Home

 › 

Reviews

 › 

Makita Self-Propelled Lawn Mower vs. Bosch Robotic Lawnmower: Which One Wins?

Bosch Robotic Lawnmower vs Greenworks 80V Mower

Makita Self-Propelled Lawn Mower vs. Bosch Robotic Lawnmower: Which One Wins?

If mowing the lawn isn’t a popular chore in your household, smart lawn mower technology can help to lighten the load. Self-propelled lawnmowers take the effort out of getting the lawn cut and you can even go completely hands-free by using a robotic lawnmower. Two great models on the market right now are the Makita self-propelled lawnmower and the Bosch robotic lawnmower. These are two very different types of mowers, but both will do a great job of keeping your lawn growth under control. To help you identify the best lawnmower for your property, we compare Makita self-propelled lawnmower vs. Bosch robotic lawnmower. Which one wins? Read on to find out!

Makita Self-Propelled Lawn Mower vs. Bosch Robotic Lawnmower: Side-By-Side Comparison

SpecsMakita Self-Propelled MowerBosch Robotic Lawnmower
Model NumberXML08PT136V (18V X2) LXT® 21″ Self‑Propelled Lawn MowerIndego M+ 700 Robotic Lawnmower
What It IsSelf-Propelled MowerRobotic Lawnmower
Cutting Width21”7.4”
Deck Width22”N/A
Cutting Height Range1¼” to 4”1.18” to 1.96”
Bag Capacity (Bushels)2N/A
Net Weight (with Battery)62.5 pounds16.7 pounds
Dimensions39.7” x 22.8” x 17”17.5” x 14.3” x 7.9” 
Power TypeCordlessCordless
BatteryTwo 18V Li-ion batteries (37 V)18V Li-ion battery
Battery Charge Time 45 min60 min
Motor TypeBrushlessBrushless
Lawn Cut Per Charge up to a ½ acre0.17 acre
Speed Up to 3 MPH0.89 MPH
Country of ManufactureChinaChina
Warranty3-year limited manufacturer’s warranty for tools and batteries3-year manufacturer’s warranty
Best Overall
Makita XML08PT1 18V X2 (36V) LXT® Cordless 21″ Self Propelled Lawn Mower
$899.00
  • Variable speed setting of 1.5 to 3 MPH using a control on the handle
  • 3-in-1 function that can mulch, bag, or discharge grass cuttings
  • Commercial-grade steel deck with 21-inch cutting width
  • Can mow up to 1/2 acre with four18V 5.0Ah batteries (included)
  • Quiet Mode setting can reduce noise with constant speed at 2,300 RPM


We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
03/10/2024 06:11 am GMT

Makita Self-Propelled Lawn Mower vs. Bosch Robotic Lawnmower: What’s the Difference?

These two mowers could not be more different, but both still do a great job of cutting grass. Your ultimate choice of lawn mower will depend on just how involved you want to be in the mowing process. Here are the need-to-know differences between the Makita self-propelled lawn mower versus Bosch robotic lawnmower:

Will You or a Robot Be Mowing Your Lawn?

The Bosch lawnmower is an authentic robot. It will operate completely independently to mow your lawn according to the schedule you set. This robot maintains the lawn by running cycles of trimming and navigating around the lawn without human control. 

The Makita has a more conventional design but saves you the hard work of pushing a lawnmower by driving itself. This self-propelling mower only requires your hands to guide it as it will automatically move forward in a straight line at speeds of up to 3 MPH. 

Form Factors

The two mowers have completely different form factors. As noted above, the Makita mower is much more conventional. The Makita has a height of 39.7 inches while the Bosch is only 7.9 inches high. The robot is a compact cutting disc on wheels that operates close to the ground. This makes it highly portable and easy to store. 

Speed

The Makita is built to mow your entire lawn quickly. The 21-inch blade of the Makita self-propelled lawn mower rotates at up to 3,000 RPM. Combined with self-propulsion at up to 3 MPH, this mower can cover a lot of lawn very rapidly with non-stop cutting for up to 2 miles on a single charge.

The Bosch robotic lawn mower has a much smaller cutting capacity but works differently from a conventional mower. Because it trims your lawn regularly and independently covers your lawn area over several hours it does not need as large a cutting radius as the Makita. 

