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Which mower is right for me?
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Which mower is right for me?
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Robotic lawn mowers have surged in popularity across the UK, transforming the way people care for their gardens. These smart devices offer the promise of hands-free mowing, beautifully maintained lawns, and more free time to enjoy the outdoors. As more homeowners consider upgrading to a robot mower, one common question keeps cropping up: is my garden actually suitable for one?
While robotic mowers bring undeniable convenience and innovation, it’s important to recognise that not every garden is an ideal match. Factors like garden size, layout, terrain, and accessibility all play a role in whether a robot mower will perform well and deliver the results you expect.
This guide will walk you through the key points to consider, helping you assess your own outdoor space and determine if a robot mower is the right fit for your needs.
The size of your lawn is one of the most crucial factors when deciding if a robot mower is right for you. Each model is designed and rated to handle a specific mowing area, so it’s essential to match your garden’s size to the mower’s recommended or maximum capacity.
For example, the Segway Navimow X390 is built for large gardens, with a recommended mowing area of 10,000 m² and a maximum capacity of 12,000 m². This makes it ideal for expansive lawns, estates, or large commercial grounds. On the other hand, smaller models like the Navimow i105 are designed for more modest spaces, with a recommended mowing area of up to 500 m², making them perfect for urban gardens or medium-sized suburban plots.
Choosing a mower that matches your lawn size ensures efficient operation, better battery life, and more consistent mowing results. Using a mower on a lawn larger than its intended capacity can lead to overworking the machine, uneven cuts, and more frequent charging, while using a large-capacity mower on a tiny lawn may be unnecessary and less cost-effective.
The complexity of your garden’s layout plays a major role in how well a robot mower will perform. While simple, open lawns are the ideal setting, more intricate gardens can pose additional challenges that require careful consideration.
Obstacles and Features
Many gardens contain elements such as trees, shrubs, flower beds, garden furniture, trampolines, ponds, or play areas. How well a robot mower navigates these depends largely on its built-in technology:
Basic models rely on bumper sensors, meaning they detect obstacles only after making contact, then change direction.
Advanced models use sophisticated obstacle avoidance systems like VisionFence. For example, the Segway Navimow X3 series combines VisionFence with a ToF (Time of Flight) Sensor and a 300° wide-angle view, enabling it to identify and avoid over 200 types of obstacles in real time. Similarly, the i and H series also feature VisionFence, helping them avoid over 150 obstacle types, including pets, garden decorations, and unexpected items left on the lawn.
Narrow Passages and Disconnected Zones
If your garden has narrow pathways, separate lawn sections, or disconnected zones, you’ll need a mower that can map and manage multiple areas intelligently. Models with multi-zone support and AI-assisted mapping, like those in the Navimow range, can handle these layouts effectively, moving systematically between sections without missing areas.
When assessing your garden, think carefully about its shape and complexity. Advanced robotic mowers are designed to handle tricky layouts, but for highly irregular gardens, not every model may be up to the task.
The gradient and condition of your garden’s terrain are vital considerations when assessing robot mower suitability.
Gradient Handling
Every robot mower has a specified slope climbing capability, usually expressed as a percentage. This determines the maximum incline it can safely and effectively navigate:
X3 Series: Handles slopes up to 50% (around 26°)
H Series: Manages slopes up to 45%
i Series: Suitable for slopes up to 30% (approx. 17°)
Exceeding these limits can result in the mower slipping, getting stuck, or delivering an uneven cut. If your garden has steep sections, it’s crucial to choose a model designed to cope with those gradients.
How to Measure Your Garden Slope
To estimate your garden’s slope, measure how much the ground rises vertically over a horizontal distance. For example, if the lawn rises 10 cm over 100 cm horizontally, the slope is 10%. You can do this with a long spirit level and tape measure or use a smartphone inclinometer app for a rough estimate. Knowing your steepest gradient will help you match your garden’s conditions to the mower’s specified slope capability.
Uneven Terrain
Bumps, dips, exposed tree roots, and other irregularities can also challenge a robot mower. While specific suspension details weren’t provided in the product information, in general, models with larger wheels, better suspension systems, or advanced traction control will perform more reliably on rough or uneven ground.
Before investing in a robot mower, it’s worth walking around your garden to identify any problem spots—especially those with pronounced dips, soft patches, or obstacles embedded in the lawn.
How your mowing area is defined is a key differentiator between robot mower systems and one that significantly affects both installation and long-term convenience.
Wire-free / Virtual Boundary Systems
Many modern robot mowers, including the Segway Navimow range, now use wire-free virtual boundary systems. These rely on advanced localisation technologies to map and stay within your garden’s layout:
X3 Series: Uses cutting-edge RTK + VSLAM + VIO AI Assist Mapping
i and H Series: Use RTK + VisionFence for precise, centimetre-level positioning
With these systems, there’s no need to install perimeter wires—making the setup process faster, simpler, and more flexible if you decide to change your garden’s design later. Everything is managed through the companion app, where you can define zones, no-go areas, and mowing paths digitally.
