Bosch Indego S+ 350 connect robotic lawnmower review

Having a pristine lawn is easier with the Bosch Indego S+ 350 Robotic Lawn Mower as you can control it from anywhere in the world. Designed to mow a lawn up to 350 m², the Indego S+ 350 is a fantastic and affordable robotic lawn mower.

 

Offering a cutting width of 19 cm and an adjustable cutting height between 3 and 5 cm, the Indego S+ 350 ensure your lawn is maintained to a high standard throughout the year and only requires minimal input from you.

 

At the heart of the Bosch Indego S+ 350 is Bosch’s “LogiCut” navigation, which calculates the most efficient route around your lawn and garden. Rather than using a random cutting pattern, it mows in systematic lanes, making it significantly faster.

 

LogiCut also tracks where it has been and where it needs to go, allowing logical and systematic mowing while also avoiding constant running. While the onboard MultiArea means it can mow up to 3 different lawn areas. Just simply move the mower between the areas to begin.

 

After mowing, the Bosch Indego S+ 350 returns automatically to charge, all on its own. The onboard 2.5 Ah 18 V lithium-ion battery is always fully charged and ready to go. Each charge provides 45 minutes of mowing time.

 

As a Wi-Fi enabled device, you can control the Indego S+ 350 using the controls on the unit, the Bosch Smart Gardening app or through Voice Control via Amazon Alexa. You could quite literally be on the other side of the world and check up on its progress!

 

Indego S+ 350 will also receive free over-the-air software updates throughout the year that improve performance. Another benefit of the built-in Wi-Fi is that Indego considers local weather conditions and avoids rain creating the best possible schedule for the lawn.

 

As with other Bosch robomowers, the S+ 350 offers multiple security and safety options including a manual stop button, sensors and alarm system. You can relax safe in the knowledge your Indego robomower is safely working hard.

 

As one of the best robotic lawn mowers on the market, the Bosch Indego S+ 350 scores a 7/10.

 

 

 

 

 

Design

When you consider Bosch lawn mowers, two features spring to mind, the cut and the now-classic green and charcoal grey colour combination. The Bosch Indego S+ 350 is no different. We’ll answer if the cut lives up to the Bosch standard in a bit but first, let’s dive into the unit.

 

Looking at the top of the robomower, you’ll spot a large, red stop button. Above this button are a display and basic controls, along with status LEDs. Below is a button to adjust the cutting height.

 

At the front of the unit is a bumper. Below this is the charging contacts which mirror the dock. The rear contains a handle for easy moving and a USB port for updating software.

 

Turning the Bosch Indego S+ 350 over reveals two large rear wheels and two smaller caster wheels at the front as well as the three blades which sit on an adjustable deck.

 

Finally, the dock which has a power input, sockets to create a loop with the boundary wire, charging points and a LED which indicates when the Indego S+ 350 is charging.

 

 

 

 

Features

At the heart of the Bosch Indego S+ 350 robomower is an 18V 2.5Ah Lithium-ion battery which takes 45 minutes to charge and provides 30 minutes of mowing. Compared to other robomowers on the market, this ratio is quite good.

 

Designed to cover a lawn up to 350 m², the Indego S+ 350 can handle up to 3 different zones and slopes up to 27%. Of course, the zones must use the same boundary wire and create a loop back to the dock.

 

The Indego mowers use a unique cutting system, called LogiCut, which cuts the lawn using parallel lines and not a random pattern. The onboard LogiCut system calculates the most efficient mowing route while tracking its movements.

 

Using the latest weather forecast, its SmartMowing feature schedules mowing for the right time, in the right weather, for the best results. When the weather worsens or the battery is low, the Bosch Indego S+ 350 returns to dock and starts to recharge until it’s safe to restart.

 

Multiple onboard sensors ensure it avoids obstacles while mowing. A stop button on top forces it to halt within seconds. If the Indego S+ 350 stays outside the boundary wire, the system shuts off the blades until it is back within the loop or you type in your PIN code.

 

Offering quiet and efficient mowing, use the auto-calendar-function to set when you’d like the robomower to work. You can also set it to SpotMow, which targets small areas or Border Cut mode ensures you have tidy edges. Clippings fall back on the lawn, fertilising it in the process.

