RYOBI 40-Volt Brushless RY40180 review

The RYOBI 20-inch 40-Volt Brushless Lawn Mower is lightweight and maneuverable, and it is better for the environment than a gas lawn mower that releases harmful emissions.

RYOBI 40-Volt Brushless RY40180 review

Top Ten Reviews Verdict

The RYOBI cordless lawn mower is a versatile machine that can handle tall grass and its batteries can be used to power other RYOBI lawn equipment.

Pros

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    Its rechargeable lithium-ion battery can be used to power your other compatible RYOBI cordless lawn equipment

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    The battery lasts up to 40 minutes

Cons

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    This cordless mower is not self-propelled

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The RYOBI 20-inch 40-Volt Brushless Lawn Mower is lightweight and maneuverable, and it is better for the environment than a gas lawn mower that releases harmful emissions. Besides mowing, you most likely need to edge your grass, trim bushes and cut tree branches. 

For other models we’ve reviewed, check out our full round up of all the best electric lawn mowers, or if you don’t want an electric model, head to the best gas lawn mowers.  

In addition to being compatible with other RYOBI machines, this mower's lithium-ion battery lasts up to 40 minutes on a full charge. If your lawn is well-maintained, this gives you plenty of time to mow your yard before you need to recharge the battery. The mower can house up to two batteries. This allows you to mow for an extended period, especially handy if you have a larger lawn. You may find the batteries drain more quickly when you mow long or thick grass. Fortunately, RYOBI's batteries recharge faster than others – you can charge a battery to full capacity in 90 minutes.

RYOBI 40-Volt Brushless RY40180: What you need to know

The RYOBI 40-Volt mower is best for lawns that are half an acre in size or less. The mower has a 20-inch cutting path and seven cutting-height positions, ranging from 1.5 to 3.75 inches. You can easily adjust the height with a lever located on the left side of the mower deck.

When you finish mowing, the handle folds down, which makes the mower easy to store. This is extremely helpful if you have limited space in your garage or shed.

RYOBI 40-Volt Brushless RY40180: Features & performance 

Unlike gas-powered mowers, the RYOBI 40-Volt starts instantly with the press of a button and runs quietly without disturbing your neighbors or emitting noxious fumes. It isn’t self-propelled though, so you need to put some work into moving it around.

This is a good electric lawn mower if your goal is to be environmentally friendly. It comes with a mulching option that grinds down grass clippings so you can reuse them for gardening instead of throwing them away. It also frees you from the yearly maintenance and fuel and oil that traditional mowers require.

This mower weighs just 55 pounds with the battery installed. Because it’s lightweight, it’s somewhat easier on your back and knees. Still, it may be difficult for some to maneuver on hills or steep grades because it isn’t self-propelled. This RYOBI also does not have a side discharge. It comes with a rear bag that collects grass clippings as you mow.

RYOBI includes a three-year limited warranty, which is about average for an electric lawn mower. Another element we loved about this model is that it’s good value for money.

 Should you buy the RYOBI 40-Volt Brushless RY40180?

The RYOBI 40-Volt 20-inch cordless mower is one of the best electric lawn mowers for homeowners with small lawns who have limited storage but need efficient cutting power. The added value of being capable of using up to two batteries that work with other RYOBI lawn equipment makes this electric lawn mower well worth considering. The fact that it isn’t self-propelling could be a major drawback for some buyers though.

Grant Morgan

A graduate of Weber State University with a B.S. in Electronic Media and an Art minor, Grant started writing at Top Ten Reviews in 2012 covering graphic and photo software, spreading his expertise into large appliances and HVAC. Grant enjoys reading, anime, board games, backpacking and dreams of exploring Norway and the Pacific Northwest.