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Robot Autonomy, Classified
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ROBOVATIONS/CLASSIFICATION RECORD/ROBOT LAWN MOWERSRELEASED 2023.09REASSESSED 2026.06.12
Stihl

Stihl iMow 5 EVO

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.

Superseded byStihl iMow 6 EVOnewer generation now available

Stihl iMow 5 EVO
LIST PRICE$2,529MSRP
FIT CHECK

Will the Stihl iMow 5 EVO work on your yard?

Describe your yard using the controls. Each choice reads the spec sheet for you, flagging where the Stihl iMow 5 EVO is built for your space and where it isn’t.

Yard size

Terrain

Grass type

Boundary setup

A classification of fit for the conditions you set — not a recommendation. Verdicts describe engineering design intent, not test results.

SPECIFICATION

The full spec sheet.

Priced above the category median, with every figure charted against the category below.

22 in28.5 inTOP9.8 in28.5 inSIDEDimensional drawing
Key specificationsManufacturer-published
Footprint
22 × 28.5 in · 9.8 in tall
Weight
32 lbs
Battery
180 Wh · Li-ion
Wi-Fi
Supported
Mapping & navigation

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

Where it lands · ranked across 84 robot lawn mowersThis robotMedianTypical range
Runtime120min
50 min240 min
Near median
Price$2,529
$451$32,829
Bottom of range
Noise63dB
50 dB82 dB
Near median
Charge time180min
40 min300 min
Above median
Weight32lbs
11.9 lbs160 lbs
Near median

Position shows where the figure sits across the tracked category — not a quality judgment.

Official referencesProduct page
OWNERSHIP

Living with it.

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 per month
Consumables$150replaceable parts / yr
Reliability trend Stableowner-reported arc
What goes wrong · 4 documented · 0 self-recover
Common
Blade dulling or microcrackingUneven cutting edge; increased motor load and slower mowing passes.
Owner fixBlade swap every 30–40 hours ($50–$65 per kit). Timing: spring and autumn or every 4–6 weeks of seasonal operation.
Occasional
Perimeter-wire breaks or contact lossMower loses boundary signal; returns to dock repeatedly or operates outside wire zone.
Owner fixInspect wire at breakage points; dealer repair costs $100–$200. Prevention: avoid deep digging near wire; check before winter.
Occasional
Dock charging-pin corrosionIncomplete charging; battery depletes mid-yard or overnight.
Owner fixClean dock pins with contact cleaner and dry cloth monthly. Replace pins if corrosion persists ($20–$30).
Occasional
Wire signal drift or re-calibration needMower cuts beyond boundary line or misses inner edges after seasonal restart.
Owner fixDealer re-calibration typically takes 30–60 minutes and costs $75–$150. Required annually or after yard changes.
Upkeep routine
Monthly12×/yr
Dock charging pins cleaned with contact cleaner and dried. Blade inspection for dulling or debris damage.
Seasonal4×/yr
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×/yr
Battery health check and firmware update via Stihl app. Winter storage: battery removed and stored above 32°F; blade removed and stored dry.
Cost over time · past the sticker
PurchaseRunning cost
Year 1
$2,679
Year 3
$2,979
Year 5
$3,279

$2,529 to buy, then about $150 a year for the replaceable parts below. Over three years that is roughly $450 past the sticker price. Excludes electricity and any repairs.

What you replace
  • BladesEvery 3-6 months$50–65

Replacement cadence from the maintenance schedule; prices shown where the source documents them.

Safety notes

CautionSpinning blade during dock entry: Blade continues spinning briefly after docking. Keep hands clear of dock cavity and blade area during operation and maintenance.

NoteBuried perimeter wire hazard: Perimeter wire is buried 2–3 inches deep. Mark wire location; avoid deep digging, planting, or landscape changes without locating wire first.

RECORD

How the assessment has moved.

Every announcement, release and reassessment behind the current classification.

Coming soon
Just launched
Active updates
Settled
Discontinued
  1. Oct 2023 · ReleaseEnters North American dealer network for 2023 season
  2. Apr 2024 · UpdateFirmware update refines boundary calibration and motor efficiency
  3. Sep 2024 · Assessment changeAssessed at Level II as wire-guided architecture limits autonomy ceiling
  4. Jul 2026 · AssessmentRobovations Score recorded at 65 of 100
  5. Jul 2026 · AssessmentRobovations Score revised 65 → 59
Editorial comparisons

How Stihl iMow 5 EVO compares.

All comparisons →
Husqvarna Automower 435X AWD
Stihl iMow 5 EVO
Worx Landroid M 20V
Husqvarna Automower 405X
Comparison

Robot mowers: does mulch quality or coverage matter more?

Husqvarna Automower 435X AWD + 3 more
Read comparison
Husqvarna Automower 410VE NERA
Mammotion Yuka 1500
Stihl iMow 5 EVO
Gardena Sileno Minimo
Ownership burden

Robot mowers and the off-season: winterizing, storage, and the maintenance owners forget

Husqvarna Automower 410VE NERA + 3 more
Read comparison
Common questions

What people actually ask.

6 answered
OperationDoes 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.
OwnershipWhat 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.
OperationCan 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.
OwnershipWhat 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.
OperationHow 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.
OperationWhat 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™Level IIAssisted AutonomyIndependent classification
Citation
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By RobovationsUpdated: Jun 19, 2026
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