STIHL iMOW 7 EVO vs Husqvarna Automower 435X AWD

Quick take: The Husqvarna Automower 435X AWD costs $1,021 less; the Husqvarna Automower 435X AWD is all-wheel drive, which is what keeps a mower climbing a wet slope; the STIHL iMOW 7 EVO is rated for a larger lawn (1 acre); the Husqvarna Automower 435X AWD is rated for steeper ground (70%); the STIHL iMOW 7 EVO cuts taller (up to 4"), which matters for fescue and warm-season grasses.

SpecSTIHL iMOW 7 EVOHusqvarna Automower 435X AWD
Price~$4,020~$2,999
Rating—3.6★ (61)
NavigationBoundary WireBoundary Wire
Max Lawn Size1 acre (43,560 sq ft)0.9 acres (39,204 sq ft)
Max Slope45% (24°)70% (35°)
Cutting Width11"8.7"
Cut Height2.4"–4"1.2"–2.8"
DriveRWDAWD
Runtime240 min145 min
Charge Time200 min45 min
Noise61 dB60 dB
Weight37.5 lb39 lb
Obstacle DetectionUltrasonic sensors slow it before contact with anything over about 4 inches tall, then a hood bumper; lift and tilt sensors; no cameras.Ultrasonic remote object detection plus bumper collision, lift and tilt sensors; slows before contact but cannot see wire cuts or low objects
Edge CuttingYesNo
Rain SensorYesNo
CellularYesYes
Anti-TheftPIN, alarm and GPS-based home-area lock via appPIN code, lift alarm, GPS tracking and geofence alerts
Warranty2-year limited (residential, via STIHL dealer; confirm at purchase)2-year limited

Pros & cons

STIHL iMOW 7 EVO

  • ✓Four hours per charge covers an acre with few dock trips
  • ✓Ultrasonic sensors, rain sensor and built-in mobile data are all standard
  • ✓High-cut deck reaches 4.0 inches for tall cool-season lawns
  • ✓Dealer install and service through the same STIHL shop that handles your other tools
  • ✗$4,019.99 plus wire install is more than wire-free LiDAR and RTK mowers that cover the same acre
  • ✗US rating is about 1 acre, not the 1.25 acres STIHL quotes elsewhere
  • ✗Minimum height of 2.4 inches rules out short-cut warm-season grass

Husqvarna Automower 435X AWD

  • ✓Same 70 percent slope capability as the $5,000 iQ version for $2,000 less
  • ✓Boundary wire works under dense trees and between buildings where EPOS mowers lose signal
  • ✓Long-term owners on Husqvarna's site report four to five seasons of reliable service
  • ✓Ultrasonic sensors, LED headlights, GPS theft tracking and cellular app control included
  • ✓Quiet 60 dB operation and a 145-minute runtime
  • ✗Wire and guide-wire install is a multi-day DIY project or a paid dealer job
  • ✗At 39 pounds it leaves tracks on soft ground and is awkward to carry when it gets stuck
  • ✗Only a 2-year warranty versus 4 years on the iQ series
  • ✗Some owners report weak lift alarms and thin dealer service in parts of the country
  • ✗Wire-free Mammotion Luba 2 AWD models cost less and climb comparably