Robotic mowers: are they worth it? An honest 2026 guide

Every year we install more robotic mowers in gardens across the Baix Empordà, and the question is always the same: are they really worth it? The short answer: in most gardens up to 5,000 m², yes. Here is the longer one.

What a robot does well

A robot cuts a little and often, every day or every other day. That constant trimming has two effects you notice straight away:

• The lawn stays at exactly the same height, with none of the "just mown / desperately needs mowing" swing.
• The microscopic clippings drop back onto the soil as natural feed (mulching), and the lawn looks denser and greener.
• It works quietly, so you can set it to run overnight or while you are out.

What to bear in mind

• Boundaries and installation: the robot needs its working area defined (a perimeter wire or GPS, depending on the model). At Tecomac we handle the full installation.
• Slopes: every model has a maximum gradient, so if your garden falls away towards the pool, choose carefully.
• Corners and edges: a robot will not completely replace the brushcutter for finishing edges and awkward corners.
• Tramuntana and pine needles: with a lot of trees around, it pays to schedule extra runs in autumn.

What it costs

A robot for a small garden starts at around €700-900; for large gardens or steep ground, professional GPS models go higher. Counting the time it saves you every week, most customers reckon it pays for itself within two seasons.

Our advice

Do not buy a robot from a brochure: every garden is different. Come and see the models or give us a call and we will tell you honestly whether your garden is a good candidate — and which model is the right one, no more and no less.