We tried out Ryobi’s 40V 15-inch string trimmer and weeded our hearts out. The results are in.
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I Tried the Ryobi Cordless String Trimmer and Will String Out the Details for You
Updated on Sep. 30, 2024
String trimmers are popular tools for lawn maintenance. They’re great for trimming grass around trees, fences and posts. Mowers can’t reach those missed corners, and a string trimmer can even edge along the pavement. Many string trimmers work with attachable tools and accept alternatives to string as the trimmer head.
Residential users are switching from traditional gas-powered lawn equipment to electric ones. Why? Battery-operated tools are quiet, require no gas or oil and almost always “start.” Battery power and longevity have improved over the years, so what’s not to love?
But have you ever wondered if cordless string trimmers work as well as gasoline-powered string trimmers? I tested the popular battery-powered Ryobi string trimmer for the past three months, and I have the answers you seek.
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What is the Ryobi String Trimmer?
The Ryobi string trimmer is a 40V, 15-inch cordless string trimmer that retails for under $200. For context, the Ryobi brand is The Home Depot’s economical lineup of tools. Geared towards residential homeowners, this string trimmer tackles lawns of almost any size, depending on the battery you use. Plus, it’s part of Ryobi’s “expand-it” collection, which enables the attachment of tools other than the string attachment that was tested in this review.
PAMELA BONDURANT/FAMILY HANDYMAN
Ryobi String Trimmer
Ryobi Cordless String Trimmer Features
The Ryobi 15-inch 40V string trimmer includes a straight shaft string trimmer attachment, a 4-amp-hour battery, a charger and a 0.080-inch line (which can also accept up to 0.095 inches). Ryobi’s 40V batteries come standard with LED status lights, and the 80-watt charger should charge the battery in a little over 2.5 hours. A 70-minute run time is advertised.
The tool utilizes a “bump feed” mechanism to advance the line, which is pretty standard across string trimmers. As mentioned above, the bump head trimmer can be removed and replaced by a bladed, serrated head and the entire lower shaft can be removed and replaced by tools such as a pole saw using the quick change coupler system. The string can be adjusted from 13 to 15 inches, and Ryobi boasts that it reloads in under 60 seconds with its “speed winder.”
The trigger is variable speed, and the straight shaft is sturdy carbon fiber. While the tool carries a 5-year warranty, the battery only carries a 3-year warranty. A brushless motor powers the tool.
How We Tested the Ryobi String Trimmer
I’m testing many string trimmers and comparing them against the same criteria. The first thing I consider is the packaging, assembly, and instructions to get started. I started the battery charging while I assembled and read and noted that the battery took close to three hours to charge, which is something to keep in mind if you’re eager to get trimming.
The bump head was already loaded with string, but I needed to attach it to the power head. I struggled a bit with this seemingly simple task as I had trouble getting the lower shaft to slide into the upper shaft. I managed to get it to attach, but then it went too far into the upper shaft, and you may already be guessing that I struggled to pull it out…and yes, of course, it came all the way out. My next attempt was successful, and the quick couple system only required a half turn to lock it into place—a nice update to Ryobi’s older attachments, which relied on winding and hand tightening.
The battery was easy to attach, but as I was attaching it, I noticed it felt quite heavy and wondered if it was my imagination. I headed to the scale, and it weighed in at just under 3 pounds, which seemed innocuous until I weighed a few more 4-amp-hour batteries, and they came in at 1 and 1.5 pounds. Please note that the battery is a bit heavy.
I started trimming and tackling weeds growing through the paver cracks and around tree stumps. The power was ample, and while the 0.80 string broke easily against the pavement (not unexpected), the trimmer chewed through the weeds and grass with ease. The deflector did not block a good amount of the grit and grass, but I’ve never met a string trimmer that doesn’t leave my shins coated in dirt and weeds.
Turning the tool to the edge was awkward but doable, and the straight shaft was well-balanced. I experimented here with the variable speed trigger since I like to move a little slower when edging, and it helped with my aim, as I’m a bit of a zig zagger with a string trimmer. The brushless motor had the familiar “scratchy” noise and was a tad louder than some cordless string trimmers, but the battery still showed a 75% charge after approximately 20 minutes of use.
