Husqvarna 435X AWD AutoMower. Husqvarna lawn mower awd

The Best Robot Lawn Mowers for 2023

A robot lawn mower frees you from pushing a noisy, gas-powered mower around your yard every weekend. Here are the best models we've tested.

I’ve been working with computers for ages, starting with a multi-year stint in purchasing for a major IBM reseller in New York City before eventually landing at PCMag (back when it was still in print as PC Magazine). I spent more than 14 years on staff, most recently as the director of operations for PC Labs, before hitting the freelance circuit as a contributing editor.

OVERVIEW

Gardena Robotic Mower Sileno City

There's nothing like the look and smell of freshly cut grass. But unless you're paying for a professional landscaping service, you have to put in a lot of time to keep your lawn in tip-top shape. You can spend hours every week doing the work yourself the old-fashioned way or you can invest in a robot lawn mower.

Available for lawns of all shapes and sizes, robot lawn mowers are relatively easy to set up and program. And because they rely on rechargeable battery packs for power, they're super quiet. That means you can run them at any hour of the day without bothering the neighbors. They aren't cheap, however, and you pay more for features like rain and anti-theft sensors; Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connectivity; a mobile companion app; and flexible scheduling capabilities. The same goes for models that can handle larger lawns with steep grades and obstructions such as flower beds, trees, and ornamental decorations.

Read on to see our top picks and find out which robotic lawn mower is best for you based on your lawn size and budget.

Husqvarna Automower 315X

Designed for rough terrain and steep hills, the Husqvarna Automower 435X AWD is loaded with features including all-wheel drive, Bluetooth, cellular, and GPS technologies, a pivoting rear end, and an ultra-quiet battery-powered motor.

PROS

  • Super quiet
  • Bluetooth, Cellular, and GPS radios
  • All-wheel drive
  • Easy to program
  • User-friendly mobile app
  • Works with Alexa, Google, and IFTTT

Gardena Robotic Mower Sileno City

CONS

Robot lawn mowers look similar to robot vacuums. In action, it's almost like watching a Roomba darting around your lawn, tidying things up. When it comes to what's inside, however, things couldn't be more different.

All mowers use a battery-operated motor with cutting blades, an AC-powered base station, perimeter wire, and sensors that prevent them from wandering off your property or into the street. With one end of the perimeter wire connected to a terminal on the base station, you lay the wire along the border of your lawn and hold it in place with stakes. Then, you connect the wire to the second terminal on the base station. The base not only charges the mower but provides the wire with an electrical charge. Sensors on the mower use the charged wire to guide it along the boundaries and to return to the base when the lawn is cut or when the battery needs to recharge.

Speaking of the battery, robotic mowers use a rechargeable battery pack (usually lithium-ion) that can last anywhere from 30 minutes for an entry-level model up to four-plus hours for a high-end mower. Depending on the size of the mower and the battery capacity, expect charging times of anywhere between 30 minutes and two hours or more.

You typically handle programming via an onboard control panel with a power button and menus for setting seasonal timers, scheduling cutting times, creating zones, configuring edge-cutting settings, running diagnostics, and viewing the cutting history. Nearly all robotic mowers are very quiet and operate within the 55dB to 60dB range, but a few models put out up to 75dB of sound. Gas-powered mowers typically run between 85dB and 95dB. You can run the quieter mowers at night (some even have headlights), but you should probably run the louder models only in the daytime.

Consider Your Lawn Size and Cutting Deck

Before purchasing a robotic lawn mower, you first need to figure out the size of your lawn. Residential models typically have a working capacity of 0.20 acres up to 1.25 acres. A mower for large lawns has a high-capacity battery pack that allows it to work longer and travel farther between charges. The shape of your lawn also comes into play: If you have things like flower beds, trees, or fencing, the mower has to use more battery power to navigate these obstructions than if it were just cutting a rectangular or square plot.

