iMOW 5 EVO
1 EVO test · 1 test without the mobile connectionRead the findings →STIHL's app-connected boundary-wire mower for medium and large lawns. It mows quietly and leaves a noticeably greener, thicker lawn. Laying the wire takes an afternoon, though, and the edges may still need a strimmer.
Updated
Check the manufacturer’s site for current availability.
Where it sits in STIHL’s range
- iMOW 4 EVOSmaller-bodied EVO model for lawns up to 1,000m²
- iMOW 5 EVOThis model
- iMOW 5Same mower without the mobile connection
- iMOW 6 EVOSame design for lawns up to 3,000m²
- iMOW 7 EVOBiggest EVO model, for lawns up to 5,000m² · £2,350
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What reviewers found
Two home tests, both positive. T3 used the iMOW 5 EVO on a medium lawn and BBC Gardeners' World Magazine the plain iMOW 5 on a 1,250m² test garden. Both found the wire took real effort, the app easy once it was in, and the finish excellent, with a greener, thicker lawn from the mulching. They disagree about edges: T3 still needed a strimmer in places, while Gardeners' World found it cut close to the edge. Only T3 used the mobile connection.
T3, hands-on, Sept 2024 · BBC Gardeners' World Magazine, hands-on (tested on the iMOW 5; Tested on a 1,250m² garden)
Cut quality and edges
Mixed resultsBoth got an excellent finish: T3 found the lawn greener and thicker, and BBC Gardeners' World Magazine saw no uncut tufts after a few days. On edges they differ, as BBC Gardeners' World Magazine found it cut close while T3 still used a strimmer in places.
Setup and boundaries
Mixed resultsThe wire takes real effort: BBC Gardeners' World Magazine spent three to four hours laying boundary and guide wires, and T3 had to buy the installation kit separately. Both found the app's guided setup easy afterwards.
Navigation
Reviewers rate it highlyNeither saw it get lost, which is where the wire helps. BBC Gardeners' World Magazine saw the whole lawn covered within days, and T3 had it mow reliably, including at night.
Slopes and rough ground
Not enough evidenceOnly T3 reported on slopes, finding it handled uneven ground and slopes well. No other review we use tested hills or rough ground.
Obstacles and safety
Mixed resultsBBC Gardeners' World Magazine saw it gently bump obstacles and turn away, and liked its self-freeing feature. T3 warns its bump and ultrasonic sensors don't always pick up small or light objects such as toys.
Weather
Not enough evidenceOnly BBC Gardeners' World Magazine described rain handling: you choose how much rain it will mow in, and it restarts once the sensor dries. No other review we use tested it.
App and software
Reviewers rate it highlyT3 found the app very easy for schedules and cutting height from anywhere, though it logged out now and then. BBC Gardeners' World Magazine found it easy to programme, as long as you're comfortable with apps.
Upkeep
Not enough evidenceOnly T3 mentioned upkeep, noting the three blades change without tools. No other review we use covered cleaning or blades.
Reliability and support
Not enough evidenceNo review we use has run it long-term or judged STIHL's support.
Value
Not enough evidenceOnly BBC Gardeners' World Magazine judged value, calling the iMOW 5 reasonably priced for the lawn size it handles. No other review we use weighed the price.
Verdicts come from independent, hands-on, finished reviews. An area needs at least two of them before we say more than “Not enough evidence”. We don't score robots ourselves. How this works
A great-looking lawn
T3 found its lawn noticeably greener and thicker, and credits the fine mulch the three blades leave behind. It also coped well with uneven ground and slopes. BBC Gardeners' World Magazine started with long grass and found the iMOW 5 didn't struggle: after a few days the whole lawn looked good with no uncut tufts. If a tidy, healthy lawn is what you're after, both tests back it up.
Setup takes an afternoon
The installation kit is sold separately. T3 bought one sized for a medium lawn and laid a boundary wire round the edge plus a second wire through the middle that guides the mower home. BBC Gardeners' World Magazine spent three to four hours laying the wires in its 1,250m² garden. Both then found the app's guided setup easy. You can pay a STIHL dealer to do the wire instead.
Edges: testers disagree
T3 was disappointed it couldn't cut right up to the edges and used a strimmer in a few spots, though it said the strip wasn't very noticeable. BBC Gardeners' World Magazine found the iMOW 5 cut close to the edge. How the wire is laid, and whether edges are flush paths or raised borders, probably explains the difference. Budget for some trimming along walls and beds.
Clear the lawn first
T3 warns that the bump and ultrasonic sensors don't always pick up light or small objects such as toys, so it suits a lawn you keep clear. BBC Gardeners' World Magazine saw it gently bump into obstacles and turn away, and liked a feature that helps it free itself when stuck. Neither saw it get lost, which is where a wire helps.
Quiet, with a handy app
T3 couldn't hear a night-time mow from indoors and found the app easy for schedules, cutting height and sending it home from anywhere. Its one annoyance was the app logging it out every so often. BBC Gardeners' World Magazine noted you need to be comfortable with apps to programme it. Basic controls and spoken status are also on the mower itself, per T3.
