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Summary
Looking for a better way to maintain your lawn without the hassle of traditional mowers? Look no further than the Luba AWD 5000 Robotic Mower! In this comprehensive review, I take a detailed look at this cutting-edge lawn care technology and explore its features, benefits, and limitations. From its advanced all-wheel drive system to its intuitive controls and impressive cutting performance, I cover everything you need to know to decide if the Luba AWD 5000 is right for you. Whether you’re a seasoned lawn care pro or just looking for an easier way to keep your lawn looking its best, this review and video is a must-watch!
With the mowing season now well underway, many homeowners are sighing every weekend when they have to head back out into the yard with the lawn mower. Robotic lawn mowers have been popular for some years now but a lot of people are put off because of how unreliable and difficult to set up some models can be.
Enter the Luba AWD 5000!
This robotic lawn mower from Mammotion is one of the most high tech and efficient models I’ve come across and it delivers an immaculate cut without a boundary wire in sight. Using RTK to map out the lawn and avoid obstacles, you can leave the Luba AWD 5000 to get on with mowing while you sit back and enjoy your yard.
I’ve done an in depth video review of this model which outlines the features, the setup and gives you a good idea of how it performs on my own lawn. You can watch that video on YouTube or below. In this article, I’m going to review all of the most important features of the Luba AWD 5000 and help you decide whether it’s the right robotic lawn mower for you.
LUBA AWD 5000 Video Review
Main Features
- 16 inch (40cm) cutting deck with 24 blades
- Quick and simple installation
- RTK navigation
- Suitable for lawns up to 1.25 Acres (5000m²)
- No perimeter wires required as a virtual boundary is used
- All 4 wheel drive
- Handles inclines up to 75%
- 1.2″ to 2.8″ (30mm – 70mm) remotely adjusted cutting heights
- Up to 3 hours mowing time
- 150 minutes charge time
- 10.0Ah 21.5v battery included
- 10 mowing zones
- IPX6 waterproof
- Solid rubber tyres
- Intelligent cutting patterns
Lawn Area Coverage
Mammotion offers three models within this range and the Luba AWD 5000 is the largest of them all. It boasts a 16 inch (40cm) mowing deck which is designed for lawns up to 5000m², so if you have a big yard, it’ll be just what you’re looking for.
Of course, something that big can be overkill when your lawn is much smaller so you might choose the Luba AWD 1000 which is suitable for lawns up to 1000m² with its 16 inch deck. There’s also a model in between that again boasts a 16 inch cutting width and is suitable for lawns up to 3000m².
Max Incline
Out of all the robotic lawn mowers I have tested, the Luba AWD 5000 has to be the most impressive when it comes to working on slopes. The nearest I’ve seen is the Husqvarna that can tackle inclines up to 45% but that has nothing on this; the Luba AWD 5000 can work on slopes up to 75%!
The reason for this is that it’s so robust and well-equipped. For example, the AWD in its name stands for all wheel drive which improves traction on slopes. Couple that with the amazingly solid rubber tyres and excellent suspension and it’s not hard to see why this is a real workhorse on hills.
Cutting Heights
The Luba AWD 5000 comes with cutting heights between 1.2″ to 2.8″ (30mm and 70mm) which is pretty standard as far as lawn mowers go. But there’s no more messing around with levers; the Luba AWD 5000 benefits from in-app cutting height adjustment. This really is the latest in technology.
Of course, being able to adjust the cutting height means that you can tackle your lawn at different times of the year and in various conditions. But one of the great things about the Luba AWD 5000 is that it’s designed for even the most challenging lawns with dense grass. That’s not something that a lot of robot mowers can boast about.
If you’re not sure what cutting height you should use, this smart system can even recommend one for you.
Moreover, there’s even the option to choose the type of cut you would like including a fine cut, high grass or efficient cut. There’s also an option to customise how the mower cuts to suit the individual needs on your lawn.
If this wasn’t enough you can schedule the Luba to cut each zone at different heights, speeds and patterns!
In days gone by, robotic lawn mowers relied on a perimeter wire to prevent them from leaving the desired area. There have since been robot mowers that are equipped with cameras and, as long as you have a well defined lawn, they’ll stay where you want them to be.
