Whilst the end of summer has approached a little quicker than expected, it's important to know that we've still got a good few months of mowing left before the colder days arrive. This also gives me a few months to showcase the best robotic lawnmowers and best cordless lawn mowers money can buy, and this latest model is a strong example.
Known for its high-quality outdoor power tools, Stihl treated us garden aficionados with a new range of robotic mowers earlier this year. Each model in the iMow range has been updated with new features and improvements, and I've managed to get my hands on one of them.
Keep reading to find out about my experience testing the Stihl iMow 5 Evo, and whether it deserves the praise it's been receiving.
Stihl iMow 5 Evo review: price and availability
The iMow 5 Evo is a part of Stihl's iMow Robotic Mowers lineup, all of which launched earlier this year. There are six mowers included in the lineup, with prices ranging from £1,699 to £3,699.
The iMow 5 Evo has a particular price point of £2,199/$2,999 and can be purchased from the Stihl website as well as selected retailers, including Honey Brothers and Tuckwells.
Stihl iMow 5 Evo review: unboxing and setup
The Stihl iMows require an installation kit to set up, but the entire process is still an easy one. The kits are sold separately to the mower, and there are different options available depending on the size of your lawn. I bought the iMow Installation Kit 2 Plus for £282.50 which was perfect for my medium-sized lawn.
To complete the set up, you have to lay a thin wire around the edge of your lawn and any obstacles. There are clips and fixing pins that hold it in place, but you can also choose to loosely bury the wire if you'd prefer for it not to be on show. There's then a second wire that needs to be installed in the centre of your lawn which helps the mower to travel home to charge.
You then just need to install the My iMow app, which provides guided instructions on how to complete the set up. The mower and charging base come assembled, so there's nothing more to do other than follow the app's guidance.
Stihl iMow 5 Evo review: design and features
Design wise, the Stihl iMow 5 Evo is fitted with 3 free-swinging, extra-sharp blades that help produce a clean cut lawn each time. Stihl recommends changing all three blades at once when replacing a blunt or damaged blade, but it's an easy process as no tools are required.
It's also important to note that it's a mulching mower, meaning it cuts the grass into small clippings before spreading them back onto the lawn as mulch. The mulch then decomposes and acts as a natural fertiliser for the grass. I personally prefer a mulching mower as you're producing natural fertiliser for your lawn, and you don't have to empty a pesky grass catcher box. It's a win-win!
We'll cover the My iMow app shortly, but if you prefer to manually control your robot mower, you'll be happy to hear that the iMow 5 Evo is just as easy to use without the app. You can press the info button on the control panel which offers a spoken response on when the next mowing session is. You can also send the mower to the charging base, out to mow or lock the mower, and its LED matrix display shows the current status and whether there's an issue that needs attention.
One of my favourite things about the Stihl iMow 5 Evo has to be its mowing schedule feature. It's not ideal if you have children and dogs that tend to leave things on the lawn, but as someone with neither of those, it's a great time-saver. When the mower finishes its schedule, it makes its way back to the charging base ready for next time.
There's also a handy rain sensor which gives the iMow 5 Evo the ability to decide whether or not to mow based on the weather. This can be adjusted via the app, allowing you to decide how it reacts to rain.
Another ideal feature is its alarm function. If the iMow 5 Evo is lifted up, an alarm is triggered that automatically switches off when it's set down again. GPS tracking also locks the mower's its control functions if it is removed from the home area. Both of these things are great for providing peace of mind against theft, especially as it's a bit of kit that's meant to be kept outdoors.
Bump and ultrasonic sensors don't always pick up lighter/smaller objects such as toys and sleeping dogs etc.
Stihl iMow 5 Evo review: app
As mentioned, the Stihl iMow 5 Evo is controlled using the My iMow app. The app allows you to manage all of its functions, including sending it out to mow, returning it to the dock, changing the mowing plan, and adjusting the cutting height. Like a lot of the best robot vacuum cleaners, the mower has a mobile connection which allows its user to control the mower outside of the house.
I found the app very easy to use, and it was great being to able to schedule a mow when out and about. I also really liked being able to alter the boundary wire over cut, which adjusts the distance it cuts past the boundary wire.
Unfortunately, there were quite a few occasions when the app logged me out for no apparent reason, especially when I had just used it. This was on and off, but it's something to note if you'd find it frustrating.
Stihl iMow 5 Evo review: performance
Overall, I am extremely impressed with the Stihl iMow 5 Evo. There's no doubt that it's left my lawn in a great condition, with the grass looking noticeably greener and thicker. I've mostly put this down to the mulch, but I've noticed the mower leaves a great finish, and I love the way my lawn looks once it's finished mowing.
It's clear the iMow 5 Evo can handle uneven ground and slopes well, which is something that a lot of robotic mowers fall short on. I was slightly disappointed that it couldn't cut right up to the edges, and found myself using a strimmer in a few locations. It can't cut up to the edges so some strimming is required if you want to keep a neat lawn, but this wasn't overly noticeable.
The mower also has a good runtime and charges quickly. It's all automated as well so if it needs to recharge before finishing the lawn, it will charge and then continue when it's ready.
One thing that surprised me after a few uses was how quiet the mower is. I even scheduled a mow to take place at night a few weeks ago, and I couldn't hear it indoors at all.
Stihl iMow 5 Evo review: verdict
I've loved using the Stihl iMow 5 Evo, and would strongly recommend it to anyone that's looking for a reliable robotic mower that produces a great looking lawn. It has an array of impressive features, including a mowing schedule, rain sensor and impressive GPS tracking, and the My iMow app also deserves a special mention. I did find the app to log me out on occasions, and I was disappointed at the mower's inability to cut up to the edges. However, these two things aren't enough for me to dissuade anyone from buying it, and it's definitely up there with some of the best mowers I've tried in a long time.
Stihl iMow 5 Evo review: alternatives to consider
One alternative to consider would undoubtedly be the Segway Navimow iSeries 105E. It has very similar app functionality to the Stihl iMow 5 Evo and also operates very quietly. It also won't cut grass to the very edge, but no perimeter wire is required, so that's a huge plus.
Another alternative has to be the Lawnmaster L10. It's a great option if you're looking for a robotic mower that's more affordable, especially if your lawn is on the smaller side. There's no smart connectivity features or smartphone app, but everything else about the L10 points to a budget bargain.
