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Choose your first robot mower around the lawn, its connecting passages and the service you expect. This method helps you shortlist models, question the seller and check installation without arbitrarily doubling the required capacity.
1. Draw the area that will actually be mowed
Measure the lawn excluding the house, terraces, beds and paths. Separate connected sections from completely isolated lawns. Record usable passage widths, slopes and changes in level on your sketch. An open lawn and several small sections present different challenges.
Husqvarna’s installation examples show why this matters: a secondary area can require carrying the mower and selecting a separate mode. Multiple zones do not automatically mean autonomous travel between every lawn. Ask the seller to explain the complete route, including the return to charge.
2. Define the comfort you are buying
List your current tasks: mowing, collecting clippings, edging, removing toys and cleaning equipment. Ask which tasks the model handles and which remain yours. Maximum area alone does not describe how you use your garden.
At a second home, arrange who can intervene if the mower becomes stuck. For a terrace used frequently, consider schedules and excluded areas. Around a pool or pond, follow the barriers and distances in the manual; advertised obstacle detection does not validate the installation.
3. Compare navigation requirements
Check the route for boundary wire, reception and correction arrangements for RTK, and manufacturer environmental requirements for LiDAR or cameras. Some models combine technologies. No technology name guarantees an immediately usable installation.
Husqvarna’s US iQ installation page distinguishes network corrections from a reference station. Availability depends on coverage and model. It does not establish that a European product has identical services. Confirm the exact reference and country before relying on a sales claim.
4. Size the mower without an arbitrary multiplier
Compare stated capacity and its operating conditions with your lawn. Ask what schedule achieves that capacity and whether those hours fit your routine. Automatically doubling your lawn area does not answer these questions. Any reserve should address an identified constraint.
Check slopes inside the working area separately from boundary slopes, alongside passage width and cutting height. An absent value means neither zero nor compatibility. Read the exact manual and ask the manufacturer to resolve a missing requirement before choosing a model that depends on it.
5. Request a complete commissioning quote
Include the mower and package, installation, garden changes, required accessories and recurring services. Consider cleaning, consumables, storage and transport for servicing. Ask who performs each task and which charges are additional, rather than assuming a premium package covers everything.
Our recommended handover includes app instruction, access through your own account, zone configuration and a checked return to the dock. Ask about replacement parts and the diagnostic process. A higher purchase price alone does not demonstrate better support.
6. Check the first route and prepare for October
Compare the garden with the manual before commissioning. Husqvarna’s iQ guidance highlights holes, roots, poorly drained patches and protecting freshly seeded areas while they establish. These examples help frame questions; your own model determines the exact work.
Watch departures, passages, boundaries and returns. Record places that need intervention so support can help adjust the installation. In October 2026, retain your plan and settings before any winter shutdown. Respond to growth and local conditions rather than a universal date. Buying in autumn still requires checking the machine and following its storage instructions.
Sources and manufacturer documentation
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FAQ
Should I buy twice my lawn’s stated capacity?
Not automatically. Check capacity conditions, available operating hours and garden constraints, then justify any reserve.
Can I install my first mower myself?
Read the procedure and assess the work. Seek validation or an installation quote if a passage, boundary or dock location remains uncertain.
Is the app optional?
It depends on the model. Setup or mapping may require it. Check phone, account and connection requirements before purchase.
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