However, the Luba AWD 5000 benefits from the latest technology which is a form of GPS known as Real Time Kinetics or RTK, for short. This is one of the most accurate methods and allows the mower to detect boundaries, obstacles and give a much more intelligent mow; but more on that later!
The main part of the system is the RTK station which communicates with the satellites. However, there are also sensors on the mower itself, giving it a 220º view of the lawn which improves the ability of the Luba AWD 5000 to avoid obstacles. I tested these sensors out by placing something on the lawn and the Luba stopped just short of it and avoided the obstacle completely.
The Luba AWD 5000 is also equipped with three bump sensors so that, in the event it misses an obstacle (which is unlikely), it’ll touch it, reverse and mow around the obstacle. I was quite impressed with the fact that these sensors are adjustable or can be turned off completely using the app, if needed.
Your RTK station can be mounted either with your charging station or somewhere else thanks to the inclusion of an extension kit. It boasts an impressive 120 metre range, so you won’t need to worry about connection problems with the mower itself.
The great thing about this navigation system is that it’s completely customisable. For example, in the app, you have the ability to create no go zones such as flower beds in the middle of the lawn and the intelligent system will skip these and mow around them.
Power System
Running on a 21.5 v battery, the Luba AWD 5000 boasts some serious power. It’s designed to tackle large lawns and this battery means it’s perfectly equipped for that.
The Luba AWD 5000 comes with a 10.0Ah battery which offers some seriously impressive run time of up to three hours on one charge. Of course, you have to keep in mind that various settings and the condition of the lawn will affect how long the mower runs. If you’re looking at the other models in the range then, while they’re smaller, they’re still just as powerful with the 3000 coming with the same 10.0Ah battery and 3 hour run time while the 1000 comes with a 4.5Ah battery, giving you up to 120 minutes per charge.
Charging Station
The Luba AWD 5000 comes with its own charging station which can be installed on the ground. It also comes with screws and pegs to secure everything.
Since this is an intelligent mower, it won’t surprise you to learn that it charges automatically. Once the power begins to dwindle, the Luba AWD 5000 will automatically return to its charging station to give itself a boost.
You can also purchase an optional garage roof for your charging station, as seen in the image. This is not essential as the Luba is IPX6 rated, so completely waterproof.
Charge/Mow Time
As I have discussed, the Luba AWD 5000 gives you as much as 3 hours per charge which is really good considering it’ll mow up to 500 square metres in as little as an hour. But it’s also pretty fast when it comes to charging.
If you have the largest sized lawn compatible with this model then the Luba AWD 5000 isn’t going to cover all 5000m² one one charge. However, it only takes 150 minutes to charge, or just 90 minutes if you’re using the 1000 model.
Blade
The Luba AWD 5000 comes with 8 blades already installed; these are spread across two cutting plates on the wide 16 inch (40cm) deck. This is comparable to some cordless/petrol lawn mowers so it gives you a really good coverage on each pass.
I was impressed to find that the machine is supplied with a further set of spare blades which allows you one blade change. Additional blades can be purchased in packs of 24, allowing three blade changes. Generally speaking, you’re going to want to change the blades around three times per mowing season so these spares will see you through the first year.
Looking at the underside of the deck, which I’ll show you in my YouTube video, you can see how closely the blades come to one another. The great thing about this is that there will be no missed spots, giving a much more even and precise finish.
Control Panel And Setup
Getting the Luba AWD 5000 setup is beautifully simple, despite the fact that there’s a lot included in the box. But don’t let this put you off; you can see just how easy it is to setup in my video.
You need to make sure that your RTK station is located centrally so that you can make the most of the 120m range. There are three options for installing this with one being an optional wall mount. There’s also the option to use a bracket which can be supplied by the manufacturer. The benefit of this is that it causes the RTK station to jut out from the wall slightly, therefore improving the signal. This is very easy to install since you’re supplied with everything you need including a template so you know where to drill the holes in the wall.
However, the simplest method is to use the included clamp and pole, which allow you to attach the RTK station above the charging station. Everything is secured by a stake in the ground (as seen in the video).
