Summary
The GARDENA Sileno City 300 is a robotic lawn mower designed for lawns up to 300 m². The height of cut can be adjusted from 20mm to 50mm and will give a mowing time of 65 minutes before returning to base to recharge. The GARDENA Sileno City 300 is equipped with collision, lift and tilt sensors.
Most people are familiar with the GARDENA range of garden tools and accessories. They have been around since 1961 and are now part of the Husqvarna Group. These established names both have a great reputation for reliability and quality and the Sileno City robotic lawn mowers are bound to impress. GARDENA are innovators and entered the robotic lawn mower market in 2012.
In this review I will focus on the user-friendly and efficient GARDENA Sileno City 300 Robotic Mower and take a look at a few other options in the Sileno City range that may be more suitable for some garden environments.
These robotic lawn mowers are highly versatile and ideal for small to medium gardens. After a fairly painless setup process, they will keep your lawn looking neat and tidy all year round with minimal effort. Sit back and enjoy a stunning garden while GARDENA takes care of the hard work.
Main Features
- Sensor cut system for stripe free results
- Brushless motor
- Works on inclines up to 35%
- Swivelling rear wheels
- Very low noise output
- Works in any weather
- Charges automatically
- Easy to set up and operate
- 1 Hour charge time
- Operation time of 65 minutes (depending on conditions)
- Suitable for lawns up to 300 m²
- Effective collision sensors
- Good safety features
- Cutting height adjustable from 20mm to 50mm
Lawn Area Coverage
The design and power of the GARDENA Sileno City 300 make it ideal for smaller lawns up to 300m². It has a 16cm cutting width making it nifty and agile. The sensor cut system will ensure it cuts evenly and effectively for a well-manicured lawn with no stripes.The battery life and convenient automatic recharge work well on a lawn of this size. If you have a slightly larger area then read on, I will look at another option in this range.
What’s more is that if you have a smaller lawn, it is likely that your neighbours are fairly close. This robotic lawn mower has a brushless motor and operates with very little noise. This means that you will have peace for yourself as well as no complaints from neighbours.
Maximum Incline
This model can handle a max incline of 35% which should be more than sufficient for the vast majority of gardens for which this robotic lawnmower is designed. It will mow the inclines with ease and accuracy allowing you to enjoy a neat and tidy lawn while the GARDENA Sileno City 300 does the work. The oscillating rear wheels make it more effective and capable on inclines.
Charge Mow time
The Lithium-Ion Battery takes only one hour to charge and will give you 65 minutes of run time. Given that it recharges automatically and is designed to operate frequently this should be ample time to keep your lawn area neat and healthy at all times.
Cutting Heights
The cutting heights are quick and easy to adjust. No tools are necessary to make the adjustment. A simple rotary dial that sits on top of the lawn mower is all that is needed.Depending on your needs and the season, you can select a cutting height from 20mm to 50mm. This will allow you to have a neat and perfectly manicured lawn all year round.
The GARDENA Sileno City 300 is compact, nimble, and agile. Once the installation is completed correctly (more on that on the App and Installation section below) you can sit back and relax. The intelligent robotic lawnmower is an excellent smart navigator.
The process is automated and the mower will mow where necessary when necessary for a well-manicured lawn at all times. Navigation is further enhanced by the rear wheels that are able to swivel. This allows for precise and accurate work even in tricky parts of the lawn.
The compact design makes it perfect for smaller gardens as it can easily fit and navigate through small areas or passages with ease. Thanks to the Sensor Cut System the results are neat and stripe free.
Power System
The Sileno City range all work off 18 V/2.1 Ah batteries. It has a maximum energy consumption of 2 kWh. It is designed to mow at regular intervals and has more than enough power for the size of lawn it is designed for.
The brushless motor makes the lawn mower more efficient allowing you to get more out of your battery.
GARDENA Sileno City 300 Video
Charging Station
Positioning the charging station is often a challenge with robotic lawn mowers. You need to find an area that is near a power outlet that is easily accessible from all sides. A guide wire will help to direct the mower to the charging station. The benefit is that once set up correctly, the process is automatic. When power is running low the robotic mower will make its way back to the charging station to power up. When needed, it will automatically resume mowing again. Completely hassle free.
Blade
The blade is made up of 3 metal blades that attach to a central disk. It has a cutting width of 16cm. The blades are strong and sharp but will need replacing from time to time.Mowing Features
Cut to Edge
Provided the boundary wires are set up correctly it will cut to the edge. If you have boundary walls then a little trimming will be required manually as the blades are mounted central to the mower.
Spot Cut
This is a handy feature on the GARDENA Sileno City 300. The spiral mowing action is ideal for tricky areas such as under shrubs or garden fixtures or furniture. The low profile of the model also helps in this regard and it can get into tight spaces where a traditional lawn mower could not reach.