The cutting deck refers to the area underneath the mower where the blades spin. Most robotic mowers use a floating deck design that allows you to quickly adjust the cutting height, which is helpful for preventing it from scalping the grass in higher spots. Different mowers use different types of cutting blades. For example, some mowers use a single spinning blade configuration while others use multiple spinning blades or a spinning disc lined with multiple razor blades.

The mower's cutting width determines how wide a swath it cuts on a single pass. Models for smaller lawns may only have a 7-inch cutting width, while mowers for big lawns offer cutting widths of around two feet. All robotic mowers cut the grass into a fine, almost sawdust-like state that works its way into the soil as mulch that fertilizes your lawn. Equally important, there's no bagging involved.

How Much Does a Robot Lawn Mower Cost?

Robotic lawn mowers aren't cheap, but, in most cases, light-duty mowers are significantly more affordable than their heavy-duty counterparts. Whatever you do, make sure you buy a mower that can handle your lawn. Most vendors have online calculators to help you choose the right model for your needs, and many of them can send a representative out to your house to do a site check. Expect to pay anywhere from 600 or more for a bare-bones model, to more than 5,000 for a mower with all the bells and whistles. Dealers that require professional installation may add hundreds of dollars to the total cost.

Once you narrow your choices based on lawn complexity and working capacity, it's time to consider features. Look for a mower with flexible programming options that allow you to create schedules for multiple zones. For example, if you have a large lawn, you might want to split it into multiple zones and set the mower to concentrate on specific zones on specific days. With multi-zone schedules, the mower travels directly to the area you specify before it begins cutting, which saves battery life.

Most robotic mowers operate in rainy conditions but that can get messy. Caked-up grass cuttings tend to stick to the deck, blades are likely to need frequent cleaning, and some mowers might struggle with wheel slippage. Look for a mower with a weather-sensing feature that tells it to return to the base in the event of a heavy downpour.

If you have a lawn with lots of hills and slopes, you need something with large wheels that can navigate the changing landscape. Most mowers can handle slopes of up to 20 degrees, but some can handle slopes of up to 30 degrees. Husqvarna's 435X AWD can manage extreme slopes with an incline of up to 70%.

All robotic mowers let you adjust the cutting height using a dial on the mower, and some models let you make this adjustment electronically at the control panel or via a mobile app. Although all mowers use perimeter wires and advanced algorithms to ensure total lawn coverage, some models also utilize GPS technology that tells the mower where it's been and where it needs to go. Some robotic mowers offer built-in Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or cellular circuitry that lets you program and control the mower using a mobile app and track mowing progress from anywhere.

Husqvarna 435X AWD AutoMower

 

husqvarna, 435x, automower, lawn, mower

 

Husqvarna’s Automower lineup extends even further with the 435X AWD. It boasts the ability to traverse over slopes and uneven terrain, and even uses some proprietary technology to progress performance even further. We’re looking at how the Husqvarna 435X AWD AutoMower stands out from the rest of the brand’s lineup and what it brings to the table for residential properties.

Note: To see more of our favorite picks, make sure to check out our list for the Best Lawn Mowers!

Husqvarna 435X AWD AutoMower Performance

 

husqvarna, 435x, automower, lawn, mower

 

  • Model: Husqvarna 435X AWD
  • All-wheel-drive system
  • 8.7-inch cutting width
  • Handles up to 35° incline
  • Remote object detection
  • Recommended for lawns up to 0.8 acres
  • GPS system maps out lawn through boundary and guide wire points

The Husqvarna 435X Automower uses an all-wheel-drive system to optimize the control of each individual wheel. This lets it traverse over rough terrain and inclines of up to 35°.

This mower also has a cutting width of 8.7 inches and is recommended for yards up to 0.8 acres in size.

Unlike Husqvarna’s CEORA Automower, which uses the brand’s EPOS system for navigation, this model uses a more classic boundary-wire approach. However, it supplements it with a built-in GPS system that maps out your lawn through guide wire points.

