The Stihl RMA 510 V battery mower is built to the high standards you'd expect from a brand like Stihl. That means you get lots of power, longevity and it's all super easy to use.
The addition of a dual battery bay makes this a workhorse that can keep going as long as you keep feeding it fresh batteries.
Stihl is all about cramming lots of power into small packages, something it grew to fame doing in its now legendary chainsaws. There's no difference here with the 3,000 rpm you get from the 20-inch blade in this very capable mower that's built to last.
You get a decent three year limited warranty on this which shows how well made it is, built to last. But does it perform well in all situations or is this limited to mid-duty jobs only?
Is this the best electric lawn mower for you? Read on to find out all you need to know.
Stihl RMA 510 V review: Design and build
- 66lbs in weight
- 36 volt system
- 20-inch cut area
The Stihl RMA 510 V is built in a really clever way, where all the motor is located nearly totally above the deck. This does mean the section housing stands a little taller than some mowers but it actually looks good and really doesn't make a difference to storage. What it does do is keep all the important parts away from moisture, dirt and most importantly, impacts. This is built to last.
The deck itself is steel and houses a 20-inch blade (not quite as wide as the Ryobi 40V 21-inch Brushless Smart Trek or EGO Power+ 21-inch LM2102), with optional mulching mode. The many parts feel solid and well-built. The grass can be collected in the 19.8 gallon catcher bag or fired out of the side discharge chute.
The mower isn't light but then it isn't heavy either. It straddles the balance being light enough to move and store but heavy enough to power through bumps and clumps on the lawn for a forceful finish that leaves great lines in the grass thanks to those chunky wheels.
From removing the grass bag and the battery to folding the handle and adjusting the height, everything is super simple with single touch mechanisms that feel strong but are easy to use. The price of this mower is high, sure, but you can immediately feel why from within a few minutes of using this beast.
Stihl RMA 510 V review: Features
- Dual battery
- Low noise
- Self-propelled
The Stihl RMA 510 V features a dual battery bay meaning you can have double the life if you want, or charge one as the other one or two are in use. These are designed to run at full power until dead – so there's no stage where the power output gets less near the end of the battery's life.
Since this is battery powered the noise levels can be kept low. Of course with a blade spinning at up to just over 3,000 rpm there still is noise, it's just kept to a minimum thanks to the smart design and well made motor system.
Height adjusting is easy using a single point lever. This allows you to move the mower deck from 1.5-inches to 4-inches with seven positions to pick from in between those ranges.
The handle is also adjustable, moving in three position variations to help most users find a comfy height. This also folds over making the mower far smaller and able to stand up vertically for easier and more efficient storage.
There is a simple push button start which works with a pull handle for safety. This is also the lever that you squeeze to get the self-driven pull. Speeds range between 0.6 mph and 2.8 mph, which is plenty for most jobs.
Stihl RMA 510 V review: Performance
- 2,500 square feet on a charge
- 80 dB noise
- One hour fast charge
The Stihl RMA 510 V features a bay for varying battery sizes but generally you're going to want to go for the larger AP 300 batteries. One of these will get you a good 45 minutes of cutting on a charge. Of course it depends on the job at hand, with longer or wetter grass chewing through more battery life. That said, for maintaining a lawn regularly you might find you get closer to an hour. Expect to do about 2,500 square feet on a charge.
Not that battery life is a major issue since you can have more than one battery, use the dual bay, and take advantage of the one hour fast charging time to always keep going no matter the size or difficulty of the job.
The 80 dB noise level is super low. But it's also a less harsh sound than a gas mower making it far more usable at unsociable hours like later at night or early in the morning. This is great if you live in an area where it's rare to get dry grass and you just need to cut when the weather gives you the chance. That said, this can handle wet grass, just expect battery life to be reduced a little.
Folding down, adjusting height, removing and replacing the grass bag and putting away are all so easy. Thanks to simple single point adjusters this makes the job a breeze. It might be a small thing but it really makes the difference when in use.
Should I buy the Stihl RMA 510 V?
If you want a mid-duty battery mower that can last a long time, offers enough power for most jobs and is super easy to use, this is for you. The addition of a decent warranty and excellent build quality help add to the peace of mind this model offers.
There are higher voltage and more torque toting battery mowers out there, just expect a bit more weight and less maneuverability.
If you're still set on a gas mower, then check out our round up of the best gas lawn mowers, while those with big lawns will want to take a look at our guide to the best riding lawn mowers.
