Robotic lawn mowers for steep slopes: percentages explained
The short answer: robotic mower slope ratings are quoted in percent, where 100% is a 45° incline. Measure the steepest part of the lawn you need mowed, then choose a model whose manufacturer rating is comfortably above it. All-wheel-drive and tracked models in our range are rated from 70% up to 100%.
Percent is not degrees
A slope percentage is the rise over the run: a 50% slope climbs 50 cm for every metre travelled, which is about 27°. A 100% slope is 45°. Mixing the two up is the most common slope mistake, because a "45" rating means something very different in percent than in degrees.
Some manufacturers also quote a lower limit near the boundary. Husqvarna's 435 iQ AWD, for example, is rated for 70% inside the mowing area and 50% at the boundary, so a steep bank right at the edge of the lawn needs checking separately.
Manufacturer slope ratings in our range
| Model | Max slope | Approx. angle |
|---|---|---|
| Lymow One Plus (tracked) | 100% | about 45° |
| Segway Navimow X430 AWD | 84% | about 40° |
| Segway Navimow X450 AWD | 84% | about 40° |
| Segway Navimow Terranox CM120M1 | 84% | about 40° |
| Mammotion LUBA 3 AWD 3000 | 80% | about 39° |
| Mammotion LUBA mini AWD 1500 | 80% | about 39° |
| Mammotion LUBA 2 AWD 5000X | 80% | about 39° |
| Husqvarna Automower 435 iQ AWD | 70% | about 35° |
| Husqvarna Automower 535 AWD EPOS | 70% | about 35° |
| Segway Navimow X330 | 50% | about 27° |
| Mammotion YUKA mini 800 | 50% | about 27° |
| Segway Navimow i210 AWD | 45% | about 24° |
| ANTHBOT Genie 1000 | 45% | about 24° |
| Husqvarna Automower 312V | 40% | about 22° |
| Segway Navimow i108A | 30% | about 17° |
Ratings are the manufacturer's maximum working slope for each model. Ground conditions matter: wet grass, loose soil and side slopes all reduce real-world grip.
Why drive type matters
Standard robotic mowers drive through two rear wheels. All-wheel-drive models such as the Mammotion LUBA range, Segway Navimow X4 and Husqvarna's AWD Automowers spread traction across all wheels, and the Lymow One Plus uses tracks. That is why the steepest ratings in our range belong to AWD and tracked machines. Drive type helps, but the published slope rating is the figure to check.
How to measure your slope
Lay a straight 1 m board on the steepest part of the lawn, pointing downhill, and level it with a spirit level. Measure the gap between the low end of the board and the ground in centimetres: that number is roughly the slope in percent. Many phone apps can also measure an angle; convert degrees to percent before comparing.
Next steps
Use the slope question in our Mower Finder to filter models by your steepest section, or compare models side by side. If your lawn has banks steeper than about 50%, call our Rosebud team on 03 5986 2503 before you buy.