A well-maintained lawn can transform your outdoor space. When it comes to choosing the best tool for the job, the debate between robotic mowers and traditional lawn mowers is becoming a common discussion.
In this article, we'll help you compare robotic mowers with traditional lawn mowers, including push lawn mowers, electric mowers and ride-on lawn mowers, to help you make an informed decision.
Traditional Lawn Mowers
Traditional lawn mowers have been the go-to solution for decades. These mowers come in two primary types: push lawn mowers and ride-on lawn mowers.
Push Lawn Mowers
Push lawn mowers are ideal for small to medium-sized gardens. They can be petrol powered or electric and offer several advantages:
- Affordability: Push lawn mowers are generally a little less expensive upfront compared to their robotic counterparts.
- Control: Users have direct control over the mowing process, which can be beneficial for intricate lawn designs and tight spaces.
- Exercise: Mowing the lawn manually can provide a moderate workout, promoting physical activity.
However, push lawn mowers also come with some drawbacks:
- Maintenance: Regular maintenance, including blade sharpening and engine servicing, is necessary to keep them in good working condition.
- Time-Consuming: Mowing a lawn with a push mower can be time-intensive, especially for larger yards.
- Environmental Impact: Petrol-powered push mowers contribute to air pollution and carbon emissions. They also require petrol, which involves regular trips to the petrol station and additional costs.
- Noise pollution: Petrol mowers can be disruptive to both your household and your neighbours.
- Physical Effort: Requiring significant physical effort, they may not be suitable for everyone, particularly those with mobility issues.
- Lawn Health: Letting your grass grow tall before cutting it short every week or two, sometimes less frequently during busy times, may not be ideal for your lawn's health.
- Lawn Clippings: You need to pick up the clippings to keep them from suffocating your lawn. In some places your need to pay to get rid of your clippings via green waste.
Ride-On Lawn Mowers
Ride-on lawn mowers are ideal for maintaining larger lawns, as they enable users to cover more ground in less time compared to traditional push mowers.
- Efficiency: They can mow large areas in a shorter amount of time compared to push mowers.
- Comfort: Designed for comfort, they reduce the physical strain associated with mowing.
- Versatility: Many models come with additional features such as grass collectors, mulchers, and attachments for other lawn care tasks.
Despite their benefits, ride-on mowers have their downsides:
- Cost: Higher upfront cost compared to push mowers and robotic mowers.
- Storage: They require more storage space due to their larger size.
- Maintenance: Regular maintenance and repair costs can add up over time.
- Fuel Dependency: Ride-on mowers typically run on petrol, adding to ongoing operational costs and environmental impact.
- Weight: In winter every ride-on can leave track marks in your lawn.
- Safety: Ride-on mowers can become a safety hazard at times with numerous news articles reporting them being involved in accidents.
Robotic Mowers
Robotic mowers are the latest innovation in lawn care, offering a convenient and automated solution:
Advantages of Robotic Mowers
- Timesaving: Once set up, robotic mowers operate autonomously, leaving you free to focus on other projects and tasks which require your attention.
- Consistency: They can maintain a consistent mowing schedule, ensuring your lawn is always well-kept, even when its wet.
- Eco-Friendly: Our robotic mowers are battery-powered, reducing your carbon footprint compared to petrol-powered traditional mowers.
- Improved Lawn Health: Mowing frequently creates smaller clippings that more easily break down into the soil, acting as a natural fertilizer and weed deterrent.
- No More Clippings: Raking up clippings becomes a thing of the past.
- Low Maintenance: With fewer moving parts and no need for petrol or oil changes, maintenance is minimal.
- Precision: Advanced models can navigate complex garden layouts and adapt to different lawn conditions with ease.
- Noise Reduction: In general, a typical petrol lawn mower produces around 90 decibels of sound. The average robotic mower produces around 60 decibels of sound – making it 33% quieter than petrol and about the level of an average conversation. Although I reckon my mower would be more like a whispered conversation.
Considerations for Robotic Mowers
- Initial Cost: While prices are continuously coming down with new technology, robotic mowers can have a higher initial cost compared to push mowers.
- Complex Setup: Installation of robotic mowers can be intricate, requiring wired or wire-free boundaries. For optimal performance, we recommend professional installation to ensure proper setup and functionality.
- Suitability: Not every lawn is suitable for a robotic mower and it's important that a professional visits your lawn before selecting a machine.
Making the Decision
Choosing between a robotic mower and a traditional lawn mower depends on various factors including lawn size, budget, physical capability, and personal preference.
For Small to Medium Gardens: If you enjoy the physical activity and want a cost-effective solution, a push lawn mower might be the best choice. However, a robotic mower can offer unparalleled convenience and consistent care, making it an attractive option for those who prefer a hands-off approach.
For Large Gardens: While a ride-on lawn mower offers efficiency and comfort, a robotic mower provides the added benefit of autonomous operation, freeing you up to enjoy your outdoor space rather than maintaining it.
For Modern Convenience: A robotic mower provides hassle-free lawn care with minimal effort, suitable for tech-savvy homeowners who value their time and convenience. Its eco-friendly operation and low maintenance make it a superior choice for modern lawn care.
Conclusion
Whether you prefer the hands-on approach of traditional lawn mowers or the automated ease of robotic mowers, maintaining a beautiful lawn is within reach. By weighing the pros and cons of each type, you can select the best mower to meet your needs and enjoy a pristine garden all year round.
For more information on our range of robotic mowers and to see how they compare to traditional options, book a free on-site visit and demo. We’re here to help you make the best choice for your lawn care needs.
