Hey there, fellow yard enthusiasts! Today, I’m super excited to share my experience with a piece of equipment that truly promises to revolutionize yard work: the Yarbo robot lawn mower.
As someone who’s always on the lookout for tools that make life easier, this autonomous robot tank caught my eye, and after spending significant time putting it to the test, I’m ready to spill the beans on what this “Swiss Army knife of lawnmowers” can really do.
Key Takeaways
- Yarbo is a modular robot platform; the mower is only one of several attachments, with snow and leaf modules extending year round utility.
- Setup is more involved due to the RTK data center and Ethernet run, but enables centimeter level path accuracy and neat mowing lines.
- On large or challenging properties, it shines with fast coverage, tracked traction, and robust patterns, though tight zero turns can scuff wet turf.
- Obstacle sensing, rain and freeze safeguards, wireless charging, and a powerful app make routine care mostly hands off.
- High upfront cost is offset by time savings, possible service replacement, towing versatility, and the ability to share access across users.
What is the Yarbo? More Than Just a Mower!
You might have heard of robotic lawnmowers before, but the Yarbo is different. It’s touted as the world’s first modular yard robot.
What does “modular” mean? It means the Yarbo isn’t just a lawn mower; it’s a core unit with tank treads that you can snap different attachments onto. This allows it to tackle various outdoor chores throughout the year.
Yarbo started out making a snowblower robot called SnowBot and then realized the potential of their robust, track-driven design to do even more, leading to its modular nature. Currently, you can get attachments for:
- Lawn Mowing: Which is what I’ll focus on mostly today.
- Snow Blowing: Perfect for those harsh winters.
- Leaf Blowing: To make fall clean-up a breeze.
Plus, they have plans for a trimmer and edger attachment to handle those fine details, which is something I’m really looking forward to.
This versatility is what truly sets the Yarbo apart from other robotic mowers that only cut grass. It’s essentially designed to provide total yard care, all year long.
One of my initial impressions was its sheer size and build quality. This isn’t some flimsy plastic toy, it feels incredibly sturdy with a lot of metal.
The Yarbo Lawn Mower, including its body, battery, and mower module, weighs a substantial 200 pounds. This weight contributes to its ability to handle tough terrain and tough grass.
It’s truly built like a tank and never seems to get stuck. Despite its robust nature, it’s also way quieter than traditional gas-powered lawn mowers, snow blowers, or leaf blowers. You mostly hear a gear reduction whine up close, but it fades significantly as it moves away.
Unboxing and setup journey
Let’s be honest, unboxing a new robot that promises to do so much can feel a bit intimidating. When all the boxes arrived, I thought, “What did I get myself into?”.
And while the setup is definitely more involved than your average gadget, I found that Yarbo does an excellent job of organizing everything, with well-labeled bags and clear instructions.
The most crucial part of the setup is installing the RTK unit, or Data Center. This unit needs to be placed high up, ideally at the peak of a roof or similar elevated position, with a clear, unobstructed view of the sky (120 degrees of openness) to ensure it gets good satellite coverage.
This is essential for the Yarbo’s precise positioning system, which uses RTK-GPS, vision, IMU, and ODOM to achieve centimeter-level accuracy without perimeter wires. A green light on the unit tells you it’s working properly.
Unlike some other robotic mowers, the Yarbo’s Data Center requires an Ethernet cable connection to your Wi-Fi router, which can mean running cables into your house.
They do provide a generous 100-foot Ethernet cable and the necessary power over Ethernet (PoE) adapter. While I initially found it a bit inconvenient to run a cable inside, the robust GPS signal it provides is worth it.
The charging station is also part of the setup. It’s a wireless induction charging pad, meaning the Yarbo just drives onto it and charges without needing to precisely align metal contacts.
This is a huge plus because dirty contacts are a common problem with other robotic mowers. You’ll need to secure the charging pad to the ground to prevent it from moving as the heavy Yarbo drives on and off.
The setup definitely takes a few hours, perhaps even a day or two, to get everything just right, but the app guides you through the process effectively.
My Mowing Experience: Precision and Power
Once set up, the mowing experience with Yarbo is genuinely impressive. Here’s what I learned:
Area Coverage
This robot is designed for large lawns, capable of managing areas up to 6 acres. For optimal performance, it can cover up to 3.5 acres with mowing cycles every 48 hours or up to 6 acres with mowing cycles every 72 hours.
