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Which mower is right for me?
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Which mower is right for me?
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Lawn care has come a long way. Gone are the days when the only options were labour-intensive push mowers or bulky ride-ons reserved for sprawling estates. Today’s homeowners are spoiled for choice, with high-tech innovations and compact solutions designed to suit every type of garden. Among the most talked-about developments in recent years are robotic mowers and hover mowers—each offering a distinct approach to achieving that perfect cut.
Robotic mowers are the ultimate in convenience. These smart, autonomous machines can be programmed to cut the grass on a schedule, navigate your garden using boundary wires or GPS, and return themselves to a charging station—all with minimal human input. They’re designed for homeowners who value hands-free, set-and-forget functionality.
Hover mowers, on the other hand, are a lightweight, user-operated option that rides on a cushion of air, making them incredibly easy to manoeuvre across uneven or sloped terrain. While they still require manual control, their design reduces physical effort and makes them ideal for smaller or trickier lawns.
This article will help you understand the key differences between robotic mowers and hover mowers, weighing up the pros and cons of each. Whether you’re tech-savvy and time-poor, or prefer to keep your mowing simple and direct, we’ll guide you towards the best option for your lawn—and your lifestyle.
Robotic mowers are battery-powered, autonomous lawn machines designed to keep your grass trimmed with minimal human input. Once set up, they quietly go about their work—cutting the lawn, navigating obstacles, and returning to charge—all on their own.
Traditional models rely on boundary wires installed around the edge of your lawn and any no-go zones. These wires guide the mower and help it understand where it’s allowed to cut. More recent wire-free models use advanced GPS, sensors, or camera-based navigation to map your garden and mow accurately without the need for physical boundaries.
A charging station acts as home base, where the mower automatically returns when it needs a recharge—often between mowing cycles or at the end of the day.
Robotic mowers typically follow the “little and often” principle, regularly trimming tiny amounts of grass rather than doing one big weekly cut. This helps maintain a tidy lawn and supports natural mulching, as the small clippings break down quickly and nourish the soil.
Robotic mowers are ideal for people who:
Hover mowers are manually operated lawnmowers that glide over the grass on a cushion of air. Lightweight and easy to manoeuvre, they’re especially popular for gardens that are sloped, uneven, or have awkward edges that are hard to tackle with traditional wheels.
At the heart of a hover mower is an impeller, which generates a stream of air beneath the mower. This air creates a hovering effect, lifting the mower slightly off the ground and reducing friction. Underneath, a rotary blade spins rapidly to cut the grass as you guide the mower across the lawn.
Unlike robotic mowers, hover mowers require manual control—you’ll need to push or sweep the unit across your garden. However, the hovering motion makes them feel far lighter and easier to move than standard wheeled models.
Hover mowers tend to suit people who:
| Category | Robotic Mower | Hover Mower |
|---|---|---|
| Automation | Fully autonomous, programmable | Manual control, push to operate |
| Lawn Size & Terrain | Best for small to large, relatively simple lawns | Ideal for small to medium, irregular or sloped gardens |
| Cut Quality & Lawn Health | Frequent fine cuts, promotes mulching and healthy growth | Decent cut, can struggle with long/thick grass |
| Installation & Setup | Requires setup (boundary wire or GPS + charging dock) | Plug in and go; minimal setup needed |
| Maintenance | Low daily effort, periodic cleaning/blade replacement | Requires cleaning after each use, occasional blade care |
| Cost | Higher upfront, low running costs | Low upfront and running costs |
| Safety | Advanced sensors, secure blades, wildlife consideration | Manual control, safety switch, exposed blade underside |
| Noise | Very quiet, runs anytime | Louder than robots but quieter than petrol mowers |
| Eco Impact | Zero emissions, energy-efficient, natural mulching | Zero emissions, but less efficient mulching |
| Storage | Compact, can stay outside or store easily | Lightweight, wall-mountable, ideal for small spaces |
When it comes to convenience, this is where the biggest divide lies.
Robotic Mower:
Robotic mowers offer full automation once installed and configured. You can set schedules, adjust cutting preferences, and monitor progress via a smartphone app. Once it’s up and running, the mower handles the job on its own—day or night, rain or shine—with only occasional maintenance or intervention needed. It’s a set-and-forget solution for those who want their lawn looked after without lifting a finger.
