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Robot Lawn Mowers

Stihl iMow 5 EVO

Stihl · $1,249 street (MSRP $1,299) (Excludes dealer installation) · Launched Sep 2023

Perimeter-wire guidance trades installation burden for long-term reliability. The wire-guided approach eliminates boundary-detection failures, but the upfront work and annual wire maintenance are non-negotiable.

Level II
Assisted Autonomy
5 sources reviewed ·
Ready Now
Ready to own today
Reassessed
Jun 12
View history
Robovations Score
Capable · 65 of 100
Rescored 2026-06-12
Autonomy55 / 100

30% weight

Reliability72 / 100

25% weight

Maintenance62 / 100

15% weight

Value58 / 100

15% weight

Privacy85 / 100

15% weight

Framework

How we score →

Weighted average of 5 reads, 0–100. Scored from documented evidence — we do not lab-test.

Will the Stihl iMow 5 EVO work on your yard?

Pick what matches your setup. The fit updates as you go.

Yard size
Terrain
Grass type
Boundary setup
How Stihl iMow 5 EVO holds up
Yard size
Terrain
Grass type
Boundary setup
Specifications

The full spec sheet.

Manufacturer-published values.

Priced below the category median; remaining figures sit mid-range for the class.

Positions are rank within the 66 robot lawn mowers in the Robovations database.

22 in28.5 inTOP9.8 in28.5 inSIDEDimensional drawing
Stihl IA010111413 · Released Sep 2023 · 32 lbs
This robot’s rank in categoryCategory median
Price$1,249MSRP $1,299$549$31,624
Runtime120min50240 min
Charge time180min40360 min
Noise63dB5482 dB
Weight32lbs11.9160 lbs
Battery180Wh · Li-ion
Wi-FiSupported
Mapping & navigation

Perimeter-wire guided. Boundary signal follows buried wire; no RTK, GPS, or camera-based detection.

Official referencesProduct page
Lifecycle

The record since launch.

3 tracked events since launch
202420252026TODAY123
  1. 1
    RELEASE · OCT 15, 2023Enters North American dealer network for 2023 season
  2. 2
    UPDATE · APR 20, 2024Firmware update refines boundary calibration and motor efficiency
  3. 3
    REASSESSED · SEP 10, 2024Assessed at Level II as wire-guided architecture limits autonomy ceiling
Ownership & reliability

How it holds up after the purchase.

Owner reports · manufacturer documentation

Wire-guided operation eliminates vision and GPS failures; dock connection and blade maintenance are the dominant failure points.

Owner reports since 2023 show stable wire-following with rare out-of-bounds incidents. Blade dulling and dock-contact corrosion are reported occasionally; firmware updates have steadied motor-shutdown thresholds. The brushless motor design contributes to durability relative to brushed competitors.

Owner effort~60 minhands-on time per month
Consumables$150per year, replaceable parts
Reliability trendStableowner-reported arc to date
What goes wrong, and who fixes it
Failure pointLikelihoodResolution
Perimeter-wire breaks or contact lossMower loses boundary signal; returns to dock repeatedly or operates outside wire zone.OccasionalOwner fixInspect wire at breakage points; dealer repair costs $100–$200. Prevention: avoid deep digging near wire; check before winter.
Dock charging-pin corrosionIncomplete charging; battery depletes mid-yard or overnight.OccasionalOwner fixClean dock pins with contact cleaner and dry cloth monthly. Replace pins if corrosion persists ($20–$30).
Blade dulling or microcrackingUneven cutting edge; increased motor load and slower mowing passes.CommonOwner fixBlade swap every 30–40 hours ($50–$65 per kit). Timing: spring and autumn or every 4–6 weeks of seasonal operation.
Wire signal drift or re-calibration needMower cuts beyond boundary line or misses inner edges after seasonal restart.OccasionalOwner fixDealer re-calibration typically takes 30–60 minutes and costs $75–$150. Required annually or after yard changes.
Maintenance cadence
Monthly12×a year

Dock charging pins cleaned with contact cleaner and dried. Blade inspection for dulling or debris damage.

Seasonally4×a year

Blade replacement or sharpening ($50–$65 per set). Typically done at season start (spring) and mid-season (late summer).

Perimeter-wire inspection for breaks or corrosion, especially after winter. Spring re-calibration by dealer may be required ($75–$150).

Yearly1×a year

Battery health check and firmware update via Stihl app. Winter storage: battery removed and stored above 32°F; blade removed and stored dry.

Safety flags
CautionSpinning blade during dock entryBlade continues spinning briefly after docking. Keep hands clear of dock cavity and blade area during operation and maintenance.
NoteBuried perimeter wire hazardPerimeter wire is buried 2–3 inches deep. Mark wire location; avoid deep digging, planting, or landscape changes without locating wire first.
Common questions

What buyers actually ask.

6 answered
Operation
Does the Stihl iMow 5 EVO require a perimeter wire?
Yes, absolutely. The iMow 5 is wire-guided; it follows the buried perimeter boundary. Dealer installation of wire and docking station is required at purchase.
Ownership
What does Stihl iMow 5 EVO dealer installation cover and cost?
Dealer installation typically includes 100–200 feet of perimeter-wire burial, docking-station placement, and system calibration. Cost ranges $400–$600 depending on yard size and terrain; labor time is 4–6 hours.
Operation
Can I move the perimeter wire if I expand or reconfigure my lawn?
Yes, but it requires dealer service or professional wire contractor. Typical relocation costs $100–$200 per adjustment. Wire removal and re-burial are labor-intensive.
Ownership
What is the blade replacement interval for the iMow 5 EVO?
Blades last 30–40 hours of mowing, roughly 4–6 weeks of seasonal operation. Replacement kits (~$50–$65) are swapped at spring and autumn; removal takes 10 minutes.
Operation
How quiet is the iMow 5 EVO compared to gas mowers?
At 63 dB, it is roughly 20 dB quieter than gas mowers (typically 85–95 dB). Manufacturer specs and owner reports confirm operation during early morning or evening without noise ordinance violations in suburban areas.
Operation
What winter storage do I need to perform for the iMow 5 EVO?
Battery should be removed and stored indoors above 32°F for 4–6 months. Docking station should be sheltered from rain and snow; blade should be removed, cleaned, and stored dry. Perimeter wire and docking station remain buried/installed year-round.

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Cite & embed

Reference the Stihl iMow 5 EVO classification.

Embed the Autonomy Ladder™ mark or copy the citation. The mark links back to this assessment and updates if the classification changes.

RobovationsAutonomy Ladder™IIAssisted AutonomyIndependent classification
Citation
Where to next

Three ways to keep going.

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By RobovationsUpdated: Jun 14, 2026
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