Should you let a robot mow your lawn?

Key takeaways

Robotic lawnmowers have advanced considerably, offering near 95% of the capabilities users want.
Navigation technology has evolved from boundary wires to GPS-based RTK and LiDAR, improving coverage and reliability.
New models now handle complex terrains better, with features like all-wheel drive and obstacle avoidance.
Despite improvements, these robots still require supervision, especially around obstacles like garden beds, fences, or yard animals.
Subscription costs and longevity of devices are concerns for consumers making an investment.
In the near future, robots may incorporate features such as gate opening or limb-like capabilities, but widespread autonomous household robots are still not here.
Choose your mower based on your yard size, terrain, and specific needs, prioritizing features like speed, traction, and trimming ability.

Summary

Overview of the Episode and Main Topic

This episode discusses the current state and advancements of robotic lawnmowers, weighing their efficacy and value. Jennifer Patterson-Toey and Brandon Doyle share insights from their personal testing experiences with the latest models in 2026, exploring technological developments, usability, and practicality for consumers.

Evolution and Technological Improvements in Robotic Mowers

The hosts review how robotic lawnmowers have progressed over recent years, noting improvements like better navigation systems, including GPS-based RTK and LiDAR technology. They emphasize how recent models no longer rely solely on boundary wires and can handle complex terrains with features like all-wheel drive and obstacle avoidance. Subscriptions and connectivity have been integrated to enhance functionality, but concerns about long-term costs persist.

Practical Challenges and Real-World Use Cases

Discussion covers practical issues such as navigating sandy soil, managing yards with gardens, fences, and slopes, and dealing with obstacles like chickens and garden beds. They highlight how newer models perform better with traction, speed, and obstacle detection, but still require oversight. The hosts also joke about the potential of robots opening gates and performing household tasks but acknowledge current limitations.

User Experiences and Recommendations

Jennifer and Brandon share their personal experiences, noting that models like the Emotion Luba 3 and Ecovacs Go 3000 Pro currently stand out as reliable choices. They discuss features like trimming capabilities, security, and yard coverage. The importance of choosing the right-sized mower based on yard size and terrain is stressed, along with the frustrations of robots getting stuck or causing yard damage.

Future of Robotic Lawnmowers and Industry Outlook

The conversation touches on upcoming innovations, the impact of US regulatory changes banning certain mobile robots, and the prospects for purpose-built versus general-purpose robots. The hosts speculate on how future models might incorporate automation for gate opening or limb-like features, but agree these are unlikely in the near term. They reflect on the ongoing improvement in speed, efficiency, and functionality of robotic lawnmowers.

Final Thoughts and Advice for Consumers

The hosts conclude that robotic lawnmowers are useful and have significantly improved, but they still require oversight and are not fully autonomous or perfect. They recommend investing in models with advanced navigation and obstacle avoidance, especially for those with complex yards. They advise shoppers to consider the long-term costs and the latest technological features when choosing a mower.

Show notes

Is it time to fire the neighbor kid and hire a robot lawnmower instead? Last year I wrote that “in all but a few scenarios, robot lawnmowers still aren’t worth your money,” but there’s a new class of Roombas with razor blades ready to tackle bumpy terrain and dodge crazy chickens. Realtor and smart home reviewer Brandon Doyle joins me to talk about our experiences with 2026’s newest robotic mowers and to let you know if they're finally worth all that money.