Hover Mower:
Hover mowers are 100% manual. They rely on you to push, guide, and control the mower throughout the entire lawn. There’s no automation or scheduling—just plug it in (or power it up) and do the work yourself. While lighter than traditional push mowers, hover mowers still demand regular physical effort and time from the user.
Choosing the right mower isn’t just about how it cuts—it’s also about how well it handles the layout and size of your garden.
Robotic Mower:
Robotic mowers are available in a wide range of capacities, from compact models designed for urban gardens under 250m², to advanced machines capable of mowing estates over 5,000m². When buying, it’s important to match the mower’s area capacity to the size of your lawn—an underpowered unit will struggle to keep up.
In terms of terrain complexity, robotic mowers perform best on flat to moderately sloped lawns. They can handle trees, flowerbeds, and paths, provided boundary wires or virtual zones are set up correctly. However, highly complex layouts with narrow passages or lots of tight corners can reduce efficiency—though newer, GPS-based models are becoming better at adapting to these challenges.
When it comes to slopes, performance varies widely by model. Standard robotic mowers typically handle inclines up to 25-50% (14–27 degrees), while all-wheel-drive (AWD) models can manage up to 70% (35 degrees).
As for uneven terrain, robotic mowers usually perform well thanks to their slightly elevated design. That said, extremely bumpy areas or steep drop-offs can cause issues, such as the mower getting stuck or blades scalping the ground.
Hover Mower:
Hover mowers are best suited to small to medium-sized lawns. While their lightweight nature makes them easy to manoeuvre, pushing one around a large lawn can become tiring—especially without self-propulsion.
They really shine in complex or awkwardly shaped gardens, thanks to their multi-directional movement. You can easily swing a hover mower from side to side or pivot it around flowerbeds, trees, and borders without fuss.
Slopes are another strong point. Because hover mowers have no wheels, they don’t dig in or struggle for traction like traditional mowers. The air cushion allows them to glide across inclines with far less effort, making them a popular choice for gardens with hills or banks.
For uneven terrain, hover mowers are surprisingly capable. They tend to skim over bumps and dips, rather than getting bogged down. While extremely rough areas can still be tricky, they’re generally more forgiving than wheeled push mowers.
How a mower cuts your grass doesn’t just affect how it looks on the day—it also plays a role in your lawn’s long-term health.
Robotic Mower:
Robotic mowers follow a “little and often” approach, trimming tiny amounts of grass on a near-daily basis. This results in fine clippings that fall back into the lawn and break down quickly, creating a neat, uniform finish that many describe as a “carpet-like” appearance.
From a lawn health perspective, this process—often called grasscycling—is excellent. The small clippings act as a natural fertiliser, returning nutrients to the soil and promoting thicker, healthier growth. Regular cutting also helps reduce thatch and keeps weeds at bay.
However, one thing robotic mowers can’t do is create stripes. Since they typically move in a random or algorithmic pattern, the visual effect is even and clean, but not striped.
Hover Mower:
Hover mowers use a rotary blade to cut the grass, which generally delivers a satisfactory and tidy result, particularly on short, regularly maintained lawns. However, they can struggle with very long or dense grass, where the cut may become uneven or patchy without multiple passes.
In terms of lawn health, most hover mowers don’t have large collection boxes, and some have none at all—so clippings are often left behind. This can result in basic mulching, though the clippings are usually larger and less consistent than those from a robotic mower. If not well-distributed, they may leave visible clumps that sit on the lawn surface.
Like robotic mowers, hover mowers do not create stripes, as they lack a roller and follow a free-moving path.
Before you get mowing, there’s the matter of setup—and this is an area where the difference between robotic and hover mowers is especially noticeable.
Robotic Mower:
Robotic mowers generally require more initial effort to install. Most models need a boundary wire laid around the perimeter of your lawn (and around obstacles like flowerbeds or ponds). This can be a time-consuming DIY task or something you might prefer to have professionally installed.
Wire-free robotic mowers—which use GPS or vision-based navigation—are far simpler to set up, often just requiring a scan of your lawn’s shape. However, these models tend to be more expensive and may still need fine-tuning to work well in complex gardens.
You’ll also need to find a suitable location for the charging station, which must be connected to a power source and placed somewhere with easy access for the mower.
Finally, there’s initial programming. Most robotic mowers are controlled via a mobile app or control panel, allowing you to set mowing schedules, cutting heights, and zones. Once set, it’s largely hands-off—but getting it right at the start takes a bit of time and attention.