Perimeter Wire

The Bosch robotic mower uses a wireless signal from an installed perimeter wire to know the boundaries of your lawn. The wire works like wireless fencing for dogs, deterring the mower from straying into areas it is not required to mow. You can peg the boundary wire into place or bury it, but if it breaks the robotic mower will stop working. 

Terrain and Weather

If your garden needs a brush cutter rather than a lawnmower, the Makita mower has a rugged build for tackling a rough and overgrown lawn. Rather than hollow plastic or composite material for the body, this mower has a commercial-grade steel deck, with IPX4 weather-resistant construction that keeps it durable. 

The Bosch robotic mower is for less demanding garden conditions. Though it is solidly built and weather sealed, it uses plastic and composite material to keep it lightweight and nimble. 

Charging the Battery

The Bosch battery is integrated into the robotic mower. Unlike the Makita mower, it does not have to be removed for regular charging. Instead, the mower automatically moves to its charging deck which is also its base when it isn’t in use. The robot can independently dock, charge and leave the charging deck to resume mowing when the battery is full.

More on the Makita Self-Propelled Lawn Mower

The Makita 36V LXT® 21″ Self‑Propelled Lawn Mower, is made by the Japanese power tool company Makita. It is 100% cord-free and runs on up to four 18V, 5Ah batteries. If you’re fed up with pouring gasoline and yanking on a pull cord, this cordless mower has a push-button start and cuts grass without the noise and exhaust. 

Makita’s sturdy self-propelled lawn mower takes the effort out of maintaining your lawn with multiple features that make mowing easy. These include:

  • An easy-to-reach single lever to the right of the mowing deck for adjusting the cutting height.
  • Variable speed setting of 1.5 to 3 MPH using a control on the handle.
  • A robust clippings bag with a 2-bushel capacity.
  • A grass level indicator to tell you when the bag is getting full. 
  • 3-in-1 function that can mulch, bag, or discharge grass cuttings with the flick of a switch. 
  • 21-inch cutting diameter that covers a lot of your lawn quickly. 
  • Fast-charging batteries with enough power to mow half an acre of lawn with a single charge.

In addition, Makita’s mower uses two advanced proprietary technologies: Star Protection for responsive power management and Extreme Protection Technology (XPT™), which seals the mower from moisture, grass clippings, and dirt. 

Makita Self-Propelled Lawn Mower
The Makita Self-Propelled Lawn Mower makes mowing easy, has space for up to four 18V batteries, and has a push-button start.

More on the Bosch Robotic Mower 

German tech and engineering giant Bosch is renowned for the quality of its garden equipment. Its Indego range of robotic lawn mowers delivers new technology with the reliable performance you expect from Bosch. 

This smart mower has a range of technologies and features to ensure that your lawn is cut beautifully and stays that way! Here are some of the outstanding features of the Indego M+ 700 robotic mower: 

  • Intelligent LogiCut cutting technology means that the Indego M+700 does not cut the same area twice. 
  • BorderCut technology starts each mowing session by trimming the edges of the lawn to the perfect height.
  • A MultiArea mode enables the mower to cut up to 700 square meters in several separate areas of the lawn. 
  • The robot can mow passages of grass as narrow as 29 inches wide.
  • The SpotMow feature tackles grass that is beneath garden furniture, while onboard bump sensors help the robot navigate around obstacles. 
  • The Indego M+ 700 can handle slopes with a 23% incline.
  • You can program and manage your robot mower using the Smart Gardening App for Android and Alexa. 
  • This robot does not produce clippings. Instead, it chops up the grass into a fine mulch that fertilizes your lawn. 

Makita Self-Propelled Lawn Mower vs. Bosch Robotic Lawnmower: Must-Know Facts

  • The Makita lawn mower has a brushed electric motor while the Bosch robotic mower has a brushless mower. 
  • Both Bosch and Makita manufacture their mowers in China.
  • The Makita self-propelled lawn mower does not have a foldable handle. It has to be dismantled for storage through the winter. 
  • Installing perimeter wire for a robotic mower is the trickiest part of the setup. Many robot owners have the wire professionally installed. If the wire breaks it can be repaired with proprietary connectors. 
  • The Bosch robot should be cleaned from grass clippings after use as they can corrode the three blades on the mower’s cutting disc. 
  • Battery-powered mowers like Makita’s perform best with lawn areas of ½ an acre or less. 
  • Makita’s cordless garden tool range includes leaf blowers and trimmers that all use the same battery back. 

