How much does it cost to run a robotic lawn mower?
A robotic lawn mower costs about 0.5¢ per hour, 4.3¢ a day, $1.31 a month and $9 a year at typical use (8 hours a day for 7 months a year) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Robot mowers use small batteries and average 20-40 W of charging over the hours they work, about 50-80 kWh a season.
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Cost by hours of use
| Hours per day | kWh/day | Per day | Per month | Per year (all year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 0.03 | 0.5¢ | $0.16 | $2 |
| 2 hours | 0.06 | 1.1¢ | $0.33 | $4 |
| 4 hours | 0.12 | 2.2¢ | $0.66 | $8 |
| 8 hours | 0.24 | 4.3¢ | $1.31 | $16 |
| 12 hours | 0.36 | 6.5¢ | $1.97 | $24 |
| 24 hours | 0.72 | 13¢ | $3.94 | $47 |
Cost to run a robotic lawn mower in every state
The same robotic lawn mower costs $6 a year in North Dakota and $22 in Hawaii, at each state's average residential rate (12 months ending July 2026).
| State | Rate | Per hour | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 12.32¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.90 | $6 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.92 | $6 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.94 | $7 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.95 | $7 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.97 | $7 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.98 | $7 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.98 | $7 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.99 | $7 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 0.4¢ | $1.00 | $7 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 0.4¢ | $1.01 | $7 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 0.4¢ | $1.02 | $7 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 0.4¢ | $1.02 | $7 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 0.4¢ | $1.02 | $7 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 0.4¢ | $1.03 | $7 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 0.4¢ | $1.03 | $7 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 0.4¢ | $1.04 | $7 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 0.4¢ | $1.08 | $8 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 0.4¢ | $1.08 | $8 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 0.5¢ | $1.10 | $8 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 0.5¢ | $1.10 | $8 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 0.5¢ | $1.12 | $8 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 0.5¢ | $1.12 | $8 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 0.5¢ | $1.12 | $8 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 0.5¢ | $1.13 | $8 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 0.5¢ | $1.13 | $8 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 0.5¢ | $1.14 | $8 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 0.5¢ | $1.17 | $8 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 0.5¢ | $1.18 | $8 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 0.5¢ | $1.20 | $8 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 0.5¢ | $1.20 | $8 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 0.5¢ | $1.21 | $8 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 0.5¢ | $1.24 | $9 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 0.5¢ | $1.30 | $9 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 0.5¢ | $1.33 | $9 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 0.6¢ | $1.37 | $10 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 0.6¢ | $1.37 | $10 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 0.6¢ | $1.51 | $11 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 0.6¢ | $1.54 | $11 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 0.6¢ | $1.54 | $11 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 0.7¢ | $1.74 | $12 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 0.7¢ | $1.74 | $12 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 0.7¢ | $1.77 | $12 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 0.8¢ | $1.95 | $14 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 0.8¢ | $1.96 | $14 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 0.8¢ | $2.04 | $14 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 0.9¢ | $2.07 | $15 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 0.9¢ | $2.14 | $15 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 0.9¢ | $2.14 | $15 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 0.9¢ | $2.22 | $16 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 1.0¢ | $2.41 | $17 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 1.3¢ | $3.18 | $22 |
How to cut the cost
- Reduce mowing schedule to every other day in slow-growth months.
- Turn off the charging station's boundary wire during winter storage.
- Keep blades replaced; dull blades shorten runtime per charge.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Sharp blades cut with less motor effort.
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Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robotic lawn mower | 30 | 8 hours a day for 7 months a year | $1.31 | $9 |
| Battery lawn mower | 300 | 1.5 hours a day, 1 days a week for 7 months a year | $0.48 | $3 |
| Electric lawn mower (corded) | 1,400 | 45 minutes a day, 1 days a week for 7 months a year | $0.82 | $6 |
| Pond pump | 100 | 24 hours a day for 7 months a year | $13.14 | $92 |
| String trimmer | 500 | 30 minutes a day, 1 days a week for 7 months a year | $0.20 | $1 |
| Hedge trimmer | 500 | 30 minutes a day, 1 days a week for 5 months a year | $0.20 | $1 |
| Leaf blower | 1,200 | 30 minutes a day, 1 days a week for 6 months a year | $0.47 | $3 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a robotic lawn mower per hour?
A robotic lawn mower drawing 30 watts uses 0.03 kWh per hour. At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 0.5¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 0.4¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 1.3¢.
How much does it cost to run a robotic lawn mower per month?
At typical use (8 hours a day for 7 months a year), a robotic lawn mower costs about $1.31 a month while in use and $9 a year over the 7 months it's typically used, at the U.S. average rate. Enter your ZIP in the calculator above for your utility's rate.
How many watts does a robotic lawn mower use?
Most robotic lawn mowers use 10 to 80 watts. Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a robotic lawn mower use?
About 0.24 kWh a day and 51 kWh a year at typical use (8 hours a day for 7 months a year).
Does a robotic lawn mower use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 51 kWh a year it's a small share (0.5%) of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh.
Is it cheaper to run a robotic lawn mower or a battery lawn mower?
At typical use, a robotic lawn mower costs about $9 a year versus $3 for a battery lawn mower. So the battery lawn mower is cheaper by about $6 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a robotic lawn mower?
- Reduce mowing schedule to every other day in slow-growth months.
- Turn off the charging station's boundary wire during winter storage.
- Keep blades replaced; dull blades shorten runtime per charge.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.