10 Ryobi Lawn Mowers Ranked Best To Worst

Ryobi is a popular power tool brand for home improvement needs and offers a large range of products at relatively low price points. They are known for producing mid-range quality home improvement and lawn tools to help users accomplish a range of tasks, for a little bit less than you'd pay for a premium brand like Bosch. Of course, there are both pros and cons to Ryobi power tools and outdoor equipment. Their cheaper prices and entry-level products may make Ryobi tools better suited to smaller-scale projects, but if you glance around the company's website, you'll notice that many of the lawn cutters are very highly rated, signaling consumers' confidence and satisfaction with their performance. If you're looking to see how battery-powered mowers stack up to gas ones, Ryobi offers several options for you to consider. 

While many of these mowers are highly rated by customers and offer the features you're likely looking for, there are a few that don't come as highly recommended. We've rounded up a list of Ryobi lawn mowers and ranked them from best to worst. To help us complete this ranking, we weighed the overall product rating, number of customer reviews, price, and features of each mower. You can find a more detailed explanation of our methodology at the end of this article.

The Ryobi 40V HP Brushless 20-Inch Self-Propelled Mower earns the top spot in our ranking for several reasons. First, as a self-propelled model, this mower will help make it easy to mow your lawn without breaking your back. As an electric model that is more powerful than a 150cc gas mower, it can help you decrease your environmental impact while still efficiently mowing your lawn. It runs on a 40V Ryobi battery, making it compatible with your other 40V Ryobi tools. The mower has a 40-minute runtime and is recommended for yards of up to ½ an acre. It offers a 7-position height adjustment to help you ensure the grass is cut to your preferred length. Plus, it automatically adjusts the blade speed as needed based on the conditions of the grass as you mow.

Beyond all of these impressive features, the other reason this mower ranks first in our roundup is because of the glowing reviews and ratings it has earned from real customers. Over 900 people have reviewed the mower on Ryobi's website, giving it an average rating of 4.7 stars, and 93% of these users have given it either a 4- or 5-star rating. One customer wrote, "I love mowing my lawn now! It works perfectly for my hilly 0.44-acre property. The self-propelling is a dream. It's lightweight and stores easily." Positive reviews such as this can help you feel confident that you aren't falling prey to the common mistakes everyone makes when buying a lawn mower.

If you have a slightly larger yard, the 70-minute runtime of the Ryobi 40V HP Brushless Self-Propelled AWD Multi-Blade Mower Kit may be a better fit for your needs. Its longer runtime makes it a suitable pick for individuals with up to ¾-acre properties. This is also a self-propelled model, so you should find it easy to push across your lawn as you cut your grass. It features Ryobi's Cross Cut Multi-Blade System, which helps disperse your clippings more to prevent those annoying and unsightly clumps from littering your lawn. The mower is also a part of the brand's Whisper Series, which means that it operates much more quietly than comparable gas models and even some other battery-operated ones. Plus, Ryobi gave this self-propelled mower a space-saving feature. The handle collapses with the touch of a button so you can store it upright, allowing the unit to take up a smaller footprint in your garage. 

This mower from Ryobi is very highly rated, with customers giving it a 4.7-star average rating and 81% of reviewers awarding it with a 5-star rating. The only reason we placed it second in our ranking is that it has fewer reviews and costs a bit more than our top pick. However, if your yard size demands the increased runtime, then this larger model is the right choice. Here is what one satisfied user shared about the mower: "This is my first battery-powered mower and exceeded my expectations! My cabin is up on a hill which was too steep of an incline for my rider. This beast in AWD mode powers up without issue."

This 40V HP Brushless 20-inch Push Mower Kit from Ryobi is another top option to consider, especially if you're shopping on a tight budget. The mower retails for $329, which is less expensive than our two top-ranked products. The main reason this model comes in at a lower cost is that it's a push mower instead of a self-propelled one. The obvious difference between a self-propelled versus a push lawn mower is that operation isn't as effortless, but if you have a relatively small and mostly flat yard, you might enjoy the extra workout. It offers a 45-minute runtime and is best for yards of up to ½-acre. A few other notable features of the mower include its brushless mower, easy-to-use height adjustments, and compact storage (like the previous model, the handle folds down so you can store the mower vertically to save space in your shed or garage).

