Priced at €579 at launch, the ViAX 250 undercuts the prices seen almost anywhere else in the new-generation robot mower category. As well as doing away with boundary wires and RTK antennas, Mova promises high-quality autonomous mowing and accurate navigation. The question is what such a keen price tag leaves out… To find out, we spent several weeks with it.
Much like the robot vacuum market, robot mowers have undergone a genuine transformation over the past three mowing seasons. Determined to challenge established names such as Husqvarna, Gardena and Bosch, a host of Asian brands have entered the segment with serious ambitions.
Dreame, Mammotion, Ecovacs, Navimow, Mova and, since this year, Roborock are all multiplying their product ranges with the same objective: making wire-free, RTK-antenna-free robot mowers far more affordable and easier to use.
Aware of this rapidly changing market, the Presse-Citron editorial team is currently testing various models to provide a comprehensive overview of the options available, across different budgets and garden types.
While the models we tested in 2025, including the Dreame A2 and eufy E18, were generally priced closer to €2,000, we are opening 2026 with a considerably more aggressively priced product: the Mova ViAX 250. Starting at €579, this robot mower is intended for small gardens of up to 250 m², with an appealing promise on paper: efficient mowing, advanced obstacle detection and a straightforward installation.
Rather than using the 3D LiDAR sensor found on the Mova 600, the ViAX 250 chiefly relies on a dual HDR camera system assisted by an artificial intelligence platform called UltraEyes 1.0. After several weeks of mowing, it is time to see whether this stripped-back formula is convincing enough, even for the smallest patches of lawn.
Design and installation: a robot mower designed to make life easier
That is the central promise of new-generation robot mowers: simplifying installation by removing the need for a perimeter wire or an RTK antenna placed around the garden. The ViAX 250 delivers fully on that front, as it took us roughly 45 minutes from unboxing to completing the first map.
Measuring 59.5 x 38 x 27.2 cm and weighing 9.4 kg, the robot has a compact footprint. By comparison, a more premium model such as the Segway Navimow i208 LiDAR weighs more than 14 kg. Visually, Mova has opted for restraint. Its shell combines matt and glossy plastics, while the front houses the two HDR cameras used for navigation and obstacle detection. It may not look especially futuristic, but the ViAX 250 feels reassuringly solid rather than like a fragile gadget.
Beneath a protective cover on the top sits a control panel bringing together the key functions. It can start or stop a mowing session, send the robot back to its charging station and switch it on. There is also a dial for manually setting the cutting height from 20 to 60 mm. To keep costs down, Mova has omitted a display. This is not particularly troublesome, as almost all interaction takes place through the app.
Once the robot is connected to Wi-Fi, the app provides effective guidance through every setup stage. Unlike some high-end robots that can map a garden automatically, the ViAX 250 requires you to make an initial circuit of the garden to define its boundaries. It is a fairly enjoyable, remote-control-car-like exercise, especially as the robot is nimble thanks to its very tight turning circle.
Mapping: a step that should not be rushed
As mentioned earlier, the ViAX 250 cannot rely on LiDAR navigation. It is therefore important to supply as much additional information as possible to help it find its way around. We recommend taking the time to mark out exclusion zones around flower beds, trees with exposed roots and garden furniture, for instance.
The app also lets you create separate areas and passages if the garden is divided by a path or patio. With this type of entry-level robot, navigation quality will depend heavily on how carefully you carry out the initial mapping.
Fortunately, the MOVA app is easy to get to grips with, including for anyone new to robot mowers. From there, you can schedule mowing times, alter cutting and edge settings, and view its activity history.
Another welcome surprise at this price is the monitoring feature. Beyond simply accessing the camera feed, the app offers a genuine “Patrol” mode. The robot then follows the boundaries you have selected for the chosen number of circuits, taking photos along the way. It is useful for keeping an eye on the garden. Better still, the robot can act as an intercom through a “Talk” function.
Naturally, some more advanced features remain reserved for costlier models. These include a 3D representation of the garden, multi-map management and settings that allow the robot’s behaviour to be adjusted more precisely for each mowing zone. But the ViAX 250 cannot do everything.
Navigation: once properly prepared, the ViAX 250 performs convincingly
We have emphasised the importance of mapping because we did not take enough time over it ourselves the first time around. Consequently, during its first mowing runs, the robot was hesitant and got stuck several times in an adjoining gravel area. We saw the same issue near a tree, where it repeatedly bumped into the trunk before becoming stranded.
