Although the end of summer has come a little sooner than expected, it is important to know that we still have a few months left to mow before the cold days set in. This also gives me a few months to show off what summer is like. The best robotic lawnmower And best cordless lawn mower Things that money can buy, and this latest model is a powerful example of that.
Known for its high-quality outdoor power tools, Stihl gifted us gardening enthusiasts with a new range of robotic mowers earlier this year. iMow Range has been updated with new features and improvements, and I managed to get one of them.
Keep reading to learn about my experience testing Still from iMovie 5 EvoAnd does it deserve the praise it is getting.
Stihl iMove 5 Evo review: Price and availability
The iMow 5 Evo is part of Stihl’s iMow robotic mower lineup, which launched earlier this year. The lineup includes six mowers, ranging in price from £1,699 to £3,699.
The iMow 5 Evo costs £2,199/$2,999 and can be purchased here. Stihl Website as well as selected retailers, including Honey Brothers And Tuckwells,
(Image credit: Stihl)
Stihl iMove 5 Evo review: Unboxing and setup
Still iMowers requires an installation kit to install, but the whole process is still easy. Kits are sold separately to the mower, and there are different options available depending on the size of your lawn. I bought iMow Installation Kit 2 Plus At £282.50 that was perfect for my medium sized lawn.
To complete the set up, you need 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 loosen and bury the wire if you don’t want it to be visible. Then there is a second wire that needs to be installed in the center of your lawn which helps to take the mower home for charging.
iMow Installation Kit 2 Plus
Then you just need to install the My iMow app, which provides guided instructions on how to complete setup. The mower and charging base come assembled, so there’s nothing more to do besides follow the app’s instructions.
(Image credit: Stihl)
Stihl iMove 5 Evo review: Design and features
Design-wise, the Stihl iMow 5 Evo features 3 free-swinging, extra-sharp blades that help cut the lawn cleanly every time. Stihl recommends changing all three blades at once when replacing blunt or damaged blades, but this is an easy process as it requires no tools.
It’s also important to note that this is a mulching mower, which means it cuts the grass into small pieces and then spreads them back onto the lawn as mulch. The mulch then decomposes and acts as a natural fertilizer for the grass. I personally prefer mulching mowers because you’re producing natural fertilizer for your lawn, and you don’t have to empty out an annoying grass catcher box. It’s a win-win!
We’ll talk about the My iMow app shortly, but if you prefer to control your robot mower manually, you’ll be happy to know that the iMow 5 Evo is just as easy to use even without the app. You can press the info button on the control panel which provides spoken answers about the next mowing session. You can also send the mower to the charging base, send it out to mow or lock the mower, and its LED matrix display shows the current status and whether there are any problems that need attention.
(Image courtesy: Lizzie Wilmot/T3)
One of my favorite things about the Stihl iMO 5 Evo is its mowing schedule feature. This isn’t ideal if you have kids and dogs that leave things on the lawn, but if you don’t have either of those, it’s a great time saver. When the mower has done its time, it returns to the charging base, ready for the next time.
There’s also a handy rain sensor that gives the iMow 5 Evo the ability to decide whether or not to cut grass depending on the weather. This can be adjusted via the app, so you can 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 which automatically turns off when it is put down again. GPS tracking also locks the mower’s control functions if it is removed from the home area. Both of these things are great for providing peace of mind against theft, especially since this is a kit that is designed to be kept outside.
Bump and ultrasonic sensors don’t always detect light/small objects like toys and sleeping dogs etc.
(Image courtesy: Lizzie Wilmot/T3)
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 to mow, returning it to the dock, changing the mowing plan, and adjusting the cutting height. Like many other The best robot vacuum cleanerThis mower has a mobile connection that allows its user to control the mower from outside the home.
I found the app very easy to use, and being able to schedule mowing while I was out walking was great. I also really liked being able to change the Boundary Wire Over Cut, which adjusts the distance to cut beyond the boundary wire.
Unfortunately, there were a few occasions when the app logged me out for no apparent reason, especially after I had just used it. This kept happening on and off, but it’s something to note if you find it frustrating.
Stihl iMow 5 Evo review: Performance
Overall, I am extremely impressed with the Stihl iMow 5 Evo. There is no doubt that it has left my lawn in great condition, with the grass looking noticeably greener and thicker. I assumed this was mostly due to the mulch, but I have noticed that the mower leaves a very nice finish, and I like how my lawn looks after mowing.
It’s clear that 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 a little disappointed that it couldn’t cut right up to the edges, and I found myself using the strimmer in some places. It can’t cut right up to the edges so some strimming is needed if you want to keep a tidy lawn, but it wasn’t too noticeable.
The mower also has a good runtime and charges quickly. It is fully automatic, so if it needs to be recharged before you finish your lawn, it will charge and then continue working when it is ready.
One thing that surprised me after a few uses was how quiet the mower is. I even scheduled it to mow at night a few weeks ago, and I couldn’t hear it at all inside the house.
(Image courtesy: Lizzie Wilmot/T3)
Stihl iMove 5 Evo review: Verdict
I love using the Stihl iMow 5 Evo, and I would strongly recommend it to anyone looking for a reliable robotic mower that produces a great-looking lawn. It has a number of impressive features, including a mowing schedule, rain sensor, and impressive GPS tracking, and the My iMow app deserves special mention too. I found that the app logged me out on several occasions, and I was frustrated by the mower’s inability to cut right up to the edges. However, these two things aren’t enough for me to put anyone off buying it, and it’s certainly one of the few best mowers I’ve tried in a long time.
Stihl iMove 5 Evo review: An option worth considering
An option to consider would undoubtedly be Segway Navimo iSeries 105E. It has the same app functionality as the Stihl iMow 5 Evo and operates very quietly. It won’t cut the grass all the way to the edge, but there’s no perimeter wire needed, so that’s a huge plus.
The second option is to Lawnmaster L10If you’re looking for a robotic mower that’s more affordable, especially if your lawn is small, this is a great option. It doesn’t have any smart connectivity features or a smartphone app, but everything else about the L10 points to a budget deal.