Sunseeker S4 vs Sunseeker X3 Plus
vs
Quick take: The Sunseeker X3 Plus costs $100 less; the Sunseeker X3 Plus is rated for a larger lawn (13,068 sq ft); the Sunseeker S4 is rated for steeper ground (42%).
| Spec | Sunseeker S4 | Sunseeker X3 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$999 | ~$899 |
| Rating | 4.74★ (307) | 4.75★ (322) |
| Navigation | LiDAR | RTK + Vision |
| Max Lawn Size | 10,890 sq ft (10,890 sq ft) | 13,068 sq ft (13,068 sq ft) |
| Max Slope | 42% (23°) | 30% (17°) |
| Cutting Width | 7" | 7.9" |
| Cut Height | 1.6"–3.2" | 1.6"–3.2" |
| Drive | RWD | RWD |
| Runtime | 90 min | 120 min |
| Charge Time | 80 min | 90 min |
| Noise | 60 dB | 59 dB |
| Weight | 26 lb | 19.9 lb |
| Obstacle Detection | 3D LiDAR with a 360 x 70 degree field of view plus Vision AI trained on 360+ object types; a reviewer watched it dodge a bulldog and a Wiffle ball. Bumper, lift and rain sensors as backup. | Binocular Vision AI trained on 360+ object types plus ultrasonic sensing; spotted obstacles are pinned to the map as no-go spots. Low-profile things like divots and logs still trap it. |
| Edge Cutting | Yes | Yes |
| Rain Sensor | Yes | Yes |
| Cellular | No | No |
| Anti-Theft | PIN lock and lift alarm; GPS tracking only with the optional 4G-GPS module | PIN lock (required to restart after it is moved), lift stop, GPS theft protection and geofencing |
| Warranty | 2-year | 2-year |
Pros & cons
Sunseeker S4
- ✓No antenna, no wire: LiDAR maps and positions under tree canopy where GPS mowers drift
- ✓Auto-mapped a two-zone yard on the first try; the app shows the 3D LiDAR map it built
- ✓Reliably rerouted around a dog and a golf-ball-sized toy in a month-long test
- ✓Fits through 31.5 in passages and stores 100 zones across 5 maps
- ✓Cheapest LiDAR mower from an established brand, $500 under the Ecovacs O1000 LiDAR Pro
- ✗Blades sit 4.3 in inside the housing, so it leaves an uncut strip at every edge
- ✗7 in deck and 90 minute runtime mean a quarter acre takes several charge cycles
- ✗One review unit died after a night in standing water despite the IPX6 rating
- ✗GPS tracking needs the extra-cost 4G module
Sunseeker X3 Plus
- ✓Offset Ride-on-Edge blade trims to about 1.2 in of hardscape, rare at this price
- ✓RTK plus twin-camera VSLAM mows in straight rows and keeps position near walls
- ✓A tested setup took under 45 minutes with no wire and no dealer
- ✓Vision AI dodged balls and dog toys in testing and pins them on the map
- ✗Gets stuck on small divots and low logs that bigger mowers roll over
- ✗30% slope limit and rear-wheel drive rule out hilly yards
- ✗No 4G, so manual control only works within Bluetooth range
- ✗$1,599.99 list is more than more capable rivals; only buy on sale