The Ryobi Lawn Mower Review - An Overview

Are you looking to upgrade to the best lawn mower in Australia? Then today’s Ryobi lawn mower review will definitely help you make the right choice.

This popular brand has plenty of options to choose from, including several electric and petrol options. Here’s what you should know to figure out if this is the right choice to keep your lawn looking great.

Ryobi manufactures different garden power tools, with a strong focus on battery-powered tools.
Most of their lawn mowers are electric -both cordless and corded- with smaller decks targeted at medium-sized lawns.
They also offer petrol-fueled and ride-in mowers, although the selection is significantly smaller.

Table of Contents

Ryobi Lawn Mower Review

Our Top Choices from This Brand

Don’t Buy If…

Ryobi Mower Review: The Verdict

Ryobi Lawn Mower Review

Ryobi Lawn Mower Review
Engine & Components
Size
Features & Ease of Use
Warranty, Maintenance & Durability
Price

Engine & Components 5/5

Overall, Ryobi uses high-quality engines and components on their lawn mowers. Their batteries, for example, last for several years under normal use, and most customers are happy with how their mowers tackle the job.

Of course, keep in mind battery-powered mowers tend to be slightly less powerful than corded ones, and traditional petrol mowers generally fall in the heavy-duty category.

While this brand is better-known for their electric models, their petrol-fueled ones are worth mentioning. They have chosen top-of-the-line Yamaha engines meant for intense use, perfect for larger areas in need of a good trim.

When it comes to deck materials, Ryobi has some PVC decks and others made of a blend of metal and plastic parts. Finally, the lightweight handles are adjustable and help keep these mowers as light as possible, but still hold up to constant use.

There are no major complaints about parts falling off or breaking, and customers thoroughly enjoy the powerful Yamaha engines on their petrol push mowers.

Because of the great reviews, we’re giving Ryobi 5 out of 5 in this category.

Size 5/5

This brand’s push lawn mowers tend to be on the smaller size, which falls in line with their intended use as city-lot mowers. As such, you can find some models up to 33cm wide -or 13" -, way below the standard 16". This is great for tight corners in smaller city lots, or if you just have a small lawn in need of a trim.

Of course, they also offer bigger options with decks up to 51cm. Those generally use petrol, but have more powerful engines that slice through larger lawn areas with ease. On the other hand, Ryobi offers 2 ride-on mowers for those that need the power and have the space, with blades that span 42 inches, or 106cm.

When it comes to storage, all of their push mowers have foldable handles, which lower the final size of the mower during storage and make transportation easier. Their ride-on mowers are large and don’t have any collapsible parts, but if you’re looking into that type of equipment, you’ll have the garage space to keep it.

Overall, we’re happy with the sizing options and find they might fit different lawns if you choose the right model. We’re giving this brand 5 out of 5 in this category.

Features & Ease of Use 4/5

Ryobi’s features depend entirely on the specific model, but there are some highlights that we should mention. In cases where a feature only pertains to a specific line, we’ve mentioned it:

Brushless motor: this feature is only available in some of their electrical mowers. Simply put, this is:

PRO TIP: "A motor that adjusts automatically to the power needed for the task" – Patio Mowers [1]

This means brushless motors work colder, make less noise and are more powerful than others in the market. Essentially, brushless motors use a brushless battery, and adjust power according to the endurance needed. In turn, this bumps up battery efficiency and will make it last longer on a single charge. When looking for cordless electric lawn mowers, a brushless motor will help you cut more lawn area with a smaller battery.
Universal batteries: Ryobi has the ONE+ line with interchangeable batteries that fit all power tools in the range. This is only available in that specific line, but it’s worth considering if you already own different equipment from them.
Security features: like with other mowers, these stop completely whenever you release the throttle lever. This is great if you have kids or pets, but might get tiresome since some people complain it’s too sensitive. In our opinion, it’s better for the security features to be too sensitive than not, but it’s a matter of personal preference.
Lightweight: this brand is better known for their lightweight electric mowers, great for those with limited mobility or if you want younger kids to help out with the lawn. Of course, the electric models tend to have smaller blades and deck size, and might not fit your specific needs. Ryobi does have petrol-fueled models, but those have an average weight starting at around 32 kg.
Less noise: this feature only pertains to the electric models, but it’s worth mentioning since many neighborhoods now enforce a low-noise policy. While the brand still recommends using noise-cancelling earplugs, the noise level is significantly lower than with petrol-fueled models.
Two-function mowers: all Ryobi’s electric push lawn mowers are two-function, meaning they mulch and catch the clippings in order for you to bag them. The petrol-fueled models have 3-functions, that catch, mulch or side throw your clippings [2].
Easy start button in electric models: this is probably one of the selling features for many. Instead of having to deal with a pull starter, you can push a button and be done with it. this is great for those that don’t have the strength or energy to start a petrol mower several times in a row.
Adjustable telescopic handles: most models have adjustable handles, so you can get the right length for your lawn and height. This is especially useful if different people will be mowing your lawn, or if traditional-length handles feel uncomfortable for you.

