Ryobi Cordless Lawn Mower Review

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Ryobi is the cordless brand most Americans meet first, because it fills a whole aisle at The Home Depot. Its 40V mowers are often the best value among the big names, mainly because Ryobi likes to put two batteries in the box.

I haven’t tested this mower. I work with blades and power tools in my workshop, and I use EGO battery tools on my own lawn, so I know what to look for in a cordless mower. Everything below is based on the published specs, independent reviews and owner feedback.

First the RY40HPLM02K2 in detail, then a short guide to the rest of the Ryobi 40V mower range so you can pick the right model.

Ryobi RY40HPLM02K2 at a glance

Specs come from Ryobi’s product page and Ryobi’s Spanish-language spec page, with the height positions from Pro Tool Reviews.

About model numbers: the mower itself is the RY40HPLM02. The K2 suffix means the kit with two batteries and a charger. Home Depot also sells it with a lawn striper kit as RY40HPLM02K2-ACLS01.

Who it’s for

The RY40HPLM02K2 is a good fit if you:

• Mow about 1/4 to 1/2 acre, or a bit more in a slow-growing season
• Want long runtime without buying extra batteries
• Already own Ryobi 40V tools, or plan to
• Shop at The Home Depot, which carries the full line

It’s too much mower for a small, flat yard. My small-yard picks and cheap cordless mower guides cover lighter options.

Cutting performance

Cross Cut multi-blade

The RY40HPLM02 uses Ryobi’s Cross Cut system: two stacked blades that cut at once. Ryobi says this gives finer clippings for mulching, better spread on side discharge and good bagging.

Pro Tool Reviews singled out the two-layer blades as a strong point and noted the side discharge threw clippings farther than many battery mowers they’d tested. They also warned it can still clog in tall, wet grass, which is true of most mowers.

Power and turbo mode

Ryobi rates the 40V HP motor as stronger than a 170cc gas mower. Pro Tool Reviews notes 160cc is a common starting point for higher-end gas mowers, so that’s a meaningful claim. They quote the motor at about 9.7 ft-lb of torque.

Turbo mode raises blade speed in heavy grass, and Pro Tool Reviews found it engages automatically under load. The Cut Command Center on the handle shows runtime and blade life, and lets you switch turbo, lights and speed.

Height adjustment

A single-point lever sets the height from 1 to 4 inches. Pro Tool Reviews counted 10 positions. That covers normal mowing heights for both cool-season and warm-season grass. See my guide to how to mow a lawn for the right height for your grass.

Runtime and batteries

This is where Ryobi’s kit stands out. Two 6Ah 40V batteries come in the box, and the mower has two active battery ports. Ryobi rates it at up to 75 minutes.

Pro Tool Reviews lists Ryobi’s runtime estimates with bigger packs too:

• Two 6Ah batteries: 75 minutes
• Two 8Ah batteries: 100 minutes
• Two 12Ah batteries: 150 minutes

Their real-world advice: Ryobi says 3/4 acre with the kit batteries, but heat, humidity and peak-season grass make about 1/2 acre more realistic. That matches what I’d expect from any battery mower: rated runtime is a best case.

ToolBox Buzz tested the related RY401210 Cross Cut model and cut 3,229 feet of lawn on one battery, so over a mile with both. They also liked being able to swap batteries without stopping.

Self-propel: Smart Trek

Smart Trek gives variable self-propel speed from thumb controls on the handle, with a separate max-speed setting. Pro Tool Reviews liked the layout. Their one durability concern was that the thumb drive could be sturdier.

The RY40HPLM02K2 is rear-wheel drive. If you have bumpy or uneven ground, the RY40HPLM03K2 version adds all-wheel drive.

Build, weight and storage

At 79.2 lb, this is a heavy mower. Self-propel handles it on the lawn, but you’ll feel it pulling backward, turning on slopes or lifting it over a curb. For comparison, Greenworks lists its 21-inch LM2116S at 65 lb.