An impressive 97% of reviewers gave this mower a 4- or 5-star rating. With all the reviews averaged out, it holds a high, 4.8-star rating. "We love this mower!! It replaced a gas mower that I was tired of having to do maintenance and small repairs. This mower is effortless to push and a lot more powerful than we thought it would be. I love that the deck can be adjusted seamlessly. I definitely recommend buying this mower," shared one customer who was pleased with their decision to give it a try.

If you have a smaller yard, then you might want to take a look at the Ryobi 18V ONE+ HP Brushless 20-inch Self-Propelled Multi-Blade Mower Kit. It is recommended for use on lawns up to ⅓-acre and offers a 45-minute run time. The battery-powered mower is part of Ryobi's Whisper Series and is about 60% quieter than similar gas models. This is a self-propelled model that utilizes the Cross Cut Multi-Blade System, keeping grass and leaves from clumping when mulching. It has a brushless engine, rear-wheel drive, and seven different height adjustment options. It is compatible with the 18V batteries from your other Ryobi 18V ONE+ system tools.

The vast majority of customers who have reviewed this product think very highly of it. It has an average rating of 4.7 stars based on reviews from more than 300 people. What's more, 83% of reviewers deemed it worthy of 5 stars, while an additional 11% gave it a 4-star review. One reviewer shared, "This handled my long grass with no problems. It's light, folds up, and can be stored vertically. Easy to set up, easy to use."

This 40V HP Brushless 21-inch Self-Propelled Ryobi Lawn Mower is recommended for use on properties of up to ¾-acre. Its 70-minute runtime (when using two 40-volt batteries) combined with the self-propelled feature will help you tackle these larger yards with relative ease. The mower also features a 21-inch polypropylene deck that is corrosion-resistant and offers lasting durability. Like some other Ryobi models, the handle can fold, enabling you to store the mower vertically.

While this mower is pretty highly rated, there are a few reasons why it landed in the middle of our rankings. First, the average of 4.6 stars is slightly lower than the higher-ranking models on our list. Second, the percentage of 5-star reviews for this model is also lower. Only 76% of reviewers gave it 5 stars, compared to 80% or more for the mowers above. "Good product, quiet and easy to assemble, recharging is quick, runs fine, and self-propelled really helps ... Very convenient," shared one individual who purchased this model. However, other reviews reveal a common thread: It appears this particular model is apt to manifest issues with the handle and for some buyers has ceased working abruptly within the first few seasons of use. 

Those with smaller and flatter yards who don't need to spend the extra money to purchase a self-propelled lawn mower may be weighing up the Ryobi 18V ONE+ HP Brushless 16-inch Push Mower Kit. This push mower offers a runtime of up to 40 minutes using the two included 18V ONE+ 4Ah batteries (however reviews indicate that the advertised runtime isn't always accurate) and is recommended for use on yards that are ⅓-acre or smaller. You can easily customize the cut height using the 7-position single-point adjust features. This mower is also ideal for both mulching and mowing; it comes with a mulch plug and a collection bag that can help you switch between both functions with ease.

This push lawn mower from Ryobi has a 4.6-star rating, which is based on about 600 reviews. Up to now, 74% of reviewers gave it a 5-star rating, and 17% gave it a 4-star rating. These stats are pretty similar to the 40V model just above, but we gave that model a slight edge because of its self-propelled design, which can make mowing easier and less time-consuming. Here is what one user shared, "I have many Ryobi tools. I bought this mower because my yard is small. No gas, oil, or mess. It starts instantly and my yard looks great. This is so much easier and I can use any of my existing batteries." However, less happy reviewers report issues with reduced runtimes and a few also mention grass accumulating on the blades with this model.

At first glance, this 80V HP Brushless 30-inch Self-Propelled Multi-Blade Mower Kit looks like it has a lot to offer. Its 90-minute runtime makes it suitable for use on yards up to an acre in size, and it is about 70% quieter than comparable gas models. It also uses the Cross Cut Multi-Blade system to prevent grass and clippings from clumping as they are discharged.

So, why didn't this mower make it higher up in our rankings? One of the biggest reasons for its lower placement is the customer reviews. Only 63% of reviewers gave it a 5-star rating, which is far fewer than the other models that placed higher in our rankings. Its 4.4-star rating is also lower than the models above. At $1,999, this mower may also be too expensive for many homeowners. 

