Do Robot Mowers Cut Edges Properly? UK Reality Guide (2026)

A UK reality check on robot mower edge cutting: what’s achievable, what isn’t, and how to improve edges with design and setup.

Edge cutting is one of the biggest expectation gaps in robot mower ownership. The honest answer: most robots cut close, but many UK gardens still need occasional trimming — especially with raised borders and tight corners.

Why edges are hard for robots

Robots avoid collisions. That means they often cut slightly inside the boundary to avoid scraping walls and borders. Tight corners and raised edging create unavoidable uncut strips.

Edge outcomes by edge type

• Flush paving transitions: often the best edge finish because the mower can run partly over the hard surface.
• Raised brick/sleeper borders: a small strip is normal; plan for periodic trimming.
• Gravel edges: can be messy; stones can affect blades and wheels.

The two best ways to improve edges

1. Change the edge: create flush transitions where practical.
2. Tune boundaries and approach angles: good installers adjust offsets and corridor geometry.

For wired setups, the boundary routing matters — see boundary wire installation. For complex layouts, read robot mowers for complex gardens.

Most common installation issues seen in UK gardens

• Docking reliability problems: the station is placed on a slope, in a tight corner, or on soft ground that shifts seasonally.
• Wheelspin and turf wear: wet clay plus repeated tight turns, especially during long wet spells.
• Missed strips and “uncut triangles”: raised borders, sharp corners and narrow passages limit how close the mower can work.
• Repeat “stuck” alerts: a single terrain hotspot that needs levelling or exclusion rather than repeated rescues.

What professional installers assess before recommending a setup

Installers listed in our UK dealer directory typically measure slope percentage, assess drainage, check narrow passages and turning zones, and plan a docking approach that stays reliable year-round.

Local context matters. Clay-heavy lawns and compact layouts are common in areas like Kent and Surrey, which can change the “best” setup for traction, turning behaviour and schedule choices.

Manufacturer reality (neutral): brands such as Husqvarna offer models aimed at different garden types, but your outcome is driven more by suitability and installation quality than by the logo on the mower.

What to ask during quotes (edge-specific)

• How close will it cut along raised borders?
• Where would you accept a small exclusion to prevent collisions?
• What boundary offsets will you start with, and what tuning is included?

If you want installer guidance on edge strategy, start with Get 3 quotes and send photos of your borders and corners.

Frequently asked questions

Will a robot mower eliminate edging completely?
In many UK gardens, no. Flush edges can get very close, but raised borders usually leave a strip.

Can installers improve edge performance?
Often yes. Boundary offsets, corner geometry and exclusions can reduce missed patches.

Is edge performance a brand issue?
Sometimes, but more often it’s an edge-construction and setup issue.

A quick 5‑minute garden audit you can do today

Walk the boundary and mark anything the mower must not touch: steps, ponds, sharp drops, low windows, fragile borders.

Identify where the mower must turn: tight corners and narrow passages drive real-world performance far more than total area.

Take 6–10 photos for an installer: charging power point, narrowest corridor, steepest slope, wettest corner, and any raised edging.

How to compare quotes without getting tricked by ‘cheap’ installs

Ask what is included: boundary routing or mapping, station placement, app setup, first-week tuning, and follow-up support.

If one quote is far lower, it often excludes time-consuming design work (islands, exclusions, corridor tuning) that prevents future call-outs.

Get assumptions in writing. Good installers state what could change after a site survey.

The practical ‘set-and-forget’ target for

UK ownership

Aim for a schedule that keeps the lawn consistently short in daylight hours, then reduces runtime during very wet weeks to protect turf.

Treat the first week as tuning. Small boundary offsets and station adjustments are normal and usually solve repeat problems.

If the mower fails in the same place twice, fix the spot (level, firm up, exclude). Don’t hope it ‘learns’ out of it.

Edge improvement options ranked by ROI

Highest ROI: create a flush mowing edge (paving level with turf) along the most visible border.

Medium ROI: adjust boundary offsets and corner geometry during tuning; small changes can remove ‘missed triangles’.

