HOOKII Neomow X review – Premium robotic lawnmower for lawns up to 6000 m²

Three models for different sized gardens

The HOOKII Neomow X is available in three models, differing primarily in their range and battery capacity. The smallest version, the Neomow X Lite, is designed for properties up to 2000 square meters. The regular Neomow X model can cover lawns up to 4000 square meters, while the Pro version can cover lawns up to 6000 square meters.

All models use the same technology. Instead of ground cables or barges, the Neomow X navigates across the lawn using a 3D LiDAR system combined with a camera. It also features automatic obstacle detection and an app that allows you to individually define all mowing areas, restricted zones, and schedules.

While the Lite and standard versions each last about two hours, the Neomow X Pro offers up to three hours of mowing time per charge. It has a slightly more powerful battery with 17,5 Ah instead of 13 Ah. Depending on the terrain, this is enough to cover up to 1.000 square meters at a time.

Neomow X: Scope of delivery and first impression

The HOOKII Neomow X is delivered in a large, sturdy box that weighs over 25 kilograms.

Inside you'll find the robotic lawnmower itself, along with the charging station, a power supply, ground anchors, spare blades, a cleaning brush, and a multilingual instruction manual. Everything is neatly organized and makes a well-thought-out impression even upon unpacking.

Etwas enttäuschend ist, dass keine  Überdachung oder Garage  im Lieferumfang enthalten ist. Auch vom Hersteller selbst wird bislang keine entsprechende Überdachung als separates Zubehör angeboten. Wer den Mähroboter im Freien nutzt, muss also selbst aktiv werden und auf Drittanbieter-Lösungen zurückgreifen. Alternativ lässt sich die Ladestation laut Hersteller auch direkt in einer bestehenden Garage oder einem geschützten Bereich aufstellen, sodass eine separate Überdachung kein Muss ist.

Additionally, the included power cable is quite short at around five meters. Depending on the location of the nearest power outlet, the charging station cannot always be conveniently positioned without an additional extension cable.

Measuring 72,9 x 50,8 x 33,8 centimeters and weighing 17,1 kilograms, the Neomow X is one of the heavier devices in its class. The Pro version weighs even more at 17,5 kilograms, due to its larger battery.

Visually, the robot, with its chunky wheels and front bumper, is more reminiscent of an oversized RC vehicle than a typical robotic lawnmower.

The LiDAR unit is located on top of the housing, along with several physical buttons for start, stop, and home, as well as an easily accessible emergency stop button. The illuminated HOOKII logo is also prominently placed. For my taste, the brand logo could have been integrated a bit more discreetly.

Overall, the build quality makes a solid impression, even though the plastic is somewhat susceptible to scratches. More on that in a moment.

Neomow X: Setup and mapping

One of the biggest advantages of the HOOKII Neomow X is that it doesn't require a boundary wire. Instead of laboriously laying wire, the robotic lawnmower uses a combination of LiDAR SLAM and a camera to virtually scan the lawn. This saves time during setup and also makes the system significantly more flexible, for example, when making subsequent changes or redesigns to the garden.

After setting up the charging station, ideally with at least 50 centimeters of free space on both sides and two meters in front, the robot is connected via the company's own Neomow app. It's important to choose the right app, as two HOOKII applications appear in the store. Only the app called "Neomow" is intended for this model.

After creating an account and connecting via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, a firmware update is automatically offered, which takes about five minutes. The app is clearly structured and guides you through the setup process step by step.

Instead of automatically scanning the garden, you have to steer the robotic lawnmower along the lawn edges using a virtual joystick. The device should stay as close to the lawn edge as possible without crossing it. This generally works well, but requires some finesse, as the Neomow X's size and weight make it less maneuverable than smaller models.

Small bumps can occur, especially in narrow passages or corners with fixed curbs. This wasn't without consequences in our test. During the first mapping, a scratch on the housing was already visible, caused by light contact with a curb.

Once the first zone has been completely covered, the map can be saved and expanded to include additional areas. Passageways—paths between two mowing zones, no-go zones, and return paths to the charging station—can also be created manually.

While mapping is more complex than with systems with automatic area recognition, it offers the advantage of being able to precisely determine where mowing should and should not occur. Once setup is complete, everything runs reliably without the need for constant recalibration.

