While the idea of robots stealing our jobs is not the most welcome idea, the idea of robots doing our chores sure is. Welcome to our guide to choosing the best robot lawn mower for hills. In this article, we specially selected a range of options to fit every budget. You’ll find models that tackle steep hills down to moderately-steep hills. Our top pick is currently the beast of what’s available on the market with ferocious AWD power.
Before we get started with the mowers, let’s quickly go over some considerations that go into choosing the right model for your lawn:
- Acreage – The most affordable robot mowers can typically handle about .25 acres of lawn, while premium models offer up to 1 acre of coverage.
- Charging Time – Charging time is important to cut down on the total time it takes for the mower to finish your lawn.
- Mowing Time per Charge – It’s important to look at mowing time per charge and charging time to get a good idea of the total job time.
- Cutting Height – Each robot mower cuts within a specific height range. Depending on your grass type and preferred height, be sure to check that the mower’s listed height range satisfies your desired cut height.
- All-Wheel Drive – This feature is the current gold standard for handling the steepest slopes.
- GPS Navigation – Mowers with GPS offer the most accurate and efficient cutting patterns. Additionally, GPS gives you the peace of mind of anti-theft notifications in the event someone moves your mower outside of its designated area.
- Cutting Width – A wider cutting width ensures that your robot mower covers more area in less time.
- Warranty – Considering the price of robotic mowers can range drastically, it’s wise to buy from a reputable company with a good warranty.
Now, let’s look at an overview of our top picks before going over helpful reviews of each model.
Top 5 Robot Mowers for Steep Hills
| Product | Description |
| #1) Husqvarna Automower 435X AWD Robotic Lawn Mower with GPS |
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#2) MowRo RM24 Robot Lawnmower by Redback  |
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#3) Husqvarna Automower 310   |
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#4) Autmow Robomow RS612  |
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#5) WORX WR140 Landroid M 20V Cordless Robotic Lawn Mower  |
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Best Robot Lawn Mowers for Hills Reviewed
Husqvarna is currently the best robot mower brand. Husqvarna offers a wide range of models to fit every budget and lawn type. Also, you’ll find that Husqvarna technology is the most advanced, which is perfect for people who own existing smart home gadgets. After Husqvarna, the other brands in this guide are all great alternatives if you’re not a fan of what Husqvarna has to offer.
In the following reviews, you’ll find unique highlights of each model along with the pros & cons to consider for each. By the end, you’ll be well on your way to autonomous mowing.
#1) Husqvarna Automower 435X AWD Robotic Lawn Mower with GPS
As far as robot mowers go, the 435X is an absolute beast. Its AWD feature helps to power it up the steepest hills of 35º which is nearly double the rating of most competing models. To get the most out of the all-wheel drive, the 435X has a pivoting rear body. The pivoting motion boosts traction while working uphill in addition to enhancing maneuverability. For complex lawns with narrow passages and obstacles, it doesn’t get better than the 435X.
Next, the 435X comes with all the necessary smart functions to make using it and keeping it safe easier. Onboard GPS provides theft protection and allows the 435X to create a map of your lawn for ultimate cutting efficiency. However, like all robot mowers, it still requires guide wires around the boundary of your lawn and to lead it back to its charging station.
Several patented features offered only by Husqvarna are dual guide wires, automatic passage handling, and electric height adjustment. All things considered, the 435X is the most powerful mower in this guide and gets you the closest to trouble-free autonomous mowing with its smart home integration.
Pros
- Husqvarna Automower® Connect for smartphone and smart home integration (Google Home and Amazon Alexa compatible)
- Tackles the steepest hills of the models in this guide
- Excellent maneuverability with its rear-pivoting body
- The ideal choice for large lawns up to .9 acres
- GPS for theft control and lawn mapping
- Quiet 62 dB operation
- Low minimum cutting height of 1.2″ (max height is 2.8″)
- Patented electric height adjustment
Cons
- The highest upfront cost
- A lower max height than competing models
- Some people may find the smart features to be confusing
#2) MowRo RM24 Robot Lawn Mower by Redback
Next up is a robot mower that nearly matches the max incline of the 435X for a significantly lower cost at the time of this writing. Comparatively, the RM24 doesn’t offer the same smart features or GPS as the 435X, but it does have all the core features you need to get the job done. Once you set up the guide wire perimeter, the RM24 covers up to .25 acres of lawn on a 48-hour schedule.
To make things even easier, the RM24 automatically returns to its charging station for a truly set-it-and-forget-it experience. Plus, at 65 dB operating volume, it’s only a few decibels louder than the 435X. This means you won’t be that annoying neighbor creating noise pollution. Regarding cutting, the RM24 offers a cutting height range of 1″ to 2.5″ which is about the same as Husqvarna.
Lastly, the RM24 features 3 razor-sharp cutting blades for an even & clean cut, an auto-stop bumper to avoid obstacles, and a rain sensor that automatically sends it back to its dock if it detects rain. Overall, the RM24 offers great value for the money when compared to costly premium models.
