Ryobi 40v vs. Ryobi 18v String Trimmer Review

Ryobi 40v vs. Ryobi 18v String Trimmer Review
UPDATE: I just used the 40v to do my yard. I can walk twice as fast with this trimmer than I could with the 18v. It rocks. Even if you bought the 18v last summer, I would recommend you still buy this trimmer. You will not be sorry. This is a very unscientific comparison of the two battery powered Ryobi string trimmers. The 40v is so much better, but I really have nothing bad to say about the 18v version which I have used for three years.

[@vinceking7878]

Waaay better than I expected!

[@xmiller7691]

You can reload the empty spools- I do it all the time. It's not too hard, just turn the line on the empty cartridge and catch the line in the slot on the spool's edge to keep it tight while you put the end through the eyelet. Pull on the string to free it from the slot as you place the head back, then screw on the cap. It's not as easy to fill as on the new 2 line bump head on the 40 volt trimmer, the one where you just push the line through and rotate the head by hand, but it's worth it to not have to keep buying the preloaded reels.

[@gadsdendude]

yeah this is what I started doing. buy a roll at walmart, correct gauge and reload them, carry an extra in your pocket so you arent in the middle of something when it decides to run out

[@4seeableTV]

I have the 18v, but used my friend's 40v the other day. His was so much better. Even something as simple as holding in the button while trimming. My hand gets a bit crampy with my 18v when doing a lot of trimming at once. The 40v is so much more comfortable.

[@FernbarkFrist]

Ryobi just came out with a new 18v model with a brushless motor. I got it last week, but haven't had a chance to really test it. It is a good deal though, because it comes with a 4 ah battery and runs about $150.

[@parranoya100]

I have the 18v and the line doesn't advance. I have to remove the spool cover and do it by hand.

[@kajekage9410]

4 years later and I still don't know what to buy lol.

[@FernbarkFrist]

I'm now using the Milwaukee M18 Quik-Lok. Best battery trimmer I have ever used.

[@aritano491]

@@FernbarkFrist Im surprised that the 18V is better than the 40V roybi to u

[@Fomites]

I have had a 36/40 volt RLT36 here in Australia since about 2014. The line is supposed to feed automatically upon trigger off but it has NEVER fed properly. I have tried lubricating the coiled line with various lubricants including Teflon but no luck. I suspect this is a dud model. Anyone??

[@IAmVicMan]

I just bought the 18v and I'm finding that each time I release the button, excess string comes out and hits against the guard/blade without cutting off and makes a loud rattling noise. Is the little blade edge supposed to cut off any excess string easily?

[@FernbarkFrist]

It is supposed to cut the string.

[@vinceking7878]

Fernbark Frist Sounds a bit crude

[@BrewskiSucks]

That is how that model is designed. You release the "throttle" and it takes the pressure off the spool, letting more out. Then, when you start it up again the centripetal force pulls against it and locks any more string from letting out. So what you have to do is start it up and keep the trigger pulled the whole time until you are ready to let out more string. If you look at the bottom there is a little metal blade that cuts the string when you let out too much. It will sound bad for 2-3 seconds while it's cutting off the excess but it will only be as long as that little blade. You can switch the position of the blade so it cuts at 10" or 12". I set mine to 12" so it wouldn't cut as often. I used the 18v Hybrid system for a few months and then decided I needed more power so I got the 40v expand-it system. This uses the "bump" method of bumping the bottom of the head to the ground to let more out. Also, it has waaaay more power and lasts a lot longer than the 18v system.

[@fwoodman]

Can you put a fatter string on the 40V, like the yellow or red?

[@FernbarkFrist]

You can go up to .080

[@michaelzoran]

I bought the 40 volt one seen in this video. I have to say I was very disappointed. It took me 30 minutes just to do around my house. Basic things such as grass and small weeds that would instantly be done with a gas weed wacker took a very long time to do with this 40 volt weed wacker. Also, this 40 volt weed wacker was actually heavier than the gas weed wackers because of the large heavy battery. Having only one string line rather than two the way gas weed wackers do makes a BIG difference. Having only one string line reduced efficiency very much. I do like the way the string can be fed without tapping on the ground - that is something that gas weed wackers should copy. And I like the way the unit starts electrically without a complex 1/2 choke, choke, pull the string system the way gas weed wackers do. Gas weed wackers should copy the electric start system, and then run on gas.

[@FernbarkFrist]

I don't even use this model any more. The new brushless 18v models blow this unit out of the water.

[@michaelzoran]

@@FernbarkFrist You said the new brushless 18v models blow "this unit" out of the water. Are you saying it is the "older 18v model" that is blown out of the water? Or are you saying it is the "40v model" that is blown out of the water?

[@ss4goku9695]

@@michaelzoran both.

[@michaelzoran]

@@ss4goku9695 I'm very disappointed with all the Ryobi electrical products I have used. I have an 18v leaf blower that only works for 7 (yes, seven) minutes or less when fully charged.

[@ss4goku9695]

@@michaelzoran you will experience this with any brand of cordless tools. Leaf blowers are the most demanding, but they do now have 9ah batteries available.