For my final act, a string change was in order, and my history with spooling string trimmers is not marked as successful. Having used many Ryobi string trimmers over the years, I knew the drill using their loading tool. The great thing about their method is that it works! You slide about 10 inches of string through the center of the bump head without worrying about direction, multiple layers of spooling or remembering how to re-attach the head and wind with the provided tool.
With that successful winding experience, I must caution users based on my previous experiences. The winding tool does not attach or “stay with” the trimmer, so you need to know where the tool is in your garage or shed. If you can’t find it, then you are not going to be able to re-string your trimmer until you buy a replacement or figure out a clever way to wind the head. I now keep mine tied to the handle.
Pros
- Long-running battery
- Fast reloading
- Takes fixed blade heads
- Interchangeable attachments
- Large cutting area
- Long shaft for tall users
Cons
- Heavy battery
- Tool required for reloading
- Not ideal for short users
FAQ
How do you put the line in a Ryobi string trimmer?
Reloading is relatively easy on Ryobi’s string trimmers. Unlike most string trimmers, Ryobi uses a proprietary tool to wind the string. To “reload,” all you need to do is insert the string through the holes in the head and wind. This can be done without removing any parts from the head.
How does the Ryobi trimmer auto-feed?
The Ryobi trimmer uses a bump feed mechanism. To advance the line, you “bump” the head on the ground while the trimmer is at full speed. If the line does not advance, you can manually press down on the head (while it’s not in use!) and pull on the line.
How do you remove the string head from a Ryobi trimmer?
This gets a little tricky. You need to pinch the sides of the trimmer and rotate the padlock symbol to the open padlock symbol. My hands aren’t big enough to do that, so I use some huge channel locks to squeeze and then another pair of channel locks to rotate. Once the symbols are lined up, the head pops right off.
What Other Reviewers Have to Say
Check out what a few other Ryobi string trimmer users have to say about this affordable tool:
“Just as good as gas,” remarks customer Frank on The Home Depot website. “My neighbor has this model and I have the gas powered head. After trying his I bought one for myself. I already had most of the attachments. The battery last long enough for me to trim, edge and blow my grass before I have to recharge. It is so quiet I can start earlier in the morning and not wake the neighbors. No gas smell, exhaust smoke or heat.”
“Carbon fiber is for real,” five-star reviewer Mike explains. “I have the “original” 40V brushless weed eater, which I have been using it heavily for 2-3 years now for brush clearance. I finally destroyed the head of the string trimmer and decided to give the carbon fiber a shot. The carbon fiber is significantly lighter than the old version and it makes a big difference. In terms of power, it truly does have gas-like power. The battery lasts long enough to trim a yard. If you’re trying to clear a large area, you’ll need a few batteries.”
Ryobi String Trimmer vs Other String Trimmers
The Ryobi string trimmer stacks up nicely compared to other cordless string trimmers. The high-capacity battery is a standout, though, as I mentioned earlier, it adds as much as two pounds to the total weight. Another standout is the easy reloading mechanism, with the downside being that a proprietary tool is required to reload the string.
As for power, it was right up there with other cordless and gas string trimmers. The straight shaft was great for extended reaching but not as comfortable as a curved shaft. The noise level was slightly louder than my Ego trimmer, but not by much. The cost of ownership is a little less than that of other cordless string trimmers.
Final Verdict
Based on my testing, the Ryobi 15-inch cordless string trimmer gets a definite vote of yes. The factors influencing my decision lie primarily in the easy winding, high capacity battery and economical price. If you already own other Ryobi 40V tools or interchangeable attachments, this trimmer is a shoo-in for your collection. Another bonus is that parts and add-ons are easily found locally at The Home Depot.
Where to Buy
You can buy a Ryobi string trimmer with battery and charger for under $200 on Amazon or at The Home Depot.
PAMELA BONDURANT/FAMILY HANDYMAN
Ryobi String Trimmer
