The Verge named the Segway Navimow X430 the best robotic lawn mower
Robotic lawn mowers have significantly improved navigation and can take over a large part of yard maintenance, but they still require supervision from the owner. That’s the conclusion reached by The Verge reviewer Jennifer Pattison Tui, who tested five models this summer on a three-quarters-acre lot in South Carolina.
She named the Segway Navimow X430, priced at $2,499, the best model in the test. It was the only one of the tested mowers that never got stuck. The device uses RTK navigation, vSLAM, and computer vision technologies; it features all-wheel drive, two cutting disc platforms with a 17-inch cutting width, and is designed for areas up to one acre. According to the author, the model navigated potholes, branches, rocks, and uneven transitions between different parts of the yard.
One of the key updates was networked RTK navigation, or NetRTK. It allows the robot to obtain precise coordinates via a network of ground-based reference stations and a cloud connection. Most of the tested models operated without a separate antenna, but NetRTK requires a Wi-Fi or 4G connection and available coverage in the specific area. RTK models also use backup navigation based on LiDAR or vSLAM when the satellite signal weakens or disappears.
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For areas where an RTK signal cannot be relied upon, Pattison Tui highlighted the Dreame A3 AWD Pro 2500. This model combines LiDAR and camera-based navigation and does not require a clear view of the sky. However, during testing, it got stuck several times, sometimes reported the job as complete prematurely, and left ruts in sandy areas without grass. The author considers the Husqvarna Automower 420 IQ suitable for large, simple areas without trees, and the $1,299 Roborock RockNeo Q110H a budget option for small areas with or without trees.
Despite the progress, autonomous mowers still cannot reliably detect all obstacles. During testing, some models damaged the grass on wet soil, snagged extension cords, dug holes in sandy areas, and had issues with cars, hoses, and cables. Manufacturers also haven’t yet solved the problem of passing through gates: to mow the entire area, they often have to be opened manually.
