The Stihl RMA 510 V is a new electric lawn mower from the famed Stihl brand that produces amazing chainsaws, leaf blowers and more. If you know me, you know I have tested just about every battery-powered lawn mower and put them through the extreme gauntlet.
This is a great electric mower, thoughtfully made to compete with the premium battery mowers available. Check out my review and see if this self-propelled lawn mower is the ideal option to satisfy your lawn care needs.
What is the Stihl RMA 510 V?
The Stihl RMA 510 V electric mower is a battery-powered lawn mower. With rivals like Dewalt, Toro and Husqvarna producing electric walk-behind mowersStihl has finally made a strong entry into this category.
But here’s the crazy partStihl had never made a push mower before they entered into the electric mower market. Brands like Toro have experience with gas mowers and could easily swap out a combustion engine for an electric motor without a problem. Stihl started from the ground up.
It isn’t all that unusual to see a new electric mower hit the market. There are probably hundreds of brands, but only a dozen or so with strong brand recognition and a reputation for quality.
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We Tried It
Stihl RMA 510 V
A battery-powered, self-propelled lawn mower that reduces user fatigue commonly caused by traditional push mowers with the squeeze of a lever.
Stihl RMA 510 V Features
After putting this mower through my backyard testing process, here are some of the key observations I had on each of the features of the Stihl RMA 510 V.
Assembly
I have had many mowers in the past with frustratingly difficult assembly instructions. I assembled a no-name brand mower a few months ago and gave up on getting the “cool” folding storage component because it simply could not be assembled.
Assembly with the Stihl RMA 510 V was a breeze. It looks complex on the outside, given that it has wires and coils coming down the front of the mower, but it was a simple attachment of the deck to the handlebars. I had to hand-tighten a few screws and ensure the proper handlebar height, but otherwise, the assembly process was very smooth.
The RMA 510 V came with a battery, charger and a grass collection bag in addition to the mower itself. I don’t often use a grass collection bag, so this went into storage, but the battery and charger were completely effortless.
Starting the Mower
The Stihl RMA 510 V is similar to many electric mowers. A safety “squeeze” bar exists on the upper right-hand side of the handlebar. To start the mower, you simply pull the safety bar together with the handlebar and press the ignition button on the side.
Before you start the mower, ensure it has enough battery life and that you’ve set the cutting adjuster to the proper height. The Stihl RMA 510 V has a range of one to four inches of cutting height. The cutting height range is perfect for just about everyone. I like to keep the mower at the highest height to cut tall fescue, but you can adjust the height for short Bermuda, too.
Cutting Performance
The RMA 510 V fires right up when started, and pushing it forward is easy. I was not a proponent of self-propelled mowers for the longest time, especially when it came to electric self-propelled mowers. However, after using a few and having a positive experience, I can firmly say that I am addicted.
Taking this through my backyard felt like mowing through butter. The blades made quick work of my grass, even as I passed near some of my garden beds and beneath a tree that always drops debris. The 21-inch cutting deck provides 20 inches of cutting width, which is standard for just about every push and walk-behind mower.
One differentiator is a mulching blade that comes with the mower. Mulching blades allow for enhanced, fine chopping of grass blades that can enhance the nutrient profile of your lawn. I enjoy using the mulching blade and not placing the grass collection bag on the mower so that my lawn benefits from the nutrients.
Self-Propelled Function
A bar just above the normal handlebar controls the on and off features of the self-propelled function. On the left side of the handlebar, running along the side of the mower is the variable self-propelled control.
The variable speed on the Stihl RMA 510 V controls how quickly you are mowing. Some self-propelled mowers can pull you forward, while others move too slowly. I like having total control over the speed of the mower so that I can walk at my own pace.
Battery Life
The battery life on the Stihl RMA 510 V is also variable. I always struggle to give a meaningful metric for battery performance, so I generally try to give my experience. Battery life on lawnmowers is dictated by the type of grass when the grass is cut and the size of the yard. Further, adding in the self-propelled function also drains the battery and is variable depending on what speed the self-propelled function is set to.
I have about a 1/3 of an acre lawn and was able to cut all of it on one charge. Interestingly, I had almost zero juice left at the end of the mow. Afterward, I simply placed the battery back on the charger and went inside for the day.