Husqvarna 435X AWD AutoMower Design

 

husqvarna, 435x, automower, lawn, mower

 

  • Dimensions (LxWxH): 36.6 x 21.7 x 11.4 inches
  • Weight: 39 pounds
  • Pivoting rear body
  • Automatic passage handling
  • Electric height adjustment
  • Cutting height range: 1.2- 2.8 inches

This robotic mower features an electric height adjustment, with cutting heights ranging from 1.2 inches to 2.8 inches. It also automatically senses and finds its way through narrow passages, even varying its route to avoid leaving unsightly tracks on your lawn.

One of the more unique aspects of the 435X AWD Automower is its articulating, pivoting rear body design. Husqvarna employs this design in its all-wheel-drive Automower models to help with maneuverability around tight corners and in awkward areas of your yard.

 

husqvarna, 435x, automower, lawn, mower

 

Husqvarna Automower 435X AWD review: Expensive, but packed with features

It’s a lot more mower than most people need, but if you have the yard—and the budget—for it, this beast delivers.

 

husqvarna, 435x, automower, lawn, mower

 

Pros

  • Excellent results in a short amount of time
  • Outstanding maneuverability
  • Anti-theft features
  • Very quiet
  • GPS navigation

Our Verdict

This all-wheel-drive robot lawn mower can handle very large yards with up to 35-percent inclines. Folks with smaller lots should consider Husqvarna’s much less-expensive Automower 315X instead.

Best Today: Husqvarna Automower 435X AWD

Robot lawnmowers have been around for more a decade, although you’d be hard-pressed to find many in the wild—not because homeowners prefer to tend to their lawns themselves, but because the cost remains a significant barrier to entry. Even mid-range models cost several thousand dollars, and Husqvarna’s high-end Automower 435X AWD is certainly no exception. Priced at 5,200, this go-anywhere mower costs more than most high-end riding mowers that can do more than just cut grass.

The good news is that you’ll get what you paid for. This is an outstanding mower whose two-piece design and all-wheel drive endows it with a tight turning radius to reach every corner of your yard. I let the Automower 435X AWD loose in my yard for a three-month test and came away impressed. That said, this model—which is capable of autonomously mowing up to nine-tenths of an acre—is overkill for the size of my property. If I were to buy one, I’d most likely consider one of Husqvarna’s simpler and less-expensive models, such as the Automower 315X.

Free installation is worth it

When you pay this much for a lawnmower, the manufacturer should roll out the red carpet for you. And Husqvarna does. Buy one of its higher-end models (the Automower 115H starts at 450,199) and you get professional installation as part of the deal. If you’d really rather go it alone, however, I’ve heard of some purchasers who convinced the company to just ship the installation kit to them.

 

husqvarna, 435x, automower, lawn, mower

 

I don’t recommend going the DIY route. Robot mowers are very different from robot vacuums. You’ll need to set up an underground boundary wire encircling the area you want the mower to roam, plus a guidewire that runs through the center of your lawn to guide the mower back to its charging dock in the event it gets lost. You can run the wire across your sidewalk and driveway if you need to, and you can route it around flowerbeds, trees, and shrubs. But if you make a mistake in this process, the mower might wander out of your yard or it might not work at all. Plus, the wire isn’t cheap if you damage it and need to replace it.

So, let a professional do the job. Husqvarna’s contractors have a unique tool that automatically digs and buries the boundary cable, making this step easy for a pro. You should plan the mower’s route before the installer arrives, however; we used stake flags for this step. With that done, our installer was able to finish setting up our small suburban property in less than an hour.

Design and functionality

The Automower 435X AWD is a hulking beast, measuring 36.6 x 21.7 x 11.4 inches (LxWxH) and tipping the scales at a hefty 38 pounds. A sleek grey body with oversized wheels and narrow LED headlights gives the mower a decidedly futuristic appearance. It looks like a cross between a sports car and a Cylon from Battlestar Galactica.