Warranty, Maintenance & Durability 4/5

This brand offers a strong warranty covering 2 to 6 years depending on the product. Petrol-powered tools have a standard 2-year replacement warranty, while all batteries and chargers have a 3-year replacement window.

On the other hand, corded tools, products from the ONE+ line and tools using 36V or 12V batteries – except the batteries themselves- have a minimum 4-year replacement warranty that can be extended for two additional years once you register your product.

PRO TIP: Ryobi’s warranty can cover replacements up to 6 years depending on your product

In general, Ryobi stands by their products and the warranty is easy to claim. In fact, we found several accounts of batteries dying at less than 2 years of use and the company replaced them without hassle. Keep in mind that to use your warranty you’ll have to register the product at the manufacturer’s site and is only applicable to purchases from bunnings or Ryobi’s site. If you purchase a product from amazon or other online retailers, you won’t have access to the warranty.

While these limitations are common, it might be confusing since at first glance they aren’t evident and you’ll have to read about it on the terms and conditions. Because of that, we’re taking off 1 star.

Price 4/5

These are mid-range lawn mowers with a reasonable price, particularly when it comes to electric mowers. In general, Ryobi strikes a good compromise between build quality and price, with most clients happy with their purchase.

If you’re looking for the cheapest models, you’ll want to go for corded push mowers or the smallest electric ones. In contrast, the bigger petrol ones, or the ride-on models, are in line with other brands available in the market. Overall, this is a good option if you have a modest budget and a smaller yard, so we’re giving it 4 out of 5.

Our Top Choices from This Brand

of course, this article wouldn’t be complete without a Ryobi electric mower review, given this brand is better known for their cordless mower. Here are the two models customers prefer:

36V 5.0Ah 18" Ryobi Brushless Lawn Mower Kit

This is one of Australia’s favorite Ryobi lawn mowers, and more than 90% of customers who’ve tried it would recommend it. as with many of this brand’s products, it’s an electric mower with a powerful engine. In fact, it can last around 40 minutes of continuous use, which is usually enough for a small- to medium-sized lawn.

While many users love theirs to mow smaller city lots, some people complain about poor battery life and power, particularly in wet conditions or when mowing wet grass. However, this one has great reviews from people mowing a smaller turf with little irregularities and the company follows up to replace any faulty batteries if need be.

Specs

The kit includes the mower, a mulch plug, a grass catcher, a fast charger, the battery and the user manual.
36v brushed motor
Plastic/mesh catcher
Cutting height- 20mm to 70mm
18"-inch deck
Foldable handles

18V ONE+ 4.0Ah 36CM Lawn Mower Kit

This lightweight cordless mower is loved by homeowners with flat yards and well-kept lawns that use their mowers occasionally. Plus, both the battery and charger are compatible with all other products in the ONE+ range, making it a no-brainer if you already own power tools from that line.

Of course, given it has an 18V battery, it’s meant for smaller spaces. On the flip side, it’s even more lightweight than other electrical mowers, which is a great feature to have if you can’t push around heavy weights or need to move it up and down the stairs.

Specs

What’s included: lawn mower, 18v charger, 18v 4.0 ah lithium battery, 45l catcher
Easy fold-handles
Up to 30min runtime, 2hr charge
18v motor
Cutting height 20mm-70mm

Don’t Buy If…

This brand is a great option for many homeowners. However, you might want to look elsewhere if you:

Want a ride-on mower: while Ryobi lawn mowers Australia does offer one ride-on option, you might find the specs you need in that single model. As such, if you’re interested in a ride-on with certain specifications in mind, you might want to have a look at other brands.
You want to catch your clippings instead of mulching them: while all of this brand’s models offer a catcher to catch and bag your clippings, many clients complain about it being misshapen and inefficient in some products. Although in an official reply on their website the company stated they’re trying to improve the catcher, for the time being it remains troublesome.
You want a higher lawn: while this a short height setting is common for lawn mowers, longer grass stays green for longer and needs less frequent watering. However, Ryobi’s mowers have a maximum height of 70mm, which is slightly shorter than the standard 75mm. if you’d like to cut your grass longer than that, you’ll have to look elsewhere.
Want a smaller self-propelled mower: Ryobi has 2 self-propelled petrol mowers, and one electric model available in Australia, but both fall on the larger side of average. One of them has a 46-cm deck, and the other has a 51-cm deck.

Ryobi Mower Review: The Verdict

We think this brand is a great option if you’re looking for an affordable lawn mower meant for smaller spaces, or you’re in the market for mid-range electric mowers.

Overall, we like the warranty that can cover up to 6 years of no-fuss replacements, but keep in mind it’s only valid if you buy from certain retailers and register your product. If you need to keep your city lot looking great, this is a great option.

Want to learn more about lawn mower brands? Check out our below guides:

References

What is a Brushless Lawn Mower? | Brushless Vs. Brushed Motor. Patio mowers. https://patiomowers.com/what-is-a-brushless-lawn-mower/
The Lawn Mower Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know to Buy the Right Mower. Popular mechanics.

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