Review: TerraMow V1000 is the easiest iPhone-controlled robot lawn mower I’ve tested

This year, I swapped my battery-powered push mower for an iPhone-controlled robot lawn mower. The new machine creates a virtual map using a system called TerraVision 2.0, which uses three cameras to automatically map the lawn without any wires or extra antennas. After testing it for a few weeks, I believe the TerraMow V1000 might be more user-friendly than the earlier Anthbot M9 I reviewed.

The biggest difference between the two mowers lies in their navigation methods. Anthbot M9 uses an RTK reference station for positioning and requires manual steering around the yard's perimeter to create an initial map. In contrast, TerraMow V1000 relies on the TerraVision 2.0 system with cameras to automatically map the lawn. While this automatic approach took longer to set up, my mom, who set up and used the TerraMow V1000 remotely, found it quite easy.

The TerraVision 2.0 system introduced one quirk in my front yard, as there's no fence between my lawn and my neighbor's. TerraMow initially added part of their yard to the map, which I fixed by marking that section as off-limits in the app. However, lawns without distinct visual boundaries may need extra attention during the initial mapping process.

The camera system also allows a unique feature – a live view of the mower's perspective through the iPhone app. This feature, not available in the Anthbot M9, makes the robot more interesting and occasionally helps explain why it slows down or avoids something.

Both apps share similar features, such as scheduling jobs, adjusting mowing behavior, creating zones, marking areas to avoid, and remotely steering the mower. However, TerraMow V1000 has an added advantage – a one-handed joystick mode. With this feature, you can hold your iPhone normally and guide the mower with your thumb, making it easy to clean up missed patches. Manually mowing from an iPhone isn't the primary purpose of either system, but TerraMow's joystick makes the experience more delightful.

In terms of cutting performance, TerraMow V1000 is more aggressive than Anthbot M9. It cuts lower and makes more noise while working, which isn't loud but is noticeable. The TerraMow mower is also more substantial and includes a protective garage for the charging dock, a feature Anthbot sells separately. However, TerraMow's visual navigation, driven by daylight, means it works best during the day.

While the TerraMow V1000's adaptive behavior can occasionally work against it due to its continuous map adjustments, most people might prefer its camera-based approach over the more rigid Anthbot M9. Although initial mapping took longer with TerraMow V1000 and it had some issues with overgrown grass, the simpler setup and dependable performance outweigh these drawbacks. Overall, I found TerraMow V1000 to be a more user-friendly option for most people compared to the Anthbot M9.