The Husqvarna Automower 315 and 315X robotic lawn mowers are feature packed and designed with one purpose in mind – giving you the perfect lawn and free time back.
These state-of-the-art lawn mowing robots are the future of lawn care automation – good for the environment, good for lawn growth, and good for freeing up those weekends.
In this Husqvarna Automower 315 and 315X review, I’ll explore the features and benefits to help you see which one is the best fit for you and your lawn.
With smart technology integration and remote control through a mobile app, the Husqvarna 315 and 315X lawn mowers are made for small to medium-sized yards up to 0.4 acres. They feature adjustable cutting heights, an easy-to-use interface, and the ability to deal with slopes of up to 22 degrees.
Once the 315/315X are installed, next is to schedule the mow times and frequency. Then the automowers take over, resulting in a well-manicured lawn.
Husqvarna Automower 315 and 315X Features and Benefits
Even though the Automower 315 and 315X are very similar, there are a few key differences when it comes to updated smart home features.
- Amazon Alexa and Google Home Compatible – the 315x model is fully compatible with both, however the 315 model has no support for them.
- Mobile App – The 315X model uses the Automower Connect app, and can be used for remote access through cellular data. The 315 uses Bluetooth connectivity and the Automower Connect@HOME app.
- GPS Tracking – Only the 315X model has GPS.
- Yard Size – 0.4 Acres
- Max Incline – 22 degree slopes
- Cut Height – 0.8 – 2.4 inches
- Battery Charge Time – 60 minutes
- Mow Time on Single Charge – 70 Minutes
As you can see, the main differences for the Husqvarna 315 vs 315X are the voice control, wireless connectivity, and GPS. Only the Husqvarna 315X is compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant for voice commands. Both have a mobile app, but the 315X uses a long-range cellular connection, while the 315 can only use short-range Bluetooth. And only the 315X has GPS.
Let’s dig deeper into the feature details and see if there are any other differences.
Cutting Patterns and Modes
All robotic mowers use the same technique when it comes to mowing performance – mow often. The Automower 315 and 315X are no different.
Frequent mowing keeps grass at your chosen height all year round and the short grass clippings will further help grass grow healthy and strong. The clippings fall back into the lawn, act as mulch and help to feed grass growth.
Using cutting algorithms and in the case of the 315X GPS assisted Navigation, they mow your lawn in seemingly random patterns to ensure a carpet-like finish without worn areas.
Both models also have two further cutting modes, Spiral and Spot. Spiral cutting mode is useful for dealing with patches of longer grass. If the sensors detect longer grass it switches to this pattern to ensure no long grass is left uncut.
Spot mode also uses the spiral pattern, but the mower can be placed manually onto a particular spot. For instance, you moved garden / patio furniture and wanted to cut the long grass in those areas. You place the 315/315X down there and simply activate Spot Cutting mode. Once done, it’ll go back to its normal cutting mode automatically.
Lawn Size and Cutting Deck
Both Automower 315X and 315 models are designed for small to medium yards of up to 0.4 acres (17,424 sq. feet or about 1600 square meters).
The cutting deck is 22 cm (8.66 in.), the cutting width of the mower. The Floating Deck consists of three pivoting razor blades designed float as it moves across the terrain, so it automatically adjusts to varying heights.
The floating deck is a key benefit if for lawns with slopes, bumps, and dips that cause uneven yards.
Handling Different Types of Lawns – Flat, Slopes, Ditches
The average lawn will have unevenness due to tree roots, plants, stones, holes, and other obstacles. But not to worry. The Husqvarna 315X and 315 can handle awkwardly shaped lawns and even deal with slopes of up to 22 degrees.
They have patented Automatic Passage handling, which allows it to navigate tight spaces and narrow passageways.
With obstacles like ditches and flower beds, these can be excluded from the mowing area by use of boundary wires that set the perimeter and mowing areas.
Regular edging and pet waste cleanup are necessary, although the 315X can manage small pet waste without issue.
Setup and Installation
The first step is to find a suitable position for the charging base station. Preferably somewhere sheltered and in the shade. The charging station will also need to be within range of a power outlet.
Then you lay the boundary and perimeter wires to set out the lawn boundaries, while also excluding obstacles like ponds and ditches. You’ll need to lay down a central guide wire that’ll help the Automower find its way back to the dock to recharge, especially helpful for complex lawns. Recharging times are about 70 minutes.
It’s worth pointing out that Husqvarna does have professional installers, usually through the dealer, if you’re worried about installing things incorrectly or don’t want to spend the time. Installation isn’t too difficult, but it may take up to a few hours.
If you do end up trying to set up the boundary wires yourself, be sure to bury them to prevent pets from interfering with them.
Design and Build Quality
Husqvarna’s reputation is built on the quality and ruggedness of their products. The IPX4 Outdoor-Rated Husqvarna Automowers are weather proof and able to run in all kinds of weather.
Husqvarna offers a little customization with three different colors for their replaceable top covers: Polar White, Husqvarna Orange, and Granite Gray. All three look great, so see what color fits you.
Battery Life and Power Source
The Automower 315 and 315X get their power from a lithium-ion 18V / 2.1 Ah battery. The batteries charge using the docking station that connects to a 100-240V power outlet. The battery charging time usually takes around an hour and this provides enough charge to mow for up to 70 minutes.
The battery itself is good for around 3-5 years of usable life, not bad when you compare it to how often you have to fuel your gas-powered mower. Even in tough conditions like Florida’s humid weather, some have reported the batteries lasting over 2,400 hours before needing to be replaced.
Battery-powered mowers are also zero-emission, which is good for your garden and for the environment in general. No gas fumes and smoke to harm the local environment.