Pros
- It automatically returns to its docking station
- The highest max incline of robot mowers in this price range
- Rain sensor
- Wide 10″ cutting width with an impressive 2900 RPM cutting speed
- Tool-free adjustments
- 65 dB operation is relatively quiet
- High customer service marks
Cons
- Limited coverage of .25 acres
- No smartphone or smart home integration
- No GPS for theft protection
- The setup process may require some trial & error
#3) Husqvarna Automower 310
Compared to the steep price of the 435X, model 310 is a few rungs down the price ladder. The key consideration is the steepness of your lawn’s hills. If 22º gets the job done for you, and you don’t need some of the fancy features offered by the 435X, model 310 is a solid option as well. One cool feature offered by this model that the RM24 does not offer is the ability to operate in the rain because of the Automower’s weather-resistant design.
Key differences between models 310 and 435X – outside of max incline – are coverage area, AWD, pivoting rear body capability, theft protection by GPS, and electric height adjustment. The 310 covers a smaller area and doesn’t feature the remaining aforementioned features. Overall, the 310 is more comparable in functionality to the RM24 than the 435X, yet it is more advanced than the RM24.
The good news is the 310 does feature Bluetooth to control the mower directly from your phone using the Automower Connect app. The app gives you full control over your mower on both Android and iOS devices. Currently, the app has average ratings in both the Google Play and Apple App Store.
Pros
- Connects via Bluetooth to the Automower app
- Automatic passage handling helps to guide the 310 through narrow passages without interference
- It operates in the rain unlike competing models in this price range
- The quietest robot mower at just 60 dB
- Features an LCD screen for easy adjustments
- Long 70-minute mow time on a single charge
- Very low maintenance, changing the cutting blades takes just 5 minutes
Cons
- Not compatible with Google or Alexa
- No GPS for theft protection
- The app has mixed reviews
- The overall experience is not smooth with every lawn type
#4) Autmow Robomow RS612
The most unique feature the Robomow RS612 offers is ruggedness. It’s the heaviest model in this guide and nearly matches the size of the 435X. Compared to smaller Worx Landroid robot mowers, the Robotmow offers an evener cut and a better overall cutting system. The full-floating mowing deck emulates a full-size mower better than small robotic mowers.
Next, one must consider the massive 22″ cutting width offered by the Robomow. That’s by far the widest path offered by a model in this guide. Instead of using 3 smaller cutting blades, the RS612 uses 2 heavy-duty stainless tri-tipped blades. The advantage here is that you don’t have to worry about replacing the blades as often as a Landroid or other similar models.
Finally, if you have more ground to cove than .25 acres, models RS622 and RS630 do cover more ground. A couple of final highlights are Bluetooth connectivity through the My Robomow app, anti-theft protection, and compatibility with Alexa.
Pros
- Heavier duty blades for less frequent blade changes than competitors
- Extra-wide 22″ cutting width is far wider than competing models
- Bluetooth with smartphone control
- Compatible with Alexa devices
- Powerful motors for a better, cleaner overall cut
- Automatically shuts down if tilted or picked up
- Anti-theft system to locate a stolen mower and unique pin code operation
Cons
- Does not cut in the rain (though it features a rain sensor to automatically return to its dock)
- 72 dB is louder than other models
- The app has mixed reviews
#5) WORX WR140 Landroid M 20V Cordless Robot Lawn Mower
The final model is the best budget robot lawn mower for hills with a max incline rating of 20º. Considering this matches the RS612 in a considerably smaller package, the Landroid is a great choice for small lawns. Additionally, at 63 dB, it’s quieter than the RS612 if you’re concerned about bothering your neighbors or your family.
One rating to consider for this mower is the cutting height range of 2″ to 3.5″. Depending on your grass type and desired cutting height, the minimum cut height is almost a full inch higher than the 435X. Next, an advantage of choosing a Landroid is its ability to work closer to boundaries such as fencing than other mowers. With a Landroid, the guidewire can be placed just 7″ from fencing for less manual cutting later.
Several final considerations are Bluetooth connectivity and control via the Worx Landroid app with new features, obstacle detection/avoidance, a rain sensor to automatically return the unit to its dock, and the long 3-year warranty period. All in all, the Worx Landroid is a good bang-for-your-buck robot mower that’s smaller, quieter, and more efficient than its competitors.
Pros
- Some nice new features in the Worx Landroid app
- Gets closer to fencing and obstacles than competing models for less manual cutting to finish the job
- Better app reviews than competitors
- More affordable than other brands
- The longest warranty period
- Lots of customization options
- Choose models WR143, WR150, or WR153 for Find My Landroid GPS anti-theft protection
Cons
- Narrow 7″ cutting width
- The blades need to be replaced more often
- Does not cut in the rain
Bottom Line
Before choosing the best robot lawn mower for hills to maintain your lawn, get an idea of your max incline to land on the right model. The easiest methods for determining slope are accessing professional surveying information supplied by a previous owner or property manager, using stakes & string, or even just a stick for smaller slopes.
Once you determine your steepest slope, then it’s time to match your results to the max incline of the robot mowers that interest you. Finally, if this is your first robot mower, Husqvarna Automower and Worx Landroid models are the best options for first-time owners because they’re the most user-friendly.
