If nasty weeds plague your garden, never fear — the Ryobi string trimmer is here. Also known as weed eaters and many other names, a Ryobi string trimmer will take care of any lawn invaders that aren’t garden gnomes.
This tool isn’t just for getting rid of weeds, though. It can also be used for trimming and edging your lawn. Anywhere that’s hard-to-reach, the trimmer head of these tools will get to it.
Your lawn mower will be jealous that a younger, hotter tool is taking their work. But what else are you supposed to do for the spots that lawn mowers just can’t get to?
We recommend the Ryobi 40-Volt Lithium Cordless String Trimmer as the best overall. This is one to get if you’re looking for the most power and something compatible with a high quantity of attachments.
If you’re looking for a versatile tool that comes with extras, we suggest the Ryobi ONE+ 18-Volt String Edger and Trimmer/Blower Combo Kit. It’s the best value for your money because of how much it delivers — it’s a weed eater and a leaf blower.
The Ryobi 40-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless String Trimmer / Edger is our top pick for the most versatile. It has a rotating head and adjustable handle that should suit anyone, plus it’s attachment-compatible.
Here are our best Ryobi weed eaters, with in-depth reviews to follow :
Ryobi Cordless Trimmer Reviews
Ryobi P20010A One+ 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Electric Cordless String Trimmer — Best Overall
This power tool is a beast you won’t even know you’re handling as you glide around the lawn. The Ryobi P20010A ONE+ weighs only 6 pounds! Yet somehow, it boasts 20 percent more power than similar tools. It’s lightweight, handles like a dream and gives you up to 30 minutes of cordless run time.
You have ultimate control with this tool thanks to the variable speed trigger and 10–12 inch cutting width. A wider cutting width means you can cut more growth with fewer passes. The choice is yours: are you going to maximize run-time or power?
The handle on this tool is adjustable for your convenience, where the overall length of the tool isn’t. Even so, unless you’re 7 feet tall, you probably aren’t going to have an issue. It’s been carefully built to suit people of all heights, tall and short.
We recommend this as the best overall because of the increased power and the variable speed trigger. The fact that it’s lighter than the average newborn baby is a big plus, too. The lighter the tool, the easier it is to work with. And remember, weight rarely equals power.
However, powering this Ryobi tool is going to be a challenge. It comes as a bare unit, which means that they don’t provide you with a charger or a battery pack. You should choose this option if you already own other Ryobi cordless models which use the same batteries, or buy the whole kit together.
Pros
- Great cutting power.
- Fantastically light.
- Lots of control.
- Easy to operate.
Cons
- Doesn’t rotate.
- Battery and charger not included.
Ryobi ONE+ 18 String Trimmer/Edger and Blower Combo Kit 2.0 — Best Value
Our choice for the best value in string trimmers is this brilliant and sleek number, the Ryobi ONE+. This weed eater weighs in at 11.5 pounds and comes with a lithium-ion battery.
This cordless weed eater packs a killer performance with extreme versatility. It’s compatible with over a hundred other Ryobi tools in the range, so you can mix and match to your needs. This handy tool offers unbeatable value.
We really like the rotating shaft, which means you can switch between regular trimmer and the more accurate edging. This is great because now you won’t have to change tools, attachments, or start and stop your weed eater to readjust. This should save you loads of time and hardship.
Now, what do you see here? Is that a leaf blower? Yes, it is! You also get a blower that’s perfect for hard surfaces and has a scraper to get those tougher weeds and dirt. It’s not just weeds and thorns you’ll be cutting away with this — it comes prepared to tackle everything that might be bothering you.
It’s not the most powerful cordless model of blower in the world at 90 mph, but for one that comes as an add-on to a weed wacker, that’s fantastic. These two tools often go hand in hand since you’ll probably need to blow away those weeds you whacked, after all.
Pros
- The top edge of the trimmer can be used as a guide.
- Blower is good for cleaning out rain gutters.
- Easy to assemble.
- Good battery life.
- Lightweight.
Cons
- Head doesn’t rotate.
- May be too short for some people.
RYOBI 40 Cordless Attachment String Trimmer — Highly Compatible
The Ryobi 40-Volt trimmer packs the power of a gas model without the hassle of all the mess associated with a gas engine.
It’s got some excellent attachments, which are all compatible with the Ryobi Expand-it range. This could save you some time, money and space.
This tool comes with a 0.08-inch twisted trimmer line, so you know straight away what size string this trimmer uses. Plus, it has the REEL-EASY automatic feed head — a tool for making reloading faster and easier. This is something you usually only find on a gas-powered or electric weed eater.
This particular product is recommended for yards up to an acre in size. Now is that big-headed bragging, or a true measurement of its capabilities? We’ll let you be the judge. Rumor has it this thing has enough power for 2 acres in one charge!
It takes around 3 hours to charge, with a half-hour for it to cool down afterward. We think that’s absolutely worth it for how much you can do after a single charge.
The weight won’t slow down your work, either. It weighs 13.4 pounds — not bad, but not the lightest in the bunch. Though, with this much power, who cares how much it weighs if it’s not dragging you down?
Pros
- Battery and charger included.
- Long battery life.
- Lightweight.
- High power.
- Compatible with attachments, including the gas trimmer attachments.
Cons
- Long charge time.
- Slightly top-heavy.
Ryobi 18V One+ Line Trimmer Bare Unit — Lightest Weight
The floating head on this Ryobi Trimmer automatically qualifies it as one of the most versatile of the Ryobi string trimmers. Who doesn’t love the convenience a rotating head can offer?
