Spring is here and that means getting the lawnmower out of the shed for the first cut of grass. Equipment is important when you’re taking care of your lawn throughout the year – whether it’s a large garden around the house, paddock edges, or long grass areas.

In recent years, the choice has expanded beyond traditional machines with robotic lawnmowers emerging as a popular alternative to the classic ride-on mower.

Ride-on

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Ride-on mowers have been the go-to solution for larger properties for many years. These machines provide power and speed which make them capable of tackling wide areas of grass in a single session.

A ride-on is excellent when dealing with uneven ground, long grass or land that stretches well beyond the average garden size. This mower is a trusted choice for many people who make the investment for the power and reliability.

However, the ride-on is a more expensive option in comparision to many other machines. A large amount of storage space and servicing costs also need to be factored in.

One of the most popular models this year is the STIHL RT 5112 petrol ride-on lawnmower. This has a powerful two-cylinder engine, a large grass catcher box and a wide cutting width (110 cm). It is suitable for large lawns up to 6,000 sq m.

The grass guide system on both sides of the mowing deck catches grass blades at the edge of the deck and guides them towards the cutting blades. It is available from Origo for €4,800.

STIHL RT 5112 Petrol Ride-on Lawn Mower./Origo

Robotic

Over the last few years, more and more robotic lawnmowers have entered the market. It started with models suitable for smaller surface areas and urban garden types.

Now, with the latest technologies in mowing, models are proving popular with those who have bigger lawns and want to save time. Some of the advantages are they are hassle-free, reduce noise, and consistently maintain lawns without manual effort. The robot works regularly to keep the grass at the same length. It don’t require as much storage as ride-on options either.

One of the most popular robotic mowers for 2026 is the Segway Navimow H230E. It is a high-performance robotic mower for larger lawns up to 3,000 sq m. It uses LiDAR + NRTK + vision navigation for centimetre-level accuracy, digital mapping, and obstacle avoidance, with slopes up to 45% and adjustable cutting heights (20-70 mm).

Battery life should be a consideration in your purchase and this has a high-capacity battery. App control enables multi-zone scheduling which means that no perimeter wires are required. It retails at €2,899.

The decision to purchase a ride-on or robotic mower is a personal one. Some people enjoy being outside maintaining their garden. For others who don’t have the time or may be relying on family, robotic mowers are a great choice.

Consider your budget, garden size and storage as well as the different options on the market before making an informed decision that is right for you.