However, for virtual boundary systems to work effectively, your garden should ideally have a clear view of the sky to maintain strong satellite signal coverage. Gardens surrounded by tall buildings, dense trees, or structures that heavily obstruct the sky may experience occasional signal dropouts, which can impact mowing accuracy.
If you’re looking for a low-hassle, future-ready solution, wire-free models like Navimow offer an excellent advantage over traditional wired systems.
Beyond mowing performance, it’s important to consider the practical aspects of how your robot mower is powered and recharged.
Battery Capacity
Robot mowers come with varying battery sizes, which directly impact their runtime. For example, the Navimow X390 is equipped with a 12.8 Ah battery, delivering extended mowing sessions suitable for large gardens. In comparison, the Navimow i105 has a 2.55 Ah battery, designed for smaller areas with shorter mowing durations. Matching the battery capacity to your garden’s size and complexity ensures the mower can complete its job efficiently without frequent interruptions.
Charging Time
Charging times also differ between models. The X390 takes approximately 100 minutes to reach a full charge, while the i105 takes around 90 minutes. Keep in mind that the mower will return to its charging dock automatically when needed, but you will need to ensure you have a suitable and accessible outdoor power outlet for the charging station.
If you plan to install the charging dock away from the house, it’s worth checking that you have proper outdoor wiring and weatherproof power connections in place.
One of the standout advantages of robot mowers is how quiet they are compared to traditional petrol lawnmowers, making them ideal for residential areas or for mowing at less disruptive times, such as early mornings or evenings.
For example, the Navimow H Series is noted as “the quietest in the industry”, operating at just 54 dB(A)—quieter than a normal conversation. The X3 Series operates at around 60 dB(A), while the i Series runs at approximately 58 dB(A).
This low noise level means you can maintain a perfectly trimmed lawn without disturbing your household, neighbours, or local wildlife, offering both convenience and peace of mind.
Security is another important consideration when assessing whether your garden is suitable for a robot mower. While not extensively detailed in the provided document, many modern robot mowers come equipped with features such as PIN codes, alarms, and GPS tracking to help deter theft and provide peace of mind.
The Segway Navimow range, for example, includes anti-theft features that send instant alerts to your smartphone if the mower leaves its virtual boundary. Higher-end models, like the X3 Series, even include an integrated alarm and allow you to fit your own item tracker for extra protection.
In addition, all Navimow models are rated IP66, meaning they are fully protected against dust and powerful water jets. While this rating primarily refers to weather and water resistance, it also adds a layer of durability that helps protect the mower from tampering and environmental wear.
When setting up your mower, ensure the charging dock is installed in a secure, sheltered area and activate all available security settings through the app for maximum protection.
Use this handy checklist to evaluate whether your garden is suitable for a robot mower. Answering these questions will help you understand your garden’s needs and choose the right model for your space.
✅ What is the approximate size of your lawn in square metres?
Measure or estimate the total lawn area to ensure it matches the recommended mowing capacity of the robot mower you are considering.
✅ Do you have many narrow passages (under 1 metre wide) or disconnected lawn areas?
Identify if your garden has tight spaces or separate zones that require a mower with multi-zone mapping and intelligent navigation.
✅ How many permanent obstacles (trees, flower beds, large rocks, trampolines) are in your lawn?
Count the number and type of obstacles, as these will determine whether you need a basic bumper-sensor model or an advanced obstacle-avoidance system like VisionFence.
✅ What is the steepest slope in your garden (estimate percentage, or how many cm it rises over 100 cm horizontal distance)?
Check the gradients in your garden and compare them to the mower’s slope-handling capability to avoid issues with slipping or uneven mowing.
✅ Is your garden primarily flat, or does it have many significant bumps, dips, or exposed tree roots?
Assess the terrain to determine if you need a mower with larger wheels or better traction control to manage uneven ground effectively.
✅ Do you prefer a system that requires a physical perimeter wire, or a wire-free setup?
Consider whether you are happy to install perimeter wires or if you’d prefer the flexibility and easier setup of a virtual boundary system.
✅ Do you have an outdoor power outlet accessible for a charging station in a suitable location?
Make sure there’s a weatherproof power connection near the planned docking area.
✅ Are you concerned about theft, and would you need strong anti-theft features like GPS tracking?
Think about how important security features are for you, especially if your garden is easily accessible or in a public-facing area.
Determining if your garden is suitable for a robot mower involves considering various factors beyond just its size. By carefully evaluating your garden’s layout, terrain, and your personal preferences regarding boundary management, you can select the right robot mower to enjoy a perfectly manicured lawn with minimal effort.
Remember to consult the specific product specifications for each model and consider reaching out to a local dealer or expert if you have any doubts. With the right choice, you’ll be well on your way to effortless, smart lawn care that saves you time and keeps your garden looking its best.