Let Our Guide Help You Find the Ideal Ryobi Trimmer

Ryobi is a brand known for offering quality, affordable power tools and lawn and garden equipment. Their lineup of string trimmers lives up to the brand’s reputation: quality at a budget-friendly price.

Ryobi One+ 18-Volt Cordless String Trimmer without Battery and Charger	Our favorite for 2017
Ryobi One+ 18-Volt Lithium-ion Cordless Electric String Trimmer and Edger	A great value option
Ryobi RY40220 40V Cordless Lithium-Ion 13 in. Expand-It X String Trimmer	A weed eater with great battery life

But if you’ve ever browsed their selection of weed whackers, you may have a hard time choosing a model. Most models are similar in design, price and features. We’re going to review five of the best models from the brand, but first, here are some tips on how to compare each one:

• Battery or Gas: You won’t find a single Ryobi gas weed eater on our list – all of the models we’ve chosen are powered by battery and/or electricity. But the brand does offer models that are powered by gas. We recommend the battery-powered models because they’re more affordable and produce zero emissions. With that said, you should still decide for yourself which one is right for you: gas or electric/battery.
• Swath Size: The size of the cutting swath is also important. The wider the swath, the larger the area you can cover at one time. Smaller swaths are ideal for smaller jobs and yards, but may not be suitable for sizable lawns.
• Weight: The weight of the trimmer is also important. Heavier units are difficult to carry and maneuver for long periods of time, especially if you’re older or shorter. Taller users will also want to keep the length of the trimmer in mind. Shorter shafts may force you to bend over the entire time, which can be painful and frustrating.

The Best Ryobi Weed Eater Reviews for 2017

Ryobi One+ 18-Volt Cordless String Trimmer – The Ryobi One+ is a cordless string trimmer with a generous 12-inch cutting swath. Ideal for most tasks, this trimmer is lightweight and versatile.

The rotating shaft allows you to easily convert the One+ into an edger. The height of the trimmer can be adjusted, too, to accommodate taller and shorter users.

The only drawback with this model is that it does not come with a battery or a charger. But this unit is compatible with any One+ battery – Lithium-ion or Ni-Cad. And its affordable price more than makes up for the lack of battery.

The One+ only weighs 6.3 pounds, so anyone can use this trimmer with relative ease.

Ryobi One+ 18-Volt Cordless Electric String Trimmer  – This unit is exactly the same as our previous pick, but comes with the battery and charger. If you don’t already have a One+ battery, this unit is the right choice for you.

The One+ is easy to set up, so you can get to work quickly. The shaft also rotates to transform this trimmer into an edger. An ergonomic grip on the front of the trimmer makes it comfortable and easy to maneuver.

The included battery recharges in as little as an hour, and you can purchase additional batteries to extend your trimming sessions.

Ryobi Expand-It Straight Shaft String Trimmer – The Expand-It string trimmer component transforms a conventional trimmer into a straight shaft unit. The straight shaft makes it easy to trim under shrubs, decks and benches.

While not compatible with any trimmer, the Expand-It works with all Ryobi, Weed Eater, Toro and Troy Bilt weed whackers.

The 18” cutting swath is ideal for bigger jobs and yards, and the 0.080” diameter line is highly durable. The ReelEasy Bump head is included with the Expand-It for quick and easy line replacement.

Although the Expand-It is not technically a weed whacker, it’s a highly useful accessory to have on hand if you need to trim underneath things, like bushes, shrubs and structures.

Ryobi RY40220 – The RY40220 is one of the only Ryobi 40V trimmer models on our list. And this one comes with the Expand-It accessory for added versatility.

The RY40220 delivers gas-like power in a convenient cordless model that makes quick work of most trimming jobs. The cutting width can be adjusted from 13” – 15” for added convenience, and the Expand-It system is compatible with universal attachments.

The variable speed trigger allows you to choose the right speed for the task, so you can preserve battery life.

Both the charger and battery is included with this unit, and one charge will give you about 45 minutes of use.

Ryobi RY40201A  – The RY40201A is similar to the previous model, but does not come with a charger or battery. Compatible with 40V batteries, this model offers extended use and enough power to rival gas-powered trimmers.

The Auto Feed string gives you control of the line, while the variable speed trigger allows you to adjust the power depending on the trimming task.

The adjustable 11” – 13” line allows you to take on tougher tasks with ease, and the 90-degree pivoting head can swing out with the push of a button to transform this trimmer into an edger.

The RY40201A is on the lighter side at 8 pounds, but the battery adds a few pounds. Even at 10-11 pounds, this model is lighter than the competition and easy to handle.

Buyer’s Guide –  How to Choose the Right Ryobi Weed Wacker for You

Even after reading our reviews, you’re still unsure of which weed whacker to choose. There’s a lot to consider, and if this is your first time buying a trimmer, you may not know what to look for. In addition to the points we covered earlier, there are other things you should keep in mind when shopping for a trimmer:

• Versatility: Some trimmers are highly versatile, and can be used to tackle multiple tasks in the yard. The majority of the Ryobi models on our list can easily be transformed into an edger, but others allow you to use other attachments to take on even more tasks.
• Power: Consider how powerful the trimmer is. The more powerful the battery, the longer you can use it before needing to recharge. More power also means that you can tackle tough weeds with ease. Choose a level that suits your yard. If you have a smaller yard with few weeds, you may not need as much power.
• Adjustable Swath: We talked about the importance of swath size earlier, but you may also want to consider whether the size is adjustable. Some trimmers, like the last two picks on our list, allow you to choose between a number of widths. An adjustable swath allows you to take on different tasks, big and small, with ease.
• Cost: The price of the trimmer is important as well. All of the Ryobi models on our list are affordable, but it’s still important to set a budget to make sure that you don’t overspend. With that said, price shouldn’t be the only factor you consider. The cheapest model you can find won’t necessarily offer you the best value.