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While robotic mowers are a great investment from a time-saving perspective, some models are far louder than others due to several pertinent factors that must be considered if you want to stay on good terms with neighbors. Robotic mowers can be loud due to their designs or due to a lack of maintenance. However, with average sound emissions of 57dB to 75dB, they are far less noisy than traditional lawnmowers. Robotic mowers that emit sound levels under 60dB may also be used outside permitted lawnmowing times. Quality robotic mowers are expensive, so if you want to purchase a model that will work quietly in the background and produce a lush lawn without driving you to stir crazy – read on! Key Factors That Increase Robotic Mower Noise Levels While robotic mowers are certainly far less noisy in comparison with gasoline or electric-powered mowers, certain models are noisier than others for the following reasons: Heavy mowers require more powerful engines that are louder than lightweight models.Blunt blades that need to be sharpened.Embedded dirt and a lack of regular maintenance.The number of blades (two blades are normally louder). Robotic Mower Noise Measurements: What You should Know If you are shopping around for a robotic mower, you might notice that they are all assigned dB (decibel) values, indicating the mower’s noise levels. It is often difficult to imagine how loud your mower might be, so here are a few examples that might put it all in perspective: Breathing: 10 dBChirping birds: 50dBVacuum cleaner: 70dBJackhammer: 100 dBAirplane take-off: 140 dB The Relationship Between Sound And Distance However, a decibel value needs to be measured in relation to the distance from the noise emitter. Regrettably, most manufacturers omit that information and simply assume typical distances without disclosing which distances they used for their sound emission calculations. Distances are important as the volume of sound decreases by 6dB when the distance is doubled. Therefore, at 4 meters, a robotic mower might have a 70dB sound level, while at 8 meters, it will only be 64dB. So, a robotic mower might sound much less noisy on a 4000 m² property’s boundary wall than in smaller backyards where homes are joined closer together. The Quietest And Loudest Robotic Mower Brands Some of the quietest robotic mower brands are Gardena, McCulloch, and Husqvarna, as they use a blade with three ultra-lightweight blades and an engine that requires far less power. Furthermore, they all have quieter engines with an intelligently designed mower deck that muffles sound. The Gardena, McCulloch, and Husqvarna brands are all managed and owned by Husqvarna Group AB, so they all use the same noise reduction designs and technology. Powerful robotic mower brands like Robomow, Wiper, and Ambrogio need star-shaped blades coupled with a powerful engine to operate, as their sound emissions are far higher than lightweight mower designs. While Robonow models are the loudest compared to brands like Husqvarna, or McCulloch, with certain models emitting up to 74dB, they are still far less noisy than gas-powered mowers. Permitted Robotic Mowing Times Most communities prohibit mowing lawns between 8 PM and 7 AM, on Sundays and during public holidays, and transgressors are issued with hefty fines. Although, you would be happy to know that less noisy robotic mowers with sound levels of under 60dB may legally be used until 10 PM if they are clearly labeled with their decibel volume. So, it’s only logical to wonder whether you could use your compliant 60dB robotic mower later at night? The easiest and most beneficial way to gauge that is by running your mower during the daytime and finding out from your neighbors whether the sound disturbs them and if they would mind if you used it late at night. However, even if your neighbors give you the go-ahead to mow at night, it’s important to consider that nocturnal wildlife like hedgehogs roam around and could get seriously injured by the robotic mower’s blades. So, rather program your robotic mower to work in the morning at the permitted time when it does not pose risks or cause issues with your neighbors. How To Reduce Your Robotic Mower’s Noise Levels? While certain robotic mowers are loud due to their design, weight, engine, or the number of blades, you can significantly reduce a mower’s noise levels with the following tips and tricks. Firstly, clean it properly, especially the underside where dried lawn clippings might have built up, even if you have not used it for a while. With time older robotic mowers start to produce what some people describe as a howling or a singing sound after it has been in use for extended periods of time. That sound is due to a faulty engine or a design fault and not due to a lack of maintenance. Suppose your robotic mower is making that sound. In that case, you either use a sound measuring app like an iPhone Decibel X or the Android Sound Meter to measure your mower's decibels and to check if it is still in line with the manufacturer's sound specifications. If it is far higher, contact them immediately! While you can also drastically reduce your mower’s noise levels by installing a bespoke sliding plate, they are not readily available in the USA, so you might have to import one if need be. Other noise mitigating measures include replacing the blunt blades with new ones that are sharper and addressing any technical issues as soon as possible. Conclusion Let’s be honest; few of us enjoy the painstaking job of mowing a lawn on a weekend when you could be spending time doing a million other things. So, there’s no doubt that investing your hard-earned cash in a quality robotic mower is worth every dime. However, if the noise is a factor, and you are looking for a robotic mower that is not loud, consider a more lightweight model with a sound emission level that is lower than 60 dB, and keep it in tiptop condition. Resources https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-robot-lawn-mowers https://www.quora.com/Why-do-people-still-use-noisy-traditional-lawnmowers-instead-of-quiet-and-convenient-robot-mowers https://www.robomow.com/blog/detail/how-loud-is-a-robotic-mower