Cutting Pattern
The Sileno City operates in a random pattern. While this may seem odd at first it is highly effective. The lawn mower is designed to mow regularly and this style will reach all areas evenly and not leave any lines behind.
Narrow Passage
Due to the compact design and intelligent navigation, this robotic lawnmower can be used in tight areas and narrow passages. It does, however, have limitations. A long passage that is less than 1.5m wide might cause the lawnmower to get stuck there for a while so avoid these spots where possible.
Multi-Zone
There is no specific multi-zone feature as is found on some robotic lawn mowers but that is not to say it can’t be done. The operating instructions will explain in more detail but you will have to run the wires correctly and use it in MAN mode. The only drawback is that you will have to physically take the unit to the charging dock when the battery runs flat.
Mulching
As this autonomous robotic lawn mower is designed to trim regularly it leaves a thin layer of finely chopped grass as it cuts. This mulch will break down and return valuable nutrients to the soil for a healthier and more water-wise lawn. This is not only convenient but also cost-effective and eco-friendly.Rain Sensor
One of the many advantages of the Sileno City range is that they can operate quite happily in the rain. There is no need for a rain sensor as it can continue to mow the lawn when it rains. This is a great advantage given that it needs to mow regularly.
What it does have, however, is a frost sensor. This will stop mowing when the temperature is near freezing. This feature is more to protect the lawn than the lawn mower.
App & Installation
The GARDENA Smart App is free and available for iOS and Android. It is intuitive and user-friendly although some find the functionality somewhat limited.
Installation is fairly simple as robotic lawnmowers go. One has to set the boundary wires and the charging station in position. You will need to connect the Smart Hub to your router. Once this is all setup, a programming assistant will take you through the process step by step. It will use the lawn size to work out a mowing plan according to the needs of the lawn as well as your personal preference.
The control panel is also easy to use and has a clear bright LCD display.
The instructions are detailed and clear and the app is easy to operate making the setup process relatively simple.
Safety Features
The great thing about these robotic lawn mowers is that they are extremely safe to operate. The user guide gives clear safety instructions and provided these are followed there should be no safety concerns.
By setting up the boundary wires you restrict where the machine will operate. It has a collision sensor that will allow it to safely navigate around obstacles in the garden. If the lawn mower is lifted or tilted, the sensors will detect this and the blades immediately stop spinning which improves safety.
PIN
The robotic lawn mower has a security pin code with an option for low and high security.Accessories
The Sileno City range all work with the GARDENA smart system. This allows the various components to communicate and work effectively together. Other components include sensors and water control systems. This synergy will create a more effective and efficient system to ensure the health and good looks of your lawn.
Lawn Mower Garage
Whilst your robotic mower is completely fine working in the sun and rain, you do have the option to build or purchase a lawn mower garage. If you are not building one yourself, then there are many different designs and options available. Most robotic mower manufacturers will have a dedicated docking station roof, that will provide some protection from the rain and sun, however you can take it one step further and have a completely bespoke design. To see what can be achieved see my article Top 9 Best Robotic Lawn Mower Garage Ideas.
GARDENA Sileno City 300 User Manual
Click here to download the GARDENA Sileno City 300 user manual.
Comparison Table
Last update on 2024-10-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Warranty
The GARDENA Sileno City 300 lawn mower come with a 2-year limited warranty.
What’s included in the box?
In the standard kit, you will receive the following:
- 1 x GARDENA Sileno City 300 (15005-28) Robotic Mower
- 1 x Charging station
- 150m Boundary wire
- 200 x Hooks
- 1 x Connector
- 3 x Connecting terminals
- Instruction manual
Pros and Cons:
Conclusion/Should You Buy This Model?
If you have a small garden this is a good option. It is easy to use, efficient and will give you a good looking lawn with minimal effort. GARDENA is a trusted brand and once set up, this will keep your lawn in pristine condition all year without you having to do any of the work.
Where Should I Purchase This GARDENA Sileno City 300?
- The mower can be operated with the GARDENA Bluetooth app from a distance of up to 10 m. Programs: EasyApp Control, Auto Schedule and EasyConfig for easy installation and operation
- SensorCut System: Mows streak-free and evenly from different directions, ideally suited for small and medium-sized gardens with a lawn area of up to 300 m²
- Waterproof operation: the robotic lawnmower also mows when it rains and thus ensures a perfect lawn carpet; if it gets dirty, the robot can be easily cleaned with the garden hose
- EasyPassage: guides the robot through narrow corridors. Maximum incline: 35%
- Scope of delivery includes: 1x GARDENA SILENO city 300, 1x 150 m boundary cable, 200x hooks, 4x connectors, 5x connection terminals
Last update on 2024-10-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Other options available
There are two other options in the GARDENA SILENO city range.
Option 1
GARDENA Sileno City 300 Robotic Mower Sileno City 300 m² Set
Option 1 consists of the same robotic mower as we have just looked at, however, it comes with a range of handy extras. The specs are identical as it is the same model with the same battery. The setup equipment, in terms of wire and pegs, remains the same.
