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Stihl RMA 235 with AK20 and AL101 review

Battery lawnmower. Priced at $599.

  • Stihl RMA 235 with AK20 and AL101 carousel image
  • Stihl RMA 235 with AK20 and AL101 carousel image
  • Stihl RMA 235 with AK20 and AL101 carousel image
  • Stihl RMA 235 with AK20 and AL101 carousel image
  • Stihl RMA 235 with AK20 and AL101 carousel image
  • Stihl RMA 235 with AK20 and AL101 carousel image
  • Stihl RMA 235 with AK20 and AL101 carousel image
  • Stihl RMA 235 with AK20 and AL101 carousel image
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CHOICE Expert Rating

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CHOICE Expert Rating

This is the product's overall performance score, based on key tests conducted by our industry experts in the CHOICE labs.

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The product's best features and benefits

Bad points

Drawbacks or issues you need to know about
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Recommended View more details.

We recommend electric and battery lawnmowers with a CHOICE Expert Rating of at least 80%, and at least 80% for ease of use.

CHOICE Expert Rating View more details.

The Choice Expert Rating for catcher models consists of: 50% cutting score, 50% ease of use. For mulcher models, it's: 25% cutting score, 25% mulching score, 50% ease of use.

Grass cutting score – catcher View more details.

We test mowers for cutting short- and medium-length grass with a catcher, and long grass without a catcher. Our testers also rate the appearance of the grass after the short and medium-grass tests.

Grass cutting score – mulching View more details.

For the mowers that have a mulcher mode, our tester cuts short- and medium-length grass and assesses the appearance of the lawn after the short and medium grass cutting tests. This is part of the Choice Expert Rating for these models.

Ease of use score View more details.

Based on: vibration through the handle bar, ease of pushing and manoeuvring, handle comfort, convenience of controls, ease of cutting height adjustment, catcher convenience, and power source.

Vibration score View more details.

How uncomfortable the handles are to hold based on the amount of vibration coming through the handles.

Pushing score View more details.

How difficult the mower is to push and manoeuvre.

Handle score View more details.

How easy the handles are to use and grip.

Controls score View more details.

How easy the controls are to use including pull levers, pull bars and safety switches.

Height adjustment score View more details.

How easy it is to adjust the cutting height.

Power source score View more details.

The ease of using the power source (battery or electric power cord). Battery models usually score higher than corded models because of the convenience.

Catcher score View more details.

How easy the catcher is to attach, detach, the opening and what it's made of.

Battery life (min) View more details.

Using the battery supplied, otherwise a battery recommended by the manufacturer. For practical reasons we measure this with the mower turned on but standing still.

Noise at 7.5 metres (dB) View more details.

The noise level at a distance of 7.5m from the mower.

Noise at user's position (dB) View more details.

The noise level measured at the operator's ear level.

Max lawn size (m2) View more details.

We time how long the battery takes to run down completely from a full charge, with the mower running but not under load (i.e. not cutting grass). Based on the width of the mower's cut and assuming our tester can mow 50m of short grass in one minute, we calculate the total area it can cut on a full charge. The actual area will vary depending on the length of grass, slope of the ground, age of the battery and so on.

Year tested View more details.

Tests from 2019 and onward are not directly comparable to earlier tests, due to changes in the test site. However, a model that performs well at one site would be expected to perform similarly well at another site.

2020
Satisfaction score View more details.

These scores are taken from our product reliability survey and do not add to the overall score. They also refer to the brand, not a particular model. We ask owners to tell us what they think of the products they own, then give each brand a satisfaction rating so you can see what people who already own this brand lawnmower think of them. "Not available" indicates we received fewer than 50 responses, which isn't enough to be statistically significant.

Reliability score View more details.

These scores are taken straight from our brand reliability survey, but do not add to the overall score and refer to the brand only, not that particular model. "Not available" means we received fewer than 50 responses for this brand, which is not enough to be statistically significant.

Warranty (years) View more details.

Warranty periods for the mower itself and for the motor may be different, so we've listed them both where appropriate.

2 years for mower, battery and charger
Country of origin
China
Price View more details.

Recommended retail price at time of testing, including batteries (and including where these were a separate purchase).

$599
Power source View more details.

Battery (cordless) or electric (with a power cord).

Battery
Wheeled or hover
Wheeled
Weight (kg) View more details.

Weight with battery installed.

13
Wattage (W)
N/A
Water resistance rating (IPX) View more details.

Water ingress protection rating (IPX). The higher the number, the better the protection. 0 = no protection; 1 = protection against dripping water; 4 = protection against splash water; and so on up to 8 or 9.

IPX1
Battery View more details.

Battery type: li-ion, lead acid or unspecified.

Li-Ion
Battery model number View more details.

The battery we used in our test. Different capacity batteries may also be available.

AK20 (only included in kit)
Battery voltage (V)
36
Capacity (Ah) View more details.

Specified battery capacity in amp-hours (ah).

3
Charging time – claimed (min)
180
Cutting positions View more details.

Number of cutting positions. A higher number offers greater versatility.

5
Lowest cutting height (mm) View more details.

Lowest achievable cut height. Ranges from 8–40mm.

25
Highest cutting height (mm) View more details.

Highest achievable cut height. Ranges from 34–115mm.

65
Width of cut (cm)
33
Closeness of cut to a vertical edge (mm) View more details.

How close the mower's cutting circle can get to an edge at the front, right and left of the mower. Measured in mm.

140/25/15
Deck material View more details.

The lawnmower deck is usually made of steel, aluminium alloy or plastic. Each type has its pros and cons, taking corrosion, durability and price into consideration.

Plastic
Cutting blades
1 bar blade
Control position
Handle
Control type
Safety switch and one pull bar
Items supplied View more details.

A list of items that ship with the product in addition to the mower, such as catcher bags, batteries and spare screws and bolts.

Mower, catcher, starter key, manual (battery and charger sold separately)
Website
stihl.com.au
Quick release handle
No
Rear deflector
No
Carry handle
Yes
Battery charge tester
Yes
Catcher View more details.

A catcher is handy for collecting the clippings for use in a compost bin. Many models with catchers also have a mulching function.

Yes
Mulcher View more details.

A mulching function cuts the grass very finely and blows the clippings back into the lawn. Most mulcher mowers can also be used with a catcher.

No
Other features View more details.

Extra features unique to the product.

None to mention.
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