Is this the future of Lawn care or just another gadget? Robotic lawnmowers promise effortless lawn care and a perfect finish without lifting a finger. But can a cordless, boundary-wire-free model like the LawnMaster VBRM16-01 really bring that dream to life for UK gardens?
With bold assurances of convenience and ease, this mower has garnered rave reviews and lackluster reactions from purchasers. So, before you part with cash for this "drop and mow" device, let's have a clearer understanding of what it does, where it excels, and where it falls short.
Easier Way to Maintain Lawns?
The LawnMaster Cordless Robotic Lawnmower VBRM16-01 targets home owners looking for the ease of small garden upkeep minus the usual robotic mower set-up hassles. It stands out from most models on the market in that it lacks a boundary wire or outdoor power point. In place of this, it features an onboard camera and ultrasonic sensors that enable it to recognize grassed areas and mow in a random pattern. This is particularly appealing for UK lawns of up to 150m² where it is not feasible to put in perimeter wires or where there is limited power access.
Drop & Mow Simplicity
Simplicity is its key selling point. Charge the battery indoors, drop the mower onto the lawn, and let it get on with it for up to four hours. The possibility of a "drop and mow" experience could make it ideal for robotic mower beginners or someone looking for a hassle-free solution to their lawn-mowing requirements. However, like with most innovative technology, user experience has been variable, with some praising its innovation and others lamenting its drawbacks and bugs.
Key Features
The VBRM16-01 features several innovative aspects that set it apart from traditional robotic lawnmowers. It is fully cordless thanks to a removable 24V 4.0Ah lithium-ion battery, which can be recharged in just an hour using the supplied quick charger. This does away with the need for a permanent power source in the garden, making it particularly convenient in gardens without an outdoor socket.
Navigation System
Its innovative navigation is founded on a grass recognition camera combined with ultrasonic sensors. This allows the mower to detect the lawn area and mow in a random pattern, without a perimeter wire to contain it within bounds. That said, a defined lawn edge is required to prevent the mower from veering off grassed areas, and some edge adjustments may be required for optimal results.
Mow Settings
For more precise cutting, there is the ability to activate a spiral spot cut function on areas of uncut grass. Users can choose from five different cutting heights ranging from 20mm to 60mm to adapt to the time of year and condition of the lawn. The mower will also leave clippings on the lawn to naturally fertilize the grass.
Good Value on Paper
Weighing in at only 6.6kg, it is not only lightweight and easy to move around but also sturdy enough for regular use. With a runtime of up to 240 minutes and a two-year manufacturer's guarantee, the LawnMaster seems to offer good value on paper at least. But as with all robot mowers, there are major caveats, especially when it comes to edge cutting, navigation on complex lawns, and general performance in variable UK weather. Positive Reviews
A Revelation
For many owners, the LawnMaster cordless robotic lawnmower has been nothing short of a revelation. Its usability, functionality, and time-saving ability have been highly praised by customers all over the UK. Although expectations tended to be cautiously optimistic to start with, the mower seems to have impressed a diverse range of users with its practical design and impressively effective result.
A different reviewer summed it up like this "Brilliant robot mower. I was a bit sceptical about how good these mowers are, but my Dad is loving it. It cuts his garden so well and has given him more time to get on with the rest of his hobbies. It's so easy to use, basically you just take it out of its box and press start."
Effortless Set-Up and Operation
A number of buyers have indicated the ease of setup as one of the key advantages. With no boundary wires to install and no need for an external power point, the LawnMaster eliminates two of the biggest hurdles that discourage people from trying robotic mowers. "Researched several mowers and happy with this one. No issue setting up and cuts grass well. Great battery life. Happy.".
"Bought a few weeks ago. Simple to set up. Watched it for a bit on garden and thought omg it looks a mess. When it had done it looked lovely and has saved me a back-breaking couple of days. All I can say is its fantastic." This simple "drop and mow" solution is particularly ideal for those with smaller gardens or less technical expertise.
Strong Cutting Performance for Small Gardens
While it works perfectly within its recommended lawn size of 150m², the majority of users discover that the LawnMower handles small to medium gardens with ease. The random cutting pattern which some feared would lead to patchy cutting had a habit of surprising buyers by leaving a neat, even cut after some time.
One customer said "I've just purchased the robotic lawnmower and am delighted. Fantastic fun watching it roam around the lawn cutting away. Had to put some small stakes in front of the bedding plants but apart from that the sensors worked a treat.".
Others were even more enthusiastic: "This is the best thing since sliced bread. I was put off traditional robot mowers which are expensive and require a boundary wire to be laid, which apparently is easily broken. With this, you simply insert the battery, plonk it down in the area you want cut and it just gets on with it."
