Are you tired of pulling all of those weeds from your yard or trimming long grass in hard to reach places by hand? Then you need to invest in a weed eater. Once you buy one, you’ll wonder what took you so long to get one in the first place.
And when it comes to weed eaters, the Ryobi brand makes some of the best ones on the market today. Their entire line is made up of high-quality weed eaters with varying levels of features and price points, so you can choose the one that works best for you.
Some things to look out for in a weed eater are the power source, the battery life on cordless trimmers, how easy they are to use, and how much they cost.
So, we put together this guide to help you choose the best Ryobi weed eater for your needs with eight to choose from.
At a Glance – Our Top Picks
The Best Ryobi Weed Eaters – Reviews
1) Ryobi 40-Volt X Expand-It String Trimmer RY40006
The beauty of Ryobi’s Expand-It line is that all of the parts are made to work with each other, allowing you to swap out tools for various lawn care needs.
This Ryobi trimmer is cordless and changes from string trimmer to edger or other tools so that you don’t need to clutter your shed with a bunch of tools.
Why We Like It
- Easy maintenance and cleaning
- Comparable to a gas-powered weed eater
- Versatility
Specs
- Power Source: 40-Volt Lithium-ion high capacity battery
- Cutting width: 13 in. to 15 in. (adjustable)
- Shaft type: Straight
- Trim lines: 2
Our Verdict
With a 40-volt Lithium-ion battery, the Ryobi 40-Volt X Expand-It String Trimmer is one of the most powerful cordless weed eaters made today, comparable to a gas-powered trimmer. But because it’s cordless, you won’t have to worry about the maintenance that comes with a gas-powered trimmer such as needing gas and changing the oil.
Editor Rating: 5/5
2) Ryobi RY40204
This is Ryobi’s base cordless model of 40-volt weed eaters, but it still has the essential features that will get the job done.
Why We Like It
- It’s affordable for a 40-volt cordless trimmer.
- The variable speed feature is easy to access.
- The auto-feed head supplies string as needed.
Specs
- Power source: 40-volt Lithium-ion battery
- Cutting width: 11-13 inches
- Shaft type: Straight
- Trim lines: 1
Our Verdict
We recommend this weed eater if you need an affordable yet powerful cordless weed eater. Note that this is the weed eater plus the battery pack and charger. You can purchase the weed eater by itself.
Editor Rating: 4/5
3) Ryobi P2052 ONE+ 18V Trimmer
Next in our lineup is a more affordable cordless weed eater by Ryobi, the P2052. What makes it more affordable is the fact that it comes with an 18-volt Lithium-ion battery as opposed to a 40-volt.
Why We Like It
- The price is right.
- It’s lightweight.
- It’s ideal for light maintenance.
Specs
- Power source: 18-volt Lithium-ion battery
- Cutting width: 10-12 inches
- Shaft type: Straight
- Trim lines: 1
Our Verdict
If you need a cordless weed eater for occasional yard maintenance, then this is a good pick for you. Users like that even though the battery is 18-volt, it’s powerful enough to deal with most homeowners’ lawn care needs.
Editor Rating: 4/5
4) Ryobi P2003 ONE+ 18V Trimmer
Another cordless weed eater we love is the Ryobi P2003 ONE+ 18V weed eater.
Why We Like It
- It works with Ryobi’s ONE+ Tool collection.
- It’s the lightest in weight out of all their weed eaters.
- It’s good for smaller yards.
Specs
- Power source: 18-volt Lithium-ion battery
- Cutting width: 10 inches
- Shaft type: Curved
- Trim lines: 1
Our Verdict
This trimmer makes yard work a breeze thanks to weighing only 3 pounds. You can also use it to give your lawn clean lines by rotating it into edger mode.
Editor Rating: 5/5
5) Ryobi P20010A ONE+ 18V
This is the newest model of Ryobi 18V weed eaters that also works with its ONE+ tool line of power tools.
Why We Like It
- Packs more power than previous models.
- Uses premium 0.080 inch twisted single-line string.
- Battery lasts up to 30 minutes on a single charge.
Specs
- Power source: 18-volt Lithium-ion battery
- Cutting width: 10-12 inches
- Shaft type: Straight
- Trim lines: 1
Our Verdict
For an 18V cordless trimmer, you can’t go wrong with this choice. It will do a great job on most residential lawns. You’ll also like the variable speed trigger for maximum control.
Editor Rating: 5/5
6) Ryobi RY40201A 40V String Trimmer/ Edger
Another Ryobi Weed Eater we recommend is the RY40201A, which is an edger and trimmer in one.
Why We Like It
- 40-volt battery provides a longer runtime
- 90-degree pivoting head for easy walk-behind edging
- Adjustable string length
Specs
- Power source: 40-volt Lithium-ion battery
- Cutting width: 11-13 inches
- Shaft type: Straight
- Trim lines: 1
Our Verdict
Given this cordless weed eater runs longer than a gas-powered one, why would you want the hassle that comes with a gas-powered trimmer?
Editor Rating: 5/5
7) Ryobi ZRP2080 ONE+ 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless String Trimmer
This is another trimmer we recommend for those needing a basic weed eater but may need one that cuts a wider path.
