What changed between the Automower 405XE NERA and the new 405VE NERA?

The biggest change is that the Husqvarna Automower 405VE NERA is wire-free out of the box, while the Husqvarna Automower 405XE NERA it replaces arrived set up for a boundary wire. Husqvarna named the 405VE NERA as the successor in its 2026 NERA announcement, and the 405XE NERA is now discontinued.

The 405XE NERA followed a perimeter wire and needed Husqvarna's EPOS Plug-in, bought separately, to use satellite navigation. The 405VE NERA has EPOS satellite RTK built in, with correction data from Husqvarna's cloud over Wi-Fi or its built-in cellular link, so there's usually no wire and no reference station to install.

It also adds an AI vision camera with infrared, which Husqvarna doesn't list for the 405XE NERA. Husqvarna says the camera works alongside the satellite positioning, which should help where signal is weak, for example close to the house.

Husqvarna rates the new model for a larger lawn: 900 m² with systematic mowing, against 600 m² for the 405XE NERA.

Much stays the same. Both have the EdgeCut rear disc, electric height adjustment from 20 mm to 55 mm, a 30% slope rating, the same quoted sound level, built-in cellular and GPS tracking.

If you find a 405XE NERA at a clear discount and don't mind a wire, it is still a capable mower. For a new purchase where you want to avoid a wire, the 405VE NERA, from £2,299, is the simpler route than buying an older model plus the plug-in.