Do Robotic Mowers Charge Themselves?

Published February 22, 2026 | By Matt

If you’re considering a robotic lawn mower, you probably have a lot of practical questions that spec sheets don’t answer. Can it really just… do its thing? What happens when it rains? Will it eat your garden hose? Can your dog be outside while it’s running?

We get these questions constantly, so here are straightforward answers to the 15 most common ones.

For a full overview of the category, start with: Robotic Lawn Mowers: The Complete Buyer’s Guide.

1. Do robotic mowers charge themselves?

Yes. Every modern robotic lawn mower returns to its charging dock automatically when the battery gets low. It docks, charges, and — on most models — heads back out to finish the job without any input from you.

The charging dock is a small base station that stays in your yard, plugged into an outdoor power outlet. When the mower detects low battery, it navigates to the dock using its positioning system, drives onto the charging contacts, and begins recharging. Once charged, it resumes mowing from where it left off.

Charging times vary significantly by model. The Ecovacs GOAT A3000 charges in about 45 minutes. The Husqvarna 450XH EPOS takes about 60 minutes. The Segway Navimow i110N takes about 4 hours. Faster charging means less downtime and more mowing coverage per day.

2. How long does a robotic mower battery last per charge?

Runtime per charge typically ranges from 60 to 200 minutes depending on the model and conditions. The Husqvarna 450XH EPOS runs up to 200 minutes — one of the longest in the market. The Ecovacs GOAT A3000 LiDAR runs about 75 minutes but recharges in 45 minutes, making its effective daily coverage very competitive. The Segway Navimow i110N runs about 120 minutes per charge.

Factors that reduce runtime include mowing on slopes (AWD mowers draw more power climbing), cutting through thick or tall grass, and cold weather. If your lawn hasn’t been mowed in a while, expect the first run to use more battery than subsequent maintenance runs.

For detailed battery comparisons across all major models: Robotic Lawn Mower Specs Explained.

3. What cutting heights can robotic mowers achieve?

Most robotic mowers adjust between 0.8 inches and 4 inches, though the exact range varies by model.

If you have warm-season grasses like Bermuda (which thrives when cut short at 0.5-2 inches), look for mowers with a low minimum — the Mammotion LUBA 2 AWD X series goes down to 1 inch, and the Ecovacs GOAT starts at 1.2 inches.

If you have cool-season grasses like Tall Fescue or Kentucky Bluegrass (which should be kept at 2.5-4 inches), make sure the mower goes high enough. The Mammotion LUBA 2 AWD HX series reaches 4 inches. The Segway Navimow i Series goes to 3.6 inches. Some Husqvarna models cap at 2.4 inches, which is too low for many cool-season grasses.

On premium models, cutting height is adjustable through the app. On budget models, you adjust a physical dial on the mower itself.

4. Can I set different mow zones?

Yes, most mid-range and premium models support multi-zone management. This means you can define separate areas (front yard, backyard, side strips) with independent schedules, cutting heights, and mowing patterns.

The Mammotion LUBA 2 supports up to 60 zones. The Mammotion LUBA Mini supports 20. The Ecovacs GOAT series and Segway Navimow both support multiple zones with customizable settings per zone. You can also create no-go zones around pools, flower beds, playgrounds, or garden features.

Zone setup is done through the companion app. You draw boundaries on a map, and the mower treats each zone independently. Some models (like Mammotion) let you set different mowing patterns per zone — parallel stripes in the front, checkerboard in the back.

If your front and back yards are separated by a driveway, most wire-free models let you draw a “channel” or pathway connecting the zones, so the mower can travel between them automatically.

5. Can robotic mowers handle hills and slopes?

It depends on the model and the slope.

Gentle slopes (under 20%): Any robotic mower handles these without issue.

Moderate slopes (20-35%): Most mid-range mowers manage these well. The Worx Landroid handles up to 35%, the Segway Navimow i Series handles 30%.

Steep slopes (35-50%): You need a mower rated for it. The Ecovacs GOAT A3000 handles 50%. The Husqvarna 450XH handles 45%.

Very steep slopes (50-80%+): Only AWD (All-Wheel Drive) models can manage this. The Mammotion LUBA 2 AWD handles 80% slopes. The upcoming Segway Navimow X4 claims 84%.