The handles fold with one touch so the mower stands vertically, which saves a lot of garage space. The integrated mulch plug switches from bagging to mulching with a lever, so there’s no plug to lose.

Ryobi doesn’t list deck material on the product page.

What owners and reviewers say

What people praise:

• Strong cutting and good mulching from the Cross Cut blades
• Long runtime from two batteries
• Strong side discharge for a battery mower
• Easy handle controls and blade-life indicator
• Folding for vertical storage

Common complaints:

• Weight, at 79.2 lb
• Thumb drive controls that may not be the most durable
• Price, which is high for some budgets
• On Ryobi’s Cross Cut mowers, one owner commenting on ToolBox Buzz’s RY401210 review said the bag/mulch door tracks clog with dirt and grass and need regular cleaning

Pro Tool Reviews gave the RY40HPLM02 a 9.7 out of 10 and called it a strong choice for people moving away from gas. Home Depot shows hundreds of ratings for the RY40HPLM02K2 bundle, which tells you it’s a widely owned mower.

Pros and cons

Price

Ryobi lists the RY40HPLM02K2 kit at about $740, and Home Depot listed the striper bundle at about $750. Pro Tool Reviews reported a $649 kit price at launch. So expect around $650 to $750. For timing a deal, see when lawn mowers go on sale.

Warranty

Ryobi lists a 5-year limited warranty on the mower and 3 years on the batteries and rapid charger. That matches Ryobi’s general terms for 40V outdoor tools and batteries on its warranty page. Keep your receipt.

The rest of the Ryobi 40V mower line-up

Ryobi’s 40V product page lists about 20 walk-behind mowers. The main current ones:

Step down: RY40HPLM01K2

The RY40HPLM01K2 is the single-blade version. It’s rear-wheel drive with two 6Ah batteries and is rated at up to 80 minutes, a little more than the multi-blade model. It also has the Cut Command Center, turbo mode and a mulch plug. If you mostly bag, it’s a sensible way to save money.

Step up: RY40HPLM03K2 (all-wheel drive)

The RY40HPLM03K2 adds all-wheel drive for uneven ground. Ryobi rates it as stronger than a 196cc gas mower, says it reaches full throttle in under 2 seconds and rates it at up to 75 minutes.

Quietest: RY401210 Whisper Series

The Whisper Series RY401210 is an all-wheel-drive Cross Cut mower that Ryobi markets as 85% quieter than gas, with power above a 170cc gas mower and up to 70 minutes. It costs more than the rest of the range.

Older models

You’ll still see older models like the RY401140 for sale. Ryobi’s site now marks it discontinued. It was a 21-inch self-propelled mower rated for up to 70 minutes with two 6Ah batteries. If you find one cheap, it’s still a capable mower, but the current RY40HPLM models add the Cut Command Center and turbo mode.

Ryobi vs EGO and Greenworks

Against the EGO LM2135SP, Ryobi gives you two batteries and more rated runtime (75 vs 60 minutes), while EGO’s mower is lighter per reviewers and EGO’s top models have more published torque. Against the Greenworks LM2116S, Ryobi has more runtime and the Cross Cut blades, while Greenworks offers a steel deck and lower weight.

I compare the three in detail in EGO vs Ryobi vs Greenworks, and the EGO Power+ lawn mower review covers the main rival. For more choices, see the best self-propelled lawn mowers.

My verdict

The Ryobi RY40HPLM02K2 is one of the best-value cordless mowers you can buy right now. Two 6Ah batteries, a Cross Cut deck, turbo mode and a 5-year warranty add up to a lot of mower for the price, and the 40V batteries will run the rest of your Ryobi yard tools.

Buy it if you have up to about half an acre, shop at Home Depot or already own Ryobi 40V tools. Choose the RY40HPLM03K2 if your yard is bumpy or sloped.

Skip it if weight is a problem for you, or if your lawn is small enough that a 20-inch push mower will do. If you’re still deciding between battery and gas, read electric vs gas lawn mower.