It’s not everyone’s favorite chore to mow the lawn, but it must be done.
Mowers that use gas have long been the norm…
…but electric options are now popping up across the market…
…and they promise just as much power and no oil or gas to change.
Despite being hesitant at first, we decided to try the RYOBI 40-Volt Brushless Self-Propelled Mower.
Keep reading to find out how it performed.
Here are a few words from Natasha…
The fact that you just have to charge the batteries and push a button makes it very easy to use.
I have only used the lowest speed so far, and that is sufficient.
Since I have a small yard, my batteries haven’t run out yet. It can be stored easily.
It is a great product.
The only problem I had was it wouldn’t start when we put it together.
Everything we tried didn’t work.
When I called the company for help,
I was immediately connected to a real person who walked me through an easy fix.
The handle that expands up must be locked properly. It was very helpful!
We’re ready to get started now…
RYOBI 40-Volt Brushless Self-Propelled Mower Review
What We Like
- Easy starter button
- It runs quieter than most mowers
- Lightweight, collapsible design
- Self-propelled to make it easy to maneuver
- Can raise/lower the blade
- Adjustable handles and LED-lit safety features
What We Don’t Like
- The neon green color
- Can be hard to turn
Simple Setup Process
RYOBI’s 40-volt mower comes with a thick instruction manual…
…but most people will be able to put it together by sight.
Although the mower is almost completely assembled…
…you should still check the packing list to make sure you have everything you need.
A 40V 5Ah lithium-ion battery and battery charger are included…
…with the mower as well as a grass catcher bag and frame, a mulching plug, and the owner’s manual.
In order to assemble the mower, we simply had to pull it out of the box…
…unfold its adjustable handles, attach the grass catcher…
…set the blade height to our desired level…
…and then put the battery in.
Since there’s no gas or oil involved, the entire process is hassle-free.
Designed in Neon Green with Headlights
Brushless Self-Propelled Mower has a durable black plastic body and thick…
…sturdy handle that makes it look like a workhorse.
Another feature of this mower that shows off its sturdiness is its self-propelled ability…
…which uses cruise control to cut grass without you pushing it.
You don’t have to worry about the mower running away without you…
…because you have to pull the lever up while your hands are on the handle.
It looks like any other battery-powered lawnmower from the outside…
…but its black body has neon green highlights that make it stand out…
…in a not-so-pretty way (unless neon green is your favorite color).
At least while it’s moving around the yard, the green blends into the dapples of sunlight…
…which makes it more visually appealing…
…especially if you’re sitting in a wicker chair watching while someone else does all the work.
No matter who pushes the mower, the handle will adjust to your height and lock in place.
Especially when it is in the self-propelled mode, this feature makes maneuvering the machine easier.
Grass can also be adjusted, similar to how hair clippers work.
You can either opt for a military buzz cut or keep it longer, depending on your preference.
Continue reading…
LED headlights are one feature that makes this mower stand out…
…though we’re not sure if it’s totally necessary.
When the mower is running, these bug-eyed lights shed some light…
…but unless you’re mowing at dusk or in the dark, we don’t see much use for them.
The beams illuminate about a foot outside the mower…
…so even if you want to do some nighttime lawn care, you have this option.
It is also important to note that this mower is battery powered.
Since the battery is rechargeable, and the machine does not burn fuel or oil, it is better for the environment.
The battery must be charged before you get going…
…which can be a drawback for those who dislike planning.
The good news is that it also means mowing the lawn smells better…
…more like fresh-cut grass than a small semi-truck.
Noise pollution is also reduced by the RYOBI.
In fact, the neighbor with all the tools was impressed with how quiet it is…
…compared to other lawnmowers the last time we used it.
Go on…
Mowers That Drive Themselves Perform Well
We had never mowed the lawn before, so we decided to give this behemoth a try…
…only to find that it quickly moved across the yard in every direction.
That’s how powerful the self-propelled feature is.
Adjusting the cruise control button allowed us to tailor that feature to our abilities and cut evenly across the yard.
If you let go of the handle, it shuts off, so even when it felt too strong…
…you didn’t have to worry about it running away.
On the second attempt, we were able to walk the yard in rows…
…trimming the late-summer buffalo grass without breaking a sweat.