How I Tested It
I tested the Stihl RMA 510 V in my backyard. This electric mower was designed for small to mid-size lawns for homeowners. But I like to go above and beyond when it comes to testing and don’t simply just mow my lawn.
Choke Out
I unboxed the Stihl RMA 510 V, assembled it, and took it through the various tests. The first test is the “choke out” test. This involves finding a longer patch of grass that might make many electric mowers automatically cut off. I did this test on my lawn by dropping the deck height to one inch and pushing it through my four-inch-tall grass. The Stihl RMA 510 V did well with longer grass, probably because of the mulching blade that comes with the mower.
Maneuverability
The next test is maneuverability. The worst experience you can have when mowing is having difficulty making turns or navigating mulching beds. This self-propelled mower comes in at about 65 pounds, but it made light work of many of the mulching beds.
Speed
The last test is the speed test. I turned the self-propelled speed up to the fastest setting and mowed a straight line in my lawn. I then turned it down and mowed a separate line right next to the “fast” line. After, I went back through and looked to see how the cutting performance compared. The lines looked identical, meaning the “fast” line did not miss any blades despite moving much more quickly.
Pros
- 21-inch steel metal cutting deck for durability
- Self-propelled function
- Variable speed on the self-propelled function
- Wide range of cutting heights
Cons
- Fewer options in the battery line than in other brands
- No headlights
FAQ
What voltage is the RMA 510?
The RMA 510 V runs on a 36V battery.
Does the STIHL RMA 510 have a brushless motor?
Yes, the Stihl RMA 510 V has a brushless motor.
What Other Reviewers Had to Say
I’m not the only one who has used and enjoyed the Stihl RMA 510 V. Take it from other usersthe Stihl RMA 510 V has some serious positives that make it a highly reliable mower. Here are some common themes from other RMA 510 V users:
- The mower is super quiet
- The battery has lasted longer than advertised
- Mulching blades breezed through leaves
- Has a durable steel-cutting deck
- Highly functional speed control
Stihl RMA 510 V vs. EGO Power+Touch Drive
Comparing the Stihl RMA 510 V and the EGO Power+ Touch Drive mower is a common question we get. Both of these mowers come from brands with amazing reputations for quality and performance.
These mowers both have a 21-inch cutting deck but differ in that Stihl has a steel metal cutting deck, whereas EGO has a durable plastic cutting deck. I prefer a steel cutting deck with my mower to ensure durability when mowing over rocks and sticks. I also like the added weight of a steel cutting deck to help provide control for the mower itself.
One other notable difference is the self-propelled functions between these two mowers. The EGO has a Touch Drive function that controls the speed with a quick swipe of the hand. The Touch Drive function is located right on the handlebar. The Stihl RMA 510 V has a speed control function as well, although it is located a little bit off to the side and is harder to reach.
Both mowers have great batteries, but I prefer the battery lineup on the EGO 56V mower because it has many more tools that fall into the same battery series. Stihl is slowly becoming a leader in battery-powered tools but has not built a lineup as robust as EGO.
Why You Should Trust Us
As someone who used to mow lawns professionally, I have mowed thousands of lawns in my life. Over the past few years, I have explored battery-powered tools and electric lawn tools and believe these are the future of lawn care. Since then, I have tested just about every battery-powered or self-propelled lawn tool with a focus on trying to find the best electric mowers available.
Final Verdict
The Stihl RMA 510 V is a great electric mower for any homeowner with a mid-sized yard. I put this mower to the test in my backyardthrough thick grass, speed testing and more. It stood up to every challenge I could think of and did so with grace.
Although Stihl is still emerging in the electric tool space, they have a long history of providing amazing lawn tools that are built to last. You can trust their brand reputation and knowledge. I recommend buying this electric mower if you have a small to mid-sized lawn.
Where to Buy the Stihl RMA 510 V
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We Tried It
Stihl RMA 510 V
A 21-inch deck with a 20-inch cutting width makes the RMA 510 V highly maneuverable and able to quickly cover small-to-medium size yards.
The Stihl RMA 510 V ranges anywhere from $500 to $800 depending on where you buy it and whether or not you already have the battery. You can check it out at Ace Hardware or from Northern Tool. You can also find it at Acme Tools for a pretty good price if you need to buy the mower without the battery.