Here are some key notes on batteries. The 315 and 315X batteries should not be replaced with a higher capacity model. Stay with factory OEM batteries with the same capacity. Battery degradation is not covered under warranty and only a a complete battery failure would result in a warranty replacement.
Mower Controls and Programming
Once you have set up your mowing area and your mower is charged, you’re almost ready to release it to cut the grass. Next is simply a matter of programming your mower to begin its cutting schedule. This is when you will set such parameters as the desired grass length of your lawn, mowing frequency and mowing times.
This can be done either from the mobile app for smartphones or the large LCD control panel screen and keypad that are integrated on the mower. Create a consistent mowing schedule with ease.
Now, imagine a robotic lawn mower that’s able to recognize how quickly the grass grows and calculate when it should mow the lawn to keep grass length at the desired heights. Imagine no more wondering if you need to adjust mowing schedules due to the season.
An awesome feature with the Husqvarna 315 and 315X is Weather Timer, which will automatically adjust the mow times according to how fast the lawn grows.
Smart Technologies
The 315X model is fully compatible with both Amazon’s Alexa and Google Home smart home systems. This allows them to be controlled using voice commands.
Safety and Security
These are both safe and secure devices, for safety they incorporate features like tilt and lift sensors that will automatically stop the blades.
For example, if the tilt sensors recognize the 315 and 315X tilted too much due to a steep incline, the blades will stop spinning. This prevents a tipped over mower’s blades to still be spinning while you try to put it upright.
The 315X model incorporates an extra security feature with its GPS Tracking anti-theft system. Both models have built-in theft protection with alarms, PIN code security which disables the mower if it is lifted and installation locks which won’t allow them to operate outwith the area they were configured to work in.
One of my friends with a 315X had it stolen and was about to buy another one because they loved it so much, but they were able to get it back quickly because of the GPS tracking.
Noise Levels
Both models are incredibly quiet, producing 58-60 dB. To give you a comparison, this is about as loud as a human conversation or some gentle background music.
That means the Automower 315X and 315 are perfect robotic lawn mowers to cut in the middle of the night while you’re sleeping. You’ll get to wake up to a freshly mowed yard.
Weather Protection
The Automower 315 and 315X are designed to remain outdoors mowing the lawn 24/7, but that also doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take care of these robots.
When it’s raining outside, I’d suggest not to run allow the automower to mow the lawn. Wet grass is harder to cut and can result in grass clumps that can easily get stuck in the wheels, motor, blades, etc. You’ll lose considerable effectiveness from dry weather.
Lightning strikes can damage the mower. I recommend taking surge protection measures to safeguard against electrical surges.
If you live in an area with a winter season and no grass growth, it’s a good idea to put the automower indoors for winter storage.
Maintenance and Cleaning
These are generally low maintenance devices, but there are still some small tasks to help them work efficiently. If you the 315/315X cut frequently, the blades will require changing every couple of months, so having extra blades around is a good idea.
The underside and wheels should be checked and cleaned as needed. Depending on your yard’s terrain roughness, the wheels may need to be replaced every couple years or so.
Accessories
There are a number of accessories available for these models including snap on covers, a docking station cover, boundary wire, terrain wheel kits, and spare blades.
Husqvarna Automower 315 and 315x Pros and Cons
Pros
- Easy to set up and install
- All year round fantastic and consistent lawn
- Cheap to run
- Frees up valuable time
Cons
- Can’t mow in a striped design
- No rain sensor
- Regular edging and pet waste cleanup are still needed
Final Thoughts on Husqvarna Automower 315 and 315x
The Husqvarna 315X and 315 are full-featured robot lawn mowers that will take care of your lawns for you. They both have essentially the same specifications and have the same high-performance when it comes to mowing. The differences are in how you can control the automowers.
The 315X gives you voice control, long-distance remote control, and GPS tracking. If you like the remote control feature from wherever you are, you’ll want to go with the 315X.
If you don’t use voice commands or remote control, then go with the 315.
Here’s a great video from Husqvarna that also helps to explain all about robotic mowers and their benefits visually.
Also do check out other Husqvarna robot lawn mowers:
- Robot Lawn Mower Common Issues and Fixes
- Husqvarna Automower 310 Review
- Husqvarna Automower 430X and 430XH Review
- Husqvarna Automower 450X and 450XH Review
FAQs Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the Difference between the Husqvarna Automower 315 vs 315x?
The Husqvarna 315 and 315X provide the same mowing performance, but there are a few key differences. The 315X has GPS, voice control (Alexa and Google Assistant), long-distance remote control through a mobile app, and LED headlights.
Is the Husqvarna Automower 315X good value for the money?
Yes! The 315X provides features that allow you to remotely monitor your vehicle from anywhere. You can also use voice command to operate the vehicle. It’s a high-performance robot lawn mower for the money.
Are Husqvarna Automowers any good?
Husqvarna Automowers are one of the top robot mower brands on the market. Robot mowers are great because they save people time by doing all the hard labor. However, if you’re looking for something cheap, then you should consider buying an electric push mower instead.
Do Robotic Lawn Mowers Really Work?
Yes, robotic lawn mowers absolutely work. People often have a misconception about robot mowers and expect them to do the same job as a person who mows using a Push Mower every couple weeks. Robotic mowers are made to mow every other day at least. They mow often and mow little. The small grass clippings don’t need to be collected and due to their small size, they will become mulch, which promotes healthy grass growth. That means no more fertilizers. Save time and money together.
Do Robot Mowers Get Stolen?
Unfortunately, robot mowers can get stolen. It’s not a regular occurrence, but like almost any items, they can be stolen. Husqvarna has anti-theft measures like security alarms, GPS tracking, and locking the mower to specific lawns, so it can’t be used on other lawns.
