---
title: "RTK vs LiDAR vs Vision Robot Mowers"
description: "RTK uses satellites and a base station, LiDAR uses lasers, vision uses cameras. A plain comparison of how each works and where each can struggle."
canonical: "https://homerobotcompared.com/articles/rtk-vs-lidar-vs-vision-robot-mowers"
category: "How they work"
published: "2026-10-09"
updated: "2026-10-09"
---

# RTK vs LiDAR vs Vision Robot Mowers

**Short answer:** RTK finds its position from satellites plus a fixed base station, LiDAR measures distances with lasers, and vision uses cameras. Many mowers combine two of them. Each can struggle in different conditions, so the right one depends on your yard, not on a ranking.

## What do RTK, LiDAR, and vision actually mean?

These are the three main ways wire-free robot mowers find their way without a boundary wire. If you want the bigger picture first, start with [wire-free robot lawn mowers explained](/articles/wire-free-robot-lawn-mowers-explained/).

**RTK** stands for real-time kinematic. The mower reads signals from navigation satellites, as a phone map does. A fixed base station in your yard sends corrections, so the mower can place itself much more precisely. Makers claim accuracy down to centimeters.

**LiDAR** stands for light detection and ranging. The mower sends out laser pulses and measures how long they take to bounce back. This gives it a picture of the distance to fences, trees, and walls around it.

**Vision** means cameras. Software looks at the images to spot grass, edges, and obstacles.

**Combos** are common. A mower might pair satellite positioning with cameras, or lasers with cameras, so one source can help when the other is weak.

## How do they compare side by side?

This table is general. It describes the idea behind each method, not any one model.

| | RTK | LiDAR | Vision |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it finds its way | Satellite signals plus corrections from a fixed base station | Laser distance measurements that build a 3D picture of surroundings | Cameras and image-recognition software |
| What it needs | A base station with a clear sky view and power; mower needs sky view too | A clear line of sight for the sensor | Enough light and a clean camera view |
| Where it can struggle | Tree cover and buildings that block the sky | May struggle with some conditions; check the maker | Can struggle in darkness or glare, depending on the system |
| Typical use | Often paired with cameras | Often paired with cameras | Alone or paired with satellites or lasers |

No row is a score. A method that can struggle in one yard may work well in another. Makers publish their own limits, so read them for the models you like.

## What does the catalog say about each type?

Figures come from our catalog of 378 robot lawn mowers (data as of 2026-10-07). They are what the makers claim.

Counts of models by navigation label, with the middle (median) claimed maximum lawn area and slope for each group:

| Navigation label | Models | Median claimed max area | Median claimed max slope |
|---|---|---|---|
| RTK plus vision | 154 | 1,500 m2 (about 16,100 sq ft) | 45% (about 24 degrees) |
| 3D LiDAR plus vision | 70 | 1,600 m2 (about 17,200 sq ft) | 50% |
| RTK satellite positioning | 33 | 5,000 m2 (about 53,800 sq ft) | 40% |
| Vision only | 27 | 800 m2 (about 8,600 sq ft) | 40% |
| LiDAR | 8 | 1,000 m2 (about 10,800 sq ft) | 45% |

Some things to keep in mind when you read this:

- **These are descriptions of the catalog, not of the technology.** The groups differ in what kinds of models they contain. A larger median area for one group may reflect the models in that group, such as bigger machines for larger lawns, and says nothing about how well the sensor works.
- **Group sizes differ a lot.** Eight LiDAR models is a small group, so its medians can shift a lot with one model.
- **Some figures are missing.** For example, slope is listed for 149 of the 154 RTK plus vision models and 26 of the 27 vision-only models.
- **Prices are too thin to compare.** List prices are known for only 3 of the 8 LiDAR models and 6 of the 27 vision-only models, so we do not compare prices across these types. Overall, a list price is known for 145 of 378 models.

Across all groups, 292 models are wire-free. 187 carry an RTK label (154 plus 33), but only 37 are listed as needing an RTK base station. We cannot explain that gap from our data. Check the maker for what is in the box.

## Which one is right for my yard?

Start from your yard, not from the sensor.

- **Lots of tall trees or tall buildings close to the lawn?** Look closely at how a model deals with a weak sky view, since RTK relies on one. Makers state what happens when the signal drops.
- **Parts of the lawn in deep shade, or lawn mowed mostly at dusk or at night?** Read what the maker says about camera-based systems in low light.
- **Lawn with many fences, walls, or tight gaps?** Distance sensing may matter to you. Look at how the maker describes it.
- **Not sure?** A model that combines two methods gives the mower a second way to check its position, according to the makers who build them. You can ask the maker how it behaves in your type of yard.

## For the details-minded

RTK corrects for errors in satellite signals using a reference point whose location is known exactly. LiDAR builds a point cloud, a set of distance readings in 3D, and software compares it over time to track movement. Vision systems use image processing to detect lawn texture, edges, and obstacles. Many mowers fuse several sources, which is why a label like "RTK plus vision" is common. Our labels are a simplification of how makers describe their products, and the definitions are in our [glossary](/articles/robot-lawn-mower-glossary/).

## What this means for you

Pick based on conditions in your yard: sky view, shade, obstacles, and layout. No sensor type is the right answer for every lawn, and the maker's own limits are the most useful guide.

## Next step

Our [help me choose quiz](/help-me-choose/) starts with your yard and narrows from there. For a wider checklist, see [how to choose a robot lawn mower](/articles/how-to-choose-a-robot-lawn-mower/).

## Quick answers

**What is the difference between RTK and GPS?**
Standard GPS gives a rough position. RTK adds corrections from a fixed base station so the position can be much more precise, according to makers.

**Do I need a base station for RTK?**
Some models do and some do not. In our catalog 37 are listed as needing one. Check the model.

**Can cameras work at night?**
It depends on the model and its lighting. Camera systems can struggle in darkness, so read the maker's notes.

**Is LiDAR better than cameras?**
Neither is better in general. They sense different things and can fail in different conditions.

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Web page: https://homerobotcompared.com/articles/rtk-vs-lidar-vs-vision-robot-mowers