A robot mower costs more up front than a push mower and less than many riding mowers. Whether it pays off depends on what you'd otherwise spend in money and time. Enter your own numbers below.
Cost calculator
What a robot actually costs to run
- Purchase: from about $800 (Navimow i105) to $3,300 (LUBA 3 5000) for the models we track.
- Blades: small pivoting razor blades are replaced regularly; packs are inexpensive.
- Cellular service: some brands include several years of 4G. Segway's Connect+ costs $32.90 a year after the free period on the X4.
- Electricity: small. These are low-wattage machines that charge for an hour or two at a time.
- Battery: lithium packs lose capacity over the years. Budget for a replacement eventually.
The time you get back
If you mow yourself, the bigger return is time. An hour a week over a 28-week season is 28 hours a year, or 140 hours over five years.
When it isn't worth it
- Your lawn is tiny and quick to push-mow.
- You enjoy mowing.
- Your yard is mostly too steep, rough or fragmented for any robot.
- You'd still need a service for edging, leaves and cleanup, which a robot doesn't replace.