If your yard has significant hills, AWD is worth the investment. Rear-wheel drive mowers will struggle, slip, or get stuck on steep wet grass even if they’re technically rated for the slope percentage.

We break down slope handling by model in: Best Robotic Lawn Mowers Compared.

6. How good are the apps for robotic mowers?

This varies considerably by brand, and it matters more than most people realize since the app is your primary interface with the mower.

Husqvarna Automower Connect is the most polished — clean interface, reliable connectivity, smooth operation. It also has the broadest smart home integration (Alexa, Google Home, IFTTT, Gardena Smart System).

Segway Navimow’s app is intuitive and clean, with excellent mapping tools and AI-assisted boundary setup. Zone management is straightforward.

Ecovacs HOME is feature-rich with detailed customization options, though some users report occasional connectivity hiccups.

Mammotion’s app is the most powerful in terms of features — lawn printing, 60-zone management, custom patterns — but it has a steeper learning curve. The initial mapping process (driving the mower around like an RC car) is fun but takes more time than AI-assisted mapping.

Worx Landroid’s app is the simplest to use but has fewer advanced features. Good for basic scheduling and monitoring.

All five brands offer both iOS and Android apps. All support firmware updates over the air. Most support scheduling, zone editing, and real-time mower tracking.

7. Can robotic mowers work in the rain?

Most robotic mowers are weather-resistant (rated IPX5 or IPX6) and can technically operate in rain. They won’t break or malfunction from getting wet.

However, mowing wet grass isn’t ideal. Wet clippings clump together instead of mulching into the soil, and they can stick to the cutting deck. The cut quality is also worse — grass bends when wet instead of standing upright for a clean slice.

Smart models handle this automatically. Husqvarna’s weather timer adjusts mowing frequency based on conditions. Many models pull local weather forecast data and will delay mowing when rain is expected, resuming when the lawn has dried. Worx Landroid models have a built-in rain sensor that sends the mower back to the dock when it detects rain.

8. Are robotic mowers safe around kids and pets?

Modern robotic mowers include several safety features. Lift sensors instantly stop the blades if someone picks up the mower. Tilt sensors stop the blades if the mower tips over. Premium models use cameras and AI to detect and avoid moving objects, including people and animals, before contact.

The Segway Navimow’s Animal Friendly Mode detects cats, dogs, and hedgehogs within a five-meter range and creates a one-meter buffer zone. The Ecovacs GOAT’s AIVI 3D detects over 200 obstacle types including pets. The cutting blades on most models are small, recessed under the chassis, and positioned far enough from the edge that accidental contact is very unlikely.

That said, no one should rely on the mower as a substitute for supervision around small children. The blades are sharp and spinning. Keep young children indoors or at a safe distance when the mower is operating. Most owners schedule mowing during hours when the yard isn’t in use — overnight is popular, given how quiet these machines are.

9. How loud are robotic mowers?

Dramatically quieter than any conventional mower. Gas push mowers run at 90-100 dB. Even electric push mowers are 75-85 dB. Robotic mowers typically operate at 54-65 dB — about the volume of a normal conversation or a running dishwasher.

The Segway Navimow i Series operates at 58 dB. Husqvarna’s ultra-silent drive models are among the quietest available. The Ecovacs GOAT runs slightly louder due to its more powerful 32V motor but is still far quieter than any push or ride-on mower.

This quiet operation is one of the biggest practical advantages of robotic mowers. You can run them at 6 AM or 10 PM without disturbing anyone. Many owners run their mowers overnight, waking up to a freshly cut lawn.

10. What about theft? Can someone just walk off with it?

Robotic mower manufacturers take theft seriously, and most models include multiple layers of protection.

PIN codes prevent unauthorized operation — without the code, the mower is a useless brick. GPS tracking lets you see the mower’s location in real time through the app. Geofencing alerts you if the mower leaves its designated area. Loud alarms sound if the mower is lifted. Mammotion and Segway both offer “lost mode” features that completely disable the mower for anyone except the registered owner.

Husqvarna has a particularly effective anti-theft system, and there are documented cases of stolen Automowers being recovered using the app’s GPS tracking.