I have just under an acre, and it easily handles my entire lawn on a single charge.
Cutting System
The Yarbo Lawn Mower features a 20-inch dual-disc cutting system, with each disc having five small, rigid razor blades. This is different from traditional mowers but helps keep it quieter and safer.
You can adjust the cutting height from 1.2 to 4.0 inches directly from the app, which is super convenient. It also boasts a floating mowing deck, ensuring it seamlessly conforms to your lawn’s landscape for an even, precise trim.
Terrain Handling
This is where the Yarbo truly shines. Its track-driven system means it’s an all-terrain beast. I’ve seen it handle slopes up to 35° without hesitation.
It cuts through thick spring grass, wet grass, and even navigates bumpy terrain without getting stuck. This makes it a fantastic option for properties with challenging landscapes.
Mowing Patterns & Lines
The app offers a versatile range of mowing patterns, including parallel, checkerboard, triangle, and spiral. I particularly love how it creates perfectly straight lines across the lawn.
You can even set it to rotate the mowing direction (e.g., 10° or 30°) each time it mows to prevent soil compaction, which is a neat touch.
Speed
Compared to other robotic mowers I’ve seen, the Yarbo moves with purpose. It’s quite fast, which helps it cover large areas efficiently and conserve battery life.
A Few Quirks
While the mowing is mostly fantastic, I did notice a couple of things. Sometimes, when performing tight turns, especially a “zero turn” in wet conditions or small spaces, it can tear up the grass a little.
The “three-point turn” option in the app is supposed to mitigate this but doesn’t always work perfectly. Also, while it relies on its advanced GPS, there are occasional spots near my house where it can lose signal and get stuck, simply waiting for me to intervene.
I wish it would rely more on its cameras as a backup for navigation in such situations.
Obstacle Avoidance and Safety: Peace of Mind
Safety is paramount, and the Yarbo is equipped with a suite of features to ensure it operates safely.
Smart Detection
It uses binocular cameras, ultrasonic radar, and a three-stage bumper to detect obstacles. If anything touches the bumper, it stops immediately.
No-Go Zones
You can easily map out “no-go zones” in the app, like around landscaping, trees, or play areas. What’s impressive is that it can also automatically go around unexpected obstacles it encounters, like a tree I intentionally left un-mapped, figuring out a path around it and resuming its perfect lines.
Weather Smart
It has a rain detection sensor that automatically guides it back to its charging dock at the first hint of rain, ensuring your lawn stays pristine.
It also intelligently halts operation in freezing temperatures below 0°C (32°F) to avoid damaging your lawn.
Visibility & Security
It has lights all around for night operation and a blinking light on top for safety. For security, the Yarbo has an alarm that sounds if it’s moved beyond its defined perimeter, and you should receive a phone notification. Given its significant weight (200 lbs), it’s not an easy target for casual theft.
Beyond Mowing: The Power of Modularity and Towing
This is where the Yarbo truly blows me away and sets itself apart from single-purpose robots. The modularity means you’re investing in a year-round yard solution.
Snow Blowing & Leaf Blowing
The leaf blower attachment worked surprisingly well for moving large piles of leaves, and you can adjust the blower angle and power levels.
And you can learn more about how Yarbo snow blower works here.
Towing Capabilities
The Yarbo comes with a tow hitch, and this feature is a game-changer. It boasts an impressive 500 lbs towing capacity and can literally tow “all yard tools”.
Users have pulled aerators, seed spreaders, fertilizer spreaders, dethatchers, and even dump trailers.
It can tow up to 3,500 lbs, which means it can effectively replace a ride-on mower for many tasks where you need pulling power, without you having to sit on it.
I’ve seen it pull an aerator loaded with cinder blocks and even pull a full-grown adult in a tug-of-war!.
“Follow Me” Mode
My favorite feature for towing is the “Follow Me” mode. With a trailer attached, the Yarbo can autonomously follow you around using its front cameras while you shovel mulch or do other yard work.
This is incredibly practical and convenient, although it’s not yet available for the leaf blower attachment.
Battery Life & Charging: Powering the Beast
The Yarbo Lawn Mower is powered by a 38.4 Ah, 36V lithium-ion battery, which is substantial at about 1.3 kWh. This battery provides up to 3.5 hours of mowing time on a full charge.
When it needs to recharge, it automatically returns to its wireless charging pad and takes approximately 3 hours to fully charge.
