Do Robot Lawn Mowers Cut to Edge? What You Need to Know

As a longtime gardening enthusiast, I was eager to try out a robotic lawn mower to make maintaining my lawn easier. The convenience of automated mowing sounded ideal. However, I quickly discovered that most standard robotic mowers struggle to cut all the way to the edges of a yard. Without getting too close to fences, gardens, and landscaping, areas of uncut grass around the perimeter remained. For those wanting a flawlessly manicured lawn, this was frustrating.

Through trial and error with my robotic mower, I’ve learned there are solutions to improve edge mowing capabilities. While robotic mowers do have limitations in this regard, certain strategies help maximize coverage. Adjusting the installation, choosing advanced models, and supplementing with manual trimming can expand how closely it cuts.

In this article, I’ll share what I’ve learned about robotic mower edge mowing limitations and methods to enhance their performance. I hope these tips will help others achieve better edge cutting and avoid neglected perimeter areas. While you may need to adjust your expectations, there are definitely ways to get your robotic mower cutting closer to lawn edges.

Let’s start by looking at the reasons behind robotic mowers’ standard edge mowing difficulties. Understanding the technology’s capabilities helps set realistic objectives.

As we venture deeper into the realm of robotic lawn mowers, allow me to acquaint you with my exclusive collection of robot mowers. These thoroughly scrutinized products have been personally reviewed and highly endorsed for my esteemed clients, proving their reliability and efficiency.

Do Robot Lawn Mowers Cut to the Edge?

To understand why robotic mowers struggle with edge mowing, you first need to comprehend how their cutting width and perimeter wires work. There are inherent technological limitations that prevent most standard models from getting right up to lawn edges.

Limited Cutting Width

The primary reason robotic mowers fail to mow tightly along edges is their relatively narrow cutting width. The blade deck housing on most robotic mowers measures between 8-12 inches across. This is significantly smaller than the 20-24 inch decks found on standard walk-behind mowers.

With a cutting path of just 8-12 inches, there is little overlap when the robotic mower approaches boundaries. It can really only get within about 4-6 inches of edges before the blade housing prevents further progress. So thin strips of uncut grass are left around the perimeter.

The limited width is an inherent equipment limitation. And while random navigation helps improve overall coverage, it is not optimized for precise edge mowing. The small cutting deck just can’t reach tight corners and edges effectively.

Perimeter Wire Boundaries

Another factor is the perimeter wire that defines the robotic mower’s boundaries. This wire guides navigation and is typically installed several inches in from any edges. This prevents the mower from colliding with or driving over walls, curbs, gardens, and other obstacles at the edge.

So by design, the perimeter wire excludes several inches from the actual edge of the lawn. Combined with a narrow cutting width, this compounds the edge mowing limitations. The mower physically can’t reach and cut grass right up to the true edge.

Understanding these equipment limitations helps set realistic expectations. Robotic mowers will never achieve the flawless, sharp lines of a push mower along edges. But strategies can help them get closer.

The key is working around the narrow cutting width and perimeter wire placement. As we’ll explore next, several methods help robotic mowers cut closer to edges for better coverage.

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Strategies for Improving Edge Mowing

While robotic mowers have inherent edge mowing limitations, there are strategies you can use to enhance their perimeter cutting performance. Through trial and error, I’ve identified several effective methods to get robotic mowers cutting closer to lawn edges.

Dedicated Perimeter Wire

One strategy is installing a secondary perimeter wire dedicated just to edges. This involves burying guide wires 6-12 inches away from any walls, fences, gardens, etc. around the perimeter. You then program the mower to mow inside this tighter wire boundary.

This brings the mower closer to edges before stopping, allowing the cutting deck to reach further. It takes more work upfront, but creates a trimmed strip along edges the main boundary wire would miss. Just be sure to leave enough space to prevent collisions.

I tested this with a 6 inch perimeter edge wire and it made a noticeable difference, almost eliminating the uncut grass strip. It takes proper measuring and planning, but the results are worth it.

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Advanced Robotic Mower Models

Upgrading to an advanced robotic mower model can also provide edge mowing improvements. More expensive models often have better edge mowing capabilities and features.

Some have a pivoting or extendable blade deck allowing them to cut closer to vertical edges on either side. And edge mowing specific programming maximizes coverage.

Advanced sensors and bumpers also allow some models to safely get within an inch or two of edges. This prevents much of the uncut grass issues, albeit at a higher price point. Check edge mowing abilities if upgrading.

Manual Trimming

For simplest yards, continuing to trim edges manually after mowing may be the best option. Robotic mowers will cover the majority of the lawn, then edges can be quickly finished with a string trimmer or edger.

This takes little effort after mowing and ensures a consistent cut appearance along edges. It avoids dealing with secondary wires or expensive mowers. Just make edging part of the regular mowing routine.

