I was invited to test the new RoboUp Raccoon 2 SE robotic lawnmower and would like to share my experience here. First, an important note: The device was provided to me free of charge, but I’m currently unsure whether I can or want to keep it. Furthermore, this is not yet the final software, which is expected to be released around the turn of the year 2025/2026. Therefore, this review is based on a software beta version of the device.
First impressions: price and design
The RoboUp Raccoon 2 SE is aimed at the low-budget market, with an expected price between €250 and €350. For this price, the robot makes a surprisingly high-quality impression. The design is modern, and setup is straightforward. The robot can independently explore its work area and create a map of the garden, which initially sounds promising.
Strengths: Ideal for small, clearly defined gardens
In “clinically clean” gardens with clear boundaries—for example, barriers or sharp edges between the lawn and other areas—the Raccoon 2 SE delivers solid results. For small urban gardens with clearly defined lawns, it’s quickly ready for use and mows reliably. Its ease of use and attractive design are clear advantages here.
Weaknesses: Limits of navigation and safety
Unfortunately, the robot quickly reaches its limits in more complex gardens. My biggest criticisms concern navigation and obstacle detection:
1. Lack of recognition of boundaries
The Raccoon 2 SE doesn’t recognize virtual boundaries and largely ignores the map it creates, which appears to be used solely for calculating mowing times. In gardens with smooth transitions, such as from lawns to flowerbeds or to neighboring properties without fences, the robot loses its orientation. Open garden gates or chain-link fences are no obstacle for it – it simply continues mowing, even in areas that shouldn’t be mowed. In my test, it repeatedly drove into neighboring meadows or got caught in a chain-link fence because the camera didn’t detect the wire properly.
2. Unreliable obstacle detection
The robot’s front bumper only works when it hits an obstacle in the center. In side collisions, it doesn’t react and drives over branches, low plants, or other obstacles. Particularly worrying is that when reversing—for example, in a flowerbed with the camera blocked—the robot reverses for several meters with the blade running. Without sensors at the rear, there’s a risk of damaging animals or objects.
3. Inefficient mowing strategy
On areas larger than 80 m², the robot switches from systematic to random mowing, which is extremely inefficient. For comparison: My other robotic lawnmower takes 1.5 hours to mow a section of land, while the Raccoon 2 SE estimates it will take 8 hours. Returning to the charging station is also problematic: The robot follows the edge of the lawn counterclockwise until it finds the station’s QR code. This often leads to it straying into flowerbeds or onto neighboring properties.
4. Lack of depth detection
In my garden, for example, the lawn borders directly on 0.5 m high slopes. The robot has no depth detection and would fall there. It’s also careless when turning: Because it doesn’t “know” the length of its tail, it regularly breaks off small branches from shrubs or damages itself on stone walls.
Conclusion: Who is the RoboUp Raccoon 2 SE suitable for?
The RoboUp Raccoon 2 SE has potential for small, clearly defined, typical urban gardens with minimal obstacles. However, it is unsuitable for more complex gardens with flowing transitions, flowerbeds, or unfenced properties. Navigation and obstacle detection are not fully developed in the current beta version, and the lack of depth sensing and unsafe reversing pose risks.
My advice: Before you buy, make sure you’re thoroughly familiar with the device’s current features. Don’t count on future software updates to solve all your problems, as development is often shifted to new models, and older devices receive limited support.
Note: This review is based on a beta version of the device. The final software may fix some of the issues mentioned, but at this point, I would only recommend the Raccoon 2 SE with restrictions -especially because the limits aren’t communicated by RoboUp.