Daredevil Lawn Mower vs. Husqvarna Robotic Mower: Which One Wins?

You’ve probably seen demos of robotic vacuum cleaners at big box stores. They usually sit on a little table and go back and forth. However, if you have been to a home improvement store lately, you may have also seen the Husqvarna robotic mower. It functions very similarly to robot vacuums, but they can cut your entire yard without you ever having to lift a finger.

However, you probably haven’t seen the Daredevil mower. This crazy contraption is unlike any other robot on the market because it is more like an RC car than it is an automatic mower. The Husqvarna and the Daredevil target two different audiences, which is why you should take careful consideration before making a purchase. Now let’s take a deep dive into these two unique mowers.

Daredevil Lawn Mower vs. Husqvarna Robotic Mower: Side by Side Comparison

Best for Rugged Terrain

DareDevil Mower + Water Dispenser

$3,799.99

• Works with a range of attachments
• Numerous replacement parts are available
• Has a gas engine to power the blades and a battery to power the tracks
• Uses a remote that operates it like an R/C car
• Good for cutting steep inclines or places where it's difficult or dangerous to reach

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09/10/2023 11:01 pm GMT

Daredevil Lawn Mower vs. Husqvarna Robotic Mower: What’s the Difference?

Looking at the Daredevil and the Husqvarna, they’re two entirely different beasts. The Husqvarna is a smart mower that is battery-operated and cuts your grass without you having to control it. On the other hand, the Daredevil is a gas-powered mower that is actually remote-controlled. But the differences don’t stop there, as the Daredevil can go on different terrains while the Husqvarna is limited to flat yards.

Daredevil Lawn Mower

The Daredevil mower is a relatively new offering from a little-known company. Unfortunately, there’s also little information about the mower and the company. One nice thing is that the company’s website does have many of the parts available. Besides blades, you can also buy replacement electric motors and even tracks.

At first glance, this looks like a contraption from the TV show BattleBots. It has two tracks and a gas motor. It also has actuators to raise and lower the mower deck for easy use. Taking a look at the underside, you’ll notice the Daredevil looks relatively similar to any other mower. There’s a steel blade that is turned by the motor and it is surrounded by a steel deck.

The tracks are independently controlled by two electric motors. The mower also has controls on the backside to turn it on as well as charge it. You’re probably wondering why the unit needs to charge if it runs on a gas engine. This is because the electric motors still rely on electricity to turn the tracks. However, there’s an onboard generator that supplies power while the mower is running.

Now the real question is how do you control the mower since it’s not automatic. It actually comes with an RC controller that looks just like one used for a remote control car. This is how you’ll steer the mower while it’s in use. However, you will have to manually start the engine with a recoil starter. The Daredevil mower will set you back quite a bit at a retail price of $3,500, which includes a snow plow.

Attachments

One of the major benefits of the Daredevil mower is that it works with a range of attachments. One of the main attachments is a snow plow which is essentially a fixed blade that connects to the front of the mower. Additionally, there is a water dispenser that can actually spray water long distances. The reason all of these are practical is that the machine’s tracks allow it to go through very rugged terrain.

Husqvarna Robotic Mower

Husqvarna is a major manufacturer of outdoor power equipment, and you’re probably already familiar with products such as their chainsaws, weed eaters, and even lawn mowers. However, they’re also one of the first and biggest manufacturers of robotic lawn equipment. Husqvarna makes a wide range of robotic lawn mowers today, but we will be taking a look at the Automower 430XH, which is arguably the most popular.

As we previously mentioned, the Husqvarna robotic mower works sort of like a robotic vacuum. It sits on a charging station and will go out and cut your grass. To do so it weaves back and forth until the entire yard is cut. Now you may be picturing the mower going out once a week and cutting the grass. However, that’s not the purpose of the Automower.

Instead, the mower goes out and cuts a very small amount off the top of your grass daily. This makes cutting much easier and also keeps your yard at an identical height year round. The 430XH is designed for larger yards up to .8 acres. However, that may be a stretch, depending on your yard’s terrain. Charging takes about an hour, and the mower will be able to cut for 145 minutes.

If you have a robot mower going through your yard all day, you may be worried about theft. Husqvarna thought about that and added in theft detection with GPS tracking as this is a 4G model. Setting up the mower can be a little time-consuming because you do have to lay down guide wires for it. However, once complete, you can control the device with a phone or even a smart speaker.

Best for Routine Lawn Maintenance

Husqvarna Automower 430XH Robotic Lawn Mower with GPS Assisted Navigation, Automatic Lawn Mower with Self Installation and Ultra-Quiet Smart Mowing Technology for Medium to Large Yards (0.8 Acre)

$2,288.49

• Fully automated
• Designed for larger yards up to .8 acres
• Theft detection with GPS tracking
• Uses small spinning blades to cut a little grass off the top each day
• Able to cut for 145 minutes on one charge

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09/10/2023 11:05 pm GMT

Consider Other Options

Because robot lawn mowers are so new, you should really take the time to consider whether they are right for your yard and its landscape. These mowers require very flat yards and also minimal obstacles. This is why you will need to lay down guide wires so it knows where to stop. With the Daredevil, this isn’t an issue, but it defeats the purpose of having an automated unit.

Instead, you should also take a look at other devices on the market, such as the Worx Landroid or the Gardena Sileno. For many, a robotic mower sounds like the ultimate in home automation, but just like vacuum robots, these can get stuck and have problems. Plus, with the high cost, you may be better off just buying a riding mower to get the job done faster.

