How to Find the Right Robot Mower for Your Lawn?
2025-06-24
With more people working from home and rising living costs in cities, many in the UK are moving to suburban or rural areas, where gardens are a cherished part of daily life. Since that 22.7 million households (87% of homes) have access to a garden in the UK, lawn care has long been part of daily life for millions; yet it can be time-consuming.
In the past years, robot lawn mowers have emerged in the market to make mowing easier. As the market expands, so do the options, specs and features. Choosing the right one isn’t always easy; to save time and avoid sweating under the sun, find out how robot lawn mowers collect grass and how to pick the best one for your yard.
Why Consider a Robot Lawn Mower?
A robot lawn mower is useful because it saves time and labor while keeping your lawn healthy with consistent trimming. Powered by batteries, it runs quietly and produces no direct emissions. Most importantly, you can schedule and control it remotely through a mobile app.
When you compare traditional models like ride-on mowers and robot mowers, the latter operate autonomously even when you’re not home. GOAT robot mowers, for example, use LiDAR to enhance mapping and navigation. These electric models are also quieter and more eco-friendlythan gas-powered alternatives. Despite the higher initial cost, the time savings and low maintenance make robot mowers a worthy long-term investment.
How to Find the Right Robot Mower for Your Lawn?
To choose the best robot lawn mower, start by assessing your garden’s layout: slopes, narrow paths, or areas to avoid. Compare models to find features that suit your needs, while considering your budget and maintenance requirements. Reading online reviews is also a great way to research.
Lawn Size
Robot lawn mowers come with different working capacities: smaller models can cover up to 500 m², while larger ones handle as big as 800 m². Measure your lawn and check if the mower’s maximum coverage meets your needs. Some models, like the GOAT GX-600, cover more area by automatically resuming mowing from where they left off after recharging.
Slope Climbing Ability
Depending on the motor and wheel traction, robot mowers can handle different levels of gradients. For example, The GOAT O800 RTK, for instance, manages slopes up to 24°, ideal for hilly areas like the Cotswolds. Features like traction control or all-wheel drive provide better grip on uneven terrain.
Navigation & Mapping
Smart mowers use GPS, LiDAR, or cameras to create accurate maps of your lawn. For example, the GOAT O800 RTK features a pioneering dual-LiDAR navigation system: a 360° LiDAR module that builds a 3D depth map with 0.8-inch precision, and a front-facing solid-state 3D ToF LiDAR paired with an AI camera, supporting operation even in shaded areas. Mapping also allows you to tell your mower which areas to prioritize or skip.
Obstacle Avoidance
For safety, robot mowers use multiple sensors to detect and avoid objects like trees, furniture, or small animals. GOAT mowers feature AIVI 3D Obstacle Avoidance, a technology that combines AI vision with 3D ToF LiDAR to quickly identify and dodge over 200 types of obstacles, including your furry friends, keeping both the mower and your surroundings safe.
Smart Features
Robot mowers not only cut grass but also let you customize how the job is done. You can easily set the cutting height, mowing schedule, no-go zones, and even mowing speed through a mobile app.
Premium models like the GOAT O800 RTK take it further by fully automating the mapping process and letting you review boundary settings directly from the ECOVACS HOME app, without installing physical boundary wires. This gives you the flexibility to update boundaries whenever you like.
AI Integration
Robotic mowers powered by AI enhanced their accuracy and response times. By continuously learning from their environment through AI-cameras and sensors, they adapt their mowing patterns based on grass growth, usage patterns, or changes in your yard, like a sudden visit from a hedgehog. The result? More efficient mowing and better coverage over time.
Battery Life
Battery life determines how long the mower can run before needing to recharge, and some models can recharge at their base and resume where they left off. The GOAT O800 RTK, for example, comes with battery that fully charge in 100 minutes and mow up to 800 m² in one hour1.
Waterproof
With waterproof protection, mowers can operate in unpredictable British weather. Models like GOAT mowers with IPX6 ratings withstand rain and can be rinsed to remove dirt, making them easy to maintain.
Noise Level
Unlike gas-powered mowers, robot mowers are quiet, like GOAT O800 RTK operates at just 57 dBA, less than a normal conversation. Whether you like to mow early morning or late evening, quieter models are perfect for keeping the peace with your neighbors.
3 Best GOAT Robot Lawn Mowers for Your Lawn
GOAT O800 RTK
The high-end GOAT O800 RTK is built for challenging terrain. Its dual blade discs run on a 18V platform, covering up to 8,611 square feet per hour. Thanks to its dual-LiDAR navigation system, as well as a powerful motor and strong wheel traction, it easily climbs slopes up to 24° and crosses 1.18-inch barriers, even in low-light conditions. Plus, it's IPX6 waterproof, so cleanup is easy with a quick rinse, making it both smart and low maintenance.
Shop GOAT O800 RTK NowGOAT O500 Panorama
The GOAT O500 Panorama lets you customize the cutting height from 3 to 8 cm in 0.5 cm increments directly from the app, making it easy to adapt to different grass types. TheTruEdge system with 3D-ToF and AI camerasdelivers cut-to-edge mowing by detecting impassable boundaries while riding over passable ones. The LELS navigation also powers intelligent U-shaped path planning, achieving 100% coverage2 both horizontally and vertically.
Shop GOAT O500 Panorama NowGOAT G1-800
Compact but capable, the GOAT G1-800 climbs slopes up to 24°, while mowing at a speed of 1076 to 1614 square feet per hour3. AIVI 3D Obstacle Avoidance helps it recognize and dodge over 200 types of obstacles, including small animals. This model is also IPX6 waterproof, so it stands up well to unpredictable weather and makes cleaning as simple as a quick rinse.
Shop GOAT G1-800 NowFAQ
How often should a robot mower cut the grass?
Most robot mowers are designed to cut grass every day or several times a week. Frequent mowing keeps the lawn healthy and evenly trimmed without stressing the grass, especially during peak growing seasons in spring and early summer.
How long do robot mowers last?
With regular maintenance, a robot mower typically lasts 5 to 10 years. While battery life may decline after a few seasons, parts like blades and wheels can be replaced to extend the overall lifespan.
Can robot mowers work at night?
Yes, many robot mowers can operate at night, thanks to smart navigation enhanced by technologies like LiDAR. Compared to gas-powered mowers, they run much more quietly and are less likely to disturb your neighbors. Still, it's a good idea to check local noise regulations and consider wildlife safety in areas with nocturnal animals.
Disclaimer(s)
-
mow up to 800 m² in one hour: Data from ECOVACS laboratory. The GOAT O800 RTK robotic lawn mowers can mow 800 m² every one hour including charging time. The performance efficiency is based on tests conducted in real lawn scenarios in the laboratory and may vary depending on different actual usage conditions.
- 100% coverage: This refers to the full coverage of the claimed lawn area by ECOVACS GOAT, measured by ECOVACS Laboratory. For detailed area information, please kindly find it in the product spec. Actual results may vary depending on factors such as grass type, terrain, and other environmental conditions.