Yard Force NX100i vs Gardena SILENO life
Quick take: The Gardena SILENO life costs $84 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 | Yard Force NX100i | Gardena SILENO life |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$799 | ~$715 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Navigation | Boundary Wire | Boundary Wire |
| Max Lawn Size | 14,520 sq ft (14,520 sq ft) | 8,100 sq ft (8,100 sq ft) |
| Max Slope | 40% (22°) | 35% (19°) |
| Cutting Width | 7" | 8.7" |
| Cut Height | 1.3"–2.9" | 0.8"–2" |
| Drive | RWD | RWD |
| Runtime | 90 min | 65 min |
| Charge Time | — | 60 min |
| Noise | — | 58 dB |
| Weight | — | 18.3 lb |
| Obstacle Detection | 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. | 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). |
| Edge Cutting | No | No |
| Rain Sensor | Yes | No |
| Cellular | No | No |
| Anti-Theft | PIN code lock with lift and tilt alarm; no GPS tracking | PIN code and alarm |
| Warranty | 2-year limited | 2-year limited |
Pros & cons
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
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