EmailBest Reviewed
Robotic Lawn Mowers
- Basic robotic mower for small lawns Friendly Robotics Robomow RM200 *Est. $1400
- Low running costs, better coverage LawnBott LB2100 Professional *Est. $1950
- Self-programming robotic mower LawnBott LB3200 Evolution *Est. $2500
- Robotic mower for larger lawns LawnBott LB3500 *Est. $3250
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- Mulches leaves
- Two-year warranty
- Can mow about one-third of an acre
- Only for flat lawns
- Can get stuck
- Heavy (78 pounds)
- Perimeter sensor can get confused
The Robomow RL1000 is the most popular robotic mower in the United States, able to keep an average lawn (about a third of an acre) mowed. It can be programmed to mow on a schedule, but initial setup requires laying down perimeter wires so it knows its boundaries. For about the same price, the lighter, quieter and more sophisticated LawnBott LB2100 Professional (*est. $1,950) can handle a bigger area and mow on steeper slopes. The LawnBott can handle slopes of up to 27 degrees (15 degrees for the Robomow).
We found the best review of the Robomow RL1000 at Bamabots.com, written and updated by one of the most experienced and expert retailers of robotic lawn mowers. Consumer Reports magazine tests the RL1000 but doesn't document its testing procedures or compare it with more than one other robotic lawn mower. We found quite a few detailed reviews -- based on 'owners' and 'journalists' personal experience with the RL1000 or similar Robomow models -- published by sources as diverse as Amazon.com, The Washington Post and PC Magazine.
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Our Sources
1. Bamabots.com
This detailed hands-on review of the Friendly Robotics Robomow RL1000 is written by a retailer, but the review is balanced, detailed and critical. A chart on this site compares the long-term costs (including routine maintenance and average repairs) for the Robomow RL1000 with those of several LawnBott models.
Review: Robomower RL1000 Review, Kerry Clabaugh
2. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe
Consumer Reports tests the Robomow RL1000 and the LawnBott LB3200 Evolution (*est. $2,500). No details are given about the initial setup or test conditions. Performance and safety are briefly discussed.
Review: Robotic Mowers: Close Up, Contributors to Consumer Reports, May 2008
3. Amazon.com
Nearly a dozen owners review the RL1000 here, giving it an average rating that falls a bit on the low side. More owners are satisfied than not, but some complaints emphasize the need to buy from a retailer with good technical support, and to anticipate that ongoing maintenance and replacement parts will be necessary'.
Review: Friendly Robotics Robomower Reviews, Contributors to Amazon.com
This review of the Friendly Robotics Robomow RL1000 confirms that it takes little or no attention once set up, and that it's "no louder than a rotary sprinkler, so it can run at night and not annoy the neighbors." The review seems based more on interviews with owners and distributors than on the 'author's own tests.
Review: Gardening in the New Millennium, Jeff Turrentine, Apr. 28, 2005
5. PC World
This review focuses more on the Roomba robotic vacuum than the Friendly Robotics Robomow. The writer tested the Robomow on his own lawn, saying it performed very well on a "pretty steep grade" and turned itself off when a dog tried to grab it. No other robotic lawn mowers are rated.
Review: Ready for Roomba and Robomower?, Editors of PC World, Jan. 20, 2006
Based on the author's personal use, this review of the earlier and smaller Friendly Robotics RL800 mower also includes quotations from other users. The RL800 gets praise for its sound level, which is described as "a low, electric whirring," and is praised for its efficient mulching and environmental friendliness. No other mowers are tested or rated.
Review: Technology: It Mulches, Too? Robotic Mowers Win a Following, John R. Quain, July 31, 2003
This blog post by a software engineer describes how the Robomow RL1000 works, but she concludes that it's too expensive, based on her calculations that 'it's equivalent to more than seven years of lawn service.
Review: Robomower: Completely Automated Lawnmower, "bwilds", Apr. 2006
Robotic Lawn Mowers Runners Up:
3 picks by top review sites.
2 picks including: Amazon.com, Bamabots.com…
Friendly Robotics RoboMower 21-Inch Automatic Cordless Electric Lawn Mower #RL850
 from Amazon.com New: $1299.00 In Stock.
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Friendly Robotics RL1000 RoboMower 21-Inch Automatic Cordless Electric Lawn Mower and Docking Station
from Amazon.com New: $2100.00 In Stock.
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