As spring and summer begin, the drudgery of yard work also arrives. While some do enjoy tidying up their yards, in the hotter months it can be a real hassle to find the energy to do something like mowing the lawn.
Robotic lawnmowers take the human element out of keeping your grass neat and tidy. They may lack the more refined touch provided by a little elbow grease and an edge trimmer, but they also keep you out of the heat.
Let’s take a look at two of the best robotic mowers on the market, the Gardena Sileno and the Husqarvna Automower, and see which is best for you. Both of these mowers cover large areas and can operate on their own for quite a while. The matter of performance and ease of setup are also important considerations.
Gardena Sileno vs Husqvarna Automower: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Gardena Sileno | Husqvarna Automower |
| Audible Noise | 57dB | 62dB |
| Wi-Fi Support | No | No |
| Bluetooth Support | No | Yes |
| Cutting Width | 8.7 inches | 8.7 inches |
| Lawn Area Coverage | 0.37 acres | 0.37 acres |
| Obstacle Sensor | Yes | Yes |
| Rain Sensor | Yes | No |
| Auto Docking | Yes | Yes |
| Mowing Time | 65 minutes | 50 minutes |
Gardena Sileno vs Husqvarna Automower: What’s the Difference?
There are quite a few similarities between these two robotic mowers. A multitude of differences is also present, however, which may impact the choice you make.
How Do Robotic Mowers Work?
Robotic mowers operate by means of a guideline placed around the perimeter of a property, much like setting zones for a robotic vacuum. Trimming isn’t done on an occasional basis, but rather as a routine scheduled part of the machine’s operation.
- Auto-scheduling and easy configuration
- Collision sensors ensure safe mowing
- Mows in rain and sunshine (all-weather)
- Navigates narrow spaces and tight corners
You won’t be grumbling about mowing the lawn while the thermometer is showing temperatures in the 90s, but rather setting a schedule where every two to three days the grass is neatened up.
Performance
Both of these mowers perform quite admirably over a larger lawn coverage. The edge in overall performance has to go to the Gardena Sileno, however. Gardena’s offering doesn’t run for quite as long as the Husqvarna’s, but it has important features, like a rain sensor. Area coverage is comparable between the two models, with both coming in at 0.37 acres, or roughly 16,000 square feet.
Both models feature an obstacle sensor, handy for when your little ones leave out a beloved yard toy on accident. They also can operate in the rain, though this might be less than ideal for operational time. The Gardena and Husqarvna mowers also support auto docking, removing more human intervention from the overall operation of the mower.
The mowing mechanism is similar between both models, utilizing a rotating series of three blades attached to a disc. This is actually quite handy, as blade replacement for both models is a far simpler endeavor, requiring only the removal of damaged blades instead of the whole assembly.
Both the Sileno and Husqvarna also have frost sensors, avoiding unnecessary wear and tear that comes from mowing on a frozen surface. The Husqvarna is a reliable robotic mower, but operational range and Wi-Fi compatibility give the Sileno an edge.
Setup and Configuration
Both mowers utilize guide wires to mark the perimeter of the lawn. The Husqvarna requires additional peripherals for installation, bumping up the cost of the already expensive mower. The Gardena Sileno is more readily capable of a DIY installation, which does help to keep costs down.
- Uses Smart technology
- Equipped with GPS theft tracking, a built-in alarm system, and a PIN code lock
- Weatherproof
- Can navigate narrow passages, objects, and 40-degree slopes
- Cutting width of 8.7 inches and an area capacity of 680 square feet per hour
Geofencing for both mowers is handled via a smartphone app, but only the Husqvarna has Bluetooth capability for connecting your smartphone. The Husqvarna also readily integrates with smart home setups, allowing for routines to be set from a central control location.
The extra cost of the Husqvarna doesn’t necessarily mark it as a superior product, and the extra cost for installation is something to be considered. Where it does have certain distinct advantages in being able to receive updates and commands through Bluetooth, it isn’t nearly enough to justify the additional expense.
Pricing and Availability
The Husqvarna is priced as a premium product and as such has a suggested retail price of $1999.99 at the time of writing. The Sileno has a suggested retail price of $1399.99, coming in a fair bit cheaper for comparable area coverage and a slightly lesser operational time.
Gardena has a slight edge in terms of availability, with the Sileno being readily available at a variety of physical and online retailers. Husqvarna, by comparison, only has its products available through authorized dealers, which can vary from location to location.
Gardena Sileno vs Husqvarna Automower: 6 Must-Know Facts
- Gardena Sileno is one of the quietest robotic mowers on the market.
- Gardena Sileno has a spiral-cutting feature for harder-to-reach places, like under furniture.
- Gardena Sileno can mow complex lawn shapes thanks to AI assistance.
- Husqvarna Automower has GPS tracking for anti-theft protection.
- Husqvarna Automower has lift and tilt sensors to automatically adjust for changes in elevation and slopes.
- Husqvarna Automower requires additional accessories to function with your smartphone.
©Jerry Bergquist/Shutterstock.com
Gardena Sileno vs Husqvarna Automower: Which One Is Better? Which One Should You Choose?
In terms of performance, ease of setup, and price, the Gardena Sileno is far and away the winner of this shootout. It may not operate for as long as the Husqvarna Automower, but it more than makes up for it with a bevy of other handy features.
The Husqvarna is a solid and premium mower, but there are additional expenses just to use what would be basic functions on other robotic mowers. If you’re looking to make yard work just a bit easier, then the Gardena Sileno presents an easy-to-install robotic mower that covers most medium to large-sized lawns.
Operational time may be lacking compared to other mowers on the market, but the price and day-to-day use of the Sileno makes it a great choice for those looking to enter the world of robotic mowers.
- GARDENA 15101-41 SILENO Life
- Auto-scheduling and easy configuration
- Collision sensors ensure safe mowing
- Mows in rain and sunshine (all-weather)
- Navigates narrow spaces and tight corners
- Husqvarna Automower 415X
- Uses Smart technology
- Equipped with GPS theft tracking, a built-in alarm system, and a PIN code lock
- Weatherproof
- Can navigate narrow passages, objects, and 40-degree slopes
- Cutting width of 8.7 inches and an area capacity of 680 square feet per hour
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Recent Updates for the Gardena Sileno and the Husqvarna Automower
There have been some exciting updates recently to both mowers. Some of the updates they’ve received since February 2023 are:
- Improved navigation: The navigation systems of both mowers have been updated. These updates allow them to mow more efficiently and easily avoid obstacles.
- Smarter features: The smart features of both mowers have been expanded. For example, they can be controlled from a smartphone or tablet, and they can be programmed to mow on a schedule.
- More environmentally friendly: Both mowers are now made with more environmentally friendly materials and use less energy to reduce their carbon footprint.
Possible Future Updates for the Gardena Sileno and the Husqvarna Automower
Possible technological advances that could be made for robotic lawn mowers like the Gardena Sileno and the Husqvarna Automower in the next six to 18 months include:
- 3D mapping: 3D mapping technology would allow these mowers to create a more accurate map of your lawn and would help with more efficient mowing.
- Object avoidance: Object avoidance technology would allow these mowers to detect and avoid objects in their path, such as children, pets, or furniture.
- Self-charging: Self-charging technology would allow these mowers to automatically return to their charging station when they are running low on battery power.
- Voice control: Voice control technology would allow you to control these mowers with your voice, which would make it even easier to use the mowers and set mowing schedules.