What you do get extra with this set is:
- 9 x Blades and screws
- 1 x Winter cable protection box
- 1 x Maintenance and cleaning kit
- 1 x Wheel brushes
For a small additional investment, you can get these extra items that will help to keep your mower in top condition. It will save you money buying this as a set rather than purchasing the additional parts separately. Not only will you be able to keep the lawnmower clean and well maintained but you will have spare blades on hand for when they are needed.
- The mower can be operated with the GARDENA Bluetooth app from a distance of up to 10 m. Programs: EasyApp Control, Auto Schedule and EasyConfig for easy installation and operation
- SensorCut System: Mows streak-free and evenly from different directions, ideally suited for small and medium-sized gardens with a lawn area of up to 300 m²
- Waterproof operation: the robotic lawnmower also mows when it rains and thus ensures a perfect lawn carpet; if it gets dirty, the robot can be easily cleaned with the garden hose
- EasyPassage: guides the robot through narrow corridors. Maximum incline: 35%
- Scope of delivery includes: 1x GARDENA SILENO city 300, 1x 150 m boundary cable, 200x hooks, 4x connectors, 5x clamps, 9 x spare blades, cleaning set, winter protection box for cables, wheel brush set
Last update on 2024-10-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Option 2
GARDENA SILENO City 500 Robotic LawnMower for Up to 500 m sq Lawn Area -15002-28
If you have a slightly larger area of lawn than this model will work better. It is ideal for small to medium gardens with a lawn area up to 500m sq. Again, the basic specifications, battery, and set up equipment are the same but due to the programming, it will work for longer periods allowing you to keep a slightly larger area neatly mowed at all times. Rather invest in this option if your lawn is between 300 and 500m sq.
- Thanks to the SensorCut System, the GARDENA SILENO city does not cause lawn stripes
- The cutting-height adjustment can be carried out easily and without the use of tools
- The fine cuttings remain on the lawn as a natural fertiliser
- A programming assistant guides you through the intuitive menu and, following entry of the lawn size and preferred mowing times, independently calculates a mowing plan according to which the SILENO city then operates
- The GARDENA SILENO city has been constructed so that simple spraying with the garden hose thoroughly frees housing, blades and wheels of dirt, dust and residual grass
Last update on 2024-10-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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GARDENA Sileno City 300 FAQs
What is the charge time for the Gardena Sileno City 300?
60 min
What is the mowing time of the Gardena Sileno City 300?
65 min
Will the Gardena Sileno City 300 cut to the edge?
No, not completely - some trimming will be required occasionally.
Is the Gardena Sileno City 300 the same as the Flymo Easilife?
Yes, Flymo is a more well known brand in the UK. Both Gardena and Flymo are from the Husqvarna group.
How much boundary wire is supplied with the Gardena Sileno City 300?
150 metres
Up to 35%
As a seasoned expert in the field of garden power tools, I have dedicated over a decade to working with and reviewing a wide variety of lawn mowers. My extensive experience has allowed me to gain a deep understanding of the benefits and limitations of different types of mowers and garden tools.
Over the years, I have honed my skills in writing informative articles and creating helpful videos for various blogs and publications. This has given me the ability to not only recognise what makes a good lawn mower, but also to help you choose the perfect garden tool for your specific needs and requirements.
With my wealth of knowledge and expertise, I am confident that I can provide you with valuable insights and recommendations when it comes to selecting the right lawn mower for your lawn. So, whether you're looking for a battery cordless, electric, petrol, or robotic mower, you can trust in my expertise to guide you towards the best option for your garden.
Hi. Thanks for the great review. I’m really interested in the Gardena Sileno range of mowers but I’m struggling to find answers to a couple of questions.
1. I’d like a mower that has a smartphone app so that I can programme it remotely. I know this range has the capability but on their website they sell a separate ‘smart’ package. Do you have to buy this or look out for the mowers that have ‘smart’ in their title?
2. I like the secondary zone feature as I have a disconnected lawn that is some distance away. Why I’m wondering is whether I can run the wires up across the side of my house as they will be in the way on the ground? And if so, is it important to use spacers so the wires don’t cross, and putting it in a protective casing?
3. You have reviewed the 300 but this doesn’t exist on Gardena’s website. They have the 250. Do you know if the 250 is newer? My garden is only about 120 m2 in total.
Thanks
Chris
Hi Chris
Thanks for you message.
1. The Sileno range can be purchased on their own without the bundle. You would just have to look for “Smart” on the packaging or title as this would confirm whether this is a smart version.
2. Yes this is possible as long as you make sure the wires do not cross.
3. The 300 & 250 are identical mowers, apart from the lawn working area capacity, meaning there is a slight difference how long the mower is programmed to mow each day. The model number for the 250 is 15001-28, for the 300 the model number is 15005-28.
Hope this helps.
Thanks
Mark