EGO AURA-R2 RMR3000E review: A smarter way to mow large gardens

Robotic lawn mowers are no longer a novelty for neat, suburban squares of grass. As gardens become larger and more complex, manufacturers are promising machines that can cope with slopes, trees and multiple zones without the need for boundary wires. The AURA R2 RMR3000E from EGO is designed for lawns of up to 3,000m² and uses GPS supported mapping, a front facing camera and app control to deliver a fully automated cut. On paper, it is a serious piece of kit aimed at gardeners who want pristine results without spending every weekend pushing a mower.

For this review, Reviews Editor Emily Gilbert tested the AURA R2 on a challenging garden of around 1,000m² with long slopes, steep mounds, roughly 20 trees and a sunken vegetable patch.

Testing the AURA-R2 RMR3000E Robotic Lawn Mower

As a busy parent with a toddler and a dog, time in our garden is precious and usually focused on play rather than maintenance. My garden still needs to look presentable, but finding a solid two hour window to mow, edge and clear up is not always realistic. I wanted a solution that would quietly get on with the job in the background, be safe around children and pets, and cope with a large, uneven garden without constant supervision.

The AURA range is available in three capacities to suit different garden sizes. The RMR1500E covers lawns up to 1,500m² with up to 20 mowing zones and is priced at £1,799. The RMR3000E, tested below, handles up to 3,000m² with 30 zones at £2,199. At the top end, the RMR6000E covers an impressive 6,000m² with 40 zones and costs £3,299, making it a serious option for very large or more complex plots.

First impressions and set up

Out of the box, the AURA R2 was impressively well packaged. There was no assembly required and all parts were clearly laid out, with no fear of accidentally discarding something vital with the cardboard and wrapping. That alone made a refreshing change from many large garden appliances.

Setting it up was, for the most part, straightforward. A PIN number is required during the initial start up. I did spend longer than I would have liked hunting through the packaging and user manual to find it, as it was not immediately obvious. Once located, the rest of the process was smooth.

The app guided me through installation step by step. The instructions were clear and easy to follow, and there was even a helpful video explaining how to achieve the best results when mapping the garden. Some of the hardware was a little fiddly to position, particularly the charging station and antenna, and there are restrictions on where the base can be placed. It is not the most attractive addition to a lawn, but after a couple of days I barely noticed it, especially once I saw the quality of the cut.

Mapping and customisation

Mapping the garden is done via the app, manually guiding the mower around the boundary using your phone. It took me a few attempts to get this right, largely because I needed to get used to controlling it remotely. Once I got the hang of it, I was able to create an accurate boundary that followed the shape of my garden perfectly.

One of the most useful features is the ability to fence off areas you do not want the mower to enter. I marked out my sunken vegetable patch as a no go zone and the AURA R2 has not strayed into it once. For those with more complex layouts, it can also move automatically between zones, which can be set up during the mapping stage.

Performance on slopes and uneven ground

I was genuinely sceptical about how a robotic mower would cope with my terrain. The garden is far from flat, with longer inclines and smaller, steeper mounds dotted throughout. Add in 20 trees and uneven patches and it is a stern test for any machine.

I have been overwhelmingly impressed. The cut is clean and consistent, and it handles slopes and bumps with ease. It tracks the defined boundary accurately and I have not noticed any obvious missed patches. The front facing camera adds reassurance, particularly with children or pets around, as it stops before a collision. It has occasionally become stuck in the odd rabbit hole towards the back of the garden, but the app sends an alert straight away so mowing time is not lost.

App control and day to day use

The app is one of the AURA R2’s strongest points. It is simple and uncluttered, with a clear visual layout of the garden, showing areas covered and the percentage completed. There is a straightforward button to start mowing, alongside options to adjust the cutting height and set a weekly schedule.

There are some lighter touches, such as customisable mood lighting, which is fun to experiment with even if it is not something I have left switched on. More practically, the scheduling function has transformed how I maintain the lawn. I have been running it three times a week between 06:00 and 21:00 for the past four weeks. In that time, I have not used my petrol mower once.

Because it cuts little and often, there are no piles of clippings to clear and no bags of grass to dispose of. Previously, I would spend around two hours every week or two mowing, filling several bags with trimmings. Now the lawn simply stays at the height I want, with no big cutting session required.

Battery life has proved more than adequate. When the charge runs low, the mower automatically returns to its base and is ready to go again quickly. For my 1,000m² garden with all its slopes and obstacles, it generally achieves full coverage within 16 hours.

Security and support

There is also reassurance on the security front. An anti theft feature creates a virtual boundary and triggers an alarm if the mower leaves the designated area. The PIN required to access the controls on the unit itself adds another layer of protection.

I did encounter an issue early on where a function mentioned in the paper manual was not visible in the app. After contacting EGO support via the website, the problem was resolved within 24 hours through remote access by the team. I did not have to tinker with settings or attempt a fix myself, which was impressive customer service.

Final verdict

At £2,199, the AURA R2 RMR3000E is undoubtedly a premium purchase, and more expensive than some ride on mowers. However, after four weeks of reliable performance, I am firmly converted. It has coped brilliantly with a large, uneven and tree filled garden, delivering a clean, consistent cut without the noise, fumes or time commitment of petrol. For busy households in particular, the time saved and the consistently immaculate finish make a compelling case for the investment.

The app is intuitive, the mapping is precise once mastered and the ability to maintain the lawn little and often has transformed my routine.

For larger or more complex gardens, this feels like a genuinely efficient alternative to a ride on. If you value your weekends and want a lawn that looks freshly cut without the effort, the AURA R2 makes a compelling case for going robotic.

Features & Reviews Editor Emily Gilbert has been a journalist since 2015 and has worked across a variety of specialist and lifestyle brands both in print and online. Specialising in travel content and product reviews, Emily is the first to know about all the exciting new releases, her favourite being gadgets for the home.