T3 tested the iMOW 5 EVO. Gardeners' World tested the plain iMOW 5, the same mower without the mobile connection.
Our take
Should you buy the iMOW 5 EVO?
Best for: Large lawns whose owners want dealer installation and support. Skip it if: You do not want to install a wire around the lawn.
a good pick for a medium or large lawn with clear edges if you want a STIHL dealer to install and service it and you keep the grass clear of toys. If you would rather not lay a wire, the Segway Navimow X420 handles big, hilly lawns without one.
The iMOW 5 EVO is the plain iMOW 5 with a mobile connection added, so you can reach it from the app anywhere. It follows a perimeter wire plus a guide wire that leads it home, and the wire kit is sold separately. Three swinging blades cut a 28cm strip, and STIHL rates it for medium and large lawns and steep slopes.
T3 found its lawn noticeably greener and thicker from the fine mulch, and BBC Gardeners' World Magazine started with long grass and saw no uncut tufts after a few days. Allow time for installation: BBC Gardeners' World Magazine spent three to four hours on it, and T3 had to buy the installation kit separately, though both found the app's guided setup easy afterwards. They differ on edges, as BBC Gardeners' World Magazine found it cut close while T3 still used a strimmer in places. T3 warns the bump and ultrasonic sensors do not always pick up small or light objects such as toys. Only T3 used the mobile connection, because BBC Gardeners' World Magazine tested the plain iMOW 5.
Where to buy
Where to buy the iMOW 5 EVO in United Kingdom
No United Kingdom price checked in the last 21 days. We re-check daily.
We’re still looking for more United Kingdom retailers for this model.
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Before you buy
The questions people ask about this one
Does it need a boundary wire?
Yes, and a second guide wire through the middle of the lawn that leads it home. BBC Gardeners' World Magazine took three to four hours to lay both, and T3 had to buy the installation kit separately. A STIHL dealer can install it for you.
How close does it cut to the edge?
The testers disagree. T3 still needed a strimmer in a few places, while BBC Gardeners' World Magazine found it cut close to the edge. STIHL UK explains that along flush paths the wire can be set so it cuts the edge cleanly, but along walls it only gets as close as it safely can.
Will it cope with my slope?
STIHL rates it for 45%, or 55% with an optional kit, per the specifications. T3 found it handled uneven ground and slopes well, though neither tester measured how steep a bank it managed.
What happens when it rains?
A rain sensor lets it decide whether to mow, and you set how it reacts in the app, per the specifications. BBC Gardeners' World Magazine found you can choose how much rain it will mow in, and it starts again by itself once the sensor dries.
Is there a subscription for 4G or anti-theft?
Neither tester mentioned one. T3 found GPS tracking locks the controls if the mower leaves its home area, and an alarm sounds if it's lifted. STIHL's page in the specifications doesn't list a fee for the mobile connection, so check with your dealer.
How noisy is it for neighbours?
Quiet. T3 scheduled a night-time mow and couldn't hear it indoors, and BBC Gardeners' World Magazine also listed quiet running as a plus. STIHL says its iMOW mowers run at no more than 60dB(A), per STIHL UK.
Alternatives
Other robot lawn mowers to compare.
X4 series
Why consider it: A big four-wheel-drive mower for large, hilly lawns up to 2,000m², with no wire to lay.
The compromise: It's heavy, too wide for narrow gaps, and edges are its weak spot.
Automower 435X AWD NERA
Why consider it: All-wheel drive for big, steep gardens, with a very even cut and dependable running in two long tests.
The compromise: It runs over small objects and leaves a strip at the edges.
Landroid Classic (boundary-wire range)
Why consider it: Boundary-wire mowers that testers found quiet, neat and good value, in sizes up to 2,000m².
The compromise: You still lay a wire, extras cost more, and the reviews are a few years old.
Specs
Full specifications
Each specification names its source. Manufacturer claims are not independent test results; unconfirmed figures are labelled.
Owner reviews
Do you own the iMOW 5 EVO?
Tell people how it’s held up: cleaning, maintenance, faults and support. Owner accounts are shown separately from independent reviews.
Sources
Where this page’s findings come from
Editorial reviews
- T3: Stihl iMow 5 Evo review: an outstanding robot lawn mower with the features to match ↗Hands-on
- BBC Gardeners' World Magazine: Best robot lawn mowers: Stihl iMOW 5 ↗4.8 / 5Hands-on · Tested on the iMOW 5 · Tested on a 1,250m² garden
Sources
- STIHL: iMOW 5 EVO product page ↗Manufacturer
- STIHL UK: iMOW robotic lawn mower technology ↗Manufacturer
Videos
- Search YouTube for STIHL iMOW 5 EVO ↗Search results may include company demonstrations or similar models. Check the source and model name; a demonstration is not an independent performance test.