Hover Mower:
Hover mowers are the definition of plug-and-play. Setup typically involves assembling the handle, plugging it into a power socket (for electric models), and you’re ready to mow.
There’s no programming, no boundary wire, and no app required. Just unpack, plug in, and go.
All mowers need some level of care to keep performing at their best—but the type and frequency of that maintenance can vary greatly.
Robotic Mower:
One of the key appeals of robotic mowers is their low daily effort. Once they’re up and running, there’s virtually nothing to do on a daily basis—they mow, recharge, and repeat without your involvement.
That said, they do require periodic maintenance to stay in top condition. You’ll need to:
Being fully electric, robotic mowers don’t require any fuel, oil, or spark plug changes, making them cleaner and simpler to maintain in the long run.
Hover Mower:
Hover mowers are also relatively low-maintenance, but they do need a bit more hands-on care after each use.
Like robotic mowers, most hover mowers are electric, so there’s no fuel or oil involved—keeping things simple for the average user.
Budget is often one of the biggest deciding factors when choosing a lawn mower. Here’s how robotic and hover mowers stack up when it comes to upfront investment and long-term running costs.
Robotic Mower:
Robotic mowers come with a higher initial price tag. Entry-level models typically start at several hundred pounds, while premium versions with GPS navigation, app integration, and large area capacity can cost well over £1,000. If you opt for professional installation of boundary wires, that adds further to the upfront cost.
However, once installed, the running costs are very low. Electricity consumption is minimal—charging a robotic mower costs just a few pounds per year in most households. Ongoing costs are limited to replacement blades (several times per season) and a new battery every few years, depending on use and model.
So while the upfront investment is significant, robotic mowers can be cost-efficient over time, especially if you value hands-free convenience.
Hover Mower:
Hover mowers are known for their budget-friendly pricing. You can pick up a reliable model for as little as £40–£100, with even the more powerful or feature-rich versions rarely exceeding a few hundred pounds.
Running costs are also low, particularly for electric models, which only require household power to operate. There are no batteries to replace, and consumables like blades are inexpensive and infrequently needed. For many homeowners, hover mowers offer excellent value for money, especially for smaller gardens and straightforward mowing needs.
Safety is a crucial consideration—especially if you have children, pets, or wildlife in and around your garden. Both mower types come with specific safety measures, but they approach risk differently.
Robotic Mower:
Modern robotic mowers are equipped with a range of advanced sensors to ensure safe operation:
Robotic mowers also feature anti-theft protections, such as PIN codes, alarms, and GPS tracking, to deter unauthorised use or theft.
However, it’s important to note one potential risk: if operated at night, robotic mowers can pose a danger to nocturnal wildlife, such as hedgehogs. Many wildlife organisations recommend daytime-only operation to minimise harm.
Hover Mower:
Hover mowers rely on manual control, meaning the user is always present and can react quickly to potential hazards.
They usually include a safety switch, often a dead man’s handle, which instantly stops the motor if you release the handle or lose grip. This provides a quick and effective way to shut off the mower in case of an emergency.
However, the blades are relatively exposed underneath, so caution is essential—particularly when flipping the mower for cleaning or storage. Always unplug or disconnect the power before performing any maintenance.
Noise output can make a big difference, especially in suburban areas or for those who prefer to mow early or late in the day.
Robotic Mower:
Robotic mowers are extremely quiet—so much so that they’re often barely audible even a few metres away. The low hum of the electric motor and the small, lightweight blades create very little disturbance. This makes them ideal for running in the early morning or evening, even in noise-sensitive neighbourhoods. Many users let them mow while working from home, relaxing outside, or even sleeping, with no disruption.
Hover Mower:
Hover mowers are noticeably louder than robotic mowers, typically producing sound levels comparable to a standard electric rotary mower. While still quieter than petrol mowers, the sound of the motor and spinning blade is certainly audible and may not be suitable for very early or late mowing. If you’re sensitive to noise or live in a quiet area, this might be something to consider.
For eco-conscious gardeners, understanding the environmental footprint of your mower is an important part of the decision-making process.
Robotic Mower:
Robotic mowers are electric-powered and produce zero direct emissions, making them a clean alternative to petrol mowers. Their low energy usage—charging only when needed—makes them highly energy-efficient.
One of their key environmental benefits is natural mulching. By cutting frequently and finely, they eliminate the need for chemical fertilisers and reduce organic waste. This not only improves lawn health but also lowers your garden’s overall environmental impact.
