u/Visible_Pea5082

Since the grass in my yard had grown incredibly long, I’ve been researching the pros and cons of robotic lawnmowers and ultimately decided to buy a brand-new one.

I’ve summarized the following five points based on the many posts I’ve read recently; I hope this proves helpful to anyone else considering purchasing a robotic lawnmower.

1. It doesn’t eliminate lawn care — it changes it

You still need to deal with edges, obstacles, and occasional maintenance. It’s not a “set and forget” system.

2. Thick or fast-growing grass matters more than specs

On paper most mowers look capable, but real-world performance depends heavily on how dense and fast your lawn grows.

3. Setup takes longer than you expect

Even wire-free / RTK systems still require planning, mapping, and trial and error.

4. Weather and terrain affect performance a lot

Wet grass, slopes, and uneven yards can change how well it runs more than most reviews mention.

5. The biggest benefit isn’t convenience — it’s consistency

The lawn just looks “maintained all the time” without big weekend mowing sessions.

Curious what others here think — anything you wish you knew before getting one?

My yard is half an acre, and I personally don't have much time to take care of it.I’m considering getting a robotic lawn mower, but I’m unclear about how they actually handle grass clippings.

Since most of these mowers are quite small, I don’t really see any visible collection system like a traditional mower.

So do they:

- mulch everything back into the lawn?

- leave almost nothing behind because they cut so frequently?

- or does it depend heavily on grass type and conditions?

Would love to hear from people actually using them long-term.

Location:Northern US

I've been researching robot mowers lately, and one thing I'm still unsure about is how much manual work they actually eliminate.

From what I've read, they seem great for keeping the main lawn under control, but a lot of people still mention trimming along fences, flower beds, and other edges.

For those of you who own one:

- How often do you still use a string trimmer?

- Is edging just a quick touch-up, or is it still a regular chore?

- Has a robot mower reduced your lawn work by 50%, 80%, or almost completely?

I'd love to hear some real-world experiences before making a decision！

Location:Northern US

my yard:0.5 acre

My wife wants me to buy a lawnmower—something relatively lightweight and easy to assemble. What kind of mowers do you all use? If I get a manual push mower, would it be too heavy or hard to push? Would it be effective against thick weeds?

Or should I spend a bit more and get a robotic mower? Are they any good? If it’s fully automatic, what’s the price range? Which option offers better value for money?