Stihl iMOW (3, 4, 5, 6 and 7)

How it navigates and sets up

Every iMOW works inside a perimeter wire, with one or more guide wires that lead it back to the dock and through narrow sections. Stihl's manual allows passages down to 55 cm between wires with a guide wire through the middle. Stihl says you can install it yourself with the app's guided set-up, but the installation kit was sold separately. Our installation guide covers what laying a wire involves.

Rated areas are 500–5,000 m², and Stihl notes these assume simple lawns with few obstacles and gentle gradients. The slope limit is 40%. Ultrasonic sensors slow the mower as it approaches an obstacle before a bump sensor detects contact. The manual says obstacles lower than 10 cm must be wired out.

Cutting

Every model cuts with three free-swinging blades on a disc that alternates its direction of rotation. The iMOW 3 and 4 cut a 200 mm strip; the 5, 6 and 7 cut 280 mm. Height runs from 20 mm to 60 mm, set with a knob on the 3 and 4 and in the app on the larger models. Stihl lists run times per charge of 55 min–230 min across the range and guaranteed sound power of 58 dB(A)–61 dB(A). A rain sensor is fitted.

App, connectivity and security

The MY iMOW app connects over Bluetooth and home Wi-Fi. There's no mobile module, so remote control depends on the mower being in Wi-Fi range. Stihl's UK pages say iMOW works with Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Home, though Stihl's global site names only Alexa. Security covers an alarm when the mower is lifted, a PIN lock and a GPS alert if the mower leaves its home area. No-go areas are made by routing the wire, not drawn in the app.

Running costs, warranty and support

Stihl GB lists a warranty of 5 years, conditional on product registration and annual servicing, so budget for a yearly dealer visit. Stihl commits to security updates for at least 24 months after purchase, which is short for a mower with a five-year warranty. Weather protection is IP56. Our running-costs calculator estimates blades and electricity.

Should you still buy one?

Only as clearance stock at a real discount, and only after checking three things with the dealer: that the unit is new and will be registered for the full warranty, that the dealer will carry out the annual service, and whether an installation kit is included. Stihl's last-known UK RRPs, now archived, were £929–£3,269, and paying close to that makes little sense when current rivals are still being developed.

For a similar wired, dealer-backed mower, the Honda Miimo HRM 1000 to 4000 also carries a five-year warranty and a higher slope rating. The Kress Mission is a cheaper wired option through dealers. If you'd rather skip the wire, the Husqvarna Automower 310E NERA and Honda Miimo 1500i and 2200i are wire-free choices from brands with UK dealer networks. See our wired vs wire-free guide.