Hover Mower:
Most hover mowers are also electric, so they too produce no direct emissions during use. However, they’re less efficient when it comes to mulching. Since they often leave larger clippings or require a grass box (which fills quickly), users may need to manually dispose of clippings, increasing garden waste.
While still a greener option than petrol mowers, hover mowers don’t offer the same level of passive environmental benefit as robotic models that continuously recycle clippings back into the soil.
Whether you have a garden shed, a garage, or just a small outdoor corner, knowing how much space your mower will need is key.
Robotic Mower:
Robotic mowers have a small overall footprint, consisting of the mower itself and its charging station. In many cases, they’re designed to remain outdoors year-round, often with optional weatherproof covers or dedicated docking shelters. For those who prefer to bring the unit inside, the compact size means it can be easily stored in a shed or garage during the off-season.
Just keep in mind that the charging station needs a permanent, powered location with some open space around it to allow the mower to dock and undock freely.
Hover Mower:
Hover mowers are known for their lightweight, space-saving design. With foldable or detachable handles, they can be stored in tight indoor spaces or even hung on a wall to free up floor space. This makes them a great choice for homes with limited storage or no outdoor power supply.
Their simple construction and lack of extra components (like charging stations) mean they’re easy to move, store, and tuck away after use.
Still unsure which mower fits your garden and lifestyle best? Here’s a quick guide to help you decide based on your needs and preferences.
A robotic mower is perfect for those who want their lawn to look great with hardly any input—just set it up and let it do the work.
Hover mowers are an excellent choice for gardeners who value simplicity, control, and affordability—especially in trickier garden layouts where flexibility matters most.
Before making your final choice, take a moment to reflect on the factors that apply to any mower purchase—robotic or hover. Your decision will be far easier (and more satisfying) if you consider the following:
Be honest about what you’re willing (and able) to spend—not just on the initial purchase, but also on ongoing maintenance, replacement parts, and optional accessories. Robotic mowers often cost more upfront, but hover mowers may involve more manual labour over time.
Measure your lawn’s size, take note of gradients and slopes, and assess how complex or open the layout is. These physical features can make or break the suitability of either mower type.
Ask yourself how much time you’re prepared to dedicate to mowing and maintenance. Robotic mowers save hours over the long term but require setup and occasional upkeep. Hover mowers require hands-on effort every time.
Do you want a perfectly consistent, “always-cut” lawn, or are you happy with a good manual cut once a week? Your expectations for lawn appearance will help guide your decision.
Whether you’re investing in high-end robotics or a budget hover mower, brand reliability matters. Look for customer reviews, support options, and spare part availability before buying.
No, not at all. While both are lawn cutting tools, they operate in fundamentally different ways. A robotic mower is an autonomous, battery-powered machine that operates independently once programmed. It’s designed to maintain a lawn consistently with minimal effort from the user.
In contrast, a hover mower is a manual device that you actively push and guide. It floats on a cushion of air but requires human operation at all times. They represent two distinct approaches to lawn care.
A hover mower is often the better choice for small, irregular gardens with tight corners, curved edges, or lots of obstacles. Its multi-directional movement makes it easier to navigate tricky layouts without getting stuck.
That said, advanced robotic mowers with GPS navigation or multi-zone capability can also manage complex spaces—but usually at a higher cost and setup time.
Hover mowers can handle moderately long grass, especially if used with a sweeping back-and-forth motion, but they may struggle with very thick or neglected lawns.
Robotic mowers are designed to trim frequently and lightly. If the grass is too long, the mower may stall or stop. In such cases, a manual cut is required first before switching to robotic maintenance.
No, neither mower type creates traditional lawn stripes.
For stripes, a rotary mower with a built-in roller is recommended.
Both are compact and easy to store, especially compared to large petrol mowers.
Both mowers include safety features, but in different ways:
Both are greener than petrol mowers, but there are differences:
Whether you favour the simplicity and agility of a hover mower or the hands-free precision of a robotic mower, the right choice ultimately depends on your lawn, lifestyle, and what you value most in garden care.
If you’re leaning towards cutting-edge convenience, consistent results, and more free time, a robotic mower could be your perfect match. With the latest models now offering wire-free setup, smart navigation, and eco-conscious performance, there’s never been a better time to automate your lawn care.
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Your perfect lawn is just one smart decision away.