Robot Lawn Mowers

How to choose a robot lawn mower

Four questions decide it.

1. How much lawn

   Size for the grass you mow, not the lot. Yarbo rates the Y40 at up to 6 acres a week and the Y40P at up to 7 acres, at two cuts a week.

2. How steep

   Slopes are quoted in percent grade, and 100% is 45 degrees. Yarbo robots handle up to 70% (35°). Mowrator rates the S1 4WD at 75% (37°) on standard wheels, 85% (40°) with Wide Wheels and 119% (50°) with Grip Tread tires.

3. Hands-off or hands-on

   Yarbo maps the yard with RTK and stereo vision and mows on a schedule, with no wire to bury. The Mowrator S1 is driven with a handheld remote; it does not mow by itself.

4. One job or all year

   The Yarbo Core takes a Lawn Mower Pro, Snow Blower or Leaf Blower module, so one machine works every season. The S1 adds leaf collection, towing and, on the 4WD, a snow plow kit.