Gardena SILENO life vs Gardena SILENO city
Quick take: The Gardena SILENO city costs $104 less; the Gardena SILENO life is rated for a larger lawn (8,100 sq ft).
| Spec | Gardena SILENO life | Gardena SILENO city |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$715 | ~$611 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Navigation | Boundary Wire | Boundary Wire |
| Max Lawn Size | 8,100 sq ft (8,100 sq ft) | 5,400 sq ft (5,400 sq ft) |
| Max Slope | 35% (19°) | 35% (19°) |
| Cutting Width | 8.7" | 6.3" |
| Cut Height | 0.8"–2" | 0.8"–2" |
| Drive | RWD | RWD |
| Runtime | 65 min | 65 min |
| Charge Time | 60 min | 75 min |
| Noise | 58 dB | 57 dB |
| Weight | 18.3 lb | 16.1 lb |
| Obstacle Detection | Bumper collision sensors plus lift and tilt stops; no camera, radar or ultrasonic on the base unit (Gardena sells an add-on anti-collision radar separately). | 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. |
| Edge Cutting | No | No |
| Rain Sensor | No | No |
| Cellular | No | No |
| Anti-Theft | PIN code and alarm | PIN code lock; lift and tilt sensors stop the blade |
| Warranty | 2-year limited | 2-year limited |
Pros & cons
Gardena SILENO life
- ✓8.7 in deck cuts wider than the 6.3 in city and minimo and clears 8,100 sq ft on a 65-minute cycle
- ✓58 dB and mows in rain, so it can run on any schedule without bothering neighbors
- ✓Guide wire with CorridorCut makes narrow passages and outlying areas reliable
- ✓PIN plus alarm is a step up from the city and minimo
- ✓About $715 undercuts most wired mowers with this coverage
- ✗2.0 in maximum cut height is too short for cool-season grass
- ✗Bluetooth-only app: no remote start, stuck alerts or GPS tracking
- ✗Bumper-only obstacle handling unless you buy the add-on radar
- ✗Legacy model on Gardena's site; the 1000 size is no longer priced in the US
- ✗No edge-cutting mode, so trimming along walls is still on you
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