What changed between the original Automower 450X and the 450X NERA?

The biggest change is that the Husqvarna Automower 450X NERA can work without a boundary wire, while the original Husqvarna Automower 450X can't. Husqvarna now lists the old model only on a support page marked discontinued.

According to Husqvarna's spec tables, the differences are:

• Navigation: the 450X uses a boundary wire only. The 450X NERA comes as a wired mower or as a bundle with the EPOS Plug-in, which uses satellite RTK and virtual boundaries.
• Rated area: the 450X was rated for 5,000 m², the same as the wired 450X NERA. The wire-free bundle reaches 7,500 m² because it mows in lines.
• Obstacles: the 450X NERA adds radar object detection.
• Connectivity: both have built-in cellular and GPS tracking; the NERA adds Wi-Fi.
• Weather and slopes: the NERA is rated IPX5 against IPX4, and 50% inside the lawn against 45%. Along the boundary the NERA is rated for 25%, up from 15%.

Some things didn't change: both cut a 240 mm strip with electric height adjustment from 20 mm to 60 mm. One figure went the other way: Husqvarna quotes a longer run time per charge for the old 450X than for the NERA model.

If you own a working 450X on a wire you're happy with, there's little reason to switch. If you're buying new, note that Husqvarna names the Husqvarna Automower 450V NERA as the 450X NERA's replacement.