“The pool and the peony were a little nervous. The budding relationship faces two tests right from day one. Mähi has to turn back at the edge of the pool. Mähi—the robotic mower newly welcomed into the family—needs to know where his limits lie. A dip in the water wouldn't do him any good, we assume. Then there is the circle of young peonies. Until the Husqvarna Nera (the "Small Garden Pro" 405 VE model) went into action, these shoots were protected by a boundary wire stapled into the lawn.
This reflects how the entire garden previously had to be bordered with such a wire whenever a robotic mower was to take over the cutting work. Plus, a guide wire was required running from the charging station to the center of the area, helping the robot orient itself for starting and returning. The wires are secured with plastic pegs driven into the ground with a rubber mallet, where they are soon overgrown by grass. Alternatively, one can lay the wire—more laboriously but more elegantly—in a groove beneath the turf.
Or, one can bid farewell to wires altogether and rely on the latest technology, which feeds its navigation needs via satellite signals and supplements them with an onboard camera. The home grounds must be covered by Wi-Fi; a relay station can help if coverage is spotty. The rest happens as if by magic. That’s the theory, at least.
The Nera mower looks like a bumper car with a V12 engine, though it runs on electricity, of course. It is set up via an app that conjures a PlayStation-style control interface on your mobile phone.
By driving it around the edge of the lawn via remote control, you establish reference points. Once you know how it works, the process is quick and easy. It took us three attempts to get the line right.
The base station—which also serves as the charging station—is screwed into the ground using the supplied plastic screws; ideally, it is placed against a house wall, along a hedge, or in a corner.
Naturally, a power outlet is required there, and the parking spot must not be overgrown by a tree—to ensure unobstructed GPS control.
Husqvarna’s robotic mower is large, and the charging station is large, though both blend into the background over time. The solid build quality of both the robot and the station is striking. The base plate the mower sits on is made of soft plastic—a good feature, since the ground is never perfectly level, and this prevents the base from cracking. The Nera feels higher in quality than any other device we have tested so far.
It is available in four versions depending on the size of the area to be mowed, with prices ranging from 2,700 to 5,500 euros.
Husqvarna employs AI; the infrared camera detects objects even at night. The manufacturer promises there is no need to worry about wildlife like hedgehogs, toys, picnic blankets, or playing children. The mower steers clear of obstacles, slows down as it approaches them, and mows closely around them. This holds true in practice.
Some robotic mowers cut at random. The Nera systematically mows in strips and circles around spots that prove particularly stubborn. This creates a visible mowing pattern.
We only have it mow three times a week, so the stripes are visible only immediately after the mowing session.
The pattern could likely be adjusted.
The Nera has a unique feature: two blade assemblies—a large blade in the center and a small one at the rear. It uses the latter to pivot—much like a handbrake turn—to cut right along the edge. The result is impressive; very few blades of grass end up on the edging stones, in the pool, or on the patio. However, it is important not to place the virtual boundary too close to stepped edges; otherwise, the mower’s rear wheels might slip while it is pivoting, possibly stalling, and is unable to free itself because the front wheels are spinning. That happened once. It’s all part of the learning process.
Then, it approaches edges and shrubs with surgical precision and meticulous care—probing, reversing, maneuvering—ultimately cutting the grass right down without mowing over the bush. However, the Nera kept getting hung up on one particular rose bush, even after being reprogrammed three times. In a back corner, it doggedly leaves a clump of grass standing. We would likely need to set a new reference point for those spots.
Unless we missed something, that would require tracing the entire perimeter again using the "PlayStation-style" phone controller—something that seemed too much of a hassle for us during this test.
Adjusting the cutting height via the smartphone app is convenient. You can also set the schedule there. The two LEDs that illuminate the area while the mower works are a nice touch. Admittedly, apart from a blackbird happily hopping along beside it, we didn't spot any critters, yet it is still only operated during the day. The rotary dial for the logically structured menu control on the unit is a practical feature. Its quiet operation is pleasant for everyone.
The Nera skillfully avoided the pool. That left the matter of the growing peony. "Mähi" cautiously approached it, deliberated, maneuvered back and forth and sideways—and then plowed right over it. That moment was less than ideal for marital harmony. The homeowner subsequently stuck pegs into the ground and cordoned off the area with red-and-white hazard tape. Since then, the peony has been growing happily. Mähi has its charging station right next door and performs its duties reliably and conveniently. The wife is appeased, and the family is downright happy. We think the Husqvarna Nera is excellent. The lawn looks magnificent; the regular short trim—combined with the mulching effect—is visibly beneficial. And the kids no longer need to search for excuses on Saturdays as to why they unfortunately cannot mow the lawn right at that moment.” [1]
• Non-Smart RC Mowers: If you truly want zero data sent to a server and zero GPS, you drop down to a remote-controlled (radio frequency, not phone app) slope/field mower. These do not map your yard or run autonomously; you drive them manually with a physical handheld remote.
Costs
• Manual Remote-Controlled Field/Slope Mowers: Heavy-duty remote-controlled electric mowers typically cost anywhere from $1,500 to $4,000+ depending on the terrain grade they can handle.
1. Mähi und das Gras der Grenzen: Schönen Rasen will jeder. Kabel niemand mehr. Moderne Mähroboter steuern mit Satellit, Kamera und KI. So wie der neue Husqvarna Nera. Pool und Pfingstrose haben bisschen gezittert. Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung; Frankfurt. 12 May 2026: T2. Von Holger Appel
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