 

Depending on how technologically savvy you are, the Bosch Indego S+ 350 offers multiple control options. A control panel on the unit covers the basics. You could use the smart device app (iOS and Android versions available) to control your robot lawn mower from anywhere!

 

If you’re already comfortable using voice commands with Amazon Alexa, then why not control your Indego S+ 350 using this method. It’s as flexible as you want it to be.

 

 

Set-up

Installing the Bosch Indego S+ 350 requires some time as you need to lay boundary wire. The docking station requires mains power, and so it needs to be located near your property. It also requires 1-metre clearance either side and 1.5 m in front to allow for the safe movement of the unit.

 

With the dock in place, you can start to lay boundary wire. You need to leave about 30 cm from the edge to the wire to ensure the Indego S+ 350 can move safely around. After laying the wire, you’ll need to peg it in place. Don’t worry if it looks unsightly as the grass will grow and hide it.

 

The two ends of the boundary wire need to be attached to the dock, thus creating a solid loop. Next, place your Bosch Indego S+ 350 robomower on the docking station, complete the basic set-up and allow it to charge.

 

You can create multiple zones within a continual loop or use additional docking stations to create a few separate loops within your garden.

 

Bosch recommends that before using the Indego S+ 350, that you mow your lawn once with a conventional lawn mower to reduce the grass length down so that clippings would be no longer than 5 mm. Also, use a traditional mower for the first mow of the new season or on long grass.

 

It’s worth starting on a higher cutting height setting (3, 4, 5 cm) and then gradually decrease the height of cut as the wire disappears under the grass. You’ll want to watch your Indego S+ 350 the first time to ensure you’re happy with its performance.

 

 

 

 

Performance

Despite a lengthy set-up, the Bosch Indego S+ 350 is very easy to use with many configurable options and is nearly silent. As Bosch is well-respected for their precision mowers, it won’t surprise you that the Indego S+ 350 delivers.

 

It may have a slightly smaller cutting width that other robomowers and only three cutting heights yet it performs superbly and leaves you with a healthy-looking lawn that cut evenly regardless of the season.

 

Unlike most robomower who offer a single mode of operation, which typically is a random pattern, the Bosch Indego S+ 350 offers three different mowing options including SpotMow and Border Cut. The general cutting mode can be used to preset mowing at a certain time on a particular day.

 

However, you have to be present to start either the SpotMow and Border Cut modes or use the App. The App offers far more options than those on the unit including providing error messages and up to the minute tracking just as long as you have Wi-Fi at both ends.

 

The built-in rain sensor while worthwhile misses the point slightly. The controls are open to the air, so they get wet if it starts to rain. As the dock doesn’t cover the unit, the unit isn’t fully protected from the elements. You’ll want to invest in a robomower garage or build one yourself.

 

Borders are another element robomowers struggle with, and the Bosch Indego S+ 350 is no different. As you’re required to keep a gap between the edge and boundary wire, borders aren’t cut. If you have bushes, this could be fine, but you’ll probably end up manually strimming the edges.

 

Overall, it’s pretty much set and forget, and only requires the odd bit of maintenance from you including moving the unit inside in winter and replacing it in spring.

 

 

Is the Bosch Indego S+ 350 worth buying?

If you’re looking for an affordable robotic lawn mower for your small garden (lawn sizes up to 350 m²), then the Bosch Indego S+ 350 could be ideal. It’s easy to use yet is featured-packed with onboard Wi-Fi, multiple cutting modes and an intelligent navigation system.

 

Some users have had issues getting the unit to charge, which could be down to them not getting the docking station correctly set-up or remembering to update the firmware (either using the onboard Wi-Fi or a USB drive). It’s worth checking for updates every few months.

 

That said, the battery charges fairly quickly, and the unit will remember where it’s got to if it needs to recharge part way though. This reduces the time it needs to cut a lawn, allowing it to cover more area on a single charge.

 

We don’t like how the controls on the Bosch Indego S+ 350 are open to the elements, other than the stop button. And while it does have a built-in rain sensor, little protection is provided by the dock. So you’ll need to house the dock in a garage so that the unit is covered when it’s not in use or raining.

 

Another feature that amuses us voice control using Amazon Alexa, which feels a little gimmicky, especially when you consider the unit has controls and the App covers more options yet is user-friendly.

 

If you’re looking for robomower for a small garden that has a precise cut, good battery and offer multiple control methods then consider Bosch Indego S+ 350. 7/10