Its large size also attracts a ton of attention. While I’m sure this model sticks out a lot less on a multi-acre property, it looked absolutely massive in our yard. Within the first week, I think we talked to more of our neighbors than we had in the previous five years we’ve lived here.

 

husqvarna, 435x, automower, lawn, mower

 

You can establish a Bluetooth connection with the 435X and use Husqvarna’s Automower Connect app on your smartphone to customize its settings. The mower also has a GPS navigation system onboard that knows where the perimeter and guide wires are installed, and then automatically maps its route, so it won’t waste battery power repeatedly covering the same area. If the mower is lifted up or tips over, it will automatically shut off its cutting operation and sound a loud alarm. If a thief still tries to make off with it, its GPS will track the mower’s position and send notifications of its location to your smartphone.

The test: A Mid-Atlantic summer

The mower arrived from Husqvarna in July, during the hottest part of the year. As you’d expect, our yard was dormant due to hot temperatures and lack of rain. But we did get a few wetter periods, and as the grass started growing again, the yard’s appearance dramatically improved.

Husqvarna recommends you mow the grass to a low height before installation and first use, which I did. Since the mower moves randomly to ensure its wheels don’t roll over the same spot frequently, your yard will look awful if you let it loose on tall grass. It should only be cutting off the tops of your tallest blades of grass anyway; that’s the best method to ensure a healthy lawn. What’s more, the trimmings will quickly break down and return to the earth, feeding the living grass. Over time, I concluded that a setting of 6 on the mower’s cutting-height dial was best for my lawn. The dial has nine positions to provide a cutting-height range of 1.2 to 2.8 inches (in 1/8-inch increments).

 

husqvarna, 435x, automower, lawn, mower

 

As I mentioned, the Automower 435X AWD uses its onboard GPS to map out your yard, so that it becomes more efficient each time it mows (you can override this with your own custom settings if you prefer). Over time, the mower settled on splitting our lawn into sections: two in the front half and another two in the back, mowing the larger areas more frequently and the smaller areas less so.

The mower had no problem navigating any part of our yard, including a depression where the previous owner had removed a tree more than 10 years ago. The 435X effortlessly moved in and out of this area—it can climb up to a 35-degree incline—but it just wasn’t cutting the lawn there to my satisfaction, so we eventually filled the sunken area in. I’d recommend you do the same for any imperfections in your yard to ensure the best cut possible.

The Automower 435X AWD can operate for about 100 minutes on a charge, and it requires just 30 minutes to recharge (automatically returning to its charging base when needed). But with a cutting width of just 8.4 inches—about one-third that of a conventional walk-behind mower—know that it will take longer than you might expect to cut the entire yard. It is very quiet, though. Husqvarna rates it at just 62dB, and we could barely hear it operating above the ambient noise in our neighborhood.

The Automower 435X AWD was a mostly trouble-free experience for me. The mower never ventured outside its perimeter, though it did need boundary wires to stay out of features in the yard. As with any mower, you’ll need to perform periodic maintenance, including cleaning cut grass from the underside of its deck.

The lawn looked a bit rough after the first week, and we noticed that some grass and weeds began to grow more horizontally if the cutting height was too high. But our lawn eventually took on a carpet-like appearance. And as time went by, we also noticed how much better the rest of the yard looked—because not having to mow freed us up to accomplish other gardening chores. We arguably have the best-looking yard on the block these days.

 

husqvarna, 435x, automower, lawn, mower

 

Smart home ready

Husqvarna’s Automower Connect app is very easy to use. You can control the mower remotely, sending start, stop, and park commands; see where it is on your property and where it has been; adjust various settings; and establish a mowing schedule; all within a few taps.

Husqvarna also supports Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, and you can use IFTTT applets to connect it to other Smart home devices. While it does have a “weather timer” feature designed to calibrate the mower’s working time with conditions for grass growth—mowing less in dry weather when the grass is growing more slowly—the adjustments aren’t actually triggered by the weather. Instead, the mower measures the resistance against its cutting surface. Controlling it based on actual weather conditions requires an IFTTT applet.

