I had never used a robot lawn mower. After 30 days with Mammotion’s newest model, I can’t go back.

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My partner and I bought our first house this year, and after 10 years of apartment living, there’s a lot we’ve had to adjust to — a bigger space to keep clean, more utility bills to manage, and frantically looking for someone to replace rusted bathroom pipes. It’s also the first time we’ve been responsible for maintaining our outdoor space, which, as we’ve learned, is easier said than done.

With so much to do while we both work full-time jobs, I was intrigued when my boss asked me to review the Mammotion LUBA 3 AWD (thank you, Ollie [No, thank you! – ed.]). The idea of having a robot mow my lawn sounded like a dream come true, and while I’d heard of robot lawn mowers, I still wasn’t sure what to expect. If my past experiences with robot vacuums were anything to go by, it wouldn’t be great.

However, after living with the Mammotion LUBA 3 AWD for a little over a month, I honestly can’t imagine homeownership without it.

Mammotion ships the LUBA 3 AWD in a big cardboard box (which I recommend moving with two people). After removing the LUBA 3 AWD and its accompanying accessory boxes from the main shipping container, the setup is actually quite simple.

The first step is to attach the front bumper, which easily clicks into place and is secured with two included Phillips screws. You then flip the mower onto its back (you can use the included shipping styrofoam to safely do this) to screw in the two side bumpers. Flip the LUBA 3 back onto its wheels, insert the security key into the back (which it can’t run without), and that’s it for the mower itself.

Next, you need to install the charging/docking station. Mammotion recommends placing it outside on your lawn and includes stakes to secure it, but I don’t have a good place in my yard to do so. Instead, I just put the charging station in my garage near the garage door. You’re technically supposed to use expansion bolts (not included) if the charging station is on concrete, but mine has worked just fine without them.

With previous Mammotion robot mowers, the next step is to install an RTK antenna—an essential component that ensures your mower has a pinpoint satellite view of your yard. But unlike those older models, the LUBA 3 AWD connects to Mammotion’s iNavi network, giving you satellite connectivity baked right into the mower, no RTK required. This really elevates the plug-and-play nature of the LUBA 3 AWD, and for someone like me who doesn’t want to mess with outdoor wires and cable management, I don’t think I’d buy a robot lawn mower without this capability.