STIHL iMOW 6 EVO vs STIHL iMOW 5 EVO
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Quick take: The STIHL iMOW 5 EVO costs $570 less; the STIHL iMOW 6 EVO is rated for a larger lawn (0.6 acres); the STIHL iMOW 6 EVO cuts taller (up to 4"), which matters for fescue and warm-season grasses.
| Spec | STIHL iMOW 6 EVO | STIHL iMOW 5 EVO |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$3,100 | ~$2,530 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Navigation | Boundary Wire | Boundary Wire |
| Max Lawn Size | 0.6 acres (26,136 sq ft) | 16,146 sq ft (16,146 sq ft) |
| Max Slope | 45% (24°) | 45% (24°) |
| Cutting Width | 11" | 11" |
| Cut Height | 2.4"–4" | 0.8"–2.4" |
| Drive | RWD | RWD |
| Runtime | 150 min | 65 min |
| Charge Time | 200 min | 140 min |
| Noise | 61 dB | 61 dB |
| Weight | 35.3 lb | 33.1 lb |
| Obstacle Detection | Ultrasonic sensors slow it before contact with anything over about 4 inches tall, then a hood bumper; lift and tilt sensors; no cameras. | Ultrasonic sensors slow it before contact, then a hood bumper; lift and tilt sensors; no cameras. |
| Edge Cutting | Yes | Yes |
| Rain Sensor | Yes | Yes |
| Cellular | Yes | Yes |
| Anti-Theft | PIN, alarm and GPS-based home-area lock via app | PIN, alarm and GPS-based home-area lock via app |
| Warranty | 2-year limited (residential, via STIHL dealer; confirm at purchase) | 2-year limited (residential, via STIHL dealer; confirm at purchase) |
Pros & cons
STIHL iMOW 6 EVO
- ✓More than double the 5 EVO's runtime, so a half-acre lawn finishes in fewer trips to the dock
- ✓US high-cut deck goes to 4.0 inches, which most wire mowers cannot reach
- ✓Ultrasonic sensors slow it before contact instead of relying only on the bumper
- ✓Mobile network module included, so the app works without home Wi-Fi
- ✓Quiet at 61 dB sound power with a floating three-blade disc and systematic lanes
- ✗Boundary and guide wire must be installed, and dealer install is extra on top of $3,099.99
- ✗US rating is only about 0.6 acre, not the 0.74 acre the international sheet promises
- ✗Cannot cut below 2.4 inches, a problem for bermuda or zoysia kept short
- ✗STIHL USA no longer publishes an iMOW product page, so specs live on dealer listings
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