Kress Mission RTKn KR174 vs STIHL iMOW 5 EVO
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Quick take: The STIHL iMOW 5 EVO costs $169 less; the Kress Mission RTKn KR174 skips the boundary-wire install entirely while the STIHL iMOW 5 EVO needs a perimeter wire laid but doesn't care about tree cover or satellite signal; the Kress Mission RTKn KR174 is rated for a larger lawn (1.2 acres); the STIHL iMOW 5 EVO is rated for steeper ground (45%); the Kress Mission RTKn KR174 cuts taller (up to 3.5"), which matters for fescue and warm-season grasses.
| Spec | Kress Mission RTKn KR174 | STIHL iMOW 5 EVO |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$2,699 | ~$2,530 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Navigation | RTK GPS | Boundary Wire |
| Max Lawn Size | 1.2 acres (52,272 sq ft) | 16,146 sq ft (16,146 sq ft) |
| Max Slope | 40% (22°) | 45% (24°) |
| Cutting Width | 8.7" | 11" |
| Cut Height | 1.6"–3.5" | 0.8"–2.4" |
| Drive | RWD | RWD |
| Runtime | — | 65 min |
| Charge Time | — | 140 min |
| Noise | 61 dB | 61 dB |
| Weight | 28.5 lb | 33.1 lb |
| Obstacle Detection | Kress OAS obstacle avoidance module on the nose steers around objects before contact (sensor type not specified on the US page), backed by bumper, lift and tilt sensors. | Ultrasonic sensors slow it before contact, then a hood bumper; lift and tilt sensors; no cameras. |
| Edge Cutting | No | Yes |
| Rain Sensor | Yes | Yes |
| Cellular | Yes | Yes |
| Anti-Theft | PIN code plus real-time GPS tracking and geofence alerts | PIN, alarm and GPS-based home-area lock via app |
| Warranty | Kress dealer warranty (term not listed on the US product page) | 2-year limited (residential, via STIHL dealer; confirm at purchase) |
Pros & cons
Kress Mission RTKn KR174
- ✓Widest deck in the Mission range at 8.7 in with six dual-layer blades for dense grass
- ✓6 Ah pack and 1.7 acre maximum give real headroom over the 1.2 acre recommendation
- ✓No antenna, base station or wire; dealer install, app boundary and dead-reckoning under trees
- ✓OAS obstacle avoidance, 4G, GPS tracking, PIN lock and OTA updates all included
- ✗Only works where a Kress dealer antenna covers your address; coverage must be verified first
- ✗The US spec sheet omits runtime, charge time and warranty length; only the coverage rating and slope are stated
- ✗40 percent slope limit is modest for an acre-plus mower; AWD rivals climb twice that
- ✗Dealer-only sales and thin stock in September 2026 mean lead times and little owner feedback
- ✗$2,700 buys a Navimow X350 with cameras and 1.5 acre coverage, if you will mount a base station
STIHL iMOW 5 EVO
- ✓Systematic lane mowing and a floating three-blade disc give a clean, even finish
- ✓Ultrasonic sensors slow it before contact instead of relying only on the bumper
- ✓Rain sensor with adjustable response and GPS home-area lock in the app
- ✓Mobile network module included, so remote control does not depend on home Wi-Fi
- ✓Light 33 lb body with tool-free blade changes and an LED matrix display
- ✗Boundary and guide wire must be installed before it can mow
- ✗Only 65 minutes per charge with a 140-minute full recharge
- ✗T3's reviewer hit repeated app logouts and could not get flush cuts along raised edges
- ✗Dealer-only distribution and about $2,530 for 0.37 acre, more than wire-free rivals
- ✗No US retailer ratings published yet