RYOBI Cordless Weed Wackers: 18V ONE+ or 40V?
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RYOBI is best known for its green cordless tools and its ONE+ system, where a single 18-volt battery runs hundreds of different tools, from drills to leaf blowers. Its string trimmers, the tools most people call weed wackers or weed eaters, follow the same idea. A string trimmer spins a length of tough nylon line fast enough to slice through grass and weeds where a lawn mower cannot reach, such as along fences, around trees and beside flower beds. Going cordless means no pull cord to yank, no fuel to store in the garage and no extension cord trailing behind you.
The four RYOBI trimmers below differ mostly in battery platform, with three on the 18V ONE+ system and one on the more powerful 40V system, and in whether a battery and charger come in the box or you supply your own.
RYOBI String Trimmers Compared
| Model | Battery system | Cutting width | Line feed | Battery and charger |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryobi One+ 18-Volt Lithium-ion Cordless Electric | 18V ONE+ | 10 inches | Not listed | Compact battery and charger included |
| RYOBI 40-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Attachment Capable | 40V | 13 to 15 inches, adjustable | Bump-feed (REEL-EASY) | 4.0Ah battery and charger included |
| RYOBI ONE+ 18V 13 in. Cordless | 18V ONE+ | 11 to 13 inches, adjustable | Auto-feed | 4.0Ah battery and charger included |
| RYOBI 18V ONE+ 13″ STRING TRIMMER | 18V ONE+ | 11 to 13 inches, adjustable | Auto-feed | Not included |
Ryobi One+ 18-Volt Lithium-ion Cordless Electric for Small Yards
Ryobi
Ryobi One+ 18-Volt Lithium-ion Cordless Electric String Trimmer and Edger
Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.
Ryobi One+ 18-Volt Lithium-ion Cordless Electric
Best for: Small yards and light touch-ups
Pros
- Battery and charger included
- Listed at 4 pounds
- Shaft rotates for edging
Cons
- Narrow 10-inch cut
- Model numbers conflict in listing
The Ryobi One+ 18-Volt Lithium-ion Cordless Electric string trimmer and edger is the simplest and lightest option here. It has a 10-inch cutting width, meaning the circle of spinning line is 10 inches across, and a listed weight of 4 pounds. The shaft rotates so you can turn the head on its side and use it as an edger along a sidewalk or driveway.
According to the description, the package includes a curved shaft trimmer and edger, a battery charger and a compact lithium-ion battery that recharges in about an hour. There is a small inconsistency: the specifications give the model number as P2030, while the description names the trimmer inside as P2003. The feature list is also nearly empty, so details such as the line feed type and line size are not specified. As a ONE+ tool, the battery also works in other RYOBI ONE+ tools.
This suits a townhouse patio, a small front lawn or someone who only needs quick tidy-ups. Its narrow cut and compact battery make it slower on bigger properties, where the 13-inch ONE+ models or the 40V trimmer do better. A curved shaft, like the one described here, also tends to suit shorter users, since the head sits closer to the body.
RYOBI 40-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Attachment Capable for Larger Properties
Ryobi
RYOBI 40-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Attachment Capable String Trimmer, 4.0 Ah Battery and Charger Inc
Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.
RYOBI 40-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Attachment Capable
Best for: Yards up to one acre
Pros
- Accepts Expand-It attachments
- 13-15 inch adjustable cut
- 0Ah battery and charger included
Cons
- Heaviest listed weight here
- 40V battery won’t fit 18V tools
The RYOBI 40-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Attachment Capable trimmer is the most powerful model here. RYOBI describes it as delivering power like a gas trimmer without mixing oil and gas, and recommends it for yards up to one acre. It comes with a 40-volt 4.0Ah high-capacity battery and a 90-minute charger. Note that 40V batteries are a separate family from 18V ONE+ batteries and do not swap between them.
The cutting width adjusts from 13 to 15 inches, trading a narrower path for longer run time or a wider path for faster work. It uses a REEL-EASY bump-feed head, which means you tap the head on the ground to let out more line, and it ships with 0.080-inch twisted line. A variable speed trigger lets you slow down near delicate plants. The listed weight is 13.9 pounds, though the listing does not say whether that includes packaging.
The big extra is attachment capability. The lower half of the shaft comes off so you can fit RYOBI Expand-It attachments or other universal gas-style attachments. In practice, that means one battery-powered motor could later drive other yard tools instead of each one needing its own motor, which saves storage space in a crowded garage. The listing does not say which attachments are included, so assume only the trimmer head comes in the box.
This suits homeowners with a large lot, thick weeds or plans to add attachments later. For a small yard, it is more tool than you need, and the 18V models are lighter to carry.
RYOBI ONE+ 18V 13 in. Cordless as the Ready-to-Go Kit
Ryobi
RYOBI ONE+ 18V 13 in. Cordless Battery String Trimmer/Edger with 4.0 Ah Battery and Charger Green
Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.