Once you have decided where to install the RTK station, it’s now a case of running wires through the charging station and connecting the power. You’ll also need to make sure that you find a suitable location for the charging station that’s level before you peg it into the ground. If you wish to use the mat at the front of the charging station, this will prevent the mower from wearing the grass as it turns to enter the station. Again, this mat needs to be pegged into the ground.
App and Installation
Before you can use your Luba AWD 5000 for the first time, you will need to make sure that the app and firmware are all up to date. Again, this is very quick and easy, but do keep in mind that the Luba AWD 5000 needs to be on the charging station to do this.
When you use the app for the first time, it’ll talk you through some important points and then you’ll be able to connect your mower via BlueTooth or WiFi. Once connected, you’ll then be able to use the options within the app to update the firmware which again is demonstrated in my video review.
The next step is to then configure the Luba AWD 5000 to your lawn. This can be done within the app where you can set up to 10 mowing zones. This is about as much work as you’ll ever have to do with the Luba AWD 5000, as it involves manually driving the machine around the lawn to create the mowing area. This is all done from within the app and let’s face it, it’s kind of fun as it’s just like playing with a remote control car!
If, like me, you have set up multiple zones, it’s also possible to set up a path between these and again, that’s all done within the app. This is great as it saves you from having to manually move the mower from one lawn to another.
Once your mowing zones are set up and you’re ready to mow, the handy app even tells you the progress of the current mow and how long is left. You can also check the status of the mower and adjust things like the sensors and cutting heights, all from the palm of your hand.
Once the setup is complete, you are good to go and will never have to worry about mowing the lawn ever again. What’s more you will have a well maintained and healthy lawn, due to the mulching process, at all times – happy days!
Mowing Features
The Luba AWD 5000 is well equipped to tackle large, challenging lawns and it does so with great ease. I’ve never seen a robotic mower deliver such a uniform cut in such a short amount of time before and that’s largely thanks to the impressive mowing features.
Cutting Pattern
If you’ve ever used a robot lawn mower before then you may be familiar with the fact that they mostly use a random cutting pattern. This gets the job done, don’t get me wrong, but it’s not the most accurate and efficient method.
The problem with this is that there is the chance of missing spots, but this isn’t the case with the Luba AWD 5000 which offers much more intelligent cutting patterns. That’s all thanks to the advanced RTK navigation system, so the machine knows where it’s already cut and won’t keep going over the same area twice.
Two of the cutting patterns that impressed me most, are the striped lawn and the checkerboard pattern.
Multi Zone
In most yards there will be areas that you want the Luba AWD 5000 to avoid or you may have more than one lawn to maintain. The brilliant thing about this model is that there’s the option to set up 10 mowing zones within the app. This is ideal for larger yards but probably not something you’d need for a medium or small lawn. Thankfully, the 3000 gives you up to 6 mowing zones while the 1000 allows you up to 3, so there’s a good degree of versatility between models to accommodate different lawn sizes and configurations.
Cut To Edge
When the Luba AWD 5000 initially starts mowing, it will focus on the middle portion of the lawn. Once it has completed this, it’ll then go around the perimeter three times to ensure that the grass here is even and neat. A lot of robot mowers don’t cut to the edge, so this is a really nice touch that’ll save you having to get the trimmers out. Plus, it does a really good job of getting right up to the grass line.
Rain Sensor
In the app, there is an option to set the Luba AWD 5000 to not cut when it’s raining; but how does it know this? Well, as you would expect from such a high-tech piece of equipment, it’s fitted with a rain sensor. As soon as it starts to rain, the Luba AWD 5000 will detect this and head back to its charging station until the weather improves. The obvious benefit of this is that mowing in the rain isn’t healthy for the grass.
The Luba AWD 5000 has an IPX6 waterproof rating and this means that it won’t be affected if there is any rain. What’s more, the major benefit of this feature is for cleaning, which is so much easier because you can simply hose the body and under the deck to remove grass, dirt and debris.
Safety Features
When using any bladed tool, safety is of the utmost importance and Mammotion have left nothing to chance with some innovative safety features.
Lift and Tilt Sensors
Something that is seen on a lot of robotic lawn mowers is a lift sensor and it’s not missing on the Luba AWD 5000. It’s a simple feature but one that goes a long way in preventing injuries if you have a curious child, for example.