The bottom line

I love the Automower 435X AWD. It has saved us oodles of time and our lawn has never looked better. As I said earlier, however, it’s much more lawnmower than I need for my yard. In my case, Husqvarna’s Automower 315X would fill my needs for less than half the price (6500,499 on Amazon). It’s only suitable for yards up to 0.4 acres and it isn’t as maneuverable, its battery provides 70 minutes of operating time on a 60-minute charge, and its two-wheel drive limits it to inclines up to 22 degrees. But it has the same GPS, uses the same app, delivers all the same Smart home connectivity features, and the same professional installation is included in the price.

But if you live on a larger parcel and the 5,200 price tag isn’t an impediment, you’ll dig what the Automower 435X AWD can do. It’s an absolute workhorse.

Husqvarna HU675AWD – Lawnmower Review

B uilt for homeowners on a budget and lawns that ungulate more than Uncle Leon expertly executing “The Worm” at your wedding reception, the new Husqvarna HU675AWD Lawnmower was engineered with All-Wheel-Drive traction and a unique dual transmission that is said to easily handle hills, thick grass and tough terrain. What truly sets this push-mower apart from all other self-propelled mowers on the market is its AWD technology, which provides simultaneous power to all 4 wheels giving the operator maximum control and maneuverability. Constructed from heavy-duty steel and a powerful 149cc Kohler engine, the Husqvarna HU675AWD also features a generous 22″ cutting width, comfort handle and a 2 bushel soft bag collection system – all at a budget friendly 299 price tag.

That’s why when we were offered the opportunity to test and review Husqvarna’s latest AWD lawnmower this Spring we didn’t think twice and gladly accepted the challenge! Now, for a closer look at Husqvarna’s unique AWD drive system and how it operates check out the embedded video below, which actually features the HU800AWD Mower, but the technology is exactly the same.

While it’s undoubtedly one of it’s best features, All-Wheel-Drive isn’t all the HU675AWD is packing. In fact Husqvarna has outfitted this mower with some pretty impressive features.

“Based on the positive feedback we received after the launch of the original AWD mower, we wanted to make the innovative technology widely available at different price points, with three new pricing options and a variety of features, a wider range of users will be able to enjoy the benefits of All-Wheel Drive mowing technology with the launch of the new line.”.Nick Schomer, Walk-Behind Product Manager, Husqvarna

 

husqvarna, 435x, automower, lawn, mower

Key Features:

We can’t say enough about how handsome this lawnmower is. Seriously… it puts most other push mowers to shame. I mean, just look at it! Its rugged stance and beefy wheels deliver a great look that’ll keep your neighbors envious. But beyond it’s muscle flexing physique the HU675AWD actually offers some really nice design features that are strictly functional. Like the easy to adjust deck height, switching from bagging to mulching and the impressive auto choke 149cc Kohler engine, which requires no priming (more on that in a bit). We were also happy to see the hose hook-up for easy and mess-free under deck washing. As well as the comfort grip bail and multi-speed AWD (which we’ll go over in more detail later).

 

husqvarna, 435x, automower, lawn, mower

 

Overall, there’s not much they missed. It might not be the top-tier mower you can find, but it’s perfectly capable of tackling most lawns. For the price, there’s really not much else you could expect either.

Setup Starting:

With this mower setup is an absolute breeze, and since the HU675AWD is equipped with a 4-stroke engine there’s no need to mix oil and gas. Just add the included bottle of oil to the oil reservoir and gas (87 octane) to the tank and this mower is ready to rock!

 

husqvarna, 435x, automower, lawn, mower

 

And when it comes to starting it couldn’t be easier. The Kohler engine Huquvarna outfitted the HU675AWD with is an auto choke version which means no priming or choking required. After adding the oil and gas we started the HU675AWD on the very first pull and it ran like a champ! I personally can’t recall ever starting a cold lawnmower on the first pull right after adding gas. As of today, after testing the HU675AWD for more than a month we’ve yet to have to pull the pull-cord more than once to get it started. Simply outstanding!