Once those elements had been defined, however, the ViAX 250’s behaviour changed dramatically. Its hesitations almost vanished, and it made more sensible route choices. Despite the lack of LiDAR, Mova has not neglected navigation entirely. The ViAX 250 uses two HDR cameras alongside several sensors that analyse its surroundings. In practice, it consistently covered the assigned area without ever seeming to wander aimlessly.
We also liked its large, treaded rear wheels and its manoeuvrability. The ViAX 250 was comfortable in narrow spaces and when crossing small uneven patches. Do not mistake it for a four-wheel-drive model, though. On a flat 250 m² garden without major challenges, it does its job well. Conversely, it is best avoided if your garden has very rough ground or steep slopes.
Its obstacle detection is another pleasing aspect. Throughout our weeks of testing, the robot correctly recognised objects in its path and carefully drove around them. The only drawback is that real-time tracking in the app lags slightly behind the mower’s actual position. It is not a deal-breaker, but it is worth knowing.
Mowing: a useful manual mode for finishing the edges
The ViAX 250 remains true to its cost-conscious philosophy when it comes to cutting. It uses a disc fitted with three pivoting blades, while the cutting height can only be adjusted manually from 20 to 60 mm using the dial beneath the top cover. It cannot therefore be changed in the app.
Likewise, the mowing options are limited to the essentials. You can start a full mow, target a particular zone or focus solely on the edges. Each option offers a choice of Standard or Efficient mode. That is enough to tailor its operation to your needs, whether for a light tidy-up or the first cut of spring.
In use, the ViAX 250 proved fairly convincing. It covers the area methodically, producing an even finish without missed strips. As with most robot mowers, however, its weak point is edging. Without LiDAR or a dedicated function, it struggles to mow very close to walls and obstacles.
This is where Mova has a small workaround. Aware of these limitations, it allows the ViAX 250 to be controlled through the app for a few manual finishing passes. As during mapping, you simply guide it, activate mowing and complete the job together.
In our garden of around 200 m², around ten minutes was enough to deal with the most awkward edges. So what is the point of buying a robot mower if you still need to assist it? Some will inevitably view this as a limitation. We see it as a pragmatic solution.
Battery life: just enough
Alongside the absence of LiDAR, battery life is the other major compromise made by the ViAX 250. On our 198 m² test area, the robot had to make several trips back to its station before completing the job. As with its rivals, when the battery approaches 15%, it returns to recharge before resuming mowing where it left off.
Before that point, it can cover around 60 m² in one hour, followed by 45 minutes of charging. In total, it took nearly five and a half hours to finish our patch of grass. Extrapolating from this, covering the maximum 250 m² claimed by Mova will require just over seven hours in total, including mowing and recharging.
That amounts to a full working day, without overtime. It is not a major issue in itself, but if you are having friends over for a barbecue, it is best to let it work the day before rather than on the same morning.
Our verdict on the Mova ViAX 250 robot mower
So, what is a wire-free robot mower without a perimeter wire or RTK antenna, costing under €600, worth? Ultimately, the answer comes down to one word: compromise.
The Mova ViAX 250 has neither LiDAR nor remarkable battery life. Its mowing customisation is also less sophisticated than that of more expensive rivals. Nevertheless, Mova delivers on its promises. The ViAX 250 does the essential things the brand says it will do. Installation is quick, the app is pleasant to use and, once mapping has been completed properly, navigation is convincing. The mowing result is similarly even. Most importantly, it also includes manual control to refine the edges.
If your garden is reasonably flat, does not contain too many obstacles and is no larger than 250 m², the ViAX 250 will fulfil its role perfectly. On the other hand, it should not be mistaken for something it is not. Complex, very hilly or heavily cluttered gardens will be better served by pricier models.
Whatever the case, the ViAX 250 is an excellent entry point into the world of wire-free robot mowers, particularly if you have a small suburban lawn. At €579 at launch, and sometimes around €499 when discounted, it is simple: no current model can offer such a complete proposition at this price.
Mova ViAX 250
€575
Overall score: 8
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Design and installation | 8.0/10 |
| Ergonomics and app | 8.0/10 |
| Mowing and navigation | 7.5/10 |
| Battery life and charging | 7.0/10 |
| Technology-to-price ratio | 9.5/10 |
What we like
- Quick installation
- Clear, comprehensive Mova app
- Effective obstacle detection and an even mowing result
- Highly practical manual control mode for refining edges
- Unbeatable technology-to-price ratio for a wire-free robot mower
What we like less
- No LiDAR, so the initial mapping requires care
- Battery life limited to 60 m² per charge
- Cutting height can only be adjusted using the dial
- No 3D map or detailed settings by zone
- Edges require manual finishing
Buy the Mova ViAX 250
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