If the Luba AWD 5000 is lifted off the ground or even tilted, these sensors stop the blades from spinning until the mower is returned to the ground.
Noise Level
Most of us associate lawn mowers with being incredibly noisy. The last thing you want if you’ve got a robotic mower zipping around the yard is a headache. But I’m happy to report that the Luba AWD 5000 runs at just 60 decibels, so it’s super quiet. You can let it run and still enjoy peace in your yard while it does all the hard work. In fact it is so quiet, why not schedule the Luba to cut the lawn at night? You even have the option to turn on the side lights.
Theft Prevention
The Luba AWD 5000 is kitted out with a couple of handy features to prevent theft such as GPS tracking. In the event that anyone attempted to steal the equipment, you’d easily be able to track it within the app.
What’s more, you’ll get notifications from the app if there is any unusual activity such as the mower being lifted or moved. Since this is such a pricey bit of kit, these features are a must to protect your investment.
What’s more with the Luba RTK navigation system, you can position your charging station out of sight, in your rear yard, to increase the security of your robotic mower.
Accessories
The Luba AWD 5000 doesn’t come with a whole lot of additional accessories purely because almost everything you need is already included in the box. However, I did like that you could purchase the garage which sits over the charging station for a little additional protection for your robotic mower.
It’s really easy to install and simply attaches to the back of the charging station, acting like a canopy. However, I wouldn’t rush out to buy this since the Luba AWD 5000 does have a waterproof rating of IPX6 so even if it does rain, you won’t need to worry about the water causing it to malfunction.
There’s also a go faster stripe sticker that you can attach to the body of the lawn mower if you want to jazz up its appearance. But again, while this is a nice touch, I don’t think it’s necessary since the design of the mower is already pretty sleek and attractive.
Warranty
The Luba AWD 5000 comes with a 2 year warranty on the mower itself and the batteries. Mammotion also offers a warranty on the RTK reference station, but this is not as long at just 12 months. It’s also worth keeping in mind that some parts, like the tyres and blades are not covered by a warranty at all.
How to Clean Your Luba AWD Robotic Mower
To see the correct way to hose down your Luba Robotic Mower, please se the video below from Mammotion.
What’s Included In The Box?
- 1 x Luba AWD 5000 robotic lawn mower
- Charging station
- RTK reference station
- Ground stakes
- Mains cable
- RTK cable
- Pole for charging station and RTK station
- Touch sensitive bumper
- Charging station power supply
- Clips and screws for securing ground station to lawn
- Matting
- 10m RTK extension kit
- Spare blades
- User guide and installation manual
- Robotic mower garage and RTK station wall mount (optional extra)
Pro and Cons
Should You Buy This Model?
One of the first things that people will notice about the Luba AWD 5000 is the price. This lawn mower is currently retailing for just below £3000 so it is something of an investment. However, it’s not as expensive as some other brands such as the Husqvarna which doesn’t even have as many features as the Luba AWD 5000, so it’s definitely worth considering making that investment.
I would recommend the Luba AWD 5000 for anyone who wants to jump on the RTK bandwagon as early as possible. This technology is still very new and really only being rolled out in 2023, so if you’re someone who likes to stay on top of new features then you’ll love this robotic mower.
Practically speaking, the Luba AWD 5000 would suit anyone who wants a reliable robotic lawn mower that doesn’t require a lot of work or effort to set up. This is a mower that you can set up and leave alone, so you really don’t have to worry about whether your yard will be well maintained.
It’s also a great choice for people who have very specific and complex lawn needs because of the many adjustments and configurations available within the app.
Conclusion
I found the Luba AWD 5000 to be an incredibly high tech and well designed piece of equipment that’s so easy to use. If you like the idea of having something top of the range without needing a degree in software engineering or robotics, then this is going to be right up your street.
The RTK navigation system on the Luba AWD 5000 had no problems getting around or between the two mowing zones I set up. The performance and final result of the cut were seriously impressive.
All in all, there wasn’t a lot I didn’t like about this mower. In fact, I really struggled to come up with any negative points and those that I did were far from dealbreakers. I truly believe that this model will be the pioneer for many more wonderful things to come within the world of robotic lawn mowing.