Operation:

Running the HU675AWD is very intuitive and simple to get the hang of. If you’re making the switch from a non-propelled mower to a self-propelled unit like this the learning curve is a little larger, but it’s nothing that can’t be learned in a few passes down the yard. Honestly, all you need to know is how far to pull up on the AWD drive and dial in the speed you’re personally comfortable with. The harder you pull up on the drive bail the more speed you get and vice versa.

Additionally, this mower can CUT GRASS! Who’d a thunk it… right?! Throughout testing we were very impressed with the consistent cut this mower produced. The bagging system isn’t huge, but it’s easy enough to attach/detach, while mulching proved to be a quick way to get the job done.

Maneuverability:

While the AWD drive is engaged the HU675AWD’s maneuverability is at its best – handling humps, bumps, hills and corners with no problem. It’s only when you let off the AWD bail when things become a bit less manageable. For example, if you’re in a tight space where you need to go forward and back out several times, the HU675AWD will go forward very easy with the AWD drive but when you have to pull the mower back it can be a bit of a struggle – almost like the drive system hasn’t fully disengaged. This isn’t totally uncommon for most self-propelled mowers, in fact it’s one of the biggest complaints you hear of when it comes to self-propelled units. While it’s honestly nothing too difficult to manage we suggest keeping the mower moving forward as much as possible for the best maneuverability.

If your lawn has steep hills, ditches or any type of grade to it this mower with eat it up no problem – and since the wheels have an aggressive tread they won’t be slipping around tearing up your yard either. Throughout testing we didn’t find a hill or terrain that the HU675AWD couldn’t handle. Even in wet conditions this mower got the job done.

Our only complaint about the AWD system was the placement of the drive bail (under the gas bail) which isn’t the most ergonomic we’ve ever used. It’s not terrible, but we’ve definitely used better.

Value:

For the price this mower is a great value from what we’ve been able test. It starts like a champ on the first pull each and every time and slays grass on any grade or terrain. Not to mention it also comes with a 3 year warranty and is backed by a brand that is synonymous with quality outdoor equipment.

This mower was a joy to test, and AWD system is no joke! If you're in market for an affordable self-propelled mower this season we highly suggest you check out the HU675AWD yourself. If you're anything like us you'll first fall in love with it's rugged exterior and then be amazed with it's ability to climb and maneuver all types of terrain.

About The Author

Busted Wallet’s resident testing and review specialist, Josh has a keen eye for all things tech, booze, and sports-related. After working closely with brands such as Nike, The North Face, EA Sports, Burton, HP, Oakley, Sony, Cannondale, Taylormade Golf and many others over the past decade he’s grown to become one of the most reliable reviewers in the business.

9 Responses

Gear of the Year: 2014 | Busted Wallet December 29, 2014 […] uilt for homeowners on a budget and lawns that ungulate more than Uncle Leon expertly executing “The Worm” at your wedding reception, the new Husqvarna HU675AWD Lawnmower was engineered with All-Wheel-Drive traction and a unique dual transmission that is said to easily handle hills, thick grass and tough terrain. What truly sets this push-mower apart from all other self-propelled mowers on the market is its AWD technology, which provides simultaneous power to all 4 wheels giving the operator maximum control and maneuverability. Constructed from heavy-duty steel and a powerful 149cc Kohler engine, the Husqvarna HU675AWD also features a generous 22″ cutting width, comfort handle and a 2 bushel soft bag collection system – all at a budget friendly 299 price tag. Read more… […] Reply

David March 15, 2017 This mower is an absolute piece of garbage. It’s incredibly heavy and hard to maneuver, but I used it without other problems for occasional residential mowing for one season. I stored it with fuel stabilizer over the winter. The next season it would not start and Husqvarna will not honor the warranty. Absolutely awful product. Reply

