Should Every Mower Have a One-Armed Handlebar? And More Thoughts on Stihl’s Latest Outdoor Innovation

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As the former landscaper on Bob Vila’s Product Reviews team, I’ve reviewed dozens of lawnmowers, so when I first saw the unique design of the Stihl RMA 448 V, I was curious. What’s the point of the new single-arm handlebar? Why the hard-sided bagger? Most importantly, how would it measure up to other battery-powered lawnmowers? Stihl has garnered a stellar reputation for quality and innovation over nearly a century in the outdoor power equipment market, so I was pretty sure that the new design would perform well. This summer, I finally got the chance to test one and find out. In this review, I’ll let you know how it went.

Stihl RMA 448 V Battery Self-Propelled Lawn Mower: At a Glance

Our rating: 4.8/5

Testing the Stihl RMA 448 V

This 36-volt self-propelled push mower cuts an 18-inch swath between 1 and 4 inches high. Mowers this size are generally recommended for midsize lawns with up to a half acre (21,780 square feet) of grass. I wanted to find out how it would handle different lawn grass types and heights, varying terrain, and occasional rough mowing, as well as how much of the lawn it could cut on a single charge.

For the test, I used the RMA 448 V to mow a yard with a little more than ⅓-acre (14,520 square feet) of lawn on rolling terrain. I cut the grass three separate times to try out the mulching, bagging, and rear discharge modes. In addition to the lawn area, I also mowed a fallow garden patch with weeds up to 24 inches tall to test its performance in rough patches and to try out the side discharge chute. It did a beautiful job on the lawn, cut the weeds with a satisfying level of aggression, and packed more battery life than I had expected.

Innovative Features Make Mowing More Enjoyable

Several features on the RMA 448 V make it stand out. At a glance, the “mono-comfort handlebar,” new to the American market, is the most striking feature. More than just an eye-catching design, the handle actually solves an issue I hadn’t really considered. The “missing half” of the handle leaves an opening for easier access to the rear of the mower. No need to lift the handle out of the way. It leaves both hands free to work with the grass catcher, mulch plug, or height-of-cut adjuster. A lever at the base of the handle allows the user to choose from one of two working heights, or to fold the handle flat for storage.

The single-point cutting height adjustment system works better than most others I’ve used. Controlled by a nearly hidden trigger above the left rear wheel, the latch catches and releases smoothly. The support structure applies spring-assisted upward pressure, allowing the deck to rise easily with minimal effort. Once locked in place, it holds securely.

The hard-sided polymer grass catcher may seem a bit bulky, but it actually improves the user experience. Since it has a closed top and downward-angled side vents, it significantly reduces dust and tiny particles from getting into the operator’s face. It’s also easier to clean out, which eliminates mold and odors in storage.

It also offers 4-in-1 clipping management, including rear discharge, along with the three standard methods (mulch, bag, and side discharge). The unique shape of the rear flap allows clippings to drop directly on the ground at the back of the mower when the bagger is not in place. Rear discharge keeps the operator clean and prevents clippings from reaching unwanted areas, like pavement and landscaping beds.

Easy to Use, Comfortably Placed Controls

In addition to the numerous refined features, the control layout made this mower intuitively easy to operate. Like other battery mowers, the RMA 448 V has a push-button starting system, with separate controls for the blade and wheel motors. This setup allows the user to operate as needed: self-propelled mowing, transport without running the blade, or manual mowing without engaging the drive wheels. The wheel speed is adjustable (1.2 to 2.8 mph) via a lever located near the start button.

The second battery port also makes mowing easier. Although the mower runs on a single battery at a time, the secondary port accommodates an additional battery, eliminating the need for a trip back to the charging station when the first battery is depleted. I consistently mowed about 7,000 square feet, or about half of my grass per charge, and luckily, I had a second battery to finish the job. The kit includes a single battery, so you will need to purchase an additional one to use the extra port.

Quick, Efficient Mowing and a Clean Finish

Mowing with this machine was a pleasure. The grip felt good in my hands, and the controls had just the right amount of sensitivity. I pushed parts of the yard manually—mainly the weed patches and steeper slopes—which was not difficult with this lightweight machine. I found the travel pace to be most comfortable toward the top of the range. I think many users will find the lowest setting a bit too slow. I was impressed by this mower’s ability to climb slopes, including dew-wet grass. The traction pattern was perfectly effective for maneuvering anywhere I needed to mow.

Cut quality was also a win for this mower. The multi-blade cutting system did a great job of mulching to an extremely fine texture, and it produced ample airflow to side-discharge the larger amount of high weed clippings over a wide area. The test yard had areas of nice weed-free grass and other places where crabgrass and other weeds thrive, but in every case, the mowed lawn looked perfectly even without any stringy weeds left behind.

Importantly, I kept the mower in “eco mode” throughout the test. In eco mode, the mower cuts at a lower power setting until it detects greater resistance. Then it automatically boosts power output. I rarely heard the power boost kick in, and my runtime results were significantly better than Stihl claims. That may be due in part to the brand-new condition of the blade, but it’s worth considering.

Why I Think the Stihl RMA 448 V is Worth Every Penny

The Stihl RMA 448 V lawnmower comes with a slightly smaller cutting deck and higher price point than many popular battery-powered mowers. I think it’s worth the added expense. It has a better refined feel to it, and it just works better than most of the battery mowers I’ve had the pleasure of testing. The cut quality is excellent. The noise and handle vibration are minimal. It actually cuts very well in eco mode, has plenty of cutting power in reserve for coarse, dense, or otherwise difficult to mow patches, and the battery life is really good.

Where to Buy the Stihl RMA V Battery Lawn Mower

Product Comparisons

So, is the Stihl RMA 448 V Battery Self-Propelled Lawn Mower right for you?

Anyone searching for a new lawnmower has several things to consider: gas versus battery power, deck size, brand, and budget, just to name a few. The Stihl RMA 448 V self-propelled lawnmower is a premium residential lawn mower, designed for small and midsize yards and all types of grass. It runs quietly, is powerful and easy to operate, and offers four convenient ways to manage grass clippings. As a dependable tool for lawn maintenance, it’s difficult to find fault with this machine.

If your goal is to cut the grass as cheaply as possible, then this mower is probably not the best choice. A cheap mower will reliably cut tall grass shorter, even if it takes more time, makes more noise, and requires more frequent charging to do so. However, if you prefer a quiet but powerful self-propelled mower with refined features that make lawn maintenance a pleasure, then go with the Stihl RMA 448 V.

Meet the Tester

Mark Wolfe is a product tester and writer who came from the green industry. For twenty years he mowed, edged, planted, pruned, cultivated, irrigated, and renovated beautiful landscapes. Now he tests and writes reviews about the latest hand tools, lawn care products, outdoor power equipment, and other outdoor living goods.

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