No single method is guaranteed to eliminate all edge mowing limitations. But using one or combining these strategies can lead to noticeably better edge coverage from a robotic mower. Test options to find what works for your specific lawn.

Maximizing Robotic Mower Coverage

Beyond specific edge mowing techniques, optimizing your overall robotic lawn mower installation and yard layout also enhances edge coverage. There are several adjustments you can make to help the mower cut closer during regular operation.

Strategic Perimeter Wire Placement

Carefully planning the location of the main boundary guide wire allows maximizing the cutting area. The key is installing it as far inward from edges as obstacles allow. This gives the mower more space to mow near edges before turning.

Try offsetting the wire 6-12 inches from walls, fences, etc. where possible. This keeps the mower from colliding while bringing it nearer to edges. Just be sure to leave enough buffer space. Appropriate wire placement takes some trial and error.

I achieved noticeably better edge coverage just by shifting my wire setup inward several inches. Extend the mowing area however you safely can.

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Optimal Yard Conditions

Simpler yard layouts with fewer obstructions also promote better edge mowing. Things like trees, gardens, and playsets force the perimeter wire farther inward. The less cluttered the edges, the closer the mower can access and cut.

For instance, my side yard with no landscaping features allows mowing very near the fence line. But the backyard with trees and a swingset has unavoidable off-limit areas. Consider lawn complexity when installing for optimal coverage.

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Advanced Mapping Technology

Finally, high-end robotic mowers may utilize advanced mapping and navigation technology to maximize coverage. Equipped with precision laser mapping and computer vision, these systems can follow edges precisely while avoiding obstacles automatically.

Several smartphone app-enabled models map the entire yard and navigate it systematically for complete edge-to-edge cutting. While pricey, this tech allows cutting within an inch or two of edges, eliminating much of the limitation. This hands-free approach represents the future of robotic lawn care.

For most models, optimizing placement and conditions is key to improving edge mowing capabilities. But advanced robotic mowers now available are erasing limitations in spectacular fashion, if you have the budget.

FAQs About Robotic Mowers and Edge Mowing

Considering a robotic lawn mower but unsure about its edge mowing abilities? Here I answer some frequently asked questions about maximizing edge cutting based on my experience.

How close can my robotic mower cut to lawn edges?

Most standard robotic mowers can only mow within 4-6 inches of edges. Their small cutting width and perimeter boundary wires prevent reaching the absolute edge. With optimized installation and secondary wires, some can cut within 2-3 inches. High-end “smart” models with advanced tech can get within an inch. But you’ll likely still see some uncut strips without supplemental trimming. Adjust expectations and use edge mowing techniques to get as close as possible.

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What lawn layouts work best for edge mowing?

Simpler, wide open lawn layouts promote the best edge mowing. Clear perimeter areas allow installing boundary wires closer to edges. Obstacles like trees and gardens force wires farther in. Minimal slopes are also preferable, as steep hills limit edge control. Wide open lawns free of landscaping features and level terrain give mowers the optimal conditions to maximize edge cutting. Realistically survey your unique lawn to determine achievable edge mowing results.

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Will I still need to manually edge after mowing?

Unless you have an advanced smart mower, plan to touch up edges manually after mowing. Using a dedicated perimeter cutting wire, trimming by hand, or some combination of methods will likely be needed for a completely clean cut appearance along edges. Robotic mowers aren’t precision cutting machines, so finishing edges with a quick string trim or edger maintains a flawless manicured look. Factor some supplemental manual edging into the routine.

The key is having realistic expectations about a robotic mower’s edge cutting limitations. No model will provide the perfection of push mower, but certain strategies can help maximize their coverage. As the technology continues improving, edge mowing precision will only get better over time.

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Conclusion

As we’ve explored, most robotic lawn mowers have inherent limitations when it comes to mowing all the way to the edge of your lawn. Their technology and design prevents them from achieving the precision of a manual mower along perimeter boundaries. However, strategies like secondary edge wires, advanced models, and optimizing your installation can help maximize their edge mowing capabilities.

For many yards, a combination of techniques works best to balance expectations. Allow the mower to cover the majority of the lawn while using supplemental edging or trimming to tidy up edges. With proper planning and testing, you can achieve cleaner edge mowing results, even if perfection remains elusive.

The key is to understand the technology’s capabilities and limitations. Robotic mowers use different cutting methods than traditional mowers, so some uncut grass along edges will persist. But noticeably improving the edge coverage is possible with a bit of effort. As robotic mowing advances, convenience and precision will continue getting better.

No single model or approach can completely overcome the edge mowing limitations. But adjusting your methods and expectations goes a long way. With helpful tips and strategies, you can have your robotic lawn mower cutting cleanly and closely along those edges.

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