The fact that it can run longer than it takes to charge is a big plus. It’s also designed to be left outside in any weather, thanks to its IPX5 waterproof rating.
The App & Control: Your Command Center
The Yarbo app is your central command center, offering extensive control and customization:
Mapping & Zones
You can easily map your property, define multiple mowing zones, and set up pathways between them. This is perfect for properties with separate front and backyards or complex layouts.
Customization
The app lets you adjust virtually every mowing parameter:
- Mowing speed
- Cutting height
- Mowing patterns (parallel, checkerboard, spiral, triangle)
- Overlap percentage
- Turn types (U-turn, smart turn, zero turn) to balance speed and grass protection.
- Rain detection (enable/disable mowing in rain)
Scheduling & Monitoring
You can set up automated mowing schedules (e.g., every Monday, Wednesday, Friday). The robot is smart enough to factor in weather conditions like rain or freezing temperatures, so you don’t have to worry about canceling a session.
The app also allows you to monitor its progress in real-time and even use its cameras to patrol your yard when you’re away.
Manual Control
Beyond automated routines, you can manually control the Yarbo using the app or the included Xbox-style physical controller. This is great for precise maneuvers, especially when towing or in tight spots.
Maintenance: Keeping Your Robot in Top Shape
Like any piece of machinery, the Yarbo requires some basic maintenance. The small razor blades on the mowing deck need to be periodically flipped and replaced, typically every 30-45 days, depending on usage.
They are double-sided, so you get double the life from each one. I recommend having some backup blades on hand. It’s also a good idea to clean out any gunk buildup under the mowing deck, especially after cutting wet grass.
Additionally, the tracks should be greased periodically. Before starting any mowing session, it’s crucial to ensure your yard is clear of debris like sticks and branches, as these can damage the blades.
Price and Value: Is it Worth the Investment?
Let’s address the elephant in the room: the price. The Yarbo Lawn Mower, which includes the core unit, mower module, docking station, data center, battery, physical controller, and tow hitch, is currently listed at $4,999.00.
If you want the full suite of attachments (mower, snow blower, leaf blower, and smart module/hitch), the price has recently increased to around $9,600 due to tariffs.
This is undoubtedly a significant investment. However, when considering the value, I encourage you to think long-term.
Cost Savings
If you currently pay for lawn care services, the Yarbo could realistically pay for itself in 2-5 years by saving you monthly landscaping fees.
For example, if you spend $200 a month on yard maintenance, the Yarbo could save you thousands of dollars annually.
Time Savings
For busy individuals or those who simply don’t want to spend their weekends on yard work, the time saved is invaluable.
You can schedule it to work while you’re at the store, at a game, or even on vacation.
Labor Savings (and your back!)
For older individuals or anyone who struggles with the physical demands of mowing, snow blowing, or raking, the Yarbo offers a hands-free solution that protects your body.
Shared Ownership
The Yarbo app allows you to invite up to six people to have access to the device. This means neighbors, family members, or even small businesses could potentially split the cost, making it much more affordable and sharing the benefits.
Versatility
Its ability to do so much more than just mow, from towing heavy implements to blowing snow and leaves, means you’re potentially replacing multiple pieces of expensive equipment and saving on manual labor costs for a variety of tasks.
My Final Thoughts: Almost Perfect, and Constantly Improving
Overall, my experience with the Yarbo Lawn Mower has been overwhelmingly positive. It’s fast, powerful, and incredibly versatile, proving to be a true workhorse for yard care.
It consistently leaves my grass looking very nice and, aside from a few minor quirks like occasional erratic turns or GPS reliance in certain spots, it’s a huge success for Yarbo.
It’s clear this robot is built like a tank, making it extremely durable. While it might not be the best fit for very intricate or smaller yards (where lighter, cheaper robot mowers might suffice), for larger properties (from 1 to 6+ acres) or for homeowners who want to automate multiple yard maintenance tasks, the Yarbo is a fantastic investment.
The team behind Yarbo seems dedicated to continuous improvement, with frequent feature and software updates rolling out. And the community around Yarbo is incredibly supportive, with users tinkering and sharing their own improvements.
If you’re looking to significantly reduce your yard work burden and invest in a truly multi-functional robotic solution, I believe the Yarbo is an excellent choice.
It truly transforms what used to be a chore into something effortless. I’m genuinely excited to see what else they roll out in the future!
What do you think? Let me know in the comments below if you have any questions or your own experiences with robotic yard tools!