For dog owners, the ability to manually place the mower when the lawn is free also proved useful: "We have a dog that uses the lawn as a toilet so I had to have a mower that wasn't completely automatic because I have to remove any solids before Mo can get on and do her job. Brilliant machine, great price."
Timesaving and Surprisingly Quiet
The LawnMaster's silent mowing of the lawn as owners attend to other matters is a common thread in reviews. Users are particularly pleased with the way it reduces the need for manual mowing.
"I've had this for a couple of weeks and it's superb. I love it. It does the lawn mowing for me and does an excellent job. I just have to do the edges. While it's mowing the lawn, it's giving me time to get on with other things in the garden."
Another reviewer wrote "Initially I was doubtful but I'm glad for my purchase. Battery will last 2-3 cuts, much less noisy than conventional lawn mowers and grass gets a lot thicker, not to mention time saved. Strongly recommend."
A Few Shortcomings Identified
Even among positive reviews, there is recognition by some users of the mower's limitations. Most commonly mentioned is that it is not able to cut all the way to the edges of the lawn. As one happy customer summed up: "The only downside I can see is that it leaves a 6 inch border around the edge that you have to strim. But I'd rather strim for 10 minutes than mow for 2 hours."
Others remark on the utility of having well-established lawn borders so that the mower does not lose its way, one suggesting: "If you have defined borders or can create them this is a great piece of kit."
Customer Delight and Personalisation
Most surprising, however, are the number of owners who have become so fond of their robotic mower that they've given it a name. From "Larry the Lawnmower" to "Maureen" and "Bob", this is surely a testament to the friendly difference the mower has brought into their lives.
"So glad that I bought this product absolutely no regrets. I have even given it a name, Larry the Lawnmower. So nice to see something else mowing my lawn besides me."
Negative Reviews and Common Criticisms
While the LawnMaster VBRM16-01 has clearly thrilled many, not every user experience has been entirely as seamless. In this section, we'll explore common complaints, mixed reviews, and situations where the mower may not meet expectations. This balanced rundown will help you decide if it's the perfect fit for your garden. While many users love their LawnMaster robotic lawn mowers, others have had disappointing experiences with performance, reliability, and customer service.
Performance Issues - Patchy Cutting and Missed Grass
Several buyers have reported that the mower cuts unevenly and leaves large patches of grass. "The mower randomly trundles around the garden cutting as it goes. When the battery dies you are left with a mess. You have to go round behind it with a hand mower to cut the bits it has missed." Entertaining but not practical
"Misses a lot of spots for some reason. Sorry, completely useless." Waste of money. I don't say that lightly" / "Kept stopping, leaving gaps and not cutting correctly. Complete waste of money and time." Useless
Others specified certain limitations, e.g., poor handling of lawn edges and certain weeds "Despite pictures of neat lawn edges it won't get within 6 inches of the edge so you're left with a rim of tall uncut grass around the whole lawn." Doesn't do right up to the edges / "Any tall weeds will usually be left uncut. Buttercups or dandelions tend to get left behind." A great disappointment
Reliability Problems - Breakdowns after Minimal Use
A common complaint was the failure of the mower after minimal use or months of ownership. "Broke after a month and the helpline is useless. No refund. No assistance from the manufacturer. Waste of money." / "Stopped working altogether after two uses. I had fully charged the battery and still wouldn't start." Poor performance terrible! / "Beeping can't press any buttons.". 90% of the time it won't allow you to press buttons, beeps and just stops in the middle of grass." Beeping can't press any buttons
A very common fault was a yellow flashing light "Getting the yellow flashing light indicating there is a communication problem with the camera. This seems to be a common problem and no one seems able to say anything good about the customer service."
Disappointing Customer Service
Some consumers were frustrated at the lack of assistance from Amazon and maker Cleva. "Tried three times to report it to Cleva but still haven't had a response. Very disappointed in customer service." / "No refund. No manufacturer help. Waste of money."
“I’ve gone back and forwards to Cleva to be told my grass is too long, my grass is too short, it’s too sunny, it’s too shady. amazing when it worked (about two weeks) now useless.” Expensive lawn ornament. Customer service is non existent
Other customers also reported having to pay return shipping on faulty products "Returned it today costing me an extra £20 for return postage, Worthless" / "The robot mower failed after 5-6 uses. LawnMaster and Amazon would not issue return shipping labels. Avoid at all costs."
Setup and Usability Frustrations
Some users expected a "drop and mow" experience but found the mower needed too much babysitting. "Wasn't doing what it said. Told it will take four hours to cut a small lawn. My lawn is on the front. So I have to babysit the robot mower for four hours. Joke.".
Some reported early quality problems "Charged battery. Pressed start and beeps but no lights. Also signage on the item was scuffed and booklet contained a stain. Was it a new item?"
