Gardena SILENO city vs Yard Force NX100i
Quick take: The Gardena SILENO city costs $188 less; the Yard Force NX100i is rated for a larger lawn (14,520 sq ft); the Yard Force NX100i is rated for steeper ground (40%); the Yard Force NX100i cuts taller (up to 2.9"), which matters for fescue and warm-season grasses.
| Spec | Gardena SILENO city | Yard Force NX100i |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$611 | ~$799 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Navigation | Boundary Wire | Boundary Wire |
| Max Lawn Size | 5,400 sq ft (5,400 sq ft) | 14,520 sq ft (14,520 sq ft) |
| Max Slope | 35% (19°) | 40% (22°) |
| Cutting Width | 6.3" | 7" |
| Cut Height | 0.8"–2" | 1.3"–2.9" |
| Drive | RWD | RWD |
| Runtime | 65 min | 90 min |
| Charge Time | 75 min | — |
| Noise | 57 dB | — |
| Weight | 16.1 lb | — |
| Obstacle Detection | Bumper collision sensors plus lift and tilt stops that halt the blade; no camera or ultrasonic, so it bumps and turns rather than steering around things. | iRadar active ultrasonic sensors on the nose detect furniture, pets and toys ahead and steer around them; bumper, lift and tilt sensors back them up and a rain sensor sends it to dock. |
| Edge Cutting | No | No |
| Rain Sensor | No | Yes |
| Cellular | No | No |
| Anti-Theft | PIN code lock; lift and tilt sensors stop the blade | PIN code lock with lift and tilt alarm; no GPS tracking |
| Warranty | 2-year limited | 2-year limited |
Pros & cons
Gardena SILENO city
- ✓57 dB is quieter than nearly every other wired mower on the market
- ✓Guide wire and CorridorCut handle narrow side yards and remote patches
- ✓SensorControl scales the schedule to grass growth so it is not running for nothing
- ✓Mows in rain and rinses with a hose; 16 lb body is easy to lift
- ✗2.0 in maximum cut height is too low for cool-season grass
- ✗Bluetooth-only app with no remote start, alerts or GPS
- ✗Bumper-only obstacle handling and no edge-cutting mode
- ✗Gardena lists it as a legacy model; the newer SILENO flex covers more lawn for less than the city 500
Yard Force NX100i
- ✓Ultrasonic sensors avoid pets and patio furniture before contact, rare under $1,000
- ✓$799 with Home Depot and Lowe's availability, so returns and parts are local
- ✓Rain sensor, lift and tilt cutouts and PIN lock all included
- ✓CloudHawk app handles scheduling and cut height without touching the mower
- ✗7 in deck and random pattern mean a full 1/3 acre can take two days to finish
- ✗2.9 in maximum height is too low for lawns kept at 3 in or more
- ✗No GPS, mapping or cellular, so theft recovery is a PIN and an alarm