This tool is perfect for trimming and edging. It can complete many garden tasks with safety and efficiency. The auto-feed line advances when the trigger is released, letting you feel more at ease as you work — no need to worry about trimming something or someone you shouldn’t have.
This trimmer has a two-handle design for your comfort. On top of that, it only weighs 4.63 pounds! With this level of comfort and lightness, you’ll need to be careful you don’t start flying around the lawn with this thing.
On an average battery, this weed eater should last you 25 minutes. You could add another 20 minutes on top of that with the two-pack of the bigger batteries Ryobi offers. Sadly, there are no batteries or charger included with this product, so you’ll have to do your own work.
No products found.Pros
- Ultra-light.
- Rotating head.
- Extremely safe.
- Decent battery life.
Cons
- Possibly too short for people above 6 feet tall.
- No charger or batteries included.
Ryobi 40-Volt Cordless Weed Eater / Edger — Most Versatile
This Ryobi cordless weed eater is another incredibly versatile one on the list since the handle is adjustable, and the head pivots. To get it to rotate, there’s a lever you can push. It’s a simple process that shouldn’t cause any confusion.
What more could you ask for with such versatility? Oh, maybe you wanted it to be compatible with universal attachments, too. Well, it is.
This trimmer is designed to provide a long runtime with fade-free power. It actually provides a longer runtime than a gas string trimmer, but up against the Ryobi 2-Cycle String Trimmer, this battery-powered one wins. You could do two acres a week, yet only have to charge it once a month.
It weighs 13.55 pounds, which is about average for the non-ultralight weed eaters on this list. It shouldn’t be too strenuous for you to haul it around the property during a long session.
Pros
- Highly versatile.
- Reasonably priced trimmer string.
- Battery and charger included.
- Long battery life.
- Attachment-compatible.
Cons
- Not as easy to control as some may like; tends to wander, which can be learned with practice.
- Slightly top-heavy.
Buyers’ Guide for Ryobi Weed Eaters
We hope we’ve helped you decide on what weed eater to buy, but the journey is far from over. There are a few more key points to look at when contemplating.
Weight
The older or less physically capable you are, the lighter you’ll want to go. Another reason to go for something lightweight is if you have a large property. The heavier something is, the faster you tire out. This is where the latest battery powered weed eaters can help you out.
The lightest one of our bunch is the Ryobi 18V One + Line Trimmer Bare Unit. We recommend this one if lightweight tools are your preference.
Luckily, our featured products are all battery-powered and cordless string trimmers. Maneuvering an extension cord on an electric weed eater is a pain, and gas-powered weed eaters tend to be on the heavier side.
Battery Weight
Batteries play a part in the weight of a weed eater, too. Older ones weigh more — those decrepit, outdated nickel ones also hold less charge. Lithium batteries, on the other hand, are lighter and are more durable, exactly what you might want in a trimmer or edger.
Power
Patches of weed can grow dense, and let’s not even think about thorns and ivy. Everything weed eater on this list has a hard kick, but the best for you is all up to circumstance.
When it comes to the voltage, the higher it is, the more powerful weed eater it is. You should be fine with the 18 volts for simple jobs — the Ryobi ONE+ 18-Volt Lithium String Trimmer / Edger and Blower Combo Kit, for example.
If it’s something that requires vicious trimming, maybe go for a 40-volt model, like the Ryobi 40 v Cordless Attachment String Trimmer.
Battery Life
The less you have to charge your weed eater, the less hassle there is. That isn’t to say the best Ryobi weed eater is the one with the longest battery life, though. But the best weed eater for you might be the one that’s in it for a long time.
Balancing battery life against power is something you should look at. If it’s uber-powerful and the battery pack is long-lasting, great. If not, then it’s time to get objective.
If you have an easy job over an acre, battery life trumps power. If you have a hard job to do in your yard that should only take 10–15 minutes, power is key. Knowing your needs is the first step to enlightenment.
The model with the longest battery life is the Ryobi 40-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Attachment String Trimmer.
If you just need one or two 15-minute uses, go for the Ryobi P20010A One+ 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Electric Cordless String Trimmer.
Make sure you get your batteries from a reputable seller if your trimmer doesn’t come with them. Just make sure they’re the right ones! The incorrect type, or bad, inferior batteries from a bad seller, could damage your tool. Ideally, you should buy Ryobi brand batteries.
And remember, lithium is the path to greater battery longevity.
Cutting Width or Swath
A large cutting width will let you get more mowed down in one swing. This is a positive for those who want to get the job done fast and easily. However, a tighter cut width lets you trim edges and get into difficult corners more easily.
The cutting width isn’t as important as most other features on string trimmers, especially not for those just working in the yard. However, here’s a breakdown on what different cut swaths may be useful for:
- 10–13 inches: Ideal for small yards, edging and light use.
- 14–16 inches: Perfect for medium yards and moderate use.
- 17 inches and higher : Professional use and larger yards.
Conclusion
Ryobi has a wide range of quality string trimmers just waiting for you out there. Though they may look similar, little things go into setting them apart. These little things will dictate which one is right for you.
Obviously, weight matters if you’re older or less able-bodied. Battery power is a huge thing to consider since you don’t want it switching off halfway through a job. And of course, don’t just buy for now, buy for your future self. Nobody likes replacing a perfectly good tool, just because they didn’t think ahead!
Now you’re all clued-up on the best Ryobi weed eaters, here are the models ;
Last update on 2024-11-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API