Dave May 27, 2018 Agreed, we replace the spark plug, primed it and it started but would not keep running the auto choke is shot.after 1 season, piece of junk, don’t buy

Samantha witomski September 3, 2015 You are crazy to post this mover as anything but a total price of shit. I Wish I could give this piece of crap 0 stars that’s how much I hate it! Total waste of 300 dollars! I bought it 2 months ago and it doesn’t cut grass, no matter how short or dry it is. Reply

L.Fine August 16, 2016 It seems to be reliable and is cutting well. It does not turn the lawn into a putting green, but seems to work well. After a push mower, this is a dream. decent bang for the buck. There could be something wrong with mower described in previous review. 3 yr warranty should help. I have used it only a few times, so I may have to review again later. My model seems to have been replaced with another model. Reply

Ron August 21, 2016 Absolutely awful product. Bought Husqvarna lawn mower and handle for All wheel drive brook, in second use. Returned and bought the next model up. This one has a Kohler engine, it is simply awful after 1st year need to have it serviced. That cost close to 100 additional dollars.Second year would not start again, I rebuilt the carburetor this time because it is not worth spending another 100 on, Worked fine that day. Next use had to take the carburetor off again b/c it would not start. Today it started but soon had a gas leak and I know I tightened the drain plug well enough. Now runs for 5 seconds and stalls. Absolute garbage, will never buy another Husqvarna product again, Nor anything with a Kohler Small Engine. Pieces of —- Reply

Andrew J April 30, 2017 This Husqvarna product is good during its 3 year warranty usage. I am now on Year 4 using this mower and now problems arise. The gas tank leaks from the cap for reasons I cannot explain and the spark plug makes it completely difficult to remove because its in a tight spot. Like I said, for the first 3 years this mower was superb. After that? Problems. Reply

cosplay costumes March 5, 2018 I’ve learn several just right stuff here. Certainly price bookmarking for revisiting. I surprise how a lot attempt you set to create one of these fantastic informative web site. Reply

Husqvarna lawn mower awd

Today, Husqvarna announced the release of Husqvarna Automower 435X AWD, an AI-enabled, robotic mower with all-wheel drive and Smart home connectivity. This iconic, fully autonomous robotic lawn mower is designed to manage rough terrain and slopes with an incline of up to 70%, and works with Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and provides an open API for Smart home integration.

Husqvarna, the world leader in robotic mowers, launches a game changing robotic mower for homeowners with challenging lawns and connected homes. Husqvarna Automower 435X AWD. With an all-wheel drive system and a new unique body design with two connected bodies, Husqvarna Automower 435X AWD robotic mower can climb steep slopes with an incline of up to 70%. To put the number in perspective, a black downhill slope has an incline of approximately 40-60 %, and the incline of a ski jump hill measures about 70 %. The new robotic mower from Husqvarna can manage areas of up to 3500 m 2 and operates at 62 db.

“Husqvarna Automower 435X AWD sets a new standard for robotic mowers, combining a perfect cut in “impossible gardens” with multiple product interactions, including conversational AI for Amazon Alexa and Google Home integration,” says Olle Markusson, Director Product Management at Husqvarna.

Multiple voice interaction for Husqvarna’s connected robotic mowers

Starting this spring, Husqvarna Automower 35X AWD, and all other Husqvarna robotic mowers with Husqvarna Automower Connect, will be able to use voice commands via Amazon Alexa and Google Home. Via these voice-controlled speakers, the user can manage the mower. Advanced users can design their own program for the robotic mower via the open API. In addition, Husqvarna Automower Connect also works with GARDENA SmartSystem, adding irrigation to the Smart garden.

Voice interaction will first be available in English, followed by German and French. Additional languages will follow.

New safety features

In addition to the built-in safety feature that automatically stops the mower if it is lifted up or turned over, Husqvarna Automower 35X AWD is also equipped with several new features to increase safety. With Ultrasonic, a remote object detection feature, Husqvarna Automower 435X AWD reduces its speed as soon as it senses a nearby object. Together with a front rubber bumper, Ultrasonic ensures a soft impact when the robotic mower comes in contact with an object. Husqvarna Automower 435X AWD also has automatic passage handling and LED-headlights.

