The Common Robot Lawn Mower Feature That Deters Some Shoppers From Buying

Mowing the lawn can be a bit of a chore. A self-propelled lawn mower or a ride-on can reduce the effort, and using the best methods to mow your lawn more efficiently can shorten the time it takes, but you still have to be there. So a robot lawn mower can seem like a very attractive alternative. After a few initial steps, you can leave it to cut the grass while you relax and put your feet up with a favorite beverage, visit the mall, or go to the game.

The theory is great, but there's one thing that puts some shoppers off about most robot lawn mowers: they won't pick up the clippings. Okay, it's not true of all models. There are robot mowers that will not only bag but also automatically empty the clippings, too. However, you can pay over $2,000 for a model that's capable of mowing just a ¼ acre and around $3,500 for one that can tackle an acre. If you've been wondering whether a robot lawn mower is really worth the money, those prices might come as a bit of a shock.

To be fair, some non-bagging robots can be bought for a little more than you'd pay for an ordinary lawn mower. So the big question is whether leaving the clippings behind is really a problem. Let's take a closer look at the issue.

You could, of course, rake up the clippings after the robot lawn mower has finished, but when you've paid several hundred to several thousand bucks for a machine that is supposed to save you effort, doing so seems slightly crazy. So, is not picking them up a bad thing? Actually, many experts argue that you should indeed leave grass clippings on your lawn after mowing. Many ordinary lawn mowers have a mulching option for exactly this reason. As the clippings break down, they act like a slow-release fertilizer, feeding your lawn and helping to keep it lush.

There are downsides. Some people think it leaves the lawn looking untidy, particularly if the grass clumps together. The clippings can be tracked inside, which can leave your home untidy as well. Dense clippings can also restrict light and air, potentially leading to fungal diseases infesting your lawn and making it patchy. If you plan to leave the clippings, mowing once a week is advised to promote vigorous growth and avoid unsightly clipping clumps. But, hey, that shouldn't be a problem if the robot is doing the work for you!