Makita Self-Propelled Lawn Mower vs. Bosch Robotic Lawnmower: Which One Is Better? Which One Should You Use?

Both of these mowers are great mowers, but they have markedly different specifications and suitability for different lawns. If you have a large lawn that has rough areas and want a pro-caliber upright mower that is self-driving, the Makita mower is the best buy. This mower is rugged, powerful, and has the battery capacity to work hard and get your lawn mowed quickly. However, it does not fold down easily making storage a challenge if your property is small. 

The Bosch robotic lawnmower is the better buy for smaller gardens. It is lightweight, unobtrusive, and compact enough to store easily through the cooler months. If you have a smart home and want a mower that is completely hands-free, the Bosch Indego M+ 700 will fit right in.

  1. Makita XML08PT1 18V X2 (36V) LXT® Cordless 21″ Self Propelled Lawn Mower
    $899.00
    • Variable speed setting of 1.5 to 3 MPH using a control on the handle
    • 3-in-1 function that can mulch, bag, or discharge grass cuttings
    • Commercial-grade steel deck with 21-inch cutting width
    • Can mow up to 1/2 acre with four18V 5.0Ah batteries (included)
    • Quiet Mode setting can reduce noise with constant speed at 2,300 RPM


    Buy on Amazon

    We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

    03/10/2024 06:11 am GMT

Recent Updates for the Makita Self-Propelled Lawn Mower and the Bosch Robotic Lawnmower

There have been a few updates to the Makita Self-Propelled Lawn Mower and the Bosch Robotic Lawnmower since February 2023. Here are a few of those updates:

  • The Makita Self-Propelled Lawn Mower has a brushless motor. The new Makita brushless motor is more efficient and powerful. The mower can now mow for longer periods of time on a single charge and produces less noise.
  • The Bosch Robotic Lawnmower has a self-charging feature. The Bosch mower will automatically return to its charging station when the battery gets low eliminating the need to manually take the mower to the charging station.
  • Bosch Robotic Lawnmower has a smart app. You can control the Bosch mower through its app from your smartphone or tablet. The app can be used to start and stop the mower, set mowing schedules, and view mowing history.

Possible Updates for the Makita Self-Propelled Lawn Mower and the Bosch Robotic Lawnmower

We can expect to see additional updates for both mowers in the next six to 18 months. Here are some of the updates we might see:

  • Improved battery technology: As battery technology improves, we can expect to see even more powerful and longer-lasting batteries in the next year or two.
  • Smarter features: We can expect to see improvements to the smart features of cordless lawn mowers. For example, some models may provide information on things like mowing time, battery life, and cutting height.
  • More environmentally friendly options: We might see newer models using recycled materials or solar energy to be more environmentally friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of mulching your lawn?

Mulching has several benefits for a lawn, especially when the grass is in its growing season:

  • The mulch adds nutrients to the lawn’s soil that can be taken up by growing grass.
  • Mulch insulates the soil, helping it to maintain a steady temperature. 
  • Mulching prevents the excessive loss of moisture from the lawn straight after it is cut.
  • Spreading mulch can suppress weed growth.

Is there a legal age limit for using a self-propelled lawn mower?

Children must be at least 12 years old to use a walk-behind mower like the Makita self-propelled lawn mower. If a child under the age of 16 uses the mower, ensure that they are supervised by an adult while they work in the yard.

Are Makita self-propelled lawn mowers front or rear-wheel drive?

Makita self-propelled lawn mowers are rear-wheel drive. This makes the lawnmower more stable and increases traction, especially on slopes.

Can a robotic lawnmower create stripes in a lawn?

Most robotic lawnmowers cannot create a striped lawn, because of the zig-zag way in which the mower cuts the grass. 

How long do Makita batteries last?

Makita batteries usually last 3 years. You can buy replacement Makita branded batteries that can be used on your mower and other power tools in Makita’s cordless range. Do not use batteries of another brand in the mower, as this may impair its performance and invalidate your warranty.

To top