There are several optional accessories for Husqvarna Automower 435X AWD, including replaceable top covers in white and orange as well as a brush kit that keeps the wheels clean to improve traction even more.

About Husqvarna Automower /h3>

Husqvarna Automower is the world leading robotic lawnmower since 1995, mowing public and residential lawns around the world, and known for its quiet and reliable handling of complex lawns. Husqvarna Automower can easily handle steep slopes, automatically return to its charging station, as well as be controlled from anywhere in the world with connectivity.

Due to the machine’s self-fertilizing cutting technique and light weight pivoting blades, grass does not require as much fertilization when compared with other cutting techniques. Husqvarna Automower cuts a small bit at a time but often, this coupled with the self-fertilizing technique means a denser, greener lawn, that also prevents moss.

Amazon Alexa and Google Home/Assistant will be available in Germany from March 1, 2019.

Amazon Alexa and Google Home will be available in French and Swedish in the second quarter of 2019.

Open API will be available globally, in English, in the second quarter of 2019.

Review: Husqvarna 435X AWD Automower

The Husqvarna 435X is a silent, automatic robot that will save you from mowing your grass ever again. But it's not cheap.

If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our journalism. Learn more. Please also consider subscribing to WIRED

A! Robot! Mows! Your! Lawn! Perfectly manicured grass without lifting a finger. Excellent app and control options. Integrates with your Smart home via Alexa, Google Assistant, or IFTTT.

I hate mowing the lawn. First off, a vast expanse of unproductive grass is a waste—why have grass when you could have a garden, or an orchard, or all sorts of other useful plants? That I have to push around a device just to maintain this green wasteland makes it doubly insulting.

Fortunately, this summer I unleashed the Husqvarna 435X AWD automower on my lawn. Now I never have to think about mowing it again.

The Husqvarna 435X is the high-end, all-wheel-drive version of the company's robotic lawn mower line; Husqvarna has less-expensive models that can accomplish the same thing. The 435X costs more because it's specifically designed to handle sloping yards and rough terrain, both of which are landscape features at the house I rent.

The results of the 435X far exceeded my expectations. Admittedly, my expectations were low: Just make it so I don't have to mow the lawn. The 435X is capable of much more than that. I never ran into problems, aside from getting hung up in fallen tree branches from time to time. In over six months of testing, that was the only trouble it ever had. It produced the healthiest, most well-manicured lawn in our area. Every delivery person that came to our house asked about both the lawn and the curious creature roaming it.

The secret to the 435X's lawn-care prowess lies in the spinning razor blades. Yes, the 435X is an automated robot equipped with spinning razor blades. (I always made a point to be polite and kind to it, in hopes that it will spare me in the inevitable robot uprising.) Because it mows much more regularly than you or a lawn service would, the 435X cuts tiny pieces of grass at a time. This is the secret to a healthy lawn. When you let grass get long and then mow it back, you leave significant piles of cut grass behind—even if you use a catcher. These piles smother the grass that's trying to grow, opening the ecological playground of your yard to weeds.

There is one secret to getting the perfect lawn from your robot helper: Change the blades regularly. Husqvarna's official recommendation is to change your blades every one to two months, with the caveat that it will vary depending on the type of grass and soil at your house. I found every two months to be about right. For testing purposes, I let it go considerably longer, and the quality of mowing suffered. I also found that it's good to check regularly to make sure all the blades are still there. I twice lost blades to branches that had fallen and passed under the automower.

The other thing you will still need to do is clear any lawn debris. At my house, the lawn is shaded by some 100-year-old pecan trees. They're wonderful for shade, but they drop branches pretty regularly in the wind. Those hung up the 435X if I didn't clear them. Still, picking up the occasional tree branch is a small price to pay.