[@mwoolleyster]

Thanks so much for this video. It helped me make a decision on which one to buy

[@FernbarkFrist]

You can't leave us hanging, which one are you going to get? Thanks for watching.

[@mwoolleyster]

Fernbark Frist I did get the 18v and like it very much!!

[@gadsdendude]

Mine eats so much line and I can't figure out why it is doing this . At almost 20 bucks for 3 spools its getting expensive ! Wondering if anyone has used a thin wire and forget buying the dam spools ?

[@FernbarkFrist]

gadsdendude It does suck that they go through the line. I don't know why they could not have built them to use heavier line.

[@vinceking7878]

Fernbark Frist Make money. Ryobi accessories are quite a large of money.

[@DONALD1951]

Can’t you just use any string line?.

[@norbertrivera]

How long does a Ryobi 40V cordless trimmer battery Last?

[@FernbarkFrist]

I have a 3/4 acre yard with a lot of landscaping to trim around. I can do almost the whole thing on the 4.0 battery. It takes two of the smaller ones to get it done. I haven't timed it, but it probably takes me about 40 minutes to do the whole yard.

[@DONALD1951]

String is cheap enough. How often does anyone really have to trim. Can’t you use any brand trimmer line??

[@FernbarkFrist]

If you use the really skinny stuff it wears out super quick. I trim every week in the summer. You can use any brand trimmer line that will fit your trimmer. Some trimmers have a max thickness you can use.

[@jman3336]

you can buy a adapter for the ryobi that gives you 2 strings.

[@FernbarkFrist]

I don't know. I have thought about looking into it though. I may even make something myself if I have to. The unit really eats the string.

[@vinceking7878]

Fernbark Frist Keep it on all the time.

[@MAX5WM]

How does the 40v compare to a 15-amp corded trimmer?

[@FernbarkFrist]

I have never used the A/C powered trimmer. The A/C one probably works fine, but there is no way I could drag a cord around an almost one acre yard.

[@MAX5WM]

I am on a 1/4 acre and will need an electric edger for the driveway. I figured while the cord is out anyway I can stay under budget with a corded trimmer.

[@funmaster4632]

I bought the 40 volt I am marginally impressed. I get a half an hour and it takes about 3 hours to charge --. It does have power though almost as much as gas. The biggest problem is the batteries are 150 dollars for 5 amps and a tool is 200 for 4 amps and a charger. Might as well by a tool. If the batteries were a 100 I would be happier with the product.

[@FernbarkFrist]

This is a really old video. I have been using the new Milwaukee M18 products for the last 18 months. Way better.

[@HemiBurns]

40V...no question

[@FernbarkFrist]

This is an old video. The new brushless trimmers are much better.

[@wisestudent1463]

Gas power string trimmers are history now !!!

[@colinb7530]

Mine doesn't! I can barely go through a lawn's string trimming before it is gone, I will be getting an echo 300 dollar edged trimmer set for my business soon. Electric doesn't cut it- get that cut it haha I just explained a joke👎🏻

[@Conklikov]

electric is great for small city lots, but if you have acres and acres electric is a waste. I can put the solid plastic blade adapter on my stihl and i can cut through big burdock and forest scrub plants with ease. And use much thicker string. But i do thing electric is the future. But much like a electric car great for city but have limited range, you wouldnt use it to drive 1000 miles, because you would get caught up waiting on charge times so much. not saying you couldnt, probably would be fun to tell you the truth. But most people would use gas and go the distance. Much like a gas trimmer, i have seen the propane powered stuff, that seems promising.

[@wisestudent1463]

I heard the 40V head has less rpm and there for lower performance !! I have the 24V Ryobi, it is classed as a medium duty. But I would put it up against the 40V any day !!

[@4u25out]

Really? I got 24V too for Father's day, its a combo pack,with hedge trimmer/edger, for $99 at Homepot, 3yrs warranty,I got 90 days hassle free trial, this is my 1st cordless, I plan to use it this weekend,we'll see how I like it.

[@arbitrarysequence]

***** How did you like it?

[@wisestudent1463]

I just bought a 40V Black and Decker with the same head.....I love it. I now have personal experience with both the 24V Ryobi and the 40 Black and Decker , same head...The 40v will out perform the 24V any day...!

[@philliphodges8993]

*

[@abizarlakdawalla4519]

The 40V battery does not last. $99 to get a replacement battery!

[@KubasakiDragon76Heidicapped]

I googled 18v edger vs 40v edger and I get this: a review for a string trimmer. I want the edger not the weed whacker. I tried other search engines and I still get string trimmer. What is the deal? Anyone? I mean, I understand that people edge with a string but I want the blade edger. Thank you! Great review tho.

[@FernbarkFrist]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/eKu7Z62CiN2Wrc0

[@KubasakiDragon76Heidicapped]

@@FernbarkFrist Thank you!!

[@markbishop1258]

Used the 40V about 6 times and the battery failed.

[@FernbarkFrist]

That sucks. I have used mine for years. If your battery failed that fast, at least Home Depot is decent about returns.

[@boblinkmeyer2328]

Ryobi is junk DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY I had a 18 volt and it lasted one season before the motor burnt up . Bought another and it lasted one hr. They are the worlds biggest piece of SHIT.