This review from one customer illustrates why this mower isn't as highly rated as some other options from Ryobi: "I have numerous Ryobi products. I was excited to get this mower due to its size. However, it has a few issues that need to be resolved. A mower this big needs AWD. The rear wheels simply just spin and spin going up hills or on rough terrain. Also, the push tab that you use to drive the mower is way too small for a mower this big. I used mine twice and it broke right off. I was then unable to use the mower — unless I pushed it." Other negative reviews also suggest issues with the automatic blade speed, lamenting the lack of control and slow responsiveness.

This Ryobi 18V ONE+ 12-inch 3-in-1 String Trimmer, Mower, and Edger Kit has a lot of potential. However, unless you have a small yard, the tool, even with all of its versatility, probably won't be a good fit for your needs. It comes with a 12-inch mower deck (which is why it is only suitable for smaller yards) that transforms the string trimmer into a functional lawn mower. The small mower even offers four height adjustment options between 1.5 and 3.5 inches. You can use the string trimmer component with .080 or .065 trimmer line to cut grass around obstacles or along your walkway. The tool also works as an edger to help you get neat lines along your sidewalk and driveway.

Unfortunately, this mower, trimmer, and edger combo from Ryobi isn't as highly rated as some of the brand's other products, earning an average of 4.2 stars. This lower rating, combined with its unfitness for larger yards, is why it places toward the end of our ranking. "Very weak plastic and motor. Have to go over everything a few times to cut. Single wire trimmer is not acceptable," shared one dissatisfied customer.

If you're in the market for a riding lawn mower, you might want to scroll right on by Ryobi's 80V Brushless 46-inch Battery Cordless Electric Riding Lawn Tractor. This model is designed for use on properties of up to 2.5 acres and comes with a hypercharger to recharge the battery within 2.5 hours. It features four brushless motors and utilizes three 80V 10Ah batteries, offering a more eco-friendly alternative to choosing a gas mower.

However, it doesn't look to be the best option, according to customer reviews. With a lower 4.3 star rating, the mower's performance falls short of the brand's push models. And, when you're spending over $5,000 on a piece of lawn equipment, you want to know that you're getting a quality product. Only 58% of the 19 reviewers gave this mower a 5-star rating, which isn't very encouraging. One user who wasn't happy with their decision to purchase it wrote, "It [didn't] come close to mowing 2 acres unless I put the blades in slow speed. Not the best for mowing long grass. The mower deck was crooked and it was a nightmare to straighten it. Special tools required (deep sockets). Come fall, the display stopped working."

Those who are looking for the best riding lawn mower probably shouldn't try the 42-Inch 75AH Zero Turn Electric Riding Lawn Mower from Ryobi. This model is designed to mow up to 2.25 acres on a single charge, offers four brushless motors, and operates without the need for air-polluting gasoline. However, it doesn't seem to live up to the expectations of many customers.

More than 100 customers have reviewed this zero turn riding mower, and it has a very sub-par 2.7-star average rating. Even more concerning, roughly 45% of reviewers gave this mower an abysmal 1-star rating. If you're going to spend big and invest in a ride-on lawn mower (this one costs more than $4,000), you'd expect to get a machine that will perform as expected and simplify the task of cutting your lawn. However if you opt for this model, it seems likely that you'll be disappointed based on what reviewers have shared. 

Many negative reviews mention problems with the batteries not lasting nearly as long as Ryobi claims they should. One customer wrote, "We have had the mower for exactly 1 year. For the first few months, it was great. The mower would last for about 2 hours and did a great job cutting. But as time has gone on the battery life is depleted and now lasts less than 1 hour making it impossible to do any real work." Among the resounding reports of reduced runtimes and battery issues (all within the first few seasons of operation), the words "worst decision" and "worst purchase of my life" crop up, as well numerous complaints about the lack of support from Ryobi over the battery problem. One particularly disappointed buyer states, "I wouldn't GIVE one of these to my worst enemy." To wrap up, it looks like this ride-on mower is a lemon within Ryobi's otherwise (mostly) reliable line.

To help us rank the Ryobi lawn mowers listed above, we considered a wide range of factors. First, we paid close attention to the overall product rating and number of customer reviews for each mower. We also looked at the percentage of reviewers who gave each model either 4 or 5 stars and the cost of each mower. Finally, we considered the runtime, compatibility with different yard sizes, power, and whether each mower was a push or self-propelled model.