The Grounds Guys® explain that robot lawn mowers maintain consistent grass height on simple lawns, yet they do not address the details that shape curb appeal or landscape health.
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Robot lawn mowers are no longer a novelty, and more homeowners are wondering if an automatic lawn mower can really take lawn care off their plate for good.
The short answer is yes, they can help keep your grass a consistent height, but mowing is only one part of what keeps a property looking its best. Whether you’re in the market for a robot lawn mower or you already own one, understanding the strengths and weaknesses of these machines can help you create a comprehensive lawn care plan that keeps your yard looking great all year.
Article contents
- What Are Robot Lawn Mowers?
- What Robotic Lawn Mowers Do Well
- Where Robotic Lawn Mowers Fall Short
- What Homeowners Notice When Using a Robot Lawn Mower
- Contact The Grounds Guys for Professional Lawn Maintenance
- FAQs About Robot Lawn Mowers
What Are Robot Lawn Mowers?
Robot lawn mowers are designed to handle routine grass cutting with minimal effort from the homeowner. They follow a programmed route and schedule to keep the lawn trimmed to a consistent height, removing the need to push a manual mower around the lawn every week.
Our customers that own robotic lawn mowers (and similar remote control models) tell us they are especially attractive to homeowners who want to spend less time on chores and more time enjoying their outdoor space. They can be a helpful tool for maintaining grass height, particularly on simple, flat lawns.
What they do not provide, however, is complete landscape care.
What Robotic Lawn Mowers Do Well
There’s a reason automatic lawn mowers are growing in popularity. Used in the right setting, they offer several benefits:
- Keep the grass cut on a regular schedule
- Reduce the need for manual mowing
- Maintain consistent grass height
In our experience, for homeowners who already have healthy turf, minimal obstacles, and an uncomplicated lawn layout, a robot lawn mower can support basic lawn maintenance.
Where Robotic Lawn Mowers Fall Short
One of the biggest misconceptions about robot lawn mowers is the idea that they handle lawn care from start to finish. In reality, these machines are designed to do exactly one job: cut grass.
They do not adapt to seasonal changes, respond to plant health issues, or handle the visual details that make a property look polished. After the initial excitement wears off, many homeowners begin to notice that something still feels unfinished.
Lawn edging
Edging requires careful attention to ensure a crisp, uniform look. While robotic lawn mowers can handle areas of flat, uninterrupted grass, they lack the functionality needed to maintain clean edgework around the entire lawn.
Weed control
Robot lawn mowers do exactly that: mow. If there are weeds in the lawn, they will only cut them down to the same height as the surrounding grass; they won’t kill them or pull out the roots. Thorough weeding requires human attention to ensure effective weed control.
Pruning
Shrubs and hedges can still grow over your lawn while the robot lawn mower works on the grass. Regular landscape pruning is still essential to ensure the rest of your yard looks clean and healthy.
Mulching
A robot lawn mower is not a mulcher! Mulch requires careful placement and regular refreshes to maintain healthy and attractive beds throughout your garden.
Seasonal cleanups
Just because your grass has a uniform length doesn’t mean you can skimp on regular upkeep! Fall cleanup and seasonal lawn aeration are still essential to ensure your neatly trimmed lawn continues to thrive.
What Homeowners Notice When Using a Robot Lawn Mower
While many homeowners entrust their robotic lawn mowers with the entirety of their lawn maintenance, patterns eventually begin to emerge around the property:
- Grass stays trimmed, but edges lose definition.
- Weeds appear along borders, beds, and hard-to-reach areas.
- Shrubs and trees grow unevenly or begin to crowd walkways.
- Mulch fades, shifts, or thins out.
This is where mowing differs from full lawn and bed maintenance. Every yard needs both to ensure a healthy growing environment and consistent appearance. While an automated mower can keep things tidy, it doesn’t manage the landscape. A great-looking yard depends on the details that frame the lawn, not just the height of the grass itself.
Contact The Grounds Guys for Professional Lawn Maintenance
Robot lawn mowers offer enhanced convenience and can knock one chore off your weekly to-do list. However, while they can handle open, grassy spaces, they don’t address the edging, pruning, mulching, or seasonal maintenance that keep your yard beautiful and healthy.
If you’ve noticed that your grass is neatly trimmed but the spaces around it look sloppy, The Grounds Guys can help. Our landscaping professionals offer comprehensive care to ensure your entire yard looks as great as your lawn. We show up on time, provide expert advice based on your goals, and stand behind our work with the Neighborly Done Right Promise®.
To learn more about our services or request an estimate, contact your local Grounds Guys team today.
FAQs About Robot Lawn Mowers
Our 200+ franchise locations across the U.S. and Canada share a common goal: using our years of experience and expertise to help you bring the vision for your property to life. This includes answering questions you have about landscaping and lawn care. Below are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about robotic lawn mowers.
Are robot lawn mowers effective?
Robot lawn mowers are good for keeping grass trimmed on a consistent schedule with minimal hands-on effort. They work best on open, flat lawns and are designed to handle routine mowing only. Tasks like edging, weed control, pruning, mulching, and seasonal cleanup still need separate attention.
What can a robotic lawn mower not do?
A robotic lawn mower cannot:
- Edge along sidewalks and driveways
- Control weeds in landscape beds
- Trim shrubs or prune trees
- Install or refresh mulch
- Handle seasonal cleanups, such as leaf removal
Automatic lawn mowers are designed to cut grass only. Hands-on care is still required for comprehensive lawn and bed maintenance.
Do I still need lawn care service if I have an automatic or remote control lawn mower?
Yes, most homeowners still benefit from professional lawn care services even if they use an automatic lawn mower or remote control lawn mower. While the mower handles grass cutting, professional services address the details that technology cannot, such as edging, pruning, weed control, mulch maintenance, and seasonal landscape needs.
A robot lawn mower can help with routine grass cutting, but keeping your property looking polished takes more than automation. From edging and weed control to bed maintenance and seasonal care, professional lawn maintenance services help bring the details together so your lawn and landscape look finished, balanced, and well cared for throughout the year. The Grounds Guys team near you can help fill in the gaps and keep your outdoor space looking its best.
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and may not be applicable to every situation. You are responsible for determining the proper course of action for your home and property. The Grounds Guys are not responsible for any damages that occur as a result of this blog content or your actions. For the most accurate guidance, contact The Grounds Guys location nearest you for a comprehensive, on-site assessment.