RYOBI ONE+ 18V 13 in. Cordless
Best for: New homeowners wanting a ready kit
Pros
- 0Ah battery and charger included
- Auto-feed line head
- 3-year warranty
Cons
- No attachment capability
- Listed at 7 pounds
The RYOBI ONE+ 18V 13 in. Cordless string trimmer and edger (model P20180) is the complete-kit version of RYOBI’s 13-inch ONE+ trimmer. It includes an 18-volt 4.0Ah battery and an 18-volt charger, so it works straight out of the box, and it carries a 3-year warranty.
The cutting width adjusts from 11 to 13 inches. It uses an auto-feed line head, which lets out more line automatically whenever you release the trigger, so there is no bumping. It accepts 0.065-inch and 0.080-inch line; thinner line is gentler for light grass, while thicker line lasts longer against tough weeds. The head pivots for edging using a step-to-edge mechanism, and a variable speed trigger helps with control around fences and masonry. The listed weight is 7 pounds and the listed speed is 5,000 rpm.
This is the best gift pick for a first-time homeowner who has no RYOBI batteries yet. If the person already owns ONE+ batteries, the tool-only version below saves doubling up.
RYOBI 18V ONE+ 13″ STRING TRIMMER for Existing Battery Owners
Ryobi
RYOBI 18V ONE+ 13" STRING TRIMMER/EDGER
Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.
RYOBI 18V ONE+ 13″ STRING TRIMMER
Best for: Existing RYOBI ONE+ battery owners
Pros
- Works with any ONE+ 18V battery
- Auto-feed line head
- Button rotates shaft to edger
Cons
- Battery and charger not included
- Weight not listed
The RYOBI 18V ONE+ 13″ STRING TRIMMER and edger is sold as a bare tool: battery and charger are not included. RYOBI says it works with any RYOBI ONE+ 18V battery and notes there are over 260 ONE+ tools on the same platform, so if you already own a ONE+ drill or blower, you already have what powers this.
It shares the 11 to 13-inch adjustable cutting width, the auto-feed line head, the pivoting head for edging and the variable speed trigger. The listing describes the edging change as a button press that rotates the shaft, and names 0.080-inch line for durable cutting. The listed speed is 7,500 rpm, higher than the figure on the kit version, though the listing does not explain the difference, and it does not give a weight.
This suits existing RYOBI owners and gift-givers who know the recipient has ONE+ batteries. If they do not, the kit version above is the safer present.
How to Choose the Right RYOBI String Trimmer
18V versus 40V. Voltage is a rough guide to power. The 18V ONE+ trimmers are lighter and share batteries with a huge range of RYOBI tools, which makes them ideal for typical suburban lawns. The 40V model is aimed at bigger yards and tougher growth, with gas-like power and a recommendation for up to one acre. If you want a wider look at RYOBI’s lineup, our RYOBI weed eater guide goes further.
Tool only or kit. Check whether you, or the person you are buying for, already own RYOBI batteries. If yes, the tool-only 13-inch ONE+ trimmer avoids buying a battery you do not need. If no, choose a model that includes a battery and charger. A quick look in their garage for green battery packs usually answers this.
Cutting width and line feed. Wider cutting widths finish a yard faster but use more battery. Auto-feed heads let out line on their own, which is easiest for beginners; bump-feed heads let you control when line comes out.
Trimmer and edger in one. All four trimmers here can edge by rotating the shaft or pivoting the head, so you do not need a separate edger for crisp lines along concrete. For comparison with other cordless platforms, see our 20-volt weed wacker roundup.
Comfort and safety. Lighter trimmers are easier for long sessions and for users who are not used to yard tools. Whichever model you choose, wear eye protection and closed shoes, because spinning line throws small stones and debris.
FAQ
Which RYOBI trimmer should I buy for a normal suburban yard?
The ONE+ 18V 13-inch trimmer is a good middle ground. Buy the kit version if you need a battery, or the tool-only version if you already have ONE+ batteries.
Can I use my 18V ONE+ battery in the 40V trimmer?
No. The 40V trimmer uses 40-volt batteries. ONE+ 18V batteries work only in ONE+ tools.
What does attachment capable mean?
The 40V trimmer’s shaft splits so you can swap the trimmer head for RYOBI Expand-It attachments or other universal gas-style attachments, turning one power head into several tools.
What is the difference between auto-feed and bump-feed?
Auto-feed lets out fresh line automatically each time you release the trigger. Bump-feed lets out line when you tap the head on the ground.
Which trimmer line do RYOBI trimmers use?
The 13-inch ONE+ kit accepts 0.065-inch and 0.080-inch line, the tool-only 13-inch model names 0.080-inch line and the 40V trimmer ships with 0.080-inch twisted line. The 10-inch model’s listing does not specify.
Do these trimmers work as edgers?
Yes. All four can be turned for edging, either by rotating the shaft or pivoting the head.