Why We Like It
- Runs up to 1 hour on a single charge
- Can easily switch over to edging
- Easy to assemble and replace string
Specs
- Power source: 18-volt Lithium-ion battery
- Cutting width: 11-13 inches
- Shaft type: Straight
- Trim lines: 1
Our Verdict
For most homeowners, this model will be a great buy because of its ease of assembly and low maintenance needs.
Editor Rating: 5/5
8) Ryobi ZRRY34440 18-Inch 30cc 4-Stroke Gas-Powered Straight-Shaft String Trimmer
Ryobi is moving toward cordless trimmers, but they do still have a gas-powered weed eater if you prefer this type of trimmer.
Why We Like It
- Runs quieter than most gas-powered weed eaters
- Works with the Expand-It system
- 30cc 4-stroke engine powers through almost anything
Specs
- Power source: 30cc 4-stroke motor
- Cutting width: 18 inches
- Shaft type: Straight
- Trim lines: 2
Our Verdict
If you live in an area where grass and weeds grow almost faster than you can keep up with them, then we recommend this gas-powered Ryobi. It cuts through tall grass and weeds like butter.
Editor Rating: 4/5
How to Choose a Weed Eater
Now that we’ve covered all the different types of Ryobi weed eaters, how do you go about choosing the right one for you?
You’ll need to consider a few things.
Cordless vs. Gas-Powered
If you have a big yard with lots to trim, then one with a more powerful battery such as the 40-volt models or gas-powered model is advisable. But for most residential lawns, an 18-volt trimmer will do.
Gas-powered trimmers also require more maintenance and cleaning, and they’re also loud. They can be inconvenient as well if you find yourself out of gas when it comes time to trim your edges or weeds.
If you buy a cordless model, you may want to invest in a second battery pack to keep on hand if your trimmer runs out of juice while you’re trimming those pesky weeds.
Straight-Shaft or Curved Shaft
There isn’t much difference in how they perform, but there is a difference in which jobs they are best suited for.
Experts recommend curved shaft weed eaters for light trimming and quick maneuvering. Straight-shaft trimmers work better for times where you need to be able to cut underneath bushes and perhaps decks.
Taller people also seem to prefer straight-shaft trimmers because they don’t need to lean over as much to use them.
Cutting Radius
Do you have a lot of detailed trimming to do, such as around plants and flowers? Then you’ll want one with a smaller cutting radius for more control.
If you have a large lawn or a big property where you constantly have to cut down large amounts of tall grass, then a wider cutting radius will work better for you. The widest cutting swaths are more for professional landscapers who often are hired for large trimming jobs.
Dual-Line vs. Single-Line Heads
Dual-line heads make for faster trimming work since they cut twice on each turn, while single-line models make adding new trimming line easier.
Bump Head, Automatic Feed Head, or Fixed Head
So what’s a bump-head feed head? It will only feed the line from your spool when you “bump” the ground with the cutting head. An automatic-feed head uses centrifugal force to add new line to the cutting head as you need it.
Those are both preferable over the fixed head, which requires you to change the line by hand whenever it wears down. That happens more often than not, so we don’t recommend this type of feed.
Weight
Usually, the more powerful the trimmer is, the heavier it is. It may sound odd, but cordless, battery-powered trimmers actually weigh more than gas-powered ones. That’s because battery packs, especially heavy-duty ones, weigh a lot.
You might also be a good idea to take into account your strength and stamina. There’s no sense in buying a weed eater you can’t lift. There are a few trimmers on this list that weigh under 6 pounds, so there’s one for you if you need a lightweight model.
Attachments, Accessories, and Features
Most of the trimmers on this list work with different Ryobi attachments for landscaping, such as hedge trimmers, brush cutters, and edgers, which makes this brand ideal for lawn care enthusiasts who don’t want to clutter their shed with a ton of different power tools.
If you don’t think you’ll need a ton of attachments, but wouldn’t mind a 2-in-1 edger, consider one of the models reviewed above that also converts to an edger to keep your lawn’s edges neat and clean.
And, if you already have Ryobi cordless power tools, you likely have battery packs that will work with some of the cordless weed eaters on this list. So, you might be able to save a buck or two and locate Ryobi’s trimmer-only versions of the ones we reviewed above.
Top Pick
In terms of price and features for an everyday weed trimmer, you can’t go wrong with the Ryobi P20010A ONE+ 18V model. It’s versatile in that it works with ONE+ attachments, has a motor that handles average lawn care needs, has an automatic feeder, and is lightweight.
Check the One+ 18V model in action here.
Premium Choice
In terms of power, attachments and accessories, and features, the Ryobi 40-Volt X Expand-It String Trimmer RY40006 is our premium choice.
It has a powerful motor and lots of bells and whistles you’d expect to find on a premium-level trimmer such as a dual-line head, variable speed motor, and a powerful cordless battery.
It also works with Ryobi’s Expand-It and universal gas attachments, making it an excellent choice for people who love taking care of their lawns.
Great Value
If you have a tight budget, we recommend the Ryobi P2003 ONE+ 18V Trimmer. It’s lightweight and converts to an edger, giving you two lawn care tools in one. We also like the curved shaft and automatic feed head for almost effortless work.
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