The reality is that robotic mowers are difficult to steal and nearly impossible to use once stolen. They’re not a high-value target for thieves compared to, say, traditional ride-on mowers.

11. Do I still need to trim edges?

Yes, but less than you’d think. Robotic mowers can’t physically get the blade to the very edge of your lawn where it meets a wall, fence, or flower bed. There’s always some gap.

The size of that gap varies by model. The Ecovacs GOAT A3000’s TrueEdge technology gets within about 2 inches of edges. Ride-on boundary modes on several brands get the mower even closer by straddling the boundary. The Mammotion LUBA 2, with its side-mounted cutting discs, gets closer to edges than center-disc designs.

The GOAT A3000 LiDAR PRO takes this further with an integrated trimmer that automates edge finishing — the first consumer model to do so.

For most owners, the edge trimming requirement drops from a weekly chore to an occasional touch-up. Many report needing to trim edges every 2-3 weeks rather than weekly.

12. How long does setup take?

Boundary wire models (Worx Landroid Classic, older Husqvarna): Plan for 2-6 hours. You need to lay wire around your entire lawn perimeter, secure it with pegs, and connect it to the charging station. It’s a one-time job but it’s tedious.

RTK models with antenna (Segway Navimow i Series, Mammotion LUBA, Ecovacs GOAT A2500 RTK): About 15-30 minutes. Install the charging dock, set up the RTK antenna, and map your lawn via the app. AI-assisted mapping on Segway and Mammotion models speeds this up — the mower does most of the mapping work automatically.

LiDAR models (Ecovacs GOAT A3000 LiDAR, Segway Navimow i2 LiDAR): Under 10 minutes. No wire, no antenna. Place the dock, power it on, and the mower maps the lawn automatically on its first run.

Camera/Vision models (Worx Landroid Vision): Nearly instant. Place the dock, set the mower on the grass, and press start. The camera identifies grass automatically.

13. How much does a robotic mower cost to run?

Electricity costs for a robotic mower are minimal. Most models draw 20-50 watts while mowing and a similar amount while charging. Over a full mowing season (roughly April to September), the electricity cost works out to approximately $10-$30 per year, depending on your local rates and how often the mower runs.

Ongoing maintenance costs include replacement blades ($10-$20 per set, replaced every 1-3 months) and occasionally a new battery ($100-$300, typically every 3-5 years). Total annual operating cost for most models is under $100.

Compare that to a lawn service at $40/week for 24 weeks ($960/year), or the gas, oil, maintenance, and time costs of a conventional mower, and robotic mowers are significantly cheaper to operate over their lifetime.

14. How long do robotic mowers last?

With proper maintenance, most robotic mowers last 5-7+ years. Husqvarna models have a reputation for longevity, with many owners reporting 8+ years of reliable operation. Battery degradation is the main limiting factor — after 3-5 years, you may need to replace the battery to maintain full runtime.

Regular maintenance is minimal: clean the chassis and sensors monthly, replace blades every 1-3 months, and store the mower properly over winter (most manufacturers recommend a cool, dry indoor space with the battery at about 50% charge).

15. Is a robotic mower actually worth it?

Here’s the honest math:

If you pay for lawn service ($40/week for 24 weeks = $960/year), a $2,000 robotic mower pays for itself in about two seasons. A $1,000 mower pays for itself in one season.

If you mow yourself, the financial case is less clear-cut — but the time savings are substantial. Most owners report getting 1-2 hours back every week during mowing season. Over 24 weeks, that’s 24-48 hours per year. What’s your time worth?

Beyond the math, there’s the lawn quality argument. Because robotic mowers cut small amounts frequently (daily or every other day), the grass stays at a consistent height. The fine clippings decompose quickly and feed the soil, reducing the need for fertilizer. Many owners report their lawns look noticeably healthier after switching to a robot.

The technology in 2026 is mature and reliable. These aren’t experimental gadgets anymore. Millions of units are in use worldwide, the navigation systems work, and the prices have come down to accessible levels. The real question isn’t whether robotic mowers are worth it — it’s which one is right for your specific lawn.

For help answering that question: Robotic Mower Price Tiers: Budget vs Mid-Range vs Premium.