Where Should I Purchase the LUBA AWD 5000
Purchase direct from Mammotion using the links below.
The LUBA AWD 5000 (US)
The LUBA AWD 5000 (UK)
Other Models AWD 3000 & 1000 (US)
Other Models AWD 3000 & 1000 (UK)
LUBA AWD Comparison Table
| Model | LUBA AWD 5000 | LUBA AWD 3000 | LUBA AWD 1000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lawn Size | up to 5000m2 (1.25 acres) | up to 3000m2 (0.75 acre) | up to 1000m2 (0.25acre) |
| Engine | All-Wheel Drive(AWD) | All-Wheel Drive(AWD) | All-Wheel Drive(AWD) |
| Vertical obstacle passing ability | 50 mm | 50 mm | 50 mm |
| Cutting height | 30-70 mm | 30-70mm | 30-70mm |
| Cutting width | 400mm | 400mm | 400mm |
| Area capacity per hour, max | 500m2 | 350m2 | 350m2 |
| Battery capacity | 10Ah | 10Ah | 4.5Ah |
| Typical charging time | 150 mins | 150 mins | 90 mins |
| Mowing time on one charge | 3h | 3h | 2h |
| Max.zone management | 10 | 6 | 3 |
| Battery Voltage | 21.6V | 21.6V | 21.6V |
| Battery Wh capacity | 207wh | 207wh | 97.2wh |
| Charging system | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
| Battery type | Lithium-lon | Lithium-lon | Lithium-lon |
| Virtual boundary | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Auto-navigation | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Plan cutting modes | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Obstacle Detection and Avoidance | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| No-go-zone | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Rain Sensor | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| User Interface | Mammotion App | Mammotion App | Mammotion App |
| Mowing schedule | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| GPS Anti-theft | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Lift sensor | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Tilt sensor | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Waterproof Level | IPX6 | IPX6 | IPX6 |
| Noise Level | 60dB | 60dB | 60dB |
| Product size | 70D*53W*25H cm | 70D*53W*25H cm | 70D*53W*25H cm |
FAQs
What is the benefit of a perimeter wireless robotic lawn mower?
Boundary wires can be time consuming to install and they’re often easily damaged meaning you have to repair them regularly. Having a boundary wireless lawn mower takes away this hassle while still having a GPS system reliable enough to remain within the mowing area.
What happens if my front and back lawns are separated by a fence?
In the event that your two lawns have a fence or other boundary between them, you will need to create a path for the Luba AWD 5000 to pass through.
What happens if my WiFi goes down?
Once you have set everything up, the Luba AWD 5000 doesn’t need WiFi to run. However, if there is an interruption to the signal, you won’t be able to see the status of the mower and other features within the app.
Can I use the Luba AWD 5000 in the rain?
While the Luba AWD 5000 is waterproof, it’s not generally recommended to cut your grass in wet conditions as the blades can tug at the grass and affect its health. However, the Luba AWD 5000 has a rain sensor which will send it back to its charging station should the weather change.
Can the Luba app be used remotely?
The great thing about the Luba AWD 5000 app is that it can be used to control your lawn mower from anywhere in the world!
Do I have to have the charging station connected to the RTK station?
While you can have the two stations positioned together, this is not necessary as the RTK station comes with its own separate power supply kit.
Is the Luba AWD 5000 easy to set up?
The Luba AWD 5000 is incredibly quick and easy to set up in just a few simple steps. All the tools you need are included in the box and everything else can be done from within the app. Just make sure you install the latest version and update the mower’s firmware.
How large a lawn can the Luba AWD 5000 cover?
The Luba AWD 5000 is designed for lawns up to 5000 square metres. However, if you have a smaller yard, there are two other models designed for 3000 and 1000 square metres respectively.
How do I change the cutting height on the Luba AWD 5000?
The cutting height on the Luba AWD 5000 can be changed within the app where you can move from 1.2
How many zones can I set up with the Luba AWD 5000?
Within the app, you can program up to 10 different mowing zones for the Luba AWD 5000.
Not sure about this robotic mower? Click here for more best robotic lawn mower reviews.