The self-propelled feature does not need to be engaged;
…it becomes active when you pull the levers up to the handle.
Alternatively, you can push the machine with your body strength.
Using the mower is most challenging when you have to cut corners.
Turning it around is extremely difficult and you have to lift it up and move it to get it going in the other direction.
It’s lightweight, so doing this isn’t as difficult as it might sound.
The lawn can be trimmed to whatever height you desire, from close-cropped to long and somewhat wild.
Regardless of the grass length you select, there won’t be any noticeable lawn lines…
…where you turned the mower around.
The grass was trimmed, but the stalks looked more chewed off than neatly sliced.
Catch errant grass blades in the large grass catcher, or let them fly out in tiny…
…double-cut bits with the mulch plug.
Because it has a convenient two-in-one mulching and bagging option…
…you can decide what you want to do with the cuttings.
It’s good to have options, and the extra grass cutting left behind…
…at the end of the season insulates the lawn for next year’s greenery.
Long Enough to Cover A Modest Yard with Battery Power
One 40-volt, lithium-ion battery comes with the RYOBI Self-Propelled Mower…
…but there are two places to store it.
By doing so, if you have a large property to trim, you’ll get twice the power.
We used the mower to landscape approximately 3,500 square feet of lawn…
…and 30 minutes later, the battery had dropped to just under half full…
…exceeding the advertised 35-minute time frame.
The power level of the battery can be checked by inserting the battery…
… into the charger that comes with the mower.
A nice battery cover protects the power source from moisture and flying debris.
Additionally, it’s a great place to keep a backup battery.
While the lithium ion battery is not in use, you can leave it on the charger…
…and if you need to charge it, it takes about 3.5 hours to fully charge.
“With the 40V 5Ah battery, you cut to maintain your 1/3 acre lawn without any problems if you keep your grass at a moderate height. You will get approximately 30 minutes of run time from your mower before it needs a recharge.”
Crystal – Product Reviewer
Handle Can be Folded Down Easily for Storage
To stow the mower, fold the handle down and over the body in a neat rectangle…
…approximately 12-inches by 30-inches.
You can then store it under a worktable, in a corner…
…or wherever it’s convenient to shove it until you need it again.
Be sure it’s in a dry, clean spot, out of reach of children, and either vertically…
…or horizontally with the battery chamber on top.
Before you store it, make sure you remove the grass catcher…
…by lifting it by the handle and empty it of any greenery.
If you used a mulching plug, dust it out as well so that no stalks dry inside.
Replace the bag before folding and storing.
When cleaning this machine, don’t use any solvents.
Since it’s made of plastic, albeit heavy-duty plastic, many commercial cleaners can harm the body.
Use a clean, dry cloth to remove any dirt, grease, or dust.
Make sure all the bolts are tight and ready for the next mowing adventure.
Priced Right
Although the RYOBI Self-Propelled Mower is expensive at $400…
…when compared with other battery-powered modern mowers, the price remains the same.
For the quiet, lightweight, easy-to-use, and reliable machine, it’s worth it.
If you’re looking to trim a modest-sized yard, you probably won’t find anything better in this price range.
RYOBI 40-Volt Brushless Self-Propelled Mower vs. EGO 56-Volt Lithium-Ion Brushless Mower
Both mowers are priced the same when compared side-by-side…
…with the EGO 56-Volt Lithium-Ion Brushless Mower.
However, the Ryobi is more powerful. With a 56-volt motor, the Ego is more powerful, and it charges faster.
Ryobi’s two main advantages over the Ego are that it is lighter in weight and has a brand name.
Considering EGO’s 5-year warranty, we wouldn’t be too concerned about its name popularity.
Ryobi only offers a 3-year warranty on its mowers.
Sum Up!
Take advantage of its self-propelled efficiency.
For a high-powered workhorse that gets the job done with efficiency…
…plenty of extra features, and a battery that lasts long enough…
…the RYOBI 40-Volt Brushless Self-Propelled Mower is priced right.
Conclusion
Overall, this is one of the better mowers on the market.
Ryobi did a great job on this one for the price it is being sold for.
Some hiccups here and there, but nothing that would affect your experience too much.