What a robot mower really costs: subscriptions, blades, batteries and RTK
The purchase price is half the story. Here is the rest, year by year.
Updated September 12, 2026 · 5 min read · By Yard Truth
Year one
The mower, a garage or cover to keep it out of the sun and rain (often worth it, sometimes bundled), an RTK antenna extension if your base station needs height, and off-road wheels for slopes. Wire mowers may add installation if you do not lay it yourself. Budget 10 to 20 percent above the sticker price.
Every year
Blades: small pivoting blades are cheap and replaced every four to eight weeks in season; fixed blades last longer and cost more. Batteries: expect three to five seasons before capacity noticeably drops, and a replacement pack costs a meaningful fraction of the mower. Subscriptions: some brands charge for cellular connectivity, theft tracking or premium app features; most core functions are free, and we flag any model that needs a subscription to mow.
A worked example
Take a mid-range RTK mower at $1,600 for a third of an acre. Add a garage at $150 and an antenna extension at $80. Blades run about $40 a season, and a battery around $200 every four years, which averages $50 a year. Electricity is a few dollars a year. Over five years the mower costs roughly $2,300, or about $460 a season. A weekly lawn service over the same period would be $3,000 to $6,000 depending on the area, and mowing it yourself costs around 30 hours a season.
The cost that is easy to miss
A mower that does not fit the yard costs the most: it sits in the garage, or it is returned with a restocking fee. That is the whole reason the advisor exists. Match the mower to the yard first, then compare prices.
Questions people ask
- Do robot mowers save money over a lawn service?
- Against a weekly service, most pay back in one to two seasons. Against mowing yourself, the saving is time.
- Is the RTK base station extra?
- Usually included; a taller antenna kit is the common extra.
Which mowers fit your yard?
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