Mixed Feelings from Some Users
While customers appreciated the concept, they did not find it suitable for the size of their lawn or their requirements. "It worked okay, still needed a lawnmower to tidy up afterwards. Sadly, it just isn't practical." / "When it worked it was great… however now it's just an expensive lawn ornament."
Who It Is For
The LawnMaster OcuMow robotic mower can still be for some customers in spite of the polarized reviews.
1, Small, simple lawns: If you have a small, flat lawn with not too many obstacles or complex edges, the mower can perform well enough to save you time on routine cuts.
2, Low expectations of perfection: Buyers who are prepared to forgive the occasional missed spot or needing to clean up the edges manually may still find it convenient.
3, Technically savvy owners: Individuals who don't mind updating firmware and debugging small issues may be able to squeeze more out of the mower.
4, Gadget hobbyists: As one owner put it, "Entertaining but not practical." If you consider it an experiment or a hobby rather than as a full replacement for a manual mower, you may still be interested.
Who It Is Not For
For the majority of buyers, the OcuMow simply won't meet expectations.
1, Large or complex gardens: If your lawn has complex borders, slopes, or a lot of obstacles, the mower will likely struggle.
2, Anyone who wants a hands-off 'drop and mow' experience: Most reviewers found the mower needed to be constantly babysat and intervened.
3, Anyone who wants neat, edge-to-edge cuts: The mower leaves a border of uncut grass around borders that requires a strimmer or manual mower to complete.
4, Buyers who value good after-sales service: Since there are quite a few complaints about unfriendly customer service and problems with refunds, it may not be ideal if you expect good support.
Benefits/Pros of the LawnMaster Robotic 16cm Mower
1, Easy to Set Up and Operate - "You just take it out of its box and press start." No perimeter wires needed in most cases.
2, Good Battery Life - "Fantastic battery life." Many users report long run times between recharging.
3, Quiet Operation - Quieter than traditional mowers and thus more neighbour-friendly. Time-Saving for Simple Lawns
4, It enables the user to attend to other garden tasks while the mower does its job. "I don't know how I managed without one all these years!"
5, Mulching Feature - The grass clippings are shredded fine and returned as nutrients to the lawn.
6, Compact and Portable - Lightweight design aids easy lifting and placement in different parts of the lawn.
7, Reasonably Priced Compared to Top Brands - Less expensive than other robotic mowers that require boundary installations.
8, Fun Factor - Many owners found it entertaining to watch: “I’ve even given it a name, Larry the lawnmower.”
Cons for the LawnMaster Robotic 16cm Mower
1, Inconsistent Cutting Performance - Frequently misses patches of grass and leaves uncut areas. “Misses a lot of areas for some reason.”
2, Struggles with Borders and Edges - Leaves an uncut border of up to 6 inches wide along edges. Still needs a strimmer or manual mower to complete.
3, Unreliable on Uneven or Sloped Lawns - Struggles with slopes and obstacles, even stopping mid-job.
4, Frequent Malfunctions Reported - Random stopping, beeping errors, random spinning, and yellow flashing light errors are common.
5, Reliability Issues - Some users have suffered breakages after weeks or months of use.
6, Terrible Customer Support - "Cleva's customer services is terrible, full of excuses, always my fault and take an age to reply." Refunds difficult to obtain and expensive return postage.
7, Not Fully Hands-Free - Manual repositioning for missed areas and continual monitoring for errors required.
8, Not Ideal for Weeds or Long Grass - "Any long weeds will tend to be left uncut, buttercups and dandelions tend to get left."
Final Verdict: 2 out of 5 Stars
The LawnMaster OcuMow robotic lawn mower delivers hassle-free lawn cutting at a wallet-friendly price but supplies a patchy and at times frustrating experience for several buyers.
Where it excels on small, flat, obstruction-free lawns with clear borders, its performance deteriorates when presented with anything more complex. The mower lacks consistency, frequently leaving patches of uncut grass and forcing users to strim or manually mow to clean up. This negates its key marketing proposition of being a time-saving, automated fix.
Volume of Complaints
More concerning still is the volume of complaints about reliability and poor after-sales service. Random stopping, blinking error lights, and outright breakdowns after only a few uses are all too common. And when there are problems, many owners have reported sluggish or unhelpful responses from the company and exorbitant return shipping costs.
Fun Gadget
In short, the OcuMow might be suitable as a fun tool for small, simple gardens where perfection is not the objective. But if you want a hands-free, dependable alternative to a regular mower, this will likely disappoint.
Verdict
A budget robotic mower that's a tempting proposition for occasional garden use but lacks the reliability and precision most home owners and gardeners need. 2 Stars max out of 5!
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