Without a wire does not mean without installation
Check whether the offer includes the charging station, any reference antenna or navigation accessory, mapping and commissioning. A robot sold under one family name can have different configurations. Ask for a complete installation list and a clear explanation of what happens when its normal positioning method becomes unavailable.
Map the difficult parts of the garden first
Mark trees, buildings, narrow passages, separated lawns, slopes, borders and places where water accumulates. Take photographs from the robot's likely working height. Give this material to each supplier so their answers refer to the same garden rather than an ideal open lawn.
Manufacturer example: Husqvarna explains that EPOS installations can use cloud corrections or a local reference station, with different connectivity requirements. Satellite reception and fallback behaviour depend on the exact model. Confirm the configuration instead of assuming all wire-free mowers work in the same way.
Trees and buildings deserve a site-specific answer
Ask for the navigation limitations in areas with restricted sky visibility. Some Husqvarna NERA configurations offer Support by Wire for weak-signal areas; its documentation lists compatible models and explains that it cannot compensate for poor satellite reception at the docking point. This is a specific option, not a feature of every wire-free mower.
Request a site assessment for the places that matter most to you. A successful route through one open part of the lawn does not validate the shaded passage behind a building.
Area, slopes and edges are separate comparisons
Use the surface area of the lawn you actually want cut, including the time windows when mowing is acceptable. Check the conditions attached to capacity claims. Compare slope limits, edge behaviour and transport between lawn sections separately; a single headline area number does not describe all three.
Identify the work that will remain manual, such as some edges or isolated patches. Include that work in your expectations so the purchase is evaluated against a realistic routine.
Your garden assessment sheet
Ask each supplier to complete this sheet for the proposed model and installation.
| Garden feature | Question | Confirmation needed |
|---|---|---|
| Trees or tall buildings | How is positioning maintained here? | An assessment of those zones |
| Patchy connectivity | What network is needed during mowing? | The exact configuration and coverage |
| Narrow passage | Can it pass and recover reliably? | An on-site route demonstration |
| Slopes and borders | What limits apply in these positions? | The model's stated conditions |
| Separated lawns | How are the areas connected? | A mapping and transport plan |
| Overall budget | What is included in installation? | A complete itemised quote |
Choose an installation you can confirm
Shortlist models after checking the garden, then compare installation cost, support and the effort that remains. If the seller cannot explain a critical zone, keep that uncertainty open and request a demonstration before committing.
A boundary-wire model may still suit some gardens. The objective is reliable mowing with an acceptable routine, whichever navigation approach delivers it.
Method & evidence
This guide is an editorial analysis of documented product information. It is not a hands-on test. Before purchasing, request a demonstration in your environment and written confirmation of the exact configuration, delivery and service.