Husqvarna Automower: Wired vs. EPOS

Over the years, Husqvarna’s Automower lineup has relied heavily on boundary wire systems to define where the mower can and cannot go. But more recently, the company introduced EPOS (Exact Positioning Operating System)technology, which enables wire‑free (virtual boundary) operation. Husqvarna+2Husqvarna+2

At a high level:

• Wired (Boundary Wire) approach: A physical wire (copper core, insulated) is laid around the perimeter and optional internal “cutting islands.” The mower senses the magnetic field from that wire to know the zone. Husqvarna+3Husqvarna+3Husqvarna+3

• EPOS (Wire-free / Virtual Boundary) approach: Uses RTK/GNSS satellite positioning with correction signals to precisely locate the mower in space, together with a reference station or cloud corrections. That allows you to define virtual boundaries via the app (no buried wire). Robotic Mowing+3Husqvarna+3Husqvarna+3

Below, I break down key aspects to help you see where one might be better than the other for your situation.

Key Comparison Points

FactorWired (Boundary Wire)EPOS / Wire-freeInstallation Effort & ComplexityYou need to plan the layout, dig/fix the wire underground (or surface mount), connect to the charging station, splices, etc. Husqvarna+4Husqvarna+4Husqvarna+4You’ll need to set up a reference station (or rely on cloud correction) and ensure good satellite signal / line-of-sight. Virtual boundaries are drawn in the app. LawnPowerTools+3Husqvarna+3Husqvarna+3Flexibility / Ease of ChangesModifying wire layout (for new islands, obstacles) means digging, cutting/re‑routing wire, testing signal, etc.Very flexible. You can edit zones, create no-go zones, etc via software/app without touching wires.Reliability / DurabilityThe wire is susceptible to damage (garden works, digging, tree roots, animals), corrosion, breaks. But the technology is mature and well known. ToolPortfolio+3Husqvarna+3Husqvarna+3EPOS is newer, so edge cases may be less “proven.” Also, it depends on satellite & correction data — in obstructed areas (trees, buildings), performance may degrade. Husqvarna+3TechRadar+3LawnPowerTools+3AccuracyGood enough for most lawns; the mower detects the boundary wire reliably within its tolerance. But “bleed” near edges / small islands may need fine tuning.Very high precision (centimetre‑level) thanks to RTK / GNSS + corrections. Husqvarna+2Husqvarna+2CostLower hardware cost (you just need wire, connectors, etc), but more labour/cost in installation/maintenance over yearsHigher upfront (reference station, hardware) and possibly subscription/cloud correction infrastructure.Dependence on External ConditionsMostly independent of sky / satellite — only wire signal mattersDependent on satellite visibility, signal strength, correction data. If signal is blocked or reference station fails, mower accuracy could degrade.Switching / Hybrid UseYou’re “locked in” to the wire system unless you redo a lotHusqvarna allows switching between wire and EPOS modes in some models. HusqvarnaBest Use CasesGardens with dense tree cover, lots of obstacles that obstruct sky views, or where reliable satellite is trickyOpen lawns, areas where flexibility is valuable, frequent changes to layout, minimal digging

Deep Dive: How EPOS Works & Its Challenges

Here’s a bit more technical for those interested:

• EPOS uses RTK (Real-Time Kinematic) methods, which combine GNSS satellite signals (e.g. GPS, Galileo, etc) with correction data (either via a local reference station or via cloud services) to reduce positional error down to centimetres. Husqvarna+2Husqvarna+2

• Husqvarna supports two ways to get reference / correction data: via the Husqvarna Cloud or via a local reference station. Husqvarna

• Because EPOS depends on satellite signals, obstacles like heavy tree cover, tall buildings, dense foliage, or even satellites’ line-of-sight issues can impair performance. TechRadar+2LawnPowerTools+2

• If the reference station or correction link fails, or if signal is lost, the mower might revert to redundant sensors or fail to correctly maintain boundaries.

• Some of the newer Automower models allow you to switch between EPOS and boundary wire modes when needed (for instance, temporarily use wire in hard shadowed zones). Husqvarna

Real-World Lessons & Considerations

• Many existing owners complain about boundary wire breaks (from garden works, pets, mower nicking, etc). One user said: “My gardener is breaking the wire all the time! Sick of it now.” Reddit

• Others who have EPOS models say startup/having to re-map zones is much easier.

• Some EPOS models, like the new 450X EPOS, are marketed on removing the wire burden entirely. Pro Tool Reviews+1

• However, reviewers caution that EPOS may struggle in gardens with obstructed sky views. TechRadar’s review of the 305E NERA (a wire-free model) noted it “struggles under tree cover or restricted sky views.” TechRadar

What Should You Choose? (Advice & Questions to Ask)

Ultimately, which system is best depends on your yard, priorities, and constraints. Here’s a decision guide / checklist:

1. How open is your property (sky visibility)?
   If you have many tall trees, structures, or heavy shade, EPOS may struggle. Wired is more robust in tricky sight lines.

2. How often will you change your layout / garden shape?
   If you frequently add garden beds, features, fountains, etc, the flexibility of EPOS is appealing.

3. What's your budget (both hardware and labour)?
   Wired is cheaper hardware but more labour/maintenance. EPOS has higher upfront cost and possibly ongoing maintenance/correction infrastructure.

4. Do you want a “futureproof” / less maintenance system?
   EPOS removes many maintenance headaches of wires (breaks, repairs). But it introduces new dependencies (satellite, reference station).

5. Redundancy matters?
   Models that allow switching between wire and EPOS modes can give you fallback options if one system fails.

6. Professional vs DIY installation
   Wired installations are relatively well-understood; EPOS installations require correct placement of a reference station and calibration.

7. Noise, precision, edge cutting
   EPOS may allow snappier boundary edges; but for most lawns, wired accuracy is sufficient.

Sample Blog Post (More Narrative / “Story” Style)

Imagine this: You never dig a trench again. You never hunt for a snapped wire. You can redesign your garden and redraw mowing zones in minutes — all from your phone. That’s the promise of Husqvarna’s EPOS. But does that promise hold up when your backyard is dappled in shade, crowded with trees, or backed by tall houses?

For decades, robotic mowers have relied on physical boundary wires — copper cores you bury, splice, maintain. It’s proven, reliable, and works even in the darkest, most obstructed yards. The downside? If someone accidentally drills through it, or roots work it loose, your mower goes haywire.

Enter EPOS — satellite-driven precision, virtual boundaries, and flexibility. You define zones, and the mower “knows” where to mow, where to avoid, with centimetre-level accuracy. But in real life, things like tree cover, signal noise, or a clouded reference station can trip it up.

So if your yard is open, you love flexibility and want minimal upkeep, EPOS is very compelling. But if your yard is shady, with obstacles and tight corners, or you prefer a system that “just works” without satellite dependencies, wired still holds weight.

In the end — or rather, at the beginning — choose based on your yard. And if you can, go for a model that supports both modes (wire + EPOS) — so you get the best of both worlds.