Ryobi Lawn Mower Reviews, Is Ryobi Reliable?
Gone are the days of noisy gas-powered mowers which are a headache to maintain. Electric or battery-powered mowers are efficient, quiet and don’t require you to stump up cash on frequent maintenance. If you are new to this, it can be quite tricky to choose among the plethora of types and brands available in the market. Both EGO and Ryobi are leading in the race of electric lawnmowers beating their competitors. But, we will review the ryobi lawn mower brand and the electric mowers they’re offering.
Luckily, Ryobi has got you covered with their powerful and economical range of electric lawnmowers. Whether you have a small garden to take care of or a large yard that takes a couple of hours to get the job done, you will find one that’s ideal for you in our Ryobi lawn mower reviews.
We’ll look at five different models from the Ryobi electric mower line up, including self-propelled, zero-turn, and riding ones, and see how they hold up in such a competitive market.
Best Electric Ryobi Lawn Mowers
| Product Name | Our Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| RYOBI 20 in. 40-Volt | 4.7 | Check Price |
| Ryobi RY 48111 | 4.5 | Check Price |
| Ryobi RY40LM30 | 4.5 | Check Price |
| Ryobi RY40LM10-Y | 4.3 | Check Price |
| Ryobi RY48ZTR100 | 4.0 | Check Price |
1. RYOBI 20 in. 40-Volt 6.0 Ah Lithium-Ion Battery Brushless Mower
Starting our list is an affordable 40v self-propelled Ryobi cordless lawnmower. The Ryobi mower has a strong and useful design that is perfect for lawns around a quarter of an acre in size. In order to improve the machine’s performance and durability, a brushless motor is used. I really appreciate that this Mower can be folded up for easy storage, which is a crucial aspect I like about it.
The only thing left to do is lower the mower height and remove the batteries to release the lever. I’m impressed by the caliber and accuracy of the cuts made by this Ryobi self-propelled lawn mower. The cutting height is adjustable from 1.5 to 3.75 inches using a single lever. What stands me out is that its 20″ deck always leaves a clean and even cut as long as you keep the blades sharp
Pros
- Can raise and lower the blade
- Handles that adjust and LED-lit safety features
- The simple start button
- It is quieter than most lawnmowers.
Cons
- It can be difficult to turn.
2. Ryobi RY 48111
The RY48111 is a beefy riding mower that comes with all the latest technology and versatility built into it. Its 38in dual blade cutting deck is designed to make quick work of large lawns, and the massive 100Ah battery allows it to cover up to 2.5 acres on a single charge, due to all these features of RY48111 riding mower, we have included it in our list of best ryobi lawn mower to buy for your lawn. Very robust and comparable to my top picks for 2 acre lawn tractors.
This Ryobi lawnmower is much quieter than your typical gas-powered mowers, even with the powerful 3-brushless motors and a chunky cutting deck. The deck can be adjusted to 12 different positions that make it suitable for all heights of grass as well as both dry and wet grass.
Apart from all the essential components, the Ryobi RY48111 is loaded with special features like LED headlights, cruise control and USB charging port. However, we found that the spring suspension in the driver’s seat is not the smoothest, and you will be able to feel occasional shaking, especially if your lawn is very bumpy. That said, for lawns with a level surface of slopes up to 10-15%, this mower can keep up very well.
The Ryobi RY48111 comes with a bag, mulch and side-discharge functionality. It won’t require much maintenance apart from regular cleaning and a little care of the lead-acid battery. Given its appealing selling price and a bunch of extra quality-of-life features, this Ryobi battery-powered lawn mower should be on your bucket list.
Pros
- Durable dual-blade 38” deck.
- Cruise control.
- USB charging port for phones and mp3 players.
- 12-position height adjustment.
Cons
- The spring suspension is a bit rigid.
- Stock blades are not the best quality.
3. Ryobi RY40LM30
Next is another self-propelled lawn mower that incorporates some innovative and refined design choices by Ryobi into a sturdy chassis. The Ryobi push mower Smart Trek RY40LM30 is powerful, with a brushless motor to give it a boost when encountering tough mowing conditions. Although it does not have the fastest turning blades, the slight compromise in speed gives it a much greater efficiency and a longer battery life.
With any battery-powered mower, there is always the risk of having it die when working on a large area and don’t have spare batteries with you. Luckily, with the 40v, 6.0Ah battery, you are looking at a decent 50-60 min of full-load usage. Keep in mind that the slower speed has a part to play in that, and it also won’t produce as good results as a faster spinning blade.
