Third Rule”

One of the most important principles in lawn care is the “one-third rule”:

You should never remove more than one-third of the grass blade’s height in a single cut.

This rule protects the health of your lawn by reducing stress on the grass, encouraging deeper root growth, and avoiding unsightly scalping. It’s just as important when preparing your lawn for a robotic mower as it is with traditional cutting.

Initial Prep for Overgrown Lawns

If your lawn has grown significantly beyond the maximum cutting height of your chosen Navimow model—for example:

  • Above 70mm for the X3 Series

  • Above 60mm for the H or i Series

Then it’s strongly recommended to perform a preliminary cut with a traditional mower before you introduce the Navimow.

Why This Matters:

  • Reduces strain on the robot mower’s motor and blades, extending their lifespan

  • Prevents large grass clumps or thick clippings, which can mat the lawn and interfere with proper mulching

  • Creates a clean, even baseline, allowing your Navimow to begin its maintenance schedule effectively from day one

Gradual Reduction for Moderately Long Grass

If your grass is just slightly above the upper maintenance range (for example, around 8–10cm), you can take a gentler approach.

  • Set your Navimow to its highest cutting height

  • Allow it to complete several cycles over a few days

  • Then gradually lower the cutting height in stages until you reach your preferred level

This lets the mower mulch the grass down incrementally, keeping the lawn healthy while avoiding shock or clumping. It’s a softer transition into the “little and often” philosophy that robotic mowing is designed to follow.

How Navimow Handles Varying Conditions (Intelligent Design)

Smarter Mowing, No Guesswork

Lawns aren’t uniform. Some areas grow faster, others stay shaded and damp, while patches near trees or fences can get denser and tougher. Fortunately, Navimow robotic mowers are built with intelligent systems that adapt to these real-world conditions seamlessly.

Adaptive Mowing in Action

Navimow doesn’t just follow a set path blindly—it responds to what it senses.

If the mower encounters a thicker patch of grass, it will:

  • Slow down slightly to maintain cutting precision

  • Increase blade power to handle the denser growth effectively

This ensures a consistent, even finish across your entire lawn, regardless of how variable the grass may be in different areas. Combined with its EFLS positioning system, which delivers centimetre-level accuracy, Navimow systematically covers every zone—no random bouncing, no missed strips.

Robust Motors Built for the Job

Behind this adaptive behaviour is a set of powerful hub motors specifically designed for continuous outdoor operation. Each Navimow model is built to:

  • Handle different terrain types

  • Operate efficiently at a range of cutting heights

  • Cope with fluctuating grass density without hesitation

This means Navimow can confidently maintain lawns within its designed limits, day in and day out, with minimal input from you.

Safety Comes Standard

No matter how smart the mower, real-world gardens include the unexpected—fallen branches, toys, pets, or even a sudden slope. That’s why every Navimow model is fitted with a suite of intelligent safety sensors, including:

  • Lift and tilt sensors – instantly pause blade operation if the mower is picked up or tips too far

  • Bumper sensors – detect solid obstacles and initiate a change in direction

  • VisionFence or VisionFence 2.0 – advanced visual recognition that detects and avoids a wide range of objects, from furniture to animals

If the mower encounters something it can’t safely handle, it stops immediately, protecting both itself and your garden.

The Real Benefits of Owning a Navimow

Always Perfectly Trimmed

The biggest benefit of owning a Navimow is simple but powerful: you’ll never have to deal with long grass again. Once your mower is set up and scheduled correctly, it works quietly and consistently to maintain your lawn at the exact height you choose. No more worrying about sudden growth spurts after rain, missed weekends, or the dreaded overgrown look.

Time-Saving

Say goodbye to spending hours every weekend pushing a heavy mower across the garden. With Navimow, you can reclaim your free time and let your lawn take care of itself. Whether you’re away on holiday or just enjoying a quiet Sunday, your grass stays perfectly maintained—automatically.

Effortless Maintenance

With the Navimow app, managing your lawn is as easy as tapping your phone.

  • Create and adjust virtual boundaries in seconds

  • Set multi-zone schedules for different garden areas

  • Monitor and control your mower remotely, even when you’re not at home

Add in smart navigation, systematic cutting, and real-time obstacle detection, and you have a truly hands-free mowing solution.

Quiet Operation

Traditional mowers can turn a peaceful garden into a noisy chore. Navimow, by contrast, operates at just 54–58 dB(A)—quieter than a normal conversation. That means:

  • You can run it early in the morning or during the evening without disturbing anyone

  • You can enjoy your garden while the mower works silently in the background

  • Your neighbours will thank you

Invest in Consistent Lawn Perfection

While a robot mower isn’t designed to be a one-off solution for an overgrown jungle, the Segway Navimow series is engineered to deliver consistent, pristine lawn care, ensuring your grass is always at its best—without the peaks and troughs of traditional mowing.

By embracing the “little and often” approach, Navimow transforms your lawn maintenance from a chore into an effortless, continuous process. The result? A healthier, greener, and more beautiful lawn, maintained automatically—day after day, season after season.

Ready to say goodbye to “long grass” worries?

Explore the Navimow i, H, and X3 series on our website to find the perfect model for your garden—and start enjoying the future of lawn care today.

👉 Visit UKNavimow.com