Neomow X: App Features

The app is clearly structured and offers quick access to all important functions. In addition to mapping, you can also create schedules, activate or deactivate mowing zones, and select various operating modes. In everyday use, the app runs smoothly. Changes are applied quickly, and the connection to the robot remained stable during testing.

Particularly helpful are the many customizable settings that allow for fine-tuning the mowing process. For example, you can specify whether the robotic lawnmower can operate in rain, how closely the mowing lines should be set, or whether patch mowing is activated for particularly thorough coverage. A pure edge-cutting mode is also available, in which the Neomow X moves exclusively along the boundaries.

Additional options such as a night mode for the LED logo on the front or control of the return angle to the charging station offer additional flexibility. You can even customize the behavior of the obstacle detection. This allows you to specify whether visual sensors should always be active or whether the mechanical bumper should be used exclusively for edges.

What's missing is a smart home connection. The robot can't yet be integrated with Alexa or Google Home. IFTTT or other automation options aren't currently planned. While this isn't a major drawback, it would have been a nice bonus.

Neomow X: Practical test

When mowing, the Neomow X delivers a clean overall cut. With a cutting width of 28 centimeters, it can handle even larger areas quickly. The cutting height can be adjusted in 5-millimeter increments between 30 and 85 millimeters.

Five rotating blades ensure an even cut, provided the grass isn't too high or too dense. In such cases, the patch mowing mode can help, automatically detecting problem areas and reworking them. Alternatively, you can schedule multiple passes in the app, for example, in a crisscross pattern, for even more consistent results.

The robotic lawnmower works systematically in straight lines rather than randomly, which significantly improves the cutting pattern. Mulch residue is evenly distributed and barely noticeable. Only in wet or very dense grass do small piles occasionally remain.

The low noise level is a positive feature. HOOKII claims a noise level of under 60 decibels, which corresponds to the subjective impression in the test. Nothing more than a gentle whirring of the blades is audible. Even in the early morning or late evening, no one is bothered by this.

Obstacle detection works reliably. The LiDAR, camera, and mechanical bumper work well together, detecting both small objects like toys and larger obstacles like trees or garden furniture. However, in narrow passages or sharp angles, brief contact occurs occasionally. The option to manually adjust the map helps here to specifically avoid such areas.

The Neomow X also easily handles slight inclines. The manufacturer specifies a gradient limit of up to 24 degrees, or around 45 percent. The robot drove smoothly on our slightly hilly test area. The coarse-treaded wheels provide sufficient grip even on wet surfaces or loose leaves. Only on very uneven terrain did it slow down slightly, but it never got stuck.

The Neomow X also impresses with its battery performance. The standard model ran for an average of around two hours, covering between 600 and 800 square meters per charge. Thanks to its larger battery, the Pro version can run for up to three hours and cover up to 1000 square meters. As soon as the battery runs low, the robot automatically returns to the charging station, charges for about three hours, and then continues exactly where it left off.

Edge trimming is less well-designed. While the robot moves relatively close to boundaries, it often leaves a narrow strip of a few centimeters. It keeps a greater distance for safety reasons, especially around walls or hard edges. Therefore, if you want a clean all around, you'll occasionally have to manually assist with the trimmer.

Ein weiterer Kritikpunkt betrifft die  Regenerkennung . Im Test mähte der Roboter trotz aktivierter Regenpause mehrfach bei nasser Witterung weiter. Das kann nicht nur unschöne Spuren im Rasen hinterlassen, sondern langfristig auch dem Mähwerk schaden. Laut Hersteller soll demnächst eine neue Firmware erscheinen, welche die Regenerkennung verbessert. Geplant ist außerdem eine Einstellung zur Regenempfindlichkeit, mit der Nutzer die Erkennung an ihre Umgebung anpassen können.

There's also room for improvement in theft protection. While the Neomow X has an integrated eSIM and GPS, allowing its location to be retrieved at any time via the app, it lacks a real alarm function. Neither audible warning signals nor geofencing are implemented, making the protection rather passive. Those who want to play it safe should consider additional measures such as a lockable garage.

Cleaning is quick and easy. Grass clippings mainly collect around the wheels and the mowing deck. With the included brush, this can be done in just a few minutes. However, you should avoid using a garden hose, as the robot is only splash-proof and not designed for a thorough cleaning.