Daredevil Lawn Mower vs. Husqvarna Robotic Mower: 5 Must-Know Facts

• The Husqvarna is automated like a robot vacuum cleaner.
• Daredevil has a gas engine that powers the blades and a battery to power the tracks.
• The Daredevil has a remote that operates it like an R/C car.
• Husqvarna’s Automowers use very small spinning blades to cut a little bit of grass each day.
• Robotic vacuums are good for keeping your grass at the perfect height all the time.

Daredevil Lawn Mower vs. Husqvarna Robotic Mower: Which One Is Better? Which One Should You Use?

Now it’s time to figure out which mower you should buy. An honest assessment here is that you should likely buy neither. However, if we did have to pick one, the answer would be the Husqvarna simply because it is more reputable. Additionally, the Daredevil is not truly automatic and requires a human to control, which in the end, saves you no time.

The one benefit that we could see with the Daredevil is for cutting steep inclines or other places where it’s difficult or dangerous for a human to reach. This could be areas such as ditches or trenches we’re riding mowers or even push mowers are impractical. Overall the Daredevil is good for rugged terrain, and its Kohler engine should last a long time.

The Husqvarna, on the other hand, is a completely automated system that’s designed to keep your grass at a perfect height year-round. This is great for people who want their grass to stay absolutely perfect and their yards to be immaculate. However, if you have bumps, hills, or other obstacles in your yard, then the Husqvarna may be more trouble than it’s worth.

The biggest deterrent with these robotic lawn mowers is simply that they cost a lot of money for what you are getting. Combine that with relatively new technology that still isn’t perfect, and you will likely have a very poor experience. This is why we suggest spending the money on a riding mower which should get the job done in a fraction of the time and with a lot fewer headaches.

Daredevil Lawn Mower and Husqvarna Robotic Mower: Technology Updates

Here are the recent technology updates on Daredevil Lawn Mower and Husqvarna Robotic Mower:

Daredevil Lawn Mower:

In April 2023, Daredevil Lawn Mower rolled out a significant software update that introduces several enhancements to their robotic mowers:

1. Advanced Navigation: Leveraging artificial intelligence, the updated software offers improved lawn mapping capabilities and more efficient obstacle avoidance. This enables the Daredevil Lawn Mower to navigate lawns with greater precision and avoid obstacles more effectively.
2. Extended Battery Life: Through refined battery management algorithms, the software update optimizes energy consumption, resulting in a lengthened operational duration. Users can now expect their Daredevil Lawn Mowers to cover larger areas before requiring recharging.
3. Custom Mowing Patterns: The update introduces an innovative feature that empowers users to design and implement custom mowing patterns. This customization option provides users with greater control over how their lawn is mowed.

Husqvarna Robotic Mower:

Husqvarna Robotic Mower, on the other hand, introduced a notable enhancement to its obstacle avoidance system:

1. Radar-Based Obstacle Avoidance: In May 2023, Husqvarna Robotic Mower introduced a brand-new obstacle avoidance system that employs radar technology. Unlike the previous ultrasonic sensor-based system, this radar-based approach offers increased reliability in detecting and evading objects in the mower’s path.

Daredevil Lawn Mower and Husqvarna Robotic Mower: Looking Forward

In the realm of robotic lawn mowers, Daredevil Lawn Mower and Husqvarna Robotic Mower are actively working on innovative technology updates to enhance their offerings:

Daredevil Lawn Mower:

1. AI-Enhanced Navigation: Daredevil Lawn Mower is pioneering a novel navigation system that employs artificial intelligence. This cutting-edge system is designed to create precise lawn maps and navigate around obstacles more effectively, leading to more efficient and thorough mowing.
2. Extended Battery Life: Daredevil Lawn Mower is focused on developing an advanced battery technology that will extend the operational duration of their mowers. This longer-lasting battery will allow the mowers to cover larger areas without requiring frequent recharging.
3. Enhanced User Control: A new app is in the works at Daredevil Lawn Mower, aiming to offer users greater control and customization over their mowing experience. The forthcoming app will enable users to fine-tune mowing patterns and parameters according to their preferences.

Husqvarna Robotic Mower:

1. Radar-Based Obstacle Avoidance: Husqvarna Robotic Mower is harnessing radar technology to create an advanced obstacle avoidance system. By utilizing radar, the mower will be able to accurately detect objects in its path and maneuver around them more efficiently.
2. Voice Command Integration: Husqvarna Robotic Mower is working on a voice command feature that will allow users to control their mowers using spoken instructions. This innovative feature will offer users a convenient and hands-free way to interact with their robotic mowers.

Expected Technology Updates for the Next 6-18 Months:

1. Navigation Advancements: Both Daredevil Lawn Mower and Husqvarna Robotic Mower are poised to unveil improved navigation systems, leveraging advanced algorithms and sensor technologies. These enhancements will enable the mowers to autonomously navigate complex lawn layouts with greater precision.
2. Enhanced Obstacle Detection: Future updates will bring about enhanced obstacle avoidance systems that can identify and circumvent a wider range of objects, ensuring safer and more efficient mowing operations.
3. Extended Battery Life: Expect to see advancements in battery technology that will significantly extend the runtime of these robotic mowers, reducing the need for frequent recharging and allowing them to cover more ground in a single session.
4. Seamless Connectivity: Both Daredevil Lawn Mower and Husqvarna Robotic Mower are anticipated to offer improved connectivity features, ensuring robust and reliable communication between the mowers and their respective control apps. This will facilitate remote management and monitoring of the mowing process.
5. Innovative Features: Keep an eye out for new and innovative features, such as intricate mowing patterns, pet detection and avoidance, and integration with smart home ecosystems. These updates will further elevate the capabilities and versatility of robotic lawn mowers.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Jerry Bergquist/Shutterstock.com.