How is the Worx Landroid S300 WR130E robotic mower installed?
Given the price of this little mower, it’s not surprising that getting it set up by a dealer isn’t included. This isn’t an issue though, as the instructions are easy to follow. Once you’ve set up the boundary wire, (you’ll need a mallet to knock the pegs in), and stripped the insulation to connect it into the charging unit, (they suggest using scissors for this, but the insulation is hard and we found wire strippers more suitable), a green light signals that the circuit has been correctly installed and is ready to use. (Helpfully, if there are any breaks in the circuit a red light shows, so you can check the boundary wire and resolve the issue). As a guide, it took two hours to install the mower on my 300m2 lawn. As with all the robot lawn mowers we installed ourselves for this test, it’s crucial that you follow the instructions to the letter to avoid problems further along the installation process - slow and steady is the way to go, and it’s advisable to pay particular attention to the distances they suggest leaving between the edge of your lawn and the boundary wire to ensure the best performance. It’s worth noting the Worx Landroid S300 WR130E will cope with multi-zones, assuming there’s enough wire and these lawned areas are on the same level. 100m boundary wire, staples and two connectors are supplied so you can simply splice into the boundary wire (no wire stripping is necessary here) to link the zones. You can also use these connectors to create a boundary around any trees or awkward shapes that should be avoided, While the connectors are easy and simple to use, supplying just two is a little stingy, so if you have a more complicated lawn shape or make mistakes with the installation expect to buy a packet of 5 for £24.86 from Amazon. The docking station must be located on the lawn giving the mower a clear 80cm straight path into the charge unit, and a 30cm straight path out, so this may limit where you can sight it.
Is the Worx Landroid S300 WR130E robotic mower easy to programme?
To programme this robot lawn mower you have the choice of using the Quick Start instruction manual for speedy programming, which can be done via the display unit and keypad on top of the mower, or the Landroid App using Smart connectivity. To get started all you have to do is put in the battery, turn it on, enter the pin code and off you go. You have the option to vary the settings using the keypad on top of the mower, or via the App, where you can also change the general settings, view its status and error messages, as well as enable regular software updates and upgrades either via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. The cutting height is adjusted manually, turning a knob on the side of the unit. There is a green indicator light on the base that flashes when the unit is charging, going to continuous when charged.
How well does the Worx Landroid S300 WR130E robotic mower cut?
Featuring three small pivoting blades on the cutting disc, which give it a cutting width of 18cm, the Worx Landroid S300 WR130E robot lawn mower runs very quietly. It also has intelligent programming, which means it works continuously to map your lawn until the 2Ah battery gets low, at which point it will return to the charging base, recharge, and then continue mowing, picking up wherever it left off. It cuts in a zig-zag pattern, rather than straight lines, so the lawn looks neat and stripe-free, and it’s able to navigate through narrow passages, (not all the models we tested can do this), and cope with slopes of up to 35%. It also turns efficiently, rather than constantly reversing, which results in a quicker cut and protects the lawn from too much wear-and-tear, another feature that not all the mowers we tested have. This model doesn’t cut -to-the-edge, so you will need to strim or mow those separately. It has a run time of 60 minutes and the lithium-ion battery takes a fairly lengthy 240 minutes to charge.
What features does the Worx Landroid S300 WR130E robotic mower have?
Although basic, this entry-level model includes good safety features, with a responsive stop button next to the keypad, and will automatically turn off if it’s tilted or lifted off the ground. It also has a locking system and alarm, as well as rain sensors, which send the mower back to base until the rain stops. (Once the sensors are dry, it begins a 180 minute countdown before it goes back out to mow – although this delay can be overridden or changed on the app.) We particularly liked that the charging base has holes, which allows grass to grow through to help it blend into the lawn and it comes with nine spare blades. This model can be upgraded with five optional extras that effectively boost the basic features of this model, and all of which you have to pay for: Off Limits module – to exclude objects without relying on the boundary wire; an Anti collision system; a Radio Link to boost the wifi signal and a Find My Landroid anti-theft module.
Is the Worx Landroid S300 WR130E robotic mower good value for money?
This is an entry-level model, with limited features but it’s around half the price of the other models we tested (and a third of the price of the John Deere Tango E5 Series II - the most expensive robot lawn mower we tested), so we think it represents great value. The PowerShare batteries are interchangeable with other tools in the range and it comes with a three-year warranty, so you can enjoy the benefits of having a basic robotic mower without breaking the bank.
Are there other robotic mower models available?
There are five Worx Landroid robot lawn mowers available in the range, covering lawns from 300m2 to 2000m2, which include features like edge-cut sensors, a floating deck for uneven lawns and V-tread wheels for rough terrains; and cost from £549 to £1,099.
See our round up of the best robotic mowers, which are available to buy.
For more help choosing your robotic mower, watch our buyer's guide.
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