Ryobi’s unique feature added to this self-propelled mower is the Smart Trek drive, enabling the mower’s handle to sense your walking speed to adjust the mower’s speed accordingly. It may feel jerky when you’re using it for the first time, and there’s a learning curve to it.
We also liked the single-point height adjustment, which can set the cutting height anywhere from 1.5″ to 4″, making it especially suited for taller grass. Apart from that, the great efficiency, adequate performance coupled with the competitive price tag make it one the best value for money products from Ryobi’s 40v line.
Pros
- 3 cutting options (Mulch/Bad/Side-discharge).
- Easy to start and use.
- Up to 4” cutting height.
- 5-year limited warranty.
Cons
- Smart Trek drive can take some time to get used to.
- Not the most powerful motor.
4. Ryobi RY40LM10-Y
The RY40LM10-Y is very similar to the previous model but has a 21” deck and doesn’t come included with a side discharge facility. Much of the build quality and features are the same as what you find in the slightly pricier RY40LM30. You get a 7-position single point adjustment alongside the Smart Trek Drive for a great mowing experience.
This Ryobi self-propelled lawnmower has the same 40v, 6.0Ah dual battery capable of providing lots of power and a long-range. Although the performance is really impressive, we think the battery is not the quickest in terms of charging time, and there is also no battery level indicator on the handle.
It has a 2800RPM stainless steel blade which is slightly larger than what you’ll typically find in this range. The blade gives a superior cut, and the increased size makes it suited for larger areas. The RY40LM10-Y is easy to use, and the inclusion of LED headlights gives you the option to use it at night without annoying your neighbours, as the mower doesn’t produce a lot of noise itself.
The great battery life, coupled with the self-propulsion means that this Ryobi electric lawn mower is perfect for everyone ranging from kids to old people. If you have a larger area to cover without having to worry about charging the battery all the time, the RY40LM10-Y is for you.
Pros
- High capacity dual battery.
- Excellent cutting performance.
- 21 inch wide cutting deck.
- 5-year limited warranty.
Cons
- No battery level indicator LED.
- Self-propelled Smart Trek drive takes time to get used to.
- Slow battery charging.
5. Ryobi RY48ZTR100
Ryobi has also got you a solid zero-turn option. The RY48ZTR100 is a quiet and powerful riding mower with plenty of modern features to make quick work of your lawn. This is not the cheapest zero-turn you’ll find, but the sheer power, maintenance-free running and numerous quality-of-life additions make it well worth the cost.
Starting with this mower’s performance itself, you are getting a massive 100Ah battery that’ll easily last three hours as they claim. Combine that with an equally massive 42inch cutting deck with 12-position height adjustment to tackle any lawn or yard. You can set the height anywhere from 1.5” to 4.5” using a lever that’s readily accessible.
As it’s a zero-turn mower, you’ll get four brushless motors powering all the four wheels and the dual blades. This allows for great maneuverability and a comfortable ride for the user. There is also a USB port and a cup holder right next to the charging port. Finally, Ryobi has also included strong LED headlights so you can easily use it at night.
We think the Ryobi RY48ZTR100 is ideal for homeowners with large lawns or even small commercial applications. It has one of the longest battery lives you can get from a zero-turn, and a sturdy 42” deck that cuts anything you throw at it. Besides that, the fully electric design means minimal maintenance, and you also have the option to add attachments like a side-discharge chute or a plough to use it round the year.
Pros
- Long battery life, up to three hours.
- Great zero-turn maneuverability.
- 42” cutting deck with 12-position height adjustment.
- Cup holder and USB charger.
- Can add various attachments.
Cons
- A bit expensive.
- Might struggle in thick and wet grass if set to low height.
Conclusion
If you haven’t made the switch from gas-powered mowers to fully electric ones, you’re missing out on the opportunities of saving your time and money. These electric lawn mowers are highly efficient, nearly as powerful and always require you to spend less on regular maintenance.
We hope you liked our Ryobi lawn mower reviews and learned about the brand and its best-value offerings. If you want to pick a Ryobi push mower among the ones we discussed, we think the Ryobi RY40190 offers a great balance of performance and price. If it’s a ride-on mower that you need, the Ryobi RY48ZTR100 will be an excellent zero-turn model to consider. You could also check put our reviews on Husqvarna 450X and Greenworks 25022.
Let us know which one you are going to buy for your lawn. Or if you already use a Ryobi electric lawn mower, how has your experience been?