Lower ROI: chase perfection everywhere. It usually increases collisions and stuck events without a meaningful aesthetic gain.

How to talk to installers about edges

Send photos of your edges and corners and ask what edge finish is realistic.

Ask which areas will need occasional trimming and how often — honest answers reduce disappointment.

If you have a high-visibility front lawn, consider scheduling it only when you’re home, especially in higher-risk areas.

Quick checklist for do robot mowers cut edges properly uk 2026

• Write down your steepest slope and narrowest passage.
• Identify any wet corner after rain and decide whether to exclude it.
• Plan a station location with a clean approach route.
• Get assumptions in writing from installers.

Notes for UK gardens in 2026

Wire‑free systems are improving quickly, but the deciding factor is still suitability: corners, canopy and docking approach. Treat setup as a design task and you’ll get a better finish with fewer interventions.

Edge cutting: what to expect by garden style

New-build lawns often have crisp geometry and some flush edges — good for robots. Older UK gardens often have curved borders, raised edging, and narrow side returns — harder for robots. That doesn’t mean robots don’t work; it means you plan for occasional trimming where the physics makes it unavoidable.

If edges are your top priority, decide whether you’re willing to change the edge construction. Creating a flush mowing strip along the most visible border can deliver a dramatic improvement for a modest landscaping effort.

Corner behaviour: why you get triangles

In a tight 90‑degree corner, a robot must turn within its turning radius. If the boundary is too conservative, it won’t get close. If the boundary is too tight, it bumps or gets stuck. That’s why tuning matters: small changes can reduce triangles without increasing collisions.

How to test edge performance before committing

Ask installers to explain edge expectations for your specific border types. Provide photos. A serious installer will tell you where trimming will still be needed and why. That honesty is a trust signal — and it prevents disappointment later.

What to send with your quote request (so you get useful answers)

• Photos of the steepest slope, narrowest passage, and wettest corner.
• Where power is available for the charging station.
• Any hazards: ponds, steps, drops, fragile borders.
• Whether you want day-only mowing (wildlife/pets) and any quiet-time rules.

Then use Get 3 quotes and compare the design approach, not just the price.

Technical note

For do robot mowers cut edges properly uk 2026, the reliable outcome comes from matching constraints (slope, drainage, corridors and edges) to a navigation approach, then tuning the first week. The mower should dock reliably, avoid repeat bumps, and maintain a consistent cut height rather than trying to “catch up” after missed days.

UK scenario examples (how these issues show up in real installs)

Scenario 2: The narrow side return

The mower’s day can be dominated by one narrow passage. If it has to travel through a 90cm corridor with tight turns at both ends, it spends time correcting and turning rather than cutting. Reliability improves when you widen the corridor, firm up the surface, or decide that one small zone is better maintained manually.

Scenario 3: The ‘invisible’ docking problem

Docking failures often look random because they happen after hours of mowing. In reality, the last metre of the approach route is soft or uneven. The mower arrives slightly off-line and can’t align. Level and firm the approach and most ‘mystery docking errors’ disappear.

Scenario 4: The edge expectation gap

If your borders are raised, a small strip is normal. The quickest improvement is either making one key edge flush (where you care most), or accepting that a quick trim pass every couple of weeks is part of ownership. Designing for reliability beats chasing perfect edges everywhere.

These scenarios are why suitability-first planning matters. If you want confidence before purchase, use Get 3 quotes and share photos of the tricky areas.

Technical appendix: questions to ask (and what ‘good’ answers sound like)

• “How will you prevent repeat stuck alerts?” Good answer: identifies likely hotspots and proposes levelling, exclusions, or boundary tuning.
• “Where will the station go and why?” Good answer: level ground, clear approach, firm surface, safe power routing.
• “What changes in wet weeks?” Good answer: runtime reduction, avoiding soft corners, and protecting turf.
• “What tuning is included after install?” Good answer: a defined handover and follow-up window.

Use the dealer directory to find installers who talk in specifics rather than slogans.